How to Choose an Opening with Professor Hikaru

[@marsh3674]

Thank you Hikaru for giving access to your mind and taking a casual, entertaining, relatable approach. It's rare to have the best in the world give such inside looks into their craft.

[@amin56754]

And it's almost free

[@kelsthevibe]

Wdym almost, ts is free. Exempting the time and I took to make a KZbin account and the Internet I pay for, I access his videos for free

[@dafuqmr13]

its honestly crazy, imagine someone like Scottie Pippen "interact" and teaching you basketball on daily basis, Tarantino teaching you how to make movie, or some top scientist like Tesla teaching you, mind-boggling

[@suilauk9954]

Hikaru is a better teacher than magnus will ever be

[@dylansegur1201]

​@@suilauk9954Magnus actually teaches during his streams too if you ever watch them... he just isn't an influencer he's the 5x world championship his games speak volumes for themselves. Learn off that

[@nantplays9740]

As a 41yo father that got back to chess 3 months ago (haven't played since I was 16yo) because of my youngest daughter, I love how you can teach me, so I can pass on to her and teach her some basic points, knowing I'm not getting her to learn stuff that are too difficult at her age, for her and for me!! Thank you for the straight forward-thinking and for sharing! Imo it's these types of KZbin videos/content that make new people want to play chess, because you make them see that chess is not something made up just for geniuses and that anyone can play it with easy basic principles, if they just know which is which ;) Sorry if my English is not the best for expressing myself Thank you and good luck on all your future endeavors from a Portuguese fan!

[@ScottyDog345]

If your chess is as good as your English,you'll be alright. All the best

[@andrewdavies7720]

Very good English 👍 muito beim

[@elephantheart9988]

21:01 "getting ready to murder the king" I love his expression afterward, like he's thinking "Did I just say that? Why'd I say murder? anyway you guys"

[@timo6762]

For white: E4 (Scotch, Exchange carokann, Granprix sicilian) For black it was a bit more complicated but basically E4E5 and D4D5. He played Kan sicilian once and considered scandinavian good for beginners. Watch the video to see how to play them!

[@tom3588]

„Don‘t listen to these influencers like Levi Rozman and Alexander Botez“ 😂

[@OneEyeMamba]

When did he said that?

[@prathamesh413]

Around 5:55

[@prathamesh413]

He included himself too

[@LostPageWasTaken]

He said Hikaru too, It was a joke@@OneEyeMamba

[@coolmendotdot2]

Stockfish watching this, chuckling, going... "...Fool."

[@LongSetDream]

This man is probably the best chess teacher alive, and he’s teaching it to the masses. What a guy 🤘

[@cosminaurelian4987]

When you have almost all, you have to give back to people. Anyways, he gives info to people as the speed of thinking makes the differece, so he's not afraid to share his thinking process.

[@radicalaim]

@@cosminaurelian4987 yeah, it's not like hikaru is worried about all of the 500s in his chat that will threaten his position as a reputable grand master.

[@johncarlisle6865]

they say Heineken is probably the best lager in the world, but I don't believe them. Hikaru is very good, but there are many great teachers online, especially at the Saint Louis chess club

[@marekkozina7693]

Absolutely love that you're doing these professor episodes! For someone stuck at 800 in games but 2400 puzzles, your explanations of the early game is wonderful. Thanks prof 光る!

[@swarleystinson1]

that’s quite the discrepancy!!! do you mean 800 in bullet/blitz or 800 in rapid?

[@marekkozina7693]

@@swarleystinson1 rapid. Blitz/bullet I'm like 580. BUT! I literally only play like once a week (if that) and mainly do puzzles and bots. Honestly I just need to play more games against real people. I can spot tactics easily but always seem to get myself into trouble in the openings.

[@deanh8438]

700 to 800 in games too! Very much a causal as well ❤😍

[@ryanshafer10]

I feel your pain I am similar where I can see the tactics and puzzles easily, but my openings are pure trash. This has helped me tremendously with openings

[@tobyn123]

Omg me too!!! 2100 puzzles (flirting with 2200) but I'm pretty stuck at around 650 rapid and absolutely unbearably stuck at around 550 elo in blitz. Any tips are greatly appreciated.

