Latvian Gambit Accepted
The Latvian Gambit Accepted is 3.exf5, where White takes the f5 pawn and opens the e-file toward Black's king. Black hopes the push ...e4 gains space and time, but White's pieces come out faster and Black's kingside stays loose.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.exf5
- ECO
- C40
- Engine
- +1.19 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,834 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.2%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 3...e4 jump to e5 with the knight, then Be2 and the check on h5, as in the top engine line.
- Open the center with d3 or d4 to attack the e4 pawn and use the weak e-file.
- Against ...Nf6 or ...Nc6, play d4 and recapture on d4 with the knight to centralize.
- Keep the f5 pawn if it is free, but prefer development over defending it at all costs.
Black
- 3...e4 is the main try: push the f3 knight away and claim space.
- Develop ...Nf6 and ...Be7 quickly to cover the e8-h5 diagonal before Bh5+.
- Win back f5 with the light bishop after ...d5 frees it.
- Avoid queen adventures; Black's king is already weak and needs pieces nearby.
Plans and pawn structure
White's knight goes to e5, the bishop to e2 and later h5 with check, and d3 breaks up the e4 pawn. Once the center opens, Black's king faces the open e-file and weak light squares. Black's plan is ...Nf6, ...Be7, ...Nc6 and ...d5, castling fast and trying to win back the f5 pawn. The gambit is dubious: White keeps a clear edge with simple development.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.19: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:
- +1.19 3...e4 4.Ne5 Nf6 5.Be2 Be7 6.d3
- +1.36 3...Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 d5 6.Nc3
- +1.41 3...Nc6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nxd4 6.Qxd4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,834 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.2%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, if you choose this line, play 3...e4 and develop ...Nf6 and ...Be7 at once. Do not leave the h5-e8 diagonal open. Castle as soon as possible, then try to win back f5.
Questions
What are the moves of the Latvian Gambit Accepted?
The Latvian Gambit Accepted starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.exf5. Its ECO code is C40.
Is the Latvian Gambit Accepted good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.19 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 1,834 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.2%. A risky choice for Black that needs sharp preparation, while White only has to develop calmly to keep a clear edge.
What is the main idea of the Latvian Gambit Accepted?
White takes the gambit pawn and opens lines against Black's weakened king. Black pushes ...e4 and develops quickly, but White's Ne5, Be2 and d3 keep a clear advantage.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is e4, with Nf6 and Nc6 close behind. 3...e4 kicks the knight and gains space, the only way to fight for the initiative.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.