World First?! Chess Master Teaches Latvian Gambit for Black!

[@mayday7675]

Awesome video! Probably the most comprehensive analysis of the Latvian Gambit for the black side I've seen so far.

[@antioche6276]

I am stunned by the amount of knowledge that went through this video. It's amazing !

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks 👍

[@BaZerionHellraiser]

Thank you, as a Kings Gambit player I find this opening very interesting. Appreciate the time you invested in this video

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks Johan! I never thought of it as King’s gambit reversed, good point! Thanks 👍

[@anibalcastillo1308]

What a lecture on the Latvian Gambit! Excellent work!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thx bro :)

[@angryrabidfoxes7380]

At 7:26 that “No! Actually, you’re better!” Had some malice behind it and I love it.

[@mhoadievdelapaz3703]

Thank you for this informative vid!I'm a practitioner of the Latvian Gambit and won a lot of blitz games with it.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

You’re welcome! Find a video where I play Blitz games in the Latvian gambit 😉

[@aryamantewari5122]

You are just too good. Very very underrated channel.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks 😉

[@eduardwerner3087]

I have completely forgotten to say that I really appreciate that you are doing such a video and of course, it is impossible to cover everything in such a short spell of time. Please keep it up!

[@ronsenyor5996]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Bxd5 Nc6 8. Qe2 Nf6 9. Bxc6 Kxf7 !!!!! Butcher this line is NASTY!!!! Thanks for putting me on to the D5, Nc6 idea. Engine says black is -3 after Nc6. Sick concept

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

We are the Kings 🏆

[@anibalcastillo1308]

You're my idol bro, I love crazy openings! Greetings from Venezuela :D

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thank you champ! Greetings from Serbia 🇷🇸 (not Siberia!) 💪

[@Fazmukadar]

Thank you so much BigMio! I've been playing Vienna Gambit for White for a long time but I don't have a main opening for black. Thanks for the video

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks Fauzan! It’s a nice one for Black!

[@bflo1000]

Isn't the Vienna an improved version of the Latvian bc of the 1st move advantage?

[@benkungs5709]

Super lecture ! All 6 main lines are clearly explained . Thanks to this video , I add it to my opening booklet ...Thanks

[@GeorgiosMichalopoulos]

Great vid for a very tricky opening, thank you!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

👍

[@jasperhalsey8574]

Thank you, very helpful video. I love the Latvian and King’s Gambit.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks champ!

[@bflo1000]

I love the honesty in your vids. Many other channels claim that black is "at least as good" after best play by white. Also, I never dreamed that I would consider playing the Latvian...until now.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Welcome on the right place 👏

[@calvincalvin3132]

The Latvian gambit is crazyyy

[@jalapablocrypto]

Was hoping to see Löwenthal's 3..Nf6 line theorized. That's been my main continuation. Great video!

[@Kommaer]

..And I absolutely love to "develop the king" :D This is awesome =D

[@danielackles4265]

I wish you would make a chessable course on this. Thank you for the hard work and upload! I am excited to dig in and study from you!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks Daniel! Lets be honest, Latvian is interesting up to certain level and engines don’t approve that line at all. This is why I don’t see how to make a Chessable course, would be full of holes…

[@Libertoso]

Latvian gambit got me into offensive openings ^_^

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Hehe, i hope you will like most of the vids on the channel then! 😂

[@DickTracyFanboy]

Suspicious Lines:
0:48 d3
2:04 🐎c3
4:46 exf5
Reliable Lines:
9:30 d4
11:16 Bc4
16:05 🐎xe5

[@marvin_yee]

Thank you for this. I've been playing the Latvian for over 15 years now. I know most lines and there are 2, that you clarified in this video, which I need to correct. ~ 2200 blitz/bullet/rapid on chessco/lichess.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

👍

[@stevemansfield8530]

At 7.37 also possible apparently is Qh5, After the Q-swap the White Knight will struggle to get out alive. Even if 10g4 Nf6 11 g5 Nd5 12 g6 h6 13 Nf7 Bf5 the Knight is struggling to escape. Meantime Black's development is free-flowing and looking good.

