The Unbeatable Bishop’s Opening (simple and powerful)

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✅ "Breaking stereotypes" video lesson by GM Igor Smirnov - • Breaking stereotypes P...
🔹 4 Quick Checkmates In The Bishop’s Opening - • 4 Quick Checkmates In ...
In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov shares with you an interesting chess opening, the Bishop’s Opening, which happens after the following moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4. It is not a very popular opening line (compared to 2.Nf3 or 2.Nc3), nevertheless, it’s perfectly sound as you’re developing a piece and taking aim at the Black’s f7-pawn.
Additionally, by playing the Bishop’s Opening, you are dragging your opponent out of his/her opening preparation. Therefore, you can use this opening weapon to surprise your opponents. Most importantly, there are a lot of interesting aggressive and attacking lines that you can follow up with!
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► Chapters
00:00 Bishop's Opening 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4
01:05 Line-1: Black's symmetrical 2...Bc5
03:04 Do NOT rush the exchange Nxd4
04:57 Play aggressively as White
07:36 Best way to improve at chess
08:34 Line-2: Black plays 2...Nc6
10:51 Be careful of 5.f4 if 4...Bc5
13:55 Line-3: Black plays 2...Nf6
14:11 Urusov Gambit 3.d4
16:06 Mainline: Black plays 3...exd4
17:58 Final line: If Black plays Nf6 correctly
19:39 Cool tactical combination
20:55 Conclusion: Solid & aggressive opening
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#IgorNation #BishopsOpening #ChessOpenings #ChessOpening

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@isaiahjamberganio7482]

T

[@isaiahjamberganio7482]

Not sure

[@eransuissa6928]

i try it i got crashed in a very easy mode comPuter

[@jahlion7078]

What about when Black plays pawn to B5 to attack Bishop? That's always what computer does when I play. against.

[@user-gh1ko6cx4q]

No 😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉

[@rileylendrum]

1:05 - First variation (black bishop mirrors) 8:45 - Second variation (Queen's Knight) 13:55 - Third variation (King's Knight - most common response)

[@haitusmayatus1380]

Thank you

[@jlstudiopro2974]

I don't understand how there's only 3? I'm at minute 7.36 and I feel like I saw 3 different variations already bc he cleared the board 3 times. Or was that all still considered 1 variation. Also also is a variation also called a "line"

[@AlexadreSalmi]

@@jlstudiopro2974 From what I understand, a variation is characterized by the opponent's first responding move after your opening. In this case, white's 1.e4 and 3.Bc5 characterizes the Bishop's Opening. So black's second move is what will define which variation is being played. And for every move you make there will always be some corresponding sequences of moves that would be considered the "best" or more common replies/continuations. These sequences/continuations are called lines. So you could say that there are many possible lines for each variation. I hope I'm not saying bs here. Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

[@Jordash04]

theres just so many ways to deal with different things which makes me forget everything i try to learn haha

[@ex0ja]

Problem is you need to practice to memorise, but to practice you rely on your opponent making the right moves you want to practice for, and if they don't you play a whole game before you get another shot at it

[@SunnyDays70s]

You’ve described how I feel exactly

[@josephsalmonte4995]

I hear you brother.

[@rustyflex9735]

Yaaaaa me to

[@narayanaibarala3356]

Great #sbchesz

[@N.K5108]

I reached 1300 only by knowing the first 3 moves of this opening, and now I will master it completely with your help 😊

[@userhome3601]

Notice that in one variation Qxd4 is wrong as black wins a tempo, but later this tempo isn't anything to worry about. It's wonderful that the rules-of-thumb change depending on what gives you the advantage.

[@bradhaggerty244]

I’ve been running this opening for decades and have now picked up a few more tricks. Thank you!

[@bggines_1260]

I might give this bishop opening a serious try!

