Ranking The Best To The Worst Chess Opening Moves To Play Against e4

[@gusleffers9265]

I'm actually terrified upon encountering the Scandi, because I know I'm staring across the board at a madman.

[@kipgaming6139]

As a Scandi player, I can confirm we are completely insane.

[@leffemonette]

You have my name in your last name

[@hngeh7021]

You've love (fear) IM John Bartholomew then. Behind that mellow exterior lies a madman who champions the Scandi.

[@max-hi1bk]

@@timesink8947 not a goor move bc now they get a advanced Caro kann without lossing tempo

[@IvoKid]

Play 2.nf3 against it, i love when people play the gambit

[@FreeJoostKlein]

The grob is legendary

[@Amorousstake4]

I play it

[@fulse64]

See hikaru speedrun

[@fancitickler]

*The Grob/Borg is actually sound.* Been an 1.e4 player for years and I'll have to admit that the Grob/Borg are very difficult to play against. Knew lots of theory about the Ruy Lopez, Four Knights, Vienna, Scotch, Italian game, Philidor, Ponziani, Petrov, etc got overloaded with the sheer amount of theory needed for most of the main replies to 1.e4 Started playing the St George, the Creepy Crawly Opening and the Borg about a month ago and surprisingly it is really good against 1.e4 Got some excellent results against players graded 2000+. It's probably because it isn't seen as trendy as the London system (snore) but that may change.

[@PatrickRecordon]

@@fanciticklerif you are a strong player, you navigate the middlegame better. If your opponent doesn’t know how to deal with it, you get the most of it. But to be honest, g4 is an ugly move (it’s a personal opinion 😂).

[@eyeofcthulhu526]

grob means grave in Serbian, Montenegrin,Croatian,Serbian,and more Slovenian langs

[@firevortex5739]

Please make one for d4!! This is such a great video format!!!

[@Chesschamp2009]

20:56 Hey! its not kings gambit! Its the kings pawn game

[@mince-raft7368]

The bongcloud should be renamed as the king's gambit because you kind of sack your king, but first rename this f-pawn gambit after 1.e4 e5 2.f4

[@jackocarina8007]

@@mince-raft7368 We are not renaming a 500 year old chess opening to repurpose its namesake to Ke2

[@lore-x5235]

had me roolling

[@D_Chess]

Bro, as an Alekhine's Def player from way back, you forgot to mention the whole theme behind the admittedly edgy opening. Black WANTS to over extend White in the center and create counter play on the flanks.

[@chrisiver8506]

Alekhine is a good opening, white has to play all the theory correctly in the four pawns attack to refute it, which no one knows.

[@FreeJoostKlein]

Alekhine is bad opening you just play e5 and you gain a tempo

[@chrisiver8506]

@@FreeJoostKlein Gain a tempo at the cost of overextending your center, chess is complicated

[@alucard4974]

I'm close to 2000 and Alekhine is still the only opening I think I don't understand at all. Can't believe there are crazy people living their lifes horsin' around for half of the game.

[@Saiganesh2108]

​@@alucard4974 Maybe it doesn't suit you. It's one of my main openings against e4 and i am also rated above 2000. But it's pretty good.

[@Zenith9132]

Canty's energy is contagious!

[@JacobBush16]

James had too much fun with these puns I love it

[@jamozmynamoz6516]

I absolutely love the Scandinavian, as Black your position is extremely strong and you have a much larger reach over the board, you just have to be careful about the queen which is quite easy to manage. All you really have to do is move to a5 and you're set for a very comfortable game

[@virendabas5811]

Awesome video. Thanks. Please make a video against d4 also

[@epthopper6915]

the thing about d4 openings is that they all transpose into each other so it’s hard to rate them based on just the first move

[@johnzhou4877]

I'm a e6 b6 dude. I love this type of slightly passive but ultra solid structures, especially when it can lead to a close position.

[@1thGrader]

Glad to see the Karpov vs Miles game was included. One of my favorites!

[@wontpower]

Scandinavian defense can lead to the Scandinavian gambit after 2. exd5 Nf6 3. Nc3 c6. And after 4. dxc6 Nxc6, black has a lead in development. This is one of my favorites

[@stevejohn7459]

Ok, but Borg defense is better if you know the traps if you play as black. And it’s kinda gambity if you know how to play.

