I played the Stafford Gambit against Hikaru... and then he played it against me

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In this video, I play two chess games in the Stafford Gambit against ‪@GMHikaru‬. These games took place soon after the conclusion of his Stafford Gambit viewer tournament which I crashed (full video here: • I Crashed Hikaru's Sta... )
While the Stafford Gambit is considered to be highly dubious, especially at the higher levels, the games he played both featured very interesting battles. The second game was an an absolutely brilliancy on Hikaru's part.
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Eric Rosen
4579 Laclede Ave 205
St. Louis, MO 63108
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#chess #ericrosen

[@samsamm1402]

"against hikaru this is the secret sauce of prep ... and that's the best move" lmao poor eric

[@ShabazzTBL]

That was so sad. Especially since Hikaru played it instantly haha.

[@Puschit1]

@@ShabazzTBL He probably prepped alot, too, because everyone knows Eric's favourite toy is the Stafford.

[@Mike18z]

.

[@kirkspinelli3815]

@@ShabazzTBL The way he said it too, I felt awful

[@martinshoosterman]

What was the time stamp?

[@vishal2352]

Eric is so calm he sounds like a monk on top of mountain sipping tea and playing chess

[@georgeskhater487]

That's exactly what he is

[@Quax237]

Thats why I love to watch him

[@sakimano]

Aren't munks famously silent?

[@TopperPenquin]

Are you the one who said never surrender a lock?

[@TopperPenquin]

Did you calmly say I just dunked down to Macca's for my Heart Operation..."I'm Back!"

[@kekwe3088]

Eric, literally 1 move into his stafford: "im in trouble"

[@meneermankepoot]

*chuckles* I'm in danger

[@Aaronwaynemack]

it was move 7 ROFL

[@razrskyrim8433]

Tbh of I went up against Hikaru I'd be in trouble before we even started..

[@kekwe3088]

@@Aaronwaynemack but 1 move after the standard stafford setup

[@andrew_owens7680]

@@razrskyrim8433 I was in trouble from Hikaru before Hikaru was born!

[@SebastianBohn]

10:13 "Stafford is scary when you combine it with Hikaru" 😂 wise words, Eric

[@matthewdoppel8588]

That's like saying a spoon is dangerous when you combine it with Thor. Yeah anything is dangerous when you combine it with Hikaru. 🤣

[@andrew_owens7680]

Hikaru is pure essence of scary, so yeah.

[@janb.3600]

Even Boncloud is scary when you combine it with Hikaru.

[@matta5463]

"Dahh I have no moves.. and no time.. and no rook on d8" That escalated quickly

[@pauliboy1031]

I love the joy on his face when he realize Hikaru challenged him. Eric seems so happy about it.

[@ThePlacehole]

Well, Eric won every game except one vs an engine. He probably would have played Hikaru in the tournament otherwise. So sad.

[@ChessJourneyman]

He is the polar opposite of Hikaru's character.

[@tator9798]

@@ThePlacehole so was it an engine at the end? That game was so weird so that would explain alot

[@Br0ckLesn4r]

@@ChessJourneyman I disagree

[@ThePlacehole]

@@tator9798 , the account has been closed, but idk

[@Ninjamaa]

Eric threw the second game to protect his favorite opening

[@lancemcque1459]

That's off the board strategy!

[@elitejef4900]

What a plot twist

[@RemyWillard]

Hikaru threw the second game because he forgot to play the Stafford and then threw the third game because Eric didn't realize until it was too late why Hikaru opened with e3.

[@lightlysal]

@@RemyWillard i dont get it for sure but hikaru did that so the tempo would be switched around so eric would basically play with the correct color right?

[@RemyWillard]

@@lightlysal Yep. Hikaru opened with e3, hoping Eric would play e5. If Eric had, Hikaru would have then played e4 so it would be a "reverse Stafford Gambit".

