Solid & Powerful Chess Opening For Black Against 1.e4 [Tricks & Traps]

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@ishaanchakrabortty3989]

Pls make a video on caro kann defense plsssss

[@playchess24]

Impressive chess video

[@rehoboth_farm]

what about pawn F5? If en passant knight takes. If not you win the position.

[@nareal470]

I set the audio speed to 75% and you still speak too quickly - like ok but please, speak slower because you're in a rush?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Best Chess Opening For Black Against 1.e4 00:19 Why the French Defense is powerful 02:09 1) Advance Variation: 3.e5 04:00 Common mistake by White 06:19 If White plays Bd3 to prevent Nf5 10:49 If White plays Bb5, pinning Nc6 13:36 White loses castling rights or the bishop 17:26 Mainline played by experienced opponents 20:02 2) Exchange Variation: 3.exd5 22:02 3) Rubinstein Variation: 3.Nc3 dxe4

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

I am a 700 rapid player (I mainly play the bots and do puzzles: I can beat a 1200 bot pretty much every game, a 1300 bot most of the time, and I'm 1800-1900 puzzles). I have only been playing chess for a couple of years, and, as an older player (61), I sometimes find the pace of YT videos too fast, but your explanations are well paced, calm and easy to follow (and very thorough as you explain why each move is good/bad). Next game as black I am definitely giving the French defence a try out instead of just playing 1 e5. I seem to remember Judit Polgar saying the French was the first defence she learnt.

[@fakename7501]

Does altering the playback speed help? Sometimes I do this and make it .75 or 1.25

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

@@fakename7501 - sometimes, but when I've tried it with Gotham chess he just sounds drunk - because he actually speaks fairly slowly - and it can be more difficult to understand. I've found that Anna Cramling's mother is very good, slowly describing every thought before the move etc.

[@darrylkassle361]

@@honeychurchgipsy6 Has Anna Cramlings mother got a channel or do you mean when she is helping on her daughter's channel

[@honeychurchgipsy6]

@@darrylkassle361 - have to admit - I dunno -lol!! I think she just does stuff on Anna's channel - she's very good at explaining stuff imo

[@darrylkassle361]

@@honeychurchgipsy6 thanks for the reply mate

[@Saurabhsingh1234-y2z]

I have been playing french defence against e4 since 3 years ......and i have faced all these positions many a times in my games....well its a good summary to keep in mind while playing french defence ....i learned all these lines while analysing all my games from year to year .....you summafized it in 1 video ...hats off to you .....earlier i followed dereque kelly videos how to counter different openings ... it really practically worked for me

[@sumantakumardutta986]

What an extraordinary coincidence!!!😀 I was really pondering yesterday about what opening should I play against 1.e4? And then came a notification answering my question😃 Thank you so much GM Smirnov🙏😊

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'm glad it came out timely 👌

[@kundaliniknight]

Beware AI can read your mind

[@robnacho6286]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this content. You went so far out of your way to explain this to me in such incredible detail in a language foreign to you. Cheers!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you, Rob!

[@smokey7927]

Good night folks I thought I knew chess and I been playing since I was pre teen and now 46 and I've been places where I have won and I didn't want to learn and now I humble myself and won't stop being a chess feind,thank you for your service to the chess community.

[@alanex5225]

Great! This eliminates so many traps and attacks it's unbelievable. Several grandmasters beat Bobby Fischer with this French Defense. Thanks for good video

[@Euphoria.x10]

Thank you really helpful ❤️ can't stop watching ur videos 🥰

[@TakingDawn]

Great videos, thank you

[@jdhill9730]

Igor has helped me more than about any other instructor

[@RedKnight-fn6jr]

Very interesting video - was going to skip it as I'm a Sicilian player, but in a change of heart I watched and learned quite a lot. In fact, some ideas in the French are quite similar to the e6 Najdorf variation - blocking the line of attack towards f7 (..e6) and securing the b5 square (..a6).

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'm glad to know it was helpful. Indeed, similar pawn structure and ideas can occur in different openings.

[@mabu1760]

Really like your stuff. You're a great KZbinr, you're gonna be one of the big ones. Good luck! (and have fun 😄)

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for your support!

[@thedata-ist]

Started watching your vdos few days ago and Now I'm feeling confident with whatever you explain. Thank you🌹

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Wonderful!

