WIN IN 3 MOVES: The Jobava London System

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@Chunda8]

Igor I was assistant coaching chess at a rec center, teaching a group of kids ages 6-11. It took only seconds for this to become the "JoMama" London opening. But thanks to Ding Liren for resurrecting the London, apparently Magnus likes it as well. Hikaru really hates it apparently, although he teaches it as well. I'd rank it about my #6 opening for white, I like the Stonewall much better.

[@briansledzzz3493]

Whenever I play the stonewall my opponents always play KID or just Pf5 and then I have like 0 chance to attack on the king side

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Ha ha! Kids these days 😀

[@since1876]

Hating something doesn't mean you don't understand why it is good to know ☺️

[@securityguy9992]

​@@briansledzzz3493you can try some gambito against f5 orrr you start whit 1f4 its tricky but you can transposes into a stonewall

[@vigilante8374]

​@@briansledzzz3493 Your opponent always has a veto--you can't generally *force* an attack in any opening unless you play a dubious but sharp gambit like the Blackmar-Diemer. But FWIW I've discovered that in the Stonewall you *can* actually get away with a kingside pawnstorm even vs. a black kingside fianchetto and have an ok position... though unless your opponent messes up it usually won't transform into a very serious attack (you have to be satisfied just with having the extra space.) But the first fix to any "my opponent messes it up" issue is mess around with move order and transpositions, try to find something that leads more often to positions you like (though you'll need to learn and adjust to new sidelines.) In terms of transpositions, I've had some success hybridizing it with either a Trompowsky or a Colle (either Zukertort or a Koltanowski.) Sometimes you'll be able to transpose from those openings into favorable attacking Stonewall lines (with the bonus of having dealt with your bad bishop, in the case of the Colle-Z or Tromp), though you have to be ready for other stuff to happen which won't lead to Stonewall positions. I've also seen other people transpose from Londons, though obviously that only works in lines where you've first moved your bishop off of f4. If you're playing the Stonewall as black you can start with the Dutch and delay d4, hinting at or retaining the option to go into something like the Leningrad instead. (It's a bit more complicated for white because black doesn't have to play d4 in response to Bird's opening. ) I stopped thinking of the Stonewall as just "the attacking opening" a while back and started looking at it as being more about locking down the center while retaining the possibility of opening it up later on (which is an option only white has. Black can't break open the center without dubious sacrificial play.) That's really its overriding theme: center control. Sometimes you get to leverage that control in the form of a vigorous kingside attack, sometimes not. If you can't attack on the kingside then start trying to think about if it's possible to work towards busting open the center (with e4) and if so, whether it would be to your advantage (it usually helps activate your bad bishop, for instance.) Vs. Bf5, you can try to get rid of it with Nh4 at some point. Another more tedious option that is better than it looks at first is to trade bishops with Bd3. Leads to a slower game with black having queenside play (and a slight objective advantage, which doesn't matter much if you're familiar with it), but you retain control of the center and a kingside attack is sometimes possible if he gets too aggressive on the queenside. But a more common situation (especially in short time controls) is black ends up being too passive, and you have the potential to make gradually improving moves while he shuffles aimlessly.

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

I say this to all your videos, but the absolute best chess teacher on KZbin. Have you met Eric Rosen? You should try to do a collab video sometime (maybe help him prep for an OTB tournament and you could share the prep afterwards which i think a lot of people would like to see). He has the natural chess ability to be a GM but i think he needs a coach that understands how to coach his play better and your style is absolutely aligned with his and would take him to the next level while hopefully growing your channel a ton because you absolutely deserve it.

[@jahern1212]

Thanks for doing this on the Jobava system. I have been using it as of late and your insight really helps. I love the Bishop's Opening, the only problem is that I hardly ever get to play it. I have to become an expert on so many defenses against e4 ( French, Caro Kahn, Pirc etc.) and I'm not good enough to learn all of the necessary responses. Against D 4 I usually get d5, with only occasionally getting the Benoni or Englund, so I get to play the Jobva system. Thanks for all of your videos, you are an exception teacher. Take Care & God Bless.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@ashwarren5053]

Hi. I watched your video first on the Jobava, and it's absolutely one of the clearest and best. I have been, if not exactly,obliterating people with it, definitely winning far more than I have lost with it. Thanks very much.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear!