[@rafaeldeleon225]

I remember 9 years ago when we had a 60cm set.... at Liverpool Plaza NSW. Old Serbian man "Mick" pawn stormed many noobs with the Latvian.
Even after Lossing his rook right at the beginning and moving his king with no regards of casting, he would still turn the tables by chasing off his overconfident opponents with pawns.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Good story, thanks for sharing it with us! 😉

[@alro4660]

underrated channel, top work

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

😘

[@worldofchessandvariants]

2:15 Nice video. 😎 But I wouldn't say that the most logical move is 4. Nxe4. Instead, white can get into a stronger position after 4. Nxe5, as they immediately threaten with 5. Qh5+, so black should counter the threat by 4. ... Nf6, and white can continue attacking the weakened king's side. Either by 5. Bc4 or 5. Ng4.

[@okibelieveyou7553]

Great video man! I fell in love with the Latvian Gambit after reading Tony Kostens book on it! It's a fantastic weapon for 10min or less Chess.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks Anthony! 👍

[@medusanervesmyth3238]

I sincerely regret not training under you, your opening knowledge and flair for speculative sacrifices open the imagination for gargantuan chess essence meticulously carried out so all avenues of adventurous chess are indeed covered. Thank you, Butcher!

[@Kommaer]

Great explanation! I hope the Latvian gambit is not out dated in 2024.y in low level rapid games!

[@raivojutans]

Paldies! : ) I do appreciate your useful explanation!

[@niklasl.8761]

Hey Mio,
thanks as always for the great vidio. Your vidios are full of very useful and interesting ideas.
I would have a request whether you can do a vidio about the knight attack in the italian 4. Ng5 and that in view of the black side. I find this variation quite interesting with the line 4. Ng5 d5! 5. exd5 Na5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. dxc6 bxc6.
Keep up the good work!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Niklas L. Fried Liver attack is coming soon!

[@flotreize3447]

Many thanks. I just tried this gambit and I won !

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thank you 🙏

[@clandeszipp4564]

As a Latvian I approve this lesson.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

👍

[@lheigenilla4398]

Thank you! Bigmoi.. For teaching. Greco counter gambit..

[@eduardwerner3087]

In the 3.d4 line there is a dangerous gambit line for White with 3..fe4 4.Ne5 Nf6 5. Bg5 d6 6.Nc3!? which is something Black should definitely be aware of since it looks so innoccuous ...

[@zanti4132]

Koston's book has the stunning continuation 6...c6! 7. Nxe4 dxe5 8. Bxf6 gxf6 9. Qh5+ Kd7 10. O-O-O Kc7 11. dxe5 Qe8! (Kravitz-Ruggieri email, 1998), the tactical point being 12. Qxe8 Bh6+ 13. Kb1 Rxe8 "and if anyone is better, it is Black."

[@eduardwerner3087]

@@zanti4132 Exactly! That is the one I meant and it needs to be mentioned since the natural looking 6..dxe5 loses.

[@nishantmiglani1952]

i love this analysis

[@Tynah4729]

You should do more opening videos maybe on the london this was a AWESOME video

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

London will come soon :) Thanks!

[@dayoldeggplant]

BIG MIO ALMOST AT 1,000 SUBS!!!!!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Thanks Rick James! As award for 1K subs, I will make series of long awaited Smith Morra gambit for white! Enjoy! 😉

[@dayoldeggplant]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial I got the book for the Morra but even that book leaves me with questions! I know you're gonna blow our minds!!! Cheers!!

[@jaylenlenear7850]

Will it be a response to the refutation "mop up the morra" ?

[@dimablack3193]

Thank you for excellent learning material, I love latvian. Just having one question: what if instead of Qxh8 --> Qxg6+ (2:45 min in the video) with following threats d3 and g3? Wouldnt black king get into trouble? Thanks in advance!

[@francoischevalier2151]

Practical survival instinct:)

[@Hugo87pl]

I love it this material! perfect gambit!
by the way #3:20 is not beter He7 instead of Nd7?

[@langos8444]

Thank you for this awesome video, first time i tried this and completely anihilated oponent xd

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Check out the Blitz part too!

[@langos8444]

Yes, I will

[@ronsenyor5996]

E4 e5 nf3 f5 nxe Nc6 d4 has been giving me headaches

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Will tell you what to do!

[@ronsenyor5996]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial yeah you said Qe7 Nc3 then moved on. I agree thats the best chance. It's the only line in the Latvian that gives me close to no play. Im 2240 on lichess beating decent players with the latvian. I consider it training for real e5 openings 🤣

[@scythermantis]

At 18:24, after Kd1, Black should follow a well-known game that Capablanca lost to Enrique Corzo: 9. ...Ng4! 10. Qh5+ Kxf8 11. Qxf5+ Kg7 12. d3 d5! with a winning attack for Black (I think d6 might also work)

[@raphaelhudson]

HELL Yes . subscribed.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Welcome and enjoy!

