6 High Win-Rate Chess Traps Named After Animals 🐠

[@skakdosmer]

I don't think the Levenfish is named after an animal. It's named after the twice Soviet Champion GM Grigory Yakovlevich Levenfish, 1889-1961, or as I know him, Grigori Jakowlewitsch Löwenfisch. I'm not German, but I think Löwenfisch is German for lionfish, so there might be a connection to an animal after all, but I'm sure he must have been Jewish, and they often have remarkable names: Spielberg = play-mountain, Süsskind = sweet-child, Rosenbaum = rose-tree etc. I first read about the Löwenfisch variation in Bent Larsens book of chess openings. He only gives the variation up to White's move nine, and states that white has won many quick victories. I'm very grateful to Larsen for this! I just made a mental note of it, and it was some years before I got a chance to play it. It was against a slightly higher rated player that I'd never beaten before, but when he played 9..Kf8, I thought "oh no! Was it that simple? My attack seemed to fizzle out, and I wouldn't be able to defend my central pawns. I began to fear that my memory of the moves had failed me. But then I saw it! And what a gratification it was to find Ne6+ on my own! My opponent resigned, of course. Later just for fun I analysed what might happen if Black didn't resign. And this really paid off! In the blitz championship in my club I got a chance to play it against a +2300 player (I was about 1750). And he didn't resign! I'll give the moves here, in case anybody lands in a similar spot: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf6 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.f4 Lg7 7.e5 dxe5 8.fxe5 Ng4 9.Bb5+ Kf8?? 10.Ne6+ fxe6 11.Qxd8+ Kf7 12.0-0+ Nf6 13.Qc7! Nc6 14.exf6 Bxf6 15.Bh6! a6 16.Rxf6+! And here finally my strong opponent resigned. The Rook is taboo: taking it allows mate-in-one (in two different ways). Without my analysis I would no doubt have lost. But later I got to play the Löwenfisch in a long game against a +2000 player, and after Bb5+ she saw the problem, so she didn't play Ng4. Instead she played Nh5. I managed to trap that knight, but I lost the game. And I'm not convinced I ever had a real advantage. I'm not sure, but I think it might just have been an optical illusion. So from then on the Löwenfisch was only on my blitz repertoire.

[@sc2sc286]

1:05 most of the people I know would just move the pawn to g6..

[@guillem1781]

ugh! these non chessers wouldnt understand 🤓🤓🤓

[@ZdenekMicke69]

Nf6 is better

[@zanti4132]

Most of the players I know would just move 3...Nf6 because they are familiar with the pattern 4. Qxg7 Rg8 5. Qh6 Bxf2+!, immediately turning the tables on White. After 6. Kd1 (obviously not 6. Kxf2?? Ng4+ winning the queen) Rg6 7. Qh3 d5 and Black is clearly better.

[@I_guess_its_over]

Well if there be some traps or opening in chess which gives you 100% Winrate then chess will slowly become boring

[@Akash-nm5fi]

Slowly? I'd stop playing right away

[@micke7]

Your comment is not old at all!

[@thelight288]

Only if they fall for IT right. That's not boring

[@danielyuan9862]

There won't be any traps with a 100% win rate because they are _traps._ You only lose if you fall for them.

[@elperro3683]

The Giraffe Gambit can quickly go Black’s way after White plays Qg4. Black should play Nf6, presenting his g2 pawn as juicy crank bait for White’s queen. If White’s queen is a hungry bass and takes the bait, Black plays Rg8 (the rook is protected by the knight), forcing White’s queen to h6. Black then plays Bxf2+, praying that White will capture the bishop with his king (it’s a blunder, if he does). If White play Kxf2, then Black plays Ng4+!, forking White’s king and queen!! Black has just destroyed White.

[@darrylkassle361]

Nelson on the GIRAFFE TRAP for black~ " IT'S AN ABSOLUTE MESS" 2:56

[@slymecookies4482]

I'm a month in to learning chess. This is stuff I would LOVE to know but just can't comprehend yet. Hopefully one day soon!

[@blindfoldedchess9230]

Check out SomeDumbTrucker KZbinz his playlists have really great stuff which helped me alot. He's a class act

[@Shadow-v6k]

Im 4-5 months

[@СемёнЗаболотский-ц8г]

How is your progress?

[@saltlemon9191]

how's it going bro?

