How I 'Memorized' 100+ Chess Openings EASILY [4 Easy Tips]

[@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/

[@ReligionAndMaterialismDebunked]

First. Shalom.

[@tessa8230]

Yes, please make this a series! I would love to see these questions applied to other openings as well

[@Chesswalk570]

Sir Please make a video on how to find tactical pattern easily and which endgames are most important

[@jasonwolfe2991]

Please leave this comment on every video until he does it

[@shhs9877]

Yea man

[@Ghengis443]

Puzzels

[@belizean_koolisalu_pue3431]

He is not stockfish.

[@saheedsheriff1993]

Tch 😂

[@worsethanjoerogan8061]

It's like watching your math professor do calculus. Makes sense when he does it but doing it yourself is much harder

[@peacemaker-vw5sz]

Bro literally greatest chess online preacher and teacher of ALL TIMES of this ERA ...THE SAINT OF CHESS....BLESS ALL

[@fayskelley]

You crack me up Igor. I was hanging on every word and when you said “why do we even play chess?” I burst out laughing. Thank you for the great sense of humor.

[@amitbh6407]

I watched the master class and after that I played according to what I learned and it was amazing I won 4 games in a row. And it also felt more fun to play according to your method. Thank you

[@maine1898]

Matter class

[@Jason-Moon]

I only play 960 random chess now. No more memorizing lines for me. It's all tactics and creativity.

[@CheckmateSurvivor]

You have to try Gaugamela Chess. It is truly great.

[@Jason-Moon]

​@@CheckmateSurvivor​ I'm checking out your vids of Gaugamela against Stockfish. Pretty wild

[@CheckmateSurvivor]

@@Jason-Moon Thanks.

[@ilyasadukovskiy]

No opponent in 960

[@Jason-Moon]

@@ilyasadukovskiy I've not had trouble finding players to match.

[@ReflectionOcean]

By YouSum Live 00:01:06 Understanding the logic behind each move is crucial. 00:03:09 Consider attacking moves to activate pieces effectively. 00:05:51 Utilize gambits to develop quickly and attack strategically. 00:12:53 Remember key questions: plans, piece positions, and tactics. 00:16:01 Common tactics include knight forks and exploiting pins. 00:16:36 Utilize knight jumps to create threats. 00:16:49 Capitalize on pins to target opponent's pieces. 00:17:27 Consider sacrifices to open up the position. 00:18:00 Understanding these tactics enhances attacking capabilities. By YouSum Live

[@jstb6102]

Answering the question "why do I play chess" has been one of the most productive cognitive events of my life. Nevertheless, I still play 😄.

[@jonshive5482]

Reminds me of a guy who told me during a tournament that chess was "a waste of time." Said he was going to win all his games before quitting. Dunno if he did that but he sure as heck beat me---and quite soundly too.

[@SamuelButcher]

Really like that soft-light background! Looking sharp!

[@SamuelButcher]

Obviously, the content was fantastic as well. I just hope that goes without saying!

[@donsimons9810]

hot and cool, hip and new age

[@youbli]

I would say that the presentation is the most professional of chess videos on YT.

[@srf_devotee]

It would be fantastic if you could apply these four questions to other specific openings as well. That would be a huge source of additional content for you. I'm always in search of chess videos that give me *understanding* not just memorization.

[@cheens5349]

agreed

[@Laosymalaosy]

Bro read my mind. you just gained a subscriber smirnov

[@christianmonarchist3393]

These type of videos are absolute gold.

[@marksmit8112]

Brilliant walk through, has changed my chess

[@fayskelley]

I love love love the Scandinavian. Played it for years. Just now learning Accelerated Dragon.

[@Subzero3-n7r]

Here are the 4 questions to memorize any chess opening from the video with my own annotations for anyone who needs it: 1. *Plan* - What is your plan and what is your opponents plan? - Ex.(from the video) - Our plan: quick development even if it means sacrificing to open the position up(opening principle of all gambits) - Opponent's plan: consolidate pieces because they are up material; solidify their position 2. *Best Squares for Development* - How do you develop your pieces? - In other words, how do you develop your pieces in this opening; what are the common best squares for your pieces? - Ex. (from video), kingside knight goes to f6, light-squared bishop goes to g4, if pushed back then f5, etc. etc. 3. *Favorable Exchanges* - Are there any exchanges good for you? - Ex. in the French Defense- it's better to trade off the commonly created bad bishop in this opening position 4. *Common Tactics* - Are there common tactics here? - great to know because they occur across many different variations of the same opening - Ex. (from video), 1. check on c2, 2. capitalizing on the pin(on the e-file), 3. sacrifice something to open up the position and get to the king A little bit unrelated but was mentioned earlier in the video: *Principle of Maximum Activity* : you should typically choose the most forward available square because it's the most aggressive Alright, I hope this was really helpful for anyone out there, and if it was for you, please drop a reply down below and have a great rest of your day!