[@rickmorrow993]

Thanks. I never studied chess when I was younger, but sometimes I would play and I knew how all the pieces moved, but I didn't know much about traps or strategy. I watched a chess video and got inspired and began playing anonymously at an online chess website. I was having some success with a variant of the French defense, but had to look it up to llearn about it. I have already learned a lot from you and am only halfway through your video. Thanks for the lesson. I think I will like and subscribe.

[@barbarabarry3799]

Thank you for this interesting video. I liked the way you presented the options for white and I have looked at it several times to have a good grasp of the principles.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You're welcome!

[@mattk.9464]

Fantastic content, Igor! Appreciate your time and help 😊

[@michaelmassaro4375]

Much respect for you Igor you do depart with a lot of knowledge you have of the game helping people improve their game and giving pointers to think about two thumbs up 👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you for your nice words, and I'm happy to know my videos serve you well.

[@lucagatta1869]

best move on e4 is e5 but requires a very VERY broad knowledge base better c5 e6 c6 good and solid

[@malakaishaw8465]

Great! Now lemme watch this 20 more times to memorize the first few moves

[@loadshedding_]

don't memorize the moves, understand the moves

[@jeffreymartens2793]

I love your videos. They are so easy to understand, very helpful, and enjoyable. Thank you!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you like them!

[@mravikiran]

Very good game and very good explanations. Well done, thanks

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@natzigaro4924]

Igor, I much enjoy your videos. You have q pleasant soft voice, very clear, and easy to follow. I think one call tell a lot by one's voice and manner of speaking, and you come across as a really nice guy. Thanks again. I do have a question for you: I am an old man now, well kind of old ... 66 years old, and am wondering if i can reach 200 more rating points by studying tactics. I am about 2000 and in my country a national master title is given at 2200 points. I also study openings alot, but must admit my weakness is what to do in the later middle positions when the position is even, and i am not sure what to do. I end up looking for tactics and overdo a drawish position.

[@yashrajsinhzala1059]

reallly awesome strategies for crazy e4 openings and also the knowledge behind every moves makes sense why black has attacking advantages

[@sandeepverygoodvedeo8693]

You have a great solution, thanks Sir

[@cezartrasfiero6443]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@itsvin_2928]

9:08 Hey Igor i have got a doubt. Instead of Bishop c5, couldnt you have also played knight f5, targeting the pinned knight? and also preventing the black bishop to protect the knight since the knight also covers that place? Thank you so much for spending your time for this!

[@jamesbubak6530]

It s my favourite opening for black - similar to Caro, but more safe fot not so good player :d I like the trap on white e5 pawn when white bishop tries to pin knight on c6...

[@shrinivas105]

I have played e5 black and practised almost all variations..works against Vienna, king's gambit, Center game, scotch, Italian, ruy, larsen attack etc

[@henrywilliams1965]

I used to not feel comfortable playing black. After watching some of your videos I have won 70 percent of my games playing black. Thank you.

[@sandeepverygoodvedeo8693]

I learned more in chess, thanks very much Sir

[@amitchauhan-ks8xy]

Thank u for telling

[@rahullamba9318]

It's logic which helps with memorizing sequences but in the end, at a higher level memory trumps logic in the context of time. Which explains why after watching all these brilliant videos we struggle to get past 1500

[@markwalker5152]

Thanks

[@begzodubaydullayev9204]

I like your videos and it help me when I better play chess

[@nicolocalzamatta5731]

I'm a 950 ten minutes player and I usually use the Karo Kann. Should I try to switch to the French defense?

[@sandeepverygoodvedeo8693]

Always thanks Sir

[@GaryM67-71]

Tried it out twice, very effective, opponents seem to get a bit stuck (1050 rating, 10 mins). Thanks Igor.

[@AdventureSam]

Yeah that’s low

[@GaryM67-71]

@@AdventureSam Thanks, you too.

[@mpafgregor651]

@@AdventureSam Your father is low. Lower than sea level

[@AdventureSam]

@@mpafgregor651 that doesn’t mean anything you gimp

[@GeminisArising888]

The French n Caro Kann can transpose too..i will try to see a few french defense speed runs if available n then use it in my repertoire..thank u fir this.

