A Beginner Lesson in the Stafford Gambit

Watch on Twitch: / imrosen -- Follow to get notified when I go live!
In this video, I give a chess lesson in the Stafford Gambit to @GrappLr who is a popular streamer and an avid chess fan. We cover the basic opening strategy and the common tricks and traps that make the Stafford Gambit so much fun. Later, we then team up and play a couple games in the Stafford Gambit against viewers. Check out Grapplr on Twitch and KZbin!
/ grapplr
/ grapplr
Chapters
0:00 Introduction to the Stafford Gambit & first moves
3:44 Most Beautiful Stafford Trap (OH NO MY QUEEN)
7:45 Englund Gambit Trap Tangent
8:40 When white doesn't take the queen...
10:10 Simple trap vs f3
10:47 Most common Stafford Trap
16:47 Hikaru stumbled into this trap!
17:50 What Stockfish thinks about the Stafford
19:35 TRAP to PUNISH White's Natural Development
23:09 Best response to the Stafford Gambit?
24:44 Responding to White's Best Line (tricky traps!)
29:06 Move Orders, Transpositions, and more traps
31:32 When White plays an early e5... (even more traps!)
35:06 When White Avoids the Stafford
37:57 Teaming up against a viewer (SWEET TRAP)
41:50 Teaming up against a strong viewer -- responding to an early f3
I'm now a chess.com affiliate! Visit go.chess.com/imrosen to get a free trial or paid membership of premium features like beginner lessons, unlimited puzzle training, and access to their extensive video library. Signups through the link will support my content!
Watch live on Twitch: / imrosen
Stream schedule: imrosen.com/schedule
Support my content: www.paypal.me/ericrosenchess
Now accepting fan mail! My mailbox address:
Eric Rosen
4579 Laclede Ave 205
St. Louis, MO 63108
♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙
WEBSITE: imrosen.com/
TWITCH: / imrosen
DISCORD: bit.ly/2KTDlBK
TWITTER: bit.ly/2sFmNqa
INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2HspaBa
LICHESS: lichess.org/@/ericrosen
CHESS.COM: www.chess.com/member/imrosen
♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙♙
See Eric in the chess documentary Chess State (2015): vimeo.com/ondemand/chessstate
Chess book recommendations: imrosen.com/book-recommendati...
London Opening 8-hour video course: www.ichess.net/sale/8020-tact...
#chess #ericrosen

[@aUniverseOfAtoms]

I gambit my grades to watch these longer videos 😂

[@ShowMe7.]

@sungaze uh, there are literally grades... What are you talking about?

[@slytan1506]

@@ShowMe7. Sounds like a yoda quote. But yeah, there are grades. "Pass or no pass. There is no try."

[@eric-rosen]

oh no! your GPA!

[@murkkz1679]

@@eric-rosen nice

[@tushargupta6533]

@@eric-rosen wait.... it's actually my gpa

[@Codac]

Cant wait to pull up to chess club tomorrow and say "oh no my queen"

[@user-rw9no4vt7e]

I have a tourna on Sunday, better learn this lmao

[@oru]

​@@user-rw9no4vt7e stafford is dubious though, be careful lol

[@heatplayz8242]

@@oru i end up loosing all of my pieces

[@user-rw9no4vt7e]

@@oru As in I learn how to defend, *h a h a*

[@oru]

@@user-rw9no4vt7e oh yeah that's good lol, you got this!

[@tmass1]

notes for self: 4:14 when they play bishop g4. get mate 6:47 when they just take your knight with pawn instead. lead to take queen 8:58 bishop on e3 10:12 pawn f3 trap 12:20 if knight c3 early 13:14 this might be open. dive in and fork with the knight 20:17 if bishop c4. (and some various force mates right after) 24:55 bishop d2 trap 32:15 if they move the first pawn super far up 33:45 your knight is center and then pawn goes d4 34:53 when they deny gambit

[@finchisneat]

Gah I wish Eric could pin this Edit: thumbs up so it stays at the top 👍

[@constantinshim4271]

You mean g5?

