Smith-Morra Gambit | Deep Dive Breakdown!! | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky

00:00 Intro
00:15 First Move
15:07 Analysis
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Edited by @ClydeBarber (check out some of my original music on YT)
#speedrun #grandmaster #chess

[@AugustFreestyle]

This is easily the best and most educational chess content there's out there, and the fact that it's all free is really amazing when you think about it. I dread the day this Speedrun is coming to an end, and I beg you to do more of them in the future. I've been following your speedruns since the first one, and it's been absolutely instrumental to my own and many others' understanding of and skills in chess. Massive kudos!

[@GregoriousApartment]

Fuck yeah. So true.

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

Also check out Andras Toth (ChessCoach Andras) if you haven't. Danya is still probably #1 but Andras is a phenomenal teacher too.

[@GregoriousApartment]

@@jonathanhenderson9422 tyy

[@carloscardoso5705]

I've just started reading Esserman's book on the Morra because of this speedrun. This episode couldn't come with a better timing!

[@frequensea9434]

same i bought the book as well!

[@anton5646]

I bought the book as well. Pro tip: If you play on lichess and analyze your morra games the easiest way to do that is by opening esserman's lichess games by putting "Massterofmayhem" username into the opening book. That way you can see what Marc does even against some more rare moves

[@KrishnaSharma-mg8rt]

​@@anton5646 so we need to visit his profile and analyse his games or is their a easy way like to know what he plays against what just like analyse mode in lichess which shows most played moves ?

[@ruaras6198]

​@@KrishnaSharma-mg8rta bit late but yeah you can use the opening book in analysis and use his username to see his games

[@xaptive7458]

I love that Marc is always in on these videos.

[@andromeda8425]

No one inspires to keep improving in chess more than Daniel. Just a perfect approach to things, - not too easy, not too hard to digest. Personally I would like to see as much high level material as possible. I hope Daniel gets the opportunity to play more games himself, and share his analysis and thought process. Who would love to get the series "Daniel goes for 2700"? It would be lit.

[@calebhall4722]

this guy is a legend, we appreciate the content so much! keep killing it danya

[@Huge1000]

Hi Danya, I appreciate the awesome content! I think it could be super cool to see you play a speed run game in Chess 960 format. This would be interesting because you could show us how you generate middle game plans when you reach an unfamiliar position. Thanks for the fantastic videos!

[@reaganmartin4668]

Hey That’s a good idea

[@bendeguire6965]

@@reaganmartin4668 Hey I agree

[@khaluu2000]

Yeah i’d rather him not play 960 if he doesnt have to. He’s got a finite amount of time to allocate. Remember he’s got to coach, prep for tournaments, do collabs with chess youtubers, edit videos, write articles for the new york times, and just have some downtime himself. Fun suggestion, just not something he may have time for is all

[@jeremysmith2370]

I vaguely remember danya saying he's not a huge chess 960 fan

[@nobody7557]

@@khaluu2000 he mean instead of some of the things you mentioned

[@Evilanious]

At some point I just stopped accepting the Smith-Morra. I can just transpose to the alapin and get a position I like to play that my opponent probably thinks is boring. Or I can play a position where I'm up a pawn and am maybe just a bit better. But with best play it probably draws. Worse if white makes a mistake he's down a clean pawn and black needs to convert a better endgame. If black makes a mistake I lose a piece, get mated, get strangled by a piece on d6 or some other resignable catastrophe.

[@zeinfeimrelduulthaarn7028]

Yea morra is scary

[@togeproductions6013]

I love your videos Danya, thanks so much for such high quality yet free and accesible content, you’re an inspiration to me and many!

[@khaluu2000]

I love how consistent daniel san plays throughout his opening repertoire. Mostly Smith-Morra when facing Sicilian or the Scotch Game when going King’s pawn. Sensei provides a clear plan and also a perfect response when faced with middle game situations while having the advantage.

[@simonmadland5071]

Great content!

[@taimaishu99]

Can you make/do you have a video already on your favorite openings/recommendations? For both black and white and lower vs higher ratings I was looking into openings for Sicilians and started with alapin then was thinking Catalan as I didn't love it, but after I saw an older smith morra video from you I absolutely loved it and this is my go to as the style and ideas really click for me. Have seen a few of Levy's on similar subject but would love your thoughts as well

[@bping123]

Best chess educator online. There are a lot of teachers but not educators. Thanks for the content.

[@Jack-ir8zs]

amazing series

[@maximilianobandera9951]

I had a smith Morra game when I played two consecutives brilliant move with the typical idea of sacking the night on d5, end up losing but these videos are making my chess look fancy and way stronger. Keep it up with the excellent content Danya!

[@SaintD382]

Keep trying...one day the sac will succeed!

[@aoe2sfgt184]

This is some amazingly instructive content. Would you mind putting the pgn of the games in the description so we can import the games and look into some ideas we might see?