[@MInd724070]

There are a lot of your videos when "opponent" loses badly just by playing "natural moves", but at the same time you are playing crazy moves, sometimes sacrificing minor pieces and even rook or queen in order to win the game. So I think the question of how to memorize the chess opening was specifically about this. How to remember all the tricks that I can play in the opening and especially how to defend in case opponent is trying to use one of them.

[@Bentrades22]

This man is the best teacher I never had

[@Smurez]

Really close to what I was looking for as a beginner, please dive deeper into these topics ✌️

[@Scubaduude]

Of all the videos I have watched so far. I find you to be the best instructor of the game. Insights explained and why do this vs that. I will watch more of your YT videos and if I like them all I will probably buy your masterclass series. I just hope it is as good if not better than what you have posted.

[@weird3095]

THE BEST chess teacher

[@manasg9147]

It would be great if you make a crash course on Nimzo Indian and queens Indian defence

[@hobbytalksstudies9083]

Nice idea.

[@AJoaquin305]

Thank you for your videos, I've learned a lot, but every time you start talking about opening moves. You always start getting into the mid game and I just really wanna know about the opening moves again, thank you for all you do.

[@Will-ql5db]

@GM Smirnov, I love that your information is very efficient in defining the GOAL, and then accomplishing that goal (with clear examples). That's why, I think, you should have named your channel "Express Chess"! Anyway, subscribed.

[@SchrodingersCoin]

Understanding being superior to blind memorization reminds me of this quote. “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” - Albert Einstein

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

Perfectly said and applies well here. 👍

[@ricardopinto2611]

Now we need golden rules or step by step guide to play like nezhmetdinov. Who wants a video about this?

[@blueplanet635]

9:44 Black can play c6 which eventually wins a pawn through a tactic! The odds that beginners blunder there is high, and if they play dxc6, they have blundered, as you play Bf2+!! winning their queen.

[@blueplanet635]

Had they not gone and moved their king...

[@AmitKhanal-g7z]

In 3:00, tell me why the d4 move is the best move though! That's the thing we want to know and will make the understanding of the opening better.

[@iancunningham2440]

Also helps to learn opening principles/traps from Smithy's Opening Fundamentals on Chessable

[@Adam-sm5xr]

Question? What is wrong with C4 to protect the D5 pawn immediatly after Nf6?

[@pms3944]

Bishop b5+ after black's Knight f6 throws off this defense, which happens to be the second most used move.

[@Siderite]

Nice gambit. Looks a lot like the Gandalf gambit.

[@user-MetalAngel]

At a Chess Club in Parma, Ohio, USA I used to go to, the old timers would rebuke me about memorizing lines/games. They said that all I needed to learn was tactics and principles. Yet, I was eventually beating many of them. I think that players who aren't gifted with an exceptional memory, are simply afraid of others that possess such prowess and try to dissuade them from memorizing. It may seem counterintuitive with old conventional thinking, but I find that I am learning tactics and principles as I memorize. So it works out the same anyway.

[@SubhadeepDas1847]

Hi Igor, can you make a video on e6, b6 defence?

[@joyel5873]

Can you review the games played in candidates. Cause normal people can't understand the moves played in candidates. And a GM like you explain those moves and ideas played in candidates would be really informative.

[@nathan2891]

Original title: How I play Scandinavian

[@John-g6x1h]

Memorizing only helps to a point anyway, as your opponent is sure to throw something bizarre at you a few moves in and you're pretty much on your own, but it still helps to have a good framework to work from.

[@peterbago4574]

4:12 What do you suggest if opponent plays Be2 instead of f3? Stockfish suggests to trade, isn't it a mistake?

[@seansilva967]

Your English is fantastic, languages are even more difficult than chess for me

[@DudeWhoSaysDeez]

I have been studying PP on the PP for many nights. It has taken a long time to fully understand the girth of the material.

[@klizzop1721]

I like your videos , simple and helpful❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@PranitSuman]

That ICBM variation of the Tennison Gambit is very bad it just ruined my accuracy, stockfish didnt give me a book move instead it gave me a mistake, after e4 d5 Nf3? I would've had had perfect accuracy if it wasnt for that move

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

I am seeing Stockfish recommending 3.Nf3 as the best move, just ahead of 3.d4. It is also associated with a higher win rate for white, both overall and in the Masters only database. So why is d4 nearly four times as popular among GMs? Furthermore, after 3.d4, 4.Bg4 is only the 2nd most common (both among GMs and overall) and the 3rd choice from Stockfish, after Qxd5 (1st choice) and Nxd5 (2nd). White's winning percentages after white's move 4 is as follows: 4.Qxd5 -- 51% for full db, 59% for GMs 4.Nxd5 -- 50%, 41% 4.Bg4 -- 43%, 42% It seems that Igor's recommendations here are in conflict with both computer analysis and real-world outcomes. Well, at least he gives us reasons for each move. That should help us all to remember the wrong move.

