Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Alekhine's Defense

[@TheChessGiant]

For you Alekhine's Defense players, here is a second video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/omGmZYCVfNitfJI

[@sasodiarvas]

I started playing Alekhine's defence just because I like adventure games. Many people in my club say this is an inferior defence but I had great results. Now that I am watching your video I am getting very precious information about my previous errors in official games. I want to master this defence because I like initiative and dynamic games instead of symmetry. I always play for win even with black in tournaments and I think that this openings supports this kind of playing. Congratulations for your work, you have a really good way of explaining and a soft calm voice, contrary to many other channels that try to keep the enthousiasm by almost shouting at the microphone.

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy first off thanks for the kind words brotha! Super glad to help out. I try to make my videos for people educational for people that are actually wanting to learn an opening system. So thanks man. And also that's great you are playing the Alekhine's Defense. To this day, it's one of my least favorite openings to go against as I'm an e4 player. So, there's no doubt something about it that works. I'd also recommend learning the Scandinavian Variation if you haven't already. Very helpful once players start trying to avoid the 2. e5 line. (I'll drop a link to it down below). ALWAYS feel free to send in any questions you may have or any other opening videos you'd want to see! Wishing you a great end to the year! Alekhine's Defense- Scandi Variation kzbin.info/www/bejne/omGmZYCVfNitfJI

[@TrueBlueAndrew]

Won my first game today with the Alekhine. Even got a “Brilliant” move.

[@srijanchakraborty220]

I used to play Alekhine's defense against e4, it is very effective against many players because it is not that much popular opening. I didn't know much theory then, now i learned from here. Thanks 😊

[@TheChessGiant]

Of course Srijan, glad you liked it!

[@AllInOne-nz5kg]

Best explanation of Alekhine's defence

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy thanks I appreciate that!

[@tryrestartingit]

This video was amazing. I’m subscribing and watching ur other videos later

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy thanks for subscribing brotha! Always feel free to reach out and let me know if you have any questions surrounding any of the videos or if there's any other chess opening videos you'd want to see covered on the channel! Thanks, Solomon

[@christowers7307]

This video is so awesome! I like the benoni against d4, but wasnt very happy with any opening agaisnt e4. I think ive finally found somwthing I like ^^

[@theawesomelogan6729]

greatest educational chess youtube there is

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you for the kind words brotha.

[@mohammadsulieman6213]

My beloved opening😍

[@edralenchukeechua4513]

Nice 1, ur explanation is clear. Good teacher

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy thanks Edralen!

[@peterjohansson1828]

i've been struggling to find an opening against e4 but this looks like a lot of fun, thanks alot for the vid!

[@TheChessGiant]

What's up Peter! Ya the Alekhine's Defense is a great option! Let me know how it goes. Another good option which is rare and underrated is the Owen's Defense. I've been playing this for months and have been getting solid middlegame positions. If you're interested in checking that out (zero pressure) I will drop the link below: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWq1eKWIn7Nsqa8

[@panagiotisgoulis8577]

I just wanted to say thank you for the detailed videos. You explain all the moves in depth and not just the first 5-6 moves. Could you please make a video on the Petroff (or Petrov) defense for black?

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks brotha, I really appreciate that! Ya we've actually made two videos on the Petrov. One covers Fabiano Caruana's favorite responses against the Main Line and Steinitz Attack! We then made a video on what to do if white just plays Three Knights Variation. I'll drop the links below man. Caruana's Petrov Defense Repertoire: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqLaZKN4ordrn9E Petrov Defense Against Three Knights Variation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/np_CiqSeg6-Wa9E

[@panagiotisgoulis8577]

@@TheChessGiant thanks a lot!

[@grzegorzrobaczyk5264]

Thanks! Much needed video

[@TheChessGiant]

No problem Grzegorz!

[@jazzguevara8250]

Nice, thank you

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it Jazz!

[@Saiganesh2108]

I reallly enjoyed your video. One of the Best tutorial on alekhine defence on youtube. Why is this defence not implemented in world championship matches or any top level tournament in recent times?

