The BEST Chess Opening Against 1.e4 - Every Move is a Trap!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💡Learn the 3 simple rules to reach 2000+ ELO rating faster. Join GM Smirnov's FREE Masterclass ► chess-teacher.net/masterclassyt/

[@malokisangthethana4636]

My rating has improved with this

[@shoman7205]

Yes, every move is a trap. How to loose with black in 8 moves?!!!!! You will garanteed loose in 6 moves after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc5 f5 4. d3 Bc5 5. Ng5 f4 6. h4!! instead of your shown Nf7. Nf7 is still a threat and so is Qh5+ and you have zero counterplay. Please tell me how to defend after this or stop posting stupid traps which will loose you the game.

[@GravyTraining]

I have to admit, I loaded this into Chessbase and looked for games and the record didn't look good. But I played black against an equally rated 1100 and this setup came into play. It was my highest accuracy game ever, landing me at a 97.8% accuracy with what could only be described as a complete domination. You earned my sub. :)

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Well done, congratulations! 💪 This gambit works the best in blitz games, and especially against sub-2000 level opponents (while ChessBase mostly contains standard OTB games).

[@JonUpchurch]

@@GMIgorSmirnov Yeah, that makes sense. I've also had someone since then play the correct refutation, but it was still a good game. I normally play the French against 1...e4 so I don't get this a lot, but it was a really great feeling having the plan come together so well. :)

[@harishjoshi-wf2xe]

what is your elo now

[@MrWeAllAreOne]

I watch Gotham Chess channel and I have to say I never really gain any insight from his videos. He is humourous but his explanations are so fast that I never gleen anything of worth. I just found your channel yesterday and already have learnt so much. You are a great teacher and I love that you explain in a manner that is very easy to follow. Thank you(of course I have subbed) 👍🏻

[@burple65]

With Gotham (Levy Rozman) you just have to change the KZbin settings to 3/4 or 1/2 speed so that you can follow him easier. It also makes it seem like he is really drunk, so it's lots of laughs.

[@1ight2]

Yea he's entertaining but not so good at teaching

[@pervy_sage_ani]

You are right just after finding remote chess academy I reached 1200 rating from 1100 , its like instant but good improvement

[@mubaraksenju7521]

Gotham is not the guy for u to learn chess. He's there to make u laugh here and there, learn like 100 facts about Magnus and maybe some chess puzzles. I love watching Igor Smirnov and maybe old chess classes from let's say Seirawan. Very insightful indeed.

[@douglaswoodward1805]

Gotham Chess is too fast. I never learn anything, either. Gonna give this a try.

[@waynemiller6070]

Wow, this has got to be one of the most informative opening videos I have ever seen. Such common moves and how to address them. Outstanding!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@idsharma23]

Indeed

[@bjoernf73]

+1

[@ricolorenz7307]

I'm rated 1200 and I have a book about the benoni. How many 1200 do you think play into a benoni? That's right, zero

[@diesirae9223]

Tu que vas a andar opinando❤️😭😭😭😭

[@emka4306]

This is the Viena gambit but with black, i'm so hyped to play this

[@glorytoturkiye3146]

Latvian gambit. İts my regular opening in black.

[@dr.chessguide904]

@@glorytoturkiye3146 latvian gambit is f5 on move 2, this one is different

[@glorytoturkiye3146]

@@dr.chessguide904 Hmh yes have some differences

[@sayafkhan748]

I noted this as well

[@kazz811]

Yup. The Vienna is my favorite opening so this is good to know.

[@ibrahimskandarani118]

2:49 Knight C3 3:40 Pawn Take on F5 10:19 Pawn D3

[@joselfaccio]

6:15 Cat appears...

[@arvinarooni1910]

what is cat here?@@joselfaccio

[@mayankgahlod2966]

​@@arvinarooni1910at 6:15 there's a cat behind igor (left side )

[@artsenor254]

Nooo, how dare you showcase my secret weapon ? I used to play this opening a lot on 1500-1600 elo, and I've got to say I agree with everything you said. It doesn't see a lot of attention (I never really managed to find good theory back in the time, I had to figure it all by myself), but it works extremely well at a non-master level. The only reason why I stopped playing this opening is because I stopped playing 1... e5 against 1. e4 because I always had trouble with the Ruy Lopez attack, but I still believe it to be one of my best openings ever. However, one thing I would add for anyone eager to try it would be : don't underestimate white's counterplay. The position is extremely sharp, and if you face someone who knows the opening or likes to look for active play, there are tons of sacrifices that white can play to put you in big trouble. It won't happen very often (I only faced a few myself in over a year playing it systematically), but it could. In the line 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5, white can play 6. Nxe5, which is already two pawns for the piece and a few dangerous lines after the white queen comes to h5 with check. Despite being objectively good for black according to the engine, I've lost a few games this way. Another one is in the line 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5 4. exf5 e5, where white can play 5. Nd4!, in which case you should NOT capture the hanging knight, because 5... Nxd4 is followed by 6. Qh5+ g6 (6... Ke7 7. Qf7+ and you're in a lot of troubles) 7. fxg6 Nf6 8. g7+! Nxh5 9. gxh8=Q. Your opponent probably won't know this variation, but if he's too stubborn to retreat his knight, he'll only have to find the first move 5. Nd4, and all the next ones will come naturally. Therefore, if someone plays it, just leave the knight there, protect your king with 5... Nf6 and play with a pawn down (you'll soon recapture it anyway). In any case, best of luck to anyone who wants to try it ! It's an opening I had a lot of fun with, and I believe it has a lot of potential if you've also got good weapons against the other 1... e5 variations. Also, if you like it, as stated by another comment above, you can try Vienna gambit with white, which is basically an improved version of it.