[@kyleuhlich8785]

Doing God's work. Thank you 💕

[@sajinsajin3014]

31:44 if they move the first pawn super far up then we play our knight to e5 the centre. Then opponent play his queen to e2 to attack my e5 knight,,😮😮 then what would we play

[@rikkousa]

Why. Did Eric not tale KxBf3? 32:53? The bishop was not protected

[@jean-lucpicard2418]

What I like about Eric's explanations is that he is methodical in it. He finishes one method to completion and then mentions the alternatives. Other chess you-tubers, go all over the place with alternative chess roads for one opening. Go Eric

[@SINQUEFIELD83]

I agree. When other creators go through all the alternatives beforehand, it reminds me of movies when a person has a nightmare and then the character wakes up to still be in the nightmare lol.

[@throttlebuff]

I do like his explanations a lot as well

[@fuwariii]

This whole Stafford saga is just a ploy to strike fear and doubt into Eric's opponents whenever he hangs a piece

[@mattchu7067]

its working lol

[@nickbally8229]

🤣🤣🤣

[@BurningPaperMusic]

I heard that every handing piece is a gambit?

[@ziwuri]

@@BurningPaperMusic It is if you're rated under 1000

[@BurningPaperMusic]

@@ziwuri maybe, but not relevant - I was quoting Eric…treat a blunder as a gambit… Given that every novice is an expert (Dunning Kruger) I can only surmise your level is not dissimilar to mine 😂

[@ottertvmtg6229]

me watching this video: sees about 80% of the moves before eric says them me playing games: ah shit i lost again

[@lap9]

Relatable

[@yakzivz1104]

Completely agree with you

[@cptn_n_cola9378]

Me: oh oh a Stafford! I’ve studied this! Opponent: Checkmate

[@jfrey123]

All the damn time...

[@sithi96]

its so weird how its easy to see the board while watching a video but when in game im half blind

[@seaw84]

Please do more of these tutorial videos. Also nice that there is someone you explain things to. Very nice and informative to watch. Thanks Eric.

[@sm00thgames63]

The way Eric Rosen teaches chess makes you believe you could become a grand master one day, he is such a wholesome person.

[@usn4876]

Yes indeed he's very good

[@conchubhar9492]

I selfishly don't want this to blow up so I can keep these ideas to myself

[@kekwe3088]

Many new stafford players are easy targets tho, had 2 today who were lost very quickly

[@WeeDZart]

Kek We how to beat them stafford user?

[@jasoncostan1632]

@@WeeDZart there are timestamps in the description of the video

[@kekwe3088]

@@WeeDZart c3 and d4 are nice I think, the bishop on c5 is the root of all evil

[@conchubhar9492]

@@kekwe3088 I absolutely did throw a couple of games after entering the Stafford gambit yesterday. You do need to play very accurately to pull them off. Every loss is a lesson learned though and I'll crack it eventually

[@hoffi9949]

Eric talking about the Stafford Gambit is like Einstein talking about his theory of relativity. You can see his enthusiasm in his eyes and his Genius in Chess!

[@uujuuch4932]

well said

[@mist3635]

This man has the most soothing voice in the entire earth i can literally listen to this my entire life

[@skuwubi508]

45:04 White missed Qc4+ winning the bishop. It would have been completly lost for Black. Stockfish approved

[@WARRENBUFETT]

Nice observation. So the KB pawn push was premature.

[@dieufunny]

I was looking for this comment. I thought the same thing

[@camilodiaz9008]

I saw it and was like “why didn’t he comment on it?? Did I miss something?” Ty for verifying it with the engine!

[@Trisha_an_Artist]

Yes! I was worried that no one commented about it, but now I'm relieved.

[@Walking_W]

what the engine sees: *+2 for white* what eric rosen sees: -M7

[@Windtell31]

Seriously though, when the engine says +1.7 for white, it's time to find a better gambit line :D

[@krityaan]

@@Windtell31 Very natural moves in the Stafford lose that advantage very quickly. White's defense has some unnatural moves. I like pushing to e5 then d4 and building a pawn chain in response to a Stafford, but if black plays perfectly, 4-5 moves later and white plays natural looking moves, the advantage goes down to 0.0 if not in favour of black.

