Evans Gambit | Best Chess Opening For 1600 ELO

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@ArthurHau]

As Bobby Fisher said, chess is really a game of memory. If you know the opening moves well, you will have an absolute advantage in winning the game cause most moves have their best response that will irrevocably affect the rest of the game.

[@zackarysemancik5491]

I really don't think that's true... openings are supposed to help you, not win games. If you chose to learn openings like that, you are choosing to not play chess in its purest form

[@ArthurHau]

@@tibitheking350 Some people have good memory. Yet they don't realize it. They believe they are talented. If they are really talented, they should have invented some new games, instead of playing some old games. LOL

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

With all the respect to Fischer, if you analyze a typical chess game with an engine, you can find multiple errors played by both sides throughout the opening-middlegame-endgame phases. While knowing openings helps, it's not the main factor.

[@jfryer485]

Interesting that an engine just using the moves but no openings, finds the Evans Gambit the best for white in more than 9 out of 10 games.

[@dessertstorm7476]

its only somewhat true at very high level chess. For 1600 and below no one is memorizing multiple opening lines 20 moves ahead because either they can't or they don't have the incentive to do so. But yes preperation is needed at top level chess, Magnus and Hikaru both attempt to offset this with out-of-the-box openings against very well prepared youngsters.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Aggressive Chess Opening for White 00:22 Evans Gambit 01:25 Evans Gambit Theory & Plans 03:00 Statistical Proof: 60% Win Rate 06:29 How Black loses in 9 moves 09:03 If Black doesn't play dxe5 11:22 If Black plays 5...Bc5 15:30 Final line: Deadly attack on the king 18:34 Puzzle of the day: Can you solve?

[@odio_stationofficial3420]

📌

[@jonrigai2706]

The answer to the puzzle is easy. 1. D5! And when the Knight moves to safety with 1. Nb8, there follows 2. Qa4+ and you pick up the undefended Bishop on a5 next winning a clear piece and the game.

[@marcosmileo]

me in the video: freaking obvious. me in the match: 7 blunders

[@lujan3235]

😂😂😂

[@kamilfingr371]

:D same here

[@BillsYouTube1960]

I have been watching your videos for several years and have never made a comment. I just want to say now how much I think you have grown in your presentation style, expression, and content. Thank you for your dedication and efforts.

[@barbarabarry3799]

I really liked this opening. Even if Black doesn't take the gambit, the opening development gives White a strong position.

[@entertainmentzone5208]

Even I know about this opening before but never have tried this before but after watching your video now I am well prepare and must try it on my games as well .Thanks for your efforts .

[@princeosars3298]

you will be disappointed lol they never play way you expect 😂

[@entertainmentzone5208]

@@princeosars3298 when you play this again and again you not even focus on these points but also will able to deal with other moves and with the passage of time you become master of that opening it's general rule not just for this particular opening but for every kind of opening you like most .Just remember practice makes a man perfect and second thing learn from your previous game mistakes and try not to repeat them in next in this way you will get a better result at the end

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Most players are aware of the opening but underestimate its power. It's pretty good, especially for blitz.

[@balint7901]

@@GMIgorSmirnov what to do if the opponent takes the free pawn with the horse?

[@technooblue6355]

for the puzzle, i think you can play d5 here, Nb8 is likely to be forced then queen to b5, forking the king and bishop then you win. I thought Bg5 works but i forgor Nf6

[@MrZebrot]

Actually, d5 is the best move, but Nb8 isn't forced. Black has Nd4, only move to not lose on the spot. White is still better but you're not up a piece.

[@gabrielesimionato1210]

@@MrZebrot after Nd4, Nxd4, exd4 Qb5+ wins the bishop

[@andrewrukangu4175]

@@gabrielesimionato1210 I thought so too. But I played against the engine, and after our Queen takes Bishop Qxa5, engine goes Qxe4+ and we have to move the king or screen with the bishop. Eventually, I ended losing a bishop or a rook. Also, I'm not really good, so maybe I wasn't making the right moves

[@tobbiellenadojr]

Thank you so much Coach! I admire you a lot. You taught us in a simple way

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Happy to hear that!

[@alexrandall8557]

I think this opening is definitely playable up until someone hits the top 100 GMs in the world, just based on the fact that Kasparov could beat Vishy with it in a classical WCC match

[@Etherglide]

Id take that

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Yes, the opening is probably underrated indeed.

[@sumantakumardutta986]

Very well explained and comprehensive. 👍 I'll surely implement this opening in my games. 😀 Thank you 🙏❤️

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Best of luck! Thank you for your nice words!