[@jaksdh-u4t]

Great beginner video as usual! 0:27 General opening strategy for beginners 0:32 Scotch opening 6:25 Note on Black opening strategy for beginners 6:57 Pawn should mostly take back toward center as a general rule 8:07 Scotch opening book recommendation from Garry Lane 12:10 Hikaru's step dad teaching opening with similar opening ideas 12:27 How not to open as a beginners with black 15:15 Black opening ideas after white 1.c4 15:59 How to play modern as a beginner = "don't bother..." 16:38 What makes opening difficult? 16:51 General opening strategy for beginners 19:34 Black opening ideas after white 1.e3 21:29 Grand Prix Attack 23:11 Hikaru recognizing a flow about the open he recommends fro beginners (easy developing) 24:10 Draw back from white not taking the center right away 27:09 Trading down when you are way ahead on material 28:09 Hikaru recommend Scotch opening over Ruy Lopez 34:43 Black opening ideas against the Scotch played by white 37:35 Hikaru not recommending the Scotch Mieses Variation for beginners 42:05 Black opening Sicilian defense against white 1.e4 52:54 Black Classic exchange Caro Kann against white Caro Kann 1.c6 (Easy dev. play for Black) 59:34 Hikaru recommending the Vienna and Scotch opening (Be aware of the Charley Horse Mate) 1:03:36 Hikaru recommending Grand Prix and Scotch opening yet again (Easy dev. play at start) 1:04:10 Hikaru not recommending Italian and Spanish opens because we want easy piece play 1:05:49 Scotch 4 knights Variation 1:06:20 Black opening ideas after white 1.b3 1:14:30 Grand Prix Open (easy development of pieces) 1:16:40 Black opening after White London Open 1:18:00 Hikaru telling us why not to play the London as a beginner 1:18:22 Hikaru (B) playing the queen gambit line against White 1:23:14 Scandi (B) "One opening that I actually recommend for beginner"

[@DEUSexPOLSKA]

Thx bro

[@AdrianWan]

Pin this comment!

[@royalchessmall]

Serious chess lover spotted!

[@jamesdelb6885]

"If you can't remember your games, choose another profession." - Hikaru Nakamura

[@daleholden5057]

🎉😢🎉😢

[@daleholden5057]

V44 30:51 😢v🎉 30:55 frhr🎉🎉😢😢, 🎉, 🎉6😢🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉try 🎉try 5🎉🎉5 31:12 🎉🎉🎉5😂tt 31:15 🎉tt5🎉🎉gt🎉g 5gt😢😂5

[@Agent-57]

Well it's a hobby

[@sashimi879]

Quit if you can't take it seriously​@@Agent-57

[@simonnguyen692]

please more professor hikaru this content is so good

[@yosefcohen483]

True, GM Nakamura is best portraited as professor. Danya is pilot.

[@richardcasey4439]

So very instructive to have a GM at this level explain the reasoning behind his moves

[@Skaypegote]

Guy playing against Hikaru: "He's taking a long time to make a move, I must have made a great move that has him thinking" Hikaru: *busy googling himself on the other monitor*

[@michaelsafwat1953]

I just hate how easy hikaru makes it look

[@basedmos]

😂😂😂

[@durandekamga2298]

😂😂😂

[@alkalineelectrics4204]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@TimothySkanka-mv3er]

He shows how attacking his queen and forking it to his king is actually checkmate 😂

[@brettbaker8357]

lol that’s what I enjoy the most

[@sage_sause]

I am to this day amazed by Hickeroo's calculations. He is on a whole different level. Superhuman.

[@chessandmusicwithoskiez6241]

Trust me, it’s not really superhuman. It’s just incredible. This is by far not his best display of it, in fact he’s barely even trying.

[@sage_sause]

@@chessandmusicwithoskiez6241 i know, and that's the best part

[@RSuave545]

@@sage_sausehe’s said b4 it’s mostly not calculating it’s more so intuition and unconscious; sorta like walking and talking

[@Parwezh]

True but he had shown a tournament or a play of 1997 that means he’s freaking experienced haha so the experience and learning from mistakes and development really brought this to a point where most of the things he does is muscle memory 😂. Just like breathing 🌚🤣

[@SuhbanIo]

Hickeroo

[@ryanshafer10]

These Professor Hikaru videos have been so informative at low levels it has inspired me to start playing again. Thanks for giving us this level of insight.