[@hexrin5191]

@@Windtell31 Engine evals mean very little in lines where even GMs can blunder in shorter time controls

[@eastonpeter1242]

@@Windtell31 r

[@armstrongtixid6873]

@@Windtell31 1. White starts up by around .5 anyway, 2. Engines almost never like gambits so it's a bit harsh, and 3. The eval is assuming white plays perfectly and holds their pawn advantage, which is unrealistic until FM level.

[@GrappLr]

This was so much fun. Thanks a ton for the lesson Eric, you’re the best!

[@collapsed4130]

hey it's the guy who always hits allegiance

[@jvjv8093]

Chess stream/vid soon? Please be so 😄

[@dabi131]

now u have to teach him how to play a teemo deck

[@santiagomurillo8956]

Did you get all the value?

[@davidworley5254]

Wait i didn't realise it was you in this video lmao

[@peterndungu2125]

Best Stafford Gambit vid and general tactics vid I've watched in a bit. Your pace is great for those of us who struggle to see optimal moves quickly. Great stuff Eric.

[@jaylowry6379]

Love videos like this where you go in-depth about different openings and variations! I hope you can post more of this in the future

[@zlfqqr]

At this rate, people will gonna get anxiety to take eric's pieces

[@burakalp34]

I thought people already did

[@grant1753]

Owo bruhify gang

[@TwSkyll]

Oh no my king

[@ezrahadwi135]

If Eric Rosen gambit anything, don't take it. Instead counter gambit it ~by a legend

[@lupsik1]

Only in blitz tho

[@sivabalasundarampitchadana7290]

4:40 also when you do this you should say OH NO MY QUEEN so that your oppenent takes the bluff

[@cringeneer5490]

But if you're a Eric Rosen it's not quite working))

[@darrenhunt4479]

Is it considered bad sportsmanship to type 'Oh No my Queen' into the chat to make sure your opponent takes the bait?

[@sivabalasundarampitchadana7290]

@@darrenhunt4479 I dont think so :)

[@stopidfox1914]

Hahaha

[@joeb4142]

@@darrenhunt4479 It’s OK unless you type it in all caps.

[@mystxryfr]

This was such an in-depth study that I'm literally speechless. Amazing job of explanation and the fact that you explored every single response is mind blowing. As a gambit lover (idk the real term lol), I truly loved this video and Stafford is without doubt my favourite gambit for black.

[@FrancescoGuerrieri]

I just played this for the first time against a friend of mine. He played literally every move as you explain in your video. Needless to say he got destroyed. 😂 Thank you for your wonderful lessons and videos Eric! 🙏

[@jamiesonjones]

Hearing Eric say “I might put this on KZbin” always makes my day

[@Logic-ys7rw]

Hearing him say that in the middle of a KZbin video has the same vibes of watching a movie and hearing a character say the title of the movie

[@Tvde1]

I hope he puts it on youtube, it's really instructional

[@anshumanagrawal346]

@@Tvde1 Yeah, I do too

[@runthomas]

I hope he does

[@barabooe]

Could you have a ponziani opening instructional Eric? It really seems like a great opening and a lot of us would love to see you teach it to us

[@Haakl1]

Seconded

[@nayananaik9984]

correct

[@BryceDoesLife]

agreed

[@larryphotography]

I think he has, I watched a video Punishing beginner mistakes: Ponziani

[@coloradodafronteira]

The ponziani is really cool, I've been winning a lot of games with white, people don't seem to properly know how to defend against it

[@93August]

In the last game, f5 is a blunder, queen can check on c4 and pick up the bishop on c5 after. I'm surprised Eric recommended this move considering how long they talked about this being a important pan break. Other than that, love the content, can wait to play some standford after this!

[@DimebagDerekS]

Yea, I was trying to find this exact comment so I wouldn't have to write it out. check out if black had played Qg4 instead of f5 here. Relatively tricky, especially in blitz or bullet.

[@basicinfo5504]

You do a really good job both demonstrating the moves and the rationale behind them; and a great pace, allowing the viewer to think through the tactics. Great video.

