An Easy System to Make French Players Squirm

[@dshocc1376]

Jesse always speaks like his true passion is ASMR

[@antonpirulero9343]

Isn’t it an ASMR Channel?

[@denisdemonte15]

lmao

[@davidenalini8371]

Its soo fucking annoying cant watch a whole video

[@TheChohr]

@@antonpirulero9343 Yes he is doing a chess Grand Master role play

[@ChessDiagnostic]

Roasting French players OFF the board, and then showing how to do it ON the board. What class!

[@SCCH286]

The intro is a masterpiece!

[@phoenixinthetrees1446]

4:07 Old variation. 5:20 New variation. Thanks for this, Jesse. I love the quiet, secretive tone of your voice - 'Hey, guys, don't tell anyone, but this is how to beat the French...' [loud knocking on door; voice from next room] 'Jesse!! Jesse, is that you giving away more chess secrets?! I've warned you about that!!'

[@cameronherbert4632]

I'm getting a big Bob Ross feel from this video. Keep it up!

[@Rob-q4b5b]

😂

[@brigadira8735]

You are one of the best GMs in explaining the game. Please, continue to enlighten us. P.S. against the advance a good plan is to bring the knight from g8 to c6 instead of the main line :)

[@davidenalini8371]

Cap

[@monkeygrip2412]

This is truly an incredible video told by an amazing teacher. It is explained so so well. Not easy for all Grand Masters to verbalize their thoughts. Absolutely amazing video! Thank you!

[@sureshrawte9951]

Very well explained! Making thing simplified is an art + knowledge!!! Besides it, technical presentation is also the best quality.. Clarity of voice, speed ,intensity of the talk and all...👍

[@elroyjacobs8126]

Wow! Really enjoyed this. I learned alot. Thank you GM Kraai. Keep going the number of subscribers will definitely increase as time goes by.

[@indrekreiland1569]

It's like an Anti-GingerGM repertoire series :)

[@ShubhamGupta-ep7wt]

He never suggeted qb6

[@Heroball299]

Nah he recommends it for white in a chessable course for the same reasons Jesse said.

[@Socialdogma]

I love this new channel. Three of my favorite chess instructors on the Internet.

[@brucelittleboy3594]

Jesse makes an important point that it's important to understand the _gist_ of an opening, i.e. where the pieces belong, what the players aim to achieve strategically, and what their psychological outlook is. We too easily get bogged down in the _intricacies_ of books and engine analysis. It is good advice to find simple ways to steer an opening towards positions that you find congenial and can understand. If your opponent is annoyed, disoriented, or thinks the task is easier than it is, then this is what good opening preparation is for the vast majority of players.

[@StygianStyle]

This was a very interesting and clear presentation. You make it look easy, but I suspect at my intermediate level I would have to study these lines quite a bit.

[@Wtfzipcode]

this is the first video of yours ive seen, and the first sentence is making me subscribe

[@trenbabone6359]

Me a French defense player checking this out to strengthen my French defense knowledge 😎

[@ChessDojo]

Smart!

[@quizarrdd1]

Awesome stuff and well presented.. Cheers for the share Jesse!

[@christiansiebert4834]

well I love the way you speak by explayning things calmly. It makes me calm myself and therefore it is easier to understand the facts you explain. Very good job sir.

[@franklinwhitsell2987]

Thanks for this. I actually score better as black than white. Whether I play 1.e4 or 1.d4 I always have trouble with the 1. e6, 2.d5 openings. I can do well up to class A opponents because I know the key squares to hold. But an experienced player who knows their pawn breaks I have a rough time in tournaments with people 1900+ rated. I do think this provided a lot of middle game ideas which is lacking in a lot of opening books... or perhaps it is just explained much better. I appreciate it as lower rated players may not realize the effort you put in to not just showing your lines, but explaining it in a way we can all translate and understand. That is tougher really than people tend to give credit.

[@petemattingly8361]

Wow this guy might be my new favorite chess teacher- glad I found this

[@TH3G3N3S1S]

Cant the queen escape to a5 at 8:19 ? Its not trapped or anything and then i just lost two pawns. I still very enjoyed the video and it made me realise that i dont need to defend the d4 pawn to my death

[@ufs7678]

Bb6 traps it

[@lynxor7098]

At 8:21 how is the queen trapped if Qa5 is played?

[@ieatpaste8360]

What a great teacher. I really enjoy the way you verbalize these ideas.

