Destroy Everyone With This Universal Chess Opening System

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🔹 Learn the English Opening - • Learn the English Open...
♛ Find the variations and games shown in the video in this blog-post - chess-teacher.com/english-ope...
In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov shares a simple, universal, and aggressive chess opening system for White: the English Opening, starting with 1.c4. Even if you typically play 1.e4 or 1.d4 as White, learning this opening system is straightforward.
One of the most common responses from Black is 1...e5, known as the Reversed Sicilian or the King's English Variation. Continuing with 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e4 leads us into the Four Knights System, Nimzowitsch Variation.
This variation is both tricky and aggressive, and has a substantial 60% win rate for White. Even Magnus Carlsen has employed this opening in his games.
▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Chapters
00:00 Simple & Universal Chess Opening for White
00:06 English Opening, Four Knights System
01:23 1) If Black plays 6...Bd6
04:08 2) If Black plays 5...Bxf2+
06:21 3) If Black plays 6...Bxd4
08:28 4) Common tactics by Black (refutation)
09:59 5) Carlsen vs Giri (Black's correct response)
11:07 Can you find Carlsen's winning move?
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#IgorNation #EnglishOpening #ChessOpenings #MagnusCarlsen

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@stevensutton2252]

😂 gm you blowing my prep I've gotten 4 gms with this 7 international masters lol

[@user-ui3py3et4o]

Hey Igor could you please recommend an universal opening against the Stonewall and the London which also works for the queen's gambit.

[@Palimoe90]

@@user-ui3py3et4o you can look into the Benoni or benko. I’ve been studying on both. So far pretty impressive

[@thegrey53]

​@@stevensutton2252😅😅

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Simple & Universal Chess Opening for White 00:06 English Opening, Four Knights System 01:23 1) If Black plays 6...Bd6 04:08 2) If Black plays 5...Bxf2+ 06:21 3) If Black plays 6...Bxd4 08:28 4) Common tactics by Black (refutation) 09:59 5) Carlsen vs Giri (Black's correct response) 11:07 Can you find Carlsen's winning move?

[@user-ej7sr3ow8b]

For the puzzle in the final position, the move should be Rb8+, sacrificing the ROOOOOK! Black has 2 legal moves, Kxb8 will be a terrible blunder since then Qa8 will be checkmate. If black plays Kd7 to dodge the attack, Qa4+ Rc6 Bxc6 Qxc6 Rb7+ Ke8 Qxc6+ and white will be up a queen if black plays Kd6 after Rb7+, then Bf1+ Kd5 Rd1# will be checkmate

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

Nice.

[@eclecticmusic123]

Q-a8+, K-d7; B-b6+, QxB; QxQ ...

[@user-ej7sr3ow8b]

​@@eclecticmusic123 your line will trade a bishop for a rook, which isn't bad, but it's much worse than my line which trades a bishop for a rook and a queen

[@alooshemo619]

He will not trade a bishop for the rook, he will trade the white bishop and the white queen for a rook because he plays Bishop b6 black can capture with the rook not even the queen

[@TrueBlueAndrew]

Thank you for the video.

[@ReflectionOcean]

00:00:41 Play Pawn E4 after Knight to C6 to gain a positional advantage. 00:01:11 Utilize the move Knight takes C5 as a temporary sacrifice to create a double attack and regain your piece. 00:01:45 Take advantage of opponents' mistakes, such as playing Bishop D6, to disrupt their position. 00:02:28 Surprise opponents by not recapturing the bishop and instead attacking their Knight. 00:03:10 Weaken opponents' position by exploiting dark squares after their move G6. 00:03:24 Move your queen back to a safe square as a prophylactic measure against potential threats. 00:03:35 Capitalize on opponents' weaknesses by playing Bishop G5 to put pressure on their position. 00:04:56 Exploit opponent's misplaced Knight by threatening it with moves like King to G1 and H3. 00:05:12 Sacrifice a Knight on F6 to open up opponent's king and launch a strong attack. 00:08:38 Counter opponent's tactical opportunities by sacrificing a Knight on F6 to initiate a powerful attack. 00:08:59 Refute opponent's tactical moves by sacrificing a Knight on F6 to open up their king for attack. 00:10:32 Challenge opponent's position by playing Queen F3 to apply pressure and create discomfort. 00:10:55 Block opponent's castling by playing Bishop H6 and maintain pressure on their position.