[@Roma-kg9ld]

If you stopped playing e4 e5 due to having trouble with Ruy Lopez but love the Rousseau, why not play the Schliemann defense? That is, e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bb5 f5. It plays quite similarly to the Rousseau and it's in fact way more solid, even against perfect play (+0,5 according to Stockfish, so it's basically just as good as any other move). It has a lot of traps as well and you avoid all the complicated Ruy Lopez lines that white probably knows. There is also much more theory for the Schliemann (also known as Jaenisch Gambit, use that term to search for content as well if you struggle) available so you can pretty much master it in a day or two of studying it. There's even a well known draw line in the Schliemann so if you really don't like playing vs the Spanish game, then you can just take a draw.

[@artsenor254]

@@Roma-kg9ld I know of the Jaenisch, but I never felt comfortable with it. It doesn't quite play like the Rousseau, even though the first moves look similar. Notably, the line after 4. exf5 isn't that great after 4... e4 because of 5. Bxc6, which leads to very different positions in which I struggle to find sharp play.

[@bencassiman3745]

@@artsenor254 What if e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5, white can play 6. Nxe5. Qh5:Ng6?

[@artsenor254]

@@bencassiman3745 Yeah, Ng6 is the right move, and as I stated, this is objectively good for black. There is no clear way for white to break your position, but they have a bit of compensation for the piece (two pawns, active pieces and an open king to attack), so you must remain careful.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I made sure to show it only after you stopped playing it ☺

[@pierremichel6460]

Thank you GM Smirnov for this video. It is well made and your commentary/explanation on what transpires is excellent. By employing the K.I.S.S. formula (Keeping it simple stupid formula) when describing 'what happens' with each move, it's easier to remember. Definitely one of the best videos on improving your game.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for your warm words. Your method sounds interesting :)

[@SarpMine]

Best chess channel ever. Thirty years later, it helped me start playing chess again. You rock, dear Igor. I am an engineer, and you approach all the variants as an engineer would. I easily follow and memorise the moves and understand the logic. The training set is too much for me, but a donation link would be great for your channel. I highly appreciate your contribution to chess fans.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Underrated chess gambit against 1.e4 00:40 Rousseau Gambit from Italian Game 02:40 Line-1: 4.Nc3 loses quickly 03:31 Line-2: 4.exf5 gives up center 05:39 Amazing combination wins in 9 moves 10:04 Line-3: 4.d3 defending e4-pawn 12:51 2 checkmating threats at a time! 14:35 Line-4: 4.d4 White's best response 16:44 Conclusion: Black is very active

[@SuspenduAuGaffa]

You missed out a crucial chapter: 6:16 Felis apparatum!

[@timothybolshaw]

You might be interested in a good practical analysis of the Rousseau Gambit by Tim McGrew and Dennis Monokroussos in 2002-3. Wikipedia has the most important links. The conclusion, similar to yours, is that it (while risky) has good practical chances, especially in rapid games (and faster)

[@jhaded.condes784]

what if after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5 4. exf5 e4, comes 5. Nd4 Nxd4 and 6. Qh5+...? what is the best move for black?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

@@jhaded.condes784 5...Nf6 is better for Black

[@teambellavsteamalice]

@@GMIgorSmirnov What I'm missing is Bxg8. Isn't that the strongest move? Normally you don't trade that bishop, especially not for an undeveloped knight. But with d5 threatening in multiple lines, the bishop is more of a liability. By trading it off you might win a point or at least escape most traps, right? Also without the Nf6 option the white queen (to h5) might pose a threat in some lines. If Rxg8 you've ruined castling and can now take the pawn? If fxe5 first you can chose to save knight or bishop. Nxe5 perhaps? There is no longer the d5 fork threat. Even Qh5+ looks fun. Especially in rapid chess white seems better, unless there is another trap after Bxg8?

[@GTA5NFT]

Thank you GM Igor Smirnov, you are such a good chess coach. My rating has gone up by 500 points since I started watching your videos.

[@johngalbicsek5567]

Something important I feel looking at this after is a weird trap move (and engine move, though only third most played on lichess) is after 1. e4 e5 2. nf3 nf6 3. bc4 f5 4. exf4 e4 IF 5. Nd4 DONT TAKE the "free" knight because of the Qh5+ he warned about leads to extreme pain. Play 5.Nf6 to prevent it like he said in the other line and take back with the b pawn if they trade with Nxc6.

[@proprinters]

exactly! Igor does not mention that

[@alekhinesgun9997]

It’s difficult to follow your line when all of your notation is wrong

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you for the useful add-on!

[@amiradel2144]

Fell for the free knight trap and got crushed today lol

[@Ghost_of_Paul_Morphy]

yeah i noticed he said when you attack that night it realizes it has no place to go and just returns back to G1, all it has to do is go to D4, it's not a hard move for a player to find, i don't see how this is much of a trap, if anything it's a trap that white is playing, if you take that night you're screwed

[@justanotheryoutubechannel3102]

as a King's Gambit player who TRIED the "chase my queen! go ahead... chase my queen!" Latvian Gambit and quit playing after a couple dozen games and deciding to never consider it again after reading a book where black doesn't START developing for what seemed like a dozen moves, I'm so happy to have stumbled across the Rousseau & Luccini gambits on youtube videos. It's just what I was looking for to drop the scandinavian . Look into Calabrese & Shliemann/Jaenish gambits too to keep to an ...f5 themed aggressive defense. there's SO MUCH carnage in these lines that I can't wait to complete a repertoire to FINALLY study & start playing. Thanks for helping us gambiteers when GMs generally have too much contempt for "unsound gambits" to even talk about the really good ones. *Let the attacking begin!* use the amateur (under 2000) database at LiChess to study ANY opening you want to play and find all the devastating traps GMs might not fall for (MOST of the time, maybe), but that drive your real world opponents crazy trying to run 7 hide from your pitbull attacks! in many lines, the most popular move is THE WORST one! youtube & lichess are all I need for theory.

