Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Ponziani Opening!

[@TheChessGiant]

MY PONZIANI COURSE - thechessgiant.gumroad.com/l/ponzianiopeningcourse

[@timnazarian2163]

2:20 - d5, Qa4, bd7 5:12 - d5, Qa4, dxe4 7:50 - d5, Qa4, f6 11:43 - Nf6, d4, exd4, e5, Ne4 14:40 - Nf6, d4, exd4, e5, Ne4, Qe2, Nc5 15:45 - Nf6, d4, exd4, e5, Nd5 17:14 - Nf6, d4, Nd5 18:18 - Nf6, d4, d6 Please correct me if I have something wrong :D

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for providing these timestamps Tim!

[@timnazarian2163]

@@TheChessGiant Yeah, no problem! I will update this list tomorrow. If you want you can use them in your description 😉

[@miguelparada5283]

For the 2:20 variant I think Black can play Bg4 instead of h6, and I find no good continuation for White.

[@musician1770]

@@miguelparada5283 I just took a look at that. Since the pawn is pinned, white can simply play f3 in response to …Bg4

[@miguelparada5283]

@@musician1770 Sure is pinned, but not for long: 1... Bh5, 2 Bb5+ c6 3 dxc6 0-0, 7 cxb7 Rb8 and despite the annoying p in b7, White is about to get the King's side shattered. I think d3 is better than d4.

[@braddavis8]

starting to fall back inlove with chess... i never use to study it as a kid but as a adult this makes me feel like a kid again

[@TheChessGiant]

That's awesome Brad!

[@Steve_K2]

Sounds like me, too. Almost a 50-year break.

[@irvgotti9737]

Yo this is the first chess video I fully thoroughly watched the way you explained it and sound didn’t feel boring at all

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks brotha! I’m glad you liked it

[@alamgirsani5531]

I honestly don't know how you are so underrated. 20 minutes flew right by and I didn't lose focus at all. It was that darn interesting! I really want to learn this opening and guess what, got the perfect playlist for it. I really appreciate your work, brother. Keep it up.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Alamgir! I appreciate the kind words!

[@richles1505]

Wow finally a GM that explains in great great detail a beast of in opening I have around 19 GM channels that I subscribe to and u r by far the best ty

[@TheChessGiant]

Wow, thanks for the kind words Rich. Thanks for the support man, let me know if there's any other chess openings you'd want to see covered!

[@hotgluegun6934]

These videos are really underrated! Ponziani is in my top3 opening list I love to play Ponziani because black can step in so many traps and disadvantages. It’s clearly a very good video, thank you for the informations!

[@alancoe1002]

This opening was a favorite of Howard Staunton, who wrote about it in his Chess Handbook in around 1850. He also was a fan of the English opening. You have shown convincingly it's strengths and admitted weaknesses, but many don't know it's finer points and write it off as a museum opening. Thanks.

[@TheChessGiant]

I didn't know that! Thanks for the chess history!

[@Rogue_Strummer]

Cool breakdown .. Ponziani looks legit and just the right amount of complicated.. Will have to study up on this boss man. TY!

[@TheChessGiant]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Let me know if there's any other chess openings you'd want to see covered on the channel!

[@xakin6261]

@Karol the anderssen opening is just dumb, are you trying to play a baby crab or smtn?

[@johnmarston5383]

Really well explained, and extremely detailed video. This was an amazing video and you have just earned yourself a subscriber.

[@TheChessGiant]

Appreciate you John! 🙌🏽

[@edmontonboy99]

I got a plan John, this is a good one. I’m gonna mate my opponent in 3.

[@gmaster7277]

Beautifully explain . Thanks for the information .

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Gregory!

[@martinbooth5151]

Thanks man. Really instructive vid. Have watched a couple of times and will continue to return to. Cheers

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Martin, super glad that you found it helpful bro! Thanks for the kind words, wishing you a good weekend!

[@ragingxavier2691]

Bro I know this video is over 3 years old but you deserve so many more subscribers. Take 1 from me

[@BurningPaperMusic]

Nice and clear, I normally don’t “like and subscribe “ when asked at the start (often stop watching) … but having watched it I do want to see more:-)

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks brotha, I'm glad you enjoyed it! The Ponziani is good and most e5 players don't know much about it.