[@jackm4457]

I came back to review this system after watching Carissa Yip use it to defeat Anna Zatonskih and Tatav Abrahamyan in the current (2021) US Woman's Championship. Anna was at 2400 FIDE and was clueless vs this line.

[@metspoker]

I just discovered Jesse Kraai, and what an awesome way he explains!! Kudos from Denmark Sir.

[@MrEstebandido51]

Thank you for making this great video! Initially I didn't like the advance french, because I saw black had a really intuitive game with c5 - Nc6 - Qb6 and I felt white was trying to hold on, but the idea you recommend makes it seem really atractive for the white player, now I feel very inspired to actually try this in my games, and its black that's struggling to develop and realize its plans, thank you for a very interesting and great video!

[@Boss.Stephen]

Very nice video, thanks for covering sidelines in the end!

[@alexanderroc3359]

Thanks Jesse for your really helpful and instructive lecture. The way you talk is calm and easy. Looking forward to more!

[@Abhishek-mw6pg]

This guy is better than those IMs who are having 100Ks or even million subs because those just time pass mostly. I love your teaching style keep moving forward 🔥💓

[@beastyboi8580]

Someone is getting jealous of Gothamchess's money

[@amoreazione3563]

​@@beastyboi8580 No, he is right. Gothamchess is just entertainment, this channel is instead about improving your chess.

[@munzutai]

This looks a lot more solid than the Wing Gambit. I'll have some fun exploring this one. Thanks!

[@thomasdoggett9919]

Really great video, helped immensely

[@indrekreiland1569]

Excellent video. It also really resembles play in many variations of the London so if one is a London player looking to take up e4 this feels like a very natural system.

[@timkokesh1968]

At 12:25, instead of Bxh7+ first, doesn’t Qh5 just win a clear piece? Black can’t cover both the Bh4 and h7.

[@brdigma6790]

Thats what i thought too but Qxg2 is a massive threat after white moves their queen to h5

[@resop3]

I always felt that to beat the French you needed to sac a pawn early.

[@BillRatio]

This deserves many more views but as a French player, part of me is glad it doesn't. :) I also play 1.e4 and hate going against the French. The first two times I played this system against the French I easily beat 1750 players even though I'm only 1600. I honestly felt like Paul Morphy it was so easy to find tactics.

[@chesslearningdevelopment1274]

Are you 1600 Fide?

[@BillRatio]

@@chesslearningdevelopment1274 Well, I'm actually 1720 now.

[@meowcat5596]

🧢

[@chrisatkeson4638]

Great video. Very well explained.

[@virtuafighter3]

Very good video. I am pleased I watched this and the other video of how to spend my £ in chess and on what. This video has a good teaching style to get an idea across, supported by some variations to make it illustrative. Good balance.

[@jakeb.2990]

"I've been playing the French since the last millennium" whoa it's true

[@marcofrey2903]

Thank you! I've long played the Milner Barry in classic trickster style but when I wanted to solidify my repertoire, I stumbled across this line from some game Eric Rosen tried it. Now that I've seen this, I'm convinced I need no alternative line in my repertoire, only this minor tweak. Every once in awhile the double gambit is still a blast, though. Sure gets a lot of those Frenchies.

[@Robsve-y1h]

Does black really have to go back to d8? c7 looks more natural, pressuring the isolated pawn on e5

[@rhysgriffiths9675]

This was awesome. Thank you.

[@SanjaySharma-en3gg]

Your way of teach is very good I love it

[@ankitkatyal9013]

Excellent explanation 💚💜💙

[@yolo2gopro793]

Great video!

[@hectorgray8542]

Thank you for the great lines! I just have one thing to point out, I think 6. Bd3 against the Euwe Variation is an inaccuracy since Black either gets a nasty attack or the light-squared bishop with 6... Rc8!

[@kriszed5329]

That is a GOOD video about how to annoy French players. Definitely going to try it and bookmark this channel

[@dojisan5050]

That ASMR voice and that smile makes this system looks very sinister!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

[@leomarty6002]

This helped a lot! Can we have more videos like this?

[@Yornek1]

I see the TEST OF TIME in the back there Jesse. One love from Jamaica.

[@eliezerzagorin8127]

At 8:22 you say that the queen is trapped. Can’t it just move to a5 and its free and white is down a couple of pawns?

