Four Knights Scotch | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naro

[@theMaculaDensa]

1. e4 e5 “Okay, so he goes e5. Now a lot of people here would just lazily develop the knight to f3, but we actually have a move here that poses a lot of practical problems for black and is borderline winning for white. The move is Ke2, and do not worry I will explain this more thoroughly after the game. Now you might look at this position and say, ‘isn’t this weakening our king and blocking in our pieces?’ And while that may be true, you guys need to start thinking long term. In the endgame, it will be a huge advantage to have our king activated in the center. Furthermore, black has no threats here, he is not going to checkmate us any time soon, the king is perfectly well defended on e2. Now he does have a nasty little defensive resource he can try here, let’s see if he finds it. Wow, Ke7 he finds it. Now guys, I don’t wanna hear any baseless accusations, we will check with an engine after the game. It’s not unthinkable that a 1500 finds this move. No black has not equalized, we just need to play clinically to secure our advantage.”

[@sameerbm8658]

I can totally hear Danya saying this 😂

[@shmurfy4971]

“wow ke7, he finds it” that absolutely killed me

[@IanLiuuuu]

I read the whole thing in Danya's voice haha

[@thechosenone2163]

Everything Danya would say hahahaha

[@TheCoffeeCrafterMinecraft]

1. e4 e5 “Okay, so he goes e5. Now a lot of people here would just lazily develop the knight to f3, but we actually have a move here that poses a lot of practical problems for black and is borderline winning for white. The move is Ke2, and do not worry I will explain this more thoroughly after the game. Now you might look at this position and say, ‘isn’t this weakening our king and blocking in our pieces?’ And while that may be true, you guys need to start thinking long term. In the endgame, it will be a huge advantage to have our king activated in the center. Furthermore, black has no threats here, he is not going to checkmate us any time soon, the king is perfectly well defended on e2. Now he does have a nasty little defensive resource he can try here, let’s see if he finds it. Wow, Ke7 he finds it. Now guys, I don’t wanna hear any baseless accusations, we will check with an engine after the game. It’s not unthinkable that a 1500 finds this move. No black has not equalized, we just need to play clinically to secure our advantage.”

[@animeup1412]

"If your knights are hopping, your enemies are dropping." -Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

[@DeuceGenius]

This game had a lot of themes from the art of war

[@TheUnstableNutcase]

Cringe

[@Gingnose]

I did not say that -Sun Tzu, The Art of War

[@TSLAsupercharger]

Life is hard and complicated just like a chess game, Ive been watching your speedrun first thing in the morning everyday for a half a year now, and in addition to gaining about 400 elo, I feel like my brain is thinking in better patterns now and its alot thanks to you danya..hope you know how appriciated you are, and how much impact you have on your viewers, much love ❤🔥

[@kshitijpachori]

yep yep yep

[@trevorswartz1559]

Please never stop making videos Danya. Listening to you talk about chess is so relaxing and informative. Even if I don’t play consistently I love trying to find better moves, I love the puzzle solving going on in my brain and then you pointing out a better move that expands my mind. I might not take it all in at once, but you make chess more than just playing my repetitive opening and then checking the engine after to memorize it further. It’s creativity, battle of minds, instructional, and emotional. You also make it extremely humbling which gives me a sense of calming growth as a person. You don’t have a million subs on this channel, but you really do mean a lot to the viewers you have. So thank you Danya. You are gift to the world of chess

[@LordMayonnaise]

Danya you have never looked more handsome

[@DearFutureSelf_]

Daddy Danya

[@Yea___]

Yes he has

[@Tikorous]

Danya and the four knights fanfic when

[@SomeGuy-on3dt]

sus

[@matta5463]

@@Tikorous bruh lmao

[@ElijahStormblessed]

Danya and his content is a blessing

[@abhishekmishra4120]

Kudos to youtube algo for helping me find this gold content. Danya has to be THE best chess streamer/teacher. Best of wishes as you grow bigger on KZbin ❤️❤️

[@mortalkombaty7960]

Teacher maybe but Hikaru is a far superior streamer, he always hae like 5 to 10x more viewer

[@davidgatten1033]

​@@mortalkombaty7960 A term as encompassing as "superior" ought to be backed up by more criteria than simply viewer count. If you think Hikaru is better that's fine, but the evidence for your claim seems pretty underwhelming

[@mortalkombaty7960]

