Best Chess Opening Against 1.e4 & 1.d4 [TRAPS Included]

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💡 Register to GM Igor Smirnov's FREE Masterclass "The Best Way to Improve at Chess INSTANTLY" - chess-teacher.com/masterclass

[@bizmail1002]

NM Robert Ramirez popularised this opening: Czech Pirc. He has a full series of videos on the Czech Pirc.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Best Chess Opening against 1.e4 00:25 Pirc Defense: Czech Defense 03:03 Solid setup for Black 04:31 No clear plan for White 08:18 Line-2: White plays 4.f4 10:10 Beware of this forcing line 12:47 White rook is trapped 15:01 Same setup against 1.d4 16:39 If White blocks the center

[@TyRobinson-xi1og]

What is best move if White does something crazy like 3. E5 threatening the knight and Pawn? Also 3.N G4 seems to be problematic for me at times. Other than that this is my favorite Black opening

[@brandonemmett4708]

Thanks for the tips Igor! I tried this system against both e4 and d4 tonight at chess club and absolutely rocked my opponent.

[@chilakashalemraju3668]

It's like Czec Pirc Defence. Really very very instructive and useful. Thanks a lot.

[@梁浩恩-n6g]

I was looking for some solid openings for black and then I saw this, before watching this video I play the pirc main line and the czech pirc I thought that this opening was too passive, so I didn't play it a lot, but this video made me realize that the pirc can also be very attacking! thank you, GM Smirnov

[@Axiomatic75]

I play this opening (the Czech Pirc) a lot with black. NM Robert Ramirez has a few great videos on it as well.

[@andrewucla]

I came here to say exactly this

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💡 Register to GM Igor Smirnov's FREE Masterclass "The Best Way to Improve at Chess INSTANTLY" - bit.ly/3hWvJAk

[@gerhardvanzyl3093]

The link doesn't seem to be working

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

We have informed our technical team. We will fix it as soon as possible.

[@gerhardvanzyl3093]

@@GMIgorSmirnov Thx 👍

[@danilosr.diente7557]

@@gerhardvanzyl3093 right gug

[@danilosr.diente7557]

TT

[@johnsuplicki]

Gm, I'm a somewhat experienced, somewhat advanced novice. These videos are perfect for me! Thanks so much! I'd have to think we're the biggest audience you could tap into, so keep these rolling. Will def check out the masterclass when it's time!

[@harrisonedokpayi3647]

Great one and thanks for sharing. I will definitely try this. One of your lessons that has made me crush many opponents is the Bishops opening. Boy, makes me feel like a pro whereas my actual Bliz rating is just 1300. I was rated 1200 until I watched the Bishops opening which made me win many games! Once again, thank you!

[@jeradjones9528]

Tuning into Grandmaster Igor has no doubt helped me become a better player .

[@sanjaybisht332]

the cat in the background is showing her own skills..😅😅

[@brendafain9962]

That is hilarious. Love it. 😂😂

[@rajdattabhagat3610]

Very funny

[@lindalarracas606]

2:06 8:19 line2 white plays 4.f4 9:25 if instead of Bd3 white pushes his pawn forward to e5..?

[@nada1988-v1c]

Isn't that free pawn? I would take it

[@Buswik]

I found that with my low rating pirc or KID works very well as it results in me having a pretty solid position. It's not practical to memorize a lot of responses to specific moves since 400 rated players often do pretty unpredictable moves with white pieces.

[@SuperSuperCriddler]

Thanks, Igor. Good to see you and your cat again, and to add another interesting system to the armoury!

[@carlsolo515]

Love you system approach Igor. Less moves to memorize. Thanks.

[@zeus1141]

At the beginning I was to say the least... dubious about this type of play. So I did what any hesitant player would do. I went and used it online a lot. I had some crazy games and gave me lots of chuckles. I also did found moves that ruin the plan completely but at that point... chess is played. Not bad at all. Thank you!

[@FelixRigg]

We love the cat, of course! But this is also a really interesting and enjoyable lesson: thank you. 🙂

[@DDigitalDreamer]

Great video. Never played the Pirc. I like this system for black.

