Learn the Smith Morra Gambit with Hikaru

[@Aulut]

Hikarus "Welcome back!" versus Gotham's deadly stare...

[@cameronskellams5670]

And his "Ladies and Gentlemen"

[@chauncyquest2779]

You are the juicer.

[@deaccess]

Wow hikaru I'm convinced you literally read my mind by releasing this video, because after watching the match between you and fabi I got motivated to play the smith mora and I started analyzing the games and studying the smith morra. Thanks hikaru 😅

[@Speedster___]

Watch Danya has ton of content on it

[@davidwindmiller3494]

@Speedster5 if you're going to recommend someone for the smith morra, it has to be Marc Esserman. Even Danya references his book on the morra

[@sebu1301]

I'm glad to be living in this day and age, when one can get daily coaching from a 2800 rated super GM. Hikaru is the people's champ!

[@jaylenlenear3944]

its actually not the best way to play the morra hence the engine eval got worse before it got better but still interesting to see him go over it

[@jeremyrinker1339]

Brutally honest feedback on opening with e4 and gambits. I really appreciate it Hikaru!

[@KidSmutty]

That "Welcome back everyone" makes my day every time!! LOL

[@olavisau]

I think it's all the way to 2000 or perhaps beyond with simply tactics / opening understanding. At my rating around 1700 - it's very rare for there not to be a game ending tactic in the first 20-30 moves, but damn can they sometimes be hard to spot and verify in seconds like you can.

[@martinpaddle]

Yeah, but in some positions any random move will be a blunder, while in others most moves will be fine. I see so many players up to 2000 online disregard the opening, get to cramped -2 positions after a few moves (and not on purpose, as in some tricky openings), and then defend brilliantly and somehow turn the game. Based on their tactical ability they could easily be rated higher if they didn't start every game with a handicap and spent more time attacking than defending. Or at least go through their games, even if they won, and make a mental note of improving some moves in the opening

[@olavisau]

@@martinpaddle Yep, tactical abilty is king in lower ratings and the only reason it isn't king in higher ratings is because others have a better tactical ability as well. In theory tactical ability combined with excellent positional understanding can turn the game even from a bad opening, especially in bullet / blitz.

[@wolfgangwiesinger9502]

+2000 you need endgameunderstanding

[@jakeswagerson9941]

​@@olavisau2000s plus is stacking the basics (which you have to go back to lest you forget) plus tactics, positional study, and endgames endgames endgames. Literally so many endgames. Sometimes even some basic endings if you're at the lower end of 2000+. Technique is everything

[@Hunni125]

@@martinpaddle yea this is why accuracy can be very misleading

[@blastermast4545]

Hahahah Hikaru is such a troll. “It won’t be the kind of game that goes in the books and lasts forever, unless it gets put on my KZbin channel!” *evil smile*

[@braum9547]

hikaru's energy on the opening is very addicting.

[@caleb101089]

The emphasis on “saaack” instead of “the rooook” was just the content we needed. Somebody needs to do a video loop of levy and hikaru saying, “sack(ed) the rook” back and forth to each other and it would be gold.

[@andreworlowski2296]

Hikaru, I watched you play the Smith Morra against Fabiano and immediately started researching it! Thank you so much for making this video!

[@davidwindmiller3494]

Check out Marc Essermans book Mayhem in the Morra, no better book on the subject.

[@andreworlowski2296]

@@davidwindmiller3494 Thank you so much

[@ehatipo4598]

This is probably the best instructive chess video on KZbin under 20 mins! All hail the king Hikaru!!

[@superrgmeli]

yeahhhh, just read Marc Esserman's book on this opening. A lot more fun to be had

[@jmgolob]

BANNED SUCKA

[@PaullHutchh]

Favorite opening by far! Learned from Marc Esserman. Thank you Hikaru!

[@martinpaddle]

I read that book... tbh I found it weird that an author goes to such lengths to show that white can achieve equality in an opening. With the same effort one could learn to play against the open sicilians and have objectively better chances. But in the end, it's about what one enjoys most

[@jmgolob]

@@martinpaddle be honest with yourself, you didn't read the book.