[@markj228]

This Opening looks fun… With a several options for sure - I’ll try it. But there is a miscalculation at 8:32 - If the (F6) knight takes pawn……. The white queen can wreak havoc…. With a double attack on the bishop while putting king in check.. (Stay protected with Knight on F6) I wasn’t familiar with this opening… Thank you for posting it.

[@JustinJin-e6b]

I started a game in the middle of this video and i got this setup immediatly and won it with ease. This has to be the best opening for 1000-1400's because everybody on that level plays the italian game. Thank you!

[@The_savvy_Lynx]

Love it. Very quick and dirty weapon to push some rating while studying more sound openings for the long run.

[@amitgoel848]

At 11:48 white shouldn't castle, but play g3 instead. It's more natural i think and much better than castling. We (as black) lose our rook now after we defend the queen from the g3 pawn

[@jupiterflambay4284]

Very good - I am learning the Rousseau, and I tried it in a few games already, but my opposition caught me out with a couple of moves because I played the moves in the wrong order, so now I have a better understanding. Thanks Igor !

[@adolfosamson1939]

I like the way you illustrate the moves and the way you talk, not too fast .Its precise. Thank you very much, may God bless you.

[@jrhyno]

Was just able to deploy the gambit, and he brought out his queen to defend. It was glorious! Thanks so much!

[@bryanshawcpasc]

I just played this as a 746 rated player and actually mated in 21 steps! I just started playing chess for 4 months now - great coaching! No blunders on my side and only 1 for white! I’ve only played about 14 humans… I’m sitting here stunned. So this is what chess is supposed to be like. Thanks for your help!

[@ahedsaqqa9779]

I surprised with full of happiness, because I used to play this 3. ...f5 tens of times (based on my favorite defense " The Latvian " which have ...f5 in its second move). The GREAT analysis shows me the hidden lines which made me more happy to continue with trust! Thank you GM very very much.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Indeed, both openings are underrated. Coming with a surprise effect, they are a lot more powerful than most players think.

[@Naborbukv2]

11:25 white's queen moves to H5 first and game over for black because white start attacking king with every move [correct response to Qh5+ is g6, then Bf7+ and Kf8, Bxg6 and hxg6, Ne6+ and dxe6, Qxh8 and b6]

[@briankyomuhendo6760]

So marvelous. I never knew I could be winning so much in black. This video has really changed my chess. God bless you 👏

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'm happy to know this, and thanks for your nice comment!

[@_wetmath_]

Wow the first trap is so similar to the vienna gambit! I play it all the time as white so the moves are all very familiar for me. Thanks for teaching me that it can be played with black too!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Indeed. Best of luck in your chess battles!

[@man0utoftime]

I devised a simple repertoire a few years ago that consisted of this opening (Rousseau) , the Schliemann, the Vienna (as white), etc - basically the same system whenever somewhat feasible, even though it's not the same opening. I don't know if that's a good idea, but it seemed okay for a beginner.

[@pierrel5852]

Hi. French here, 'Rousseau Gambit' pronunciation is great ! Thx a lot for all the insights. I'm very much looking forward to try this.

[@frozencloud17]

Dang! I've been playing chess for decades and never imagined such a powerful response against 1.e4. GM Smirnov you are the best!

[@since1876]

Go look up the corkscrew gambit, it's very similar. I've only had one perfect game with the corkscrew but it was fucking BEAUTIFUL 😂😂😂 If white leaves the diagonal the white bishop is born on, they may as well resign. And if the stars align and allow you to get that far in the opening, getting them off that diagonal is a VERY natural and common thing 😂😂😂

[@paulmichelet3483]

Interesting and trappy !

[@Jean-MarcFrouin]

Excellente !avec vous ma progression ne s'arrête jamais, merci beaucoup pour votre pédagogie et à bientôt GMI Igor.

[@sarom2595]

Nice Analysis. But some very good replys for White were neglected. Especially after e4xf5 and black move... e4 best White move is Nd4! Sacreficing his knight with a better position. But this opening is still amazing. 👍🏻

[@JohnSmith-un9jm]

True! The teach needs to go back to school!

[@fortyofforty5257]

I faced this opening several times as white until I learned the counter pawn moves from this video, and maybe another of Igor's videos. Igor's videos benefit the gambiteer as well as the gambitee.

[@peterbago4574]

4:20 Surprisingly d4 is a good place for the white knight there. After I took with my knight, opponent gave me a check with Qh5 and I was soon lost. It is only -2, but really hard to find the lines for black, natural moves lose quickly. So this does not work, be careful folks.

[@Steve-bm2zm]

Wow you’re right I can’t believe this chess genius on KZbin got it wrong

[@resop3]

I looked in a couple of online databases and I found only one game that played this. It was with strong players and Black managed to win. Hirarcs tells me that Nd4 is a playable move that holds the balance for White, but after Nf6 the game is very double edged. I have not encountered this line myself since I usually play 3.Nc3 instead of 3.Bc4. People have tried the Gothic Defense to the three knights with 3. ... f5 but this doesn't look anywhere near as dangerous as it was against 3.Bc4 since the e-pawn is not hanging.