[@axeluchiha5831]

These are pretty cool to learn, especially when you use them to catch people off guard and they burn almost all their time! Great videos and content. Definitely will be watching more of your videos. Very insightful and helpful while trying to get back into studying. Had to take a 4 month break and maaaan do I feel the rust. These definitely help. Thank you thank you.

[@bonelycoreanime6569]

1:05 JUST PUUUUSH THE GOD DAMN PAWNNNNN

[@zanti4132]

Better yet, let your opponent take the goddamm pawn: 3...Nf6! 4. Qxg7? Rg8 5. Qh6 6. Bxf2+! and Black already stands better - note that 6...Kxf2?? 7. Ng4+ wins the queen.

[@Peterkringle]

Me: *furiously taking notes on the kingfisher gambit* Chess vibes: it has a 53% win rate Me: ………

[@PARTYRoblox]

better than 0%

[@ElectroDragon16]

0:56 This actually is pretty much refuted after Nf6.See, the queen can't take on g7 as the Rook slides over and attacks the queen. The queen needs to move to h6 but black has a sneaky tactic as Bxf2 and black regained control and is clearly better

[@ElectroDragon16]

1:41 That is a mate in 2, Nd5# is there

[@zanti4132]

Yes, instead of continuing with Qxb7 and capturing the rook, it's better to capture the king. I'm shocked that there aren't a dozen posters here making the same comment. You must be the only one to notice this checkmate. 😀

[@Person01234]

I'm not following this, after black plays Qd8 what's the line?

[@ThinkingSk3ptically]

Here's an idea: What about openings named after THINGS? By that I mean... Black Mustang Defence; Nescafé Frappé Attack; Coca-Cola Gambit; Etc.

[@p00bix]

Coca-Cola gambit is frigging hilarious

[@blindfoldedchess9230]

All nationalities (not countries, but nationalities) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5DWno2GYqaVnLc

[@irotosuk9663]

free advertising

[@nightglide_]

now for the Roblox Pin.

[@achannelyoufound2823]

Ive been playing against my dad for years, the kingfisher got my first win against him.

[@iconmaa]

Levenfish is named after a Soviet chess player, not a fish. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigory_Levenfish

[@ChessVibesOfficial]

You are correct

[@Wolfsspinne]

Yes, but (according to google) that name is Jewish in origin influenced by the Byelorussian language, meaning Lion-Fish. That's two animals!

[@ade8890]

Haha. Seeing the Giraffe attack made me open up a game of chess, and literally first game of the day I got to try it, winning their knight (although they resigned before I could take the knight).

[@jasonruff1270]

can you do a video on "how to know when a pawn is worth defending"

[@johnfrick9639]

Gotta question (I may be showing my complete inexperience here): on the Levenfish Variation, what if black's knight (on f6) goes to e4? Granted, said move doesn't directly threaten anything, but there doesn't seem to be anything ready to threaten that knight. It may not be setting anything up against white, but it doesn't seem to hinder black, either. Again, I'm probably just blind as a bat and not seeing something obvious. I do greatly enjoy the chess puzzles you show. Keeps my mind clicking.

[@Gat089.]

No way he forked a queen and a fork

[@Chris-xy8lu]

People really need to remember chess was war on a board. Archers were long range. Calvary ahead of archers. Yes. Horses before bishops . Use long and close range weapons accordingly

[@Stefan-xh1hi]

I play the Vienna so this video was helpful, now Im gonna play the giraffe attack :)

[@sandstone_joe5118]

With the giraffe attack is there a reason why black can’t just push the G7 pawn

[@Stefan-xh1hi]

@@sandstone_joe5118 It weakens the light squares for the rest of the game, the right move for black is Nf6, where white can’t capture the pawn since it gives black very much counterplay.

[@mikekeenan8450]

@@Stefan-xh1hi An example game in Horowitz's "Chess for Beginners", used as an example of why you shouldn't bring your queen out early, has black gambiting the pawn with 3. ... Nf6 4. Qxg7 Rg8 5. Qh6 Bxf2 ch (if 6. Kxf2, Ng4 ch) 6. Kd1 Rg6 7. Qh3 d5 etc, strongly favouring Black.

[@Stefan-xh1hi]

@@mikekeenan8450 I’m not a beginner, literally 2000 rated and competing with even higher rated’s. If the g-pawn could be captured, then the giraffe attack would be a great opening, problem is that black gets so great initiative that the pawn can essentially not be captured.

[@jaydub2971]

Stockfish says my Pirc defense has morphed into a Levenfish Sicilian at least once.

[@lakymos3124]

There is opening called birds opening but it is not that good and is dangerous for your king.