[@greghovermale7280]

I started playing 1e4 in the last 5 games I've played and won all 5. Simplifying and getting my pieces out faster really helped and I appreciate the advice in this video

[@randomgeographer4410]

This is the best type of video from Hikaru which he delivers once in a while.

[@DaudZaidi]

Wow this is gold. Thanks Hikaru for showing the thought process and ideas.

[@nixlin2043]

Hikaru is always able to make his videos entertaining and educational goat!

[@IAmSplate]

Can’t help but constantly zone out and listen to Hikaru’s life stories and then end up 10 moves deeper into the position with no idea how it got there

[@SilentRio]

Amazing at 07:38 he preempts white’s response and when they don’t oblige he goes straight into a childhood memory in response to the unexpected move!! Wow 👌 thanks for the content 👑

[@diverseRo]

A truly GrandMaster, I like the way you explain so clearly all the possible movements...

[@donquixotedoflamingo9037]

42:33 that was in a nick of time..... most intense move in this video

[@pjs777s.8]

Hikaru is a ray of sunshine and hilarious. Hikaru and Daniel are the only two in the chess world elite that aren’t snooze fests. Keep up the awesome content!

[@leonardovieiradesouza8115]

28minutes in and I feel stronger already Also, him remembering the games where he faces the opening situations was just baffling

[@katorzanin]

Thank you, Hicaru. You are example for a lot people around the world. Not only in chess. But your personal way. When I started watch chess I remember how I was looking at you and thinking: omg, that dude sooo serious, he is probably very strong player, but he is not happy. And when you decide to go to the KZbin and change to live, not to be in constant competition, but being a human. You inspire me. Thank you 🙏

[@pyro2708]

Just imagine playing some casual chess and you suddenly get a free masterclass by Hikaru Nakamura-sama himself, what a legend to take time out of his day to teach random noobs.

[@jacobwhite8579]

Hikaru, I absolutely love your humor and the chill spirits. It truly is a pleasure watching your videos. To be able to gain knowledtge from one of the goats in the game is AMAZING! Thank You so much for whaty you provide to the chess world. Truly are a great person. I hope you become the chess champion.

[@HollowIchigo4243]

Loved that blitz-styled opening course. Game after game of high-octane knowledge! GGs

[@jamesluff8415]

I think this is one of the first youtube videos where I've actually used the slow down function. Great video!

[@NorThenX047]

Both hikaru and levi are so entertaining. Hikaru seems a bit more straight forward with less hype but very informative. I need to learn some openings or at least defenses

[@alexwiththeglasses]

Valuable to hear GM Hikaru’s reasoning, both the general concepts and concrete considerations behind these openings🙏

[@gillesmelet1044]

I was lucky to get a group training session with GM Youri Averbakh in 1990 and somebody asked for games with Bobby Fischer, so he showed us 2 games by just finding the moves back from his memory 😮 He said he was remembering all games he had played in tournament

[@mohdafiifiiabdghani2400]

I love how Hikaru explaining every detail about his move. He also humble..

[@311mjp]

"double stack in honor of Dave Thomas" is an elite line from Hikaru

[@KevinsGambit]

These videos are so entertaining and educational!!! More like this please

[@isabellali5331]

I'm a beginner and this is the best opening lesson I have ever watched. Helped me much more than detailed lessons on specific openings. Thx Hikaru! :-)))

[@Zraknul]

Remembering games 26 years ago is how you get top level in a lot of strategy type games. Your brain is the database of what worked and didn't.

[@synapse2k158]

as an 1800 I really benefit a lot from these videos , plz uncle keep them coming

[@icerabbit9433]

Scotch is a great opening, very sharp and fun. My favorite one ❤ Thanks GOAT Hikaru for all your videos, pedagogy and always good mood !

[@Kelsdoggy]

hi Hikaru this is so useful! I love that you did things that you wouldnt do and explained why. Its a true masterclass

[@drewpocernich2540]

I would love a college chess degree type of KZbin playlist from you. Chess 095 going over the very basics then chess 101. Then gradually up. Freshman classes start with a 1, sophomore classes start with a 2, junior classes start with a 3. Senior classes start with a 4 and I’ve heard of graduate level 500, or 600 level classes. That refers to what year of college that class is typically taken during, but the two numbers after signify how difficult it should be given the year of school.