[@miqueljoancomarti]

Rb8+ is the key move. If 1 ... Kxb8, 2. Qa8++ If 1 .... Kd7, 2. Rxd8+ Kxd8 or Bxd8 3. Rd1 taking the queen in the next move

[@dr.deepakgore1079]

Thanks GM Igor Smirnov sir for English opening lines shown 🎉❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@MrShokeSlam]

Finally a video about English opening

[@Pvoborilsd]

This opening is working very well for me. Won 3 in a row with it! Thank you so much for sharing. My rating has gone up almost 200 points in the last 2-3months from watching your videos. I don't play often, but I feel like I have a much better grasp on the game now. I'm becoming obsessed. 😆

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Fantastic! :)

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

Igor says that 6... Bb4 is "difficult to spot." In the Lichess database, it is the most common move for black at 34% of games with that position. Bd6 is close behind at 32% and is a real mistake, as Igor shows, but I feel he misrepresents the frequency of Bb4. In general, I have noted that he will specifically state when the move is the most common (e.g., "... and most of the time, your opponent will just ...." If he doesn't spell it out like that, there is a good chance that what he is showing you is not the most common move. In this case, he says is "usually, in SIMILAR SITUATIONS, the best thing black SHOULD do is ..." and then he presents 6... Bd6. I strongly recommend that when people follow these videos -- whether from Igor or GothamChess or Eric Rosen or whoever -- is try the moves yourself in Lichess with Stockfish analysis. Then you will know what moves opponents really play and where the dangers might be. I will say for clarification that if black does make the best moves, the situation is still pretty much even, with just a slight advantage for white, so it isn't like there is a lot of danger in this opening. As long as you know the right moves, you'll do fine.

[@plateymcsnippet8473]

Tried this against cpu at ELO 1122 and it foiled it immediately with black pawn to D6

[@user-ui3py3et4o]

Hey Igor,could u pls recommend an universal opening against the Stonewall,and the London which also works for the queen's gambit.

[@Hudoi-1]

I'm not Igor, but I've also spent some time trying to find good openings against 1. d4. 1. Old Benoni & Benko gambit. (d4 c5 c4 Nf6) 2. Just Benko gambit (d4 Nf6 c4 c5) This is currently what I play, maybe I'll switch to Mikenas defence actually. 3. Mikenas defence (d4 Nc6) If they go Nf3, then you go d5 because there's nothing better. This one is really good under 1600 elo. 4. Englund gambit. (d4 e5) Yes, this is a +1.6 opening, but it's good below 1500-1600.

[@user-ui3py3et4o]

@@Hudoi-1 oh thanks a lot

[@salemtv5808]

does this work against the Dutch? i’ve been struggling with the dutch any recommendations on how to face it?

[@Dubcityyy]

You didn't talk about moving the knight blocking the queen then moving the queen to h4 threatening checkmate

[@ronniemurphy2124]

Bishop to F4 looks like the killer!

[@farouqbaiti4315]

1.Rb8+ Kxb8 2.Qa8#.

[@johnmctavish1021]

What if King doesn't take and plays Kd7 instead?

[@eclecticmusic123]

That is because KxR is an obvious error (because it places the K one quare to the left which means it can no longer move to d7 to escape check/checkmate. See my var Q-a8+, K-d7; B-b6+, QxB; QxQ ...

[@raselju]

I think the Giri resigned because of Rb8+ Black cannot take the rook with the king because of Qa8# If the king moves to d7, Rxd8+ will win the queen in exchange with the other rook.

[@CastlesKingSide]

Puzzle: 1. Rb8 + 1...K:a8 2.Qa8# 1...Kd7 2.Qa4 + Rc6 3. R:d8 + B:d8 4. Rd1 pinning the Queen too 2...Qc6 3.B:c6

[@rytisa4509]

2.Qa4+ is unecessary, as white Qc6 cover check and will avoid later pin.

[@CastlesKingSide]

@@rytisa4509 Technically speaking, it will avoid the pin....and blunder the queen directly to the bishop on f3

[@AlpControl]

Very interesting but a little error @9:48 it's not a "complete devastation" for blacks because after Bc6 (attacking g2, whites have to react, so they can't take the knight yet) then knight Nd7 (defending f6) the position is not far from equal .

[@farouqbaiti4315]

It's a nice system.💪🏻

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💪🏻

[@lucastan17]

Nice

[@elasmojones]

Rb7 looks pretty great, but its not forcing. Doesn't seem as good as Rb8

[@tessa8230]

Viva Igor Nation 💝

[@roqsteady5290]

There’s one little problem about using this as a “universal” system, which is that 1…Nf6 is about 5 times more common a reply to the English than 1…e5, then there is...😊

[@JamesJohnson-if8rz]

Brother, you have motivated me into giving this game up. I have played thousands of games trying to employ all your strategies. My ELO still posts at 850 and win like never. Not once have I seen any of my opponents move as you describe. Which then leaves me in some clustered problem. Clearly this is not for me. Thank you

[@supportpatriarchyordietrying]

where do you live?

[@wendychan6679]

I would play Rb8+, Kd7 Rxd8+, KxR (otherwise black stays a rook down) Rd1 pinning the queen against the king

[@ThePrakashkanur]

Good

[@rytisa4509]

Rb8+, King escape Kd7 (if Kxb8 then Qa8#), Rxd8+, and if king or bishop recapture white Rd1 pins and wins queen...this is all I could see.

