Chess openings - Ruy Lopez vs Italian Game

[@Mar_13288]

The optimism is really what sets your chess videos apart from the others. Makes it much better to watch

[@KebuChess]

Toom Great to hear :)

[@corv2731]

There is something magical about your videos. I would much rather watch your videos than most others' chess videos on KZbin. You are such a wonderful and enthusiastic instructor, and your enthusiasm is contagious. You make us want to learn more. And you explain things so thoroughly, and your videos look so professional and so well prepared. Thanks for helping improve my chess game, I've improved IMMENSELY because of your videos. Thanks Dereque!

[@KebuChess]

+Jared Emmanuel Aw...such a cool comment! Very glad to hear about your improvement. Thank you!

[@perkalov]

+Dereque Kelley To me its how well every move gets explained.I am personally well over the target group, but it helps me remember tiny details that needs spelling out when teaching others, so for ideas on how to conduct opening lessons on the local chess-club I tend to visit these videos.

[@KebuChess]

+GV ensino God bless you!

[@KebuChess]

+perkalov Great!

[@UmairGamingutube]

Dereque Kelley yes your enthusiasm is what makes you different from other youtuber, I love watching your vids because I know I won't be bored. Only other youtuber that has enthusiasm as you would be gj chess

[@Amie_up]

i love the way you approach and analyse every move! thank you so much!!

[@Tensooni]

I love your approach to teaching openings, Dereque. It feels like a positional approach where we can learn the intricacies of a system, so that no matter what other variations come over the board we understand the ideas. This is infinitely better than going over so many tactical lines with no insight into the game that follows. Thank you for this.

[@KebuChess]

Glad you are finding the website useful! If you are just starting practically anything you do that keeps you feeling like you're learning and enjoying is probably going to do great. Good luck!

[@KebuChess]

Thank you for the kind words and the great suggestion! Noted. Glad to hear you found the video helpful :-)

[@vedder758]

Mr. Kelley your videos are amazing, clear, concise and very helpful to a player at my level. I have been struggling with move order in openings and dealing with certain threats, thanks for clearing a lot of things up for me :)

[@KebuChess]

So great to hear :)

[@SBE1]

Thank you for making this video; extremely informative on the key differences. I especially liked the discussion on how it centers on defending e4 as well as noticing the Knight on c6 blocks black's pawn from doing the same thing as white. I've played for a long time and never noticed that small detail. These kind of videos are much more helpful for average players understanding the opening theory than learning a set of moves.

[@KebuChess]

Excellent question and I am not aware of an easy answer. All I can say is that sometimes the ...a6, ...b5 for Black turns out to be a -disadvantage-. White sometimes targets the pawns for instance by a4, axb5, and then attacking b5. So it's somewhat unclear whether or not Black benefits from this expansion. I am sure there is more to it than this but these kinds of questions or excellent to sit down and go through a database in an attempt to find the answer. It's good you asked this!

[@KebuChess]

The set was given to me over a decade ago by my grandmother. Sadly, I don't know anything more about where it was purchased. Thank you for the kind words! -Dereque

[@KebuChess]

@greg55666 (3/3): Also, note that when White's bishop is forced back to c2 (as in the Ruy Lopez Chigorin with 8…Na5) - this is not really a gain of tempo for Black since the knight usually consumes a tempo of its own in voluntarily returning back to c6. -Dereque

[@PeterSodhi]

I have seen a lot of content and, hands down, these are the best opening videos I have ever seen. So clear, such a great way of understanding the key concepts. Outstanding.

[@KebuChess]

This is certainly a possibility (though I wouldn't say it is common at the higher levels either - only played from time to time?). Generally, Black tries to avoid moving the same piece twice in the opening. After 4.Nxd4 exd4 5.O-O White is far ahead in the race to castle and the d4-pawn can actually require some maintenance to defend. In some recent games play even continues 5...Bc5 6.b4!? Bxb4 7.Bb2 Bc5 8.c3 with great compensation for the pawn since White is ahead in development and castled

[@mr.barnes2630]

What I really appreciate about your videos is that you explain very clear the ideas behind the openings.

[@cheetrowe]

That's a good point too about black creating weaknesses with the pawn pushes. I've wondered that too. Thank you for your response!