[@psyaiya]

6:45 - if white takes the rook with queen it leaves the second bishop undefended, you're trading 1 rook for 2 bishops. you have to move Bb5 first threatening mate before taking the rook

[@r0ughTr1p]

If 10. Bf4 Qxf4 11. Qxc6+ Kf8 12. Qxa8 Qxc4 like you're suggesting, then White plays Qxc8 and it is check mate. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@psyaiya]

@@r0ughTr1p 10. Bf4 Qxf4 11. Qxc6+ Kd8 12. Qxa8 Qxc4 then white cannot play Qxc8 because king is protecting bishop

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Tim! So here is the line! 10.Bf4 Qxf4 11. Qxc6+ Kd8 12. Bb5!!!! By playing this we are threatening Qe8#... and the very next move we are going to take the rook and our bishop on b5 can no longer be taken!

[@TheChessGiant]

No this is completely correct! Let me show the line if Kd8 is played instead of Kf8 - 10.Bf4 Qxf4 11. Qxc6+ Kd8 12. Bb5!!!! By playing this we are threatening Qe8#... and the very next move we are going to take the rook and our bishop on b5 can no longer be taken!

[@elperro3683]

17:05 mark where you cover black’s fourth move, Nxe4: I advanced my d-pawn as you recommended; this put pressure on black’s knight on c6. But black surprised me with Bc5! This was a beautiful attack on my f2 pawn! I played Be3 and black played Bxe3, followed by my move, fxe3. Black then moved his threatened knight on c6. Not surprisingly, I lost the game. Turns out the best move for white after black’s move, Bc5, is dxc6. Black plays Bxf2+ and this gives black a very slight advantage. It is definitely a good response to the Ponziani.

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey! You're exactly right in saying this is a good response to the Ponziani. In fact, it's the best one! I am making a Ponziani Course which is set to release soon. And, in it I go over this exact option for black and how white can respond. However, in the meantime here is my video on it which you may find helpful! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYOlhZyaZtmjr5Y Thanks, And let me know if anything else pops up! Solomon

[@HairEEck]

​@@TheChessGianthey! How is the ponziani course going? I've been looking for a course like that for a while

[@dionysschub5350]

I let the main variant with pawn d5 and f6 run through the engin and I noticed that it is way more tricky than it might seem in this video.

[@apfel_red8087]

thx man with this video i can finally learn the basics

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad to help!! The Ponziani is a ton of fun

[@blessingkomana9960]

I really love your content....this channel is going far in the next few months, keep the videos coming

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you brotha!

[@the333showy]

This is a really good fully explained, detailed, sophistecated and spectacular video

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Viliaana! I really appreciate that!

[@dorto7779]

14:50 After Knight e6, if white plays d5 to fork the knights black can just play Knight e4 to threaten the queen. Here white has to take the knight, black recaptures with their knight and then white has to run their Queen away so I'm not sure if you really can fork black here

[@TheChessGiant]

That's a good point I didn't realize that! Even then, I do think that d5 is the best move forking both knights. Black can save the knight by playing Nd4 like you said... but then we take the knight and then play Qe4 and the knight is trapped... black can play a move by c5 or Bc5 but blacks position is super awkward and the computer says that white is up nearly +2.5. Nice correction though, I hadn't realized that!

[@dorto7779]

@@TheChessGiant Came across it in a game last week and thought I'd mention it here!

[@TheChessGiant]

Nice!

[@joaoflaviozanini661]

great vid man, ll help me a lot. Thxx, I'll just suggest to slice the video stripe in some parts to be easilier to found all the things, like chapters. But even so, this is the best vid to study ponziani opening, congrats

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks brotha! And ya that’s a good idea!

[@lijujose44]

Loved the video. Nice work!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you!

[@prakasavigraha6104]

Another great video. Thanks heaps Solomon.

[@TheChessGiant]

Of course, glad you enjoyed it!

[@SSyx23]

Nice video... I have a league game tomorrow and have been looking at this opening all week and then you post this... perfect timing!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks I appreciate that!

[@lukecrawford6251]

It definitely doesn’t seem user friendly for some one of my skill (just under 700) but I study a lot and tend to favor a very in depth approach. I’m gonna give this a try I think it’ll benefit me as I’m sliding up the rating board really quickly. Awesome video!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Luke! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I thought I'd post a video below, zero pressure to watch! I think it could possibly help you and your openings as it shows the 4 rules or steps which you should generally follow against any chess opening. Have a good day brotha! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX22qIqZmL2MpZI

[@Hazelod]

As a 1900 this won me many games and im watching this to master all lines because im stagning at that level

[@skyeruddell3196]

such a great break down, thanks!