[@gabrielsantiago4929]

A little late, but after you take his knight in d4, if he plays Qh5, you block the check with pawn, if his pawn take yours, you retake it with your knight.

[@peterbago4574]

@@gabrielsantiago4929 what knight can you retake with? On g6? Not possible.. If you move your knight to f6 to take the queen, that is not enough, opponent will push the pawn and take your rook and queen the pawn.

[@shivamchouhan5077]

Nd4 is actually a brilliant move on all analysis boards So I think it's hard to find

[@firestarter7884]

love you. one of the best chess sites on the internet. You have a really great way to explain things. Thanks for that

[@edmundjimenez9696]

What about the bishop taking on g8 very early, disallowing the nf6 defensive resource? Very interesting video! Thank you!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

While it eliminates the Nf6 move, it also eliminates White's main attacking piece. In general, trading an active bishop for a passive knight is a bad idea for White.

[@vikashkumarrajak7709]

I’m a beginner and this really helped in improving my game and gaining more confidence.

[@ptj1ptj172]

Well, at the beginner level, this variation is quite complex to grasp. These tactics are meant for intermediate players with good experience wanting to move to advanced level. At beginner level (below 1400), you don't need to even go for such a defence. Normal book play wins you lots of games.

[@Stephaneaux]

Question: In line 3 after Kxf7 then Qh4, what if instead they don't castle and they go g3 attacking the queen??? Seems like it's a losing position then. Thank you, I'm a big fan!

[@FrancoKrepel]

Hey so ive been analyzing this, I think a good line is moving Qh3, they take Nxh8, then you do d5, they take Bd5, or move their bishop somewhere else, doesnt matter, then you do Bg4, attacking their queen, they block it with f3, you take their pawn with yours with exg3, they take your bishop with exg4, you push your pawn to g2 attacking his tower and threatening queening your pawn, the rook cant really do anything, it should be winning from this point

[@adelgado2367]

@@FrancoKrepel What if, instead of "they block it with f3,", as you said, they do Qd2?

[@henkie6170]

12:48 > they can still wiggle themselves out of your checkmating attack even at this point: don't take with the rook, counterattack with Bf7+ followed by Qh5. After one on-point-move, they can end up trading their rook for a knight. This almost happened to me while playing this attack in a real game (but he didn't play 100% perfectly, so I checkmated him) They need to play Bf7+ (doesn't matter much where you move your king), followed by Qh5. The point of the bishop check was to defend H5 for the queen. This attacks your undefended queen, so it forces you to either retreat and lose your knight while having your king surrounded by enemy pieces, or to continue with the attack by Nxh3+ (double check) Now comes another key move: they must move their king to H2, not H1. (after H1 you play Nf2+, Kg1 is forced(double check), Ng4+(discovered check) is gg, a pawn, a bishop and the rook can be thrown in front of it, but you will checkmate within a few moves.) fortunately my oponent played KH1 and I won. But after Kh2, the only way for you to continue the attack is Qg3+, forcing Kh1, because Nf2 would be "only" a single check, by your hanging queen. If you go for Nf2+ again, they can simply take your knight with the rook(since the queen now isn't also checking the king), trading one attacker away, and there is no mate anymore, the queen can also just take the f3 pawn (if you try to push it), and prevents your white-square bishop from coming in for the same reasons. Anyways, since this is so complex to play all the 100% correct moves, this gangster opening is something I will continue to use. EDIT: the engines still prefer black by quite a bit, since there still are some tricky moves left to keep the pressure on after the rook for knight trade, but you can't guarantee mate.

[@MCamposAndre]

4:25 5.Nd4 is actually a pretty nice Knight sac here and after 5.Nxd4 6.Qh5+ white can sac their Queen and take rook promoting a new one

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

It's a much better move compared to the most popular 5.Ng1. That said, after 5.Nd4 Black doesn't have to accept the sacrifice. Just play 5...Nf6 and you're fine.

[@MrAlanfalk73]

You are by far my favorit teatcher. I watch many others too, but both the production and your explanations are so good. Thanks a lot 😊

[@squareclemathematics1218]

For anyone reading this, the opening feels like the vienna but with black instead of white. I imagine most vienna traps also apply here

[@jasonyeh7468]

Same, some traps are essentially the same as Vienna gambit lines which I play. Extra tempo for white is not really useful since d5 comes with tempo.

[@geethuvarghese9103]

True..

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you for the valuable tip!

[@edmondzeldin7036]

@@jasonyeh7468 Agree; it's a reversed Vienna Gambit

[@Boruto_Uzumaki_1]

@@GMIgorSmirnov in your variation where the gambit is declined with d3 after you take your king to out side most of them play g3 then what should you do it's +3 for them Time stamp at 11:47

[@totokfr]

C4 has now become my standard reply to people who try the Gioco ¨Piano on me . I"m fed up with getting my liver fried . Just caught my first victim for variation where white goes for the queen rook fork while black ignores him and builds up an attack on the white king . Not exactly the same moves as in the video but the same result ! Thanks Igor , its great fun

[@ecilatnecniv]

i always use this counter-gambit in lichess (bullet).. defeating 2100-2400 easily.. after exf5, i opt for Nf6 , tho.. and i still believe that's better

[@vmkiwi9259]

yeah in the vienna gambit you play the knight first to avoid a queen check. I guess the same can be said for this gambit to avoid Qh5+

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to know the opening works so well for you! You may give it a try to push e4 tho, it might work even better.