[@marc149]

You're literally the best chess creator on here 🙌

[@misteratoz]

Thanks so much for this. I'm a mediocre player but I love gambits will try this one out

[@haddymcbatty]

Amazing deep dive Danya

[@ignis6144]

WOOOO NEW SPEEDRUN 🎉

[@travischampagne3252]

I got to donate to his stream I’ve learned more watching his channel then any other channel

[@saimon174666]

Awesome as usual. Would it be possible to add link to the game or moves in the description? There are always some moves which I don't see working/not working and would love to check with engine.

[@danielgeld9813]

Back to the Smith-Morra Speedrun lets goooooo

[@adventureswithhuy]

I enjoyed every single episode of your speedruns! Thanks to you, I'm picking up Marc's book on the Morra to add it to my arsenal against the Sicilian!

[@proprinters]

me too but is 300 pgs

[@Samuftie]

Smithmora is my favourite series from you. I used to hate sicilian but this makes every sicilian game crazy and fun.

[@pepijndekam9171]

What an amazing game, WOW!

[@jimmythecow3873]

“And we play Rc2…and we blunder Bxf3” had me rolling

[@bartolomemiranda1512]

Yes!

[@SaintD382]

I love all the Smith-Morra content! It's great to see a strong GM doing so much content on this fascinating gambit.

[@Siderite]

I know you don't need my validation, but I LOVE how you compile these videos to be as concise as possible. Thanks!

[@bestlife9982]

Maaan..the way Danya calculates! 🔥

[@edwardp7725]

this video really makes me want to go out and buy the book on this opening. It looks like such a fun and tactical opening. The more I play chess, the more I realize i'm a tactical player over a positional player. Danya thank you for all this great chess content. I eagerly await these speedrun videos every night

[@yorickstrangefield2976]

The book ( _Mayhem in the Morra_ ) is excellent, probably the best monograph ever written on the Morra.

[@togeproductions6013]

Man I was just thinking it was weird you hadn’t uploaded hahaha

[@arogyatiwari6066]

Just woke up to a sensei video. You know it's gonna be a good day today.

[@Remro88]

16:22 Can you explain why this sacrifice Nd5 after b4 is good ? It looks like i am just losing a knight after exd5 .

[@laeb08]

That was an amazing game

[@alexf0101]

thanks

[@MainUkraine]

Lets go

[@pepn]

Great video as always ! Also love the inclusivity when you talk about your oponnent !

[@hellopleychess3190]

I like that he repeats everything

[@disco_sugar]

yes sir!

[@DarkSideChess]

Damn it Danya! Don't spill all the secrets!

[@JP-lr8rr]

what a fantastic game

[@NotElusivePanda]

What rating will the run end?

[@cptnoremac]

20:25 Doesn't Bd2 here just allow Kxb3 followed by a5?

[@Capdog]

smith morra be bussin fr

[@zachford5006]

Watching at 3:30am mindfvck

[@adriankuri505]

"Ooooh, that looks spicy"

[@emilsadykhov123]

So your initial analysis with Rcc7 was off at 13:45 b/c you just saw Bh6 once it was on the board lol, although it would have still worked just taken one extra move.

[@CS-zo7wx]

I watch a lot of chess content but don’t play that often, played some 10 minute games today and gained like 130 elo. Credit danya

[@funk1473]

I'm primed for this

[@alexwiththeglasses]

Took me a couple of sessions to get through this one! Note to future self… You SMG yes or SMG no. SMG a little you squish like grape.

[@Blaaww1]

Samuraidanya yosh!

[@BRIANSPOTSWOOD]

Time for some mayhem!

[@morganl8192]

You and Mark should do a collab, maybe play a few games in the Morra

[@Sack_Zement]

Hey guys, can someone tell me when the speedrun ends? Ist it a run to a certain raiting?

[@god3444]

He finished around 2200 on the other 2

[@robertr7923]

He planned to go to 2300 this time, he said on stream

[@Swagtorian]

23:54 Nxf7 maybe?

[@Lamevire]

what about bishop b6 at 13:46? Doesn't this win at least a rook or am I missing something?

[@taimaishu99]

Unsure of the full line, but I think similar to some other spots, black has Qa8 to push for a queen trade that isn't wanted with this attack. Whites queen is undefended, so if it recaptures rook recaptures out of the attack and if white moves to decline the trade then black has space to have the rook escape where the queen was on b8

[@barrywuthrich8530]

Marc was likely bouncing up and down and shouting at the computer while you were playing.

[@rumpelRAINS]

You should be BANNED for playing that mocked theory and not playing juri theme remix over it.

[@Tophbbq]

A fellow man of culture.

[@austinwolfgram1517]

@@Tophbbq hey aren't you that guy who lost to borp

[@Sun-gs6hq]

22:15

[@pacerdawn5512]

Like baseball has A-Rod, chess has NA-Rod.

[@davetoczyski629]

Why are the Ns backwards in his name?