[@burhanyucel3217]

dude, after watching your videos . I paly like chessmaster. I mean, your advices are really deadly. I sacrifice pawns even bischop or knight but neverthless, I win the game. Thanks man.

[@IvanKoutzarov]

@ 2:10 - what if white responds with BE7? The computer played actually this move against me, I tried to continue as given here, but it defended quite well.

[@theoldworldwasbetter]

in the opening, when you play Qa5, most opponents will play Bd2 threatening your queen. You say just move it back to safety, but then you’ll have moved the same piece twice and gave your opponent an extra move to develop. How is that correct? shouldn’t we consider Qc7 right away then?

[@thehypnotist9750]

I believe the idea is that you provoked your opponent to develop their bishop to a passive square. If you go queen c7 immediately your queen is in the same place while your opponent may develop their bishop to a much more active square

[@almirnerijr]

The most common solution for white that was not adressed in this explantion after 4... Qa5 is 5. Bd2. If the black knight capture e4, the white knight is allowed to capture it back and at the same time the bishop attacks the Queen. In this video we have to pray for the blunder 5. Bd3. This trap is not practical.

[@dextersalon5329]

that's not a problem mate if i play Qa5 then you Play Bd2 i will just move Qc7 just going back ang still keeping to my e5 pawn

[@carolinejoybarnhart3717]

If white recognizes this soon enough. QF3 instead of the knight to defend the pawn starts to break the pattern. Hardly unrecoverable but subsequent moves may be suboptimal unless you switch to early queen tactics.

[@daminion6730]

Wow, this is a really good lesson

[@neilvsalmon6105]

There has been books written on this Czech Pirc , one notably by IM Lakdawala . I remember facing this against IM Orlov more than once and getting outplayed each time , this defense is underated for sure .

[@marcoanello891]

Sometimes in such positions, White's knight maneuver Nf3-Nh4-Nf5 can be problematic. How should Black deal with this idea?

[@imtiyazhirani2308]

black needs to play, bf8 followed by g6 to kick the knight. Transpose into normal pirc structure. The knight at Ng3 has no good square when g6 is played.

[@ravivarma239]

Great, so helpful. Thanks a lot Egor

[@cwesley2005]

Igor Smirnoff is the man!

[@ilyaibrahimovic9842]

Why would you trade knight for bad bishop in a closed position with little potential for the center to open?

[@skiperaka1429]

Good video Igor! Always helpful.

[@jamalchess9681]

Thank you so much Igor for this interesting system I think it's possible to play with this system as white as well

[@garthharrison5815]

Will definitely put more time into studying this opening

[@nitinroy1331]

Please make more videos on Czech pirc defence!

[@JimBobDewayne]

I never see white play Bd3 to defend Qa5. It's always Bd2 immediately.

[@lesterchua2677]

I really wonder if this guy is a real GM. He puts so many videos with clickbait titles and a spurious line that it makes me doubt the teaching value. Basically he sets up strawman moves from the opposition that it seems like he’s assuming he’s playing against 1200 and below.

[@ianallen738]

Lol check out his website, it's even worse. Pure 90's scam.

[@PunkPiggie]

Exactly! Bd2 is almost every time the next move...and then this whole video goes out of the window. You immediately have to retreat the queen back wasting one(infact two) important move to develop in early game.

[@gregwallace6159]

@@lesterchua2677 Jealousy 🤣

[@jayfunk13]

After Bd2 it's actually not necessary to retreat the queen right away you can play Bishop to G4 or Knight to D7 and welcome the "trap" of Nd5 as it is easily solved by moving back to D8. since the knight is on a bad square he is forced to move and it's either retreat or to trade off is Knight for yours

[@renatoarnese8958]

I was struggling to learn some aggressive variations with black, and started losing very badly. I guess at my (low) level, a solid opening is better than a flashy one. And I have to say, this opening has been a blast the last days. Very solid, I mostly end up winning with a good position and on time, because the opponent is simply crushed and have no more moves to do, while I have multiple to choose from. Many thanks!

[@KenThorpe-w7p]

Wow, I recently subscribed, and watched this video...Were you studying my games? This has been my opening for black that I developed a while back..Great over view. One of the traps that I have in this is a variation where I get a scholar's mate from white blundering trying to protect a pawn.

