Crush everyone below 1500 using this opening

[@AlexBanzea]

You can now...check out my Caro course! www.chessable.com/the-caro-kann-simplified/course/171080/

[@SmokinOak]

I like how the clock seems to slow down when you so calmly explain all your possible moves available to you with less than 10 seconds on the clock. But when I'm playing, the clock is moving at warp speed, I'm in a panic, and at best I can make one terrible move before I lose on time.

[@bartekzwyciezca]

Just play logger game (15+10)

[@kaidoChess]

Queen worth ten points due to inflation!! LMFAO 😂🎉😂🎉😂❤😂

[@Colinurmom]

Gotham said it first I think but idk

[@MrYounis26]

@@Colinurmom who is the better player between the two?

[@edztyMKWII]

isn’t it just because the value of the rooks is higher when they’re both on the board and the value of pieces and the queen is worth inflated points the fewer pieces there are

[@Anxiou5Panda]

@@MrYounis26 Hard to answer, but I'd say both are equally good at teaching chess. Quite entertaining too imo.

[@johnb6723]

Pawn = 1, bishop = 3, knight = 3, rook = 5, and queen = 9. Period.

[@GringoJacinho]

I love chess but I’ve strayed away from studying from videos because I do not do well in class rooms settings. Most “instructional” videos give me a class room setting feel but I like this guy because he throws in humor and I feel like I’m just hanging with a friend while learning. Great content!!

[@Elgallo1107]

You should watch Gotham chess. His tutorials can definitely be more simple but it’s a great introduction to an opening or concept

[@23chiffy]

I love this dude...seems like such a nice guy...one of the best chess teachers on youtube

[@mikedilworth2032]

Check out Agadmator chess

[@Ivanskiw]

gotham better, but this guy is 2nd best

[@TheCityLawyer]

@@Ivanskiw Gotham comes across as so arrogant, in my opinion. I get the impression he’s not a very nice person at all

[@Ivanskiw]

@@TheCityLawyer Gotham is better for entertainment and this guy is better for actually learning gotham's arrogance is what makes him fun to watch

[@igotsickieatlight]

@@TheCityLawyer yeah I kinda get what you mean, he seems to be bitter because he is not a grandmaster

[@williambott1773]

These 600s were playing really really well for the most part.

[@AlexBanzea]

yep!

[@NateStewie]

This is the most helpful chess video I’ve ever seen. The other ones I watched for this rating group seemed to preach being aggressive and trading as soon as their pawn structure was ruined. With that advice I actually started to get worse, but seeing that it is ok to play conservative and you can still win has helped me increase my winning % against lower rated players.

[@jonathansampson7450]

Love how you break it down simply! No fancy tactics, just the basics is just how I like my chess!

[@SwindonRunner]

Very instructive games. Thankyou for not bombarding the viewer with tons of arrows, your pacing of the analysis is great for us patzers.

[@HardTravelin464]

I really love this style of video. You take your time and explain things well for beginners and show how things actually play out against lower rated opponents instead of just talking about theory or how an IM or GM would respond

[@Addrrall]

Honestly just found this channel, this feels so much easier to consume than other guides that just want to be over the top theorists, really hope you keep up the good content, love this stuff.

[@ahmadhusain3756]

I really like that he plays real game. Provides practical knowledge, instead of telling us ' what happens if ' white plays this or that. He teaches game not just opening

[@leblanc4774]

this yt channel is a hidden gem

[@bigdubzzzz6377]

Bro after watching the first game as this being my first video I’ve ever seen of you , you explain your thought process better than anyone I’ve seen on KZbin yet

[@BalkanCalisthenics]

Love to see a fellow romanian play top level chess . Keep it up bro!

[@adrrda6091]

At 37:02, he blundered badly and it seems you didn't notice. You could have taken his rook on C1 with your bishop on A3. Of course he would then have taken your bishop but exchanging a bishop for a rook is usually good. Am I wrong? Update: Looked more carefully at other comments and see someone already asked. In a way it's inspiring to know blunders may happen at any level.

[@coryriojas]

Really enjoy your commentary during the games. Lots of info but not overwhelming. Subscribed thank you

[@zeppiekanaal5894]

subscribed after 10 minutes very clear explanation and a genuine guy

[@AlexBanzea]

Thanks a lot mate, nice to have you here!

[@aj1isback]

Loves these types of Caro vids for newer players Alex!

[@beniamingherman2452]

Alex! Wow, te-am descoperit randomly într-un video in care ai jucat impotriva Dinei si te-am recunoscut imediat. E super contentul tau! Keep it up! (Sunt Beni, unul din fostii tai colegi de liceu)

[@aneclip7117]

i found you on recommendation then hooked since .... your calm style of explaining really is godly skill.

