Latvian Gambit: Mlotkowski Variation
The Mlotkowski Variation of the Latvian Gambit is 3.Nc3, defending e4 instead of taking on f5. White develops first and keeps the option of exf5 or Nxe5, while Black hopes to take on e4 and open the f-file before White's pieces get active.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nc3
- ECO
- C40
- Engine
- +1.14 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 558 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.2%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 3...fxe4 take back on e5 with the knight, then Ng4 and the queen check on h5 as in the engine line.
- Against ...Nf6, take on f5 and then push d4, opening the center while Black's king is loose.
- Against ...Nc6, play d4 at once and use the knight on d4 to hit f5.
- Keep developing; the extra piece on c3 makes every central break stronger.
Black
- 3...fxe4 is the most direct: take on e4 and answer Nxe5 with ...Nf6.
- Use ...c6 and ...d5 to build a center once the e4 pawn is secure.
- Avoid 3...Nc6, the weakest try, which lets White play d4 and win material on f5.
- Keep the king covered: the h5-e8 diagonal is open, so Qh5+ ideas come quickly.
Plans and pawn structure
Black's f-pawn advance has already weakened the king. After 3...fxe4 4.Nxe5 Nf6, White uses Ng4 to trade off the f6 knight and Qh5+ to drive the king around. If Black plays ...Nf6, White can grab f5 and play d4, getting open lines for the bishops. Black needs ...d5, ...Bd6 and quick castling to survive, and even then White's position is easier.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.14: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:
- +1.14 3...fxe4 4.Nxe5 Nf6 5.Ng4 c6 6.Nxf6+
- +1.28 3...Nf6 4.exf5 Nc6 5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4
- +1.35 3...Nc6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6 6.Nxf5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
558 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.2%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, choose 3...fxe4 and then ...Nf6 to defend the e4 pawn with a piece. Do not play ...Nc6 too early. After Ng4, trade on f6 and get your king safe quickly.
Questions
What are the moves of the Latvian Gambit: Mlotkowski Variation?
The Latvian Gambit: Mlotkowski Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nc3. Its ECO code is C40.
Is the Latvian Gambit: Mlotkowski Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.14 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 558 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.2%. A practical system for White players who prefer development to pawn grabbing, giving Black few chances to complicate.
What is the main idea of the Latvian Gambit: Mlotkowski Variation?
White develops the knight to c3 to protect e4, keeping both exf5 and Nxe5 in reserve. Black's best is ...fxe4, but White's quick play against Black's king keeps an advantage.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is fxe4, with Nf6 and Nc6 close behind. 3...fxe4 takes the pawn and lets the f6 knight defend it after Nxe5.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.