Latvian Gambit, Svedenborg Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 (3.Bc4 fxe4 4.Nxe5 d5)

         >>

Position after 2...f5 (Latvian Gambit)                                               Position after 4...d5 (Svedenborg Variation)

1. Introduction

I like playing the Latvian Gambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 (with black). Mostly white plays 3.Nxe5 or 3.exf5, but sometimes you get an opponent who will try something else. The move 3.Bc4 is a perfect example. A good move! I play it myself when I'm white. And after 3...fxe4 4.Nxe5 black plays 4...d5 (Svedenborg Variation, C40). IMO a very reliable answer for black. In this game I had the oppertunity to test this variation.

2. Game analysis

Date: 2014.04.18

White: archerclass

Black: BigGStikman

WhiteElo: 2094

BlackElo: 2052

TimeControl: 1 in 10 days

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5

Welcome to the Latvian Gambit (C40)! A Reversed King's Gambit and an aggressive choice for black, which often leads to wild and tricky positions.

3.Bc4

Probably 3.Nxe5 or 3.exf5 are more common, but 3.Bc4 is good move. Aiming at the f7-square with a developing move, can't be bad.

3...fxe4

Another variation that looks appealing to me is 3...b5, the Strautin Defence. But 3...fxe4 is probably the best.

4.Nxe5 d5

Now we've the Svedenborg Variation. With 4...d5, black puts a pawn between the white Bishop and the f7-square.

Before I go further with the game, just a short intermezzo:

For those who like an ultimate agressive battle, there's always 4...Qg5 and go for the "poisened pawn". For example: 5.d4 Qxg2 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Bf7+ Kd8 8.Bxg6 Qxh1+ 9.Ke2 Qxc1 and black has a long-lasting material advance, but is positional underdeveloped.

5.Qh5+ g6

Only move, because 5...Ke7 is a forced mate (in 9 moves).

6.Nxg6 hxg6

Perhaps a more solid approach would perhaps be 6...Nf6 7.Qe5+ Be7 8.Bb5+ c6 9.Nxe7 Qxe7 10.Qxe7+ Kxe7 11.Be2 and we've game where black is a pawn down but has considerable positional compensation. But I like my sharper move 6...hxg6 better, as it leads to sharp and perhaps unclear play.

7.Qxh8

I think this is the best move. As 7.Qxg6 Kd7 8.Bxd5 (threatening 9.Qe6#) Nf6 9.Nc3 Qe7 gives about an equal game.

7...Kf7

8.Bb3

An alternative is: 8.Qd4 Be6 9.Bb3 (or 9.Be2) c5 10.Qe3 Nf6 11.0-0 c4 12.Ba4 Qa5 13.b3 b5 and black has a good game IMO.

8...Bg7 9.Qh7

The black Queen hasn't many squares to go to. Perhaps 9.Bxd5+ Qxd5 10.Qh4 is an option!?

9...Be6

It's always good to have a piece between your King and the attacker on b3. Furthermore it develops and defends the d5-pawn.

10.0-0

Probably not the best continuation. White's intention is to play 11.f3 and create an open file to the black King. But instead of castling first, maybe a direct 10.f3 was better. For example: 10...e3 11.dxe3 Nd7 (threatening 12...Nf8 capturing the white Queen.) 12.Bxd5 (The only way to save the white Queen) Bxd5 13.Qh3 Be6 14.Qg3 Ne7 15.e4 c6 and it's about even, where black has a better development and the initiative, but his King is not that safe.

Another idea in this position is: 10.d3 Nd7 11.g3 (making it possible to retreat the white Queen to h4 after 11...Nf8.) Ne5 (hindering the white Queen to go to h4, due Nf3+ and Nxh4) 12.Nd2 Nh6 (locking the white Queen up) 13.dxe4 Qd7 followed by 14.Rh8.

10...Nd7

An innocent looking developing move with the treat of 11...Nf8 capturing the white Queen.

11.f3

To free his Queen, black has to capture on d5 with his Bishop.

11...e3

I don't intend to open a file for white's Rook towards my King.

12.dxe3

Only 12.Bxd5 could have saved the white Queen.

12...Nf8 13.Qh4

Playing 13.Qxg7+ would have gained a piece, but it doesn't matter. The game is over.

13...Qxh4

White resigned.

0-1

3. Summery

A short game where black sacrificed material for development. In the process white's Queen was trapped in the corner of the board. White underestimated the position and forgot to give back material to free his Queen. A nice win for the Svedenborg Variation!