[@pramodm1813]

Amazing explanation, thank you for making me a better player

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'm glad it was helpful

[@santosozhang1985]

Thanks a lot for the excellent explanation of the French defense for Black...

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@anonym5160]

Sicilian defense pawn c5 knight c6

[@joeflowers9084]

As white, I've had great results playing the variation you go over at minute 18:00 (the Milner-Barry Gambit). However, I generally play the Horwitz Attack (Papa-Ticulat Gambit) to throw French Players off their game since few have seen it.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

That's nice

[@Schizophrenic_Energy]

Also try KIA/Fischer Attack; Chigorin's 2. Qe2; Wing Gambit. They all gain maximum of points 🎉

[@nico_iunyk]

Man, this video is so helpful, I was struggling with the caro kahn against 1.e4 with this defense es way more easy and solid for a beginner like me. just a litle recomendation: you should put the openning name on the title so people can be instantly awere of what is the video about, or for example if I'm looking for "french defense" videos and don´t see it in the title, I may not click on the video. Just a constructive opinion. Thanks a lot!

[@awinbmx7418]

I rarely like or subscribe on youtube content but this one is definetly amazing content

[@Tooni8282]

My favourite chess coach 🙌

[@fandastruhal5231]

Perfect video!! veri solid opening😀😃😄

[@gregorykl2317]

Thanks, I prefer playing Italian Game Trexter in Bullet and Blitz and Caro-Kann in rapid and classic

[@tahiryaqubov3548]

15:50 that arrow is my vision for HOW TO ATTACK FOR BISHOP AT 3 AM when my eyes are collapsing.. truly understandable

[@agxec2932]

Personally I prefer NF6 (which plays the waiting attacking game to 1.e4) or the Sicilian - Najdorf Or Dragon variation (both beginning with c5) or Schvengingen opening that is d5 to e4. - all most attacking opening replies by Black. But the Carokann and French defense are good too - the French defense however leads to a cramped game for the development of Black's pieces and delays castling for Black's King. The French defense is more defensive than attacking to 1.e4. Sicilian is the most attacking opening by Black against 1.e4 by games won by Black against e4 by history of chess.

[@sandeepverygoodvedeo8693]

Nice opening thanks Sir

[@tianrunzhang6557]

9:19 what if you follow up with knight g4, attacking the bishop. It has no squares to go and you can win the knight on d4

[@Funny.videos.and.miracles]

Good

[@Curiousmind1983]

You are the best sir 💓

[@Redbirds1100]

Oh gosh you are so Awesome! I had played chess for 35 years and I only consider myself a novice because I do not have anyone to play with so I play against the computer. I learned so much from you Thank You so much.

[@marioeufemio8957]

I tried this onbe and its really a powerful defense offensen opening

[@harry_hoangs.7756]

love your contents!

[@roeydaz]

Lovely. I watched this defence and won against a stronger player in the first game! This defence gives black a solid opening base from which to launch an attack.

[@rickgrossmann4432]

Thank you for insightful tutorials. I typically prefer 10 minute games due to time constraints, however I don't find myself improving. It seems I may benefit from longer games. What length of game should I play to have more time to think through better moves? I'm a 1200 to 1500 player.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Hi Rick, That's a very valuable insight that you have. Typically it is better to play longer games. You can play one or two longer games per week. You can checkout our free training mini course for more information. chess-teacher.com/chess-training-mini-course/

[@alexcampbell1895]

Great lesson ! Super thanks!

[@nielsSavantKing]

@Remote Chess Academy. The available pgn download is a sicilian game. Not a French game.

[@eugenbubolz5756]

Nice summarizing, but I missed one important line for white. It's playing b3 and protecting d4 pawn wit Bb2. White usually gets good positions there.

[@eugenbubolz5756]

Ah, I meant a3, B4 and then Bb2 stuff...

[@subbupa7922]

Super ❤️ Please share the video how should white play when black play french defence for both exchange and advance variations

[@Schizophrenic_Energy]

Try to play outlines (Qe2, KIA, Wing etc).

[@nickychess]

Anyone else only play e5 as black but is trying to branch out?

[@CRIMSOONisback]

Same

[@elishaamenuveve4307]

Yep

[@elishaamenuveve4307]

Yep

[@brad4305]

Yes

[@umairlak7911]

Hi igor plz make video on "vant kruij opening"and how to demolish it's

[@torehellebo202]

the best chess teacher in the world

[@hoow4ng]

Beginner chess player here, at 20:45 why would you play bishop to g4 when white can just go pawn to h3?