[@Archi00007]

I like the way you explain in simple style, you are doing great👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@Glowbox3D]

This is a fantastic opening (I'm 1300ish) I'm going to memorize immediately. What would be cool to see at the end, is to show how if White plays this, how Black counters it. Thanks so much love your channel!

[@gorkemgulan]

5:38 stockfish upping the evaluation by +0.6 just while being told off to underestimate white.

[@ShubhamSharma-ow7jn]

Thank u so much sir!

[@alefi1]

I like your videos, I watched almost all of them. Thank you very much. For the puzzle at the end, actually there's no clear wining move for White as there's still the need for castling due to pin of C3, Black can always take D4 by the Night as a response for D5 or Ng5 by White. So I think White best move is to castle first, then D5.

[@jonrigai2706]

1. D5 is the correct move by white. If black plays 1. Nd4 you simply capture it with 2. Nxd4, exd4 followed by 3. Qa4+ and you win the undefended bishop on a5 next.

[@HerveDaCosta]

Love it. Suer useful. I am now a fan

[@frankbeerbaum5593]

One idea is simply to play d5 and after retreating the Knight Qa4+ c6. Qxa5. If then cxd5 Bb5+ and Ba3 are threats in the long run as well as casteling. Second idea is Ng5, which forces Nh6, but not so promising.

[@gopajeshwanth987]

If ng5 nh6 is coming so itsnot crct

[@grapejuice8770]

Thank you Mr Smirnov

[@gamalahmadgamalahmd1146]

Plz can you make video explain how to play against pulasen defence while playing with bishop's opening including best responses and so on ❤

[@chrisball8356]

Puzzle solution. d5!! wins material as either the Nc6 is captured or it moves away and Qa4/b5+ wins the Ba5.

[@chilakashalemraju3668]

Really amazing. Thank you

[@Axiomatic75]

Agadmator approves of this video explaining the greatest of all openings.

[@MR__MAD__MAX]

Amazing ❤️

[@tonyennis1787]

Chess is a game between two players. It doesn't matter how "unsound" a move is if it works. For sub-masters, openings like Evans are fine.

[@dsoul007]

Igor - great stuff. Question: have you checked out this line in the Nimzowitsch Defense? It follows the pattern you like to showcase that the most commonly played moves are bad and there's a nasty sacrifice at the end which most players don't know how to defend against. 1. e4 Nc6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5 Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qh5

[@Arthas30000]

Curious, what are the threats in this line? It seems largely equal from what I'm looking at. Plus, why 2. Nf3 instead of 2. d4? It just seems more principled on lower levels to grab the center (I know Nf3 is most commonly played move according to lichess, but just on principles: opponent gives you center, grab center)

[@erikfromc]

d5 forces the Knight away, after which Qa4+ wins the bishop.

[@nickbarlev6860]

then you will lose your rook after Nc2+

[@bluetone11]

Nice one Igor . Thank you

[@alexblue6991]

Thanks I'm trying to learn

[@janferrer8254]

actually i remeber when like a week ago i analyzed deeply the whole evans theory and the puzzle at the end leads to an equal position if black knows the best moves after d5, knight to d4 its equal maybe a slight white advantage as far as i can remember

[@entertainmentzone5208]

Pawn to d5 knight have to move somewhere than with the help of queen we give check a4 and win the black bishop easily if black tries to stop that check with the help of sacrifices his pawns still he lose material at the end in the form of rook

[@praveenkumardave1320]

Puzzle - 1. d5 - Nd8 2. Qa4 wins bishop 🤠

[@rocker1260]

What do you play after Nd4?

[@norhisyam2224]

@@rocker1260 I guess u could still follow the same idea with Qa4 and win the bishop or simple take the knight with your pawn

[@rocker1260]

@@norhisyam2224 the pawn is pinned to the king. And after Qa4+ Bd7 Qxa5 Nc2+ Kd1 Nxa1 it's a pretty unclear position.

[@SushantaMeher1]

Excellent!!

[@shandirkrishna]

In the 1st check BxF7 check, what if the king moves to D8? That avoids the Queen capture, what's the line of play then?

[@dave23456]

As a ~1250 player, the most frustrating part of learning gambits and even openings in general is that I rarely get to play this. Learned the Evans Gambit last week and after dozens of games as white, I've been able to play it just ONCE thanks to my opponents moves.

[@mathieupouillon5605]

I think Qb5 wins a piece. If Bb6, you play d5, and if black goes a6 you retreat Qa4 to keep the pin and grab the knight on the next move.