[@Kommaer]

Rausis, of course is a name from Latvian dictionary and au spells like in one sound :)
Rausis is a Round Bread!! :D

[@imbanana]

How do people remember all this, tried playing this in blitz and was instantly lost lol so many variations

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

LMFAO 😂🤣😂

[@brucelittleboy3594]

PS If Whites plays 3 Ne5 Qf6 4. Nc4 (instead of 4. d4), they are likely to mobilise rapidly and be dangerously well 'booked'!

[@brucelittleboy3594]

Do you recommend the LG for classical games or just for rapid, blitz or bullet? I think that you overlooked a strong line for White after 3. Nc3 fe4. Instead of the natural 4. Ne4, there is the creative and attacking idea 4. Ne5! Nf6 5.Bc4 (or 5. Ng4!? is annoying) d5! 6. Nxd5 Nxd5 7.Qh5+ g6 8.Nxg6 hxg6 9.Qxg6+! Kd7 10 Bd5. Stockfish 14, d=30 to d=35, says it's +0.8 to +1, but it's a fight. I played LGs postally in the mid-1970s and 80s, and this line was known then. For every leak that we closed, two more would open up, so with sadness I gave it up. At 7:25, Black is not better, but it's fun to play and it's hard for White to prove the advantage that the books claim. Certainly White should not play 3. Bc4 over the board as this walks into sharp lines for which Black is prepared: a) fxe4 4.Nxe5 4...Qg5 5.d4 Qxg2 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Bf7+! Kd8 8.Bxg6 Qxh1+ 9.Ke2 Qxc1 10.Nf7+ Ke8 which requires deep preparation and good memory from White to get an advantage [White has some forced draws!] or b) 3...fe4 4. Ne5 d5!? 5. Qh5+ g6 Ng6 hg6!. Alas, 3 Nxe5 both kills Black's fun and gets White a large and stable plus in several lines, which makes the LG of limited use (a surprise weapon) in classical games.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Nice comments! LG only for Bullet, Blitz and few Rapid games, definitely not for Standard chess!

[@bestclips2k23]

good video

[@ashwarren5053]

Hi! Ive just discovered your videos which are wonderfully helpful. A question though... can you play the Latvian if white does not go Nf3? If not, what do you suggest? Thank you in advance!

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

You cant play Latvian in that case. And I can not give you universal answer if they play other moves because each one of those requires specific reaction!

[@prof.biswajitray]

I am new to this channel. But very complete analysis

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

😉

[@johncoleman2754]

The video has wonderful analysis and an infectious enthusiasm, but you underestimate the complexity of the Latvian if you call it complete. For example, it didn't even mention Svedenborg's variation (my favorite sub-line in the Lativan). That isn't a criticism of the video -- no 25 minute video could give cover all of the known variations.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

@@johncoleman2754 What is Svendenborg’s variation? Give me moves please

[@johncoleman2754]

@@MiodragPerunovicOfficial It is 4 ... d5 in the 3 Bc4 line (rather than the 4 ... Qg5 that you cover). The move provokes 5 Qh5+ g6 6 Nxg6 hxg6 after which 7 Qxh8 Kf7 is most interesting, with Black getting massive compensation. The fly in the ointment is if White plays 7 Qxg6+, picking up 3 pawns for the knight. Black scores fairly well here, but the position is not to my taste and Black will be crushed if White gets the extra pawns rolling.

[@prof.biswajitray]

@@johncoleman2754 thank you. I shall try to apply this against BOT

[@MGKing-888]

How did you learn this opening in great depth and detail? Opening books don’t show what you are showing

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

I am the boss 💪

[@scythermantis]

After 3. Bc4 I much prefer the Svedenborg gambit, with 3. fxe4 Nxe5 and then ...d5, as I think White usually has at least a draw and often a win in the Poisoned Pawn variation you suggest as shown in many correspondence games although the hair-raising variations are certainly fun.

