Top 5 Most Surprising Chess Openings

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In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov shares with you the top 5 shocking chess openings that are surprisingly successful. Let us know in the comments below which of these openings is your favourite!
▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Chapters
00:00 Top 5 Most Surprising Chess Openings
00:10 5th: Grob's Attack Opening 1.g4
02:41 4th: Duras Gambit 1...f5
04:11 Funny Fact: More than 50% Black Wins
08:26 3rd: Rousseau Gambit for Black
13:43 2nd: Portsmouth Gambit, Sicilian Defense
17:42 1st: Halloween Gambit, Four Knights Game
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#GMSmirnov #ChessOpenings #ChessGambit #ChessOpening

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

These openings remind me of Fisher versus Short where Fisher moved the king and played the craziest moves and still won every one of the 12 games they played.

[@josefserf1926]

It was certainly someone very strong

[@bjorneriksson6480]

that was not fischer, it was a computer player

[@weizerthanbud2989]

Those were some good games. And it wasn't for sure Fischer.. I see analysis I think by krakkaskak.. gm Henrik Danielson and kings crusher or chess network..years ago i forget which channel

[@wakinguptothetruth.2566]

It was not fischer it was an engine.

[@smithyq6335]

The Duras Gambit was amazing; completely losing, and yet not necessarily obvious! I love that type of creative chess, and it reminds me of a certain line in the proper King's Gambit, where White allows Black to capture exf4, fxg3 and even gxh2, but White gets a big initiative in the process. I don't remember the exact move order, but I remember it being sound.

[@smithyq6335]

I'll just add that I've kept a relatively shocking line in my repertoire as Black for a long time now: 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Qh4+!?, with the idea of 3.g3 Qe7 4.fxe5 d6! 5.exd6 Qxe4+ . This leads to an equal but very playable endgame, something most people playing the KG as White won't be too happy to see after just 6 moves (though its downright boring compared to all the other examples listed)

[@quorzoa]

You probably mean the Bertin Gambit "e4 e5, f4 exf4, Nf3 Be7, Bc4 Bh4, g3 fxg3, O-O gxh2, Kh1..." It's my favorite opening in all of chess. Technically even, but both players need to be so accurate lol

[@smithyq6335]

@@quorzoa Yes, that's the one! I remember being surprised at how much initiative White gets from such a wacky series of moves. Thanks for sharing!

[@castergamingtv2416]

It will only happen if your opponent is as dumb as you. I mean, who is gonna open like that.

[@tabby7189]

@@smithyq6335 if you want to shut down an aggressive, trigger-happy e4 player I suggest d6 Nf6 and 3. e5. If they don't take the queens off you just got a Philidor without allowing any of like 500 gambits ranging from the simple king's gambit to stuff like the Nakhmanson. You block on e5 forever, block out Nd5 and Bb5 with c6, and worse still, if they castle early you might be the one attacking without castling (e-file is blocked 100% shut), and sneakily too. Nd7-f8, h6, and all of a sudden g5 is on the board and Ng6.

[@enricoriccardi5583]

I tried some of these and went 1-8 with almost no opponent doing the expected moves. I still enjoyed these tries a lot because of the unusual games. I will keep trying. Many thanks!

[@christopherpavlicas]

I find they don't work often either, however, the "attacking concepts" will definitely come up in your games as they have in mine. I am a low rated player who is just learning and I find them helpful regardless of the final outcome.

[@ridwanmahmood9711]

@@christopherpavlicas fr after watching opening videos i have learned attacking concepts and now play much better

[@G.R.A.2023]

they didn't play the moves you expected because there were so many variations that you wasn't prepared for

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@RC-cu5vz]

There is a King’s gambit in Tumbleweed variation can you please put a video over it

[@ay3436]

As a kid who read a good number of chess books about 30 years ago, I recall that a lot of the beginner/intermediate level books always took the time to discuss or mention the 'Fried Liver' Attack. Which makes sense given its historical importance - after all, a lot of these lines are named after the players who made them famous in the 1800s :)

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Top 5 Most Surprising Chess Openings 00:10 5th: Grob's Attack Opening 1.g4 02:41 4th: Duras Gambit 1...f5 04:11 Funny Fact: More than 50% Black Wins 08:26 3rd: Rousseau Gambit for Black 13:43 2nd: Portsmouth Gambit, Sicilian Defense 17:42 1st: Halloween Gambit, Four Knights Game

[@quickshroud2999]

You should pin this comment so most can see.

