Chessy
Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Morgado Defense
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bc4 Nf6, White gets the move and the extra freedom. Stockfish rates the position +1.49, a clear edge for White. That means you are already in a tough fight, so your job is to know the right defensive reaction and the common ideas White will try. Use the drill below to practise the critical reply and get ready for the most popular continuations.
Play the Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Morgado Defense against the engine
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Create a free account →What this position is really about
This opening leads to an early test of whether Black can justify the pawn push with activity. If White responds accurately, the position is unpleasant for you, so development and king safety matter a lot. You want to meet White’s pressure without drifting into passive defence. The main practical lesson here is simple: know the engine’s best move, then be ready for the replies White chooses most often.
The engine move you need to know
The engine’s best move here is Nxe5, and the recommended continuation is Nxe5 Qe7 d4 d6. That is the main line to internalise in the drill. In a position like this, you are not trying to “prove” the gambit with hopeful tricks; you are trying to keep the game alive and make White work for the advantage. Play the best move first, then follow the key continuation that the engine gives.
What the numbers say
Across 90,817 games at this exact position, White wins 54.2%, draws 2.3%, and Black wins 43.5%. The most-played continuation is Nxe5 with 41,241 games, where White scores 59.9%. Other common choices are exf5 in 19,860 games with White scoring 45.3%, d3 in 14,135 games with White scoring 53.2%, Ng5 in 5,310 games with White scoring 52.4%, Nc3 in 3,389 games with White scoring 50.7%, and O-O in 2,982 games with White scoring 51.1%.
Mistakes to avoid in practice
The database flags a few White choices as mistakes or an inaccuracy, and these are exactly the moves your drill should teach you to meet confidently. exf5 is a mistake and loses about 1.5 pawns; d3 is also a mistake and loses about 1.0 pawns; Ng5 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns. In every case, the better move was Nxe5. That makes your defensive task clear: recognise the tactical idea behind White’s move and head straight for the best reply.
Results across 90,817 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nxe5 | 41,241 | 59.9% |
| exf5 | 19,860 | 45.3% |
| d3 | 14,135 | 53.2% |
| Ng5 | 5,310 | 52.4% |
| Nc3 | 3,389 | 50.7% |
| O-O | 2,982 | 51.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Morgado Defense sound for Black?
This position is not pleasant for Black. Stockfish gives **+1.49**, which means White has a clear, lasting advantage. You should treat it as a practical defence task rather than a fully equal opening.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is **Nxe5**. The recommended continuation is **Nxe5 Qe7 d4 d6**. In the drill, focus on making that move quickly and accurately.
What should I do against the most common White reply?
The most-played continuation is **Nxe5**, and it is also the engine’s preferred answer for Black to meet the position. White scores **59.9%** there across **41,241 games**, so be prepared for pressure after that move.
Which White moves are the main practical tries?
The database highlights **exf5**, **d3**, **Ng5**, **Nc3**, and **O-O**. Among them, **exf5** and **d3** are marked as mistakes, while **Ng5** is an inaccuracy. Your drill is to learn the best reply against each of these ideas.
How many games feature the Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Morgado Defense?
Over 90K Lichess games have reached the Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack, Morgado Defense position. White wins 54.2%, Black wins 43.5%, with 2.3% draws — based on real rated games.