Learn the English Opening in 15 Minutes [Complete Opening Guide]

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@Chesspiontheonlyone]

Please Igor make a video how to beat the English opening! My friend every time plays it and I lose! And I am 2000 rating chess player!

[@raajeshchess]

When to look for tactics and when to play for positional advantage please reply

[@ronribman2274]

Your introductory 15 minute "crash" course on the English is better than excellent. It turns what can be muddling complexity and confusion into bright simplicity and clear understanding. Bravo! As a long-time purchaser of your video courses, I eagerly await your follow-up "crash" course on these other English Opening variations 1...Nf6 and The Dutch 1...f5, and, particularly, 1...c6, and 1...e6. Thank you.

[@zhonglirexlapis4138]

It was really instructional, and i've never known that the English opening has so many traps. I hope you can make a crashcourse on the Nimzo indian defense soon.

[@robertpease9834]

When I was in high school playing, it was known that I loved the Piano or Lopez, and most of my opponents I faced knew it. I switched to the English, and crushed most of my opponents.

[@spidermiddleagedman]

Wow, you are such a great and successfull Person. Seems like you are a legend!! Maybe even legend 27. Here a Gold medal from me.🎖

[@wellsfloyd7143]

Well you must be very proud of yourself

[@feliscorax]

Alright, Bruce Springsteen, settle down. #glorydays

[@spidermiddleagedman]

@@feliscorax than you for the song 🎵

[@ZephaniahL]

A constant arms race

[@acnt8714]

I was 1700 FIDE irl but I switched from e4 to c4 early 2023, best choice of my life. Got to 1800F in a few month while crushing 1900-2000 players

[@ZDTF]

Woah

[@husseinyousuf8111]

How about now??

[@acnt8714]

@@husseinyousuf8111 i'm 1870 something so it still goes well, I kinda like the reti too atm

[@AdventureSam]

What variation of C4?

[@acnt8714]

@@AdventureSam usually e3 set-ups but I can also play g3 set ups and double fianchetto. I don't like the botvinnik though

[@semiquavertriplitz]

I play the english, never lost a game as white in my last tournament, and the ideas are similar to the sicilian which i play vs e4. Great presentation as usual and i hope it inspires more people to play the english.

[@dragoezcurra]

The most satisfying line on this opening for anyone interested is: c4 - e5, g3 - d5, xg5 - Qxg5, Nf3 - e4, Nc3 - Qc6, Wait 40 seconds, type but don't send "Oops.." and play e3 and right away send the Oops to the oponent. After the take xf3, you play the venomous Bb5 pinning the queen to the king.

[@Boone69]

sending oops is the ultimate mindgame I once sacrificed my queen (it wasn't a forced take and didn't threathen anything, but after i wrote oops in the chat, he took and i mated him with horsey

[@YanislavSabev]

Igor, I'd like to thank you for the video where you cover my favourite white opening style. Some time ago you had a video with 7 traps in an English opening which motivated me to study it. Wish you all the best.❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@blessingecoma9233]

This is excellent! Simple, easy to understand, follow, and implement .

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@norbertg.6694]

Greetings from Poland, Igor. The best chess channel

[@AudieAli]

I watch your videos constantly and youve helped my skill level and understanding so much

[@gratuitoustv4815]

Please also make a video on the Catalan and Reti because they kinda work hand in hand with the English

[@GeorgeLasche]

Thanks, Igor, for this great video about the English. As with all your videos, I am able to really learn in ways no other presents. On another video, could you tell us a little more about how to counter the English? Appreciated.

[@Merlotmors]

Great start to my English career. I really appreciate this kind of free, very instructional content on KZbin. Thank you very much!!! 🙂‍↔️

[@lendamusic]

nice! wanted an overview of this opening i play the scottish gambit that in learned from ur videos! thanks GM Igor!

[@ritodatta7991]

Thanks for such a nice explanation! I'm usually an 1.e4 player. But with this video I'm shifting from e to c from my next game. Beautiful presentation!!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Have fun!

[@rajeshmishra5177]

Hello, Igor I am the studing in class class 8. I love your video. I downloaded 200 videos of chess in which 187 yours . I like to much your ❤❤

[@alexqdn8210]

Igor,please continue the analysis of the English beginning for the whites, thank you.

[@properp6922]

i love these videos you saved my passion for chess by solving popular chess tricks

[@newyorkslim2001]

I'm on a loss streak, so tonight -- before seeing your video -- I tried the English which I used to play with some success. Your excellent "crash course" explains tactics I never learned, so with my natural aptitude and your tactics I'm going to deploy the English and crash beyond my ratings ceiling.

