Latvian Gambit or Caro-Cann

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Avatar of viilonix22
help me please, i need an advice what to learn
Avatar of nonopenah
Caro-Kann is more beginner friendly, has more resources (for beginners or pro’s) and is very strong while not being a main response to e4, so it can slightly throw people off
Avatar of RalphHayward

That's an odd pair of defences to 1. e4 to be choosing between. The Caro-Kann has more literature available, will teach you a lot more about strategy, and is sound. The Latvian has a few very detailed books and a lot of tommy-rot talked about it. Highly tactical in most lines, will yield some pretty wins and some crushing losses. Plus, of course, the player of the Latvian must also learn something against 1. e4, e5 and then: a) 2. Bc4 and b) 2. Nc3 and c) 2. f4 and d) 2. d4 none of which lend themselves to quite such aggressive play for Black. So learning the Latvian will not guarantee you a tactical slugfest. All depends what you're looking to achieve.

Avatar of idk012222

I am a begginer and know a few openings mostly white

Avatar of idk012222

So can someone help me by suggesting a few moves for black.

Avatar of idk012222

I mean openings or gambits

Avatar of Coach_Ali

Caro-Kann without question.

Avatar of betgo

Strange question. Latvian is an unsound gambit. Caro-Kann is solid, positional, and can lead into an endgame. Like Latvian versus Elephant Gambit or versus Alehkine's or Sicilian. Caro-Kann versus Petroff's, French, or Pirc.

Avatar of IntigaGM
Coach_Ali wrote:

Caro-Kann without question.

Noted Coach

Avatar of badger_song

That's quite the mismatch in defenses, Latvian vs Caro. You would probably improve faster by choosing a classical 1.e4 e5 defense like the Petrov; that being said you should choose the defense that you are attracted to--if its chaotic swordfights choose the Latvian, if it's forcing your opponent to prove he can storm your castle walls, choose the Caro.

Avatar of betgo

Yeah, the Latvian gives white about a 1.4 pawn edge initially, versus about 0.4 for the Caro-Kann. I wouldn't play an opening that put you so far down. The Latvian usually results in a wild tactical game. The Caro-Kann is more defensive.