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks! I appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed it. And ya I think it's because at the top levels white can get a solid opening position without much of a sweat. Even if white plays 2. Nc3, the e4 player is okay. The Alekhine's is good for 99% of chess players, but against Carlsen it won't do much. That being said, even he has played this and beat a strong GM with 2. Ng8!!

[@ajaynandur9325]

Well this is a surprisingly unique opening.

[@TheChessGiant]

No doubt about it! A lot of ideas/strategies that you don't really see in the same way with any other opening.

[@revoacer7736]

Great video mate....keep it up

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you my guy! More on the way! Are there any other chess openings you would want to see covered on channel?

[@konstantink7310]

Hey nice Video. Hey what i See the most in the ponziani is the Bc5 on the third move variation can you do a video about would be nice 👍.

[@Ifyoufeel]

Hi I really enjoyed watching your videos on the Ponziani opening. I would love for you to upload a video on bishop c5 after c3. I have found that this move is very common even at the highest levels

[@johnmarston5383]

Bc5 is just a bad mocew you continue with d4, attack the bishop, and will proceed to play Nc3, Bd3 and castling (maybe e5 if he plays Nf6)

[@agentsmith9641]

i have bryan tillis alekhine defence from chessable,that is really good and so is this.

[@TheChessGiant]

I haven't seen much of Bryan Tillis but I have heard great things! Great to hear about other good content out there, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@diptanuchakraborty2397]

Very underrated opening

[@TheChessGiant]

Facts.

[@diptanuchakraborty2397]

@@TheChessGiant can you open discord and live stream with your subs solving their problems they face in chess and help us to improve the game and calculations

[@mohammadsulieman6213]

I play this opening and it is hard to deal with the lack of space black have in some variations and lines and you must be prepeared for that. I don't recommend it for players under 1800 elo at least because you will hate it for your repeated mistakes which will lead to very fast lose.

[@TheChessGiant]

Great idea! I hope to do this next summer hopefully!

[@gfxb3177]

Another one, nice! How do you study them so well

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy thanks brotha! Ya honestly it just takes a ton of time. I've been playing for 15 years and chess openings are probably my favorite part of the game! Still learning more though! I'm not sure I will ever know all openings haha there are so many! Let me know if there's anything else you want to see covered on this channel!

[@scottjasper5424]

Solomon, Have you played much with the Cambridge Gambit? It seems to have a good win percentage in the databases even if the engines don't love it. I have been trying to learn it at the moment. Could be a fun video?

[@TheChessGiant]

What’s up Scott! I haven’t played it personally but it looks great. Sometime this summer I’ll make sure to study it and make a video on it!

[@dbonechis]

I'm only learning this opening because I hate playing against 2.Qh5

[@TheChessGiant]

Fair enough! Stopping Qh5 it does! Maybe I should make a video on how to play against Qh5 as black!

[@Kindred1a1]

4:05 I understand that Bb4 is adding pressure to the knight but most people at my level would respond with a3. At this point I can retreat the Bishop to e7 or take the knight. If I take the knight (to double White's pawns) and end up in this position: 10. a3, Bxc3 11. bxc3, ... White is very solid with no serious weaknesses. If I decide to go after the c4 pawn with Na5, then this resulting position is also very solid for White and I have no clue where to go from here 11. ..., Na5 12. c5, Ne5 So is Bb4 the best move here? The computer suggests Be7 but thats definitely not in the spirit of the Alekhine

[@TheChessGiant]

This is a great question! And you bring up some good points. I should have also included Be7 as an option for black as it's more popular in professional chess. If I ever revisit the Alekhine's Defense I will have to include this. The reason I personally don't prefer it is because it allows for d5, simply steamrolling us in the center. When white plays this at the master and grandmaster level, white wins or draws 80% of the time which isn't a great stat for black. According to engine, we have to take on d5 and then after cxd5 play Nb4 in which case white can play Nd4 (in that position in which 99 games have been reached white wins or draws 90% of them) and we are going to have to play Bd7 which is a very uncomfortable in my opinion. If we go with something like bishop to g6 white plays Bb5+ and is simply better. But you do bring up a good point because according to the engine after Bd7, black is still very much in it. I just think most players would not to great in a position like that and the moves for white are so much more natural and easier to find. Additionally, after a3 against Bb4, we can take that knight and then castle kingside with a nearly even evaluation for black. If something like Be2 we can play Na5 and respond to c5 with Nbc4 hitting the bisohp on e3 and we have an even game but I think in that position it's harder to play as white. Hope this helps, and let me know your thoughts as I can tell you understand chess well. And happy new years!