[@efemetin5593]

Qa5 Bb6 Qxb6 Nd6+ Bxd6 Rxb6 is game over

[@alexf0101]

I could listen to Jesse explain things all day. More like this please! (and not just openings)

[@tenorhighc1]

LOve this! It's pretty funny that I have my entire opening prep settled except for the FRENCH! I didn't want learn all kinds of theory so I tried different systems ... Sclectcher variation Reit Garmbit Tarrasch KIngs INdian Attack Two Knights (but most of these leave me in postions I don't like. Except for the Tarrasch.) By studying all of these I ended up having to learn MORE theory which was my entire reason to find an easy system. LOL I love your video and this system looks great! Thanks!!

[@Heroball299]

What do you play against Sicilian? I've got nothing. Only ever tried the Alapin

[@tenorhighc1]

@@Heroball299 I play Grand Prix Attack - Sicilian players don't really know what to do and it guarantees a wild and fun game. You also have to learn the closed Sicilain with White in case Black plays early a6. That's fun too

[@ChirsHunter]

Great piece! You deserves more attention.

[@foxy3.o891]

Why are u so underrated I learned so much in this video

[@eldoreschess2428]

I think MVL also played saced a pawn in the grand Swiss Riga 2021 in a French.

[@kevinhenry116]

7:05, why does black not play e5 forking knight and bishop? Ah you covered it at 9:50. I watched this last night and got a French today but didnt remember your trick at 10:20! I have to keep revisiting these videos for everything to sink in!

[@PavelGnatyuk]

On 5:00 there is a white pawn on e5. Probably it will be taken now?

[@manuelcarpio-fl2pz]

This video convinced me🎉 Liked and suscribed

[@ChessDojo]

Glad to have you here!

[@rbbecker73]

So how does this work if black plays Bd7 without Qb6? ie 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. O-O and black sees that you're not playing the typical Milner-Barry Gambit with 7. cxd4, so he avoids your traps by not playing Qb6. What does black do instead, and how does white deal with it?

[@M8gicmike]

Tried it, absolutely worked first time, moved queen back to c2, the rest is history. First time I have beaten the French against a player of similar rating

[@g.bennett4899]

At 6:57, it is said the queen is lost if she takes b2. Why cannot she go back to b4 and then g4, if needed? What is wrong with b4? I think she is safe there?

[@g.bennett4899]

sorry, b4 then a5. And back from there.

[@michaelpeck3254]

I went looking for someone questioning that, glad I'm not alone

[@ViktorJahnke]

Wow, that was really helpful. I just won a game against a much stronger adversary following your advices on how to play against the French defense. Thanks.

[@sayafkhan748]

Thanks for spilling the beans. You found a new sub in me

[@emiliodiaz6527]

Glad to know someone who has that opinion on French's players. Looking forward to hearing what you think about those nasty Lodoners.

[@ChessDojo]

I'll need a whole vid series to examine what went so wrong in the early childhood of London players.

[@77oscarmanu]

Why do you think The London system is so bad ???

[@emiliodiaz6527]

@@77oscarmanu kzbin.info/www/bejne/onnHhpt4p7uEfbs

[@miketedder1079]

Good stuff. I have been playing this line vs higher rated French players with good success for years. Putting the white pawn on e5 takes away the f6 square for the black Kt and the d6 square from the f8 bishop. 'Squirm' is a good word for it.

[@darwinferrer5546]

liked & subscribed. due to clarity & excellence...

[@ChessDojo]

Thanks!

[@lucassantana6993]

the last phrase was just everything. like pick this line and just learn how to play good chess 😂😂😂😂

[@Zeddicus1976]

I guess it has to be a good recommendation. Gawain Jones also recommends this in his book Coffeehouse repertoire. His analysis usually is solid.

[@rbbecker73]

At 13:15, what about Nc4 for black? Because it defends the d6 bishop, it eliminates some of white's tactical ideas.

[@tonysu8860]

I dunno. After Qa4, seems to me Black's position falls apart . Almost forces Black to play Bb5, then Qb5+ and the b7 pawn falls along with th whole position. The Nc4 is sitting there with no follow up with White's Nb5 coming too after Q exchanges and the White R invading.

[@Sr.Bulgari]

Thank you so much

[@dkol2000]

as French and Dutch player, I like these videos

[@DaydreamVacations]

Incredible system. Do you have a similar one against the Caro Kann?

[@maddasaba]

Great video

[@AhPhoey]

@8:23. Can't the black queen go to A5?