[@Kakashikewl]

Super serie, Alex. Multumim de insight. Tocmai ce am "descoperit" sahul mai in depth si ma ajuta genul acesta de video-uri, pentru a intelege mai bine toata dinamica.

[@condreastf]

esti un mentor foarte bun! ma inveti multe lucruri♥ multumesc pentru content! keep it up!

[@jazzmakke7405]

I like the tip of just being solid by developing and defending and not attacking thoughtlessly! I need to start doing that. Thanks!

[@lxw6657]

Insane tactics, I will have to take a few ideas.

[@SilentAdventurer]

Hands down the best CK training! I play around 1900 and this might just help me break that elusive 2k mark!

[@graDinolol]

Hey man just stumbled upon this channel by accident and I have to say this video was fantastic. Educational and entertaining, similar to Naroditsky, but little less complicated. Keep up the good work!

[@ponpradeep512]

hello

[@robertrenk7074]

Love your videos. I learn far more from you than books or other chess channels on KZbin. I really like when there is a good move in the position but you decide to plat a different move for instructional value.

[@lordwiz6653]

I m learning Carokann for the first time and i was not aware of pawn cube ..thanks for the knowledge ✨

[@lil_sed]

Lol “Ok opponent finally resigns” mans waited a full minute.

[@KancerKowboy]

Meant to comment on the last video of yours I saw but I really appreciate your approach and your style. Excellent instruction and a great personality to boot. Keep it up!!!

[@chrisoliver4663]

This guy is fun to watch and easy to learn from.

[@ade8890]

you're my favorite underdog chess youtuber, hah. You, Gotham, and Daniel are the reasons why I exclusively play the caro as black. Unless they go d4... I used to do the Englund as a fun gimmick + practice when positionally down, but you've convinced me to do the slav instead. Still not entirely confident in my response against the dutch though. Good luck!!! You're definitely getting big now!!

[@Bibliophagos___]

Honestly just randomly found out this channel. Extremely helpful! One of the best chess channels. Keep it up🎉❤

[@vincentkvl]

wonderful video. Admire your logical and the simplicity mindset. Thank you

[@kimjoe2943]

Really enjoyed your good at teaching

[@Sons_Brad_Dalton]

I enjoy your okay and commentary and teaching. Learning from you quite a bit. 🙏🏼 thank you

[@Sons_Brad_Dalton]

Play*

[@jordy6851]

ahah every video your getting funnier and funnier !

[@flippert0]

"Crush everyone below 1500 .. by being a 2700 player"

[@N.I.G.H.T.M.A.R.E]

bro missed a check in 1

[@michaelmassaro4375]

Your opponent self destructed I enjoyed the video some of the moves remind me of games I’ve played my opponents trying that Bishop move against my king hoping I guess to get the Rook you handled everything quite well

[@opetahenry]

dont usually watch long chess vids but you are very entertaining and funny. Good vid

[@AlexBanzea]

Thanks a lot ❤️

[@martilix4470]

At 37:15 why not take the room with bishop and be up an exchange?

[@AWAVEINTHEOCEAN-lc5tf]

It is so funny when Alex says, "Yeah, that's a move!" when the opponents makes a bad move. lol

[@wrathofpunjabi]

One of the best instructors!!!

[@jowildcat40]

Been taking chess a little more seriously lately and have been using the Caro Kann. In the 900 range and have been on a 10 win streak the past couple days. The last three matches were my opponents blundering their queens. Half of them were literal self destruct by my opponents, and the a few were traps using a "free" pawn. Playing solid then giving my opponent the belief that they have me is how I've been able to take their queens for just a minor pieces trade. They overextend because like you said they want to attack, but then they don't see the pin on the pawn for the mate in 1. One game yesterday was my opponent chasing my king around the board only for him to lose everything in two moves. That game I could tell was a rage quit because it resulted in a game abandonment. I felt that when he blundered his queen. 🤣

[@StygianStyle]

I keep getting within a few points of 1500 then I get knocked back down. I never had a good opening repertoire, so I want to feel comfortable facing most e4/e5 systems when I'm playing black. I tend to do alright with the Italian opening when I play white. Some people tell me I would benefit more by working on middle game and end game training. They might be right in terms of gaining elo, but I still want to feel like I have my opening knowledge to a satisfactory level.

[@JosueHernandez-nu5cp]

What game is this? I just got into chess so I’m still learning a bit but I don’t know where to play online.

[@hamzabilal4602]

I've been trying to learn the caro kann recently, this video has been very helpful

[@AlexBanzea]

Glad to help! Make sure to check out the series!

[@steveneldridge7247]

Recently stumbled across your channel and your content is BRILLIANT. The Caro Kann is my black opening vs e4, your explanations are so clear and easy to follow that it is helping me better remember the plans for each variation. When is your chessable course on the Caro Kann out? I will buy it straight away!