[@elumalaia1843]

I really enjoyed very much 💗

[@Dudevid]

I LOVED your video on the Rousseau and you've inspired me to play it with great success. My losses are usually from mismanaging the queen check on h5. Another gambit in a similar spirit is the Jaenish (not the one in the English, but the Schliemann). I would LOVE for you to do a video on it. It has similar themes to the Rousseau and it's such a powerful weapon in black's arsenal to have a tricky repertoire against both the Italian and the Ruy Lopez which shares common themes. Please consider it!

[@rainerausdemspring3584]

Very nice 🙄Ages ago - before computer chess I read a science fiction short story about a chess match between a computer and a human player. The computer played - game by game - all possible 20 first moves and lost a single game with 1. g4. By the way, the Rousseau Gambit is named after Eugène Rousseau. Hence the stress in "Rousseau" should be on the second syllable.

[@raising_arizona]

I'm a USCF rated 1650 player and would love to see you cover the Max Lang attack in a video. Love your content!

[@PrayingMantis67307]

Luv these gambit plays Igor..ty

[@keisuketakahashi3597]

Your video of colle system helped me a lot . Thank you for this amazing content.

[@techeteri]

My favorite chess video yet! Love the sense of humor and the cheerful presentation too. Also, just used the grob opening and it was ... cruel :))) My chess is much more fun and engaging after few of your videos and the level is way way up. Haven't lost a game with checkmate since quite a while even if I am constantly experimenting! You sir, are a great teacher! Thank you!

[@jesseferreira2339]

My fav video yet! Thanks

[@M8gicmike]

Just tried the Duras Gambit and won first time, simply knowing what's going on compared to your opponent, is exactly how to win against anyone

[@fingerfeller]

great tactics, thanks

[@brunojani7968]

This video is pure bliss, well done!

[@bladmorane7613]

GREAT STUFF AS ALWAYS !!!

[@aryansaxena7214]

this video helped me a lot

[@tomasbacalla647]

Very nice thank you

[@ramilparedes9930]

Very helpful

[@arwanpawar3260]

Thanks for this lesson learning

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@at-iba-pamikem1739]

Thank u GM👍👊💪❤️

[@maximebajer6354]

I love the Rousseau gambit and the jaenish gambit too

[@afraniofonseca4836]

The best move in most of these cases of when the knight is attacked by the 'e' pawn and he would have to retreat to the starting square to avoid being captured seems not to be to do it but to pin the pawn with your queen attacking the pawn, then he must either block the pin and you can just take the pawn or defend the pawn but the pin remains and you get a tempo for more development

[@andrewrappo2926]

Watch all your videos learned so much. Thank you. You have such a peaceful cat.

[@gulabrathod4484]

I very much love and like your various curious chess opening, traps and tactics. Watching videos is funny and wonderful and knowledgeable.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for your warm words.

[@dankrocka64]

I love the Russo gambit. Pawn pushing 🙂. Had this weird B4 opening a while back. But it takes soooo many moves to reposition the whole left side. Basically trying to establish a pawn on b5 with either e pawn opening up bishop to defend it. If you can manage pawn b5, pawn c4, Na4, Rb1... Is it even usable? Cuz that a file pawn comes in handy. It's a solid push, but it takes soooo many moves before it can pop.

[@nickyke8058]

I like the nahkmanson gambit. Great video, dude

[@Elyagdeppa]

Beautiful move GM Smirnov I love it.

[@demismizpah]

Second black opening was insane which looked the most stupidest move! Amazing..