[@martinpaddle]

@@jmgolob what do you know? I have it and read large parts of it. It's fun.

[@jmgolob]

@@martinpaddle Grammar for starters

[@martinpaddle]

@@jmgolob it's not grammar, it's orthography

[@Harryf2201]

Hikaru adopting the levy stare at the start, brilliant

[@toby-rg4ti]

Idk

[@tyrone-dh6iy]

he might as well since he is not a GM but and IM like levy

[@MrRoSsXxX]

PIN OF SHAME HIKARU

[@Sympanet]

It’s a bot, report it.

[@Harryf2201]

@@Sympanet ?

[@justforfun1844]

Hikaru 's fake smile for intro of his video is permanent

[@synsx]

as a dragon player, i hate facing the smith morra as i literally cant play the same thing anymore

[@kyuchess]

It's great to see you giving credibility again to this amazing opening!

[@characterwheaties]

Best Hikaru video I’ve ever seen

[@Isaisc64]

¡Gracias por la lección Gran Maestro!

[@N0Xa880iUL]

Smith Morra is OP

[@PaulGoldstein]

i play smith morra all the time, because of all the opportunities it opens. Esserman has a nice book on it. So nice to see it played at top levels.

[@musakhoshnaw1857]

What a brain you have Memorizing all violence lines in smith mora

[@jmgolob]

Be honest, was Marc Esserman the actual major inspiration to play the Smith Morra? Who showed you Qb3 in the dragon setup? Thanks for that, now let's move on...

[@davidwindmiller3494]

Hikaru is mocking marc by not mentioning him

[@jisoom3]

@@davidwindmiller3494banned

[@dashingclasher]

smith morra is my favorite way to deal with people who play sicilian under 1500, i already loved the danish and this is very similar

[@vinsincere]

I kindly request you cover the Scandinavian opening. You briefly covered it in Legendary Openings but then the opponent surrendered within 5 minutes.

[@vertexblue1007]

the Scandinavian isn't good to play

[@vinsincere]

@@vertexblue1007 Which means it's extra humiliating if you lose to it. It's a beginner-friendly opening, unlike the bongcloud which Hikaru is famous for playing such an atrocious opening

[@merimackara]

played the default smith morra gambit and found out its a real opening so i came here. crushed him ofc

[@Prosperroify]

OMG that entry quote spoke to me. I've played Queen's gambit all my life and cannot break that barrier over 18/1900. Ty Ty Ty Ty 🤠

[@davidc5191]

I recall a funny comment by Bent Larsen on the Smith-Morra. He was playing in a tournament in San Antonio where Ken Smith was also playing. He commented on a game where Smith played 1. e4 and his opponent played a French Defense. Larsen annotated Black's 1...e6 with a ?, saying 1...c5! wins by force since Smith always plays his gambit and lost every game playing it.

[@rileyrobinson4273]

You inspired me to play chess and enjoy the game

[@osenazl]

9:30 🥰 my heart smiled

[@HunchoDean]

More of these opening vids

[@kaffnir]

BANNED and MOCKED yam yam yam

[@jmgolob]

DIPMOCKED

[@davidwindmiller3494]

IN THE FACE

[@xavierjohnson1608]

I love the Smith-Morra gambit

[@NoudvanHarskamp]

😂😂😂Amazing intro!!

[@HughesMath1]

So I wonder, on other videos, when Hikaru looks up left, and sees the board from one side, then turns the right looking up at the reverse position.

[@HughesMath1]

"Welcome back..." thank you Mr Hikura

[@HughesMath1]

Only 5 seconds into the video and I feel welcome.

[@lordhelps1]

Just to be clear, 1st game move 11 by Ghandeevam2003 is a howler blunder, +- 3. Correct was Qe7. Nevertheless, you show what a weapon the Smith-Morra Gambit is. Love your stuff!

