Simplified Openings: Third Rank Setup Against the Najdorf, Dragon, Classical and Taimanov Sicilians

I used the Third Rank Setup to beat my first Grandmaster. Here I present it as a universal weapon against several mainstream Sicilians.
The Jorgen Magnusson video I talk about in the video can be found here: • In Magnusson-Carlfors ...
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[@santodagostino6896]

Very interesting ideas that are still within mainlines, yet avoid heavily-analyzed lines. Very instructive, high-quality content, as usual from GM Colovic!

[@gmalexcolovic]

Thank you!

[@PatrickRecordon]

Recently GM Ganguly and GM Kasimdhanov (I hope my spelling is correct) completely reworked Alapin lines. I finished the short and sweet from them (Chessable) and wanted to buy it right away. The only problem is I have been training for 6 months to play a 1.d4 repertoire. Some lines are quite different from what existed before.

[@gmalexcolovic]

Well, there's plenty of good material out there, so choose carefully and then study it.

[@mcronrn]

When I returned to chess at 50yo, I didn’t know anything - I didn’t know the names of the openings etc. I found the Sicilian overwhelming, and was intimidated by everyone’s knowledge/prep. So I went w the Wing Gambit - I figured I’ll get everyone out of their comfort zone. After cxb4, I play Nf3, which leads to less-played lines… All to say - this video would have been very helpful to me 3yrs ago! Thx for sharing this idea! 👍🏽🙏

[@gmalexcolovic]

Thank you, and you're welcome! :)

[@ChessMaster-ud8ks]

Amazing ideas!! Exactly what i was looking for as other main lines against sticilian is almost exhausted ! I loved it, thank you! ❤. I will analyse it further. Thank you once again!!

[@gmalexcolovic]

Thank you, I am happy to read your comment!

[@ChessMaster-ud8ks]

@@gmalexcolovic Most welcome! I really enjoy your ideas in the other videos as well. Please share your thoughts on the Jobava London System, which is getting popular in mid and lower levels? Is it any good or is it only good as a surprise weapon?..

[@gmalexcolovic]

@@ChessMaster-ud8ks Thanks! I analysed the Jobava in one of my previous videos (here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIm8q4StmriXjas), showing a simple system for Black. From White's point of view, it's not that great anymore, it lost its surprise efect and Black already has found good ways to counter it.

[@ChessMaster-ud8ks]

@@gmalexcolovic Oh! Thats nice! Thank you! 🙂

[@robertkane3161]

Very instructive ! a real master class !

[@gmalexcolovic]

Thank you!

[@claudiog7692]

Can you make a simplified solution to the modern and pirc please?

[@gmalexcolovic]

I had the perfect solution against those in my 1.e4 Simplified. I will have to consult with Chessable how much I'm allowed to show as free content! :)

[@laksthegamer1185]

Thanks for sharing this! Hopefully we can get a sneak peek/preview of your new chessable course soon? ;)

[@gmalexcolovic]

It should be out this week, so it's more likely I'll make a video or two on some of the lines at a later stage, more like a post-view. :)

[@laksthegamer1185]

@@gmalexcolovic That’s great! Looking forward for them 😄

[@panrudzki454]

Thanks. Great video. One question - in Taimanov when you skip the move a3, what to do if Black plays Bb4? Black will be able to damage White's structure with taking on c3.

[@gmalexcolovic]

That is usually not a problem as after the standard Bd3 Black would risk too much to go for ...Bxc3, bxc3 as then he would be very weak on the dark squares. It's a strategically dubious decision for Black to give up the dark-squared bishop without any tangible in return.

[@DonnyPlunkett]

@gmalexcolovic Excellent video! Unfortunately I recently switched to 1. d4 , but with very good results. So these lines will never come up for me. Could you make a video on Black playing the Sicilian with a Hedgehog pawn formation (Pawns on the 6th rank for black) formation for Black . That's that this video reminded me of.

[@gmalexcolovic]

Hedgehog is very complex when it comes to plans and ideas as they all depend on concrete circumstances, but another point is that it's not a given that Black can get it - White can always avoid it. This makes it a bit impractical from Black's point of view as it's not Black who decides whether it will happen on the board or not.

[@DonnyPlunkett]

@@gmalexcolovic Not a simplifiable opening then. Fair enough.

[@gmalexcolovic]

@@DonnyPlunkett No, quite a complex one in fact.