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the support!

[@dann7598]

I’m gonna study this vid

[@TheChessGiant]

Let me know what you think!

[@ethanolhaines4139]

1 month of studying. You gotta let us know when you finish!

[@tyler200087]

I’m gonna study this comment

[@YuuXVI]

@@tyler200087 Yo what did you learn?

[@marcusvergara6193]

@@YuuXVI 5 months, mans went really in depth

[@anow3594]

There is a move after white's d4 which puts a spanner in the works for your analysis. Instead of black playing d6 it can play d5 which makes it a completely new ball game.

[@TheChessGiant]

Are you speaking of the move after black plays Nf6? Or an immediate d5 against c3? D5 against c3 was covered in video. If you speak of after Nf6 and d4 and then d5, we can play Bb5 and white is more than okay here but like you said definitely a different ball game and it would be fun to make a video on this line. Thanks for the thoughtful comment!

[@gabriellouisetti5033]

I know this one, I don't play since long time! good to see it back! Hope it will work Thanks so much!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Gabriel! Let me know how it goes!

[@Agent.33]

Loved this video and how you made it easy to follow. Thx man🔥🇺🇸

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it brotha! Thank you!

[@francescosi7556]

Loving it. I don't know if you did it already, i must check, but i would love to have a video on the reti

[@TheChessGiant]

I have not, although I have made a video on the King's Indian attack! What would you specifically covered in the Reti my friend? like what lines/variations

[@francescosi7556]

@@TheChessGiant i play the Kings Indian defence. I will check the attack as well :) i like playing the queens gambit starting with the reti if they go for 1..d5 (or the Catalan as well) . I dont really go for the reti main line because after 2.c4,d4 and 3.e3, c5 i dont know what to play. If you could make a video about the possible lines after 1.Nf3,d5 2.c5,d4 that would be really helpful. Thank you for asking the lines too!

[@TheChessGiant]

@@francescosi7556 Sweet Francesco, I will keep these variations you just shared in mind! Thanks for sharing! Also ya the King's Indian Defence is great!

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Francesco I finally got around to making this Reti Opening video you were asking about! Here is the link! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnvOkn6io9F1e9U

[@vVearon]

i’m 250 elo, i don’t know any openings, just how the pieces move. let’s see how that changes after i learn this edit 4 months later: i haven’t learnt it yet. but i’m 400 elo now, and haven’t played chess in uh 4 months.

[@TheChessGiant]

I recommend that you learn a chess opening (can be the Ponziani Opening, Italian Game, Vienna Game, etc.) but also don't feel the pressure to master it. Just learn the basics, and then really pour your energy into TACTICS and ENDGAMES. This is what will help you grow as a chess player! Hope this helps, Thanks, Solomon

[@stavrossfakianakis2110]

I studied this video with stockfish and it seemingly thinks that instead of Bf4 at 6:30 it prefers the instant Rd1, as the Bf4 variation would win a rook, but only after Bb5 by white, which would give black time to play Nf6-Ng4 and create some counterplay. It still gives white some advantage of about +0.8-1.0, but the instant Rd1 move seems to give him a +3.8 advantage, and would win the d3 pawn next move anyways, which would put black at a huge disadvantage. What's your opinion on this? Apart from that, I got into your videos from the ponziani series and can see you're doing a brilliant job. Keep up the good work.

[@nofoxgiven3052]

How should white defend: 1. E4, E5 2. NF3, NC6 3. C3, NF6 4. D4, ExD4 5. E5, QE7 ??? A few people responded with that and I haven't found a good counter against it.

[@TheChessGiant]

I would say to capture back the pawn with cxd4 and keep rapidly developing (including Bb5 if d6 is played which pins that knight on c6)

[@johnp845]

Professor Ruddell, When you are the black pieces, and white plays the Ponziani opening (3. c3) against you, what is your preferred defense? 3. Nf6 (Jaenisch) ? 3. d5 ? 3. d6 ? 3. f5 (Ponziani counter-gambit) ? 3. other ? thank you!