[@Averagebum21]

Actually I think your Rd1 pin wins more material.

[@eclecticmusic123]

That is because KxR is an obvious error (because it places the K one quare to the left which means it can no longer move to d7 to escape check/checkmate. See my var Q-a8+, K-d7; B-b6+, QxB; QxQ ...

[@justinspice3599]

Bf4 looks nice, but I think Rb8 being a forcing move makes it the stronger option

[@thebottman1]

The King technically does not have to take in that situation, so it's not as forcing as it first appears, but it still isn't a great position for Black to be in.

[@justinspice3599]

@@thebottman1​​⁠right, but it does force the king over, and you can pin the queen to the king, so it forces them into a different bad position than the bishop attacking the queen and rook

[@eclecticmusic123]

That is because KxR is an obvious error (because it places the K one quare to the left which means it can no longer move to d7 to escape check/checkmate. See my var Q-a8+, K-d7; B-b6+, QxB; QxQ ...

[@ayomidea-s]

Carlsen's winning move: Rb8+ Kxb8... Qa8# or better still... Rb8+ Kc7... Rxd8+ Kxd8 Rd1 Qxd1 Bxd1 ...

[@ExtraditionLawFirm]

👍

[@eclecticmusic123]

Q-a8+, K-d7; B-b6+, QxB; QxQ ...

[@thebigruss]

Rb8! If Kxb8, Qa8#. If Kd7, Rxd8, black recaptures with K or B, then Rd1 winning the queen

[@charc0al_tv]

Rd1 would win the queen there but it brings the game back to +0.9 after Qxd1 bxd1 and Rxb8. You'd be trading 2 rooks for a queen. Stockfish says Qa4+ is the best move after Rb1 with M13

[@danbujor4256]

@@charc0al_tv He said Rxd8+ first, and then, Rd1 pinning the queen... I saw this line too, before qa4+, which is probably better

[@eclecticmusic123]

That is because KxR is an obvious error (because it places the K one quare to the left which means it can no longer move to d7 to escape check/checkmate. See my var Q-a8+, K-d7; B-b6+, QxB; QxQ ...

[@Palimoe90]

The English and Catalan are dangerous openings

[@Sncedayone]

Yall give advice but do you play

[@trishnaboruah9379]

rb8 check,kd7 the best move,then rd1 winning the black queen

[@MrYuken]

First you have to take rook on d8. You don't want to exchange 2 rooks for queen.

[@eclecticmusic123]

That is because KxR is an obvious error (because it places the K one quare to the left which means it can no longer move to d7 to escape check/checkmate. See my var Q-a8+, K-d7; B-b6+, QxB; QxQ ...

[@kredit787]

Rook to b8 would finish black

[@palmagnusstern1875]

My guess for the winning move in the replies.

[@palmagnusstern1875]

I guess its Rb8? KxRb8 => Qa8# Kd7 => RxRd8 => K/BxRd8 => Rd1 => Bd5 => RxBd5 => QxRd5 => QxQd5 or so. Dont really know notation :P

[@giannisfasoulas1163]

Rb8 k×b8 and Qa8 check mate

[@eclecticmusic123]

That is because KxR is an obvious error (because it places the K one quare to the left which means it can no longer move to d7 to escape check/checkmate. See my var Q-a8+, K-d7; B-b6+, QxB; QxQ ...

[@Octoschizare]

How about Rfd1. The black response isn't forced but I think they're all losing the queen or checkmate. If Qxd1 then Bxd1. Looks like with any other queen move, White can do either Rb8# or Qa8#, depending on the black queen's choice. Black can go Qxh2 to delay the game for slightly longer but king takes it and then the attack continues.

[@somnathmitra3350]

Rb8+!!

[@eclecticmusic123]

That is because KxR is an obvious error (because it places the K one quare to the left which means it can no longer move to d7 to escape check/checkmate. See my var Q-a8+, K-d7; B-b6+, QxB; QxQ ...

[@user-vk7rw6cj6b]

How do I play against the QGD approach, or slav, or c5, or kings indian approach, etc.? Not so universal anymore huh?

[@user-ei1ts8iq7m]

Rb8+ initiates a mate in 12 moves. Pretty amazing!! 1.Rb8+ Kd7 2.Qa4+ Rc6 3.Bc6+ Qc6 4.Rb7+ Ke8 5.Qc6+ Bd7 6.Rd7, Rd7 7.Rd1, g5 8 Qc8+ Rd8 9.Rd8+ Bd8 10.Bc5, f6 11.Qe6+ Be7 12.Qe7#

[@atharva0789]

First

[@cikonianiggra1415]

1. Rfd1. 2. Rb8+

[@kxppy610]

nice aggrassive opening

[@nishusaif6085]

Nice