[@grcfalcon]

Qb5 then black plays a6. Bishop is protected. You retreat queen to q4 you face b5 with double attack.

[@xxfishyboyxx7940]

sorry i dont think thats it, black simply retreats to B6, Qb5, and Pawn a6 attacking your Queen, and knight is defending Bishop. i think the tactice is KF to G5 Tripple attacking the Fpawn

[@Lunaholic94]

I'm a bad player. This helps me a lot. Thanks

[@ArashTaghavi-k1l]

Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrey good video 😊

[@SigurdBraathen]

Quite nice pink plush toy. But it's nothing to the Chessex cat!

[@bombswabs3041]

@11:07 Knight G6 Block the queen or pawn to g6 block and attacking the queen? Thoughts?

[@neville-mladen9393]

Thank you, I might even consider buying your courses as I have learned so much from you and enjoyed your work Mmm, I never thought I;d say that Regards Neville

[@mattlambert3118]

Aww, Igor... Don't give away my secret sauce. 15:00 I've never had anyone try to trade queens on f6. In my experience, everybody always blocks with the knight. I just pin the knight to the queen with Bg5 and start thinking on the next move. The queen move would be a lot scarier.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🤐

[@trezzadeng5839]

I learned evans gambit and kings gambit and every opponent i faced just goes sicilian defense😀

[@dabomb1828]

learn the Smith morra Gambit ;)

[@x_way4539]

Haha 😂

[@nabhneeldas5094]

Great content. It is very helpful.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@nabhneeldas5094]

@@GMIgorSmirnov can you make an video about what do improve after 2000 rapid rating in lichess. What things we need to improve to go 2000 to 2300?

[@xxlCortez]

So what happens at 6:00 if the knight takes rather than the pawn? Have a knight trade then after the pawn took it, go as if the pawn took your e5 pawn?

[@4bigwheels09]

In lower levels black will play H7 to defend against fried liver instead of developing the bishop to c5. Is the gambit still playable or should white transpose into something else?

[@bigpapamanman1550]

I recommend D4 if they're scared and play the anti-fried liver, then if they take play c3, their pawn takes, castle kingside, pawn takes again you recapture with the rook. Down 2 pawns but you have crazy attacking chances and Stockfish considers it +0.5

[@GeorgiosMichalopoulos]

Omg where's the cat?? There's a bunny in his place!?

[@turtleturtle3693]

lol i doubt that

[@egeertugrul4895]

1.e2-e4 e6-e5 2.Ke1-Ke2 play better and win

[@Tletna]

Thanks for the great video. In your last example, what if black blocks with the queen (behind black's pinned bishop)?

[@loc7909]

I've tried to get the chance to play evans for 2 years hasn't happened yet. I stopped even trying after a while. I love the gambit but how good is it if you can't make it happen?

[@stvcolwill]

fo rthe puzzle, I'm thinking Qa4 for the attack. Pinning the knight which we'll attack and also preparing the attack on the bishop soon if Black Bishop D7

[@wolfpaw888]

Black's b7 pawn can just move to protect the bishop, or take the queen with the currently pinned knight if you take the a5 bishop with queen. You would want to play pawn d5 to attack the knight before moving to b5 with the queen for the check and bishop fork.

[@saiesasrikarkommaraju736]

It's d5 Nd4 and Qa4 +

[@kaptainjack5491]

What a nice rabbit over there)

[@sonipolakian4256]

I like video,gm igor smirnov 👍👍👍

[@rajatkashyap7085]

what to do when black moves his bishop to d6 after white's pawn threat on c3?

[@umahichihurumnanya2531]

d5 threatening to win the Knight. When the knight retreats, then Qa4+ winning the bishop

[@mabblers]

Very interesting opening. However certainly remembering the moves in a game is important. Usually I find players never make the expected moves, then you find yourself in a pickle. I'm going to have to try one out though. Thanks

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You know, it's impossible to cover every possible variation of a chess opening. On the other hand, this is what makes chess exciting and creative. I usually cover the most popular moves according to the database, but of course some of your opponents will play differently.

[@theplayzpaidoff3666]

I mean I guess the engines lines do not commonly happen in most casual games. But what about the uncommon times when they will? I don't think it is smart to play this opening as a newer player because it forces you to make a bunch of choices depending on blacks play and due to so many ideas it is easy to be overloaded. Also why would I put more pressure on myself as a new player by playing a open opening that is sorta gamitish, forcing me to figure out ways to play actively least I just lose material. Just my thoughts about the opening.

[@ironlionzion1380]

13:38 - what if the king doesn't take and only goes to f8?