[@TheChessGiant]

Hmmm for me I probably go for the Jaenisch and then take on e4 because it is sound and most Ponziani players aren’t prepared for Nxe4 and Bc5! White is completely okay obviously but most don’t know what to do

[@edmundespina7043]

Dude i like your explanation for this variation.. that why I like this to much to play with this ponziane opening

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy thanks Edmund! Ya the Ponziani is easily one of my favorite openings right now as well.

[@edmundespina7043]

@@TheChessGiant coach may i know what your ranking rigth now..

[@arshanalam6186]

The exact video i was looking for loved it

[@kevinmcgrath1052]

Excellent vid

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks! Glad you liked it. The Ponziani Opening is OP!

[@VFomalhaut]

cheers. and looking forward to you becoming an NM, pretty exciting! have a great year.

[@TheChessGiant]

Cheers! And thanks! That will be a cool day if it ever comes! You have a great year as well my friend.

[@vladimirs7878]

Uh, this channel is pretty great. Thanks for all of these opening videos.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Vladimir! I appreciate it

[@abhaytaranathk7496]

Nice work Solomon

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Abhay!

[@ygmsniper]

Could you also make a video about queens gambit accepted, and queens gambit declined tarrasch defense?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey thanks for the chess opening recommendation!

[@pieterdenhertog288]

very instructive for me as a clubplayer, clear presentation (not too fast!) and I'm going to play it again

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Pieter, I appreciate it! Let me know what you think of it!

[@alfonstabz9741]

man I like the way you present your videos and the set up of your channel is good.,,

[@TheChessGiant]

I appreciate that! Thanks for the kind words.

[@suspiciousnerdwithligma6855]

YOUR VIDEOS ARE HONESTLY SUPERB!!! I think you should cover king's gambit?.............

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks brotha! I really appreciate it! Ya I should, what variations do you want covered? Or just a general overview? I did triple muzio gambit and that was fun to make

[@suspiciousnerdwithligma6855]

@@TheChessGiant how to counter the fischer's defence and the modern defence and the main move g5 in the kings gambit accepted.

[@suspiciousnerdwithligma6855]

@@TheChessGiant The triple muzio gambit is so sick, but is a kinda rare in games

[@shloksangle2451]

Could you make a video on the kings gambit there are not that many good videos on it. Love your videos by the way

[@TheChessGiant]

Great idea! I will make a note of it. Thanks for the chess opening recommendation the King's Gambit is fun.

[@victorchavez2217]

Hey Solomon why don't You do a series about checkmate patterns, You know like Anastasia, philidor legacy (smothered mate), dovetail, greek gift, bishop takes on h6 sacs, all the back ranks etc.

[@TheChessGiant]

That's a good idea Victor! Just took a picture of this comment, really good idea. I haven't even heard of the dovetail or greek gift but I'll look into it!

[@mmsaint4283]

I'm so glad cause find this Channel!!!

[@aliciamikedietz6958]

I’ve been struggling to find an ideal way to handle he situation where black sacrifices his C6 Knight and moves his Bishop to c5 instead with the idea to check the white king on Bf2. How should white respond to the bishop to c5? 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 Nxe4 5. d5 Bc5

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey! So we actually made a video on that specific variation, I'll leave the link below! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYOlhZyaZtmjr5Y

[@kentbriangalleros6659]

F6 move for black is a Steinitz variation of d5 line

[@TheChessGiant]

Ah gotchu!

[@Midoriya_one_for_all]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 Ng4 explain after this... I often get this position everytime when i play ponziani

[@Midoriya_one_for_all]

Ng4 or Qe7 I don't know what to do after that... Please explain

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Mano! Great question! So against either Qe7 or Ng4 we simply play cxd4 and are then defending the pawn on e5 with our d pawn. I mean if Ng4 we can play cxd4 and then h3... if Qe7 we can play cxd4 and if d6 then Bb5!

[@Midoriya_one_for_all]

@@TheChessGiant thank you for explaining ❤️🔥

[@TheChessGiant]

@@Midoriya_one_for_all No problem!

[@ojassvinithiagarajan3976]

I'm new to this channel and I'm not sure if you have made a video on the stafford gambit, but if you haven't then can you make a video on the stafford gambit?

[@TheChessGiant]

Yes! Great idea.