[@Daniel-G-P]

Igor, you are amazing, this is brilliant. So, I played the English - mainly the English Botvinnik - for years. But a few months ago, went off it, after lots of bad results. This video may make me fall back in love with it again! (But I think I'll avoid the English Botvinnik as it's pretty drawish). But more please! More English videos! And I agree that e5 and then going into the Reversed Sicilian is the most common continuation, but I think Black playing for a King's Indian is the next most popular defence by black. So can we have a video on how to play the English against the KID pretty please, (as well as against the Grunfeld please)? ❤😊

[@berzerkdude5755]

I like how you explain in a more relatable way.

[@markyboy4777]

Igor, thanks for this. The Catalan would be nice to look at too please.

[@chenchiaho]

could you do ones for King's indian and grunfeld? I know you have one from 6 years ago, but ur new videos got so much quality!!!

[@minhdao-nn7ho]

Very informative, thank you Smirnov!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Palimoe90]

Thanks for the video Igor. I really admire your work. After I watched this video I said to myself let me play it like the English and queens gambit. Didn’t know that was the Catalan opening. And so far it’s working well for me. I would love to see a video on the Catalan, thank you again Igor.

[@dr.deepakgore1079]

GM Igorov sir you are best teacher 🎉🎉❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🎉❤

[@danagreen6518]

thanks for this, I have been waiting

[@robertmcqueen5122]

I would Iove to see a crash course on the Modern Defense.

[@Abeni-7]

Wow .....GM Igor tnx for the explanation can u made a video about Middle game technique

[@ZDTF]

A complex opening explained so simply Just what you'd expect from Gm Igor Smirnov

[@arkibhbarman9063]

I`m 10 years old and I learned the english opening in chess class . I didn`t fell proper until I watched this video .

[@chessforfunonly1586]

Excellent video! Can you do one on the Botvinnik System, after Black plays symmetrical English c4 c5?

[@AGUNGKAYA]

This channel is so informative . Great

[@luiealexy3139]

Hello , Thanks for your wanderful content, can you make a video about a oppening gambit against English oppening ??

[@Catspostytshorts]

AMAZING VIDEO!!! Hopefully sometime in the future you could make an opening crash course on the French Sicilian?

[@jeffersonparsons5519]

Igor, this was great. Please make a video about the Caro from the black perspective.

[@ohyeahohyeah1071]

He did though

[@platindasgupta01]

Please create such crash courses on all popular openings which are not covered already...

[@jackphiri-bk9wj]

Igor..can you make a video on how to play the Nadjorf in blitz games..I usually lag behind in development against white .. strong players.

[@DrZaiu5]

Great video. Would you be able to make an English opening video from Black's perspective? I rarely face the English, so when I do I'm never sure how best to tackle it

[@TraeFittz]

My English games have been terrible lately 🤦🏽‍♂️ Also have been playing Bullet ONLY.

[@Rabessey]

It has a bit of a KID flavor, London System and Sicilian defense colors reversed feel as well. I like it. Love the dual attacks on the minor pieces as well....looks very fun!

[@ThomasKass-q6j]

Is there already a course treatening the Franco-Benoni opening? I would be happy to learn it!

[@michaelhart6375]

Hello Igor & guys and happy new year to all of you! I have a question in Reversed Sicilian 3... d5 variation. If black plays 7... e4. I can't find a square for my knight except back to g1. Is there one other move?

[@Reza090]

Thanks Igor❤❤❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@leonardbatty969]

I like your videos can you please show how to play the Vienna opening?

[@k.k.2749]

Please make a crash course on the Slav defense and Semi-Slav defense for black.

[@shahriarhasanabir5909]

I was struggling with king's pawn, then I switched in English. I gained from 400 to 500 by this in 3/4 days.

[@mehome4163]

Thank you for the instructive video👍🙏

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@JuliusNkabirwa]

It's my first time to study this opening ❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@Blaized_]

when playing the english ive seen my oppents have played e6 most of the time

[@amangsafwans8300]

Hii GM igor, how are u. I having problem facing English as black especially if someone using g3 in their second move. I'm looking forward your future videos on how to face an English opening as black thank you 😊

[@Snifferbjornsson]

The best counter to the english is kings indian defense

[@Ebobster]

Excellent video.

[@SimplifiedPie]

Hey Igor, could you do a video similar to this about the birds opening? Although the birds opening does weaken the king it provides many attack opprotunities and I think it would be a nice opening to throw off your opponent.

[@Palimoe90]

If you’re familiar with the Leningrad Dutch. The bird is a mirror of that opening

[@MageWind]

I've been seeing black play c6, either after I play g3 or Bg2. Any recs for how to handle that pawn?