[@zanti4132]

Surely the Svedenborg line with 4...d5 has to be preferred. In the 4...Qg5 line, Black's only hope for winning is that White overpresses. After 4...d5, Black at least gets active play, and White has to play very accurately to maintain his advantage. In regards to the main line 4...d5 5. Qh5+ g6 6. Nxg6 Nf6 7 Qe5+ Be7 8 Bb5+! c6 9. Nxe7 Qxe7 10 Qxe7+ Kxe7, Latvian specialist John Elburg commented, "Black has full compensation for his pawn minus. He is strongly centralized, and his pieces are free. In practice, White is more likely to lose the game than Black."

[@simonlevett4776]

Is the Latvian gambit sound ? I had always thought that it was a bad opening for black.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Check my theoretical video snd then when I play games with it 💪

[@scythermantis]

At 5:20 4 ...Qf6 is more fun for Black ;-) sometimes you even get to sac a rook for a huge centre after 5. c3 c5 6. Nb5 d5 !?

[@eduardwerner3087]

In the 3.Nxe5 variation, there is certainly Löwenfish´s 3..Nf6 to be considered, and after 3..Qf6 4.d4 (Leonhard´s 4.Nc4 is generally be thought to be stronger nowadays) d6 4.Nc4 fe4 I have always found Bronsteins 5.Be2 most annoying. (You only cover the main line 5.Nc3 which is uncomfortable enough.) Theory says that 5..Qd8 is best here, but the resulting position is practically almost losing - somehow I managed to save almost all of them in my games but I really wasn´t enjoying the games.

[@eduardwerner3087]

That should have been Löwenthal, of course.

[@jamesfanealmazan3024]

Never skip ads

[@jaylenlenear7850]

good vid but not the first to go into detail on the latvian. GM Tony Kosten did a extensive work as well.

[@5native]

I like kings gambit and i want to learn this latvian..... aggressive black

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Good opening for Black 💪

[@unknownname6275]

I'm intrigued to watch. I can't imagine any favorable lines for black. I never understood why it would be considered a gambit 😂. What's the gamble?
Watching now

[@fernandoarizmendi4964]

Great video, I’m just starting using Latvian gambit. What would be black response to play against Bg6 in the line with 3.d4? Meaning 3.d4 fxe4 4.Nxe5 Nf6 5. Bg6 ...

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Check the Blitz session! On Bg5 d6 Nc4 Be7 followed by 0-0

[@palm1231]

5 Bg5 d6 6 Nc3 dxe5 7 dxe5 Qxd1 8 Rxd1 Nfd7 9 Nd5 is interesting, but unfortunately you do not cover it

[@MalcolmRobinsonJr]

Hi, GM Permunovic, thank you for this amazing lesson. But let me try something. At 17:42 it's not easy to understand how can black continues after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Nc6 4.d4 Qe7 5. Nc3. All continuation looks bad. What can you say about it?

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

M Robinson it certainly looks better for white, although, there are few lines for black even there 😉

[@tyrelljeffries2527]

Question: Supposing that you play the Vienna game and your opponent plays 1...e5 2....f5 is it still called the Latvian gambit?

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

I don’t think so, its Vienna game - Anderssen’s gambit

[@eduardwerner3087]

At 17:37 you say this looked completely ok for Black? Why isn´t that somewhere between groveling for a draw and completely lost? Isn´t Black just a very healthy pawn down?

[@themajorchord251]

I’ve watched this video a lot, but this is one thing I’m wondering. At 7:41 do you have compensation for the lost rook? We can take the knight by queen once we move the bishop but won’t our knight on H5 be captured as well?

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

You do have compensation 👍

[@gnastic6588]

Can you recommend a chess program that is good for practicing specific openings? Thanks

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Chessable

[@scythermantis]

20:30 IGOR RAUSIS ... THE Igor Rausis, who was infamously caught cheating with his phone??? LOL

[@DGA2000]

I am not second guessing you or pretending to be smart but at 2:40 why 7...hxg6? Why not 7...Nf6 followed by 8...Rg8? I know you know about this possibility but chose to sac your Rook instead.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

DGA2000 If Qh5 g6 Ng6 black plays your move Nf6 Qe5! check followed by Nh8 😉

[@eduardwerner3087]

Your analysis of the Mlotkovsky-Variation is unfortunately skipping the main variation which goes 3.Nc3 fe4: 4.Ne5, and now the natural 4..Nf6 unfortunately fails to 5.Ng4! Fortunately, in over 35 years of playing the Latvian (most of the time as my main defense to 1.e4) nobody has ever played this against me, but this is mainly due to the fact that 3.Nc3 is being mostly played by players who do not know the Latvian. But I would strongly contest your view that 3.Nc3 gives Black an easy game.

