Showing posts with label Chess Opening for White. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chess Opening for White. Show all posts

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Mastering the Bishop's Opening (C23-C24): A Comprehensive Guide


Control the Center
 The Power of the Bishop's Opening

 

Tired of the Ruy Lopez?
 Looking for a solid yet surprising opening for White?


  The Bishop's Opening (1. e4 e5 2. Bc4)
 offers a unique path to control the center and launch powerful attacks! 


  The Bishop's Opening is not as popular as some other openings, but it can be a good choice for players who want to control the center of the board and play for a solid, positional advantage.

The Bishop's Opening can lead to closed, positional positions, and is a good choice for players who prefer a more measured, strategic approach to the game.

 Black has a number of options for responding to the Bishop's Opening
  • Ruy Lopez with 2...Nc6
  • Two Knights Defense with 2...Nf6
  • Berlin Defense with 2...Nf6 3. d3

This comprehensive guide equips you with everything you need to master this opening, from free articles to video lessons! Become a Bishop's Opening expert and confuse your opponent's today!


C23 Sub-variants:

Bishop's opening

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4

Bishop's opening, Philidor counter-attack

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 c6

Bishop's opening, Lisitsyn variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 c6 3. d4 d5 4. exd5 cxd5 5. Bb5+ Bd7 6. Bxd7+ Nxd7 7. dxe5 Nxe5 8. Ne2

Bishop's opening, Calabrese counter-gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 f5

Bishop's opening, Calabrese counter-gambit, Jaenisch variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 f5 3. d3

Bishop's opening, Classical variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5

Bishop's opening, Lopez gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. Qe2 Nc6 4. c3 Nf6 5. f4

Bishop's opening, Philidor variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3

Bishop's opening, Pratt variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. e5 d5 6. exf6 dxc4 7. Qh5 O-O

Bishop's opening, Lewis counter-gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 d5

Bishop's opening, del Rio variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. c3 Qg5

Bishop's opening, Lewis gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. d4

Bishop's opening, Wing gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4

Bishop's opening, MacDonnell double gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4 Bxb4 4. f4

Bishop's opening, Four pawns' gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Bc5 3. b4 Bxb4 4. f4 exf4 5. Nf3 Be7 6. d4 Bh4+ 7. g3 fxg3 8. O-O gxh2+ 9. Kh1


C24 Sub-variants:

Bishop's opening, Berlin defence

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6

Bishop's opening, Greco gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. f4

Bishop's opening, Ponziani gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4

Bishop's opening, Urusov gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3

Bishop's opening, Urusov gambit, Panov variation

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3 d5 5. exd5 Bb4+ 6. c3 Qe7



BOOKS (Free)

Short & Sweet: Bishop's Opening - FREE Chessable Course -  21 Trainable Variations w/ 1hr & 18 Min of Video (IM Miodrag Perunovic)



Bishops Opening Chess ARTICLES


Overall Strategy & Concepts:


Specific Variations & Gambits:


  • The Jerome Gambit Blog ( All about this one Gambit over 2000 posts???) 
    1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Bxf7+ ...and related lines 
    (risky/Non risky lines, tactics & psychology for fast, exciting play)

  • The Urusov Gambit - Huge Simplify Chess Page (Explaining every Move)


Learning from the Masters:





GAMES DATABASES

Level up your Bishop's Opening repertoire with thousands of games at your disposal! Here are some of the best online databases to explore and analyze Bishop's Opening games (C23-C24):

365Chess.com 


Chessgames.com 



Bishop's Opening LiChess Studies

Take your Bishop's Opening knowledge to the next level with interactive LiChess studies! These studies allow you to explore variations move-by-move, test your understanding, and solidify key concepts.

Comprehensive Studies:


Focusing on Specific Variations:

  • Bishop's opening  - 10 Chapter Study  (583 hearts) - Mainly the Gambits

  • Bishop's Openings for Beginners  - 12 Chapter Study - Nice list of the different gambit openings.

  • Urusov gambit - Huge In-depth Study with 55 Chapters - Deep dive into the Different variations of the Gambit down to lines at Move 7 with Model games at the end of the study.



LiStudy (Lichess Move Order trainer)

Bishop's Opening - 2 Studies Here you Can Practice.