[@leeseekhim6075]

Excellent comparison between two openings. Hope to see more comparison among openings in future. Great job!!

[@KebuChess]

@greg55666(1/3): Great question! White has dropped a tempo with the bishop (or two tempi depending on how you look at it). And in theory, Black has an additional development advantage in that he can more quickly connect his rooks than White can. But a closer look reveals that White's ability to deploy his d-pawn to d4 more than compensates for his moderate loss of time with the bishop.

[@woodm1979]

This really is one of the best Ruy Lopez videos I've ever seen. It was always just another opening and not a better opening in my mind before. Now I understand the benefits. Your videos are excellent.

[@KebuChess]

Great question! Essentially, Black almost always plays 4...d5! 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6.This is a difficult position to understand since Black is down a pawn, but in fact Black has excellent compensation. The best way to gain insight into a position like this is to find and study games played by grandmasters. I once did excatly this since I too was confused about Black's compensation. Good luck! -Dereque

[@gavagaithesecond]

All your videos are very helpful. They show the essential basics and tell the plans and ideas. I use them in the classroom both for chess and American English. If you ever come to Munich, Germany, let me know it. Herbert

[@KebuChess]

(2/2) This happens in both the Closed Spanish (5...Be7 6.Re1 b5 6.Bb3 d6) and also in the Archangel (5...b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 - here too White often plays a2-a4xb5 and often sometimes even wins the pawn outright in the Archangel though Black has compensation). There are some other considerations too, but perhaps I will give this more thought. The point you're making about tempi is quite valid, nevertheless.

[@KebuChess]

I think that will be a very logical next step soon enough. I will push the current way of doing things for a while and then look for new options - this will be a very fun time! :) Thank you for the suggestion. -Dereque

[@7781kathy]

What makes your chess vids better is that they explain the openings, strategies and tactics further than other chess KZbinrs do. Don't forget to keep that habit! :)

[@KebuChess]

K! :)

[@UmairGamingutube]

Dereque Kelley m

[@KebuChess]

This is a good point. I also replied to Rocky Citro on this above. I think that a better way to conceptualize White's advantages in the Ruy Lopez may be to demonstrate how Black's queenside pawn moves makes his position somewhat more -vulnerable- (due to a2-a4xb5) and also, Black's limitations surrounding the development of his dark-squared bishop. These might be better explanations for Black's difficulties than the "extra" tempo, which may be consumed later as you are pointing out!

[@charlespg3d190]

Hmmm

[@ragupatt]

Very thorough and thoughtful. I find ur videos unique in a way the ideas and themes of openings are presented well compared to the popular ones out there which focus mainly on variations. Ur videos help me appreciate the openings better. Thank you.

[@KebuChess]

Thank you! Glad you are finding the videos helpful :)

[@greg55666]

This video is just great. This is real teaching. Not just going through an opening move by move but really looking at what is going on, why one is better than the other. This video really forces us to see deeply into why such a small change makes such a big difference. It's really great.

[@KebuChess]

Nope, it is not the Berlin. As you are suspecting, it is only the Berlin if Black plays 3...Nf6 immediately as opposed to first including 3...a6. One feature of the Berlin is that by leaving the bishop on b5 Black makes sure that his knight retreat to d6 comes with tempo as in the main line 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 (the bishop must be on b5 for this move to have any merit) 6.Bxc6 ... etc.

[@MegaToby911]

Wow! Thanks a lot for sharing your videos. They are superb in every aspect: quality, presentation, knowledge. It is all top notch. Gee, I am so much looking forward going through them all!

[@KebuChess]

(1/2) This is possible and occurs in some lines of the Ruy Lopez in particular! The downsides of this move are a bit tedious to explain, but in general White has found it better to place his rook on the e-file where it can strengthen the e4-pawn in economical fashion. In this way, if Black ever tries to take action in the center (for example, ...d5) the rook's presence on e1 always serves as a potential plus in the complications that arise.

[@janetb3216]

Your analysis is far superior to others as you delve deeply into strategies and tactics. Thank you

[@KebuChess]

@LuQy012: At 4:25 the move shown is ...d5 with a satisfactory game for Black!