[@LiveFreeOrDie2A]

I loved the preface of *“for some reason everyone started sucking this system off and I never got what the big deal was because it’s literally just basic moves.. anyway here’s how you use it to crush flustered fools.”* 😂🙌

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Funniest chess opening (Black loses in 3 moves) 00:32 The Jobava London System chess opening 01:39 2nd most played line loses in 3 moves for Black 03:23 If Black plays 3...e6 06:04 If Black plays 3...a6 07:58 Key middlegame plan for White 09:26 If Black exchanges pawns with dxe4

[@cmdmd]

Igor, nice improvement on the hair department. Chess and the discussion are impeccable as always. Excellent!

[@aryanmohammed7047]

This opening is awesome and helped me win the selections in my school

[@AbhiKundu-qz7vk]

Probably the best channel for learning amazing chess concepts!

[@theexaminer4784]

Sir IGOR 's coaching is like a new ocean to me with so many unknown waves.

[@pranjaljain216]

You are a best chess teacher in KZbin

[@tabby7189]

I have played this opening quite a bit but a lot more with the f3 variations, which generally requires holding down d4 at great cost. I'm pleased to find the alternatives involving cxd5.

[@Malik_MKhan]

2:23 I use this variation of London system, did not know it is called jobava London system, all other ideas are knew to me , thank you I will put it to good use. 😜😉

[@ReflectionOcean]

- Play Pawn D4 as your opening move to establish control - 0:34 - Use Knight C3 to prepare for E4 and control the center - 0:46 - Implement the Bishop F4 move to start the Jabava London System - 0:55 - Watch out for Black's common Knight C6 mistake and counter with Knight B5 - 1:44 - Leverage the mirrored Italian game strategy to surprise opponents - 2:10 - Execute Queen takes D5 for a shocking, advantageous move - 2:49 - Continue with Knight takes C7 to fork the king and rook - 2:22 - Develop your pieces with Pawn E3 and Bishop to D3 in response to black's C5 - 7:33 - Use Pawn E4 to break through the center and increase pressure - 8:01 - Capitalize on black's Queen F6 placement with Bishop G5 to trap it - 9:17 - Avoid exchanging queens to maintain a positional advantage - 9:51 - Study the top 25 middle game concepts to dominate post-opening play - 10:43

[@Nobody-df4is]

Blah blah blah. Haha. You guys are one trick ponies. Please keep playing Jobova.

[@pommesmitketchup2651]

@@Nobody-df4iswatchu mean

[@Nobody-df4is]

@@pommesmitketchup2651 What? It is the lazy men's of chess openings. If you to get gud at chess, I would not recommended this one. Avoid.

[@pommesmitketchup2651]

@@Nobody-df4is so you mean I should avoid this opening ?

[@Nobody-df4is]

@@pommesmitketchup2651 Yes, unless you like to play against me. Haha.

[@shubhamkumarmajhi8943]

Ngl the is the best london variation🥺 thanks man🔥

[@ΠαναγιώτηςΦρεντζάς]

Actually Black's position is sort-of-playable after 4...e5 5.Bxe5 Nxe5 6.dxe5 a6, or 5.dxe5 a6.

[@ChristianSoschner]

That’s a nice variation. I will try it in one of the next games

[@TheLancerevo9]

Pretty unique opening always love the Jobava London as it as also some venom in the opening

[@TheIced]

very interesting and unorthodox opening!

[@tobyivanyushenko9517]

Thanks! Just had a player rated 120 higher than me resign after 5 moves. He played Rb8 to avoid the knight fork and I forked with the bishop.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💪

[@josemessias829]

5:58 I think it’s useful to say that f6 seems to save the piece but it doesn’t, because if BxN then Ke7 and one of the pieces will fall, and if NxN white wins the piece but after a6 Nxf6+ is forced because it’s double check avoid losing the bishop and again both pieces are attacked, even though the black King will be poorly placed and then this might be a good variation. But after f6 white has Qh5+ winning on the spot and this trick should be mentioned I guess.

[@loicgrange9238]

Hi. Thanks for this video. I started to get myself into this recently and love the system. I was surprised even in classical game some opponents played me the Nc6. Apparently, the Jobava is not so well-known, so that's sounds good for my rating points. Hahaha. Also, I have to mention that some people throw me c6 on the third move. Not sure if it's better than a6. 👋🏻 Have a nice day !