@@davidgatten1033 Hikaru interact with his chat much more. Hikaru can talk about a lot of different stuff while defeating top GM in chesscom, Car, Stocks, food, travel, space, History, sport and much more ( not saying he is an expert in all those subject but he do have good knowledge) of Course he is older than Danya so is normal that he knows more stuff and more wisdom as both come mostly with age . He is funny, Charismatic, emotional and yet very Logic. Danya on the other hand do not interact as much with chat, in part I understand he don t have the chess ability of Hikaru and need to focus a little bit more when he play blitz or bullet and can t read chat as much , He is less charismatic, less knowledge . Benjamin Finegold once said Danya is very boring in real life. and I disagree with you, if Hikaru have 5 to 10x more viewer is because people judge he is a better streamer than Danya. if it was the other way arround Danya s fanbase would say the same argument in favor of Danya.

[@austinredenbaugh4620]

@@mortalkombaty7960 I experience the largest (learning unit per minute spent watching chess videos) when watching naroditsky over all other content out there. All others may be entertaining but I rarely feel that I've learned something when watching the more popular creators

[@mortalkombaty7960]

@@austinredenbaugh4620 Indeed he is a great teacher, a far better teacher than Hikaru ( Strong chess player are almost never good teacher) Kasparov for instance, but at the end of the day when people watch twitch stream is for 2 reason mostly boobs and skill ( in that order) and unfortunately Danya don t have any of that. and that Explain why Hikaru have 5 to 10x more viewer. But I agree with you, he is an excelent teacher and can teach people untill arround 2300s. After that his chess understanding is too poor to teach higher player.

[@tr1xstr1]

Those games you showed at the end were beautiful, that sacrificing idea is so cool to see, thank you for the awesome vid!

[@KF1]

Just started watching your channel recently. Great content! I feel like I'm getting personal lessons as you prompt the audience to follow along for understanding of the positional/tactical considerations. Really rich content. Thanks Master Naroditsky!

[@StarburstExpress]

Babe wake up the new Speedrun video just dropped

[@fuadyhidayat]

Feeling very grateful for having Danya throwing high quality contents like this one

[@SEAKPhotog]

Crazy educational. Thank you. I really enjoyed the focus on positional chess.👍🏻

[@Clarkiev16]

12:51 I believe this is a classic example of the attraction tactical motif!

[@KironKabir]

Is it the same as a decoy?

[@peggym1999]

Daniel, I’m a new subscriber and I must say this content is outstanding. Please keep making videos and help us improve with your brilliant insight. I’m locked in!!!!

[@DeuceGenius]

Knife f5, my favorite movie.

[@justinl8484]

11:25 If Rg3 g6, isn't Nh6 mate in 3? Kh8 is not possible as g6 opened up the bishop on b2 to the long diagonal.

[@cheesiechess3656]

Nh6 Bxh6

[@matthewhamod578]

He talks about it again in the review. It seems like someone was suggesting Nh6 instead of Rg3. Not as a response to g6.

[@BdoggG18]

Thank you so much man, I realized I have been improving a ton and I think it's because I've been watching this series. Have a good one Danya

[@jettlifeproductions]

I was JUST looking for a chess video to help me go to sleep. Not that they are boring, I love chess! Its just my brain just gets overloaded trying to process the moves of a GM and I fall asleep in 10 minutes flat 🤣

[@24yroldchessimprover84]

Bf4 with the idea of castling Q-Side was the recommended plan by the engine. After going b3, black had either the idea of playing Be6 immediately and trying to exchange pieces in a cramped position or going for the surprising c6 move and trying to get d5 in after Qa5 and Rd8.

[@halfhusky]

Fascinating game. You are very skilled at diluting ideas down into understandable segments

[@jamesdoolan8040]

Really apprecuate the videos Daniel. I've learnt so much.

[@jadalsayegh672]

Thank you for this great series and great analysis !

[@josephsalmonte4995]

Another great lesson. Thanks mate 🙂

[@datguytheory]

this man a beast

[@kayhaunahmadian1504]

Daniel, these late night posts have really helped me fight my nightly depression. Thank you good sir.

[@AM-rb4ps]

I watch a danya vid every night before Bed. The problem is now all his videos make me sleepy

[@AoyosHolY]

I hope you feel appreciated for this content, I certainly enjoy it quite a bit, thank you!

[@kashyapvyas3412]

Very good 👍 learning class

[@34_Hour_Reset]

I spent 10 years in college … Daniel’s teaching format is better than any paid professor I’ve sat in front of

[@hirambodon7086]

11:43 for those of us learners out here; it's "nicer" because it's more forcing.