[@candy-vq9dd]

it’s kinda funny seeing a stafford that doesn’t go into some crazy trappy line :0

[@JesusRampen]

no no. you can't go "oh no my ~" against a GM

[@adrianma2758]

thats what happens when you play a stafford against a super gm

[@gorvnice]

Eric Rosen: Wait, if Hikaru uses the Stafford and I beat him, does that prove its just a bad opening? Awesome

[@alexanderthompson1416]

I thought that was a funny bit of reflection as well

[@abhijitprajapati3764]

awesome cause then nobody uses it and eric hases it for himself

[@M-F-H]

Yes, too cute. Unfortunately, these are forbidden dreams... Since Hikaru also wins with the Bongcloud, it is little to no surprise that he also wins the Stafford Gambit - whatever side he's on... :-D !

[@taz8504]

i will never get tired of watching eric never get tired of playing stafford gambit

[@tcg4111]

Why didn't Eric go with the multi pin move he showed at 1:56 but didn't play for some reason?!

[@CakeStak]

@@tcg4111 Qd2 unpins the e4 pawn and defends the pinned knight at the same time

[@colewilding7780]

"Was that rated, Did I just farm him?" I love this man.

[@orhanefeomerli7217]

"Why is he so good at chess?" Says while playing to a Super GM

[@tcg4111]

Why didn't eric go with the multi pin move he showed at 1:56 but didn't play for some reason?!

[@dovakhil6874]

300 points means a lot xD

[@Olibaby12]

@@tcg4111 he said Qd2 is a problematic counter move, and then his Knight is hanging while he has no more threats

[@3Ishh]

"was it rated??? did I just farm him??"

[@brunojani7968]

Don't worry. He litterly doesn't care.

[@peppino_u_malavitoso]

@@brunojani7968 OMEGALUL

[@orbitorbit754]

What does " did i just farm him'" mean?

[@3Ishh]

@@orbitorbit754 farming his elo

[@Ruari2Morrison]

@@orbitorbit754 "farming" in pretty much any game means getting extra points with little to no effort or cost to yourself

[@wattsbri]

Oh no, my next 13 minutes!

[@stanleymyrick4068]

Your not afraid of anything to wear a hat like that in public.

[@alexanderdaras7993]

That's a lovely hat

[@Lgg130]

Gahhh

[@ManSkirtBrew]

"His pawns are v-shaped." I can't stop laughing at this. He says it with such gravity. I'm imagining reading it in a chess book somewhere.

[@hectorbat]

Eric is a legend

[@BullVengeance]

You got that right, he’s one of my favorite chess players to watch

[@tcg4111]

Why didn't Eric go with the multi pin move he showed at 1:56 but didn't play for some reason?!

[@collapzcursed]

"Hikaru really mastered the tempo" I see what you did there, Eric!

[@arshupadhyaya]

I don’t get it?

[@user-ov2kx8ql5i]

@@arshupadhyaya dewa kipas meme

[@johnnytwotimes7854]

He was partly being serious too lol

[@arshupadhyaya]

@@user-ov2kx8ql5i ohhhh

[@gwynjudd]

He has the soul of a father

[@darkhorse2reign]

I absolutely love a great player like yourself willing to get trounced in public. Thank you for being so humble.

[@fixipszikon6670]

I like his optimism: "hopefully he'll suffer" A couple of minutes and a loss later: "now I feel broken" :D

[@factual8012]

"That's also ugly... no offense to the move" 😂😂😂

[@therealAirRover]

The last 2 minutes are incredible. The simplification and endgame in warp speed is some computer level gameplay.

[@BlaqRaq]

That’s when Hikaru figured out the game. He comes dashing in with the Samurai sword.

[@Gilsworth]

I'mma be honest here, only 60% of the reason why I watch is for the chess, the other 40% is for meditation and mental wellness.

[@imtesaalahmed2159]

What do you mean?

[@Gilsworth]

@@imtesaalahmed2159 Eric Rosen's voice and demeanour is so calming that sometimes I put on a video just because it makes me feel chill, the chess is sometimes only the 2nd reason why I watch.

