The Opening Mistake You're Probably Making in Chess

Discover the common opening mistake in chess that can lead to Chess Traps and a hard game! Many players, both novice and intermediate, are prone to making this blunder, significantly increasing their opponent's winrate. In this video, we dive deep into the intricacies of this error, showing you the Chess Traps you may inadvertently set for yourself, resulting in a Free Queen for your adversary.
If you've ever wondered why some games seem to tilt in favor of your opponent from the get-go, it could very well be due to this prevalent opening mistake. With a high winrate associated with these Chess Traps, you'll want to ensure you avoid them at all costs. By understanding and recognizing this mistake, you can prevent falling for the bait and instead, set up your own Chess Traps leading to a Free Queen for yourself!
By the end of this video, you'll not only be well-equipped to dodge this dangerous error but also to capitalize on it when your opponent makes the slip. Don't let your games be determined by early-game pitfalls. Increase your chess high winrate, safeguard your Queen, and master the art of turning the tables on your opponent.
Subscribe and stay tuned for more insightful chess strategies and tips!
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0:00 Intro, Basic principles and Ideas
2:56 Main Line (5. Nxe4)
3:42 Main Line Option 1 (6. Bb5)
11:15 Main Line Option 2 (6. Bxd5)
13:36 Main Line Option 3 (6. Bd3)
16:26 Line 2 (5. Bxf7)
21:00 Outro
---
Welcome to Chess Sensei, your ultimate destination to learn chess! Our channel is dedicated to providing you with expert game analysis, chessmaster tips, and chess openings strategies. Our mission is to help you get better at chess by improving your critical thinking skills and mastering the game of chess. Subscribe now and join our community to take your chess game to the next level! All videos are recorded on chess.com or lichess.

[@dinkmartini3236]

I'm only making ONE mistake in the game but it's the same one over and over. My mistake is that I sit down in front of a chess board.

[@x_iflowz2959]

bruuuuuh that sucks man.... in this case never play a 9year old kid. that laugh hurts my soul one a day. never come through it.

[@DavidPauwelynTravelingbyfoot]

Haha ❤. But you cannot stop I bet. We are addicts.

[@kmale76]

Me too

[@cithvalentine1790]

That’s not true. That’s the best move you can make. If you’re not good, keep playing

[@IceCenders]

I always sit down on top of the chess board. no risk of checkmates that way.

[@tarmoboyf]

As someone who loves putting his bishop there, this video is like watching a reel of every single time in my life I narrowly and unknowingly escaped injury or death 😅

[@ChessSensei]

😂

[@Waroftheworldsz]

I push my knight from c3 to d5 threatening a rook if they retaliate with their bishop. Seems to work pretty well against the Scholars Mate.

[@hesido]

Lol, brilliant take.

[@PP1969GR]

lolZ

[@Rechnerstrom]

One important line is missing: White can gambit a pawn with 5. 0-0 Nxc3 6.dxc3 which is dangerous for Black if he doesn't know the refutation. If Black doesn't play 6...h6 or 6...f6 White has a strong attack. Examples: 6...Bc5? 7. Ng5! Rf8 (7...0-0 8. Qh5 h6 9. Nxf7 and Black is lost) 8. Bxf7+ Rxf7 9. Nxf7 Kxf7 10. Qd5+ winning the exchange and the game. 6...Be7 seeking to castle 7. Qd5 0-0 8. Nxe5 winning back the pawn with a good game. 6...Bd6? 7. Ng5 Rf8 or 0-0 8. Qh5 White is winning 6...Qf6? 7. Ng5 Nd8 that was the idea 8. f4. Black is in deep trouble. 8...h6? 9. Nxf7! Nxf7 10. fxe5 Qb6+ 11. Kh1 Nd8 12. Qh5+ g6 13. Qe2 plan Be3 13...Bc5? 14. Rf6 Ne6 15. Qe4 and Black doesn't survive this. 6...Qe7 doesn't look natural but is acceptable. The idea is that 7. Ng5 Nd8 8. f4 now doesn't work because of Qc5+. White can continue 7. b4 threat b5/Nxe5 7...d6 8. Ng5 Nd8 9. f4 (Qc5+ no longer possible) 9...h6 best move 10. Nf3 e4 best move 11. Nd6 c6 best move 12. Be3 d5 13. Be2 where Black is stable but White has a development advantage and plans for attack (f5-f6 and c4). The game is not over and Black has to defend carefully. 6...h6 7. Qd5 Qf6 7. Bb5 Bd6 8. Re1 Ne7 9. Qe4 c6 best move 10. Bd3 Ng6 11. h4 Bc7! (11...h5? 12. Bg5 Qe6 13. Bc4 Qg4 14. Qxg6!! fxg6 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Rxe5+ Kf8 17. Rae1 Qe6 18. Bxe6 dxe6 19. Rd1 and Black is paralyzed) 12. h5 d5 13. Qe2 and now if Black doesn't have the idea to actually sacrifice the knight White is quite ok. 13...Nh4 14. Nxe5 or 13. Nf4 14. Bxf4 Qxf4 15. Nxe5.