[@kaidoChess]

Eric Rosen would be so happy with this video ! Haha

[@raintreerefuge4679]

14:52 Minus 4.5 for black? oh hell no

[@LD-dt1sk]

Im glad that my favourite animal, Noah’s Ark was here. Thanks!

[@maximmironov6961]

haha they developed their bishop before their knight I'm so gonna punish it *develops queen*

[@1pwNz0mb13Z]

One of my favorite openings videos!

[@Pwnz0rh3nk]

I'm just wondering what the avarage rating is of players falling for these traps

[@MUIDYLANICE]

103

[@hellonibba5662]

while watching this someone started with bishop update: I won by them resigning

[@ragingxavier2691]

Levenfish variation My brain: lemon fish sounds tasty

[@AlejoGoVegan]

This is awesome in a different level, thank you for this, I will try to apply these strats.

[@roblodocus2539]

Only two red pawns left until the snap!

[@arminulrich2319]

13:40 White Anglo Saxon protestant

[@theophilegaudin2329]

This is me watching these videos closely to anticipate the next traps opponents will try against me and be able to counter them.

[@TheSeraphim75]

Very nice. Thx The wasp seems pretty dangerous for Black after Qc4+, Ke8, Qxc7 ?

[@nimiugn]

Yes. But after Nd7 preventing more checks and freeing the rook, even with all queenside pawns gone, black can slowly develops the remaining pieces and brings the king to safety with a knight up, and advanced d pawn that can be useful probably for tempo down the game. So yeah, quite dangerous but manageable after a few moves.

[@trashgames8121]

Ive been playing the Vienna a lot recently, gonna try the giraffe for sure

[@ThePapaja1996]

Have you played frankenstien drucula variation of the vienna

[@trashgames8121]

@@ThePapaja1996 not to my knowledge, do you have a Ressource to recommend?

[@chelovek10117]

Giraffe atack sucks black can just play Nf6 and you are totally losing

[@pulkitlohia]

I am thinking (in Giraffe Attack) black had an option to play g6. That will not only stop the attack of the queen but black can develop Nf6 fork on Queen and pawn (if white didn't moved his queen)

[@ZdenekMicke69]

so why don't you play Nf6 immediately?

[@pulkitlohia]

@@ZdenekMicke69 As he mentioned- (at 0:56) by developing the black Knight to f6, white Queen have an option to capture pawn on g7.

[@ZdenekMicke69]

@@pulkitlohia Well, that's the best option for black.. for example 4. Qxg7 Rg8 5. Qh6 Bxf2+ 6. Kd1 Rg6 7. Qh3 d5 8. Qd3 Bxg1 9. Rxg1 d4 10. Ne2 Ng4 11. Ke1 Nxh2 12. Rh1 Nxf1

[@pulkitlohia]

@@ZdenekMicke69 As I am a beginner, I don't think I am good at comprehending all of it. I apologise for that. But I appreciate you for writing your thoughts. Thank you!

[@dilshankavinda9911]

One of my favourite topic..I like crazy tactical play because it's fun...even I lose in a crazy game it's kinda fun.chess is full of fun

[@I_guess_its_over]

I wish i could be able to remember all the gambits

[@SkateFallen1424]

when in doubt, just give something away, it's probably a gambit

[@I_guess_its_over]

@@SkateFallen1424 But I don't know the next step and don't have time to think about that becz i play 3 minute/person matches 🥲

[@donnadie5882]

You dont need to remember the moves, you need to UNDERSTAND the moves, in that way will be easier to know the correct move and you'll know how to play if the opponent doesn't play the theory or the moves you already *understand

[@I_guess_its_over]

@@donnadie5882 Due to fast games i mostly miss a piece somewhere. for example when i move a piece its either was defending a piece already or i didn't saw a enemy piece hidden somewhere which just take my moved piece

[@SkateFallen1424]

@@I_guess_its_over on a serious note, longer time controls are much better for improving your overall game than blitz is for that exact reason

[@Stefan-xh1hi]

Another video with high win-rate traps maybe?

[@matthewjardine8719]

1:20 why wouldn't they just move the threatened pawn up 1

[@chelovek10117]

that weakens dark squares, you have to play Nf6 instead

[@Noah.Konidaris]

4:32 could white move the horse there and the black horse take the other horse but the pawn can take the black horse?

[@flurin9631]

Big video, my friends shall suffer

[@reyhananiz5099]

15:10 isn't en passant a better move?