[@ecilatnecniv]

@@GMIgorSmirnov yeah! thanks..

[@chrisbackman7888]

Seriously had a whaaaaat reaction at the end of each sequence and went over many different scenarios and black usually comes out with the advantage when it clearly looks like they don’t but I’m barely above 1200 sooo. Love this opening!

[@RinkOuTime]

I've never seen this before but I always play the falkerbeer counter gambit so it was natural to do d4

[@yudierpelaez2083]

Thank you Igor. I got some quick results today with this video. I won 3 or 4 straight games in a quick and awesome way.

[@patricklehmann132]

After exf5 and black pushing the e pawn the chess engine told me nd4 is a brilliant move. If you play nxd4 as black then white can play qh5 with check and black has some troubles. So taking the pawn is not that bad after all.

[@kpchessman]

I saw the same thing and it isn't addressed here, but it should have been.

[@ArmyRanger483]

Your correct. I'm a master and this is true. In fact after Qh5+whites winning

[@wonderwind2716]

Yes. Actually I always deliberately accept this gambit (even if I know it's meant to be a trap) and play Nd4 after black's e5 to set a counter-trap. It's actually +0.0 ~ +0.1 if black play correctly (Nf6) so it doesn't matter if they know the trap, but if they take knight they collapse.

[@luizavala]

I'm having a great time studying and using this gambit...and came accross this interesting line: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5 4. d4 exd4 5. Ng5 The video does not analyze white's move and although easy to answer, I think is worth making comments about it. The best answer I have found is 5. ... Ne5

[@carlihrjlkjh9011]

I was bummed that the cat was missing at the beginning. Luckily, (s)he showed up before too long. Cool opening!

[@davidjosephweyh325]

Great video! Although 11:47 if white goes g3 it’s pretty devastating….though visually it looks very natural for white to castle instead!

[@TimoSaloranta]

Ouch! My opponent just found this in our correspondence chess match. 😅

[@TimoSaloranta]

As a matter of fact it still seems somewhat playable after 8. - Qh3 9. Nxh8 Qh2 10. Rf1 d5 (unleashing the light-square bishop)

[@jimmyhemeda132]

⁠@@TimoSalorantaSorry for responding to a 1 year old video but g3 instead of castling looks to kill this trap and refute the whole gambit. Even if you play Qh3, Qg2, d5 you still lose to white counter striking with Qh5+.

[@arguelloit1]

At 11:35, after Kf7, I also considered Qh4, but never hoping white to castle, yet expecting a more efficient pawn in g3. How would you react to this, after fxg3; fxg3?

[@prplt]

you should play Qh3 instead then d5 and Bg4

[@ralkadde]

This is the most valuable and informative video about chess openings I have seen for long. Thank you!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mryellow4633]

After they take the pawn and you go e4 to kick their knight, if they go Nd4 then correct move is to go Nf6 instead of capturing or else your king side will be destroyed and opponent will still win back the knight

[@toddtrimble2555]

I had the same thought. Would be nice to see this line addressed.

[@skipmcqueen6666]

Igor you are so enjoyable to learn from. I wish you continued success and appreciate all the instructional material. Big thank you from Florida

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you so much!

[@maximmironov6961]

You didn't mention that after exf5 e4 the knight can actually go to d4 because of the exposed king Nxd4 Qh5+, everything else is great

[@emotions4you]

Yes this move I experienced in my first game against a 2078 guy, and lost immediately 😀

[@buelstv1040]

c6 and check is covered

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Just play 5...Nf6 and you're fine.

[@maximmironov6961]

@@GMIgorSmirnov ...so then its equal and its not immediately "losing" if white takes the pawn as suggested in the thumbnail

[@joshuabaluch6779]

if white plays Nd4 do NOT take the knight. you'll be the one getting destroyed after Qh5+

[@joelyanez7146]

I really admire the way your teaching and it makes me feel good ..im joel yanez from the philippines ,your fan

[@brunosanguigni6478]

30 years of chess,still amazed by an opening or a combination; wonderful :)

[@daleleisenring4275]

Bruno Sanguigni - Oh you new players! LOL! 57th year for me! A guy older than I am now, told me 25-30 years ago that in his opinion you are "new" to the game until youve played it at least half a century! Now if I could only find that guy! Sure, he would be 113 yesrs old but I bet he still has game!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

@@daleleisenring4275 😅

[@nakyetrowbridge2896]

The correct pronunciation for the word Rousseau gambit is RHOUS-SEA-OWW GAMBIT!!! Thank u for the informative video on how the black pieces destroy the white pieces on the board with such ease! THANKS AGAIN GRAND MASTER! "PEACE NA'KYE"

[@BigBadWilfAgain]

Hi Igor, what's the cat called? I notice it's always there, I suspect it is the real chess genius and you are just the front guy.

[@sunnypal5517]

I didn't see the cat 🤣

[@ronfrancis6012]

White can take the gambit pawn and when the black pawn is advanced, attacking the knight, the knight doesn't have to go back to g1 but can advance to d4. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5 4. exf5 e4 5. Nd4 and if black takes the knight ... Nxd4 6. Qh5+ g6 7. fxg6 Qf6 8. g7+ Kd8 9. gxf8=Q+ Qxf8 * White is up material and Stockfish says over 4 points ahead, so the white knight can't be taken. (Péter Bagó mentions this below, as do others, but I thought I would add the notation.)

