ECO C40 · Latvian Gambit

Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Poisoned Pawn Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. d4 Qxg2

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

6. Qh5++0.64

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Poisoned Pawn Variation (C40), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. d4 Qxg2, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Qh5+ for White. White is slightly better (+0.64).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.646. Qh5+ g6 7. Bf7+ Kd8 8. Bxg6 Qxh1+ 9. Ke2 Qxc1 10. Nf7+ Ke8
  2. −0.336. Rf1 Nf6 7. Bf7+ Ke7 8. Nc3 d6 9. Bc4 Nbd7 10. Nf7 Nb6
  3. −1.366. Ke2 d6 7. Rg1 Qxh2 8. Nf7 d5 9. Bxd5 Nf6 10. Nc3 Nxd5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Poisoned Pawn Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. d4 Qxg2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Qh5+ for White, continuing g6 7. Bf7+ Kd8 8. Bxg6 Qxh1+ 9. Ke2 Qxc1 10. Nf7+ Ke8. White is slightly better (+0.64). The next best moves are 6. Rf1 (−0.33) and 6. Ke2 (−1.36).
Is the Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Poisoned Pawn Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.64: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Poisoned Pawn Variation?
C40. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).