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

If Black plays c6, they don't attack your center and thus it's easier for you to play.

[@trytoo5167]

I saw someone use this against me and Ive been playing something similar for a while now. Its great in 600 elo range. A lot of people dont see the rook fork and when I get a queen fork its even better. This will probably be the first line I 'study'. After that maybe the queen's Chigorin opening as that one feels fun. :D

[@TheAluvisify]

I mean, anything is honestly great in the 600 elo range so long as you memorize more than 3 moves of theory.

[@หมากรุกไทยลุงเล็กสู้เอไอ]

thank you

[@jumalegacy9645]

You a good at explaining

[@JamesHouzvicka-ur4tc]

Thanks

[@blahblahblah_123...]

I mostly play e4 and have just started to play d4 so this is really helpful🎉

[@ZachPlaysChess]

Most of the Opponents I play don’t really know any Openings, so when I use an Opening like the London System or Sicilian Defense they don’t know what to do, If you are a beginner and watching this video, I would suggest That you learn at least 3 Openings, Italian Opening (W) Carro Kann (B) Sicilian Defense (B) Of course there are Variations but if you are beginning most people will not play many different variations Untill you get to 500 or 450, then you should know a little bit, but I think these openings are very good and solid for anyone who’s starting the game and who wants to be good at the Game. I know 7 Openings (I Count Gambits as openings.)

[@iamrichaf1616]

Great explanation

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@ingogoldbeck2886]

Exactly that nitty gritty Detail bishop to b4 is the most played move here 😮

[@Originclips69]

Bro this openning is amazing and i m winning all d4, d5 matches but what about annoying englumd gbit Pls make a vedio on countering englund

[@Cousinsjay]

excellent!

[@MetropolisChess01]

Great video I will test it out

[@kmarasin]

The Jobava London is bad. Everyone knows it's bad. But a lot of players get ahead of themselves trying to take advantage of it and don't take the time to defend against white's opportunities. White's early Nc3 blocks the c-pawn. This means that 1) there is no pressure on black's d-pawn; 2) white's queen cannot develop on d1-a4; 3) the c-file will not be open for white's rooks; 4) the c2 square is not available as a retreat for white's bishop. Overall this means that white will have a cramped game and if white wants space they will have to make it elsewhere. My recommendation is after 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. Nc3 a6 4. e3, instead of the unnecessarily passive ...e6, black should play ...Bf5 fighting for the e4 square and b1-h7. If then 5. Bd3, Bg6. A reasonable game might continue 6. Nf3 e6 7. O-O c5 8. Ne2 Nc6 = Of course white might try to justify the early Nc3, by playing 6. f3!? intending to force e4. 6...e6 is still a fine response. After 7. e4? black has several reasonable moves, including ...Bb4, ...b5, ...dxe4, and ...c5, all of which give black a comfortable game. 7...Bb4 is probably the simplest, after which white must play 8. e5 to avoid losing a pawn. After ...Nfd7 9. a3 Be7, the position resembles a French defense where black somehow got their QB outside the pawn chain while white has made some mysterious moves. Stockfish says black is close to winning here.

[@nuttychesstips]

Hi Igor I’m doing a vid series on this and the best move after e6 is actually Nb5 because if you wait you can have a bishop pin your knight and you can run into some problems.

[@ExplosiveTN123]

I'm rated 1800 online and have won 70% of my games after Nb5 it's very good and is recommended by some of the best players to play the opening

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Yes indeed, White may either go Nb5 or a3 to prevent the pin. However, this relates to advanced level players. Beginner-intermediate players rarely play Bb4 in this position anyway, and so it's fine to not worry about it.

[@Chris-oq8ty]

Great content

[@RD-uk6wt]

i love theory, but practice is always different. Im 1900 on lichess and i can assure that most players in positions like these hunt instant for bishops and will move the knight on the edge for it - regardless of king or queens side - so where the situation appears.

[@since1876]

My first attempt trying this... 😂 1. d4 a5 2. Nc3 h5 3. Bf4 h4 4. Nb5 e6 5. Nxc7+ Qxc7 6. Bxc7 Ke7 7. Qd2 a4 8. Qg5+ Ke8 9. Qd8# 1-0

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🤣

[@Beery1962]

2:33, but black can defeat this (without taking the Knight) with Bb4+, and whatever white does (unless he sacs the Queen), bring the Bishop back to a5 and black is fine. Black can castle and is already more developed than white.

