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Below is how to correctly play the Main Line of the Latvian Gambit chess opening. It belongs to the proven lines of the Latvian which were proved by time and experience of the chess masters who analyzed and played this opening in real. A proven line of the Latvian Gambit will show you how to correctly play for White and Black.

The rated players are playing the Latvian Gambit rarely today. But the Main Line (it is similar to the Nimzovich variation) is being in use at by chess masters rated at 1600-2100 as the only line of the Latvian to play. The chess masters avoid other lines and variations of the Latvian due to their dubiousness and sharpness.

Latvian Gambit: Main Line and Nimzovich Variation

Below is a pictured presentation of the main line 2019 of the Latvian Gambit. The line is unofficially called the Main Line, but it is very similar to the official Nimzovich variation of the Latvian Gambit. The line runs: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Nc3 Qg6 (you will see it below).

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 (Latvian Gambit)


3.Nxe5 Qf6


4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Nc3 Qg6


Evaluated by chess engine: White is better at +1.37, depth 30.
Below is 2 best recommended lines to continue:
7.f3 Be7 8.fxe4 Nh6 9.Be3 c6 10.Qd2 b5 (+1.57)
7.f3 Nc6 8.fxe4 Be7 9.Ne3 Nh6 10.Ned5 O-O (+1.30)

Notes: Please pay your close attention to the above chess engine evaluations for 2 best recommended lines to continue (You see: +1.57 White is much better; +1.30 White better). The chess engine evaluations show that the Latvian Gambit is not the best chess opening choice for Black, if 2 opponents are equal by strength.

• 7 Official Variations of Latvian Gambit

• To the Main Page of Latvian Gambit

Here, on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com you have studied the Main Line of the Latvian Gambit chess opening. This is the only line of the Latvian Gambit that is being played at the chess master level today. The Main line is very similar to the Nimzovich variation of the Latvian Gambit (the difference is only 1 move).

Compare below the Main line and the Nimzovich variation:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Nc3 Qg6 (Main Line)
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4 d6 5.Nc4 fxe4 6.Ne3 (Nimzovich Variation)