Theoria
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Latvian Gambit

Fraser Defense

C40gambittacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3f5
  3. 3.Nxe5Nc6
1,271 games46%51%

Speculative Latvian Gambit line in which Black answers 3. Nxe5 with 3...Nc6, inviting Qh5+ in hopes of gaining time against White's queen.

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About the Fraser Defense

The Fraser Defense, 3...Nc6, answers 3. Nxe5 without chasing the knight with 3...Qf6. Instead Black develops and invites 4. Qh5+, hoping that after 4...g6 5. Nxg6 Nf6 the tempi gained against White's queen will fuel an attack. Natural defensive moves leave White well ahead in material. The simple 4. Nxc6 is the most frequent reply on Lichess, and engines rate White's advantage as large, although online results are close to even.

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