C40-C44

Latvian Gambit

17 named lines in this family, ECO C40-C44. Every one of them opens 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3, so the notes on those moves are written once, just below, instead of once per line. Under each line you get its moves and the sentences it adds that this page has not already printed. A line's own page carries up to its first 4 per-move notes in full.

The moves every line here plays

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3

• 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.

Main lineC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5

In the centre, White holds e4 while Black holds e5.

• 2... f5 Challenges the pawn on e4 - the central tension has to resolve. The pawn is genuinely on offer - this is the Latvian Gambit. Fair warning: engines rate this gambit as objectively dubious; it is a practical weapon, not a promise of equality.

Diepstraten CountergambitC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. c4

Lobster GambitC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. g4

Mason CountergambitC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. d4

The pawns on d4 and e5 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure.

Mayet AttackC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4

Mlotkowski VariationC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nc3

Senechaud GambitC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. b4

Fraser DefenseC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Nc6

The structure hands Black the half-open e-file - rook pressure down it is a standing plan. White is up material out of the opening - Black is banking on activity to show for it.

Greco VariationC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Qe7

Mayet Attack, Morgado DefenseC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 Nf6

Mayet Attack, Strautins GambitC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 b5

Corkscrew CountergambitC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Nf6

An early pawn trade leaves the e-file as White's avenue and the f-file as Black's - both sides get real winning chances down their own file.

Mayet Attack, Polerio-Svedenborg VariationC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 d5

Mayet Attack, Poisoned Pawn VariationC40

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

Black keeps the extra pawn; White plays for time, open lines, and initiative - the classic gambit trade.

Corkscrew GambitC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Nf6 4. Bc4 fxe4 5. Nf7 Qe7 6. Nxh8 d5

Behting VariationC40

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Nxh8 Nf6

Clam GambitC44

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d3 f5 4. exf5

White has doubled pawns on the f-file.

• 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn.

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