[@user-dk3sj6tj8m]

I would appreciate it if you could analyze Gambit Smith Morra

[@szabolcspetervari845]

What about the Luccini Gambit (actually the Reverse Vienna)? 1. e4-e5 2. Hf3-Hc6 3. Fc4-Fc5 4. d3-f5

[@cronoscraiss330]

awesome insane stuff. :D

[@vibhavarijambhekar5713]

Excellent opening videos duras, Rousseau gambit were amazing 😊😂🎉

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you 😁

[@johnbolton7657]

I play the English opening and sometimes play the vampire gambit if I'm feeling a bit frivolous. You can get some surprisingly quick wins even though it's a bit dubious.

[@darrentrixie6269]

Duras gambit was the most surprising I actually thought you were joking around at first but then I kept watching and I gotta say it's really cool

[@winterbas8927]

Being a Star Trek fan, saw 'Duras' and had to check it out. Will have to try it.

[@naturelist]

hello! Will try the Dura and Haloween one today XD. Hope they work!

[@aryansaxena7214]

bro u soo good 👍 👍

[@mnzala81]

Very nice video 👍📸

[@alamchess4077]

amazing

[@vikasjoshi8987]

Amazing openings😂😊 the duras gambit was dangerous

[@thomaswawondatu7936]

You are the best bro

[@xcreenplay7264]

Definitely trying this on lichess

[@zeebest1004]

5. How about “Grobs attack IGNORED”?!! 2. Or Portsmouth gambit sidestepped w 3. b4, c4!

[@premgautam2637]

Love ur videos Plzz show some elephant gambit as black lines😍

[@lindleycanonigo200]

In the 4 knights game u cant execute that, it depends on where the knight jump coz it can go back to c6 not on g6 and the outcome will change.

[@italiantony7380]

Is there any chance you can go through the Latvian Gambit?

[@sagarnagvekar5773]

Super aggressive chess moves shown. Mind-blowing stuff really

[@GMGC]

Cochrane Gambit is also great, even Topalov played it against Kramnik

[@parvezahmed4108]

In the third gambit, what is opponent play Nc5 attacking the queen and defending the pawn on B7?

[@Gamer_LogZ]

In Grobs attacking, what if black moves Ng7 when we push pawn c4

[@lemuaschiks417]

The second opening as black is 100% lose if your opponent knows what they are doing if white opened with kings pawn. As soon as KB pawn moves whites queen checks king. Threaten with pawn. Move bishop in front of queen. As soon as pawn takes queen check mate with bishop by capturing pawn on A4

[@viratconsultancy]

In second gambit White also play Kb6 instade of taking back Kf6 so black loss a rukh😊

[@Loki087]

'Not A5, A5 is a loser's move' Igor is my favorite GM!

[@user-cl5rh9ds5x]

Of course I know surprising chess openings. My favorite opening is: e4; d5; e4xd5; d8xd5; b1c3; d5a5; b2b4; a5xb4; c3b5; b4a5; f1c4; c7c6 this is a big mistake, because after the bishop takes on f7, the game is won for white. After e8f7 comes queen h5 and black loses his queen. f7f6; c1b2; e7e5; b2e5. After the king moves, you move the knight to c7 and the queen has to sacrifice herself.

[@renehenriksen1735]

GMIgorSmirnov>>> Hey Igor, would you please try to answer my question about the Nesjmetdinov-gambit in the Siesta-variation of the Ruy Lopez, why we don´t see this gambit played nowadays? I have all the theory about it if you would like to see it. It certainly doesn´t look like a one trick pony like for example the Englund-gambit that still exists, so why isn´t the Nesjmetdinov-gambit more common?

[@tadehdavtian388]

7:39 Qg5 pinning the white knight with g2 poun treat of checkmate Qxg2. And no there is no fork Nxf7 for check and pinning of black queen because you can capture with rock on g7 Rxf7

[@seove1]

Wow!

[@mkcanilu3647]

i was scrolling fast and i thought it said the "dumbass gambit"

[@muhammadfadhilihsan8298]

I ❤ Hallowen gambit :)

[@thefastmeow]

Happy to see the Halloween gambit at 1!! i play it every chance I get and it may be a technically dubious opening but it's a super fun asymmetrical position to play around with.