Bishop's Opening Chess Video Lessons


Playlists

  • Bishops Opening (5 Video PlaylistIM Miodrag Perunovic (Over 2.5 Hrs) - A thorough exploration of the Bishop's Opening by an experienced chess instructor. (Great for intermediate and advanced players)

  • Bishop's Opening - Ideas, Traps, and Everything!  - 23 Video playlist - GM Igor Smirnov - An in-depth course by a Grandmaster, covering strategic concepts, tactical opportunities, and common pitfalls. (Excellent for all levels)

Bishop's Opening (Sneaky Good Attack) - 20 Min 

Opening Basics #19: Bishop's opening - 18 Min

The Modern Bishop's Opening | White's Response against the Two Knights Defense | IM Alex Astaneh - 33 Min

How to play against the bishops opening - 14 Min

Urusov Gambit - Deep Dives

The Unbeatable Urusov Gambit - Chess Openings Explained - 49 Min (St Louis CC Lesson) - Jonathan Schrantz - A detailed explanation of the gambit's potential and Black's challenges.

Chess Opening: Urusov Gambit - 17 Min

Diving Deep into Urusov Gambit Theory - 13 Min

The Urusov Gambit | Attacking Gambit in the Bishop's Opening IM Andrey Ostrovskiy - 12 Min

Chess Openings: Smash 'em with The Urusov Gambit!! - 44 min IM Miodrag Perunovic - 
In-depth analysis of the Urusov Gambit. Discusses various responses to the gambit, highlighting the importance of development and initiative in chess.

Human Defeats Stockfish with Urusov Gambit - 11 min Johnathan Schrantz

Dirty Chess Tricks 14 (Urusov Gambit Declined) - 14 Min
Dirty Chess Tricks 15 (Urusov Gambit Accepted) - 27 Min

The Original URUSOV GAMBIT Surprised a Future World Champion | Chess History Explained - 17 Min

Smothered Mate and an Urusov Gambit | Viewers' Choice - GM Yasser Seirawan - 50 Min

Chess Tips: How To Play The Dangerous Urusov Gambit?  - 67 Min Maurice Bishop


Alterman GGuide The Urusov Gambit part1 - 34 Min 
Alterman GGuide The Urusov Gambit part2 - 33 min


Ponziani Gambit

Greco Gambit


4 Pawns Gambit


Lewis Gambit

Calabrese Counter Gambit

Calabrese Counter Gambit against Bishop's Opening - 21 MinIt counters the bishop's opening with 2...f5, as we also do against the Italian or Spanish. It's a rarely-seen but effective response for the aggressive player.


Bishops Opening Chess Traps

Elevate your tactical awareness with videos exploring common traps and winning opportunities in the Bishop's Opening. (Great for all levels)


Game Videos (W/Analysis)

Bishop's Opening  - 10 Video Playlist  - kingscrusher  (Famous games)
Bishop's Opening 16 Video Playlist - 
agadmantor


Amazing BULLETPROOF Approach in Bishops Opening!! - 11 min - IM Miodrag Perunovic - Guy beats IM in 15 Moves in Classical with Bishop's opening. (New - 6/5/2024)

Magnus Carlsen strikes with the Bishop’s Opening! - 22 Min

Chess Tips: Play The Bishops Opening Like Kasparov!! 2...Nc6 - 36 Min 
 IM Miodrag Perunovic 

Finally Had Chance to Play Bishops Opening in Real Tournament! All Wins!!  - 16 Min  - IM Miodrag Perunovic

Dubov plays the Urusov Gambit, or Dubusov? || Dubov vs Giri - 13 Min


"In order to avoid playing the opening theory,
 you need to study A LOT of opening theory."
- Peter Svidler

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Catalan (E00 - E09) - Opening Theory

 

Crack the Code:
Mastering the Catalan Chess Opening

       The Catalan Opening offers a flexible and rewarding path for 1.d4 players. White fianchettoes the light-squared bishop, aiming for long-term positional pressure and dynamic possibilities. Whether you prefer a closed or open Catalan, this guide equips you with the tools to excel!

Why Study the Catalan?

  • Solid Foundation: Gain a strong opening repertoire for White, built on sound positional principles.
  • Rich Strategic Play: Develop a deep understanding of maneuvering and creating long-term pressure.
  • Tactical Prowess: Sharpen your tactical skills by exploring the wealth of hidden opportunities within the Catalan.
Dive into the Depths of the Catalan with these Top Resources:

Wikipedia Page (Catalan)

The Catalan is a chess opening where White adopts a combination of the

Queen's Gambit and Réti Opening: White plays d4 and c4 and fianchettoes the white bishop on g2. A common opening sequence is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3, although the opening can arise from various move orders.

