Best Chess Opening for White After 1.e4 | Scotch Gambit Traps

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@stefanwolf8558]

Sir, I've been watching lots of videos on YT and you are by far the best. You explain things in a way that it's easy for newbies like me to understand. I can see myself watching your vids over and over again and still learn something new.

[@goodnewseverybody739]

Thank you Igor for all the content, I like the calm, methodical approach you show as I haven’t played since I was 10 and I noticed not “beating yourself” is first thing to learn. I’ve only played a few dozen games and have won nearly 2/3rds of my games and had winning positions in half my loses.

[@frankcygan5041]

I really love this game. Never had a chance to study or gain some tutelage, but now I have some opportunity. I’m just below average player if that. But I do have to compliment you. You have a great delivery. The lesson you give is so enjoyable. I appreciate and thank you.

[@kedarnath8651]

13:14 Nh4 traps the queen if queen d5, g4 then Nf6 forks with check if Qe5 then Nh4+ discovered attack on queen.

[@dumbass1775]

lmao I was gonna say g4 first and then Nh4 when the queen moves to its only non hanging square

[@dumbass1775]

do you know if one is better than the other or if either work just as well

[@Primitive_Code]

If Qe5, then it's Nf6+ discovered attack on the queen.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Win with 1.e4 as White, Best Chess Opening 00:25 Scotch Gambit for White 01:06 1) If Black plays 4...Nxe4 02:35 2) If Black plays 4...Nxd4 03:38 3) If Black plays 4...exd4 04:13 Black's two choices on move 5 06:34 Common tactical pattern you should know 08:02 Black's correct response, to counterattack 09:21 Simple & Effective Variation 10:30 73% Win Rate, Deadly Trap 13:04 Can you find the winning move? 13:20 Black's correct response: Be7

[@raselju]

You are the boss trainer! I learnt many attacking tactics from your videos. The solution of the puzzle, I think, is Kfh4, which will win the queen and win the match eventually.

[@ExtraditionLawFirm]

Thank you!

[@frankbeerbaum5593]

Nh4 attacks the Queen. Qe5 or Qd5 looses the Queen after Nf6+. Game over!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Well done!

[@mizuharatakeshi]

damn

[@rockmyworldmusic]

Qg3 loses also, just in case others needed the note.

[@hafazrashik2305]

Brillient😌

[@lestermariano4492]

Tnx bro

[@darrylkassle361]

Igor is the man!

[@TheSuperCoolPop]

I kept looking at Nf6 for the puzzle and then i had to put it in the analysis board to realize it was Nh4 which is the killer move. Wow what a beautiful position!

[@gerardcabunoc5156]

I love your video lessons, sir! I was wondering if black did not capture any pieces at all on the 4th move ==> d4 or Ne4? But instead did d6 to support black's pawn on e5? Would taking black's pawn e4 still be the best move for white?

[@RitcheCasenas]

You are the best Igor!

[@mhoadievdelapaz3703]

I love both the Scotch Gambit and Goring Gambits👍

[@pinkladyslippers]

Your videos are amazing. Would you ever consider doing a video on playing against the Scotch gambit as black?

[@N_erd]

23th time seeing the word best opening on video title

[@bondanization]

A very clear lesson 👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you think so!

[@farouqbaiti4315]

1. Nh4 Qe5 2. Nf6+ Qxf6 3. Bxf6

[@ytmndman]

It's pronounced "Max Lang" (rhymes with fang). The e is silent.

[@jaypeezy2812]

Hi, I'm new to chess, silly question I'm sure; but @10:15, why did you take the g7 before moving the rook into check? I imagine most people (not gms) would move the king to f8 into a fork. Guaranteed rook and stops them taking the f6 pawn. If the king moves to d2 isn't that in the long run more dangerous than even losing the forked rook?