[@NicoBirknicnoc]

man i love the smith morra gambit, first opening i learned. now they all gonna learn it and how to defend it, i think i have to find something different thats not often played ^^

[@tonysu8860]

Small comment on the references to the Danish Gambit in this video.... IMO simply offering the c3 pawn (in double KP openings) is the Goring Gambit initially but evolves into the Danish Gambit if White develops a certain way and doesn't recapture with the QN on c3 immediately.

[@SRMi]

Thank you, this is my favorite of your guides so far.

[@HughesMath1]

Listened to the first game over 10 times today. Still working still grinding still learning the board.

[@GodMode714]

Deez knights are jumpy 😂 17:08

[@krishsoni23]

Please teach the Scandinavian Defense!

[@harjeesuri8912]

I used to play the scandinavian all the time but i lost some respect for it after i got more advanced and i forgot about it for weeks until i saw this comment

[@Philson]

Only here for the: WELCOME BACK

[@boftungol9423]

If I’m below 2000 but aspiring to be above it I don’t think it’s unreasonable to play 1.d4. I get great positions against unprepared opponents and just feel more confident playing d4.

[@donbmcgee]

Call me Tactics Tactics Tactics from now on

[@tonysu8860]

I was looking forward to this particular GMHikaru take on the Smith-Morra because one can almost say that Hikaru's treatment/interpretation of playing it is relatively new to me. The viewer should know that in none of these games Black played the recommended defenses to the Smith-Morra but that's part of the charm of choosing an opening like this that puts pressure on the opponent to remember and spend time on the line and the Smith-Morra is actually a fairly safe gambit for hite to play... AFAIK White always achieves good positions and pressure even if Black plays accurately although in the end with all gambits if Black can withstand the assault without having to return the material, White is likely playing the rest of the game at a disadvantage... But at the GM level I doubt that a pawn deficit in the opening and middlegame likely means a loss in the endgame.

[@albertynwA]

You’re the goat Hikaru! You can still see the love of the game in your content

[@davidsantiago7808]

why does hikaru always look like he's in pain when he's talking

[@ruthxk7844]

9:30 absolutely!!

[@ClassicMist360]

I feel like someone told Hikaru to be more energetic at the start of the video for viewer retention or something, so thats why he forces that awkward "HELLO, and welcome BACK EVERYONEEEEE" at the start of each educational video/recap😂😂

[@RandomArcherPlayer]

hikaru gives u motivation before every opening xD

[@TheSublimeLifestyle]

Hikaru should bring this content back.

[@gratitud143]

Marc, you have made it. The Smith Morra has arrived in the mainstream

[@marcofrey2903]

Awesome. I play the Smith Morra myself! Big fan, at 1500. It's a bit funny that Hikaru has often played the rather tame d3 push decline variation. Not sure that's still his preferred line after studying it.

[@strategygames1026]

Hikaru already knew more about this gambit than you can forget. He's played multiple games with Esserman in this variation and that's why he knows exactly how dangerous taking the pawn is.

[@chlydabrigo]

I love the way it was explained ,simple and quick,. Easy to understand,.

[@wtfskilz]

This is what I started playing against the Sicilian

[@makayneilson7570]

Perfect, I was just studying the Sicilian and needed some example games

[@kashifushi4962]

that spanish came out the blue ahahhahaha

[@HughesMath1]

It will last forever for me cuz this is some memorizing the board thank you

[@harjeesuri8912]

He taught us how to beat erigaisi if he plays the sicillian

[@anthonypassarelli5534]

Epic opening monolog

[@McBlinks95]

Please, don’t ever change how you say “Today’s episode”. 😂

[@IamStreamZ]

Once a legend said "Welcome back everyone"

[@HughesMath1]

I am using this video to help me imagine/map the board

[@jakeswagerson9941]

hikaru talk different from what I remember

[@viushin]

Good gambit, but in blitz and rapid i usually play d3 in reply, and its pretty comfortable sicilian defence for black

[@tomasresende8869]

father gambit here

[@Cfnminus]

You’re so entertaining, mad respect for letting levy win the streamer award 💀

[@burningspirit7874]

yo that's mad respect

[@sunondo8671]

Hikaru's fake smile is the best smile ever!