[@ahmedqenawy4660]

Hello. Would you please make a video on the attacking lines for white in the Orthoshnap gambit.? Thanks Millions

[@TheChessGiant]

Yes! Great idea.

[@ahmedqenawy4660]

@@TheChessGiant Thanks, Chess giant is second to none.

[@adamsteinmetz4485]

Hello, at 12:02, you show two options for black's knight. But I have found that after e5, my opponents often play Ng4 to attack the e5 pawn. After that, I usually end up trying to protect the e5 pawn by taking on d4, which I assume is not the right approach. I assume by the fact that you didn't cover the Ng4 move by black that there something obviously disadvantageous for black in that move, but I could use a short explanation of how to best attack it. Thanks!

[@TheChessGiant]

That's a great question! You're exactly right by playing cxd4! The reason I didn't cover it was because we can simply play pawn takes and protect the e5 pawn, and after this, the knight on g4 is extremely awkward. In fact, it can only really move to h6 in which case we can potentially take it with the bishop and give black double isolated pawns on h7 and h6. Playing Ng4 attacks the pawn on e5, but after the simple cxd4, that knight is badly placed.

[@adamsteinmetz4485]

Thanks!

[@reuds]

Beautifully explained, thank you so much for this informative video. I really think it will help me see better moves. Subbed :)

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for the sub! And I'm glad you enjoyed the video, let me know if there's any other chess openings you'd want to see covered on this channel!

[@Bokertko]

At 14:00 can you explain the idea behind bishop e3? I'm focusing on learning the ponziani with the Nf6 response, I'm sure bishop e3 does something important. I just don't see it? Thanks for the very informative and easy to follow video, it's much appreciated ✌️

[@jeffrichards3566]

Great stuff

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Jeff! Let me know if there's any other chess openings you'd want me to cover!

[@suspiciousnerdwithligma6855]

Hey, you have inspired me a lot to play and improve my chess. With your ponziani videos, I have won a lot of games. Now I started to write Chess Theory, and guess what...... I am writing the theory about the PONZIANI OPENING.

[@TheChessGiant]

Oh wow. I'm honored! Let's play on chess.com sometime! My username is "ChessGiantKZbin."

[@suspiciousnerdwithligma6855]

@@TheChessGiant Thanks brother. My id on chess.com is Divyam_1011. I am so lucky! Thanks!

[@Nick_Tippett]

Great video! thanks so much!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Nick, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@tomdoyle3677]

hi I love your videos you are the only KZbinr that explains and helps me understand new chess openings so i was wondering if you could do the Stafford gambit if you haven't thank you stay safe love you vids

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Tom! Thanks for the kind words I really appreciate it man. Ya we actually made a video covering the top 7 traps of the Stafford Gambit, and then we also made another video covering a new Stafford Trap discovered by Eric Rosen against white's "refutation." I hope these are helpful for you! Top 7 Stafford Gambit Traps kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKrTlXVso66FiNE NEW Stafford Gambit Trap! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqezqZepe61ljJo

[@RosettaTone]

Nice video! Do you have any videos on extremely unusual openings such as knights pawn openings or bishop pawn openings, that would be great, thanks!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks! And here is a list of some openings that you may find interesting. (Also sorry for late response I'm trying to catchup on comments) Saragossa Opening: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5O7l5-dftd2b7s Polish Opening: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2Kkn6WGiNaUq5o Larsen's Opening: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6CcXn5ppNetZqc Bird's Opening: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5O7Yp9spqmGl6c Hope these help! Thanks, Solomon

[@erikpeterson1870]

Hey Solomon, another great video! Just wanted to point out that the bishop trap @6:50 earns you the queen with bxc7+, unless I missed something…? Going to my first tournament this weekend and am prepping a Ponziani bombshell LOL

[@erikpeterson1870]

(If the Qxf4)

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Erik! First off, GOOD LUCK with your tournament! And for the Bxf7+ line, it almost wins a queen, but the queen escapes by capturing off the bishop! Hope this helps, and glad you enjoyed the Ponziani video! (Also, if you're wanting help with analyzing games and forming a game plan for improvement, I am offering private lessons now. No pressure but if interested here's the link!) www.thechessgiant.com/lessons

[@TheChessGiant]

Got it thanks! Responded to top comment hope it helps.