[@ultimatejoshua1082]

If white goes h3, you take the knight then after white takes your bishop, you play knight takes d4.

[@Caimanraven]

thanks igor!

[@PizzaChess69]

The French Defense is solid for beginners and intermediates, but it's a bit passive for my taste (I'm about 2000), and 1. e6 has the weakness of blocking in the light-squared Bishop. That's why I personally prefer 1. d6 (Pirc Defense), as I'm going to play a King's Indian anyway so I don't need to worry about blocking in my dark-squared Bishop.

[@deltalima6703]

Best opening is 1e4 h5, 2.?? H4. Its the best cause it takes most people out of prep, and you just crush them in the midgame by playing fast and confident. Hikaru taught me that.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Perfect idea when you're a 3200 player crushing noobs in bullet :)

[@user-uk9er5vw4c]

incredible video, subscribed!

[@Atombindung]

Plays French Defense …..gets invaded by Germany 😄

[@wikiwing348]

I’ve been trying two knights variation with good results

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Yes, there are some nice traps there.

[@LexAdames]

thank you so much for this video, I keep getting clobbered using French Defense as black.

[@Rizla-xg8bd]

20:46 when I make that move pinning the knight, my opponent usually kicks me with h3. Andy good counter moves for that?

[@hoaxxen]

It is hard to tell when to trade the bishop for a knight. For the exact same position that he is in, after h3 I would personally trade the bishop for the knight because his only moves are: 1. Pawn takes (which damages the pawn structure and afterwards wins me the pawn on d4) or 2. Queen takes (which doesn't damage his structure honestly, but after I win the pawn on d4 I'm attacking his queen in the end). So in this exact position you just win a pawn after h3. I hope this helped you 👍

[@Wanniebee]

I appreciate the time he takes to teach and explain. However I think that introducing the engine/database/bots aka the computer to the game is a mistake because it’s like an answer sheet for a test. Allowing players to use the engine to help them when they’re playing an opponent. Bobby Fisher learned chess by studying there was no engine used in his games

[@lewisr1353]

Very useful.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad to hear that

[@gomezzadams8836]

Thank you for your channel,

[@richardcasey4439]

Superb analysis

[@watcharakanitthabut]

thank you very much

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You're most welcome!

[@sage7625]

I love how just below this video is "how to crush the french defense"

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

😄

[@31acruz]

Another great job!

[@elimabuting8543]

nice explain advance variation of french defense @ the best defense is to counter attack📙

[@DanielTongGarang]

Thank to you and l will needed to you for will giving me opening cilcilian and against cilcilian

[@amit537267]

Love ur video's

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💡Register to GM Igor Smirnov's FREE Masterclass "The Best Way to Improve at Chess INSTANTLY" - chess-teacher.com/masterclass 💲Join the RCA Affiliate Program, promote our courses, and get 50% commission - chess-teacher.com/partnership/

[@vincentmomont7538]

Yes

[@dhanarputra555]

I like Caro-Kann...as Black Because I always ended up in cramped situation that leads to blunder...😂

[@chessbulletschannel5889]

Gud teaching Gm

[@julitoireneojr9587]

Thanks!

[@shawnburnham1]

10:00

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Follow GM Smirnov on Threads - www.threads.net/@gm_igor_smirnov For interesting content on chess and beyond! 👆

[@mvment2024]

Best channel!

[@meharabkhan6308]

I think secilien defence are best 💪 secilien defence dragon variatin are very strong defence 💪

[@mateusramos7805]

Great video. Might try the french in some friendlies. But I must say I'm a caro kann devotee 😅

[@joustmaster_69]

Thanks igor for these traps for me to use

[@nonskategaming9827]

I thought it old be another video on the Scandinavian but it was the French which is my main opening as black against e4

[@paulhart1056]

Absolutely wetting myself here 😂😂😂

[@michaels8386]

Very interesting

[@PriyanshuChauhan-dh2mo]

❤

[@ahmadhusain3756]

They played bishop E3 before. What to do now ?

[@Gog55622]

after this video i got my first brilliant move

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Congrats! 💪