[@nepunepu5894]

@@Gilsworth lie, it's 100% for asmr and nothing for the chess

[@zain4019]

Yes! People who have peace induce peace in others. A long while ago, in a very bad time in my life, I would watch gameplay (not chess) from commentators who were very angry and hateful. I slowly turned the same way, and it was a very sad thing to see in myself, as it was once very foreign to me. It was akin to a veil of darkness covering me, so subtly that at first I didn't notice it at all, though it grew and grew in intensity, until I could hardly recognize who I was. As time passed, and I was able to find my way out of such a miserable place with help and kindness from others, and in being around such people in real life, who exude calm, I've found myself more and more as they are. Eric is very much like those people. What I've learned from that is three things. First, that love, joy, peace, stillness and giving are the essence of everything we ever seek; they are happiness itself. So many people do not know the joy of love, the incredible beauty of peace, and instead chase material gain, status symbols and personal gain, walking past the perfection that is in all beings, in every moment and within themselves. Those who do not know its joy, though they may have everything material, have nothing at all in reality. Second, that those who are miserable, angry, greedy or vicious, as I was in that time, are suffering, and this suffering is harm enough. They do not need our judgment - their suffering is a call for love, because it hurts beyond belief to be separated from the truth of the love that we are. And, third, to give this peace within us to others is the greatest gift we can give another, and to ourselves, who are made whole in this sharing of love. It is only kindness that can help them, or us, and that is something we can choose to give in any moment. In sharing kindness, both are made stronger. I am grateful to those who were able to show such compassion to me, when I could not show it to myself or others. Their love has saved me from myself, who would have prolonged my own terrible suffering. In short, do not underestimate the power of love, compassion and kindness. It is everything we ever truly long for in all our seeking, and at any moment we like, we can call upon its incredible power.

[@ItsAsparageese]

@@meow-meow1247 Lay off. Let people share what they want. I read it and I'm sure others have too. Their comment has tons more value than yours does. Ugh the irony of crapping all over a comment about inner peace, jfc get some priorities

[@the_listamin]

"now I feel kinda broken", he says smiling.

[@arogueburrito]

I saw Eric at an OTB tournament back when I was rated like 900 but more into chess than I had ever been, so after my game I'd get up and watch better players. Glad to say Eric is like this in real life too, as I watched him crush an NM over the board using just the first line on his notation sheet, with a super calm demeanor as I was all up on his board like "oooooo this guy's good"

[@andrew6069]

The way that Hikaru converted the first game with the extra pawn is just so masterful. To play such that no counterplay is possible on any part of the board ever; that's how I want to play chess.

[@touchyfishy]

Just two guys having fun and playing chess with good vibes. We need more of this and less of the drama.

[@tristanrodriguez3472]

i always see some stupid video about chess drama on my feed but I just don t click on it. If you really like chess you are here for good moves, not for some guy saying shite on twitter or something. And yea ur right... too much childish drama these days.

[@NotSoLiberal]

"Why is he so good at chess" "I guess we're playing chess now" Hilarious

[@ziaulhaq4833]

I actually love the fact that you always enjoy the games with a cheerful and peaceful face which actually makes me calm. You are really great Sir. 😘😘

[@Sirbradford13]

The chess is amazing, but Eric is just an enjoyable person to watch compete.

[@realimsocrazy]

eric is the best hands down

[@user-ml3ei6zy6n]

Dang that hikaru guy is pretty good, he should go against nakamura

[@IHurricane]

Hikaru would juice Nakamura

[@RemyWillard]

In chess, my money would be on Hikaru. In pro wrestling, Nakamura hands down. -Hikaru isn't the only Nakamura. There's also Shinsuke, who was referenced by Alexa in a previous video.-

[@LeventK]

Even the most OP openings don't work against Hikaru.

[@pietvansneeuw9251]

😂

[@dinkleberg794]

Ikr even the bongcloud doesnt work on him

[@RemyWillard]

@@dinkleberg794 I remember seeing a double bongcloud draw between Hikaru and Magnus.