[@MasterSergius]

Damn, I forgot 4 rules right after watching this video...

[@πΣυφ-μ2ξ]

You're not the only one, I forgot as well...

[@pushkarjaiswal1770]

😂😂😂

[@roltol7539]

2:53 and why pawn g4 does not attack queen with defence from bishop ?

[@roltol7539]

is it worth to swap queen for bishop + knight ?

[@eekwibble]

17:08 That pin is so nasty, it's not just the bishop that's going to fall. It's actually impossible for white to save their queen. That position is just an instant resignation for white.

[@andrew_owens7680]

I started playing tournament chess during the Fischer era. Stupidly and lacking a coach, I chose to play the same openings as he did: Ruy Lopez with white, Sicilian as black. BIG MISTAKE. I wasted my entire tournament career trying to learn those openings instead of learning fundamental tactics. Needless to say, though I was dedicated to practice, my practice wasn't helping much. And in an era before computers, it was hard to get corrections. Now, in my sixties, as a simple thought experiment, I'd like to dust off those lines again. I realize, it's a monumental effort that doesn't bear much fruit, but here we are.

[@satanuv]

Thanks sir!

[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

& he mentioned Levi. Igor is a smooth dude.

[@passenger1312.]

when you have already checkmated your opponent before the checkmate i'm trying to find out how you made it after when the game is over. so, i have a lot to learn.

[@sunilchristian3430]

Thank you!

[@sesh7357]

Excellent! Thanks.

[@farouqbaiti4315]

I can finally play the Scandinavian Defense safely.😇😎

[@ravaldipak838]

Sir pls QGD and Nimzo Indian ( with all variations )

[@matlhogonolomojaboswa2262]

Now we need a video of how to remember the four questions

[@Zamiroh]

I find one of the harder things is practicing a new opening. Perhaps I should try some unrated matches or something. Try them against bots but it's almost impossible to get good practice in! Either the bot is like 1000-1200 and is way too easy, or it's like 2100 to 2200, which for me is way too hard!

[@chessandmusicwithoskiez6241]

I stopped playing the Scandinavian when a few of my opponents started playing g4 on move 5. Computer prep too strong

[@katis999]

thank you

[@TrueBalalaechnik]

GREAT VIDEO!

[@jackhemsworth2733]

do u have any good move recommendation at 7:00,if oppenent plays d5 instead of exf7

[@voidmarvin]

Igor, on 15:00 you say its a common tactic to win the queen but you are absolutely WRONG. This doesn't work in this case because the king can move forward and there's no skewer possible on the white diagonal.

[@damirfux2265]

10:51 As Levy would say, before PP on the PP, you have to sacrifice the RooOooOooK!! 10:10

[@Aaroncosand]

I was just watching one of your videos where you talked about counter attacking after you suggest white might play pf3, I'm like what about bb4+

[@milehighslacker4196]

"It doesn't work against beginners because they don't play correct moves." - mind == blown!!! :-D

[@MrSmoothasf]

Isn't that very first opening with the queen capture pawn gothem chesses proven tactic?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 How to learn chess openings easily? 00:36 4 tips to memorize chess openings 00:54 Understand the reason behind every move 03:00 If you can attack, do it 05:45 How to play gambit openings? [3 Rules] 06:15 Gambit Rule 1 07:43 Aim for maximum activity of your pieces 08:49 Gambit Rule 2 10:28 Put Pressure on the Pinned Piece 11:14 Gambit Rule 3 12:34 4 questions to memorize any chess opening 13:01 Question-1 13:56 Question-2 15:16 Question-3 15:57 Question-4

[@CheckmateSurvivor]

I am starting to hate memorizing chess openings. I find them boring and predictable.

[@JustRightPinedo]

3 gambit rules: develop quickly, break open center, attack the king

[@PipikaTV]

What if they play d4->d5 instead of taking on f7?

[@ZDTF]

I need to ask one thing Is 100 openings enough for a grandmaster? Or do I need to Learn more How many Openings do You know?

[@jonshive5482]

It's probably fair to say that NMs and above have intrinsically superior memory, visualization and calculation skills compared to the vast majority of other players. As Russian chess trainer Mark Dvoretsky pointed out no matter how hard they play or study most will reach a plateau from which they can never advance but only recede. Basically one needs a certain "chess sense" which enables superior play. A handful of humanity has it, most don't. So don't be frustrated if you can't "get it," that's just the way Mother Nature rolled the dice.There are after all other things besides chess...