[@AlexBanzea]

Thanks a lot! Course is supposed to launch on April!

[@steveneldridge7247]

@@AlexBanzea amazing, looking forward to it! Hoping you will do a Queen' s Gambit Declined course and Beginner's e4 course too 😉

[@paullongstaffe7314]

I'm curious why you didn't exchange your bishop for the hanging rook at 37:10. Love your amazing channels on the CK as well as the Jobava London! Thanks for the great content.

[@ChristianSoschner]

Excellent decesiprion. Thanks for sharing

[@ahmedma3oda]

21:27 that was funny 🤣

[@PedrovoriskAB]

Great job man, you speak very calm and slow, taht helps a lot.. a lot of GM great players speak things too fast.. there is a Brazilian GM that is also like you explaining. GM Krikor !! Thank yuo for the video!!

[@GeminisArising888]

1st game....pure class........i mean...wow.....so mch to learn......brilliancy........

[@lxw6657]

This has zero to do with chess but respectfully the B in subtle is silent. So it would be pronounced "suttle" basically.

[@Kassperos]

Lol so many views! Im happy you get recognition! Good luck G 😁

[@izzyskeemy]

I learned the Caro kann a while ago its what made me fall in love with Black pieces

[@xathos8170]

Can you show me how to beat Kenzo Opstoel? plz

[@lukesellars5329]

Was there a blunder at 37:20 cause he could of taken the rook with the bishop

[@jacobstrength3945]

I'm not sure if commenting helps get videos get recommended, but if they do then here's a comment! Thanks for the incredible content man. You're like a more relaxing gothamchess. Incredibly thorough content completely free.

[@AlexBanzea]

For sure it helps! Thanks a lot for that❤️

[@CosLaden]

Caro kann is my favorite opening for black, multumesc alex ^^

[@KancerKowboy]

LOL he calculated inflation into the material balance.

[@rickiespanish8422]

Making that first game look real easy. I can’t beat anyone at that level 😂

[@kanalisationerstellen]

i love the caro kann too, because i always played quite similar, but with the D pawn first - very cool to start like that, so i dont have to play the scandinavian variant, it destroys alot of time for most of the people but yeah.

[@tanvinderkaur6483]

Can you make a same video for white?

[@thehous2265]

29:58 you said take every time but 14:50 you said never take on E3. I didn’t get the difference?

[@AlexBanzea]

It always depends on the variation. Always take vs advance and never take in the Tartakower.

[@michaelmassaro4375]

Nice Checkmate you’re opponent never got the opportunity to bring his Rooks in that game your Queen and Knight were formidable Nice Win

[@artemthetrain14]

Been watching your videos on London and caro, I'm new to chess. I keep getting good positions according to the engine thanks to these vids but I just throw the endgames cuz I blunder 😅

[@AlexBanzea]

Do more puzzles!

[@varrnitjaiswal1484]

Lmao me and my opponent both watching this video.

[@roberthenry2451]

do you have a Caro class coming out on Chessable? Love this Master class and everything that you put out.

[@AlexBanzea]

Should be up next month!

[@williebrooks2982]

Thanks, you learn me something!🎈

[@76Abhishek]

cheers bruh..u killing it

[@hassansahir8227]

Very helpful practical game for me thank u

[@lendamusic]

I have been play Pirc until i discovered your videos! you are best caro kann streamer! thanks for sharing all your thoughts and for playing live, amazing work! gonna study your videos and attack with the caro now 🤗 ole ole ole!

[@waltdog123]

pirc player as well...I'll have to check this out

[@leeharper8513]

10:12 "Try and find a good reason for Qe5" My 1191 (I think) ELO brain wanting the bishop pair and queen gone as black: THERE'S NO GOOD REASON! I would just sacrifice my queen for the bishop and knight takes then my knight takes because the knight's not pinned, and after pawn takes knight, my bishop takes knight and finally if I calculated right pawn structure is messed up and white has a weakness. I'll be editing the moves here, so patience: Qxb5, Nxb5, Nxe5, Nxe5, and Bf5) OR Qxb5, Nxb5, Nxe5, dxe5, Bxf3, gxf3, and Nd5 and no I don't respect my rooks they've betrayed me before 😑. I do better with diagonals and 1 rook. Knowing my opponents they'll still make mistakes 😂. Edit: wait... I missed knight takes... Eh still have the bishop pair Edit 2: I'm aggressive when it comes to diagonals and my rooks keeps getting traded off too quickly (times I drew with rook about 3, saving the game with bishops about 5-10 times). In short, with rooks I'm too passive, but with the bishop pair I'm aggressive (SOMETIMES too aggressive, but I know when to retreat)

[@zbyszek_pitorowski]

Thank you for this video ❤️

[@owmspace6143]

"Play by the rules and you will see the opponent self destruct soon" ;D

[@paulie7775]

Why doesn't white just checkmate at 6:07 in the game? Doesn't make sense to me

[@AlexBanzea]

The e8-knight covers g7!