[@erikpeterson1870]

Thanks for the content Solomon! I studied your vid’s OTB and won my bracket (U1500) for my state (Ohio) with no Ls. W-W-D-W-D, with 2 of those Ws being Ponziani lol. Now it’s on to the bigger cats in the U1800… 🔥

[@TheChessGiant]

@@erikpeterson1870 Just seeing this! CONGRATS!

[@blessingkomana9960]

And please make a video on the Caro-Kann and Stafford cambit

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for the opening recommendations! We actually made a Caro-Kann Defense video, but I'll have to make sure to do the Stafford! I'll post the Caro-Kann below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGGTdpp6rNZnhMU

[@אסףחלילי-מ9ר]

Wow you explain great,i like the video. Could you explain the danish opening please?

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks! And ya I should do that!

[@אסףחלילי-מ9ר]

@@TheChessGiant thanks,😊

[@Trevy07]

There's no better Ponziani opening explanation on KZbin.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you my brotha 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@ujjwalkothari2011]

Could you make a video in roussesa gambit ?

[@TheChessGiant]

I had looked it up before but forgot what it was so just researched it again. Looks like a fun option for the black side. Thanks for putting this on my radar!

[@raphael39]

Great content

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Raphael! Let me know if there's any other chess openings or Ponziani Opening related content you'd want to see covered on this channel!

[@finishocker]

How about a video on the pirc

[@TheChessGiant]

Love this opening recommendation!

[@finishocker]

It's my favorite opening that's not used alot. Usually when I play it people are thrown.

[@TheChessGiant]

Here it is! Drops in about a day - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qomZiqBudqujorc

[@Onkar14]

Nice video sir..Thank you

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Onkar, I appreciate it!

[@dionysschub5350]

After d6 it is better to play h3. Bishop d3 is solid but a little bit to passive.

[@johnp845]

GM Ruddell, I played the Ponziani against a bot. Black's 3rd move was 3. d5 So I played 4. Qa4 as you recommended. Your vid said there would likely be 3 possible responses (dxe4, f6, and Bd7). But for the 4th move the bot played 4. Qd6 The bot then proceeded to demolish me.

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey John! I just looked at this variation and I'm not sure why more people don't play Qd6 because it is good. Against this, I would recommend taking the pawn on d5, and then playing Bb5 after Qxd5... I put it into a computer and it has it at dead even... I'll have to look more into this but hopefully it gives you a good start!

[@johnp845]

@@TheChessGiant what about Bc4 (instead of Bb5) after Qxd5? thank you!

[@TheChessGiant]

@@johnp845 Ya Bc4 is another great option for white there!

[@denniscoppens695]

At 6:46 you mention how the black queen can't take the dark sq bishop - but if he takes and you check the king, black has a mate in 1 on c1. Don't see how that variation works! Could someone explain?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Dennis! Ya so Qc1 is almost a checkmate, but it's not since there is a rook on f1 blocking the king, and we could simply snatch the queen off the board with the rook. Hope this helps!

[@denniscoppens695]

Ah I see, when I replayed I didn’t castle and played the dark sq bishop out directly.. thanks!

[@TheChessGiant]

Of course Dennis! Feel free to send me in any chess related questions at any time!

[@yeyintaung9837]

Plz make a video about Sicilian,I found it quite effective and also hard to handle

[@TheChessGiant]

You mean from the white side? Like how to play against the Sicilian Defense?

[@yeyintaung9837]

@@TheChessGiant yes "how to play Sicilian defence" like Garry Kasparov 😁

[@giordanorivolta4012]

17:15 the problem is Black can ignore his attacked Knight and play Bc5

[@SeanLee-ew8pm]

can you make a video about how to beat the ponziani?

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for putting this on my radar! Have you been seeing it more playing as black?

[@SeanLee-ew8pm]

@TheChessGiant Yes. It's hard for me to play against it

[@Nexus-X001]

Haven't seen this played since magnus carlsen playe dit for a while,love off beat openings like alekhine,b6,nimzo indian,hippo,jobava london another under rated opening.

[@TheChessGiant]

Totally! You and I think very similarly - I think I've made videos on all of these except the Jobava London which should come out soon!

[@matthewgensburg2964]

Used to occasionally see some of your videos, now I'm watching every one. Completely deserve the sub. Also I'd love to see something covering more trappy King's Indian Defense lines if those exist... either way, LOVE the channel

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Matthew! Thank you brotha for the kind words, truly humbled. Glad to help, and ya thanks for that recommendation. Are you thinking of lines against the King's Indian or lines for the King's Indian player?

