2...f5 3.Nxe5: the Latvian Gambit is variation 5 of 6 in the Beating the Latvian, Elephant and other 2nd-move tries course, a beginner opening course for White (ECO C40). It runs 21 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Qf6 4. d4 d6 …. Black attacks e4 with the f-pawn, a very sharp gambit. White takes on e5 at once. After 3...Qf6 4.d4 d6 the knight goes to c4 and then to e3. White plays f3 to open lines. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share.
2. Nf3 – White develops and attacks e5.
2... f5 – The Latvian Gambit. A dubious move that hits e4 but weakens Black's king.
3. Nxe5 – White takes the e5 pawn. The knight is very strong here.
3... Qf6 – Black's main move. The queen attacks the e5 knight and watches f5.
4. d4 – White defends the knight with a pawn and takes the centre.
4... d6 – Black chases the e5 knight.
5. Nc4 – The knight retreats to c4. From here it can go to e3.
5... fxe4 – Black wins the pawn back.
6. Nc3 – White develops and attacks the e4 pawn.
6... Qg6 – The queen defends e4 and eyes g2.
7. Ne3 – The knight goes to e3. It guards g2 and controls d5.
7... Nf6 – Black develops and defends e4 again.
8. Be2 – White develops and gets ready to castle.
8... c6 – Black keeps the knights out of d5.
The lesson goes on for 5 more moves, each with its explanation.
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