[@Chesschamp2009]

Make the same video on d4 too🎉🎉

[@chess]

👀 Keep an eye on the channel next week!

[@zBrain0]

You forgot about the chat GPT defense which is to take whites Queen on move one

[@jackwilliams7193]

1. e4 Qxd1#

[@shanathered5910]

this is really great video for e4 players, very informative for both colours

[@BobChess]

0:44 As a Duras gambit enjoyer, he underestimated the power of Duras Gambit too much.

[@Mewdf]

@BobChess what is you're ELO

[@BobChess]

@@Mewdf 2000

[@Mewdf]

@@BobChess thanks

[@ChristianHegele]

Duras gambit is definitely good for tricks. I generally just play d3 and g4 (Fischer defense style) and enjoy my extra pawn and extra tempo.

[@monstera69]

​@@BobChess you are lying so much

[@vijayregesass-bh9dc]

Great video, would love one for d4

[@derkommissar4986]

They just did one today :)

[@stevejohn7459]

The Borg defense is underrated since most people don’t know the traps when playing it and it’s more like a gambit kinda and it’s to bait a undefended knight or bishop to take it since black will already have king’s pawn on (e4; Black’s position) and the queen protects the pawn and then if they take the pawn (gambit pawn) you take back with the queen if it’s undefended and otherwise you protect the pawn with h2 if the bishop and knight are teaming up on the gambit pawn or if they don’t take it then you do a pawn move like queen’s pawn to d5? (Idk the chess notation for that pawn move but, this move acts like a barrier and like another gambit and it’s where when they take the free pawn you have 2 options, take the pawn back or give check to the king and the pawn acts like a shield since it prevents the fried liver attack and trying to fork the queen and the rook by taking the bishop’s pawn on the king’s side if it is connected with the rook’s pawn one square forward and the pawn also stops the rook and king fork on the queen side or bishop’s pawn on queen side from blocking the move bishop to f4 paired with knight to b5 or d5.

[@72pod]

I’m named after the worst 1. E4 reply. Great! Cheers Canty.

[@Patrick462]

This was great! Down here at 800 it’s great to get some comfort to not blunder on move 2.

[@vnshngpnt]

Lmao, I still to this day cannot believe the timeline we're living in, where internet memes and rankings styles is intergrated into century old game. So fun, and the author is amazing

[@quasar4072]

I do really like caro kann the the only reason I don't play Sicilian or e4 e5 is because there are too many variation of Sicilian and e4 e5 i loved playing nijdorf Sicilian but many low elo players didn't knew how to play it so i was very frustrated and i was thinking why did even i learned the main line? Obviously later i was thankful for the expiration with many other opening because when you learn opening you can use some of their opening theories to play better.

[@KillerRik99]

This video is so funny, Canty is amazing!

[@1ns3r72]

I will stick to the Barnes defense I like the concept of it

[@ogbmt]

The Duras gambit is actually highly playable in blitz because almost no one knows how to play against it with white. After exf5, black plays Nf6 to prevent Qh5+. Then white is completely winning if they play g4 to support the pawn, but most of the time white will play moves like Nf3 or d4, which means black can play d5, threatening to take back the pawn and actually have an advantage with some sort of weird reverse kings gambit type of position. To be clear, playing d4 is completely fine for white, it's just much easier to play against for black than the g4 move. Nf3 is also fine according to the engine but after d5 from black you have to either play Bd3 putting your bishop in front of your d pawn, or you have to allow black to recapture the pawn by playing d4. Given that people do not know this opening, they will obviously feel that when black recaptures the pawn, black has an advantage because the idea of the gambit has been completed. Black got what they wanted out of the opening, and white is in very unfamiliar territory because they got baited into moving the e4 so early and are looking at some unfamiliar structures. If white declines the gambit with e5 instead of exf5, then white doesn't have as much advantage according to the engine, but in my experience playing this with black it's quite slow, cramped and unpleasant to play.