[@urmama54]

whats ur elo

[@bggines_1260]

@@urmama54 around1600🤭

[@lagelk2000]

@@bggines_1260 Decades? Wow Edit: This man's playing chess before I started existing

[@wrathofgrothendieck]

Adding some tricks to the tool bag

[@jorgequintanillare]

Awesome, I have learn so much from your videos. You are the only one I care to follow bc of how you explain easy and in a calm manner. Kudos.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@DauntlessTony]

Simply a lovely chess opening Sir Igor! Thank you so much for sharing! 😊✌️

[@stanislausbohmearteaga4729]

Another thing with the bishop's opening, you can transpose to a reversed Petrov, therefore play also a reversed stafford gambit if you are familiar with Eric Rosen

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

That's one of the good ideas indeed!

[@5native]

I like your idea brother...i use that Bishop opening all the time but now i see the idea

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Good luck implementing these ideas! :)

[@mdc1250]

Thank you! Loved this!!

[@nigelsandywell2079]

Awesome tutorial, thank you for the moves 👍👍👍

[@justanothermuslim9522]

This is the most important video to watch. And probably the best I have watched online. Hats off. After all he is GM

[@energyexecs]

Hello GM Igor Smirnov - Thank you for the videos. Your teaching style is at the right pace and rhythm .Thanks for slowing down for others.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you like them!

[@selti1]

Thank you very much for an excellent explanation of the traps in the Bishop's opening

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shanewinston1913]

Hello GM Igor Smirnov. Recently found your channel and I’m really enjoying all content, thanks sir for your enlightenment! Could you please share link to your other video referenced here, the one about how for white (or black) to properly defend against the bishop pins in general (or on his black g5 knight as in this review)? Thanks in advance as I just couldn’t locate after quick search, you have sooo many videos felt like finding “needle in the haystack” lol. Cheers!

[@permortenkjl4281]

Thank you! You are a great teacher, I have developed my understanding of chess from your videos, and thanks to you I´m not stuck anymore and chess is fun again :) May God be with you and your fellow countrymen in Ukraine, and may God bless you and bestowe peace upon you. Our hearts are crying

[@davidsilverhawk3732]

Thank you so much!!! I love this!!!

[@Phavela]

Thanks man, these tactics work so well and are easy to learn.

[@raiavigil1295]

You are an excellent player and teacher, thank you, Igor!

[@GVAjay-wp4tj]

You are a brilliant teacher Sir.

[@biblybims9868]

Nice,been using this opening for a while now,this will help thanks

[@yzfool6639]

What are the best ideas after the most popular reply 1 e4 e5 2 Bc4 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 d3 Na5?

[@Relic67]

I've watched this video about ten times and just won my first game with this system in 22 moves. I really like it. Thank you very much.

[@richardbloodgood8381]

M mm by

[@musa071]

Lmao gg

[@thecurefan1]

Excelentt! Thank you so much! Instructional!

[@diamondbright45]

congrats in a good if not great video..once again very well explained...thank you very much so much....

[@thomaswawondatu7936]

I like the way you teach us how to play chess. Very simple and easy to understand... Thanks brother

[@UnderhillKoufax]

This looks interesting. I will try this. Thanks!

[@davidbatchelder85]

Great job, as always.

[@241hnd]

Thank you. This was an incredible lesson. Please create more videos like this explaining other openings in the same way.

[@panyachunnanonda6274]

Thank you very much, I love this Opening/ your suggestion so much.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'm glad you like it

[@andersjonsson8403]

Fantastic analyses! Thanks! 😀👍♟

[@cooperharvey6624]

Thank you for sharing great opening moves

[@ChristianSoschner]

Fantastic explanation. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnaguilar654]

Thanks for sharing these marvelous ideas in Chess to gain advantages and ultimately win games. I LIKE THEM!!!

[@gianlucadinapoli7018]

Thanks for all of your chess-lessons. With your help I managed to improve my Lichess-rating up to 2000. Sincerely GdN

[@emmswarega2658]

That Last variation is venomous...Can't wish that on my worst enemy

[@Bulletisred]

Thank you Igor. I used to play a lot just over 20 years ago. But life got in the way. I want to get back into the game. Funny how I used to know these lines and how I have forgotten them. Thank you for the refresher 😎👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Welcome back!

[@alexezekial9922]

Great video! Thanks

[@bradleyweigle7875]

I have followed other instructors but I find yours the best. Thank you.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear!

[@julitoireneojr9587]

Thanks really tricky and helpful thanks for the video again

[@stonedbunny5721]

Love your content! Thank you so much!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You are so welcome!