[@savioneves8791]

The "oh no, my queen" Masterclass

[@dominicbelleyweb]

I tried this gambit in my recent games. Everything is under control during the first few moves but at one point the opponent makes a move not explained here .. boom, I fall in panic mode and crawl under the bed.

[@momotaku.]

This video is awesome! I really like how you talked about each move in depth so that it's clear to understand. Keep up the good work.

[@neddistanz]

This has become one of my favorite videos on KZbin I actually used the first version of that Stafford the other day and it worked perfectly!

[@kaantuzcu2704]

finally, i can use "oh no my queen" against my friends

[@rogg0224]

Your friends play chess.. mine don't,

[@adammonsterzero]

@@rogg0224 lmao same i taught it to some but they only play with me so they're shit

[@mochogalego689]

@@rogg0224 your friend dont play chess... i dont have friend,

[@murkkz1679]

Who would've guessed eric uploads another stafford video 😂

[@ezrahadwi135]

Ya like he is the Stafford God

[@Leonjrxx]

I think the stafford is the perfect opening to get someone thinking about complex traps, and how to incorporate them into their other games. So instructional

[@Kawanu]

i didn’t notice this was an hour long, never learned something easier, amazing teaching

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

Ive casually watched your channel but i subscribed because of this. This is fantastic, please do more tutorials like this!

[@remus-alexandrusimion3439]

Ditto

[@gwynedd1]

I am halfway there already, having mastered losing fast with black. I will now add winning fast to my repertoire.

[@andrewmays3988]

I throughly enjoy and greatly appreciate your calm, even tempered presentations. THANK YOU!😇

[@troycongdon]

Such an informative video. I enjoy the calm vibe you present with. I am glad you are able to make a living sharing what you know.

[@bodhi8828]

The Master Class we've all been waiting for

[@noahpalmer6653]

This is the video everyone has been waiting for.

[@tie9645]

I have actually been studying the stafford gambit and this confirms and improves my knowledge. Thank you, enjoyed the video.

[@akashdtx]

Been following Eric since he had 7K subs. Always loved how calm and easy his teaching style is. Happy to see you growing so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@philosopherbme]

A Stafford gambit update! Can't get enough of the Stafford imo.

[@user-ki7ud2mk8h]

Eric: "I don't want to overwhelm you too much." Me: "Too late."

[@dwaynebryant4667]

This is a very good teaching. This is the exact teaching I need to get better. You teach very patiently. Keep up the good instruction. I've never heard of the Stafford Gambit. Now, I know. Great Job.!!!

[@grantgleeson9790]

Fantastic video! Informative and Erik's voice and patience are also very soothing.

[@NoobSharkey]

Ive been waiting for this for 4- no 5000 years

[@user-ht3tp3uj4v]

Hi discord sharky emoji

[@Squaredasher]

Oh, so this is why literally all of my games with white over the past 3 days have been this opening

[@fintan9218]

These beginners lessons are great. not only are you just calm and great at explaining, but actually having you showing someone how to do it helps i think.

[@finchisneat]

Love these types of videos!!! Eric's instruction is very thorough, and he goes through many different variations, 75% of the time it's a move I was wondering "what if they do that instead" and he covers it. Such quality content. Gonna get a new Patreon member soon... 😉 EDIT: looks like he doesn't have patreon that I could find, but he has a PayPal, definitely worth a few bucks, if everyone did it it would be the cheapest and highest quality lessons ever. I've been watching for like 2 years now and it almost feels like that because his content so good. I'd like to find another way to support this channel besides PayPal but maybe I'll do both. Thanks so much Eric!

[@bomberdanger2146]

Learning the stafford gambit from the man himself that specializes it. What an honor.

[@libry9689]

Eric is definitely the kindest person on earth

[@keymasta3260]

To be precise he is one of two. The second of them is BadlandsChugs

[@billybob1831]

No he's not

[@getdat311]

I just ran my first Stafford Gambit! Worked like a boss! Thanks for the great lesson Eric Rosen.

[@ideadwars6025]

Thank you so much for making this video!!! This was so helpful you're the best!!

[@niveshproag3761]

Woww I really wanted this video. Using an engine isn't very effective sometimes because line that are technically worse are very hard for humans to play.