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Let me check what I have there...

[@zanti4132]

Yes, there is nothing suspicious about 3. Nc3 fxe4 4. Nxe5! as after 4...Nf6 5. Ng4! Black loses a pawn with no compensation. Also, 5. Ng4 isn't even the only good move, as after 5. Bc4 d5 6. Nxd5 Nxd5 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. Qxg6+! (more convincing than 9. Qxh8 Qf6!) and now 9...Kd7 10. Bxd5 and 9...Ke7 10. d3 both look problematic for Black. IMO, 3.Nc3! comes as close to refuting the Latvian as 3. Nxe5.

[@eduardwerner3087]

@@zanti4132 That is the line given by Kosten and I entered it once optimistically in a fast time control. Although the computer wasn´t impressed, I fell apart very quickly OTB - one of my most painful defeats with the Latvian.

[@zanti4132]

@@eduardwerner3087 You're referring to the line with 5. Bc4, correct? I also had a game where my opponent played 5. Bc4, missing the simpler 5. Ng4, but still won very convincingly. If your chess engine found a way to defend after 9. Qxg6+, I'd be curious to see it.

[@eduardwerner3087]

@@zanti4132 Off the top of my head, I think 10..Qe8 11.Qxe8 and 12.Bxe4 is only slightly better for White, but I was unable to handle the 4 pawns.

[@robertuzumaki5974]

I Play 3... nf6 after 3.nxe5. you shouldnt be afraight to Play the ending after 4. exf5 ...Qe7 5.Qe2 ...d6. Also i dont get the Point, bringing the Queen Out early with 3....Qf6, Just Like in the scandinavian. Someone enlighten me?

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

3... Qf6 has been the main move in the Latvian gambit for more than 60 years... Simply saying, all other lines give Black lot more problems

[@francescocavicchi5763]

Interesting but visualization way too fast for a patzer like me..slowly please! We are not all masters here

[@echecsenamateur2335]

You're not conviced by this opening for black. It looks obvious! Some lines are doubtful: for instance at 13:22 how can you defend the position for Black whereas White has a winning continuation after 20.Qe6+?

[@shawnburnham1]

5:00

[@irjake]

lol, you go through that line at around 13:00 so fast, it's basically impossible to follow.

[@ameyashetti821]

Sir what if he brings his nknight back at c3

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Then, center is under Black’s control!

[@eduardwerner3087]

At 7:23: Sorry, no, you are *not* better in this old line, although maybe you do not lose by force (btw, 5..d6 is not forced, there is also Gunderam´s old idea 5..Be7 which could be better - his idea is that in some lines you want to be able to play ..d5 in one move). 8..Nxh5 is interesting, it had been discarded by everybody from Thiemann to Kosten and Lein, but it definitely deserves a second look.

[@zanti4132]

My contribution to the theory on the Latvian has been forgotten, how sad. In the Gunderam line 5...Be7(!) 6. Bh5+ Kf8 (a safer square for the king) 7. Nc3 d6 8. Nf7 Qe8 9. Nxh8 Nxh5 10. g4 Nf6 11. g5 Bxf5! 12. gxf6 Bxf6 13. Nd5 Nc6! and Black is better: (a) 14. Nxc7? Qd7! with the threat ...Bg4 (b) 14. O-O Nd4 (c) 14. Nxf6 gxf6.

[@aryamantewari5122]

Wasn't Igors Rausis caught for cheating?

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Aryaman Tewari He got caught for cheating, but still he did play some nice games in the past

[@benbenson6533]

on 5:28 opponent just plays Nb5 instead of Nb3 and you lose

[@eduardwerner3087]

Sorry, but your 3.Bc4 line is very sloppily researched. I have never had an opponent going for this who was not knowing what they are doing (those who play 3.Bc4 on general grounds usually play 4.Nf7) and you can find the winning line for White in Tony Kosten´s book after taking on c1. ..c6 also seems busted right now. If you have managed to repair any of this I would be very grateful if you would disclose it to us. AFAIK, only 4..d5 is really playable here.

[@victortomas5252]

toooooooo much ads

[@MiodragPerunovicOfficial]

Not enough donations I guess...

[@amitavabongoboyychakrabort5930]

Sir this is not a vedio. This is suiside.