[@robhead22]

Beautiful. Thank you!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you like it!

[@balakrishnaraovinnakota2527]

Lovely analysis i enjoyed

[@michaelmassaro4375]

A lot of interesting points I guess it took you awhile to learn all these helpful pointers it’s definitely an advantage to have this kind of knowledge than try to rely on own instincts Thanks

[@MCPerez]

This my favorite move, Now I understand even further how it works this is very helpfull

[@kristian-keller-layman]

Thank you Mr. Smirnov.

[@socratis3630]

Wauw, this is all so logica but I would Nederland think of all that. Truly amazingly explainded

[@brianbennett2397]

You are an INCREDIBLE teacher! Thank you for wonderful lessons!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you! 😃

[@Chessboon]

You are doing great job 👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks

[@soumitraghosh7510]

Hi Igor, at 6:36 mark, you should also consider black moving the b pawn to attack white bishop

[@joeyschumans]

I was thinking the exact same thing. Did you find anything?

[@josephpacot9963]

Thank you so much for these video.. i'm on my 2nd week of learning chess and i can see there are improvement because sometimes i won the game..

[@sayafkhan748]

Watching ir for the third time in a matter pf teo weeks. I must say, it’s pretty substantial and worth it. Great job Smyslov

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markkuhexen-sonderauftrag7760]

I did try this Bishops- opening with a friend of mine. He started to play the sicilian defence after my e2-e4 anyway i won. Heres the coordinates: 1. e4 c5 2. Bc4 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. O-O a6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 b5 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. Nd2 Qb8 10. Nf3 Qd6 11. Qe3 Qc5 12. Qf4 f5 13. Be3 Qd6 14. exf5 Nf6 15. fxe6 Qxf4 16. exd7+ Kd8 17. Bxf4 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Bc5 19. Rad1 Bd4 20. c3 Bxc3 21. bxc3 h5 22. Rfe1 b4 23. cxb4 a5 24. Bb5 axb4 25. Re8+ Nxe8 26. dxe8=Q# 1-0

[@markstahl1464]

That’s the Bowdler Attack, and it’s pretty bad for White. He must have blundered at some point. I too lost to the Bowdler Attack most recently, so it must be a very sharp, though dubious opening for white.

[@236arcade]

I normally bring out my bishop like this although I recognize that the bishop is more useful to me near the end game since they are fewer pieces on the board. I like having my bishops available for long diagonals rather than relying on my knights short hopping coverage of the board. It’s a compromise for me based on my opponent’s response . Interesting analysis. Thanks

[@josephsalmonte4995]

Yeah, snipers are good for quick tactics but they're killer in an endgame. Especially if you have the pair 👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

I'm glad that you've found it helpful!

[@user-qr6rp1mh5s]

Thanks for tutorial chess. Great moves i got it here

[@dominique7641]

just great! Thank you!

[@OThyme]

Excellent video, thanks

[@user-wr4hb1sj8g]

Thank you Igor! I have been trying out this opening and I am gettingn great results! :)

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear!

[@leogje4141]

I am so grateful for your style of teaching the best slow and very indepth

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Happy to hear that!

[@shyambalehosur5903]

Thank you sir 😍

[@mukmowf9402]

Hey thanks I play really well I stopped playing this years ago because I wanted to learn other opens this reminded me of the true power of the c4 bishop

[@thuantruong8556]

thx gm

[@kobe51]

Thank you 👍

[@fritz6430]

Just a wonderful, fresh new idea in the ancient game of chess! Thank you so much Mr. Smirnov!

[@Zywl]

I'm watching and practicing everything in this video until I master all varioations shown here, amazing.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Keep it up

[@julitoireneojr9587]

Thanks really enjoyed the video powerful move

[@lohitakshanavneeth135]

Thank you for making this video and teaching the bishops opening my opponents were all shocked seeing my moves and started thinking in the first two moves

[@lohitakshanavneeth135]

Edit- Won against many high rated opponents using the bishops opening

[@c0mm4nd3r4]

Great video! Just subscribed, I applied this opening, and earned me some wins :)

[@seeker4fun]

Indeed a very interesting opening the bishopsopening. At 15:43 after dxe5 what if black plays Nc5? You mentioned that there are no real good squars for the Night. What is the right way to play here? Does any one know?

