Latvian Gambit: Senechaud Gambit

The move 1.e4 is the most popular opening move by white, aiming to control the center and free up the bishop on f1. This move puts pressure on black's e5 pawn, forcing a response. White will be looking to follow up with Nf3 and Bc4 to put even more pressure on the center. By playing e4, white hopes to gain control of the game and dictate the pace from the start.

The move 1...e5 is a classic response to 1.e4, aiming to establish a pawn presence in the center and increase control over the board. As well as opening lines for the bishops, this move aims to contest the vital squares d4 and f4 that white's pawn controls. By playing this move, Black hopes to gain a foothold in the center and put pressure on white's position from the outset. This move has been a staple of chess openings for centuries and remains a popular choice for Black players of all levels.

The move 2.Nf3 is one of the most popular options for white in response to 1.e4 e5. It develops a knight to a good square and also prepares to castle kingside. By controlling the square e5, this move places additional pressure on the black pawn on e5 and denies any future knight moves to f6. Additionally, this move paves the way for the bishop on c1 to be developed and puts pressure on the black position from an early stage. In sum, 2.Nf3 is a solid choice for white to quickly develop their pieces and control the center of the board.

In the Latvian Gambit: Senechaud Gambit, the move 2...f5 for Black is an aggressive option that aims to immediately challenge white's control over the center of the board. The pawn on f5 is advanced and strikes at white's knight on f3, forcing it to move and potentially weakening white's position. This move also opens up a diagonal for the black bishop on c8, allowing it to be developed with tempo. By pushing the pawn to f5, Black takes the initiative and hopes to gain an early advantage in the game. However, this move is also risky as it weakens the king's pawn structure and may leave Black vulnerable to attack by white's pieces.

The move 3.b4 by white is a sharp response to Black's aggressive move, f5. It creates a pawn on the b4 square that simultaneously attacks the Black pawn on c5, and prepares to develop the bishop on a3. This move also opens up a line on the queenside for white's rook to enter the game quickly. Additionally, by advancing their pawn to b4, white creates potential pressure on the black knight on c6 and potentially limiting Black's mobility on the queenside. However, playing b4 so early in the game also comes with risks, as it may leave white's king side underdeveloped and vulnerably exposed to counter-attacks by Black.