[@WetBoy]

Tldr

[@mazyllendya]

thanks!

[@ragnarlothbrok367]

i love the way you teach dude, straight to the point, most of such videos got me lost

[@ChessSensei]

Thanks for your kind words! Since our content is mostly dedicated to beginner-intermediate players, I try my best to explain everything that comes to mind, even if it's a simple concept or move, in hopes that everyone can have a fun and easy time learning and improving their chess skills. Enjoy! 🌟

[@moseskamau9915]

I like how you explain the moves in a coherent, articulate and easy to understand mode of teaching especially for a beginner. You're a gem Sensei. Yes! I've definitely subscribed to your channel!

[@ChessSensei]

Really appreciate your nice comment thank you❤️☺️

[@JustMe-ty2xr]

@@ChessSenseiyes your KZbin are great thanks

[@nea_22]

This was very well explained but also extremely complex for me, i'll have to rewatch this for sure since i find myself in that position quite often

[@bombswabs3041]

You are such an articulate and easy to understand Sensei! Any chance you might do some videos of you playing against random players? Don't care if you win or lose ( pretty sure you would win most of the time) but just wanna see how you react and listen to your commentary. You have a talent of how you explain things leading slowly from the simple to the complex. Id be on board for rooting on your side for any matches you might wanna share with us. What say you?

[@ChessSensei]

Your suggestion is a great idea! As our channel and community grows, we're planning subscriber events where you can send us your games from specific openings for analysis. Additionally, we're also considering featuring subscriber games where I'd play against you all in specific openings, and then select a couple of relevant games to showcase in future videos.

[@jasonplatt2228]

@@ChessSensei Those ideas sound great! I look forward to hearing about any news regarding this!

[@pasheka777]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing this knowledge! 😊

[@stephenschultz9901]

I play the PIRC and utilize this fork quite often. It doesn't always work out [because I'm 1500-1600 and prone to blunder], but it's always a fun line for me.

[@CST1992]

Audio for the moves is a couple seconds ahead of the moves themselves. Please check as it's distracting.

[@ChessSensei]

Sorry about that! Audio desync happended somewhere in the editing process of this video and it got overlooked. All our other videos don't have this issue 👍

[@CST1992]

@@ChessSensei Could you fix it and reupload please? As a content creator, it should just let you swap it out without affecting stats. This feature is exclusively meant for fixing editing issues, like the one above.

[@ChessSensei]

@@CST1992 Unfortunately the youtube editor doesn't let you cut audio/video individually. You can only cut segments which wouldn't fix the desync issue.

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

yes - it's very annoying.

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

@@ChessSensei - yes - KZbin should allow you to delete the original and upload a repaired version but they never did. It means there are millions of faulty videos on KZbin. The most common fault is low sound level on audio - often 20db down on normal levels.

[@picmanjoe]

This was very interesting to watch. Great content, delivered well.

[@omf2491]

Great video +subbed - easy to follow, to the point.

[@ChessSensei]

Thanks for the sub! Since our content is mostly dedicated to beginner-intermediate players, I try my best to explain everything that comes to mind, even if it's a simple concept or move, in hopes that everyone can have a fun and easy time learning and improving their chess skills. Enjoy! 🌟

[@robhead22]

Beautiful ideas. Thank you!