[@NickTheMagnificent]

4:03 not Dave Thomas 😂 I actually laughed. Double stack the Rook in honor of Dave Thomas 😂

[@hurricaneplayer066]

What I gathered: 1. Develop your minor pieces 2. Control the center 3. Castle the king 4. Practice tactics 5. Learn from playing 1000s of games of chess when to deviate from rules 1-3 and play the best move that you prepared

[@petrusmoller6578]

I was waiting too for hikaru. So serious and funny at the same time😊

[@adz5978]

Thank you so much for this engaging and helpful video! You’re my favourite chess player so I really appreciate your insight on how to improve 🤙

[@LL-jl9qq]

Yo Hikaru, I think you get cooler by the day. High competence, low ego. Looks great on you, keep it up! Bravo

[@locke_ytb]

Guys, I find it helpful that every time Hikaru's opponent makes a move, you pause the video and make your own (example) move to counter them. Then you compare your move with Hikaru's and see why our move is good or bad. Just thought I'd share...

[@MatthewWarrington-rv5sz]

I like this idea but he knows and calls what his opponent will do and what he will play after that 🤣

[@mauricefeatherston3078]

@@MatthewWarrington-rv5sz mute 🧠⚡️

[@godwincornelius201]

muy interesante, gracias mi amiga

[@reyuki-i]

8:20 "technology ruining everything" seems a valid opinion 😂

[@erbreddaa]

I used to play chess against my grandpa when I was a child, then I started again a week ago (after have played and lost random games against my friends. I've applied your openings and I've to thank you because you gave me a lot of strategies with a simple video. You basically unlocked my brain, so thank you so much! Apologies for my English level, i keep on practicing every day.

[@jefftaylor1186]

Here’s how to choose: d4 opening as white: Jobava London e4 opening as white: Rúy Lopéz defense against 1.e4: caro-kann Defense against 1.d4: Slav Defense specifically against the london system: Czech That’s how you choose.

[@prathamesh811]

"C4 is a good move", proceeds to obliterate the opponent in the next 10 moves

[@binks2413]

12:49 im going to punish him very seriously 😂. Idk why, but this made me laugh.

[@jakemontesi5683]

"It's been dumbed down a lot by all these weird influencers" Deadpan delivery on that joke, I almost missed it. Too funny

[@tezla_3839]

thank you so much...looking forward to more videos like this...teach us what u know for beginners GMhikaru

[@user-mrking3375]

33:00 Bro taught us how to use the piston how to use the riffle how suffocate the opponent like a gang boss… so useful so brutal…

[@wclipson]

Great content. This calm, conversational approach is very instructive and entertaining. I will keep looking for this content. Thanks!

[@marendal]

Thank you man! You are awsome. My game improved a lot after I watched some of your videos. You are amazing teacher

[@cristianherrera7615]

Bruh i died when he randomly just said “if i have all of the towers that makes me the king of spain” like wtffff 🤣🤣🤣🤣 bruh hikaru has to be the funniest chess gm on the planet ☠️☠️☠️

[@yitwailu2]

Amusing explanation of castlemania around 5:45 😉

[@unslimshady2787]

21:00 "Getting ready to murder the king". The best line ever.

[@zynskavzynskav4465]

When you stack the rook, say it like GM Hikaru: "CASTLEMANIA !!!"

[@gura_dura]

GM Hikaru providing free and accessible vods for review and something to take as lesson from. Good games GM!, thank you!

[@irwang.sebastianp.1180]

What a blessing to have a living LEGEND like you sir👏👏

[@DrHelloWorld30]

1:06:50 The opponents DP has a selfie with Hikaru...love that.

[@charliecryer4820]

love u hikaru ❤. Great to hear you talk. I'm glad that you exist and that you broadcast all this stuff!

[@observer1846]

This is a very productive stream, there is a lot to learn. Thanks a lot.

[@Joe-og6br]

I just used that first opening and I've beaten 1000 "elo" online. Openings help a ridiculous amount.

[@kaszaspeter77]

Unreal that he remembers the name of a random train station in Hungary from all those years ago (Keleti pu).

[@sdw-hv5ko]

That 500 at the beginning honestly played really well!