[@paulmcginnis6729]

@@AlexBanzea Ok Thanks, my bad, I should be watching!

[@emirjais7471]

thumps up done. thanks for the free tutorials.

[@happyboypat]

Please tell me you’re coming out with a Chessable course for this soon! This and king’s Indian defense ….I have your London course and it’s excellent 😊

[@suspiciousnobody8588]

im at 800-1000 elo at the moment and my opponents always play either kf3 or qf3, can you make a video explaining what to do against those variations?

[@priestlyb908]

Thanks for the content, I am going to switch from d5 to Caro-Kann now. Your annotation lines are quite different, am I missing any updates on the platform? 😂😂

[@therealyoku]

we need GothamChess vs Alex in a Caro-Kann only battle, no fantasy variation to see which is the best caro player alive

[@dutchguyfull123]

8:36 cant u play queen d 1 check anyway and if rook g 1 take with queen then king takes g 1 and then play bishop takes e 3 ? I know taking the rook immediatly is simpler but it seemed like u said its a problem if rook g 1 but i guess its the same anyway right ?

[@pathofmelee6746]

i whould love to see 1900-2100 blitz video like this one :)

[@AlexBanzea]

I have them for all rating ranges below 2500 already in case you wanna check!

[@pathofmelee6746]

@@AlexBanzea i love the content so far 🥰

[@eddymion3562]

When will the scandinavian course be out please ? I'm looking forward to it, my black win rate is so low compared with London system with white 😂

[@AlexBanzea]

20 January we hope!

[@AndreFernandesMovies]

Thanks so much for this video. Easiest one hour video I have watched on youtube. However I am confused at 37:09 on why didn't you capture the rook with your bishop even if he would capture the bishop with his knight after, can you explain that move more in depth?

[@AlexBanzea]

Thanks for that mate! I actually forgot about it

[@troydavis1782]

I support you! Good job and thank you!

[@troydavis1782]

@Message.-.AlexBanzea Nope! But thank you!!

[@thebieniekmichal]

Very nice Alex. It would be nice to add Slav for black videos, because someone sooner or later will play d4 💪🔥

[@mohamedredaboulezaz6498]

3:00 why didnt you take the bishop and break the pin? if he capture your queen the next move you will capture back because theres no longer a pin, you will end up winning a piece!! or am i missing something?

[@amentia666]

At around 37.25, why didn't you take the rook on c1 with your bishob on a3 instead of retreating?

[@AlexBanzea]

Missed it!

[@amentia666]

@@AlexBanzea Ok. That happens to me too all the time. Just didnt expect it from you. Neither did I expect you to answer that fast! 🙂

[@dj-cs8od]

Can you do a Caro-Kann video playing people close to your own rating? It would be nice to see your decision making under more pressure.

[@AlexBanzea]

I already got an account to 2500 with the Caro Kann only! You can check it out on the channel

[@dj-cs8od]

@@AlexBanzea Great. I will!

[@GabrielHaller]

On one of your polls about rating climb and where to start I voted for 1200+, but in retrospect I really learn a lot in these low elo climbs. Also, why didnt you take the rook on c1 @37:05 ?

[@AlexBanzea]

Dude I literally missed that WTF haha

[@mehmetaga6173]

@IM Alex Banzea Would you take it even if you saw it tho? I'd be really worried about getting mated with the kingside looking like a swiss cheese 😀

[@KnightToRemember]

@@mehmetaga6173 true I can’t see an immediate defense against the threat of Bg5-f6 and Qg5-h6 besides running with the king but that feels too desperate

[@mehmetaga6173]

@@KnightToRemember yeah looks to me that way as well. Perhaps there's also the idea of creating a pocket for the king with h5 and Kh7, but I'm not sure if black can generate enough counterplay until white eventually blows everything up on the kingside with g4 🤔

[@skid3339]

Calmly pawn check-mating with 6 seconds left 😂

[@AlexBanzea]

That’s how we roll haha

[@evoidclan2657]

37:10 Bxc1 ?

[@rvh4034]

I'm not that good at chess but wouldn't (19:24) Bishop to H2 be better?

[@AlexBanzea]

What if Kh1?

[@rvh4034]

@@AlexBanzea Qg3

[@paradiselosing]

33:45 anything wrong with queen B6 here? Queen looks strong and double pawn threats

[@AlexBanzea]

That’s pretty risky to take b2 usually

[@coolclearfacts6105]

Many thanks.

[@United4life1889]

the b in subtle is silent 2:36 :)

[@1Ovenfries]

Thankyou for telling me to wake up at 28 min!!! It actually woke me up lol