[@leandrorampim5344]

That would allow the capture of Black's queen by the bishop on c1 (if the question was legitimate, can't tell if it was a troll question)

[@reyhananiz5099]

@@leandrorampim5344 It was a legitimate question, I didn't see that, thanks for answering.

[@karlwithak001]

In the pterodactyl after black q C5 can't white just go q D4 and stop it?

[@NickSharpFN]

Does anyone ever play against players who once you get an advantage just start sacking all their pieces?

[@DD_Hayst]

Another great video!

[@raifegeozay687]

4:32 what if Ne7? the same idea doesnt work because your knight will be taken.

[@ZdenekMicke69]

he said it was black's only defense that guaranteed an even position.. Qg3 d6 Bc4 can be played then

[@clivethereddevil3178]

6:29 after ...c6 then Nxd4 must be good for white. After ...cxd5 then Nc6 followed by exd5 and white must be better. You would think. But,after looking further black has 10...Nf6,threatening after ,say,11.0-0 then Nxd5 ! 12Qxd5 Bb7.

[@НиколайШерстюк-ы7е]

And then he sacrifices THE KNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@noThankyou-g5c]

is there anything wrong with g6 (for black) in the first opening after that pawn is attacked

[@ZdenekMicke69]

just play Nf6

[@noThankyou-g5c]

@@ZdenekMicke69 so what is wrong with g6?

[@ZdenekMicke69]

@@noThankyou-g5c there's nothing inherently wrong with it, but it's unnecessary.. as a few people have already pointed out here, it weakens dark squares

[@Kpsla]

6 traps named after animals second trap named after a boat.

[@piotrrashman6487]

those are some really nice traps. just one nit to pick, levenfish isn't an animal but a soviet grandmaster.

[@nekoheko3476]

Can you do a visualization video

[@sakazeboi4426]

About the giraffe attack, instead of the queen moving d8 to f6, what to do I do if they move pawn g7 to g6?

[@diantevonberg6293]

i thought the same thing

[@Antti.Isonokari]

G6 is kind of a dumb move since it weakens the dark squares and black is not going fianchetto dark bishop. So you would just play along normally!

[@sakazeboi4426]

@@Antti.Isonokari ah I see, thanks man. (still learning abit in chess xd )

[@ZdenekMicke69]

play Qg3 or Bc4.. it does not really matter

[@yonohayuuna5449]

I love how you read my mind ❣️

[@Sarutaru06]

I prefer the "Robot Variation" out of "the Ancient" over the "Pterodactyl" out of the "Modern."

[@blight00000]

Here I am, an unexperienced chess player, thinking "but what if they move a pawn or something stupid"

[@pikatheminecrafter]

11:00 Why does Black not castle?

[@Person01234]

The position at 11:04? You can't castle while in check.

[@sparrowwing1729]

The first time I tried the Giraffe I won but after that no one developed the bishop but Vienna Game is now my go-to position with white and sometimes it works and sometimes not but either way I normally win even without Giraffe.

[@ghasphool1]

3:51 why london is so good? Is there any hidden secret?

[@chelovek10117]

Bc5 is also good, but after Qg4 you have to play Nf6

[@JoseLuis-wj3vc]

Best openings ara thats with animal names

[@I_guess_its_over]

Please tell some chess apps or website or something where i can play chess for free with analysis and reviews please 🥺🥺

[@mohhaitham4593]

Li chess I think

[@firestrike5478]

Lichess?

[@Ashendudeishere]

Man i ve been playing for 2 years and i can say this is too hypothetical... this line literally never happens

[@ade8890]

Even the giraffe attack? I guess it depends on your rating. I'm a scrub 1000 blitz player, and I seem to find opportunities for the giraffe attack pretty frequently. Although it only works if I don't want to play the ponziani.

[@chelovek10117]

@@ade8890 Giraffe atack sucks black can just play Nf6 and if you take the pawn Rg8 Qh6 Bxf2 and you are losing

[@ade8890]

@@chelovek10117 yeah but so does the opponent at 1000. I'm 1700 blitz now so it's no longer in my repertoire. But for that rating range, it's still definitely worth playing.

[@ilhanhasan7800]

Omg lost 5 games in a row nxt

[@googlestore4830]

What if Giraffe attack is defended by g6 with subsequent h5, with the idea to force the queen back to at least 3rd row?

[@chelovek10117]

you don't have to save the pawn, you can just play Nf6 and after Qxg7 Rg8 Qh6 Bxf2 you win the pawn back and king can't castle

[@Speedster___]

Why no f3 in wasp?