[@voidpumpkin2638]

Poor Eric sounds so defeated at the end

[@jlin8850]

Eric: I'll follow the game where I got destroyed earlier... Me: Interesting strategy.... Eric: Against, uh, the bear person Me: Uh, what?

[@davidbkopp]

Eric is so nice he apologized to the move he insulted

[@rf5129]

Haha, Eric's "Oh No!"s and "Ah!"s are so funny!

[@sarv4513]

Eric: Plays agaisnt Hikaru, a literal super GM Also Eric : Why's he so good at chess?

[@kayson971]

Don't feel broken, he's the weirdly strong one!

[@thecakeredux]

I just had my proudest chess moment spotting the danger of the knight move before it happened.

[@Wick291]

I think i might move to twitch too just because i can watch eric rosen there too lol

[@darrenlin7943]

I am a simple man. When I see a new Eric video, I watch it

[@elias954d]

I am a simple man. When I watch a new Eric video, I see it

[@maxwellmollersten8979]

@@elias954d I am a simple man. When I Eric a new watch video, I see it

[@051_cse_mathialagant8]

U r a stupid man who copies comments

[@huekeks2231]

@@maxwellmollersten8979 I am a simple man. When I see a new Eric, I watch a video.

[@idonoy661]

@@huekeks2231 I'm a simple man. when I see a new Eric watch, I video it

[@silver1788]

Wait we had a Staffford video very recently We definitly dont deserve this

[@bradley2050]

Oh no my sleep schedule! thanks for the stream E

[@KUTALMIS27]

bro hours is 12 pm

[@yahia1355]

@@KUTALMIS27 bro there are 360 meridians

[@brandon9551]

Daah!

[@KUTALMIS27]

@@yahia1355 bro have 180 paralel

[@sourabFrozenCloud]

He is such a sportsman I like how he accepts his loss 💜

[@richiej2640351]

I laughed when he said " Dont Hurt me" LOL

[@evilinside6327]

Eric:"Don't hurt me!" :)) Also famous last words:"This might be painful."

[@CleydsonGomes]

Hikaru after 2 moves in starfford Gambit. Let's mark this as a win.

[@minardiliyadi3458]

11:18 The most enjoyable word

[@FredPlanatia]

🎶 "Baby, Don't hurt me, Don't hurt me.... no more. What is ... ELOve?" 🎶

[@nubofmaster]

Eric is so good he can beat Hikaru twice in a row in less than 10 moves WOW.

[@torukmacto891]

11:18 Eric : Ohh no ! And , for one moment , we all thinking he must have elite move in his mind 🔥🔥🔥

[@acsmith1771]

What a treat. I bet you get some great study and improvement out of this.

[@jaekn]

"That move's ugly... No offense to the move" LOL

[@bbbbbb4107]

Hikaru: Here here here here here here here mate Eric: *Theres a fun line*

[@reddrum9102]

Eric is a GM in being humble. I personally think you are one of the greatest at it

[@michaeltaylor7160]

I'm genuinely proud of myself as a low rated player that I calculated what hikaru was trying to do as soon as he moved his knight at around 10:25

[@abhishekanshu1]

It's so lovely to see you play Eric. The zen of meditation comes from your demeanor and voice.

[@francescovanspronsen404]

Don't feel broken Eric, you have our full support!

[@Sasser2015]

Ha, Hikaru has really "mastered the tempo." Nice one, Eric.

[@danielgligorov9220]

that swallow on 6:27 says a lot

[@wolfoden]

„I have no moves … and no time oh and no rook“ 😂😂

[@ericsauber7175]

*move 6* Eric: "I'm probably in some trouble"

[@alexstr5794]

Dont feel brocken. You are a awesome Player.

[@Wesssss84]

The stafford is good when you know what you’re doing obviously

[@pavliv]

"It's a Pork. Pin + fork." Billiant.

[@RetsamX]

Eric is such a legend. Need to learn the Stafford more to honor him :D

[@luxubukid]

....And then he play copyright strike counter gambit against me.