[@grant1753]

Me: seems stafford gambit guide :o It’s one hour long: DAH

[@cringeneer5490]

Wait, is it?

[@bar.kar.5770]

What does Dah mean

[@yigitcengil2465]

@@bar.kar.5770 It`s used to imply regret or sadness but it has no meaning on it`s own.

[@bar.kar.5770]

@@yigitcengil2465 gotcha thx

[@yigitcengil2465]

@@bar.kar.5770 You are welcome :)

[@Sadiquecat]

Amazing lesson ! Thanks so much for this !

[@squidy7771]

I really appreciate the labeled chapters in this video. really underrated and important in an hour long video

[@primal54]

This is my first time being early and coincidentally, I needed this video.

[@usmanahmad9267]

The other guy is so much obsessed with Queen D4 move 😂

[@carldarbyshire4]

Thank you for putting this on KZbin Eric. This is brilliant.

[@anthonyhuhn3882]

I'm so glad you put this video up!

[@diamondeggplant]

now we need Grapplr giving Eric a Legends of Runeterra lesson

[@Em4gdn1m]

PLEASE do more of these. I love Levi and Antonio, but the way you explain and teach things is so much better imo. Maybe it's just because you go slower, and I'm a lot slower, but this video was excellent.

[@Em4gdn1m]

@Eric Rosen bruh...

[@RedStone576]

@Eric Rosen stop

[@itachiuchiha5771]

@Eric Rosen lol most obvious scam ever, try harder, eric would never do this in the comments

[@opfer88]

Videos like that make me love chess even more, we learn a lot, it gives us ideas and it’s also entertaining, so really thank you.

[@opfer88]

I've just had the best chess game of my entire life with the Stafford Gambit against a 1500 elo bot... I had the line when you can sacrifice the bishop To get the Queen. This bot made me struggle so much, I'm so proud of myself, thank You again !

[@sayafkhan748]

Rewatching after more than a year for God knows what number of time. Classic Rosen stuff. Love it

[@sree2924]

When I see my opponent developing Stafford gambit I willingly fall for their tricks just to make their day Either way I am not winning 😌

[@_A-B_]

you are the herp without a cloak

[@myteasgonecold7143]

not all heros wear a cape

[@woomylord672]

yeah same. i hate when i learn an opening and my opponent doesn't play along, so i fall for all the gambits that i recognize so my opponent can practice

[@kimtgf7152]

After looking at this video, it's great that I went ahead and watched Daniel's video about destroying the stafford. Cuz I know everyone is going to be playing this on lichess.

[@tommcbath9218]

Eric, absolutely love your videos man. Thank you so much

[@yobroh0]

Thank you for the longer educational format!

[@chex1007]

The guy that you are teaching is really good actually

[@GrappLr]

Thank you

[@JokesHurt]

The Sub named “MASHTURBATOR” in the bottom right corner caught me lackin lmao😂

[@webstartup]

awesome video Eric. You're such a great teacher. So humble too.

[@giorgosomas1354]

Watching the video again and again to remember all the lines 💯 thanks Eric!

[@jihyo8481]

"A beginner lesson with stafford gambit" me: just don't blunder

[@jasperhalsey8574]

45:00 wait what about Qc4+, picking up the bishop

[@johnmcmillan7554]

Exactly.

[@jasperhalsey8574]

@renderinggg i mean yeah but Eric is an IM.

[@Fahimlol]

@@jasperhalsey8574 IM ≠ super gm

[@mccollins]

Excellent training and coaching video!

[@coulsonhamblett2287]

This is amazing! Please make another with more lines/traps

[@roipogi]

YO I just realized Eric's teaching GrappLr! Very nice.

[@kevsteramp2065]

WTF I DIDNT KNEW THATS GRAPPLR

[@davidwang4234]

The easiest way to play against the Stanford is D3, C3, then D4. There are a few moves in between like BE2 but if you follow that pawn structure and expansion you will have a very stress free position and dominant control while still being up a pawn.