[@danwaite8064]

1. e4 d6 2. d4 f5

[@og420obi]

the bishups opening is my fav

[@keymasta3260]

Duras gambit - in this example of moves Black wants to play Helpmate but White is playing Selfmate

[@neobatong7079]

What if white move not Nxc6 but Q to c5 or a5 to protect the night?

[@lindleycanonigo200]

So what happened in the 3rd move of black if horse will takes the pawn not pawn takes pawn I think will change the outcome of the game....

[@yashsrivastava2655]

18:40 i think playing black queen to e7 would be a better move...to prevent the pawn from taking the knight...

[@cyberxman2984]

After e4 white has brilliant kxd4

[@aungthanooaungthanoo1097]

good

[@bountysayarath]

Is surprised for Halloween gambling that I should learn... Merci

[@user-fz7tk9cm4f]

There’s the kádas opening with 1-h4 h5 2-a4 a5

[@sreeramgorthy7589]

If you play Pawn attacking the queen in Duras Gambit White Knight can check mate they don't need to eat black knight that's a mate in 1 and white wins the game

[@ramoda13]

Nice video 👍

[@VJMusic01]

Danish Gambit is almost unstoppable I think you can teach us Danish Gambit in a great way

[@0animestudio0]

the cat in the back looks very checkmated

[@RationallySkeptical]

15:04 Why is one white pawn magically disappearing without being taken by any other piece?

[@kapbabu4058]

It's called en passant.

[@naimreza3942]

Best chess openings I have ever seen.

[@valentinrambizz5441]

Duras Gambit,but what if he play Qe5?

[@robertuzumaki5974]

I play this line against the Sicilian, got the idea from your old video. Really quality content!

[@farrukhakhtar1185]

And at 12:17 why not white f pawn to c3

[@farrukhakhtar1185]

And at 8:12 why not white f pawn to f2

[@hopsterlynongkhlaw8521]

What if black move knight to c3

[@martinmartincic5018]

11:26 why would white move the bishop? I don't get it.

[@scottsanders7035]

The Duris gambit was a ton of fun and worked solidly!

[@matthewcabanasaddley9849]

I've used it for a couple years (though I've always referred to it as the Fred defense, the Duras gambit is 2. ...Nf6), and I'm surprised he didn't cover the most common response to it. Qh5+ (the Mao Zedong attack) is the best move according to Stockfish but I've had more people play Bc4+ against me instead. To that you just play d5 and follow up with Nf6 if they don't play 3. Qh5+

[@tabby7189]

1:14 the problem is, this exchange sac actually leaves white with a horribly unpleasant position. Black has a pawn and a mobilized queenside against zero development for the exchange.

[@flyingmonkey3822]

My five year old practiced the duras and beat his grandfather who was completely surprised! He kept chiding him for bad moves, but in the end didn’t properly punish him for these bad moves… which you can easily do so it’s not recommended haha

[@lenschagor]

What if they play pawn to f3?

[@chingyincheng5046]

Thanks Igor ,this openings shock me but where is the bongcloud?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

:) Ha! Maybe for future videos

[@saadabu-odeh9636]

In the Duras gambit at the end white can do a royal fork. You missed that.

[@matthewcabanasaddley9849]

The rook isn't pinned anymore so it defend against the royal fork

[@bingmaramba4766]

Duras gambet is laose 😊

[@alexgarcia-ip3dj]

Huh ? Men it's Colapse it's stances ! Fantastically clear aspects😮.

[@farrukhakhtar1185]

At 7:40 why not white queen to c5

[@arightscepter]

I wonder how many times I said out loud, "that's so cool!"

[@joelcollander1973]

rousseau gambit accepted is still 0.0 if they dont undevelop the knight

[@robertbogomolec8763]

Duras gambit looks more like Dumbass gambit haha. I really like it. I like when they think you're a noob, but then suddenly you start dominating.

[@chuutiteacher3237]

Everyone - watching a chess video Meanwhile me - watching a cat video 🐱

[@jobemangubat5081]

Only for blitz