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💡 Register to GM Igor Smirnov's FREE Masterclass "The Best Way to Improve at Chess INSTANTLY" - chess-teacher.com/masterclass 💲 Join the RCA Affiliate Program, promote our courses, and get 50% commission - chess-teacher.com/partnership/

[@RDXRION]

Bro this is stockfish moves I saw this first in an artificial chess tournament Stockfish vs LeelaCess0 and stockfish 16 elo is 3880 ?

[@shankheshwartownshipassoci6829]

@@RDXRION laaaaaa

[@miguelfarneds6414]

Its actually the reversed Vienna Gambit

[@studytable2060]

If after queen e2 instead of pawn d3 one goes for knight c3 the what would be the variations

[@studytable2060]

In the 2nd variation If after queen e2 instead of pawn d3 one goes for knight c3 the what would be then moves for black

[@হোনোলুলুর_হুতুমপেচা]

After watching this I played this game. OMG!! This trick is awesome for black. Pe4 Pe5, Qf3 KNc6, Bc4 Pf5(*), Qxf5 Pd5 (attacking B and Q), Bxd5 Bxf5, Pxf5 Qxd5 (white resigned)...

[@adammcallister9675]

I watched this a few times the other day and have been smashing other noobs with this. Still coming back to master this opening before I take in other theory. This really sets you up for an easy mid-game and I have been going into endgames with utterly humiliating material and positional advantages if the game gets weird bc noobs do weird stuff, including myself. But this has been bulletproof for me.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

It's wonderful to know the opening worked out so well for you! Keep it up!

[@shrihari-kalyanis7630]

Truly....

[@adolfosamson1939]

watching 2022 I'm a Pilipino 78 years old and I enjoy your show. playing for 45 years as a hobby but I realize that my knowledge about chess is only a begginers level.Thanks though it is too late, l love playing chess .

[@AGHathaway]

11:45 What if white plays g3? Seems like white is doing fine.

[@felixlersha]

More than fine. Black's counter attack is pretty much refuted and White is now ready to win an exchange for free.Think Stockfish gives White +3.5.

[@emsey6097]

Im a pretty new player... I love your teaching style. Cant wait to play later, and see how it goes. I already won a game today with a tactic from a different video!!! I bought your super pack and am really looking foreard to learing from you!!! Super cool!!! and Merry Christmas. Im so gonna try it out!!!

[@nblack2867]

10:19 Wow! I'm suddenly a huge fan of the Rousseau Gambit and let me explain why. Not only are there all these amazing traps that you mentioned in the beginning of the video, but what you're about to show is that a d3 response from White transposes into the Lucchini Gambit, which the chess website has a fantastic video on elsewhere on KZbin (and while I haven't seen the rest of your video, I'm sure you already know this position is really trappy). One thing I always found annoying about the Lucchini Gambit move order is that it depends on white playing d3 which you can respond to with f4. If white plays another move like Nc3 or O-O, you end up in a not as trappy opening (or at least, I don't know some super trappy variation). What I love about this opening is that it can become the Lucchini Gambit without risking something like O-O or Nc3, but even if you don't end up in the Lucchini Gambit, you're still in a very trappy opening. Thanks for this video. Guess what new opening I'm trying after this... ;)

[@sathishbot9103]

Can you tell whats your now opening for white and black

[@adolfosamson1939]

Thanks to a clear voice and precise video. Im 79 and only now that I knew this gambit and like playing it. God bless you

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anasalsous8286]

Holy cow 79 It's nice to see people this age have the enthusiasm to learn more about chess and explore more openings and traps God bless you king 👑

[@cohrelo]

I went from 1100 to 1300 after watching videos from this channel in less than a week 💪💯

[@sathishbot9103]

Which vedios u watch bro , can you reccomend tto me i am 1200

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Excellent!

[@luisarturoreinoso1479]

Igor thank you so much for all your grat videos...you are #1 , hard to beat , I always lear from you , again thank you

[@trinitysingerswimbledon725]

After white responding with d3 and black Bb5, I was hoping for Ng5 but after several times nobody has yet gone into that trap. Instead, they often castle king side and/or do Bg5 attacking the queen which can then become really dicey for black. After that experience, I've started to play f4 to block that diagonal and make attacks on the castled king difficult to defend. Any other thoughts?

[@genedial8179]

4...Bc5, 5. Bg5 attacking the Queen is indeed problematic. Stockfish suggests 5...Be2 to block the attack, but I agree with you that the move Bc5 is the problem. I was going to try Nf6 but will try your suggested f4 instead. Thanks.

[@RajuJadhav-ng7me]

Hi Igor.. I got to do the queen and knight variation and did not win his queen but won the rook and the game very easily against a 2100+ and I am just 1500+..Really enjoyed that as you have mentioned in the video.. Many thanks

[@astorakino829]

I'm sorry but after exf5 e5 there is Nd4 because if you take there is a tactic: Qh5+ g6 fxg6 Nf6 g7+ Nxh5 gxh8=Q Nxc2+ Kd1 and White is winning Qh5+ Ke7 Qf7+ Kd6 Qd5+ Ke7 Qxd4 and Black is losing because his king is wide open If Nf6 you just trade Knight on c6, castle and it's equal. Taking is still not the best option, but it's important to know that if Nd4 is played you can't take

[@georgegeorgopoulos1861]

Yes indeed after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 f5 4.exf5 e4 5.Nd4 !? black should not take 5 ...Nf6 is best but still an equal position for black is not a bad thing !

