Italian Game for Black [20-Minute Chess Opening Crash Course]

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@josephoyek6574]

How to beat the French?

[@JFBassett2050]

Hey Igor! Don't worry about the length of this video--it is a POEM!! I want to watch it a few more times! Please keep it available!!

[@jongalt6837]

I'd watch a 8 hour video no problem, longer the better. You're the best.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Italian Game For Black [Opening Crash Course] 00:40 Italian Game: Giuoco Piano 3...Bc5 02:30 1) 5.d4, Classical Variation, Center Attack 04:17 Do NOT fall for this trap! 08:43 If White covers the check with Bd2 10:02 2) 5.d3, Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo 13:11 If White retreats with Bb3-Bc2 14:41 Powerful kingside attack 17:20 Attacking plan if White plays Re1 20:00 Final variation: If White stops Ng4 with h3 22:20 Popular queen trap (poisoned pawn)

[@MichaelClerk-xd6ft]

You are the best!!! More of these long and very clear videos explaining popular openings!!

[@johnp845]

GM Igor just condensed 350 years of chess theory into just 23 minutes and 14 seconds! Pure genius!

[@albertdeckel9429]

Thank you for this lesson, which I found to be particularly valuable. To have a thorough and well thought thru crash course on an opening, both as white (your other crash course on the Italian) or as black, I feel gives me with a much more solid and well rounded foundation in understanding it, especially since the Italian opening is unknown to me. Really appreciate your taking the time to put this together!

[@Practicality01]

These are the videos so many of us need. Just what to do in these normal situations. Thanks for the clear analysis!

[@967mviews2]

Wow, just wow! What an extraordinary game! Thanks Igor, and keep up the great work! 😊

[@RR-xb1nh]

Please bring more such crash courses on scandanavian defense and London system too

[@PfpbyAleatorikDeviantArt]

Yeah London is so annoying to play that I play Englund gambit just to avoid it

[@nemuonakpoya8592]

​@@PfpbyAleatorikDeviantArt u could also play the symmetrical london

[@Explosividrott]

@@PfpbyAleatorikDeviantArt try the dutch. It will confuse most London players 👍🙂

[@Zywl]

@@PfpbyAleatorikDeviantArt yeah, I hate d4 players

[@nemuonakpoya8592]

​@@Zywl me too

[@twentyrothmans7308]

Thank you so much. It's always a treat when you post a new video. It was funny when you were trying to find a move for White and couldn't - that means Black was really hurting him.

[@garyfelton6700]

I appreciate your research and your demeanor in your presentations. You are a fine teacher and not just a game commentator. C

[@nd5797]

Really good video, thank you. Simple to follow and easy to execute. Now to commit it to memory...

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

One thing missing in this analysis comes after: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 Nxe4 8. O-O This position is at 4:23 in the video. Instead of playing Nxc3, Black can also play Bxc3. 9. bxc3 no longer creates the same danger for Black that 8. ... Nxc3 created. After 8. ... Bxc3 9. bxc3, Black wins 53% of the time, compared to 42% for White. (Had Black played Nxc3, 0. bxc3 results in a 63% win rate for White, compared with only 35% for Black.) The best moves from that point for both players are: 8. ... Bxc3 9. d5 (This works better for White than bxc3, and he will get the piece back. Black cannot defend both the Knight and the bishop.) ... Bf6 10. Re1 (Now, Black cannot defend the knight on e5. The best he can do is to save the other knight.) ... Ne7 (Saving the queen's knight and relieving the pin on e5. White must now take the knight before it slips away.) 11. Rxe5 d6 (Preparing to deploy the light-square bishop) White controls more space at this point, but Stockfish shows Black with the edge with the extra pawn. IMHO, it is much easier to play this sequence if you haven't got all the right moves memorized.

[@gyurimirk9534]

Thank you for the explanations behind the moves. GREAT Video!!

[@peterhieke5923]

very instructiv, clear and interessting! Thank you from Germany

[@ddenti99]

Thanks a lot, Igor. I've learnt a lot from you

[@roz_rama]

This is very nice one. So many games go these directions. Only bit missing here is evans gambit, which is almost death sentence for unprepared black player. Covering that would be very nice as well 🙂

[@chriswaudby1084]

Brilliant Igor love these videos so helpful thank you👌👌👌

[@devi1980able]

Ba7 for black is a wonderful step. Thank you Egor for this wonderful video on Italian.

[@LamiChess]

Igor, never never yours videos aren't longer 😅 23 minuts us perfect1. Do you know why? Because you've got talent, since you're born. That's all folks🎉😊😂❤

[@HowTo_withSirAulo]

As always, thanks GM Igor

[@thechessguru9029]

Thanks a lot! Your videos helped me win many OTB games. Keep going!

