TopNotch wrote on 01/01/22 at 17:00:21:
Bibs wrote on 01/01/22 at 05:47:58:
MNb wrote on 01/01/22 at 05:14:48:
I think a book called 1.e4: Beat the Guerrillas would be very useful.
Because you only gave a shortlist.
Ideally, if anyone does, the book would have a stop sign plastered over a gorilla.
Bringing to mind this amusing piece of music history:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ao9p3ou7-U For any non-Brits who do not follow darts (is that anyone?!), that is a large picture of famed Scots darter Jocky Wilson on show in the video (*not* Jackie Wilson). A deliberate jest by the band, not an error by the show.
btw, a good line that's easy to learn v Latvian is:
3.exf5 e4
4.Ng1(!)
Damn Bibs!! That's really sticking the middle finger to the opponent, but still I would rather not provoke these gambiteer types by waving such a red flag and something like 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.exf5 e4 4.Ng1 Nf6 5.g4 d5 6.g5 Bxf5 7.gxf6 Qxf6 would make me feel rather uneasy regardless of what the objective assessment is, indeed this looks like some sort of reverse Muzio King's Gambit position which I wouldn't want to play with either color.
Happily, it’s much easier than that.
4...Nf6
5.d3!
It’s not a King’s Gambit, as we have this lever. The pawn wants to be one step further back.
If ...5... exd3 then 6.Bxd3 and it’s tricky to regain the pawn on f5
Usually black plays 5... d5 here. Well, I say usually, in my 3 games anyhow, as there’s little here that is ‘usual’. White exchanges on e4, exchanges on e4, exchanges on d8, and plays to win the e4 pawn, castling q-side. Ne2-g3, Bc4 White says ‘it’s easier for me to play, you are a wild gambit player trying to hold a grim position, you are unhappy here, I’m better, I’ll duly squash you’.
Before databases, I have never actually looked it up. Maybe I/we should...
Story behind this. FM and author Graham Burgess was showing this to someone between games, at an event about 30 years ago. Somewhere West Country maybe, UK? I was a kid then. Ambling around, I saw something happening, lurked, watched, learned. So, respect and credit to Burgess. Dunno where he got it from, have never spoken to the chap.
Wishing you happy days in 2022 y’all,
B
I thought you were pulling my leg at first, but I did a database check as you suggested and was shocked that this line has received quite a few tests already.
If 4.Ng1 is a threat, then it's a clear indication just how 'trashy' the Latvian Gambit truly is.
The critical line seems to be 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.exf5 e4 4.Ng1 Nf6 5.d3 Qe7 after which the game could continue 6.dxe4 [6.Qe2?! Nc6 When black's development lead and looming threars in the center are starting to become alarming.] d5 with a tense sharp struggle ahead that probably suits black's mindest more than White's.
Ultimately I think 4.Ng1 allows black more play than he deserves, particularly in an over-the-board game.
Pages: 
Chessable LTR Berlin by Shankland (Read 26218 times)