[@hugosuk563]

Nh4 attacks the queen. The queen cannot be saved. If the opponent tries to defend it in any way, it will be lost with little to no compensation. The best engine response would be rxg5, and after nxf5, rxg5, the opponent gets a piece and a rook for a queen, and a slightly losing position, so including the lost material, the engine puts white at about +2.7 ish. After this exchange, the best ending move is g4, attacking the rook, but the other two viable options as far as I can see are qg4 which threatens g4+ winning the rook on a8, or simply nxc5, trading the bishop to remove their bishop pair and opening up their position. If your opponent finds the exact rook captures that bring them to the position I mentioned, the game isn't particularly won but you would have a significant advantage. If they do anything else other than capture the two pieces, their position is absolutely lost.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

That's solid 😲

[@SpellingBeeC]

love the videos from you. very new ideas i dont even think about

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Hey thanks! It means a lot since Igor puts a lot of effort in finding valuable topics that will help the chess community.

[@mikekeenan8450]

Solution to mid-video puzzle - White again plays Nf6 ch. If ... Ke7 or ... Kd8, Nh5 dis ch picks up at least the Exchange, possibly a whole rook depending on where Black's king goes. If ... Kf8, Bh6 wins the Exchange as well.

[@القلمالحر-ظ9ج]

Only Nh4 wins the Queen

[@harveyschonwald]

Assuming you play Nf6+, ...Kf8, Be6; black simply captures the knight on f6. Basically he is giving up two minor pieces for a rook. As mentioned earlier by Kedar Nath, Nh4 is a winner.

[@quintinherbst6376]

Surely capturing the pawn at 13:54 (Nxd4) is a mistake... the pin to white's queen is solid, because Nxc6 will lose the queen (RxQd1) and the knight will be captured since white has to play Rxd1 to avoid losing...

[@sepehrariyaee1161]

I greet you from Iran..your teachings are very useful...thank you so much.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Welcome!

[@deadpoolchannel3353]

13:16 i guess solution for little puzzle is like this:knight h4 queen has 2 more options g4 square e5 and d5 all of this moves lead them lose their queen after whites move knight f6 and queen is gone

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Excellent!

[@mustaphakassab3943]

What is the best refutation from the black prospective ? , please make a video for that .

[@joaocoelho2929]

I love the idea of this video, but in practice, playing bishop C4 usually results in opponent playing bishop C5. Then it’s an Italian game…which I hate playing. Any advice?

[@alphanomega888]

Then you play Knight takes e5, they take back with Knight, then pawn to d4 fork...queen retakes if bishop takes etc. he covers this in detail in another video ;)

[@Ortelius-xw6sd]

@@alphanomega888 That just hangs your bishop and loses a piece. Can you provide a link or elaborate on what you mean?

[@kalaivanirajeswari6226]

This video is so useful for me

[@julitoireneojr9587]

Thanks for the demo and video

[@GoldenBoyXCM]

Max lange is when black plays Bc5 after whites castle in the scotch gambit. Nxe4, Re1 is the Morphy attack i believe.

[@remanikatandon5991]

Excellent work

[@aa-dt2ec]

which ratings commonly use this opening?

[@CastlesKingSide]

Puzzle solution: Nh4. if queen e5 or d5, Nf6 check

[@niravapurv4578]

i think Nh4 is right too. just if Qe5 you have Bf6 instead of Nf6 no? the bishop on f6 then forks the queen and rook. the night on f6 seems to me not to do so much if queen is on e5...or what you say? but if Qd5, as you said. Nf6+ is also a royal fork.

[@CastlesKingSide]

@@niravapurv4578 qe5 still nf6 check. discovered attack to the queen and the knight is defended by the bishop. you moved under the mask of the rook.

[@niravapurv4578]

​​@@CastlesKingSide ahh ofc, you're right. forgot about the rook there. Very nice.

[@TheAnshuman1974]

13:16 The solution is Nh4 hitting the queen. And now Qe5, Qd5 and Qg4 all land into Nf6 royal fork. Hasta la Vista baby!

[@naphty_]

At 8:08, with the move 6. d5, there is an A PASSANT CAPTURE

[@ingogoldbeck2886]

For the position at 6:00 i would like to see some lines, how to win very soon...

[@StefanStefanov-he5qu]

I saw the move! It's Nh4 right?