[@thechesslobster2768]

I've got a game against my rival, around 2000 FIDE same as me. He solely plays the Qb6 french, so lets see if I can win with this! Thank you for the system! I maybe will graduate from opting out and just playing the exchange variation now!

[@thechesslobster2768]

He played into my entire prep and I won!

[@bechirbenothman5044]

Brilliant chess lesson !

[@DaydreamVacations]

Is this gambit good only for blitz? Or are you recommending this for classical 90/+30 games too?

[@marcofrey2903]

This is definitely the most solid version of the gambit, with the computer giving equality at high depths (but white is always asking questions). The old school gambit is more suspect (but still fun). I'd play this in classical. My ratings 1500.

[@RayT70]

Thanks 🤙

[@edmondzeldin7036]

Someone help me understand why at 7:14 Black can't play d4, forking the bishop and knight. Is it because White can then play Bb5 and Qxd8, with a big lead in development and the Black King unable to castle?

[@itayn6422]

d4 is losing because after d4 Nxd4! Nxd4 Bxd4 Qxd4?? Bb5+ and you win the queen. Common idea in the gambit

[@alexhudson-]

Could you please do the video as white opens with D4 and Nc3 against the French? There isn't much info anywhere on D4, Nc3 opening and most I've found, most people better than me say it's bad, but I've stuck with it and have been exclusive with it and have made a ton of progress and I'm not convinced it's bad yet, unless black does the French. Anyways thank you and great video!! I'd freak if you made the video as I love your channel so much. I love D4, Nc3 and castling long side in open games and I try to be pretty aggressive as white.

[@klarke0]

2nd this

[@markwesley9346]

Thank you. I really like your explanations. At 4:43 why doesn't black queen take e5?

[@bobrowski8298]

good question

[@kakarotgrime]

Really great stuff! I'm comfortable with almost all of my opening repetoire as an e4 player but I keep getting bullied by the French - it's very satisfying to be able to turn the tables...

[@abdellatif7571]

You are one of the best GMs in explaining the game .. just pls next time dont get so close to the mic cos there some sounds .. thanks for the good vids

[@jellyfish-hunter428]

thank you sir great video absolutely 10/10

[@harrykaranikas7741]

At 8:20 the queen can go to a5

[@Balakhontsev]

Maybe then 1.Bb6 Qb6 2.Nd6+ and 3.Rb6 winning the queen

[@harrykaranikas7741]

@@Balakhontsev good point !!!

[@ReinaldoGD_]

Great video, GM Jesse! I learnt a lot about those variations. 😃 I just have a doubt about this variation: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Qb6 6. Bd3 cxd4 7. O-O Bd7 8. cxd4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 Qxd4 10. Nc3 because Stockfish 11 replies an interesting move for Black 10. … a6 - + and evaluates -2.15, d=29. It seems Black can have tempo to develop its pieces (e.g., Ne7, Nc6, Be7 and 0-0). Let me know please which plan for White could be run.

[@philiphynes8652]

Excellent video and exceptionally well delivered 👏

[@dimtodim]

u r great teacher and present your knowledge very simple way :)

[@ChessDojo]

thanks!

[@Valentin-uv7wl]

7:30 does this structure not remind you at a Smith-Morra-Gambit structure?

[@bggines_1260]

"his bishop will become large pawn on e6"!😂

[@cadesaxstone]

What's the tactic after knight takes C3 and black pushes the D pawn to 4 threatening the knight on C3?

[@cadesaxstone]

I guess knight A4

[@danielvonbose557]

There are several instances of white moving a bishop to d3 behind a pawn chain. What prevents Pc4 attacking the bishop?

[@1A.E.M.QSports]

Great vid

[@art_h_90]

Good video! But why don't discuss c4 for black, attack the bishop on d3? been played a lot

[@ИгорьМашнин-ч7в]

8:20 Why do you say the Queen is gone when she has a5?

[@robtaylor9782]

The Bob Ross of chess ♟

[@wrathofpunjabi]

As aging occurs in me, biases increase not decrease. In age of Silicon, it’s hard to talk about opening advantage.

[@getrightw1tcha]

thanks a lot sir👍🏻

[@precioustreasures6045]

I just included you in my short list of great teachers😊..thank you for this.

[@redwanurrahaman8644]

2:53 what happens when black plays pawn d4

[@jovic8372]

I saw the video. I came...I saw..I conguered!