[@sleepy4x]

You explained, why the Ruy is better at high levels and you are 100 % right. But at lower levels the Italian and 2 Knights are attractiv, becausethes are so closed and strategic like the Ruy but offer more open and tactical play. The Möller Variation and the 2 Knights with Ng5 are outdated at IM or GM level, but alive and well in club games. This are different worlds.

[@KebuChess]

Excellent observations!

[@miconian]

These videos are amazing. Best presentation of any chess videos I've seen. Please make more.

[@BeholdZeus]

I'd love to see a series on the common defences triggered by the Ruy Lopez: defences such as the Berlin Defence, the Modern Steinitz, and the Classical Defence. So much to learn. But this video is very instructive. Thank you so much for concentrating on the differences between the Italian and Ruy Lopez games. Very kind of you.

[@KebuChess]

Glad you're loving the vids! Thank you for the suggestions

[@12345amack]

Whenever I thought you were going to glaze over a detail that my brain was wondering about, you switched right to it and covered it. Great videos, sir. Your explanations of opening theory are crystal clear, easy to understand and refreshing. Not to mention much-needed in the world of chess literature and media.

[@wenaolong]

Excellent analysis of these to similar opening structures. It is good to know exactly why I should prefer the Spanish Torture to the Italian "Quiet Game".

[@KebuChess]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Some players find the London System attractive because it can be played against most of Black's replies (White simply aims for 1.d4, 2.Nf3, 3.Bf4) However, I'm not a fan of systems, I prefer to play more aggressively and adapt my replies to the opponent's setup. White has more chances of an advantage if he waits to identify the correct squares for his knight and bishop. That being said, if you enjoy these positions they can be great fun for a while.

[@MichaelJHuman]

This is what commentary on openings should be like, for beginners. Totally clear explanation of why and why not to make certain moves.

[@KebuChess]

(1/2) Hmm :-) The more I think about this the more I think you and others who have mentioned this have an important point. In the Ruy Lopez the queenside pawns can often turn out to be a target for White since he has a convenient target with a2-a4xb5 and then attacking the b5 pawn.

[@drivera322]

I think my Chess game just got a whole lot better by seeing your videos! Thanks!

[@KebuChess]

Perceptive indeed. Yet, my understanding of this is that is a mixed-blessing. The pawns can actually become targets for White to attack in many of the middlegames, but in other middlegames, the pawns are able to begin advancing up the board giving Black extra space and attack on the queenside.

[@KebuChess]

Thank you!! I'm really glad to hear that the videos have been helpful for you. And thank you for all the encouraging words :) -Dereque

[@sagesarabia5053]

The best chess teacher I’ve found so far. Thank you

[@krishnaprem2847]

Thank you so much, I very much appreciate this!! :)

[@Rhymes-and-Reasons]

Just wanted to say, Dereque: you're amazing at what you do. I watch a lot of different kinds of chess videos on youtube, for different purposes. But if I want to find out about a particular opening, I always look for your videos first, because you have a great ability to not just cite the mainmoves and traps and such, but rather explain the overall ideas behind the openings. It works really well from a teaching point of view, because it allows the viewer to have some understanding about what to play for when she/he chooses an opening, rather than just enable them to copy trap-lines or bookmoves.

[@KebuChess]

Simon Christoffersen Very good!! Thank you :)

[@Ruxistico]

the idea in this video is great and the execution is flawless - BIG UP!

[@KebuChess]

Aha, yes, I believe I meant to say "less of an advantage in the Italian Game...." Thank you for the catch and for the kind words!

[@KebuChess]

Hmm, I've never seen this! When I checked the database, interestingly games had an overwhelming tendency to transpose into main lines after 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 which is a normal position from the Ruy Lopez. The bishop simply took a different route to b3. So perhaps 4.Bc4 is just as good :) (Though it was not connected with Bd5)

[@JoetheVMan]

I play the Lopez. It seems to give both sides more variations to choose from, like the Berlin, Breyer, Classical, Chigorin, Exchange, Marshall, Schliemann, and many more.

[@KebuChess]

White is hurrying to make sure that he can play Bc2 in time when Black plays ...Na5. White has the time needed because Black must first play ...d7-d6 before he can play ...Na5. White could also use the move order of c2-c3 first, then Bb3. Hope this helps!