[@scar8990]

No joke, replayed the first moves and got checkmate in 8 moves. 1 e4, e5 2 nf3, bc5, 3 bc4, bb6 4 d4, exd4, nxd4, bxd4, qxd4, nc6, qd5, nf6, qxf7#

[@aminshafiee7066]

Thanks teacher

[@nknpnews182]

Knight to h4 and the other Knight to f6 you win

[@myrnachahadeh1217]

bishop e6

[@roberthawes3093]

Great videos! Very helpful. Thank you.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kamalalkhaffaf5995]

Thanks for the good notes, for your info, in Iraq we play in two methods (Western & Eastern) chess game modes. Western is the one you guys playing it, while eastern (white Q face Black K & White K face Black Q), pawn moves one step only and castling is not possible.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! That's interesting, I didn't know there's another version of chess in Iraq 🤔

[@kamalalkhaffaf5995]

​@@GMIgorSmirnov I'm surprised too, when I saw players don't know much about these methods 🤔, if you have connection with people from middle Asia (Iran, Iraq, Mongolia and India maybe) try to ask them about the Eastern method.

[@divyanshujain5809]

Sir please make video on two knight's defense 🙏

[@ChristianSoschner]

Excellent

[@orangasli2943]

This two knight defence by black is pretty similar with ruy Lopez that allows black to take a pawn than counter attack

[@sepehrariyaee1161]

Alireza Firouzja is my compatriot. he is of Iranian origin but has French citizenship and plays for the French flag. Although Firouzcha is a very good chess player, but he does not give Iranians any practice. I learn a lot from you and your tutorials. Thank you very much for that🌹🌹🌹

[@Tts989]

Lovely I am a big fan you sir

[@shahmeerzaid287]

14:55 why can't black just capture queen d1? after that knight captures queen e7 forking the queen and the rook black plays king to d7 or d8.. now if white captures rook at g8 then rook captures e1 is checkmate so white has to capture rook back at d1 checking the king then king can just capture the knight back. or am i wrong somewhere? (1000 elo here)

[@anugrahkm7255]

same thing i was thinking

[@Primitive_Code]

There is one thing I want to do with my life and that's to see the northern lights or aurora borealis.

[@johndoe-g6f]

0:39 for the noobs be careful with this white openning there is a dangerous trap for black at nd4 instead of nf6

[@wazsam2723]

What a coincidence! I was just playing the scotch opening!

[@anthonyjames3474]

What is your elo?

[@wazsam2723]

@@anthonyjames3474 idk. I don't have one yet.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

In fact, I'm following your chess games and am recording my videos accordingly. 🤗

[@wazsam2723]

@@GMIgorSmirnov 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@DonSuttonLBCA]

love the comments and suggestions. you are cute too. see you soon.

[@phoenixboy2119]

Damn right hes cute

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you! 🤗

[@GambitGil]

Hello, at 6:27 I have always sacrificed my bishop immediately and after king takes kg5+ king moves and Qxg4 my opponent normally pushes d5 and i slide back with QF3 with sneaky mate threat which has one me lots of bullet games. Does anyone have a reason for why pushing c3 is a better trap???

[@GambitGil]

Nevermind, if they go to g8 with king then they can take the pawn with knight defending mate and attacking queen and there is no Re1 pin.

[@markusrohmann6139]

13:20 NH4 Q moves then NF6+ forking the Q.

[@SS-tf5xr]

I could not find your Wikipedia Page😥

[@theoncade06]

What app??????

[@qianli9861]

Nh4 attacks the queen and almost traps it if queen to D5 NF6 + Winn the queen

[@kugelblitzingularity304]

thats why black should just play Nxe4 then Qd7, so you can play Be7 more comfortably

[@Soldier-yu2ml]

I think that the solution to the puzzle is Nh4!

[@chesslife2345]

I thought it was my invention. It's already on the book.

[@suryathangavel9701]

White: Nh4; are you resign? Black : Nope, I will don't quit.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

😀

[@pinkladyslippers]

At 13:35 in the video, why wouldn't black play pawn to f6? That would seem like a perfect move for black. By the way, your videos single handedly improved me from an 800 to an 1100. My goal was just to get to 1000. Thank you.

[@Centreus]

It further damages whites kingside pawn structure.