[@albinocat]

Nice analysis, I like how you explain things in a concise and simple manner, which is very helpful for a noob like me. Subbed :)

[@Lupinicus1664]

Very good video. Well done. You earned a subscriber 👍

[@ChessSensei]

Thanks for the sub, glad you enjoyed the video 🙌

[@wolfdog3312]

I subscribe to your channel I like how you go in detail with all the different scenarios whether it's right or wrong

[@alexbrunel5417]

Nicely explained, thank you

[@scu-dub]

Definitely subbing excellent tutorial 🤌🏼 ✌🏽

[@ChessSensei]

Thanks for the support! 🙌

[@cabinetdecuriositestechniq3059]

These openings are real minefields ! Thank you for showing them to us.

[@_Vengeance_]

The weird thing is when I learned chess 20 years ago, the Italian running into this was actually taught as a common principled opening, without ever adressing that the pawn can just be taken. Even to this day I still play that opening, because it has just been baked so much into me and I've literally never had to face this, strangely (I only casually play chess though, so granted, it's really not that often especially when taking into account that most openings go differently, and it's fairly low-level play)

[@ChessSensei]

I guess with the evolution of chess engines, many opening theories from the past, especially those that revolve around slightly dubious variations, are being re-evaluated and refuted in the modern era. 🤔

[@stademeister15]

d3 is better than Nc3 in the Italian, however Bb5 is generally regarded as better than Bc4 anyway, since Black can easily equalize in the Italian

[@ericst-laurent1194]

Very great video thank you!!

[@ChessSensei]

Appreciate your kind words and support! 😊

[@izzojoseph2]

What would be the correct move instead of bishop out

[@josephsalmonte4995]

I miss the centre-fork all the time. Good video, thanks 🙏

[@ChessSensei]

Glad you found the video helpful! Hopefully, you'll now be better equipped to avoid this position as White and to effectively punish your opponents when playing as Black. Best of luck in your games! 🌟

[@celing0624]

Vary helpful! And very informative video thank you sensie...

[@celing0624]

Hey, can you also discuss the last part of the video if the knight moves to the D2 or C3 instead of moving it to G4 please kindly discuss that line on how to deal it best thank you very much...

[@CVGuitar]

Great video Sensei!!

[@ChessSensei]

Appreciate the support! 😊

[@hdaniel2100]

Great explanation

[@user-il8hp5pu3x]

Brother TQ u soo much ur all moves use full

[@jluke6861]

Great Video. Thank you.

[@ChessSensei]

Appreciate your kind words and support! 😊

[@kopanothantsha2586]

Hi chess sensei iam one of your biggest fans, I wanted to ask if it's possible to include PGN's in your video descriptions please

[@mostafahossaintanimtanim2973]

Your videos are so much fascinating. Please make a video about scotch gambit theory.

[@ChessSensei]

Thank you! We have a video for the Scotch Gambit coming soon!

[@flopasen]

i love playing four knights / italian and vienna frankenstein dracula. lots of people up to 1600 in rapid don't know how to respond to the fork and if you can defend Bxf7+ then it's a fun time

[@ChessSensei]

That's great to hear! We actually have a video on the Frankenstein-Dracula Variation if you are interested. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKPWgZuLlN6YgtE

[@aidenabreo4667]

​@@ChessSenseiCan u make a vid on modern, bird, and ninzowitsch defence : Kennedy and Scandinavian.

[@andriyandriychuk]

Vienna wot

[@JAGANNATHAN-ui6sp]

Excellent video sir

[@baydrixnewzealandwarrobotf2681]

This is "THE MANTIS" chess video lesson.. thats me playing the Italian. I liked it cause u could possibly pull off the leader trap.. but looks good. Love the video the ideas etc Liked Subscribed Commented Saved and shared .. its the least i could do bro🤜💯🔥

[@paulgibbons2320]

I like your way of explaining 👍

[@PatrickRecordon]

The same maneuver works if you play the Pirc. It’s just recommended to castle first with black and the next move, to take on e4. If white chose the Austrian attack, the pawn formation is shattered and black fully equalized.

