Latvian Gambit: Behting Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
1,968 games: White 31.1% / Draw 2.9% / Black 66.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 819819 | ||
| 640640 | ||
| 331331 | ||
| 132132 | ||
| 2121 | ||
| 1313 | ||
| 55 | ||
| 33 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.62 Black is slightly better
Best play: 8. Be2 Bh3 9. d4 Qxh2 10. Be3 Bxf1 11. Bxf1 Nbd7 12. c4 Bb4+
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Latvian Gambit: Behting Variation (ECO C40, Open Games) is a gambit in the Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Nxh8 Nf6 (7 moves).
In 1,968 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 31.1%, Black 66.0% and 2.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Be2, in 42% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Latvian Gambit: Behting Variation
8. Bxd5 scores best for White: 48.9%, with White winning 47.7% and Black 49.8% of 331 games. The most played, 8. Be2, scores 41.5% in 819 games, and 8. Bb3 scores lowest: 13.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 8. Be2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Latvian Gambit: Behting Variation (C40)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/latvian-gambit-behting-variation