Best Chess Opening to Counter 1.e4 as Black

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🔹 French Defense Tricks & Traps - • Solid & Powerful Chess...
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Are you looking for a solid chess opening to thwart White's 1.e4? In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov will teach you the French Defense, a reliable choice for Black.
While the move 1...e5 as Black is the most popular response to 1.e4, it comes with its own set of challenges, primarily facing various aggressive openings and gambits from White. One key vulnerability in the 1...e5 setup is the pawn on f7, only defended by the king, making it a prime target for White's attacks.
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The Strength of the French Defense
This is where the French Defense comes into play. By playing 1...e6, Black instantly eliminates the threat to the f7 pawn, providing a solid and robust foundation for the game. The next move, 2...d5, further solidifies Black's position by blocking the central e4-pawn.
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The "Fort Knox" Variation
A key challenge in the French Defense is developing the bishop on c8, which often finds itself locked behind the e6 pawn. This lesson provides a solution by introducing the Fort Knox variation in the Rubinstein Variation. This approach involves developing the c8-bishop to c6 via d7. The bishop on c6 plays an active role in controlling key central squares and putting pressure on White's position.
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► Chapters
00:00 Best Chess Opening for Black Against 1.e4
00:07 French Defense: Why is it better than 1...e5?
01:32 French Defense: Rubinstein Variation, Fort Knox Variation
03:23 1) If White plays 8.Nxf6+
05:01 2) If White plays 8.Bg5
07:37 2.2) Black's middlegame plan to attack in the center
10:29 3) If White plays 8.Ng3 (best move)
11:48 4) If White plays 8.Re1
13:01 Important positional tip
14:18 3.exd5, Exchange Variation
14:50 3.e5, Advance Variation
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#IgorNation #ChessOpenings #FrenchDefense #FrenchDefence #ChessOpening

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

Greetings Mr.S. Might I suggest that every-time there is an opportunity for an "en passant"; You might say"declined/accepted". It could help with the learning curve.

[@justsomeboyprobablydressed9579]

Really great video. Thank you so much!

[@ashwarren5053]

Brilliant, didnt know this variation! thanks!

[@playandteach]

These are really excellent videos, thank you. I have bought one of your courses, but haven't got time to really study - so these detailed videos are a real delight.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear! Good luck with your chess progress.

[@lawanson_kareem]

Share me the link pls

[@ReflectionOcean]

- Consider the French defense against e4 for a solid opening (00:08). - Learn the Fort Knox variation to simplify the French defense (01:26). - Trade pawns in the center to ease the play in the French defense (02:00). - Immediately address the passive light-square bishop issue with Bishop D7 (02:15). - Use Bishop C6 to actively attack and control the diagonal (02:33). - Develop the knight to D7 to control the e5 square and support other pieces (02:49). - Play Knight F6 to double the attack on e4 and prepare for further development (03:09). - Capture with the queen on f6 when possible to create threats (03:59). - Neutralize white's pin with Bishop E7 and consider queen trades if advantageous (05:41). - Attack white's weak pawns in the endgame, using rooks and bishops effectively (06:49). - In the event of white playing solidly, complete development with Bishop E7 and castle (12:05). - Consider Pawn to C5 to challenge white's center and gain equality (13:34).

[@Saiganesh2108]

Please make a detailed tutorial on alekhine defence from black's perspective.

[@terencetembo8382]

I like the way you teach chess

[@Palimoe90]

Thanks for the video Igor. I usually play the French defense. The lines that it usually starts out first is, 1.e4 e6 2 nf3 d5 they usually take on d5. I hope you can show a line on this.

[@nobeerlion3991]

Great video!

[@strongestunited]

i’m wondering how Igor got to be such a great chess coach… thanks again for the great content! i can’t wait to play this tonight at the chess club!😊

[@FrizzelFry]

I f*** love these videos, finding my self playing a lot more chess lately 😂 /thanks

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Best Chess Opening for Black Against 1.e4 00:07 French Defense: Why is it better than 1...e5? 01:32 French Defense: Rubinstein Variation, Fort Knox Variation 03:23 1) If White plays 8.Nxf6+ 05:01 2) If White plays 8.Bg5 07:37 2.2) Black's middlegame plan to attack in the center 10:29 3) If White plays 8.Ng3 (best move) 11:48 4) If White plays 8.Re1 13:01 Important positional tip 14:18 3.exd5, Exchange Variation 14:50 3.e5, Advance Variation

[@nanditadalbera1959]

I always watch your videos to get proper explanation these types of videos are really helpful,thank you ☺️

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Happy to hear that!