[@katarinajones7777]

sicilian is the hardest opening to play as white :(

[@jaakezzz_G]

I'm kinda tired of the Smith Morra but this was a funny game

[@PANKAJSINGH-fq9bs]

Smith morra is confusing 🙀🙀

[@juanroaguilo]

Siuuuu

[@NAITANNN]

Danya with scruff > Danya no scruff 🥵🥵🥵

[@Bronsteino]

Hello

[@SahnigReingeloetet]

I bought Mayhem in the Morra and damn it was worth it.

[@yzfool6639]

That's why Black should play 2...Nf6: It ain't worth it to allow the Smith-Morra. Some people never learn, so go teach them, Max!

[@adamanonymous6885]

I cannot adequately describe my love for the Morra... when you face the Sicilian you can either play the mainline, in which case you need to know about 12 different systems in great depth... or just make a single sacrifice that immediately takes the game into your territory, unleashes half a dozen deadly traps, and gives you this crazy nagging compensation that just never seems to go away... I know which I choose :)

[@daviduribe4]

I’m pretty sure this is a reupload, no? Excellent video nonetheless

[@yannilibbes8219]

27:50 danya don't be afraid to use singular they/them. It saves the most time and covers all possible bases and the only people who care are grammarians, the laughing stock of the english world

[@trequor]

But it sounds unnatural and feels unnatural in the mouth. That's why it isn't catching on despite all the cultural engineers pushing it. Singular "his" or "her" works just as well and doesn't feel weird to say. Context will tell us if the gender is important.

[@yannilibbes8219]

@@trequor lmao alright bud. go back to whatever delusional life you life that trying to speak respectfully about an unknown opponent's gender is "cultural engineering" fucking stooge

[@luciangv3252]

I played the Morra vs your bot and getted a win.. but know your bot with black Have a new repertorie haha 1 e4 c5 2 d4 cxd4 3 Cf3 Qa5+¡? interesting !!

[@R4ndomWords]

... Bxf3 Nd5!!

[@davidwang5770]

This guy is obsessed with smith morra.

[@BlindMuted]

I don't find these games very educational. It's essentially just tactics, which don't improve from watching explanations. To improve at the Morra you'd do puzzles; I'd prefer these videos to focus on positional concepts in openings like QGD exchange or something, which can actually be improved upon through direct instruction.

[@fejfo6559]

How long are you going to keep this speedrun going? I think it's getting to the point where a lot of your audience would benefit more from some lower level games.

[@drusna]

I think these high-level games are still really interesting and instructive

[@matthewsouthall736]

Nah there's already way too many low rated instructive videos out there. We need more videos for people stuck in the 2000-2200 range like me.

[@brianrivera4805]

Like number 69 🙌

[@toyboatt]

We need to learn how to calculate. It's not as helpful to tell us what you calculated. I love your videos. Please focus more on how you think instead of what you figured out.

[@jordanroth4879]

He does more of that at the lower speedrun levels -- would recommend checking out the

[@jasonultimate1208]

🤡🤡

[@profd65]

How the f-ck did that guy get his rating playing as he did in the opening? Don't develop any kingside pieces, don't castle, move the same piece multiple times, and do this when you've taken a gambit pawn with black. It's nuts.

[@kevin-7091]

Morra is a minefield, there's a lot of seemingly natural developing moves that actually loses for black. Study the Morra and you will realize how many winning sacrifices the Morra has. There is a reason he's 2000 while you're still stuck at 800.

[@gnikdroy]

Because everything pales in comparison to tactics below master level. It doesn't matter if you don't develop pieces, have no strategic understanding, play passively, if you don't ever blunder and capitalize on opponent's blunders. This is very rarely the case; things are not so black and white. But it is very reasonable to see people who don't play principled moves as often, but are tactically sharper. Also, after every 400 rating points, chess becomes a completely new game. 800s vs 1200s vs 1600s vs 2000s vs 2400s etc. So don't be misled by how easily Danya destroyed him. He is very strong and rightfully deserves the 2100 rating.

[@Ruari2Morrison]

you realize they played one of the most accurate lines that exists against the morra until pretty deep, right? h6 was probably the first time in the game black played a move that was even close to a serious inaccuracy

[@hash4badi]

According to stockfish Danya only gets an advantage after black played f5 and gave away the pawn. Black played accurately in the opening. It's just that, as Danya explained, these positions are very difficult to defend even if objectively they are equal or even better for black

[@RG001100]

You’ve seen Danya’s speedruns, and how quickly he can crush players who play badly? He'll say “It’s time to step on the gas pedal” or “punish black's inaccurate play" or whatever.

[@hiimkyle1894]

as an up and coming 25 year old 1200 I can say that this is super easy to follow, probably too easy to follow, these GMs are really taking 30 whole minutes to explain sicilian positions 🥱🥱🥱🥱 it's just such an old opening how have they not memorized it all yet 😴😴😴😴 maybe eventually they will figure out how to make good content for complex and good openings like the grob 🤣🤣🤣