[@Kindred1a1]

@@TheChessGiant Happy new year and thanks for the reply! I like your suggestion of castling, it's very flexible, which which is awesome in this position. This video has helped me a ton and if I have any other questions, i wont hesitate to post Cheers,

[@gunaykais6333]

I think 4.-dxe5 is better than 4.-Bg4 in the main Line.

[@m42orion12]

Buy this course from chessable,by bryan tillis (Palm beach chess) Best course on there and buy with video.He covers everything you need to know...Seriously,this is a very underated opening.Positionaly solid as hell,and they just dont prep for it as much as a sicilian or caro,french.Great for players from 1000-1800 and above that it will get a little tougher as but the theory is great to learn and you will ditch that sharp sicilian you just lost with again for the 5th time in a row and all that rating....You will love it,my main choice to e4 always! Checkout the games of Olexandr Bortnyk (Mr Alekhine) his banter blitz games are incredible...

[@TheChessGiant]

I talked to Bryan Tillis recently! Great guy!

[@m42orion12]

@@TheChessGiant Yes he is,great chess coach hell of a player.

[@mateah83]

As a 'seasoned' beginner chess player (started a year ago) I have my own rules for what constitutes an "opening" and according to (my somewhat autistic self) openings which rely on MULTIPLE specific chess moves being played by BOTH black and white AND the moves have to be played in the correct order or sequence? Nah man, those are the lottery numbers or the planck equation Idk gives me anxiety just thinking about playing something specific but I have to fist win a heads up and thereafter the lottery just to get going with my "opening"? ,What seasoned veterans call "opening" or "defense" is what I would call simply "main lines" or "side lines" or "variations" in the "e4 knight whatever opening". I play b3/b6 or K.I.A/Pirc these are the openings I've played for a year now. Usually I start a game and whatever happens or doesn't happen on the board my pieces on the same squares as I always intended, to me these are openings. I'll admit, I secretly always wanted to play some classical "openings" that occur later in the e4 games but honestly inside me I feel like I will go on an expedition to look for Bigfoot or Yeti, God bless those that do but I don't have it in me, chess also scares me.

[@KF1]

Great video, I think I can win as black

[@kentgalleros8364]

What if white not pushing,the pawn to e5 but instead defend it in knight in queenside?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Kent, would you be able to send me a timestamp for that? Thanks!

[@howbigcarbig582]

Next one is going to be the Alapin's opening (I hope so)!

[@majormickey9806]

I chase the knight with my A pawn, he ducks into D7, then I push e6, p x p, then g4. Its trashy but fun.

[@TheChessGiant]

Would you be able to send me a timestamp? Thanks brotha!

[@jamesreed4483]

Another excellent video, thanks. I used to play the Alekhine but have been playing the Sicilian Hyper Accelerated Dragon recently. It is OK but actually pretty drawish. You have made me think it may be time to revisit this very interesting opening. By the way your recent video on the Alekhine Scandinavian variation is the prefect supplement to this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/omGmZYCVfNitfJI

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey James! Glad you enjoyed the video - ya the Alekhine's Defense is a very interesting system. I honestly underestimated it until I studied it further and then also realized that I hate playing against it! Also glad you enjoyed the Scandinavian Variation video, I was hoping the two could be enjoyed side by side.

[@davidarford3719]

what is best defence against english opening

[@ruijunma]

abort lol... That's what I do

[@alancoe1002]

The Black Lion. A basic Philidor structure. With kingside attack potential.

[@rachitphlol8237]

Bro where is catalan ?