[@AgEnt_WaFFles]

Win in 3 moves

[@TheSpiritualCamp]

Beginner's question: is there a reason to play Nc3 BEFORE Bf4 ? I feel that playing Bf4 first and then Nc3 would be more surprising for black, making them think "okay, he's playing the London System", and then surprising him with Nc3 instead of the typical e3 or Nf3... But maybe it's done in this order to avoid the problem in the London of weakening b2 by developing the dark square bishop too early ?

[@meowmeowcats8796]

That seem even better actually😂

[@adamanonymous6885]

Been playing the Jobava for a few weeks now, and I keep seeing videos online saying black has lost the game after 3...Nc6 but I'm just not seeing it personally... Stockfish gives a +0.4 at best in most lines that follow unless Black really commits to losing as many pawns as possible... I know Stockfish isn't the whole story, but I don't think the lines it plays are that unusual or wild, and are well within the range of any four-digit elo player. Just speaking from a practical standpoint, I've found many players making this "losing mistake" easily able to fight back and I don't think I win more than 50% of these games. In fact, 3... Nc6 has become quite a strong weapon for me vs the Jobava in blitz, as I find very few white players have prepared the line beyond just knowing "it wins"

[@MattrickBT]

If the knight moves to D7, how do you play after capturing the d5 pawn with your queen? You don't have the knight fork available. All my opponents retreat the knight to d7.

[@shubhamkumarmajhi8943]

My question is in 2:44 when the knight moves to d7 square the after we take the free pawn on d5 I get forked with a pawn when my opponent plays pawn to c6 then what to do

[@Naborbukv2]

Finally a new opening to play. Tried Bishop's opening as you suggested but Caro-Kann, French, Sicilian + main lines - too much to handle... Now playing Queen's Gambit but after 1400 in 9/10 of the matches they go into King's Indian and it's game over for White :(

[@makhosimayisa5800]

It's not game over, this attitude blocks further learning. Just study the QG opening and find correct moves against Kings Indiana... Don't run away 🤣😂😂

[@equinøx984]

The Jobava London is actually pretty good against King's Indian player. I played this without knowing any theory and I melt people

[@VirtuosoX553]

What is your main opening when playing white pieces?

[@jonnyb6700]

Why cant you immediately go 4. N3 when they push 3. e6? Why the need to mirror it with e3?

[@kokohbagaitebing7565]

Just in time I open KZbin

[@anonym5160]

Queena5 check left the chat

[@uuuummm9]

5:57 can we protect the knight with the rook d8?

[@windyra]

Either Rd8 or long castle, black loses the exchange as rook is 2 points higher than a minor piece.

[@BobChess]

Everytimes I see Jobava London, I will think it's Jobama London 😂

[@jayys8278]

Jomama London

[@nemuonakpoya8592]

Jopapa london

[@necronicles]

Josista london

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

How about "Obama London"? 😏

[@safwanullahkhan3413]

​@@GMIgorSmirnov 😂 🎉

[@franktaggart-qs5ff]

What do you do if you take the knight To 5h

[@unexplained5277]

Want detailed video

[@nicovanderwilt7502]

The last position with Black is fine to play.

[@spindriftdrinker]

At 5 minutes - White's a4 move overprotecting the knight on b5 seems wasted, since developing the kingside should be higher priority.

[@antalronaszeki2807]

What if 3... Na6 wouldn't that defend the c7 square nicely?

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

yes, but "the knight on the rim is dim"

[@odysseasv7138]

Every time I tried a more 'complicated London' I get HAMMERED! ...with this variation I mostly get A6 pawn early from the opponent, so I never get to get real advantage.

[@vyppal]

at 8:45 why no greek gift?

[@Mik1604]

Knight to b8 can also be eliminated by white’s bishop, just like on c7.

[@MikeL-7]

What about 5..Bb4+

[@TechGadgets4U]

4:15 is wrong, since he can counter attack with qa5, taking your knight.

[@sanjaydutta170]

The white bishop is protecting the knight

[@tindekappa9047]

I've done this probably a dozen times without thinking about it. :/ Apparently it's groundbreaking. Being too deep into openings makes you a bit silly apparently.