[@memegod528]

Please do a video on the pirc defense how to win with it

[@patriciadiaz8148]

Great video! Just started a game and it play out exactly until the Be2 move. Instead of Ng3 my more advanced opponent played Qf3. I’ll proceed with the Bf3 to open up the crossed vector line in the hopes that this variation still works regardless of white’s unexpected move so early on. I really want to win ;)

[@CincyFishDudes]

I always love how Igor says "bishop."

[@jongalt6837]

Facts

[@oliverelle6172]

😂 i like the whrokk

[@JailerLB]

and haning

[@wh1skeybud]

😂 awesome

[@dr.deepakgore1079]

Very nice lesson for beginners, thanks Mr GM Igor sir 🎉🎉❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@Sanchari1236]

Hey Igor please make a vedio on caro kan defence from both white and Black's perspective...

[@leole3244]

Igor does not recommend the Caro-Kann Defense. Look at his video "Why beginners should not play this opening."

[@mariomadera1362]

Idol of all time favorite

[@rudradevsingh228]

Rip French Winawer, its the most fun variation of the French, maybe do a advanced video about the Winawer its pretty fun

[@Fede1939]

I always play e5 trying Rosseau gambit, bur this is a strong defense. Thank You so much!

[@user-ku2km6oe5d]

Rousseau gambit doesn't work on a higher level. French works on every levels.

[@Fede1939]

@@user-ku2km6oe5d Actually e4 doesn't work on higher level. Well they don't play It at all

[@user-ku2km6oe5d]

​​@@Fede1939e4 is still the most popular first move on every level (check lichess master database). You can defeat the Rousseau gambit simply by not accepting it.

[@astrogersunited5389]

I always play French defense against this and have done really well.

[@madamedisney5209]

Kasparov wrote a book entitled E4..Nc6 wins. The Nimzovitch defence. Any video on that one, please, Sir ?

[@sukanti_exists5073]

I love french defense❤

[@stewardnathaniel999]

How do we deal with an early check on the king from the light square bishop?

[@PrvSeo]

4:39 that a blunder white can do Qd2

[@mrinaljain39]

Hi, could you help me with one thing. I get that you want your white bishop on a open diagonal. But what if opponent plays pawn to d5 stopping it? Can we avoid developing bishop in that case? Or do you have a better idea?

[@mullerreus145]

One of the big problems in these types of videos is that most people aren’t going to follow these lines. You can set up like normally and they aren’t going to act like the imaginary player in the video. Some of the moves are also just nonsensical even for complete beginners because it presumes they play with long term strategy or at the very least a long term plan

[@doomsdayprep1281]

Pawn by white on 3rd move to c4 , I run into that a lot

[@farrellclifford3412]

Igor once black takes whites Knight on f3 what would you do if white played queen to d2

[@dlvalvoga1904]

3:55 do not take with the queen, after Bg5 - Bxf3 white will simply play Qd2 and you lose your queen as black

[@murlidhar9144]

6:24 common move is be2

[@Bratte898]

I prefer to play the Scandinavian (modern variation) as black with which I win a vast majority of games. But I struggle when that transposes into the advanced French defense.

[@brokendoll3368]

Scandinavian transposing into advanced French? White playing 2.e5? Best idea there is to play c5, Nc6 and yes, play it like a French, only at some time you can just play your Bc8 out.

[@Bratte898]

@@brokendoll3368 Thanks a lot... I always played nc6 first which makes my half of the board really tight and uncomfortable.

[@BoatPatrol]

"You should have no problem converting your extra peice" You overestimate my 800 ELO logic sir

[@Nobody-fz2tz]

I got from 12points up to 8 points down and then got checkmated

[@cheesecakenl1980]

Great video. Right away trying out this opening as black. But of course first two matches I got this line: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 ?? White pushes the pawn. Then Nf6 not possible. Just continue with Bd7 .. Bc6 ? What is a good continuation if white plays e5 ?

[@razze127]

Same for me every game. Pushing your pawn to c5 and attacking their d4 pawn seems to be the best play. If they dont capture you can develop by putting the knight on c6 and bishop on d7.

