SIMPLE Opening Repertoire For Black: 1... b6 Against Everything

[@mandotherapper2586]

Hikaru, who plays this opening, strongly discourages this opening unless youre a very strong player. Interesting to see you make it work

[@LightSquares]

I think there are critical lines that would put me under a lot of pressure but nobody knows them. Many GMs overlook how little theoretical understanding of offbeat openings lower rated players have.

[@Shaun_GTI]

Thanks for circling back to this b6 topic. It's not the easiest thing to find extra information on. I've been playing this for a bit and now I have some better concepts after watching 😄

[@LightSquares]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheGrantonian]

I just want to say that after watching this video a few days ago and implementing your strategies, I have noticed my win rate with black go way up. I love this strategy because it really throws white off from all the usual stuff (center pawn pushing, three knights game etc). I notice that often the opponents at my low elo aren't sure how to react so they over extend pawns which is a massive mistake if you know what to do. Side-bar; I want to say I like your content more than the spammy content of Gotham. At lower elos (which most of us are) your content is much more pragmatic, and having been here for a few months, I can see that a lot of others like your content too. So, I think as long as you keep publishing quality content you will see great future benefits from the growth of your channel. I will be here for your journey. Good luck sir!

[@LightSquares]

With 2 and 4 year old daughters I struggle to keep going with the content at times but messages like this are very encouraging. Thank you!

[@sid5537]

I wish you posted your videos more frequently. Love your content.

[@LightSquares]

Thanks! Send me some topics that you might be interested in.

[@fazzolarijames]

I’m 2400 lichess, highly recommend 1 b6 against the English. Can’t say I’ve tried it versus 1 e4 or 1 d4 but as a Queen’s Indian player, the Owen’s Defense is a natural partner for you.

[@sharabafama]

thanks bro.. love this

[@LightSquares]

No problem

[@richardnadeau7882]

Started the corresponding Chessable course, and this is a great overview. Breaks things down to bite sized pieces. Now I can fill in the details. Thanks

[@LightSquares]

Glad you enjoyed, let us know how you get on with it. I feel it’s very double edged.

[@richardnadeau7882]

@@LightSquares I'm also working on 1.b3. Similar set up and comparable strategies and tactics. Your outline is also useful there.🙂

[@paulhildmann8392]

Thanks, there's not much video content on 1..b6. It looks like the Chessable course is in my future!

[@LightSquares]

Go for it, if chess is for life then there is no harm in studying openings, one day all of it will be relevant. Good luck.

[@TheRampax]

I got annihilated yesterday by someone playing the Nimzo-Larson Attack, which is like a mirror image of this with white. I've now had to learn some lines, for the 2 times a year this comes up.

[@LightSquares]

AI has breathed new life into chess. Engines show how to hold down positions.

[@TheRampax]

I've been using this a lot in comedy blitz this weekend, and it plays really well at my low level.

[@LightSquares]

I’m glad it’s working!!!

[@TheRampax]

@@LightSquares I'm still using this as my main black opening in Blitz and Rapid. My Blitz rating has climbed massively. I think it just leads to unfamiliar and complicated positions which kind of play themselves as black, which is important at faster time controls. If you have to stop and generate ideas - you're dead!

[@LightSquares]

Love it although I think white is doing well after e4 b6 d4 Bb7 Bd3 e6 Nf3 d5 e5 and engine gives clear advantage for white. Bishop for black is bad. I have reached out to IM Lawrence Trent for ideas 💡. His course says Ba6 for trade off but it leads to tough positions.

[@woodenfences]

Great tutorial! Might be useful in case I inadvertently play b6 as I am trying to play c6 against everything. :)

[@LightSquares]

Go for it, make a menacing light squared bishop.

[@mcronrn]

Love to see 1..b6 on the board!! Everyone should play it!! 🤣🤣

[@LightSquares]

dude, I'm detecting sarcasm?

[@mcronrn]

@@LightSquares haha it’s absolutely heartfelt 🤣🤣 everyone who plays me should definitely play 1..b6 🤣🤣👍🏽👍🏽👏👏

[@murattuna3524]

Cursed thumbnail, Jonathan Schrantz would be proud

[@LightSquares]

We missed your commentary Murat. Thanks for tuning in.

[@murattuna3524]

Much love man, me and my friend cirlcle in CC forum praise you a lot.

[@vanessaphoebeperez2127]

thank you,i have new weapon to d4, i am nimzoindian player!

[@rpd350]

How simple is 1...b6 against everything? Is it simpler than 1...c6 against everything? For many of my opponents below 1400 at 5 min blitz they lose badly with ..b6, so thanks very much for enlightening them, so I can get some better more challenging games. Nice one...best wishes ;-)

[@LightSquares]

One issue with white blundering e4 pawn is that they get fast development . Sometimes it is very difficult to convert the game with black.

[@rpd350]

@@LightSquares Trifle strange but noted, thanks! ;-)

[@scottspeig]

1.g3 - would not recommend b6 against that. Eric Rosen premoved b6 once, and was not happy with white's g3 first move! :)

[@LightSquares]

It’s true, d5 is more pleasant against g3 , at my level we can get away with it

[@alexpf8355]

Bro, I have just discovered your channel. Love your personality, love your lessons, love your channel. I've subscribed and my game as improved as black since watching both your B6 lessons. Please give me some advice, what keeps happening is whenever I pin the knight, my opponant blocks the pin by putting his biship behing his knight. What should I do when this happens :-)

[@LightSquares]

Thank you! Please send me a game link and I can have a look.

[@Zyrexia]

I would like to say, this opening is actually not good for intermediates. A GM or maybe IMs and FMs can hold as black, but not 1800s to even 2200s

[@darrylkassle361]

You did call someone a smug ahole in another vid of yours. I am sure the guy did not appreciate that if he knows. I admit I found it funny. Morons opening lol. That is a great technique for handling insults. You don't offer resistance which gives them power in a psychological sense. So many chess players have that smug superiority complex and love to insult . I have always thought they are socially dumb/ low EQ and do it because they need to I sult others to feel better about themselves. Anyone who insults you casually is usually saying a lot about themselves if you pay attention. It is even projection at times in that they have been insulted in the same way so feel the need to behave the same way in order to somehow wipe the ledger in their mind at least. Sad Reay.

[@LightSquares]

I was calling myself one 😂. It takes time, life experiences, to understand we don’t need to respond to everything people say about us.