[@faisalaman8914]

Can you show us queen gambit full opening trap for white and also black and also which gambit good for black . I mean that if my opponent use kings gambit then which gambit I use as a black . please I beg you teach us. I want to defeat someone as a black position .

[@TheChessGiant]

What's up Faisal! Ya I'll have to get around to making a Queen's Gambit video! For black, I really like the Old Benoni Defense... it's a gambit if white accepts the pawn but after which I think black is simply better. I'll drop the link below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWWxqqZui619qas

[@hadisusanto8201]

Hi, Solomon. Great video. Can u show me on your KZbin video, the game between Kasparov (white) vs kramnik year 2000, Berlin defense? Thank you so much

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Hadi! Just added this to my list thanks for the recommendation!

[@Chris_0303]

great video

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Chris! I'm glad you enjoyed it, are there any other chess openings you would want to see on the channel? :)

[@stevenhutton8457]

Tried the Ponziani. The counter-gambit f5 was played. All the moves thus explained fell to dust and the strong centre I was planning was just a pipedream. Any suggestions on how to deal effectively with the counter-gambit?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Steven! So I have an upcoming Ponziani Course which is set to release soon. In that I have a whole chapter dedicated to the Ponziani Countergambit. So you may find the course helpful towards your Ponziani lines/variations/strategy/ideas. However, in the meantime, here is my video on it! Ponziani Countergambit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHuac2Odm5are9E Hope this is helpful! Thanks a ton, Solomon

[@CyprianSajna]

Are Gambit (any) played nowadays on grandmaster level? If so, could you please make a video about it?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Cyprian! This is a great idea - I should make a video giving a list of gambits that are still being played commonly at the GM level in tournament situations.

[@fnsdealers9489]

I tried doing ponziani and something similiar to scholars mate in the endgames it worked beautifully👌

[@TheChessGiant]

Nice 🙌🏽

[@realnudetayne]

I have a question. At 6:45 you were talking about if blacks queen takes the bishop on f3, white takes the pawn on c6 to fork the king and rook. if you take the rook, doesn’t black just take the bishop on c4?

[@TheChessGiant]

This is a great question! So basically, white has an intermediate move. Let's say that after Qxc6 black plays Kf8, well then we have Qxa8 and if Qxc4, we then play Qxc8 capturing the bishop, followed by Qxd8#.... so Kf8 doesn't work because it leaves the bishop on c8 unprotected. If Kd8, we can then play Bb5, threatening mate in one with Qe8#! The only way for black to stop this is with Nf6, and we then take the Rook, with our Bishop now not able to be captured by the black queen.

[@realnudetayne]

@@TheChessGiant ah I see! thanks so much for the answer. Also, I corrected my typo with the c4 bishop. Sorry if that was confusing at first lol.

[@TheChessGiant]

Haha no problem at all bro!

[@d7writes]

This opening looks like a lot of fun! I think I'll give it a spin next time I play!

[@TheChessGiant]

Let me know how it goes! Definitely a solid opening with a lot of fun traps.

[@jestes7]

At 17:25, can you cover the top engine move Bc5? Isn't white just getting crushed? I've seen it a few times and it didn't turn out well.

[@jestes7]

nevermind I found it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYOlhZyaZtmjr5Y&ab_channel=TheChessGiant

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey! Ya so I have a whole chapter dedicated to this in my upcoming Ponziani Course which is set to release soon. So, you may find the course helpful. However, here is a KZbin video that I made on it awhile back. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYOlhZyaZtmjr5Y Hope this is helpful, Thanks, Solomon

[@ramaraoborra7528]

Hey man can you make about Roy Lopez opening Murphy defense

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for putting this chess opening on my radar!

[@MooneLightEntertainment]

*This video made me realise how much I've been playing Ponziani wrong!* 😭😭😭 I've been winning using all the wrong ways...

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you got something out of it Sommy! And hey nice choice with playing the Ponziani :)

[@DineshKumar-xn9ce]

The way you explain is impressive 🔥 please make video to memorize notations

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Dinesh! Appreciate the kind words! Do you mean how to learn notation or how to calculate far ahead in a game?