[@whiteraindrops]

Here we see a Grandmaster explaining beautifully and giving free lessons... and on other hand... the Intermediate Masters (that also online websites) shitting with expensive chess classes.... Thanks a lot Sir

[@RyannIsobelLimbing]

Thank you so much, in my opinion you are the best! It's very easy for me to understand and memorize;

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

So glad to hear that from you, we'll keep at it!🙏

[@minussinus2222]

I have had a lot of success with the g5 and g4 pawn push after h3. But I have never seen the other idea with Ng4 and f5, that looks very interesting and dangerous!

[@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele]

Igor, you are the best chess teacher on KZbin!

[@dragoturcic9710]

Love the Italian game crush course.

[@rollrenenbangun1977]

Thank's so much 👍👍👍

[@kokohbagaitebing7565]

Thanks a lot Mr Smirnov

[@kokohbagaitebing7565]

This is my favourite attack side

[@austinmonteiro4813]

@15:24 White can sac the knight there for the initiative. Nxg5 hxg5, Bxg5 Rg8, Bh4 Bxh3, and the game continues. Black has some counter play there but the pin on the knight is very annoying and difficult to get rid of.

[@newyorkslim2001]

such a consistently good teacher

[@johnhessom-lx1nt]

Good video, that's the first time I ever heard the term hiding bishop other than myself

[@Psykey125]

Thank you so much for this video😄

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

😊

[@p7sc7l26]

Great video Please more of these Crashcours

[@user_ib_228]

That video is just amazing. I’ll have to watch it couple more times

[@Gleb-p3z]

Great explanations, keep it up!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks!

[@Chessboon]

You are doing great job which is teaching, your videos really inspire me to be best in chess, Thank you 🙏

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad to hear that

[@murcusblue4212]

Great content 🔥👍

[@scientistanirudh9109]

You are the best chess opening theoretician MAN! 😊😊

[@Acekshirsagar]

this was my first video i watched on this channel .you are really nice teacher i just subscribed and will be your regular viewer

[@loganalbarran2962]

I always get amused when he calls the bishop italian at 5:33.

[@JanRoldanOriendo]

Another great Video !! How about Ruy Lopez for Black?? 😁 Thanks GM SMirnov!

[@priitkuusik8255]

Thank you GM Igor for the great chess teachings :)...👏👏👏

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you like them!

[@priitkuusik8255]

@@GMIgorSmirnov Spasibo Ogromnoe just the way you do what you do and it has been always a pleasure to learn from you the wonders of chess. Many blessings!

[@ryanmehrtash9331]

thank you very much

[@samimtawana8978]

Add some more course, thank you

[@BRUCE2W]

just another great video you made here thank you!!

[@laffiny]

great video

[@Kadaitchi]

Igor you are the best!

[@dkarlovi]

This was some amazing content, thank you!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dr.deepakgore1079]

Love you sir ,with your crash course my opening concept has now clear vision , thanks GM Igor Smirnov sir 🎉❤ It's always interesting and fantastic to go through your videos. You r doing best humanitarian chess study coaching free for poor asian chess players,my deepest gratitude and hat's off🎉🎉🎉🙏🙏 Pl post QGD course from both sides similarly as nearly 80% Asians loose chess games in opening itself 🎉❤

[@sorinsandu451]

Great! I am always struggling with black. Hopefully I will do better from now on.

[@MothGirlHina]

17:25 In a regular Giuoco Piano position, instead of Knight to D2, what if White threatens a Bishop exchange with Bishop to E3? Should Black exchange the Bishops, or let White exchange the Bishops and then take it with the Rook or Knight? Or perhaps should it be defended with a Pawn and then block the Bishop in?

[@kyletigao]

tysm this helps me alot

[@DoctaHobo]

dude people may say they dont like the long videos. but if you ever make a long one, i would love it. More info the better

[@JayJay-bg5xv]

Hello Igor, How are you? Can you make a video on what to do when white takes a pawn and a rook for a knight and a bishop please?

[@wildftm3826]

Great video thank you

[@BattleBossZeri]

7:29 what if the knight takes f7? It's free pawn for them else you get checkmated

[@antonioa.jepkoko4588]

Cant the king just take

[@NathanaelV]

(17:37) I absolutely love the move Bish-knight to d-2

[@inkscaper_za]

4:21 "and lots of black players are unaware..." Sounded wrong😂😭

[@michaelpeck1346]

It seems most people play Knight g5 before pawn c3. Would like to see a video on that.

[@masterofskills76]

18:46 I am really doubtful about Nh6. I can't convince myself that it is a good move. In he long term , the double isolated h pawns will be completely useless and we just get a small attack as compensation for that.

[@mattiapanariti3116]

11:01 Bg5 pinning the knight is actually computer best move, and defending with h6 is not the best move, why is it like that on stockfish

[@Redbirds1100]

you are so awesome. Thank you very much.

[@bernard9823]

Thanks. I've been struggling against the Italian for eternity since every e4 plebs play the opening. Nice guy. When is he getting a wife & surpassing Levy Rozman?