[@jasonlau7178]

great video thanks!

[@mehdifahimkamal8768]

Sir , thank you for the video , would you please tell me which software did you use to demonstrate chess moves ?

[@ChessSensei]

Your welcome we are using chess.com

[@mikeempey2483]

you're spilling my opening secrets !!

[@victorfinberg8595]

calling 4 Bc4 a "mistake" is a creative interpretation of the meaning of that word

[@stademeister15]

a better word in chess terms might be inaccuracy... however, mistake in layperson's terms is an accurate term I believe. Black is better after 4... Nxe4. The problem is that White has mixed the Italian Game with the Vienna, and the pawn on e4 is undefended by the Nc3 when the Bishop is on c4. Better defense for the Italian than Nc3 is d3 Edit: typo

[@marcelluswilliams7082]

Defending This was the opening was giving me the most problems since u made this video I’ve been watching it over and over again now I destroy this opening!! Thank you 🙏🏾 so much!!!!

[@ChessSensei]

Glad to hear it keep up winning ☺️❤️

[@DrugzMunny]

Evaluation only goes down by 0.1 when making Bc4

[@jeremiahthompson82]

Dude, your analysis is amazing. This is the best chess lesson I have seen in my life. Very easy

[@ChessSensei]

Thanks for your kind words! Since our content is mostly dedicated to beginner-intermediate players, I try my best to explain everything that comes to mind, even if it's a simple concept or move, in hopes that everyone can have a fun and easy time learning and improving their chess skills. Enjoy! 🌟

[@tsmeade]

I'm not so sure your D5 fork in the main line works. Black has the option Knight to F6, if the queen recaptures white takes the pawn on D5 and if the pawn recaptures then you've ruined blacks king side structure in exchange for one pawn. White can just pull the bishop back and continue with development, black can castle queen side but the ruined kings side definitely seems like compensation for a single pawn especially

[@ChessSensei]

Did you mean White has the option to play Nf6 instead of Black? The idea is interesting, trying to ruin Black's kingside pawn structure. However the problem is Black can easily castle queenside and use the open g-file for the rooks. Also, Black has a very strong center e and d pawns, and of course being a pawn up. For example, 6. Nf6+ gxf6 7. Be2 (retreating the bishop somewhere, it doesn't really matter) and now Black is already close to -2.5 up on the engine with threats like 7... e4 and Rg8. The pawn push to e4 is very annoying for White because the Knight on f3 has no good squares to jump to and after Rg8, White is most likely unable to castle Kingside as well.

[@tsmeade]

@@ChessSensei Yes I meant white Nf6. Of course black has the strong pawn structure on the dark squares especially after D4 and of course an engine would give the edge to black because of the missing material but an engine plays perfectly and it still feels like even relatively high elo players say 1700-1900 would be uncomfortable in the position. Just a thought. Forcing a trade of the dark square bishops also would expose the weaknesses of blacks dark square pawn structure. Similar for E4, and H7 becomes a liability after Rg8. Like I said, an engine would give the edge over the missing material but black would need to be very careful to bring home the win. Black is a minimum of 3 moves from castling queen side even more if you incorporate the threats already proposed. Still an interesting tactic but I think i'll avoid it until I crack the 2000 mark. :)

[@calvinhall843]

Personally I don't think there are a lot of players under 2000 will play this move. While pawn takes wins a material, queen takes leaves you in a comfortable position. Easy development and no real threats from white.

[@stephanehuibonhoa2996]

Thanks for this. It has made me realised some possible lines of attack which I have not thought of before.

[@justinscapes]

exactly.

[@x_iflowz2959]

great video. don't know if it's my fault but it's kinda laggy. have to quit 😅. got a little triggerd in my comfortzone but i learn a lot thanks ❤

[@ighsight]

How is this move series a “mistake” for white when it can ensure perfectly playable positions no matter what black does? White can obviously end up in some traps but black cannot FORCE those situations. Black can get a nice game to play with Nxe4 but it does not create a decisive advantage.

[@sir0s388]

most of players wont take your knight they will sacrifice the bishop to destroy your castle and then take your knight thats the eagle set up only a low level player will not see that

[@rpisopo]

Salve GM Evandro! Com certeza vais amar a cidade de Praga, é lindíssima!