[@alamchess4077]

nice

[@mndmnky]

What if at 4:22 black castles instead of taking the pawn?

[@Rohit-ez7pf]

Wow I will try this

[@Headsavvy]

When I try to do this, they play their knight from F6 to E4, capturing my pawn, and ruining the plan.

[@devotional_vidz]

Can anyone tell which chess app is this, any download link?

[@rockyjforay]

Where is your cat? All I see is a pink and white bunny 🐰

[@valentinrafael9201]

When you know the evans gambit, your games look like Morphy vs anybody

[@gorkemgulan]

11:45 this is the twice back to Bc5. Ba5 we didnt see. I watched the video twice or im blind haha.

[@lonewolf5238]

Where's your cat?

[@sonipolakian4256]

Nice video

[@IntegralFusion]

Why not just pawn d4 without the gambit first?

[@hlsinclair3418]

In the video after white plays Ba3 wanted to see response to black playing dxc3.

[@trithan1473]

Bg5 breaks kings position. After f6 you capture knight and the rook can't recapture

[@Sweetvibes2000]

D5 and then queen forks the bishop and king

[@BeegoteSaint]

Black has just to move bishop e6 instead of the awkward queen move and that’s the end of the attack …

[@arightscepter]

I don't think that bishop is doing that much to close center with d5 to win it. Then your queen is in Siberia somewhat . I like NG5

[@leonardcabreros1530]

d×e5!

[@jamessalazar6702]

Bishop A3 why does that stop king from casteling

[@erickkinyua6198]

Sicilian defence please gm 😻

[@sarahpizarro6514]

1. d5

[@nicksteadman6823]

im not sure if i like this opening or not yet but lets see if the video changes my mind.

[@Cymatic7]

The Jade bot on the chess app did not cooperate in the slightest..

[@stunningstranger...1835]

It's so long when you said will make soon video about it.....when I asked you About how to play against English opening.... you haven't make yet....

[@kingsthedon1991]

D5, Qb5+,Qxa5

[@FoxenPiano]

At 4:20, what happens if the knight take pawn on E4? Then they have a double attack on the pawn on C3. I feel like even if there is an easy way out if this line, it should have been discussed because it looks like one of the most natural moves for black to make.

[@petemacron4185]

Nxe4 Re1 Nf6 Nxe5 I believe and white is fine maybe even better bc discovered check

[@FoxenPiano]

@@petemacron4185 Thank you mr. Macaroon.

[@jadam42]

I had the same situation, but couldnt capture with Nxe5 because they had done Bd6 before, not Bc5 or Ba5.

[@walterbrownstone8017]

I've found it's a sad game if your opponent is prepared for it. But chances are still in your favor that they aren't, especially under 1500 like me

[@authorjamieljones]

I think D6 breaks this gambit well...hinders it at least. I want to try this in my rapids but I really don't wanna lose but this looks fun to play

[@authorjamieljones]

Wouldn't D6 in the beginning stop white’s dark-squared bishop from that advantageous diagonal, thus meddling with this gambit? Serious question. I could be very wrong.

[@actinius3]

bg5

[@daspradeep]

white has to simply play Nf6 before Bc5

[@petergoldsmith176]

That was a nice talk. If I watch it a few more times I might even learn it. Pretty sharp looking games for a novice, don’t you think? I have been warned away from learning the sharp openings instead of learning

[@oreofn5525]

18:45 ez d5 then qb5

[@cloudofpk5904]

if black knight × e4 then this trap may fail any comments ?

[@davidwilliampear1450]

I agree, plus the rook on a1, and knight on b2 never get developed.

[@KumarBendrake]

How would you like your audience to address you, Mr Grandmaster Igor Smirnoff?

[@Biskawow]

where do these names come from? Evan's gambit, Caro-can, Sicillian defense, Rui Lopez?

[@jeffmckinnon5842]

These moves are named by, or after, the person who invented them.

[@Biskawow]

@@jeffmckinnon5842 I am just saying I would love a history of chess series. Any you would recommend?

[@glenrobinsenrobinsen7665]

knight G5

[@20ashwinvx17]

What if the pawn is not taken and theatens our bishop with pawn to d4 Nb:he plays knight f3 instead of developing the bishop

[@OGC-OGC-OGC]

you should tag this with #Evan's Gambit

[@abnologanslogan7355]

What if he doesn't take the pawn

[@themasterofeverything69]

Under 1600 i played 20 games didnt get anything close th only thing people played was 1 e4 e4 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bc4 h6

[@franklinroch644]

What about bishop e6?