[@astorakino829]

@@georgegeorgopoulos1861 It's more to avoid people who saw the video to take the Knight because that would be losing

[@AutPen38]

Obviously there is a refutation to this gambit (black should never win if both players play optimally, but in real life black can win by "tricking" white) but how many sub-1800 players will play Nd4? It's.a really unnatural move that they probably won't consider for more than half a second. Hence, most players will fall for this gambit/trap and black should end up better.

[@astorakino829]

@@AutPen38 Yeah but that's not even losing if he played that, so you should know that the position is still playable if you don't take the Knight on D4 ! You just need to don't snap take it I'm not saying you shoudn't be playing that gambit, I'm just adding lines to avoid

[@princeantisocial]

Interesting so if Nd4 I don’t take and play Nf6 to avoid Qh6+? Is this playable?

[@gollumchess]

this video is so helpful. i used to play this but didn't know all the traps. and now, i open this video for help in the middle of the game & win it. :D

[@ViewableArtist2]

Actually, this is a variant of Latvian Gambit. It is a fun opening with a ton of play for both players. ALL FOR THE COST OF ONE PAWN.

[@amentia666]

After black pushes the e-pawn and forces the Knight to move, it can go to d4. Black's knight on c6 can not take then because of Qh4. After white's knight moves to d4, black HAS to play Nf6, but then white can take on c6 and the position is pretty equal except that black recaptures with the d7-pawn and thus opens up for the light squared bishop.

[@dorukhankalyoncu8398]

11:48 Well it's a wrong information, most played move is actually G3 with the pawn. And there is not a good move for Black, you just lose your rook for nothing

[@mattsmith4191]

I agree. I saw and made my comment before reading/seeing yours. So g3 move should be obvious to most good players. Sometimes I think Igor recommends moves that would only work against very weak players.

[@jckc2800]

Hi watch this video and my first game using this gambit was awesome after knight takes e4 then he played f3 pushing my knight I responded with the move queen to h4 check then the game was won easily thanks 😊 keep it Up I watch also all your videos.. 🙏

[@aaronbarlow4376]

4:45 What about sacrificing the knight by moving it to d4, then moving Qh5+?

[@Charlie-cp1he]

😁😀Good point.

[@Charlie-cp1he]

Taking the poisoned knight would bring quick defeat to black.

[@suivzmoi]

i am 700 level and must say this is the one with which i have gotten the most success. mostly because it is so often played--i can actually benefit after putting in the effort to learn and memorise! i love it!

[@airforcetone]

At 11:46 what if white plays g3?

[@fabrilo43]

Hello, one remark. after de move e2-e4 white play the move night f3-d4 after black takes de night with c6-d4 white plays Qd1- h6 and black loses

[@kndghenadie838]

4:20 Knight can go to d4, if you take, he checks with the queen on h5 and the pawn on f5 is gonna give you some serious troubles, according to Stockfish, it's +3 after you take the knight

[@ajmalghan]

You should not take and play Nf6 to avoid queen check. Crazy line. Equal.

[@j.thomas1420]

As a Rousseau Gambit player well aware of that move, I can guarantee you that that move never happened to me in a blitz game. Either the player know the gambit and do not play exf4, either he feel tricked and retreats on f1, or tried the infamous Qe2. Very fun to play against club level.

[@MioVendetta]

I've watched a few of your videos and there so well explained and simply demonstrated so as not to be confusing, yet still very difficult to remember. Saying that I find it's had a positive effect on my game, thank you.

[@zeebest1004]

02:40 Line-1: 4.Nc3 loses quickly 03:31 Line-2: 4.exf5 gives up center 05:39 Amazing combination wins in 9 moves 10:04 Line-3: 4.d3 defending e4-pawn 12:51 2 checkmating threats at a time! 14:35 Line-4: 4.d4 White's best response 16:44 Conclusion: Black is very active

[@invictus9976]

You are a Gran Master, have been playing chess for 30 years and you never heard about this... just incredible, and amazing, and unbelievable, and, and.....

[@shriroopmadiwalar795]

6:52 After e4, there is one more good square for knight which is Nd4. NxN can't be done because Qh5+ is deadly and black is busted. Can you please show a line for this variation as well. Thank you.

[@stanleyadamson912]

Yea that’s the move I was pondering, queen to h5, what happens for black after that?

[@hippotion7317]

@@stanleyadamson912 black loses, according to my 1250 elo insight and the computer 😉

[@m1ustang]

Thank you! I was asking that myself too and I therefore think this opening can be self destroying so much.

[@shriroopmadiwalar795]

@@m1ustang I have played this line many times now, but only for short blitz games as opponent does not have time to play best moves. After e4, very few times Nd4 was played because of less time to calculate, in these cases I lost always. But even with other lines shown here I get mixed results. It is high risk high reward, there were times my opponent had to resign in few moves. And there were some with other way around.

[@b0n-o-o-o-o]

in this variant you have 2 alternatives, we know that After e4 Nd4 you cannot NxN because Qh5+, so you just have to not capture the knight after Nd4 and play Nf3 to prevent future Qh5+ ideas, then the best move for white is to capture the knight, because if the knight goes backwards you lose a lot of tempo and d5 for black comes anyway; and in the other side c3 to defend the knight and NxN and pawn takes, makes that pawn a weakness and also d5 for black comes anyway so: e4, Nd4 Nf6, NxN here you have the 2 alternatives it depends in your style of play: -b7xNc6 leads to a position where you can reinforce the center playing d5 anyway with the double pawns, with ideas of castle to kingside and your rook will be in play for the attack directly to that side of the board in combination with your massive central space -the other option is to play d7xNc6 take the pawn on f5 as soon as you can and have faster development with more flexibility in the position with the development of your pieces then castling to queenside wich could lead to a king side attack pushing h and g 7 pawns in the right moments

[@Galileosays]

@11:00 play exf5. On d7-d5 to attack bishop, white answers Qh5+.