[@llc2430]

I am playing chess from 1 year regularly as brain exercises, but the concept he gives its really Mind opening and amazing which I didn’t get in last one year… This is not Just video , its Hikaru long years of experience which he given in 1 hour video… Thanks 🙏

[@AM-pq1rq]

@4:03 that was a sweet casual side remark 😁 I googled it expecting to see some sort of chess giant in the search results but nothing like that at all :)

[@Jamie-ez2ih]

I think I learned more about chess in those first few examples than ever have anywheres else.

[@Musix4me-Clarinet]

"What was the greatest experience not in chess?" There are two pat answers to the question that should be said before the question is even finished: 1. "The birth of my son/daughter," and 2. "My wedding day." The first is true if you've had a child. The second is true if you are married and you wish to continue being happy. Of course, "My wedding night." is a close third if you are a traditional family, for the same reason as number two. 😏

[@theqrm]

Great info if you can keep up with the pace of the tutorial! That's what rewind is for 🙂

[@notadaytrader]

8:29 Beginner here I feel like bishop to B4 would’ve been better yes? Puts him in check, takes away his castling opportunity.

[@홍길동-b7h6h]

8:48 Good lesson, what a G5 H5 opening

[@WayneSutton-bm6te]

I've been watching him for a little bit now and finally used his throw your pawn and win opening and I only lost 1 out of like 7 games so far and even when I lost my queen. It's a great set up

[@skan7677]

Thank you. You are really entretaining, and a good master. I can belive that we live in an era that lets us learn chess whit the best players of the world. Thank you.

[@polarbea3803]

I love the sudden intro man 😂 you’ve earned my sub, good stuff mate

[@henrikmadsen6446]

It truly is amazing just how good Hikaru (/ all 2000+) is.

[@warrendsmith6832]

At 45:29 Hikaru says he never heard of a grandmaster who got dementia/alzheimer. I can tell you from personal experience David Bronstein had both. And when I met him he was very non compos mentis, but he STILL was able to kick butt in a simul at Princeton-area chess club. So go figure that out. (Apparently V.Smyslov too, but I cannot tell you that from personal experience.) There was a paper in JAMA claiming activities like chess seem to reduce dementia risk by about 10%. So: hardly a cure-all, but seems to have some benefit.

[@dpend]

Honestly this really makes me want to switch to the Scotch as my main opening. I started with the Italian but the line is so dry and boring, also difficult to play for a beginner. Then I switched to the London but honestly pretty bored of it. I didn’t wanna play E4 openings because of the Italian but I forgot about the Scotch. The Grand Prix attack looks fun as well!

[@samratgyawali2809]

As black what u do?

[@dpend]

@@samratgyawali2809 I’ve been doing the Silician and Caro Kann mainly

[@ericshoemaker9140]

I totally with what you said about the Modern. I'm "2006" USCF and I still don't know what I'm doing when I try to play it.

[@johndong4683]

Love these instructional videos.

[@lifted3466]

1:05:30 guy loses his queen FOUR different times then Hikaru graciously puts him out of his misery 😂😂😂😂

[@GoAroundMyVietnam]

Hi Professor H, My son was very impressed with you and the Bongclound game :) thanks for your sharing knowledge about chess.

[@latercube5884]

Hungarian dude hanged his queen 3 times

[@Waynezeal]

Hi Hikaru thanx so much for insights in the Game Maximum respect....

[@CalculatedPsycho]

The events that start at 1:05:23 is hilarious, he just doesn't want you to make your point!

[@MusicofFortune]

7:40 Did he just say... PALPATRON!!!!!!!!! AUTOBOTS ASSEMBLE!

[@tangalexander5561]

1:08:40 this is gold of this video

[@prime_vibes7019]

I dont know alot about Fischer especially about him being coco but one thing I notice is that people who are mentally talented and not really responsible about it is that they do tend to get coco.

[@Omas012]

Hikaru is so good at explaining each postion

[@the_real_vdegenne]

0:14 6:21 12:11 15:21 19:33 23:44 27:56

[@w.bi11y]

I love how he just walks through people

[@nathan2891]

17:45 - The "only human" line was The Merovingian in the battle against Neo after they first met. Why did I instantly recognize this?

Nice to hear that you pronounced all hungarian names perfectly: Budapest, Keleti pu, ... By the way pu means PalyaUdvar - trainstation :)

[@acex727]

Other chess streamers: *selling courses to become grand master* Hikaru: *literally making 400s to 2400*

[@royalchessmall]

Thank you for sharing such insightful content @GMHikaru