[@Randomsyrianfella]

Gigachad move: transpose into a Staunton gambit

[@chicken9865]

I used to play 1. e4 Nc6, 2. Nf3 f5 as black in Bullet a lot, it's called the Colorado Countergambit, main difference being Nf3 blocks Qh5+. Really liked this one, basically same setup of pieces as you explained

[@jwalton1915]

This dude is ruthless 😂❤ I love it

[@togishere]

So glad to see Duras Gambit!! It's my current opening!! :D 200 blitz btw (totally)

[@lukasghassemi7488]

Canty my man 😊

[@drenz1523]

"never move your f pawn early" kings gambit players:

[@randomperson1071]

I need this video for responses to d4!!!!

[@MMAengineer]

this is actually very helpful since I dont know any openings

[@Chunda8]

I like the semi-hippo as Black once in awhile: the first move is g6 and you fianchetto that bishop. Go d6 then Nd7. If done correctly, there should be a break in the center followed by a series of exchanges after which Black should be a little better. This is kind of more for advanced players to take people out of book in OTB and it has to be learned fairly deep. Most people having success with it are above 2000, I'd probably put this as my 3rd or 4th opening for black.

[@callumdundas]

3:05 Goldsmith is a great guy (who played 1...h5 against Spassky in a simul and against Benko in a blitz game) and a great opening. It's main idea is basically just a weird delayed Scandi with 3...c6. It is embarrasing that it has classified as a bottom tier opening.

[@Chunda8]

Any Black opening with the g pawn should be followed by Bg7, Nf6 and castle, this is probably not too bad if you then immediately either go d or e pawn. Don't give up too much center too early unless you have a specific plan.

[@youaremysunshine.1]

20:51 bro thats not the King's Gambit 💀

[@MultiTrace22]

Canty!!!

[@NeoJackBauer]

Great video!

[@joshuasteinke8537]

I once beat a 2100 on lichess by playing the ware defence, a lot of players struggle in unique pawn structures

[@rumaulia2709]

Yep! Even on rapid tc it takes time to assess the position, leading to time trouble

[@nov3m472]

at an intermediate level theres nothing more fun and surprising than winning with opening like owens defense, st george, anderssen or the hippopotamus, play thw theory moves through against the most popular responses on the lichess database and you wont believe your eyes, ppl are just thrown off their chess knowledge

[@zorroilbassotto14]

very good explained

[@sebu1301]

It's strange that in a game with so many possibilities, few of them are actually good. According to the correspondence chess world champion, only the s tier of this list is playable. Or a tier is playable but a draw at best.

[@Bombo_Cart]

This was a really good video plz do d4 next

[@Hurkmaniacs]

1e4, Nc6. Nf3, f5!? Colorado gambit .

[@KB-yo8zk]

Make for 1.d4 awesome video

[@Fleischchappa]

Ware defense crab variation is the new meta😇

[@themoneymaker03]

Nice thanks!

[@sniperking6321]

16:35 perc defense is my go2 i love that shit get me geëky FR NAHH but srs i always play pirc

[@tejasrollno2822]

Just play e5 and ke7 (reverse bong cloud)

[@szlatnik]

I wish you would have given more specialized advice against 1...a6. There's a plan associated with a6 after 1.e4, and that is to play b5 and fianchetto the bishop. And that pawn on b5 can be pushed to b4 to attack the knight on c3. You might want to think about how you respond to a6- there's a reason Karpov lost. It contains a drop of poison. White should proceed with a little bit of caution.

[@andrewbloom7694]

The duras gambit is starting a civil war to install yourself chancellor right?

[@Chunda8]

Any of the openings I feel I need to connect to any attacking plans in the Middlegame. Whatever I play I need to have a response for most things White does that make sense. Everyone loves to rip on the London but some KZbinrs say it got them to 1500. Ding played it vs. Nepo, so if you know it well, it can still be very playable as long as you know what Black can attack. And if Black stops the Greek gift, you need to find another line of course.

[@sebu1301]

I know at least 2 youtubers, who got to 2000 with London. They say it's not very theoretical, and that's probably true, but you still have to know what you're doing pretty well. It's not as easy as just playing the same few moves vs everything. People have come up with so many tricky anti-london lines, because it's such a common opening.