[@cheesecakenl1980]

@@razze127 where does my g8 knight go ? This opening for black looks very cramped after white pushes to e5

[@razze127]

@@cheesecakenl1980 e7 and later f5 is a possibility but i agree that it does feel cramped

[@yosefcohen483]

6:10 How about gxf6, f6-f5, Qf6, 0-0-0 ?

[@user-jd8vd1kj1w]

Why don't we just Fianchetoo the white bishop rather than this move? What's the difference?😢

[@randyking9489]

Igor, most of my opponents play e5. Then I can't take on e4. Thanks for suggestions

[@leszekryniec7054]

Rousseau Gambit: cries in the corner

[@JailerLB]

lmao

[@romelliilagus4314]

But what if my opponent plays 1.e4 e6 2.e5

[@kaustubhkalbhor5842]

At 2:58 on the video, the opponent knight can actually be placed at e5 isn't it? It is backed up by the pawn

[@TheNightsWolfYT]

So Ne5 Nxe5 then dxe5 Bxe4 and white can recapture with Bxe4 but then black does Qxd1+ then white must recapture with Kxd1 and white can’t castle. That’s probably why, haven’t check with chess engine but I assume so. And if White tries to maintain castling rights then you’re up a piece

[@TheRomyk]

Is very complicated. I don't feel protected with enough.

[@OneofTHOSEguys420]

Why take the knight on f3 with the bishop? Is it better to retake with knight and keep the bishop pair?

[@geraldowens3426]

What if white plays e5 on 2nd move

[@jaybird1806]

It looks like it’s time for me to review my French games.

[@marksanders7704]

"Thank you Igor, never heard of this one; I used the Sicilian, guess I'm still and armature!"

[@charlesbrown2083]

The Sicilian is brilliant. I'd recommend looking into the accelerated dragon

[@JamesHouzvicka-ur4tc]

Why not sicilian defense?

[@user-kb3wc4hg3v]

Hello

[@PawsandWhiskersOverload]

I still need help

[@user-kb3wc4hg3v]

You need check this video

[@jefftaylor1186]

I don’t like playing the Spanish or the Italian or the scotch as black. So I go 1…c6

[@eli-tl8kv]

Why everyone opens up the same?

[@williamclayton3164]

If Bg5, and BxNf3 then white has Qd2 and the black queen is trapped

[@kkagari]

Qxd4 escapes

[@user-vs6ym9oi8x]

❤️

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤️

[@kalommegu6148]

👌👍

[@amineachouri2174]

Why not play B6 then bishop B7?

[@deepam4344]

Because the light square bishop is meant to be traded for a knight or another bishop If you play b6 then you would have many weaknesses after the bishop is traded

[@dsrree]

I'm in 1600s, and if they go e4 I go d5 every time. If they take I capture with the queen and then go back to Qd8. If they don't take I push d5 to d4. Works out for me every time. Apparently it's some Scandinavian defense move but I don't know all that chess theory, my style of playing just making sure all my pieces are constantly defended unless I'm setting traps for knight forks or something.

[@hugovaz777]

I bet your Elo is below 1000, scandi you'll realize is actually terrible...

[@Najeem118]

Igor you don't like Caro kann

[@Joel-vw9mo]

He made a video on why

[@beatboxmasta4583]

He is GM not an IM im sure caro kann has many flaws to exploit.

[@antonioa.jepkoko4588]

​@@beatboxmasta4583alireza plays that

[@jaydencheung2331]

French has more theory and Caro Kann is easier

[@Gwennbleidd_Chess]

​@@beatboxmasta4583not as many as French.

[@user-kb3wc4hg3v]

Watch this video in 4.43

[@user-kb3wc4hg3v]

Hello you had a big Blinder in this video

[@walterbrownstone8017]

Best reason for learning the French is you're learning a great response for d4 too!

[@justsomeboyprobablydressed9579]

Yes, but after 1.d4 e6, the move 2.c4 is common, and then you don't get a French Defense. In that case, I like to play the Classical Dutch Defense with 2...f5.

[@walterbrownstone8017]

@@justsomeboyprobablydressed9579 If you're 600 ELO, the French and QGD look close enough for blunderous fun. And when they get higher ELO they understand that they need to always react to their opponent. e4 and d4 covered for black. The French. To clarify 1.e4 e6 is 10 centipawn and d4 e6 is 30 centipawn. Practically the same.

[@bpp9614]

Lots of wish moves. Looks like white is playing just bad or black is wishing white to play bad...