ECO C40 · Latvian Gambit

Latvian Gambit: Senechaud Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. b4

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

3… fxe4−0.90

Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Latvian Gambit: Senechaud Gambit (C40), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. b4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… fxe4 for Black. Black is clearly better (−0.90).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.903… fxe4 4. Nxe5 Nf6 5. Be2 Bxb4 6. O-O O-O 7. d3 d5 8. Bb2
  2. −0.703… Nf6 4. exf5 e4 5. Nh4 Bxb4 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O d5 8. d3
  3. −0.073… Qe7 4. d3 Qxb4+ 5. c3 Qa5 6. exf5 d6 7. Qb3 Nf6 8. Be2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Latvian Gambit: Senechaud Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. b4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… fxe4 for Black, continuing 4. Nxe5 Nf6 5. Be2 Bxb4 6. O-O O-O 7. d3 d5 8. Bb2. Black is clearly better (−0.90). The next best moves are 3… Nf6 (−0.70) and 3… Qe7 (−0.07).
Is the Latvian Gambit: Senechaud Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.90: Black is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Latvian Gambit: Senechaud Gambit?
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+).