[@clintongryke6887]

Hooray! The cat is back!

[@AaronAltschuler-k2k]

What if they go e5 in the beginning? And attack your night before you move out your queen?

[@nada1988-v1c]

There can be queentrade, you should check out pirc defense it's quite similar. I move my knight d7 if they push pawn e5 because for me it works

[@fugglesme4186]

You keep showing white playing Bd3 before Bd2. The move order should be after black plays Qa5 then white plays Bd2 and wins a tempo as black has to retreat.

[@muneebkarim3654]

What to play after 1.e4d6 2.d4Nf3 3.Nc3c6 4.e5

[@thejas3302]

Ur great keep going

[@timbabcox6581]

This is just the lesson I needed.

[@Daniel-G-P]

I love the Czech defence! Great video. I know it would be a bit passive, but does anyone play it reversed? Play it as white? Opening with d3. If so, how do you find it and do you have any tips? Thanks so much.

[@Chitaune]

Hi igor can you make a opening playlist for white like black

[@somevino1048]

Excellent excellent video!

[@yakisavir9828]

Can you share an explanatory video, how will black play if after Qa5, white will play Bd2?

[@phillipbroughton3086]

Yes exactly, that’s what I’ve just asked

[@shivakumarmunuswamy9294]

After Qa5 what is black play Bd2? Do you have any videos about the same?

[@nada1988-v1c]

Queen c7, it's in the video, it's multipurpose move queen a5

[@Aramalisadventures]

On line with 4.f4 Qa5 5.Qf3!! This is the best reply to black’s Qa5 move and all black’s plans fall now. You should prepare how black should continue if 5.Qf5!!

[@shreyash3146]

Explain something against catalan

[@Dark_Sam29]

Love the Pirc!

[@JoseLuis-wj3vc]

I love the cat in the background :)

[@marcusminifee3978]

Thank you Igor....what opening for black do you like better and think is more effective.....Rousseau Gambit or Czech Pirc Defense?

[@gokselkabaroglusatranc3402]

Thanks 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@ramilparedes9930]

Very informative

[@denzilbrown4388]

after c6 my opponent played e5, do you have a line for that, didnt see it in this video

[@vincentcausey8498]

What happens if white advances the pawn to e5 before black can play e5? You didn't mention that.

[@tehdoors]

Exactly my question

[@shivakumarmunuswamy9294]

What about after Qa5 if black plays Bd2?

[@pawekowalik126]

Interesting, but that way has one drawback - if somebody play 1.e4 he/she rather prefer sharp game, so he/she would rather play 8.Qe2 (instead of 8. 0-0) and next 9.0-0-0 and what to play is very easy to white and black - both oponents will atack on oponent's king. Whose attack will be faster that player win. That's why I don't play Pirck Defense playing black against 1.e4. I prefer 1...c6 or 1...e5 1...d5.

[@sasanghaffari9424]

great! Thanks!

[@phillipbroughton3086]

What about after Qa5 they play Bd2 to break the pin? You retreat the queen to c7 to avoid the discovered attack and then they push e5 before you’ve had the chance to play e5?

[@roqsteady5290]

Well... basically you are a bit screwed there 🤠

[@ianstonemanironhand]

Can this defence be played against any White opening?

[@stewy0013]

Is this the elshad system?

[@evandrosimoes883]

Hi GM Igor, I like so this opening idea, but I tried to play then two times and after Da5, whites plays f4. What is the best response for that? Maybe e5?

[@enriquetovar9629]

If you meant Qa5, you only play that move if you can pin the knight. Otherwise, they defend it easily and you’re forced to retreat.

[@yasinsheriff1425]

Great opening for black, won most of the games

[@vuca11300]

what if he defend knight with bishop right away?

[@zeljkomatic5986]

Great opening for black,(Chech Pirc)but 4.f4 is critical.White has just better always.This is the problem.

[@raydaugherty4789]

You deserve better closed captioning to go with your great chess ideas

[@borisdamke6703]

What about 5.Bd2?

