The Best Defense to d4

[@joeywilliams7821]

I really like this channel. I'm surprised that there are so few subs right now. The channel art is top notch and you're an excellent teacher. It remains a mystery to me why people watch 2100 players on KZbin struggle to search for explanations of moves they don't understand that you explain immediately with clear logic. Good luck with your channel.

[@padmanajira623]

What's very interesting is that even most of the QGD players prefer the Nimzo if 3. Nc3 :) It is just the only opening elite players recognize as something you can play for a win with as Black without any risk, so everyone plays it. You get to equalize with dynamic, complicated positions. Perfect for what I need at club level: dynamic games that I can learn from.

[@meganjones9861]

Fantastic video and channel. I think you might be the only International Master level player on all of KZbin giving away free world class opening analysis. Give us more!

[@dustinransom4572]

I like how you created an objective criteria for deciding something was the best defense against 1. d4. Most people give some biased and random opinion about an opening they like for purely personal and emotional reasons, but here you actually made a credible and convincing case that doesn't show any bias. You just want the truth! I can get behind that.

[@mastersplinter3901]

Real good, instructive video. Thank you, Sir, for your efforts. God bless you.

[@houston3987]

The fact that this video’s length is 12:34 is very satisfying to me.

[@fritzlange7934]

Fantastic video, really inspiring me to play the Nimzo! Thank you.

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

Fantastic! I believe the Nimzo Indian gives you the option of whichever type of position you want, which is as much as one can ask from any Black opening. I simply love it and find it very logical and intuitive as an opening.

[@Panda-zx2bw]

Thanks!! Great Video

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

Thanks a lot! I kept it quick, but tried to cover everything that was important.

[@hjsbbns3418]

Nice analysis

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

Thanks. I hope these lines can help you out.

[@hjsbbns3418]

It did, sometimes playing f5 instead of d5 and keeping the bishop open wasn't working

[@fandastruhal5231]

Veri good video. Mr.Eric Kislik---

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

Thanks Fanda. Much appreciated.

[@itachi60001]

hey i really enjoy this opening videos, can you make one on the french as white? i really struggle to get a position against the french because all the main lines look really drawish if your opponent is well prepared. Thanks

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

Thanks for the compliment. Sure. I have done well with White in the Steinitz French, so I will make a video on that in the future, with a suggestion against the Winawer too.

[@itachi60001]

nice! really looking forward to it

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

I just made the video. I hope you like it.

[@jacobredd8509]

Great points all around. It is quite compelling that this is the most popular opening among World Champions against 1. d4. I suppose because the Nimzo Indian has everything a player with Black needs: dynamic play, solid play, quiet play, etc. Perfect for the flexible player.

[@fabiodamasio7955]

It was nice to watch this video. I'll start to learn and use this defense. Against e4 I'm learning Caro-Kann. What do you suggest? Just to inform, I'm reading your book and trying to follow all of your recomendations.

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

I suggest a Chigorin Ruy Lopez line in the book and have some Najdorf videos up on KZbin, but of course the Caro Kann is perfectly sound

[@michakurzatkowski3565]

What's the name of the programm you're using?

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

I am using ChessBase. I strongly recommend it.

[@rachelzimet8310]

Instead of 10. b4 by white, allowing black to play 10 ... a6 preventing 11. Nb5, why not go 10. Nb5 right away?

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

Good question. In this case, Black can play ...Be7 and perhaps even forgo ...a6 for the time being and play ...c5. The knight on b5 may end up looking simply awkward or being vulnerable.

[@rachelzimet8310]

Okay that's a good point :) thank you!

[@yokanlover8130]

At 6 minutes, 10 seconds, just after 8e3, why couldn't black play knight to e4 and win the bishop--since there's precious little white can do with his queen in the fork?

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

In this case, White would play Bxd8 and capture the Black queen. He is also free to take on c7 after that.

[@Mobin92]

What if white doesn't play c4?

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

This video also mentions playing the Ragozin, but generally speaking, if they play passively, Black can play ...d5 and ...c5 and control the center, like against the Colle.

[@ridhwaanquasem7626]

What happens if they push to 3) d5

[@ErikKislikChessSuccess]

Then Black's counterplay comes in even more easily after 2. ...c6. It is often risky to push a pawn, unprovoked and unsupported to the fifth rank like that early in the game.

[@danielschult434]

Doesn‘t 13... Nc6 lose a pawn after 14... Nxd5???

[@derSchachstratege]

Hi. I was interested in this line, so I Checked it with the engine. After Nxd5-Nxd5; Qxd5-Rad8 seems to be full compensation.white has to defend the threat of Bxh2 with e.g. Qh5-g6; Qh6-Nxb4. Black regains his Pawn and has threats like Bxf3 or Nxd3. Seems to be equal. Regards!