[@williambunter3311]

Wow; I know I wouldn't last long against you Grandmaster! Thank you for posting.

[@sirsmooth6835]

This is good to know. Thank you

[@tomscharfseher3695]

Best Chesschanel ever. Thx.

[@unrealjatinfc1915]

Your explanation is really awesome

[@vicco55]

Wonderful video! Thank you for posting.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andreferreira2693]

Guess it'll be very usefull for me, I realized that I play a lot this opening, hope my game improve with those advices.

[@asaffink]

Thanks!

[@HogeyeBill]

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d3 It seems to me that Na5 getting the 2 bishops gives black an easy game. What do you recommend against this "spoiler" line?

[@alcam4226]

Thank you

[@raychorafailov2492]

Great guides, thanks for that :) Not only this but all I have watched so far. Sometimes I do not understand why complicate things. For example at 15:22 you suggest sacrificing the bishop on f7, followed by Qd5, but why don't white just play immediately Qd5 or even Qf3. I can't see how black can save the knight and we do not need to sacrifice the bishop.

[@princedave6859]

Pls more!!! Moreeeeee!!!

[@mfdcrowemortified5200]

I see this opening in every game and I learned how to counter it kinda well. Just castle queen side and push knight to pins and I’ve been winning lots of games that way. Btw I’m 1500 elo so pretty intermediate level

[@humungous09]

how long did you take to reach 1500 from ground up? like 6 months, 1 year, 2 years? Thanks for your reply..

[@alanlicitra]

@@humungous09 8 months for me to reach 1600

[@luisarturoreinoso1479]

Igor is hard to beat!!!...succes

[@ChristianSoschner]

Excellent content. Thanks for sharing 🎉

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nickpascua7192]

Thanks so much. It's really interesting and fun at the same time. I learned a lot, I have replayed this video so many times hahaha God bless. I'm Subscriber and fan from the Philippines.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pv9401]

Hello, thanks for the video. For some reason, I can't see link for pgn file below video.

[@vitalyscurea7881]

It's a really powerful opening indeed ! I tried it recently in a couple of rapid games for the first time and it worked. I won both of them, even if I had to sacrifice some pieces. Very interesting and helpful ! Thank you, Igor for this Video chess class !

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Well done! Keep it up!

[@motornade277]

thnx for this

[@robherrera6178]

Great information!

[@paulstaudt2812]

Great video! One question… At 16:50, after white plays Qxd4, what if black plays Qe7? The only lines mentioned are the black knight retreating. Seems best for white to castle by then if black brings out the other knight, the white queen must retreat and black gains tempo.

[@asherhall5913]

I am a recreational chess player and a beginner, I mostly play to spend time with friends in a tough competition who will pay for a beer (several of them) when we play together in a local "war". 2 months ago I started playing on the internet and using these tips I got a few games from opponents who are rated much higher than me, and with stronger players I bothered them a lot in the opening..I remember it was said that Capablanca intentionally lost from fishermen and used such a trap in the attack on the title. It's good that we have You tube we don't have to go fishing Remote Chess Academy Remote Chess Academy for tips and tricks.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for sharing the story!

[@a.k.550]

Nice to see someone who actualy knows what is he talking about

[@ottoparnarson6381]

Awesome video, just like all of them - my biggest problem is to remember everything 😂

[@bimn100]

i play this very often..Thank you for the video .Nice

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@josetamayo8654]

For sure best chess chanel of all time he shows most of the best moves and tries to show all the moves that could happen even though he doesn't do all of them it's fine because he tries his best great job man I love your vids!! (Even though I'm new lol)

[@julitoireneojr9587]

Very helpful

[@mushfiquealam6895]

Your lessons are really amazing

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you! 😃

[@dmitrit81]

Interesting👍 thanks

[@front331]

9:33. My favorite opening setup as white; Bishop's Opening: Berlin, Vienna Hybrid Variation is on the board 💪💪.

[@julitoireneojr9587]

Thanks very useful moves