[@RaptureReady2025]

The mating pattern is GOLD!!! 👏👏👏✊

[@goyonman9655]

G.O.A.T. Level mating sequence

[@nav6593]

very much enjoyed this lesson brother

[@angosalvo5734]

Awesome content Danya thanks a lot.

[@dre4mz749]

22:50, Even prettier if you ask me, you can go Rg8, if rook takes Qc3, followed by taking whatever blocks and eventually mate. OR if king takes, Qg3 followed by same pattern that ended the game :)

[@panonymous9659]

Doesn't work, because after Qc3 there's f6, and after Qxf6 black plays Rg7 which is defended by both the king and the queen now. White's rook is too far out of the game and the attack is over.

[@dre4mz749]

@@panonymous9659 Yeah i saw the pawn push while doing my calculations but completely forgot the g7 square was defended by Queen aswell, Realised 30 seconds after posting 😂 Although Nice attacking idea to remember

[@PROJECTJoza100]

@@dre4mz749 i thought the same and didn't realized that queen defends g7 either.

[@dre4mz749]

@@PROJECTJoza100 Easy miss, whats your rating?

[@PROJECTJoza100]

@@dre4mz749 1700 chescom and 2100 lichess.

[@floydhuxtable3152]

5:30 we don’t have to play f4… 6:00 I like f4, let’s play f4.

[@heroroshdy9453]

Great as usual thanks

[@JazzCabbagE7]

Im waiting for somebody to play the scandi when Danya has white and throw in a queen check on move 3. I face this constantly as a 1.e4 player and end up blocking check with the bishop then hunting the queen. I know thw main moves of the scandi and my opponent does not very often. Its hard when people dont play standard openings lol

[@E8oL4]

just develop and castle. If you get more than 2 tempi by chasing the Queen (Nc3 being one of them), your position can't be that bad 😅

[@jamesgeorge1894]

Hi Daniel, normally your more intermediate and advanced tactics are easy to spot. This video was a little more difficult, I’m not sure if it’s just me though. Anyways, I didn’t get the normal teaching feel towards the end of the game when for example you stated if they tried to take, they’d lose their Queen with check. You spotted it super quick and I feel like it’d take more time for most players. Thanks for the upload and continue the good work. Also you should play a French defense game! I’ve never seen you play it before and I think it’s a good tool to practice closed positions and learn about positioning as well for newer players.

[@johnobrien6415]

When you moved Rad1, I think you should have gone Nd5. Queen and dark bishop opened up, and black couldn't have taken your knight with his knight. You'd get either the e7 or e6 bishop for the knight.

[@Damon73]

This was a great video.

[@jasonhe5578]

If a 1300 can speak of an opening that is their "home turf", mine would be the four knights scotch

[@bernardthefourth]

This is a masterful game.

[@joebortiatynski3192]

Thank you

[@prasadacharya2525]

Loved it.

[@patrickmeagher6914]

Danya, can you play a 4 knights caro with white at some point if you get the chance?

[@adamsasso1]

“Don’t forget-o, about the fianchetto.”

[@acsu96]

Regarding Nd5, why is Nd5 a mistake? Is Nd5-e3-f5 not a reasonable way to maneuver the knight to a better square and get it involved on the kingside?

[@daybreak4217]

no one: Danya: "now this is an instructive moment"

[@flowerinkplant]

That last combination is out of my league

[@pavlos712]

If you do puzzles regularly, it won't be anymore.

[@stevenstrogatz1]

After bg7, what if Black plays dxe4?

[@alexf0101]

thanks

[@SasuPlaying]

13:55 - some call it a magnet

[@marianochuchuy3710]

what a player!!!!

[@pianochess1882]

What bothered me during the game was dxe4 after Bxg7. Unfortunately he didn’t mention it. Is Rg3 working? Idea: Nh6# if Qxd3

[@Shaun-S]

Knight is hanging. Best after dxe4 is Nh6 forcing the king out, then Qc3+. The knight can't be taken by the king because it's a mate in 2 and other defending moves still lose as black.

[@TheGuroLOLITA]

Brutal ending xD

[@gastonmarengo6790]

Hello Danya, one question, is it possible to get "Mastering Positional Chess: Practical Lessons of a Junior World Champion (English Edition)" in paperback edition? (I can only find it in epub or PDF)

[@yurdyurd2902]

DANYA!!!

[@pepijndekam9171]

really inspiring game wow!

[@diarenee9012]

Knights are so scary. Anyways, Good luck on the bullet chess championships on march 9!