[@scottbeard30]

Could the simplified explanation for this video be: don't mix openings? If you start with the Vienna Opening after Knight to C3, don't be an idiot and just decide to abandon it and play the Italian Game by playing Bishop to C4 because it leaves your King's middle pawn undefended and then white loses control of the center. Wouldn't the better option be, if you're gonna play the Vienna, is after Knight C3, just play pawn D3 instead of Bish to C4. If you're going to play the Italian game, then don't be an idiot and play Knight C3, but instead, play Bish to C4 like you're supposed to in the Italian Game?

[@user-ot8nx7mq6z]

Played as Italian opening which is Pawn e4, knight f4, bishop c4 will work. Ruy Lopez the bishop threatens the knight it’s just classical chess it works perfectly if understand the opening isn’t always the most important it’s the middle game and end game if you understand how people attack your position than adjust and attack their position

[@PinkReaper29]

Hey man I have a video suggestion. Could you sync your chess moves sound to the video. At time a sound is made as if a piece has moved buy then it hasn't and it bothers me when I'm watching it. THANK YOU

[@ChessSensei]

Hello, sorry about that! Audio desync happened somewhere in the editing process of this video and it got overlooked. All our other videos don't have this issue 👍

[@PinkReaper29]

@@ChessSensei alright great, thank you 👍👍. I love the tips btw.

[@user-ce7oe6le2g]

بعد هذه المعلومات ساكون جاهز للرد القوي والممتع شكرا جزيلا لكل هذا القدر الكثير من المعلومات المفيده لرفع التقييم

[@ChessSensei]

Good luck in your future games! 🌟

[@ledocteur8221]

J’ai fait cette erreur dans toutes mes ouvertures depuis que j’ai commencé les échecs il y a de cela 4 mois. Je suis resté coincé dans les 900 élos pendant deux mois et j’ai arrêté pendant un mois. Il y a deux semaines que j’ai arrêté cette erreur en remarquant que le l’aide ne recommandait jamais ce placement dans les parties et il gagnait presque toujours tout le monde. Maintenant j’ai attend les milles elos. Et je continue les séries de victoires. Drôle de coïncidence. Ceci dit, juste pour dire que je suis complètement d’accord.

[@ChessSensei]

Bonjour, je ne parle pas français donc j'utilise Google Traduction. Félicitations pour avoir atteint 1000 élo et pour vos progrès dans les échecs. Bonne chance pour vos prochaines parties! 💪

[@ecospider5]

Interesting. I’m playing at the 900 level so don’t need to worry about this level of study yet. I just need to quit hanging pieces. :)

[@wira2562]

Ready, sir!

[@izzojoseph2]

This “nice pin” you speak of with the knight pinned to the queen, I rarely see happen because my opponents Alesia move the queen after the pin

[@JayBee019]

The opening shown in the thumbnail is the Spanish, and Carlson plays it sometimes

[@Drsuds]

Nice play!

[@tony0000]

The Bd3 option seems natural and very playable for white.

[@wideeyewanderer1785]

Your videos are the best

[@ganeshpillai7545]

Excellent videos

[@ChessSensei]

Glad you’re liking it❤️

[@dj_grim]

The main line ends up equal so not actually a mistake for white if he continues correctly, i.e. capture the knight then Bd3.

[@8cccpeevostokzempf]

How to use your oppent's pieces to your advantage: Just let them sit there.

[@miguelml3583]

This opening is not a mistake, Bd3 lines are totally fine. The mistakes are elsewhere, not in Bc4 (or Kc3 in two knight defense).

[@amirismail7153]

What happend if white just castle in move 4?

[@user-ff2dr5cy7x]

I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine.

