LEARN THE LATVIAN GAMBIT, TRUST ME ITS WORTH IT

I just found the best chess gambit for black and possibly one of the best, comparable to the caro - kann. The Latvian gambit starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5

Here's a example of how the game CAN look like (accepted gambit)

As you can see, black is controlling the center like crazy in a comfortable position.

If you're elo 1800+ then don't play but play if any below that. Study it, but just know the main part of this is to be super aggressive.

Any thoughts?

It's a gambit only a mother could love..

looking at the stats it seems to win fine below master level. At master level, though, white wins 62% vs 17%, so it's complete trash at that point. Probably a viable option for people below 1800 as you say. But I just find it hard to love an opening that leela says is +0.76 right off the bat. If I wanted to play something dubious in this position I think I'd play the elephant gambit

well, this kinda just fits my style soo

??

Well you're in luck because no one is going to prevent you from playing it and forming your own special style, you can even be a huge fan of it and memorize all the lines, you can even get a shirt with the opening name on it too, and make it your lifetime repertoire. Sky is the limit ... well, 1800 is the limit.

Not meaning to be super rude here, my friend, but two questions:

1) considering your rating is quite beginner, why should people trust your opening advice?

2) why does a 600 know relatively obscure gambits? Perhaps openings are not the part of the game that needs your immediate attention?

oooooooo i love curry

It's kind of like a King's Gambit, but as Black.

I like gambits! I usually am happy to give up pawns for fast and easy development, but this Latvian has always seemed too reckless for me. Gambits as black are maybe harder, since you're a move behind. I really want to like the Latvian, but I don't think I'm sharp enough to play it. Looks very fun! , but I probably couldn't pull it off.

About the second point, well i studied the queen's gambit and caro - kann a lot and it paid off. I don't think you should not learn theory just because you're a beginner, like me. It adds more variety to the game and just play 1.e4 e5 is boring. I was gonna quit chess cuz it got boring. But then i found an opening video about the caro and i came back. I do want to increase my rating, but i also want fun. and also for the first point you said, i think you should give it a try in a casual game against a friend or some1 u know. Who knows? maybe it could become your fav opening

and also ye i like curry

lol

also i dont think rating matters much, atleast according to your profile, you still get similar accuracy as me, a 600 while you are a 1700

Playing it until you are satisfied that it is pretty useless against any decent player is a good exercise. You will have some fun against weaker players, especially if they haven't faced it before.

I think the Lithuanian and Estonian gambits offer better results.

I might play the Latvian for a laugh at the next opportunity even though I don't generally play e5.

Early gambits for black are generally not sound because they are already a tempo down.

its kinda my playstyle, so like i can understand.

Imo

a : To learn a refuted opening is rather something ridiculous.

b : We can improve "the Latvian gambit" by playing 1) e4 e5 2) Nf3 Nc6 3) Bb5 f5 or 1) e4 e5 2) Nf3 Nc6 3) Bb5 a6 4) Ba4 f5

Okay, I played a Latvian at the first opportunity as promised (against a strong 2185 opponent).

It was a draw but looking afterwards, I missed two clear wins. I take back what I said, it's a great gambit I might keep playing it until I lose with it and will study it a bit more. If you are an attacking player, I would conclude that it is a great weapon against unfamiliar players rated less than 1600.

HaHa, just totally destroyed a Candidate Master with the Latvian even though neither of us had a clue what we were doing according to the analysis.

I absolutely agree it is worth a try. I am going to keep going with it at every opportunity until I lose. I would never have dreamt of playing it without this thread.