[@chessknight4415]

That was a good chess lesson

[@Veptis]

Will this beocme a 20 part series? And then we get season two for how to continue after e4 e5 all 18 options?

[@jrgenmidtsianjohnsen4241]

I actually like french better than caro prolly because it was the first opening i ever learnt as black

[@Mj-kl3rb]

Isn't it called King's pawn? King's gambit is a white opening

[@Requinix17]

f6 is painful to even look at

[@IvoKid]

Can you show us how the theory behind the weird openings like goldsmith defence or something like that

[@SPANKUMCHESS-lf9ps]

i love your games and explanation. i watch you on twich, hopefully i can get a game.

[@samoppedisano3994]

Alekhine below scandi isn’t right I feel. At least you get interesting positions

[@MajorAddiction]

Love the overview. COE!

[@yunogasai5416]

I ONLY PLAY 2 LEGAL INITIAL FIRST MOVE FOR BLACK AGAINST E4, MY FAVORITE IS 1.NC6 NIMZOWITSCH I PLAY IT AS BLACK, MY SECOND FAVORITE IS THE CARR DEFENSE WHICH IS 1.H6 ........I AM THE BIGGEST NIMZO FAN, AND I LIKE 1....H6 WHICH SEEMS LOOKS BEAUTIFUL TO ME...........

[@yunogasai5416]

I ONLY PLAY 2 LEGAL INITIAL FIRST MOVE FOR BLACK AGAINST E4, MY FAVORITE IS 1.NC6 NIMZOWITSCH I PLAY IT AS BLACK, MY SECOND FAVORITE IS THE CARR DEFENSE WHICH IS 1.H6 ........I AM THE BIGGEST NIMZO FAN, AND I LIKE 1....H6 WHICH SEEMS LOOKS BEAUTIFUL TO ME...........

[@totorootaku2472]

Tierlist is Nice

[@Dmgx32]

14:12 i prefer the Qd6 scandinavian

[@yunogasai5416]

I ONLY PLAY 2 LEGAL INITIAL FIRST MOVE FOR BLACK AGAINST E4, MY FAVORITE IS 1.NC6 NIMZOWITSCH I PLAY IT AS BLACK, MY SECOND FAVORITE IS THE CARR DEFENSE WHICH IS 1.H6 ........I AM THE BIGGEST NIMZO FAN, AND I LIKE 1....H6 WHICH SEEMS LOOKS BEAUTIFUL TO ME...........

[@themarine6803]

Make a video about the anderssen opening please

[@johallo4520]

where bongcloud

[@Chunda8]

The Scandi is playable if you know it fairly deep- I wouldn't play it unless I was comfortable to at least 7 -9 moves out with all main lines. In that case it should get to a decent Middle game.

[@yunogasai5416]

HEY MY FAVORITE IS 1.H6 FOR BLACK THE CARR DEFENSE I THINK IT IS SO GOOD SINCE THE FIRST MOVE ALREADY PLACE H6 PAWN WHICH PREVENT KNIGHT HOP OR BISHOP PINS, I THINK IT IS UNDERATED SEVERELY,

[@yunogasai5416]

HEY MY FAVORITE IS 1.H6 FOR BLACK THE CARR DEFENSE I THINK IT IS SO GOOD SINCE THE FIRST MOVE ALREADY PLACE H6 PAWN WHICH PREVENT KNIGHT HOP OR BISHOP PINS, I THINK IT IS UNDERATED SEVERELY,

[@yunogasai5416]

HEY MY FAVORITE IS 1.H6 FOR BLACK THE CARR DEFENSE I THINK IT IS SO GOOD SINCE THE FIRST MOVE ALREADY PLACE H6 PAWN WHICH PREVENT KNIGHT HOP OR BISHOP PINS, I THINK IT IS UNDERATED SEVERELY,

[@yunogasai5416]

HEY MY FAVORITE IS 1.H6 FOR BLACK THE CARR DEFENSE I THINK IT IS SO GOOD SINCE THE FIRST MOVE ALREADY PLACE H6 PAWN WHICH PREVENT KNIGHT HOP OR BISHOP PINS, I THINK IT IS UNDERATED SEVERELY,

[@yunogasai5416]

CAN U TELL ME WHAT U THINK OF 1.H6 CARR DEFENSE FOR BLACK??????