[@hakemchatbot5401]

amazing line !!!

[@shashankiyengar8227]

Thanks buddy 😊

[@tjrichardson8756]

What if after you move bishop to g4 they move their bishop to b5?

[@speedking221]

i always play king's pawn openings,queen gambit and so on....LOTS OF OPENINGS I STILL DON'T KNOW

[@mariyakomarova7311]

Наконец-то понял, как правильно использовать этот индикатор, благодарю, уже торгую с ним

[@aileenlusterio6809]

What if bishop will protect the queen instead of pone?

[@dr.deepakgore1079]

Best post for us🎉❤

[@iTzBato]

2:48 the way bro said white is fighting for equality 😂😂😂

[@chesslover8829]

Here is why I don't play the Scandinavian Defense, especially the Portuguese Variation [Analysis by "Stockfish 15.1, Chessis App"]: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. d4 Bg4 4. Bb5+ Nbd7 5. Be2 Bxe2 6. Qxe2 Nxd5 7. c4 N5f6 8. Nc3 e6 9. Nf3 Bb4 10. Bd2 O-O 11. O-O White is fine. Or... 4. Bb5+ c6 5. dxc6 Nxc6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. Nf3 e6 8. O-O Be7 9. h3 Bh5 10. c4 c5 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Qe2 O-O White is better. Or... 4. Bb5+ c6 5. dxc6 Qa5+ 6. Nc3 Nxc6 7. Nf3 Ne4 8. a4 Nxc3 9. bxc3 Qxc3+ 10. Bd2 Bxf3 11. Bxc3 Bxd1 12. d5 Bxc2 13. dxc6 O-O-O 14. O-O Be4 15. cxb7+ Kxb7 16. Ba5 White is better. Or... 4. Bb5+ c6 5. dxc6 Bxd1? 6. c7+ Nc6 7. cxd8Q+ Rxd8 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. Kxd1 Rxd4+ 10. Nd2 White is winning.

[@chessophiler]

Thanks much for this analysis! I'm hoping my opponent doesn't play like Stockfish!

[@chesslover8829]

@chessophiler I hope so, too. Sooner or later, though, your opponents will find better replies to your opening prep.

[@donsimons9810]

another great vid

[@JohnnyQuach]

I’m sitting I Portugal hearing “best played with port wine” lol

[@MGKing-888]

How is one supposed to remember all the lines of all the variations of each opening? There have to be 10,000 at least

[@CreativCurry-sb3gb]

Thanks a lot

[@Mik1604]

I believe PP on the PP is Alex Banzea’s thing.

[@johnsstudies4335]

Nice thumbnail mate

[@rupeshtodkari2285]

Can you review game in candidate

[@xtra9996]

If I'd have the choice between understanding and memorizing I'd go for memorizing. ;)

[@josephsalmonte4995]

Отлично видно Игорь, спасибо ❤

[@mr.calvinwyche1332]

Mentor, I’ve have wrote down and remember 3 of 100. I’ll keep gravitating to saved posts.

[@mister_alaska]

want to learn how to memorize openings? let's explore the most complex opneings played at cosmic grand master level to help you

[@ernestogarcillan1977]

I learned Scandinavian Defense repertoire by our very own handsome FM Deniel Causo 😍

[@Artbooksandboro]

I started playing chess a couple of weeks ago I hadn't played in about 25 years. Im really not very good 😂. I can consistently beat Stockfish lv 2 but i get smashed by level 3 every game and im struggling to progress any further. I only play against computer as i dont have the confidence to play actual people online.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Welcome! Good luck with your chess journey. Here to help.

[@Ayaznilsson]

Play with real players to get better

[@shyguybutbraveonwifi3703]

I really like your shirt! But did you wear it because it looks like a chess board or is that a coincidence? 🤣

[@berndkonemann5049]

I love this way of understanding this opening ! Thank you.

[@miguelfurtado3086]

why is it the best move d4 on the beggining of the video and not some minorr piece development? i am superr low elo learrner btw

[@miguelfurtado3086]

just because 2x pawns are usually bad and it doenst atack the knight if he takes

[@thetransferaccount4586]

nice intro to icelandic

[@hunterstokes8577]

Why can’t you play night C2 at 9:05

[@rufusmafija8674]

because of knight at a3

[@gilleschercuitte4255]

So, you've explained one variation of hundreds of different openings. How does that help you when your opponent will not move to where you expect and then your lost.

[@reignvalera3173]

I played this like a minute a go and chased my opponents queen then sacrificed my knight the i got him no queen

[@yavorarumenova1397]

Now, how do we remember the four questions? :D

[@u2b84]

1. Plans 2. Posts 3. Pawns 4. Plays