[@DavidHarrison-u7e]

Yup i'm facing a lot 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c6 as well. Honestly i think it is one of the best answer from Blacks. Pretty though to get any edge...

[@januargumelar3495]

Just great!!!!!

[@Snifferbjornsson]

Igor I need help which is better level up your chess or 3 steps to 2000 pls I need help

[@deepskywest3633]

Super clear.

[@deepskywest3633]

as usual!

[@abdelhamidmeriouma8248]

hi cosh please if you can do video série vidéo about hipo opning

[@herchellowens5104]

Thanks

[@ravindraqqq]

Thanks ❤

[@tunaficiency]

Wow I play the hyper accelerated Sicilian and I hadn’t realised I was actually playing the English with colours reversed 😅

[@chesscoachchris]

Could you please cover what to do when black plays the Slav, QGD, or KID against the English?

[@scottbollinger3641]

Another great video

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@coppervalley_1660]

Comment for the algorithm

[@GigantaCric]

Nf3 and then e4 feels a bit uncomfortable. Isnt d3 after e5 sensible,as you prevent black from playing e4 and attack knight on f3? This is what you exactly do in the king's indian when white plays 1.d4,you go with the pirc.

[@synitti]

very good video

[@rickyvinay]

@GMigorSmirnov - Video on how to crush English opening please

[@tonynorriss379]

2. d5 by black isn't so bad because you can play it like a modern centre counter with 3.... Nf6.

[@Bennamou13014]

Its my very best opening

[@UrSoMadI]

Love that the pro to this is that is harder to get attacked and the con is you just night not like it 😂

[@K4sperx]

I would love to see some more openings from blacks perspective!

[@janrudnicki6111]

Very good

[@crazybunny8886]

Igor i need help what is better for me Level up your chess or 3 steps to 2000 i need to find out for Christmas

[@XAVargasX0206]

Steve Burns of chess

[@ahmedyousef5915]

I heard you can go to h3 and f4

[@hannockmsokera521]

I struggled to get out the 700 rating, I watched this and I am 900 within a week

[@ThomasIvanov-m7t]

how is doing vs caro kann?

[@arjunbishnoi6384]

Indian defense for black please

[@Goetz-von-Luthringshauser]

But what if the English opening were played against the Dutch defense?

[@Musterkartoffel]

I wanna know how to deal with it as black. Whenever I see this first move I just don't play, start a new game

[@ohyeahohyeah1071]

I want this too

[@mayankprasad5574]

Just go symmetrical

[@phaoreilunghar7464]

You are so talkative

[@James-xr9xd]

What if they use horse to c6

[@TrueBlueAndrew]

Igor Smirnov is the most Russian name I’ve ever heard.

[@masterofthedrip2288]

😂😂

[@Palimoe90]

I like the Dutch against the English

[@clashlegendOfficial]

11:02 what if queen goes for g5 ?

[@nishusaif6085]

If queen goes for g5 the bishop on c1 will capture it.

[@Sinicul87]

11:05 isn’t there a smothered mate there?

[@nishusaif6085]

There is no smothered mate because after you sacrifice your queen the king can simply take it.

[@Sinicul87]

@@nishusaif6085 ahh I see now. Thank u

[@nishusaif6085]

There is a way of getting a smothered mate. You can check with the knight, and after the king moves you give a double check with the queen and the knight and only then you can sacrifice the queen and smother him.

[@Joel-vw9mo]

What about anglo indians?

[@sandhyabellanage4171]

Me too😂😊

[@1339_DEBDYUTICHAKRABORTY]

catalan

[@homayonahmedpanah1684]

❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Chess Openings Crash Course: English Opening 00:36 Pros & Cons of the English Opening 01:23 Black's responses: 1...e5 & 1...c5 02:32 1) 1...e5 by Black (Reversed Sicilian) 03:28 General opening plan/idea for White 04:18 Right move order to set traps 05:12 Trapping Black's knight/bishop 07:39 If Black plays 4...Bc5 instead of 4...Bb4 09:04 If Black plays 3...d5 10:39 Common tactical idea to remember 11:24 2) 1...c5 by Black (Symmetrical Variation)

[@Zywl]

You didn't explain how to counter as black really.

[@night_inhale]

Nobody outside of russia thinks "for the Kramniks of this world"

[@ehdggaming]

First!

[@macset2144]

USSA 23 DUT

[@CarloRuiters-m5y]

I love you are you married

[@pemrograman-cepat3393]

Nice. Subscribe!

[@htetmgmg4492]

7:09 what if black push e4?

[@clydefernandes9598]

Then I guess white shall play Nd4 and when Kxd5 then white goes Qb3 again attacking both bishop and Knight and can regain the pawn as bishop on g2 is attacking the e4 pawn.