[@cz19856]

How did you find those examples of the mating sacrifice?

[@trunghungpham9414]

What happens if after Bxg7 Black plays dxe4 attacks the Queen?

[@Shaun-S]

Nh6 forcing the king to capture the bishop, then Qc3. The knight is poisoned. If Kxh6 it's a mate in 2 (Qf6+, Qg5#). If Kg6 then Rg3+ and white's king is forced into the A file again and easily mated. If after Qc3+ white blocks with f3, again Rg3+. If Kxh6 again it's the same mating pattern. If Kh8, Rook g8 is checkmate because it's supported by the knight.

[@trunghungpham9414]

@@Shaun-S Thanks so much!!

[@Riverofnaamjaap2910]

You are the best ❤️

[@SuperCakeFTW]

Hey Daniel, just an idea but maybe you could paste the PGN into the description so we can have a closer look at the game ourselves.

[@Tophbbq]

Good idea

[@JohnDoe-zl1vn]

At 11:26, isn't Nh6 checkmate because the bishop covers h8?

[@MrMali-x]

No that pawn will just take the knight. Or the kind can move to the h8 square

[@justusschoenmakers8987]

What if d5 threatening the queen and the pin of the rook with bc5? 7:25

[@stevenanderson7046]

Chasing the kniiiiight awaaaaay

[@ZeOrangutan]

What if opponent takes d.e4 pawn instead of capturing bishop @ 12:00

[@Diffusion8]

So logical

[@Touristtt4028]

Smooth

[@tw5718]

Did you adjust your mic outpit volume recently? Its quiet compared to everything else (mainly ads) not an end all be all thing, but when I hav you at an appropriate volume, ads blast me. Didnt notice it until maybe a week or so ago.

[@scheimong]

I think the final tactical combination would be classified as "attraction & clearance sacrifice"

[@sabinayesmen6156]

Watching this same 3rd time in 2 year

[@hirambodon7086]

12:50 Decoy?

[@Mark-jb1fj]

At 8:00 can't black play d5 then Bc5 winning your rook?

[@MrMali-x]

Yeah seems like but you'd give up a pawn and a bishop for a rook in a game you're way behind in. But yes I don't see how he could save his queen and the rook

[@Blazeorite]

How does he find the games that have similar tactics? I’m curious

[@JanisAbols]

I have two theories. One, that he has memorized every game in existence, and second, that he used a pattern search in ChessBase (basically you input parameters like "there's a white knight on this square, and a black king on this square, show me all games where such a combination exists, and then there's other patterns, e.g., this file is open/closed etc.")

[@johnbell3920]

@@JanisAbols haha not every game, once you remember ENOUGH games then it's easy to be like him. Many GMs just know maybe not entire games but just key positions from games that they learn from

[@johnbell3920]

@@JanisAbols but you are spot on for the chessbase part

[@7Swans0n]

Does anyone else notice how he has different headphones every time

[@alexwiththeglasses]

Yet another example of how opening inaccuracies really matter while the stereotypical generic opening principles don’t help. And the endgame attacking pattern! Maybe looking for ways to cut the king’s available squares is a way to see it🤔

[@smrtfasizmu6161]

Black playing Nxd4 activating White's Queen while gi ing away one of his active pieces definetily goes against the opening principles.

[@smrtfasizmu6161]

I saw Rh7 as well, because when hyou have a lot of pieces like that you look for sacrifices, I saw Qh6 which sacrifices the Knight as well, I considered that move because it draws in the opponent King even further which means there might be checkmate there.

[@pharmokan]

welcome to rook lift land population: you

[@matlhokothabo]

Is this a re-upload?

[@buzz4162]

Let’s go e4

[@therandomrat5238]

11th video asking for a grand prix

[@bayovrosky7404]

Wow

[@luker.6967]

Anyone else yelling at him to play e5 around the 6-7 minute mark?

[@Noah-yg6ls]

Can someone coach me ?

[@Pantera1001]

dude are you a barca fan?

[@Noah-yg6ls]

@@Pantera1001 ofc

[@carlosgameros7869]

Hi Daniel, great content, it would be nice if you analyse the game with the engine at the end, I am sure many of your games have a brilliant move that many of us would like to analyse too

[@pranavlemon]

23:36 why not qg5 then qe5 mate instead?

[@baderalrawais2189]

جميل 3 جداً

[@starship1701]

Always uploading so late

[@Filipovic-tp9rl]

You are very fucking handsome

[@oliver-shi]

earlyyyyyy :p

[@edinbhop]

First