[@officialEricBG]

"Hikaru mastered the tempo" LMFAO

[@harshilsangal6226]

Hikaru trained against bots which is why his moves are like a bot's.

[@idonoy661]

@@harshilsangal6226 I'm not sure you got the joke

[@TW-sh2un]

ido noy His joke was a continuation of the joke since Kipas also said that

[@idonoy661]

@@TW-sh2un makes sense

[@davidstewart58]

That was excellent with Hikaru and suggest another session of Stafford Gambits !!

[@MangaAnimeandallthat]

Omg when Eric says 'don't hurt me' i want to PROTEC

[@sylvesteruchia5263]

"What are my coping mechnisms " - A match with Hikaru

[@slay3642]

Don’t worry Eric hikaru won’t copystrike you because of the thumbnail because he literally doesn’t care

[@wsemenske]

These are getting less funny

[@meowcat5596]

@@wsemenske never were

[@cpgautam172]

@@meowcat5596 they literally don't care that its not funny

[@peep2268]

I like this meme but that was a shit joke

[@svenleutenegger2568]

@@meowcat5596 i like them, reminding ppl that hikaru is an unlikable dude

[@tpmunyon]

You say "oh no, my queen." I say, "oh no, my king."

[@hillalahmadzai9042]

Slimy weasel thought he could sneak a win against a real prodigy

[@TunaBagels]

12:10 Counterpoint: Bongcloud is a dangerous opening when Hikaru plays it.

[@UcupVankering]

His voice is so calm...

[@jedinxf7]

lmao at the second resignation. Eric was being uncharacteristically thick ;)

[@LifeOutsideTheBubble]

A real “oh no” was uttered

[@andresurrutia2791]

it's nerve wrecking the amount of time that Eric takes not only to think but to even comment and show in the board.

[@TheCstriker]

9:43 Hikaru must've been like "queen a2 bishop b4 rook a1 rook a5 king b2 king a3 d4 d5 takes takes takes, yeah, I'm better, I should win"

[@chelseaxhamb6516]

Ths is the good content we want. Feel free to make more of that.

[@_trismegistus]

This guy really likes the phrase "some ... idea".

[@jonathonjubb6626]

No disgrace, Hikaru just won the world blitz championship yesterday..

[@ejbaldonado3662]

Gah! Why is he so good at chess?

[@dembuginz719]

What a fun and intense game, dunno why I also got caught up in the calculation making moves in my mind 😆

[@jackbenimble999]

Watch the Hikaru video on this, too. They were both streaming.

[@matttondr9282]

Eric is so calm even when getting challenged by Hikaru out of the blue and playing the Stafford… Insane 😂

[@alephzerosux]

"Down a pawn but life goes on." -Eric Rosen, 2021

[@kevinarmes9804]

Lost the battle but won the war. Stafford is fundamentally sound 🤣🤣

[@planktonfun1]

hikaru suffocates opponents slowly, until you blunder

[@vesuvius2444]

"down a pawn but life goes on"

[@birkasg]

12:35 „...there is a pin and it would be a fork, so it‘s a PORK - pin + fork“ lol 😂😂😂 you‘re a Genius of Chess and Words 👌

[@nickzsidisin62]

i really liked how you played that stafford real clean rosen, well done

[@rookiemvp2008]

"Did I just farm him?" lol

[@robboinnz]

He always sounds calm, but playing Hikaru I could hear deep down his blind raw panic heaving within….

[@lucifermichael233]

He said " noooo i got mated," and for the first time i heard eric control himself from cursing someone out lol.

[@maulerXX]

Even though you lost both games, this was a really fun video to watch!

[@bmikesmellz9244]

Watching Hikaru play chess is like watching Tom Brady picking a team apart in the fourth quarter

[@pedrochalaco1]

12:21 i saw this posible move😯😯 after analizing my games i saw engines do this kind of tricks. Came in handy sometimes.

[@BlaqRaq]

This is nice. Two favourite stars playing each other.