The Behting Variation is a variation of the Latvian Gambit, catalogued as ECO C40. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Nxh8 Nf6, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up four points of material. It is White to move after seven moves. White’s f- and h-files pawns are isolated.
On the Latvian Gambit generally: ECO C40. A chess opening with 17 known variations.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 3 Latvian Gambit variations →
The Behting Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Nxh8 Nf6. It is a variation of the Latvian Gambit and is catalogued as ECO C40.
The Behting Variation is ECO C40. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Latvian Gambit.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 Qg5 5. Nf7 Qxg2 6. Rf1 d5 7. Nxh8 Nf6 at -0.57 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up four points of material. It is White to move. White’s f- and h-files pawns are isolated.