[@anidea8012]

you are video and audio is not synced although your content is good it is really hard to maintain the focus

[@ChessSensei]

Sorry about that! Audio desync happened somewhere in the editing process of this video and it got overlooked. All our other videos don't have this issue 👍

[@asta12345]

minute 3.00 after black knight take pawn, white bishop capture pawn..check. and then after that take the black knight

[@baydrixnewzealandwarrobotf2681]

7:50 please show the best engine move line looks technical

[@ChessSensei]

The best engine move line was showed around 9:40

[@BirdDawg1]

We all hear about how hard it is to un-do bad habits...here is where I'm going to start. The man did all the homework, I just have to memorize? Yep, can do. Great video, thank you! (Rating 1750)

[@ChessSensei]

Good luck in your future games! 🌟

[@haseigel7021]

14:05 You have to play 8.d4 instead of castling

[@signefurax933]

Im sorry but i played correspondance chess long time ago and after Nxe4 u have castle and the situation remains unclear.

[@abhinavmehra8515]

Arigato sensei❤

[@ChessSensei]

❤

[@VishalKumar-dm1oh]

@Chess Sensei - what if white plays Knight C3 after black queen takes white bishop?

[@adnanghaleb2196]

Thanks

[@jozefpalenik5354]

You are making good job

[@HedgeFundOfOne]

After Black plays .. dxe4, White should play Bd3 - game is relatively even at that point. Engine confirms.

[@tamchitaniang3227]

Superb tank u so much

[@ChessSensei]

Welcome 😊❤️

[@kidrenegade8525]

white gets solid development and attacking chances

[@DiegoSilva-wk4ct]

What if white plays d4 protecting his Knight while attacking the queen in the Bishop b5 line after Queen g5?

[@calvinhall843]

Queen takes g2, removing the attack on the queen and attacking the rook. White has to protect rook by going f1. Then push a6*, white can win the pawn back by exchanging pieces, but whites position would be significantly compromised. (Bd6 is top line, but more difficult imo.)

[@WOOJUNJITMoe]

and sometimes i push the queen pawn instead of the king pawn

[@bharatrathod1751]

got to see an amazing game very interesting

[@Serfdomftw]

Bd4 and the position is completely equal.

[@cerberusarvizu3924]

Many thanks

[@ChessSensei]

You're most welcome!

[@alexblue6991]

Why did I think it was a good idea trying to learn how to play chess at my age of 71yr old

[@dylan_biddle]

Does this guy have another channel? I recognise his voice from somewhere

[@ReflectionOcean]

What's the general rule of this?

[@medicaldisposables6923]

LOL. This is a classic starting strategy since the white bishop will kill the pawn next to king giving checkmate. King will have to kill the white bishop and will be displaced and in next move white knight will kill the black knight. You will never get that opportunity of moving the black pawn to attack both white knight and bishop.

[@landen99]

now to figure out how to remember all of this

[@leefackrell]

2:42 black bonnet on bottom

[@franciscocayuelagarrido4940]

4 Kxe4 .5 Bxf6+

[@dananichols349]

What would happen if Knight moved to A5 the after opening?

[@troycummings709]

White slides the bishop back to e2, black slides a pawn to d5, eventually white ends up just being a pawn down with all the middle of the board in their control

[@loganharrington8271]

6:20.....do not push pawn. It's checkmate in 1 with Qg1

[@boostige2685]

Biship C4? Weak sauce move. Please play that vs me. Bring it on.

[@poopyoldhag9020]

At least try to disrespect your opponent by going for Nxe5 in the first one.

[@zanti4132]

Let's not exaggerate the effectiveness of 4...Nxe4. The move is fine, but newbies may get the impression that they should be checkmating their opponent by move 15, and that's not likely to happen. In fact, the position after 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Bd3 dxe4 7. Bxe4 Bd6 8. O-O O-O is pretty even. After a few more moves, newbies are going to wonder why they aren't crushing their opponent when they've actually done nothing wrong. You can't say 4. Bc4 in the Four Knights is a blunder. (This isn't the only KZbin site that does this.) The move isn't bad. It's just an insipid developing move, and moves like that are fine when you're starting out.

[@KadenRblx]

7:25 why not Qf3 instead of g2

[@bitcoinoracle9553]

White can punish. After knight takes pawn.. White takes kings pawn check.. then capture's black knight.. 👍

[@Christina_Cage]

Of course its happened millions of times, its potentially mate in two from there lol

[@intelintel7121]

19:20H3 and G4 can kick the biahop and after knight takes rook it cant escape and the end is 2 pieces ffor rook