Latvian Gambit Accepted · C40
Foltys-Leonhardt Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Qf6 4. Nc4
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.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 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.
- 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.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 9 in the Latvian Gambit Accepted. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.