[@KebuChess]

Thank you for subscribing, and thank you again for the kind remarks! - Dereque

[@KebuChess]

Thank you! If you are referring to the wooden board, it is a gift from long ago and I am not exactly sure of the brand. I do believe it was purchased from the USCF Store though, so perhaps this will help. If you're referring to the visual board, this was custom-made by a genius! I do not understand the final question however?

[@projectryan88]

excellent commentary. thank you so much Dereque, I really love all of your videos!

[@KebuChess]

I like the variety too!

[@KebuChess]

@greg55666 (2/3): Then White will have a space advantage which will translate into more comfortable opportunities for development in the next phase of the game - so Black's advantage in piece deployment in only very temporary.

[@KebuChess]

Take a look at the video on the Alekhine's Defense. This is the opening I think you're referring to.

[@priyabratprince]

Thanx dereque u must be a chess coach.. from a long time I was looking for videos that could give me deeper insight into the openings .. and you nailed it. thanx again.

[@KebuChess]

yes I am coaching many chess players! Thank you so much for the kind words!! :)

[@kontrapunkti]

Excellente demonstration, You are doing awesome job! Cheers from Finland!

[@7mean7bunny7]

He is referring to the Closed Caption button that gives automatically generated subtitles for all videos "not just chess videos" and it is known for not functioning properly which if you disable the sound and read the subtitles only, it can be quite entertaining to watch if you have a sense of humor. :b

[@manovdm]

Thanx for the videos, they help a lot! Any plans for a video on the Schliemann defense? I've been thinking about adding it to my black repertoire since it seems like a direct stab at the center and a quick attempt to grab the initiative, but I'd like some guidelines and a few tips for general strategy...

[@KebuChess]

Thank you for the suggestion!

[@KebuChess]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@MrSteppx]

great videos......real clarity. Love to see you do the catalan sometime.

[@RobertSela]

Love your videos! Great enthusiasm and on point. Sometimes when I recommend them to someone I hear something like "But they are almost 10 years old, game theory must have evolved immensely since this so Id rather watch newer videos", then I play those people and their style dates back centuries.

[@yasiromar5472]

I think he was referring to the "captions" option on the youtube player. He perhaps doesn't realize that it's automatic, therefore errors are inevitable.

[@KebuChess]

(2/2) If White places the queen on e2, the queen may turn out to actually be vulnerable in the event of the center opening. Those are just some points to take into account.

[@MonkeyEspresso]

Dereque, apologies if this is a repeat question. In the Ruy Lopez, why not take on e4? The pawn is undefended.

[@chefnaj78]

1. I loved your video and it really helped me understand the variations of the two openings. 2. For white, what do you think of the London system?

[@KebuChess]

Thank you! Glad to hear you enjoyed the video

[@that_onearmguyyy4618]

im so glad i stumbled on to your youtube this is outstanding knowledge and breakdown

[@greenevillage]

I have never before seen an explanation on why Grandmasters choose to play the Ruy Lopez so often! You are an AMAZING & GIFTED teacher!! Please do more.

[@sebastienhirtz1566]

merci beaucoups pour cette vidéo, les explications sont très claires, vos vidéos sont les meilleurs que j'ai pu voir ,Bravo à vous.

[@pikachu832]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of your opening theory to the world, I already made a comment on the King's Indian Attack but I have subscribed to your channel since your teaching is very instructive.

[@KebuChess]

It's doubtful that Black can land an attack soon enough to compensate for the full piece. An example variation: 9...Bxh3 10.gxh3 Qd7 11.Kg2 Nh5 12.d4 is an example, White threatens 13.dxe5 and after 13...exd4 can force an exchange of some material with 14.Nxd4! simplifying the position and getting his queen into an active position for defense as well.

[@KebuChess]

I think you mean 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 b5. This probably will transpose into main lines after 5.Bb3 Nf6 6.O-O Be7 7.Re1 - in this case nothing has changed from the main lines.

[@runescapeZYX]

Dereque, if you have not covered the fried liver attack, you should certainly do so as it comes from the italian game after blacks standard move 3...Nf6. It certainly offers interesting play for both sides.