[@noneone8726]

This is Vivid Proof that Chess is a BORING WASTE OF TIME. It comes down to which pompous asshole has Memorized more moves and counter moves. THIS is why Chess Snob DOUCHE BAGS will only play chess with you, no other game, EVER......because every ounce of their lives is invested in this pathetic memorization exercise. Chess Snobs need to DIE in Agony. Fuck Chess. Play Terrace, King's Court, YINSH, Go, Hive. chess is for assholes----they have no other skill than memorization. ZERO imagination, Zero life, Zero creativity, zero actual dignity. Freaks who deserve to die. And they are ARROGANT about their sickening STAGNATION chess snobs SUCK chess snobs SUCK Chess Sucks sucks sucks donkey dicks Wow, you can count cards Rain Man............fuck you. Don't waste your lives, kids. TIME is the one thing you can never get more of. Chess is a Total Waste of Your Time. Chess will turn you into a boring arrogant PRICK. Go ahead, challenge a chess player to a game of Hive. They will Refuse, because they haven't memorized the moves.

[@jovannovokmet5043]

@@noneone8726 only the openings are complicated memoryzation. The rest of the game isn't. And the big thing about chess is expirience, the more you play the better you are. So you cannot just memorize.

[@xakin6261]

@@noneone8726 are you having a stroke? you do not need to memorize anything if you dont want to

[@kookykook3953]

As a complete beginner armed with this bongziani, I'm off to my local chess club tonight. I'll remember the first three moves at least.

[@TheChessGiant]

Good luck! Let me know how it goes!

[@dionysschub5350]

In some Ponziani positions Stockfish suggests completly absurd top-enging-lines that ignore material because it considers the positional advantage of a position occuring after 10 top-engin moves no human would play as more advantageous. Therefore the best lines from a human perspective often differ from the Stockfish ones in the Ponziani. Just saying don't wonder if you analize your games.

[@dionysschub5350]

From my experience you really rarely get the main line with pawn d5 on the board

[@pulkitjhamb1356]

hey thanks for explanation ! at 17:22 if black plays bishop c5 threatening fork of queen and rook with his knight at f2 then whta can we do ? is it a good move as a black ?

[@TheChessGiant]

Great question! I actually believe this to be the best move for black. We made a video on this question so I'll drop the link! Hope this helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYOlhZyaZtmjr5Y

[@pulkitjhamb1356]

@@TheChessGiant thanks man !! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@TrebleWing]

I guess queen could retreat to d7 right away instead of losing a tempo on the bishop. (in the line in which pawn takes e4)

[@TheChessGiant]

Yep! This does lead to some other issues for black but it's good to keep in mind that Bf4 is possible against that Qd6 move. Thanks!

[@filluptank]

Isn’t pawn to d4 at 15:58 en passant ? What am I missing?

[@TheChessGiant]

It's not, en passant is only if a pawn moves two squares and then the other pawn is directly to the very right or very left of it. Hope this helps! Thanks, Solomon

[@sendasantiguasgiddings]

the en passant rule? @12:30 Nice that was a new one.

[@TheChessGiant]

Some fun chess opening theory there!

[@delx5751]

5:15 after Nxd5 I ran into someone who played Nf6, protecting that pawn on e4. What would be a good response?

[@kreyzgr5167]

I guess you take the Knight on c6 with your own Knight, attacking the Queen. If he takes the Knight with the b pawn you take back with your Queen, checking the King and attacking the Rook at the same time

[@TheChessGiant]

We could play Bb5! Now the knight on c6 is being attacked by our knight bishop and queen! against bd7 we can play Nxc6 Bxc6 Bxc6+ bxc6 and Qxc6+! We are no up a pawn and ke7 is forced because black doesn't want to lose the rook on a8

[@faisalaman8914]

Please teach us all gambit like this please

[@gardenmenuuu]

Sir is ponziani attacking or mainly positional opening?And I love calm ,strategical,not complex,simple game with less pieces ,avoiding tactical calculations with more pieces..Please please please recommend few lists from both black and white...Thank you

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Madhav, I appreciate it and am glad you enjoyed it! And that is so true I can’t agree more! Chess is truly an art and skill that takes time and effort to develop, it’s worth it though!

[@gardenmenuuu]

@@TheChessGiant could you list out few calm openings in in general?

[@xakin6261]

@@gardenmenuuu queens pawn openings are for you, closed positions that usually result in king and pawn endgames