[@draculus4318]

Its Vienna Gambit with black! I mean its awesome

[@christyler6234]

Yeah, I said the same thing. I’m a Vienna player but never considered even thinking how to do it when black!

[@shimi3065]

Ive played this a few times since you mentioned it in a previous video and Ive MOSTLY had good results.

[@celing0624]

Yep I won using it at first, but I loss when the second move was knight to c3 followed by d3... Please make a video what is the proper response here after c3 followed by d3... Please.

[@GunnersRange]

It seems to me if the second move is K to C3, this gambit is not appropriate because it requires a very specific set of moves to allow it.

[@daleleisenring4275]

@@GunnersRange King to c3? You mean Nc3 or even NQB3.

[@GunnersRange]

@@daleleisenring4275 at 0.40, you have white Bishop to C4. then at 0.49 you have black Pawn to F5. Igor then begins discussing what White can do, BUT he never addresses White using its next move to capture the Black Knight at G8 and what Black would then do.

[@ydrojzelf]

@@GunnersRange Im not sure but I think take back with rook is the best move there.

[@GunnersRange]

@@ydrojzelf Thank you. That would be my move also.🙂

[@MansourBadis-ex8yq]

Hi , best coming move for white after attacking his knight with a pawn in e4 is knight d4 Sacrifice the knight if black takes by knight there is Check by the queen h5 .. and white stay in the game

[@dumplangs5840]

4:20 Couldn't the knight still go d4? If you take knight with your knight, queen h5 is very deadly

[@mindfulmagician7550]

Actually, I came here now looking for this. My opponent did just that and I got stuck!

[@EvertfromNederland]

@@mindfulmagician7550 That's why you don't take the Knight. (more than often to take is a mistake) But you continue developing. Nf6 is possible and should be played eventually. IMO Pawn to h5 as a reaction to Nd4 is nice. You open your rook file preventing Qh5. Plus if you continue the attack with Bc5 and Qh4 it is very threatening. So it might look like this: White plays Nd4. Black: h5. White: Nd4xNc6. d7xNc6. White to move probably something like d3/d4 or h4. You can respond by taking on f5 with Bc8xf5 ór develop your black bishop to c5 transposing into a Stafford Gambit. In that case think about moves like Qh4 Try it out. Hope you read this. After long long thinking i don't think Nd4 is a strong move because of what i just mentioned.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

As Evert wrote, Black can just play Nf6 (preventing White from playing Qh5+)

[@EvertfromNederland]

@@GMIgorSmirnov Thanks for getting back to us. I encountered this setup 2 days ago. I was black. instead of Nd4, my oponent played Ne5! Threatening both Qh5+ and Nf7. I was in quite a pickle. I whent for the counter attack with; h5, Qf6, d5 and Bc8xf5, Qh4, Nf6 and Bc5. I had to loose my Rook on h8. But i had a decent counter attack. The pawn on h5 was a great help for my white bishop on g4 after capturing white's f5 pawn first. But i think i got lucky. Could you revisit this position again including reviewing these moves?

[@mindfulmagician7550]

@@EvertfromNederland thank you! I'll have to give it a go!

[@ganeshpillai7545]

It's one of my favorite gambit. Came to know from ur videos. Thankyou.

[@Saitama_73]

11:46 What if white plays pawn G3? Then you just lose a rook. So it's obviously not that great.

[@sergehamels9024]

My thoughts exactly

[@julikun724]

Qxh2 mate

[@sergehamels9024]

@@julikun724 No, we mean instead of castling

[@Maverick1989s]

I just lost a game..my opponent played g3 instead of castling. Igor should explain 🙄

[@michaelbendavid3173]

Went through the comments looking for this. It does look terrible ! Can someone please help us ? 😅

[@davidshepherd846]

I really enjoyed and learned alot. Thank you

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@frankbommarito4908]

Instead of white retreating the knight to g1 after e4 by black he can set his own counter trap with Nd4. If black takes NxN then white has the deadly check Qh5+. Doesn't that pretty much cook black?

[@jannijhof2083]

Very true. Igor looks at Qh5+ but one move too late, after retreating the knight.

[@shriroopmadiwalar795]

Exactly, my opponent played Nd4 instead of retreating and it was me who was playing to save checkmate. Eventually lost to bad blunders as usual

[@frankbommarito4908]

@@shriroopmadiwalar795 you have to refuse the free piece after Nd4 and instead play Nf6. Then you are ok but I wouldn't play this opening against a strong player.

[@katlegokhoza7194]

After Qh5+ black plays g6 then if g5xg6 then black plays Nf6

[@jannijhof2083]

... 8. Bf7 Ke7 9. Qc5+ d6 10. Qd4 Two pawns ahead, no castling, King in the run, no center for black.

[@richardsaunders2185]

After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5 4. exf5 e4 white can certainly play 5. Nd4 since 5...Nxd4 6. Qh5+ is completely winning for White

[@ed55joma84]

Hi, after f5 d4 ed N:d4 Nf6, I propose N:c6 if bc Q:d8+ K:d8 now e5 Nd5 Bg5+ white is better.

[@Oyedeloy]

What abot 7.g3

[@martinkillips180]

One of my top two teachers - thank you! And Rousseau is pronounced Ru-so as you said.