[@joeleppes9573]

i always try to play the danish gambit but they never take it so iI just decided to laern the scoth game to

[@LiamSherlock-p4x]

why can't black d5 at 6:00

[@orangasli2943]

Whereas two knight defence is best against fried liver attack

[@Tangermusic]

6:04 after ne4 qe2 doesn't black have d5?

[@sidharthrajagopalan6348]

We can capture En passant

[@cikonianiggra1415]

13:13 Nh4. 1400 ELO, 3 minutes of thinking.

[@hichamanf794]

Move the knight to h4 then win the queen after few moves

[@legendffgaming3853]

Bro how can black castle after moving his king???

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Only if the referee is your best buddy 😂

[@Loki087]

This guy's accent is epic.

[@extremummm]

Do you recommend me to explore you games after studied your most important courses and incorporated your system of thinking or you play different in practice according to who is gonna be your opponent?

[@JabarFarahi]

Knight h4, Queen goes anywhere the Queen will be lost.

[@eugenekoshanof7328]

isn´t it the same as ponziani?

[@greenmoxy]

13:10 NH4

[@GeneralBlorp]

Why skydiving? Just curious! 👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

It's one of the most common items on a bucket list. Not sure why 🤔

[@BeegoteSaint]

This is the opening strategy that made me loose the most games in my chess life

[@seipeielvis4283]

Hi Igor, can you please analyse the Bongcloud opening on your next video. That would be very much appreciated

[@souvikghosh5087]

Only tell what the player has played.

[@iwannaapple7190]

First thing I will admit I'm not nearly as good as you in chess but I have to say my opinion respectfully please. At 15:00, which is the only absurd one, your analysis kind of goes off on a tangent thats probably not going to happen and it is avoiding the real issue cause you wanted to end the video. All others I recognize but I think that part is a mistake. At 15:00 I would capture the white queen with the rook. You will take my queen with check and I will attack the knight but if you take my rook then it is mate on the first rank so you have to take my rook and check my king then I will take your knight so the game will be even and blacks position is not nearly as bad. Then your white pawn at g7 will also be taken.

[@177joshd]

Nh4 wins the black queen

[@argentina8312]

❤🔥

[@BeegoteSaint]

This opening NEVER works after elo 900. I've tried opening like this dozens of time, it always fails. I invested so much time in it with no reward at all 🤢

[@iwannaapple7190]

Actually, I use it every day and believe me, it does work (1600 and below). 1650 and higher it is rare but it can happen. I really question your 900 theory. A rating of 900 is very much a baby rating. They probably don't know any theory at all and are most likely to move anything or either fall into checkmate in as little as two moves. If they do do this opening and have some idea of theory they will more than likely do this because like I said, I do it every day and have already played all of these lines with the exception of the position at the 15:00 mark which I disagree with. I have about 8000 games on lichess alone.

[@argentina8312]

👏

[@Dan_Moller]

What have you got "against" the scotch gambit?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'll consider recording a video about it. Meanwhile you may try this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaOaqYefntGFrcU

[@RoyPitchon]

OMG what happened to the cat??

[@bijopaul6531]

Where is the cat?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

He's practicing what he learned during the previous lessons.

[@yakobwakjera2102]

Wow

[@CB-jq7fe]

👍

[@vinodkumarm1142]

Chio kaso Ankara besto trapi

[@aaudain1]

👍👏💯

[@vitobellino387]

Doesn't work, lines never happen. 1400

[@Longtack55]

"Scottish" or "Scots" please, unless you're referring to whiskey or food.

[@PaulGoodchild_PHD]

Chess is a waste of time. Unless you're the absolute best you're spending your time losing half the games.Tried this opening 10 different times and watched my rating drop to under 700. Nobody, plays what black plays on this video.

[@aloisschollerer8383]

Lots of unnecessary explanations. As a narcissist, he likes to hear himself talk

[@andersjonsson8403]

Thanks a lot Igor! I am a Italien player and need this soo much! 😊👍♟

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Happy to help!

[@JanKopczynski-b2d]

Grandmaster Smirnov, it would great to see you do a thorough explanation of the exchange version of the French defense to complement your other excellent French videos!

[@خالدالكردي-ب9ن]

❤