[@dimplemehta8492]

What to do if white plays Bg2 after we play the move Qa5 Sir please reply

[@johnmercer7377]

Really helpful

[@darrylkassle361]

Where did GM Smirnoff learn such fluent accentless english.Did he spend time in English speaking countries in his youth or something. I am a native English speaker and I am amazed that he speaks absolutely perfectly without an accent. Most east European grandmaster have decent passable English but his is practically native level.

[@ianallen738]

He has a monstrous slavic accent.

[@mensaman55]

all good well and fine......but...what if white plays pawn to D5...where is that? Is there some way you can make my opponents play the white moves? because they never do.

[@phillipbroughton3086]

That’s what I’ve found. They can make some random move you’ve never seen and then all your theory goes out the window

[@alexselvanathan]

Has any of your games got featured in agadmator channel

[@maxpenner9907]

Thank. You

[@Zyrexia]

GMSmirnov, more like Super Grandmaster Cat

[@bentheo69]

Thanks! beautiful. You seems like a nice nan and i have share your content🤘

[@trailerpark948]

3rd .most common move is e4_e5?

[@regjones6071]

Hi Igor I saw this opening a few months ago (is it the called the Czech variation of the Pirc?) but I had very little success with it! In my experience after Qa5 White ALWAYS plays Bd2 and Black doesn't seem to do so well after that. Please can you show some plans for Black against that White set up?

[@johnnycakeslim]

I agree, this set up only works if white doesn't move the dark bishop but that never seems to be the case and I retreat my queen and then what??

[@Fidelis014]

Agree, they always move the dark square bishop!

[@seanreynolds7482]

I tried this variation for a few days and seem to have the same problem. Came back to watch the second half thinking he would explain that. But nope

[@samain1804]

Seems like Black loses a tempi after Bd2 and Qc7

[@jeraldmcgowin4162]

Very similar to NM Ramariz chess on youtube.

[@sharpvidtube]

Yes, the Czech Pirc, watched that a while ago, learned how to mess it up quite quickly😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaCrmKKnm9ibbrM

[@KenThorpe-w7p]

To my previous comment, I have seen most players defend the pawn exchange on d5 with Bf4, this is the mistake, it leaves b2 undefended Qb6 attacks the pawn, blocks castling AND threatens mate....I have got that mate more times than I should. I almost feel guilty

[@zulkhairsyams1050]

how if black move Bg4 before castle ?!

[@VimMitt]

I notice with this black opening, queen side knight and bishop are not advanced compare to white.

[@mrses1987]

Love your Cat!!!!!

[@amitshah9815]

It gets nasty for black after Qa5 by black then white plays bd2

[@virtualmaddy4641]

Black bishop

[@WarDaddy2023]

Hi Igor. I am having trouble accessing your web site with your courses I purchased. Ideas?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

We are having some temporary server issues. It will be fixed soon. Please contact our support at [e-mail] if you need download links for the purchased products.

[@banzaiburger]

Another possibility in these lines is the English Rat, also decent for Black

[@fadiahmed1601]

Amazing😍

[@chillegaming1837]

This is kind of a mixture if the Pirc defense and the Scandinavian defense

[@jean-christophebiscarrat3173]

nice cat in the bagground ;-)

[@stevensutton2252]

(wanted to say stay safe) and also ask because i play on lichess. who teaching to trade bishop for rook on f1 f8? i find this trade so bad is their actually a line where it works. because i dont think there is. if you need examples i can give them from 1800 and 1900 lol i would venture a quest because teach from india or or eastern russian time zone and they speak english

[@alanwang5060]

When the rook moved to f1, pawn to g5 traps it as well

[@AAa-xu8tb]

1:33

[@SLKCHESS]

Nice video

[@sam.abadyah]

What if your opponent plays bd2 as soon as you play queen a5 ? It happens to me all the time

[@pairy5420]

what if they play e5 after nf6

[@rebeltvr6046]

I find this white opening works very well against players better than you if you get super agro.

[@rolandeauten8798]

That’s so cool, thanks Igor! Or at least that’s how I think your name is spelt, but I see one comment here uses “Egor”. What is correct please? Thanks again sir, and best wishes 🌞

[@aluminiumknight4038]

In the description it's Igor

[@nabilkha5647]

Merci