[@OpusPocusMusic]

Hikaru always chews on his words in the intro

[@Veptis]

A while ago you had a tutorial video on the danish gambit. And it felt more beginner friendly than this

[@NMBrayanAmaya]

Marc Esserman is happy when he hears this

[@jasonnnbbbb]

Bro he just called Hikaru daddy for the pin

[@martinpaddle]

As Hikaru starts with quoting Smith, one should add for completeness that he wasn't very successful with it

[@jessereustxxsilentripxx272]

Hikaru is Literally the best Aaand… he literally does not care.

[@peterpetrov6522]

I can't believe Hikaru dumped the hiphopohthala LALAmoose for the Smith Morra. He seems happier though, so...🤣

[@infinitypowergaming2995]

I played this gambit without knowing and i was winning pretty much and my opponent resigned

[@h3gyi]

I accedantly played it and felt embarassed for not knowing it, thx hikaru

[@Zeesh009]

look at Hikaru beating kids 😂😂

[@gerardduffy3406]

Ooh a new weapon against the Sicilian. I can finally move away from Levy's grand Prix attack 😅

[@rzepic2711]

"These Knights " ❤

[@PhoenixH7]

I like 1.f4 because as a below 2000 it has teached me to ignore kings safety and always sac if possible 🤣 also I am pretty close to 2000 so maybe I should start playing a normal opening. My friends always tell me to stop playing f4 and play something "normal" Also below 2000 you should be playing for fun thats why I play f4 really aggressive

[@the_lava_wielder6996]

Hey Hikaru I am 1800 and want to learn the Nimzo. If you made a video on it that'd be dope. That's all

[@NeedforMine1]

We need the Scandinavian video

[@tellu1899]

this stare at the beginning of the video HAHA

[@DrMocktopus1]

Little bro thinks he’s Marc Esserman

[@jmgolob]

BANNED SUCKA

[@johnkai3359]

GOOD CHESS QUOTES MY MAN

[@orangejuece]

Your facial hair grew quick within eleven hours. You were clean shaven in the recap of Ding vs. Ian

[@alekhinesgun9997]

I really hope you’re not serious lol

[@orangejuece]

@@alekhinesgun9997 Since that upload of Ding vs. Ian the facial hair grew. You didn't notice ?

[@alekhinesgun9997]

@@orangejuece Bro this was recorded before that vid 😭

[@orangejuece]

@@alekhinesgun9997 Ok. However there was an indifference of time increment where they were uploaded and Nakamura had a clean shaven face versus a beard. Anything else ?

[@alekhinesgun9997]

@@orangejuece I'm not sure you understand what indifference means. yes this was uploaded 10 or so hours after his last vid, what does that change? Game one of the candidates still happened much after Hikaru's game against Arjun

[@fernandezfran]

The best part was Uno, dos tres, cuatro, cinco, seis pieces 😅

[@ddenti99]

I knew this video was coming! 😍

[@darcss6583]

Thank u for the video! You are the best

[@cameronskellams5670]

Very insightful thanks so much

[@jameslockhart2223]

I always feel a sense of ineluctable doom when they play the Smith-Morra against me. I hate it!

[@Pogo4799]

Hi from Italy thanks for such a lesson. If I may I pose you a personal question, why at 12:35 do you count in spanish? Generally a person counts in his first language. Me, for example, with a strong accent of my youth northern Italy dialect. All the best to you and your family.

[@BK-ef4rv]

When are you gonna play against the new bots?

[@sumithjayarathna2132]

Bf4 mora (hikaru variation )

[@minorii24]

oh it’s another gambit

[@keithyoungs9435]

I find it funny because I do really good with gambits at 1200 level because noone knows how to play against them.

[@muhammadsaudbarakzai4565]

Thank you hikaru you made my day😊