[@abdelcrazy1]

This is such a great video, learned a lot! Thank you

[@ascendstar7938]

im just starting to learn chess, and I absolutely love your channel! Keep it up Eric.. stay awesome! ^^

[@MstrKipper]

Eric finally releasing all of his secrets to us

[@davionmars7868]

Lol these lines are unsound and will fare terrible in competition. You will rarely find strong players playing these unless in maybe bullet, so its hardly a secret, what it does is create a colony of weak players.

[@thegoatrondo7329]

@@davionmars7868 Hikaru the strongest player in us fell for it

[@ammster1234]

Move 9 in the f3 game after black plays f5, why can't the opponent play Qc4 check and win the hanging bishop on c5? Am I missing something? Eric does not mention it in the later analysis either. 55:25

[@davidgeorge6253]

@45:18

[@ammster1234]

@@davidgeorge6253 yea both are the same move, I just had the analysis time stamp

[@RogerBadgerDSFlyer]

Great lesson. Thanks for sharing.

[@fminc]

Thanks for your work Eric. Subscribed.

[@jacknifepl]

44:51 f5 blunders a bishop

[@sankara760]

Just waiting for Danya to release his 1 hour 'How to refute the Stafford (Eric Rosen's favorite)' video

[@milankotevski1663]

41:50 It has already been demonstrated in this video. Arguably the best, and most straightforward refutation of the Stafford Gambit.

[@phenakismos]

Danya recommends d3, Be2, and c3, so it's a different refutation and not covered in this video, unless I missed it.

[@Hsel-lc1wt]

@@phenakismos Jonathan Schrantz has a video where he draws stockfish playing that variation (as black) tho so it doesn't seem like it refutes it imo

[@phenakismos]

@@Hsel-lc1wt yeah not an outright refutation, but anything that gets rid of black's initiative is enough to count for me...

[@Hsel-lc1wt]

@@phenakismos yeah it really doesn't get rid of the initiative - Schrantz drew stockfish because it's incredibly hard for white to manage all of the different threats black had in the eventual position

[@princedavidike1220]

Awesome Lesson Eric...Thanks a bunch

[@conlomerate4841]

This was a brilliant video. You explain so well

[@nik4546]

This person is such a good student!

[@BarDownBoys]

kind of

[@KaroCann6]

At 45:05 isn’t Qc4+ a fork for white? I didn’t see it come up in post-game analysis.

[@michaelf8221]

Probably just Kh8 and if Qxc4 he hasn't stopped our original threat of Qh4+ g3 Nxg3. It's not completely winning, but we do get a kingside attack.

[@readmore3490]

@@michaelf8221 I don't understand what you mean. If Kh8, we lose our black bishop and our queen can't go to h4 because of pawn at g3

[@michaelf8221]

@@readmore3490 Yup you can safely ignore what I wrote above. I didn't count the tempi correctly. Qc4+ was an easy win for white.

[@Pahjamahman1]

yes yes yes been waiting for this Eric!!

[@paulrichardwine8756]

45:03 white could just play Qc4+ lol Eric wtf xD

[@eddyertang]

hed lose the queen

[@tsjawesome6289]

45:03 doesn’t this just blunder a bishop with Qc4+?

[@andreimostovoi2533]

Yeah, it does

[@kkdpsudpsu]

i can listen to eric speaking for hours on end. he is truly amazing. and kinda jealous of the guy getting these lessons. 😄 can’t believe where the hour went

[@TheRausing1]

Videos like this make me so exited to try these ideas out and inevitably fail 90% of the time. But even as a lowly 700elo beginner, I’m still enjoying learning and improving in this game more than any other game I’ve tried. There’s just unlimited potential for creativity.

[@bengarcia90]

Next video should be how to play the Stafford Gambit declined 😂

[@realbignoob1886]

@Eric Rosen stfu

[@jibiteshsaha4392]

Now everyone will know the lines😭😭😭

[@jacobkuca7711]

Please do more of these!!

[@dasemaw1862]

Excellent video, i enjoyed watching it Thanks.

[@TerrafuseInc]

Wow! So much valuable information, I could watch that video 10 times over, thank you so much

[@TerrafuseInc]

The trouble is, opposing players only follow the moves leading to the setup 1 out of 20 games!