[@Otzkar]

14:35 I think the bishop can just take the pawn and the queen is still trapped

[@Speedster___]

@@Otzkar it’s actually not. Bishop take pawn rf2 and has complications.

[@TITANbyArbid]

12:00 how can white take the knight? My bishop will be undefended.

[@Person01234]

Both white knights are defending the bishop.

[@chelovek10117]

your bishop is defended, noob

[@wbrim]

0:43 Why Black can't go g6?

[@chelovek10117]

that weakens dark squares, instead you have to play Nf6

[@science-guru]

In giraffe attack why can't black move g6 after White queen attack????

[@thichchuianti]

Beacuse white take the queen and win the rook with nc7+

[@jlg4398]

Third move g6 for black?

[@ZdenekMicke69]

white plays Qg3 or Bc4.. it does not really matter

[@justarandomanimegirlpassin5341]

I really dont like wasp if your opponent doesnt fall for the trap and its 2 equal players the game is lost for black

[@Xbotto]

Where are snake benoni and english great snake variation?

[@rafaelcanha2923]

4:12 c6

[@chelovek10117]

it's a good move. Ne7 is the best

[@lovejomama5786]

Not 100% after I used it😅😂

[@shuvro40]

14:53 wait, what?

[@a6sq]

what if instead of queen f6 we play the g7 pawn to g6

[@chelovek10117]

we can just play Nf6 and after Qxg7 Rg8 Qh6 Bxf2 we are winning

[@abhinavkrish2683]

What if pawn to g6 in giraffe attack?

[@ZdenekMicke69]

play Qg3 or Bc4.. it does not really matter

[@zanti4132]

Probably Bc4 is to be preferred over Qg3, as it sets a trap: 4...d5? 5. Qg3! White wins material, either by NxP or 5...dxc4 6. Qxe5+. If instead 4...d6, you can then transpose to the Qg3 stuff, although Qe2 also looks good.

[@kirillzakharov7336]

5:22 I first learned that tactic from @GM Daniel Naroditskiy, and got some nice positions with it.

[@s1gm4_4c4d3my]

WILD

[@shappar5039]

make a video on the Coca-Cola gambit

[@acousticpon]

Can you tell us why these approaches are named in this way? It seems that this could be key in remembering them. You are the best

[@vincehomoki1612]

16:32 Uhm... Qd3 for white?

[@Person01234]

Threatening to sac the queen to avenge the knight is unlikely to save it. The knight is being attacked twice, by the queen and by the bishop on g2, moving Qd3 will stop the black queen taking the bishop and the knight but it will do little to deter the bishop from taking the knight, black would be quite happy if you retook with the queen.

[@jordanthomas8542]

It's really interesting how I've been playing the levenfish variation without knowing the traps I just liked the aggressive nature and grabbing space in the centre

[@svolos1971]

These are all cool, but, at the level of play that you are reffering, simply blundering a piece in the opening does not mean one wins (even though Stockfish says so). A better title would have been: " 6 traps that will give you an advantage in your games". It would be better for your viewers to actually go over some continuations after the trap. Some of them require advanced knowledge of the Middle game and are complicated enough for a sub 1500 level player to loose the advantage they gained in during the opening with the traps. However, good job as always in explaining the traps.

[@456death654]

Why do you say ruyey Lopez

[@mr.jharus]

I lost 5 time sin a row after using giraffe....

[@MisterLx]

I love your tactics games and regularly drive my chess opponents to despair.

[@33niboR]

clickbait thumbnail

[@5kunk157h35h17]

Agreed! Nelson seems down to earth. Surprised to see click bait here.

[@brianbanks703]

Unaware that Noah's Ark was an animal. And Levenfish is an, er, animal? "Half open", doesn't that mean closed? Must be a different education system

[@joefloppytriangle]

please help me

[@evanhackard5861]

My elo legit went up 100 after watching this

[@Dr.M.VincentCurley]

Dammit, I don't know anyone that plays the Sicilian anymore..

[@chelovek10117]

it's because your opponent isn't GM and if your opponent is GM then he's not gonna fall for the trap

[@pranavshankar6222]

The noah's ark trap doesn't work, bcos white can just play the zwischenzug a4 before taking the d4 pawn after black goes exd4

[@jayrivera1532]

NM Lopez ANIMAL names? 😊 The chess games were great however who comes up with these names? Thanks! ♟️