[@0themoonstarsun0]

Great video... Tbh I rarely looked at all into the italian opening and pretty much always played the ruy lopez. I guess it's nice to know some of the advantages just to see why.

[@Conelead]

Hey, I love your videos. Would you consider doing a video on the Fried Liver Attack and the Lolli Attack which arise out of the Italian Game? Thank you.

[@mathophile441]

I enjoyed this analysis.

[@theantiantihero]

Great video, Dereque! I'd always wondered why GM's prefer the Ruy to the Italian. Thanks for explaining this.

[@busyboysonedollarcircus6601]

this is by far the best chess instructional i've found bravo

[@KebuChess]

Excellent! Thank you!! :)

[@7678787]

I hope that you make more videos. Keep up the good work. You really make a difference!!

[@KebuChess]

We're on it, God willing!! Thank you so much!! :)

[@bugisami]

Excellent. How could I have missed this in all the years of play and study?

[@KebuChess]

:)

[@JustintheWhite]

I've never heard an opening explained this well! I myself have prefered the Italian game (being a club player, not a master) but after seeing this I think I will go back and try the Ruy Lopez again.

[@sanjayvarma7842]

You are the best instructor of chess. Thank you!

[@XkztyIpKtHrwmNxlKhPy]

I'm learning a lot from your videos, thanks. Also, your chess set is really beautiful.

[@mboyle16]

Hey dereque! Could you do a video on the Petrov and the London System. Thanks!!! Keep up the great videos!

[@BeammeupSpotty]

nice. I really enjoyed the narrative which is often missing in other lessons. Thanks!!!

[@KebuChess]

Thank you!! I appreciate your kind feedback very much!!

[@Adam-hj1hc]

Hey, I have just come across your videos after long wanting to find some detailed videos on openings. It is great listening to your in-depth analysis of different variations and positions. I am still a beginner, but just wanted to express my appreciation as these videos are very helpful. *//on to the next video//* Cheers.

[@KebuChess]

Adam Lambrou :) Lovely to hear... Cheers!

[@MyOm100]

Thank you very much for your reply! I think that you'r right about that. At my level, there's a lot of players who play Italian, so I think that I should be able to take advantage of that after watching this video some more times, so that I am sure that I remember what your saying.

[@KebuChess]

This has been tried! 8.d4! is one way to take advantage of the knight's early errand in capturing the bishop. After 8...Nxb3 9.axb3 with pressure in the center and a substantial lead in piece development (White has already managed to castle and bring his rook to an important file). A search in the database revealed that White does well here.

[@briancho8656]

I've been playing chess for more than 20 years and no one ever has clearly explained the reasoning and thus differences between Italian and Spanish other than cosmetic. Thank you. please make more of these clarification videos.

[@KebuChess]

Thanks so much and thank you for the suggestion I super appreciate it! :)

[@loluoresegun5844]

Brian Cho well you haven't been studying the right books nor had an insightful strong player spell it out for you.

[@KebuChess]

Thank you for the question! I think you may want to try watching this video one more time ;-) The entire video is based around this question. I think the most explicit moment when it is covered starts around 12:30, but it is probably best to watch the video in it's entirety leading up to that point before viewing this segment. Let me know if you find the answer! -Dereque

[@KebuChess]

Glad you found the explanations clear!

[@dmaster20ify]

Brilliant. Theory about the Ruy Lopez I've seen before, but never seen an explanation for certain subtitles of the Ruy Lopez.

[@KebuChess]

Great, thank you for the kind words, much appreciated! :)

[@KebuChess]

Thank you for the encouraging words!

Awesome comparison, I was wondering why GM liked the Ruy Lopez more while I largely prefered the italian. Thank you !

[@KebuChess]

+Antoine Morin-Prévost Glad you enjoyed the video! :)

[@distressedrook]

Dereque, I've been following your videos for sometime now and have learned a lot; thanks to your eloquence. However, instead of making videos of the "openings that have a name", could you make us videos on the basic opening principles: what should we keep in our mind while playing any sort of opening? For a beginner that I am, I've heard people say over and over about the center control. But there isn't much out there that tells us what to do with it. Could you make a video on that too? Thanks!

[@richardf5265]

a great lesson. the clarity is amazing!

[@KebuChess]

excellent, glad you found it helpful! :)