Latvian Gambit, Fraser Defence

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 (3.Nxe5 Nc6)

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Position after 2...f5 (Latvian Gambit)                                                Position after 3...Nc6 (Fraser Defence)

1. Introduction

I play the Latvian Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5) for some years now with black. It's a playing style I very much like. And after white takes on e5 with 3.Nxe5 I normally would play 3...Qf6 (probably the best move). But I also like to experiment with openings. This time I choose for 3.Nc6 (Fraser Defence, also known as the Moller-Fraser Defence). It's probably not fully sound, but can be very tactical.

2. Game analysis

Date: 2013.12.22

White: JLL03

Black: BigGStikman

WhiteElo: 2019

BlackElo: 2038

TimeControl: 1 in 14 days

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5

Latvian Gambit (C40).

3.Nxe5 Nc6

Fraser Defence.

4.Qh5+

This is the more tactical approach; an alternative is 4.Nxc6 as the more positional approach. White also can play 4.d4 to create a strong centre.

4...g6

Only move, objectively. As 4...Ke7 5.Qf7+ Kd6 6.Nc4+ Kc5 7.Qd5+ Kb4 8.a3+ Ka4 9.Nc3# will end the game very quick.

5.Nxg6

The only move that keeps the chances for white alive. The alternative 5.Nxc6 equals the game and other moves lose for white.

5...Nf6 6.Qh3

An alternative is: 6.Qh4 Rg8

(6...hxg6 will return to the main game) 7.e5

Some other possible continuations:

[A] 7.Nxf8 Rg4 8.Qh6 Rxe4+ 9.Be2 Qe7 10.Nc3 Rxe2+ 11.Nxe2 Nd4 12.0-0 Nxe2+ 13.Kh1 d5.

[B] 7.Nxf8 Rg4 8.Qh3 Rxe4+ 9.Kd1 Kxf8 10.Nc3 Re6 11.Qxf5 d5.

Both times has black some compensation, IMO. But I don't know if it will be enough.

7...Rxg6 8.exf6 Qxf6 9.Qxf6 Rxf6 10.c3 Bh6 11.Be2 Re6 12.Kd1 and black has some compensation for his pawn.

6...hxg6

Some other possible continuations:

[A] 6...Rg8 7.Nxf8 Kxf8 8.d3 Kf7 9.Qxf5 d5 10.Qf3 Bg4 11.Qf4 dxe4.

[B] 6...fxe4 7.Nxh8 d5 8.Qb3 Bd7 9.Bb5 Nd4 10.Bxd7+ Qxd7 11.Qxb7 Rd8.

Both times has black some compensation, IMO. But I don't know if it will be enough.

7.Qxh8 Qe7 8.Bd3

Not good. I think 8.d3, 8.Nc3 or even 8.Qh4 are better moves.

8...fxe4

And the white Bishop has to move again.

9.Be2 Nd4 10.Bd1 d5

At this point black has compensation for the lost material.

11.Nc3 c5

Not good! A move driven by fear is often not a good move. I was affraid to lose my Knight on d4 because of the threat of 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.Qxd4, but there was no need to. Better is: 11...Kf7 12.Nxd5 Nf3+ 13.Bxf3 (other moves lose fast) Nxd5 14.Be2 Bg7 15.Qh7 Be6 and black threatens Rh8 and capturing the white Queen. White can only prevent it by giving back material with 16.Bh5, after that black has a good game. For example: 16...Nf4 17.Bxg6+ Nxg6 18.Qh5 Rh8.

12.Qh4

Not good. Better is: 12.0-0 Bf5 13.d3 0-0-0 14.dxe4 Bg7 15.Qh4 dxe4 16.Bg5 and black doesn't have (enough) compensation for his material deficit.

12...Nf5 13.Qg5

To consider is: 13:Qh3.

13...Qf7

To consider is: 13...Kf7.

14.d3

Not good! Needed was 14.Nb5 to stay into the game. For example: 14...Kd8 15.g4 Bh6 16.Nd6 Qf8 17.Qxg6 Nxd6 18.g5 Bg7 19.gxf6 Bxf6 and black has some compensation, but I don't know if it's enough.

14...Bh6 15.Nb5

One move too late. Furthermore 15.Qxh6 would be better.

15...Bxg5 16.Bxg5 a6

White resigns.

0-1

3. Summery

Playing the Latvian Gambit sometimes results in short games; this is an example of such a game. In a tactical struggle white's Queen is lured in the corner of the board, while black is developing his pieces. But in the end white has no squares for his Queen and loses the game.