[@vazinaypeter]

i know im only a 1100 rated played but im pretty sure thats not the kings gambit, and its actually called the kings pawn opening

[@mechanikate]

21:35 king’s gambit?

[@basubk6643]

Pls do one for d4

[@tindekappa9047]

I constantly play the scandinavain but I never take with the queen. I just gambit off 2 other pawns and be 2 pawns down but have half of my pieces developed while my opponent hasn't developed anything. I'm much more developed and I'm playing as black. Why would I ever take with my queen. he's just going to develop his pieces whilst chasing my queen. How does that have a positive winrate?

[@Valdagast]

Your puns give me life.

[@Koei32]

Yea man some people say that these are cringe but it's a breath of fresh air

[@gillespie2482]

I'd switch Owen's and Alekhine's places but otherwise a great list! 🎉

[@yunogasai5416]

I ONLY PLAY 2 LEGAL INITIAL FIRST MOVE FOR BLACK AGAINST E4, MY FAVORITE IS 1.NC6 NIMZOWITSCH I PLAY IT AS BLACK, MY SECOND FAVORITE IS THE CARR DEFENSE WHICH IS 1.H6 ........I AM THE BIGGEST NIMZO FAN, AND I LIKE 1....H6 WHICH SEEMS LOOKS BEAUTIFUL TO ME...........

[@yunogasai5416]

I ONLY PLAY 2 LEGAL INITIAL FIRST MOVE FOR BLACK AGAINST E4, MY FAVORITE IS 1.NC6 NIMZOWITSCH I PLAY IT AS BLACK, MY SECOND FAVORITE IS THE CARR DEFENSE WHICH IS 1.H6 ........I AM THE BIGGEST NIMZO FAN, AND I LIKE 1....H6 WHICH SEEMS LOOKS BEAUTIFUL TO ME...........

[@quidz10]

Do d4 as well

[@Parker_NotFound1]

Can you make a video for D4?

[@fancitickler]

I'd rate the St. George and the Borg at least tier C. Very under-rated openings.

[@corpclarke]

This list is in reverse for having fun.

[@Caleb.M_Fishing]

Agreed!

[@HarperBoi--]

Nahh But Doggin On the scandi is crazyy

[@anonymousAJ]

Black plays f5 "Don't play f6 or f3, as Finegold says" He didnt tho

[@szlatnik]

Do you have a problem with the Dutch and/or the Bird? I love both of those openings. However, f5 after e4 is THE WORST POSSIBLE RESPONSE to e4. It is ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE worse than 1.e4 b5?!. Seriously. Don't put them next to each other. b5 drops a pawn but is survivable. f5, in response to e4, almost loses by force.

[@rashamansour6251]

YEAH #### THE SCANDI

[@kennywilkes6978]

What does the 1. or 1.. or 1... signify please ? (I'm a first week newbie) Thanks

[@animationb0y]

it really doesn't matter what you play just be hikaru

[@Jasmineelaine]

I've actually encountered f5 like 3 times😭

[@lordsevent]

My fav is sicilian

[@Wesz808]

Me. Ah, this response has a name. So it must be good

[@UmUs]

E4 D5 D5 C6 🔥

[@awakenow007]

Magnus opening b5

[@bryantonuoha450]

Kings gambit???

[@xqin7306]

Evans gambit to op. Its the best for me

[@FantasyFantasy934]

I like playing mordern if just ruins the e4 for white lol if they dont attack with h4 im fine

[@paulhan3314]

Where’s Keti?

[@vincentpierre519]

pls make 1.d4 ty😊😊

[@marknelson8949]

Vive la France

[@theosmits1141]

wanna see u play on coffee chess!

[@1Bobobo]

e6, French on top 🗣️🗣️

[@MrHAR1B0]

you really rate Alekhine higher than Nimzo?! wtf

[@valorantsucks60]

thats what i was saying nimzo is underrated asf

[@turkiyett0928]

e4 b5

[@happymario3223]

Sodium

[@icerabbit9433]

Caro-Kann > all