E01 Catalan, closed   1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2
E02 Catalan, open, 5.Qa41. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+
E03 Catalan, open, Alekhine variation  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Qa4+ Nbd7 6. Qxc4 a6 7. Qc2
E04 Catalan, open, 5.Nf31. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3
E05 Catalan, open, classical line   1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Nf3 Be7
E06 Catalan, closed,   5.Nf31. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3
E07 Catalan, closed,   6...Nbd71. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nbd7
E08 Catalan, closed,   7.Qc21. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Qc2
E09 Catalan, closed, main line   1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nbd7 7. Qc2 c6 8. Nbd2



BOOKS (Free)


Internet Archive

Flank Openings: A Study of Réti's Opening, The Catalan, English and King's Indian Attack Complex (Fourth Edition) by R. D. Keene - 193 Page PDF

Chessable Courses FREE

  • Short & Sweet: Catalan for Black -  21 Variations  w/ 72 Min Video - IM Tor Fredrik KaasenIn this Short & Sweet course, you have a bite-size guide to start facing the Catalan with confidence and learn the ways to take over as Black.
     
  • Short & Sweet: Shankland's Neo-Catalan - - 22 variations w/76 Min Video - GM Sam Shankland gives you 16 unique starter lines to get you playing Catalan-style setups without having to commit to the traditional Catalan and the d2-d4 pawn push.
     
  • Short & Sweet: Alonso's Catalan - 12 Variations w/ 35 Min Video - GM Alvar Alanso Rosell The perks of the 1.d4 move order. How to handle dynamic structures. State-of-the-art theory. 

  • Short & Sweet: Srinath's Catalan - 25 Variations w/ 2 hr Video - GM Srinath Narayanan Even if you don’t want to play the Catalan, this free course is a must-have for anyone who plays 1. d4, 2. c4. That’s because, as well as the Catalan proper, it gives you weapons against many of black’s most annoying defences - like the KID, Dutch, Benko and Benoni.



Catalan Chess Articles



Catalan LiChess Studies

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

  • Catalan opening - 63 Chapter Studyhis comprehensive study delves into a massive 63 chapters, covering everything from various Catalan lines and pawn structures to defensive strategies, tactics, model games, and even endgames. (Study at top of Page ) (400 hearts

  • Catalan Repertoire - 12 Chapter Study - (150 hearts) If you're looking for a more concise exploration of both the Open and Closed Catalan variations, this 12-chapter study offers clear explanations.

  • The Basic Catalan - 11 Chapter Study  (1100 hearts) - This highly-rated study offers a solid foundation in the core principles of the Catalan Opening.

  • Catalan  - 64 Chapter Study  (Super In-depth)  (1450 hearts) An incredibly detailed 64-chapter exploration of the Catalan, perfect for players seeking an exhaustive understanding.


LiStudy Move Practice Page 

In addition to the strategic studies, Lichess also offers an interactive "Move Practice" section to help you solidify the Catalan's key variations. Check out:



Games Databases

Examining real chess games is a fantastic way to solidify your understanding of theoretical concepts and strategic ideas. Here are some valuable databases to delve into Catalan games:


365Chess.com 

E01: Catalan, closed - 73oo games
E02: Catalan, open, 5.Qa4 - 509 Games
E03: Catalan, open, Alekhine variation - 50 Games
E04: Catalan, open, 5.Nf3 - 7000 Games
E05: Catalan, open, classical line - 472 Games
E06: Catalan, closed, 5.Nf3 - 12,700 Games
E07: Catalan, closed, 6...Nbd7 - 2429 Games
E08: Catalan, closed, 7.Qc2 - 1676 Games
E09: Catalan, closed, main line - 1800 Games


Chessgames.com

Catalan, Closed (E01-E09) - 18 Annotated Games



Catalan Chess Puzzles

Sharpen Your Tactical Skills with Catalan Chess Puzzles

wtharvy.com

Catalan, Open, 5.Qa4+ (ECO E02) - 13 Puzzles
Catalan, Open, 5.Nf3 (ECO E04) - 14 Puzzles
Catalan, Open, Classical line (ECO E05) - 19 Puzzles
Catalan, Closed, 5.Nf3 (ECO E06) - 15 Puzzles
Catalan, Closed (ECO E09) - 11 Puzzles


LiChess Opening's Puzzles 

Catalan Opening  - 1451 Puzzles  (All Variations)
Catalan Opening: Closed - 731 Puzzles
Catalan Opening: Open Defense - 355 Puzzles
Catalan Opening: Closed Variation, Rabinovich Variation - 44 Puzzles



Catalan Chess Video Lessons

Playlists


Lessons

GM Neiksans Boot Camp #26 - Catalan Opening - 3.5 Hr Stream Recorded - In this GM Neiksans Boot Camp edition, he explains the key concepts of the variation!