[@myo1608]

Lol just tried and won. He seems to know these trick but struggled and resigned 😅

[@ToriYamazaki]

LOL, that beautiful spinning metal chess set at the end is set up wrong! Gold has 2 light squared bishops!!

[@exisfohdr3904]

8:51 no, Qxf6

[@gwp1ohio]

Never works out this way...

[@astro6897]

Although i hate the London ill try it💀

[@Spartacus547]

I cant get most Traps to work on over 1700 players so I don't use them just solid positional chess a reverse fried liver attack well work on players new to chess not tournament chess players

[@399d6]

Me reversing italian on low elo to be not bored:

[@adilomer68]

What if 3....c6 ?

[@ExplosiveTN123]

Just play e3 if he takes recapture and other just develop you other pieces to the typical positions from an accelerated London system

[@maraboshi]

I tried with the 1000 elo bot and it destroyed it immediately blocking any of my move, how frustrating :-(

[@Ozivinnz]

Just play normal London

[@ems3832]

At 5:42, Black isn't losing a whole Knight but rather the exchange, after ...Rd8 (unless I'm missing something). Still, better for White, for sure!

[@Oggi7777]

Throwing shade…

[@JagadishMesta]

How to play jobava London as black

[@alessandroquerci9173]

👍👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

👍

[@cosmic5k]

Make the opponents resign by playing Nc3 😂

[@prplt]

won't work against me as I only play the Englund gambit 😂

[@JoseDownUnder]

Englund gambit is losing, Stockfish even evaluates the first move as blunder

[@prplt]

@@JoseDownUnder yeah if you play against a computer but against humans it works well 😂

[@JoseDownUnder]

@@prplt few guys tried it against me (in Lichess in the last few days ) and I beat all of them. There are better gambits to try - like the Budapest

[@luca_carollo1355]

Wha if my opponent knows how to play?

[@bullymaguire8266]

Lmao that stupid comment doesn't apply here, jobava London is solid till super high levels

[@luca_carollo1355]

@@bullymaguire8266 well in queen pawn opening moves as c3 or c4 are oxygen for developt ur queen, the knight on c3 has the main purpose to attack c7 with the bishop, and after moves as a6, the knight there in c3 with the pawn on c2, is not a big deal, yeah ur kight guards good square on the centre, but the pawn on c file with be stuck for a while

[@sikmj25]

I'm stuck at 890 can someone recommend some openings to reach 900?

[@nemuonakpoya8592]

Italian game, scotch gambit, fried liver.

[@SenseiSathya]

Go for Ruy lopez .There is tons of theory but if you can master it you can reach atleast a Fide master. I play Italian only.That's why I am 🥺1500elo .Because everyone knows everything in Italian I prefer Ruy lopez If you dream to reach 1400 quickly bishops opening and scotch Gambit can help you a lot Go for Sicilian with black or king pawn game (my fav)

[@iankemp1131]

Openings won't get you from 890 to 900 - or indeed beyond. Tactics and middle game play are the way to get better. Openings are mainly about getting your pieces into good positions and surviving the first few moves sensibly - it you win with a trap, that's a bonus.

[@iankemp1131]

@@SenseiSathya Nobody can reach FIDE master just by working out an opening in depth. You need strategy as well as tactics, middlegame and endgame ability, etc. Most players hit a wall far below that. 99% will never reach FM however hard they try and whatever openings they memorise in detail.

[@SenseiSathya]

@@iankemp1131 If you study an opening in depth your strategy and tactics will surely improve.But studying an opening like Ruy lopez or Sicilian is not an easy task and it takes more than a lifetime to complete, anyways you can study most of it (Tricks ,traps ,Ideas, plans middle game plans ,endgame plans etc )

[@LutherBandos]

Take this video down immediately!! I beg of you! I’m trying to gain ELO! 😂😂😂

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

😅

[@Soulcella]

It is just a superficial video on this opening. Nothing really to learn from. 👎It is just used to promote the book.

[@Nobody-df4is]

It's Jobova. Haha. Just kidding. Anyway, just play the Dutch as black. Its fine. London players dislike it.

[@Pulkit29]

Dislike because of click bait title

[@fh2234]

This accent is one of the worst I have ever heard lol

[@CoreyGoldwaves]

Far too many words in this video. Just move the pieces.

[@andersjonsson8403]

Thanks a lot Igor for a fantastic variation with mirroropening for white! 😊👍♟

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Happy to help!