[@imadmissaoui4578]

I appreciate you a lot, but I also want to ask you do do you explanations a little bit slower

[@shapooopiefour7173]

I love the Italian game. As black. As soon as the bishop moves, Rousseau gambit every time.

[@Nill757]

Right, but here he “recommends” 3… bishop instead instead of Rousseau.

[@shapooopiefour7173]

@@Nill757 but Rousseau

[@irinapotoropina4322]

1:10 Bc5. What if white takes e5, Nxe5, d4?

[@AndreasNoth]

12:25 bishop instead of knight takes pawn on f7. King has to move losing a tempo. Not sure whether black's attack still works? Any advice?

[@arcticraven2462]

Best teacher on chess

[@DoctaHobo]

This is my favorite video of yours

[@ExtraditionLawFirm]

Thanks!

[@devi1980able]

Just curious to ask you please prepare more plans for black in various attacking plans. Generally when we learn chess we used to concentrate on white attacks black defends..but more we want to know the vice versa. I hope you understand my point. Thank you

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Hey! thanks for the comment. I agree. We have made some videos about aggressive openings for Black as well. Here is an example. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2S2i595jb6dock

[@COMB0RICO]

Thanks from Texas!

[@goodman2860]

On minute 9:49 there is a blunder in analyses. After queen b5 black loses the knight and probably the game.

[@Lovetheviolins]

Thank you for your time oh wise and mighty one for your time.

[@Chessme-n9t]

What about Nd2? (Instead Nf3 in the first example)

[@robirator]

What if in 9:22, white moves the pawn to e5? Isn't it better move than capture black's center pawn?

[@BobChess]

Italian game is the most common opening. Yet it still one of the most trickiest opening. Sometimes you can literally sacrifice the pawns for an attacking

[@rasaffa-yv2te]

Well in 9:48 Na5 is a blunder because Qb5+ wins a knight, forking both of them. What do you say igor ? And going back with the knight does not work so save the material.

[@JimBobDewayne]

At 15:17, they either play g4 or knight to h2.

[@jeffmauldin4299]

He mentions moving the Bishop from c4 to b3 so it has a retreat square in case the knight attacks it. Wouldn't be better first to move the a pawn up so that the bishop can retreat to a2 and still attack the critical f7 square without retreating into being useless?

[@vladislavshevchenko634]

I love fried liver attack as black, that leads to super sharp tactical Positions.

[@CleanCutt]

thank you ...

[@renasway6635]

thanks i never learnt italian

[@k1dcuba]

On minute 9:48, what if Qb5+ instead of Qa4+??

[@asankaweerasekara5911]

❤❤

[@Rick_Stilgard]

What would you recommend against white playing bishop to e3 to attack blacks attacking bishop? I get this a lot and a trade opens up the F file for them, giving them a good attacking postion on the kings defence.

[@MonkeSGodly]

9:48 White's queen b5.

[@DanacChess]

How to counter other gambit tries from white (Mainly the evans gambit but also more dubious ones like the Jerome)

[@ingogoldbeck2886]

Who also does not like that crowded board in the italian game?

[@judemorales4U]

I protect king losing castle rights by putting my queen on e7. Because sometimes that white bishop flys in on their next move and takes pawn, checks king. Anyone else use your queen on e7?

[@Maab32]

I just did that. We'll see what they do next. Seemed like the right idea. I've had people that care more about you not castling than losing some material

[@panneerselvam7490]

Sir Have a nice day what's the name of the defense

[@theNfl_Esq]

What do you do when they play D5 after you play E4?

[@smithyq6335]

GM Smirnov undoubtedly understands the amateur mind far better than most authors, and this video is a shining example. Unfortunately, calling it "all you need to know" in the Nc3 variation when it only covers White castling (9.0-0!?) and not covering the critical Moller attack (9.d5!) is suspect. True, most beginners don't know about this, but there are many videos covering various traps. Some day they will face it and will feel tricked when the recommended antidote of ...d5 is not possible. A stark omission. The Evans and the Max Lange are not considered part of the Italian proper but are close cousins and would need some prep before anyone can really be confident playing against 3.Bc4. Perhaps ideas to consider in future videos, Igor?

[@DoctaHobo]

9:57 what if Queen back to b3?

[@DoctaHobo]

just knight back and repition = draw?

[@muhammedga7303]

Bishop to to e5 maybe?

[@astro6897]

3:13 u didnt cover the e5 variation after exd4

[@ohyeahohyeah1071]

Now I'm confused whether I should actually play this as black or go along with Rousseau😅

[@flankengott134]

That is hard. You have an Italian video for white, with an Italian video for black being the direct successor. I mean it is straightforward, but what is there to take out of it...😂

[@lokeshraj2731]

How about Qb5 +,& trapping knight at 9.46 time.

[@shimongal3242]

I have been staring at this position for so long, can find a good solution Please help Found it, just push the c pawn. The queen defends the knight on a