Understanding the Catalan Opening | ft. GM Srinath Narayanan - 1.75 hr - Full Q&A Stream with IM Sagar Shah -Gain insights from a Grandmaster! This session features GM Srinath Narayanan discussing the Catalan's intricacies.

The Open Catalan Opening | Basic Plans, Ideas & Strategies | IM Andrey Ostrovskiy - 33 Min - Focus on the Open Catalan with IM Ostrovskiy's strategic guidance.

Catalan Opening | Chess Lesson # 124 - 25 Min NM Ramirez -  playing the “lazy” Catalan, which is an interesting approach for anyone to start getting exposure to the main ideas without having to memorize a lot of theory.

The Catalan Opening by Kestony Kazlenas on CoChess.com - 63 Min in-depth analysis of the Catalan Opening in chess, emphasizing its strategic advantages and variations. The lesson covers the Closed Catalan, where black plays c6, and the Open Catalan, where black accepts the gambit.

Open Catalan: Interesting Opening Idea by Chessable Author NM Bryan Tillis - 13 Mincovering a rare line in the Open Catalan.
Catalan Opening: Why Bd6 is bad?! - 9 Min - NM Bryan Tillis - 
NM Tillis shows a key idea in the Catalan. Why is Bd6 simply bad?

Opening Basics #48: Catalan Opening - part 1 - 35 Min - Jims chess channel This first episode looks at the Open Catalan, and contains a sample game, Vladimir Kramnik vs. Alexander Morozevich from the 2007 FIDE World Championship
Opening Basics #49: Catalan Opening - part 2 - 40 Min - Jim's Chess Channel -
the Catalan opening with a discussion of the closed Catalan. Features two more games of Vladimir Kramnik

Strategic Basics of the Catalan | Opening Lab  - 11 Min  - Chess Dojo - Dive into strategic decision-making in the Catalan, specifically when to capture on d5 in the Closed Catalan.

Super-GM Teaches an IM | Part 2: The Closed Catalan - 24 Min - Chess Dojo - Witness a Super-GM in action! Watch GM Shankland coach an IM on handling a Closed Catalan position.

Catalan Opening: Best Opening To Gain Advantage From The Start! - 33 Min -
While the claim of gaining an advantage from the start might be a bit optimistic, this video explores the benefits of the Catalan Opening for White, including its versatility and ability to avoid complex theoretical variations.

Black  vs the Catalan


Catalan Chess Traps


Catalan Game Videos (W/Analysis)

Catalan Opening  - 34 Video Playlist  - agamator's Chess Channel
Catalan Opening  - 27 Video Playlist - Chess School


IM Bartholomew vs. shanya (Catalan Opening) - 42 Min
IM Bartholomew vs. IM scacho (Catalan Opening) - 16 Min



Monday, April 11, 2022

Jobava London - Opening Theory

 

Sharpen Your Skills:
Free Resources for the Jobava London



Delve into the intricacies of the Jobava London with our comprehensive archive of articles, video lessons, and interactive studies. 

Perfect your attacking plans and discover hidden tactical opportunities!

Looking to expand your chess opening repertoire with  an opening known for its sharp tactics and attacking potential. Look no further than the Rapport-Jobava London System!

 This exciting opening variation builds upon the solid foundations of the London System, adding an extra punch for players who enjoy attacking chess.

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d5 3.e3 c5 4.Nc3 cxd4 5.exd4 Nc6 6.Qd2 Bf5 7.O-O-O

Animated chessboard demonstrating the first 8 moves of the Rapport-Jobava London System, a dynamic chess opening known for its attacking potential. White (bottom) plays 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4, challenging Black's center. Black responds 3... c5, accepting the gambit. White continues with 4. e3 cxd4 5. exd4 Nc6 6. Qd2 Bf5, developing their pieces and putting pressure on Black's kingside. The move 7. O-O-O castles White's king on the queenside, a key element of the Jobava London System.

Sub-varient Queen Pawn - Chigoran Variation
 => 3. Bg5 Richter-Veresov
=> 3. Bf4 Jobava London.

BOOKS & Courses (Free)

Jobava London Chessable Courses (FREE)



Jobava London Chess Articles




Jobava London LiChess Studies

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the opening's concepts.




Jobava London Video Lessons


Playlists


Basics of Jobava London (1.d4 2.Nc3 3.Bf4) with Daniel Naroditsky - 68 Min - Chessbase India - IM Sagar Shah learns the basics of this opening from Daniel Naroditsky and this can be an introduction if you are interested to start playing this opening. Jobava London: Lecture by GM Ben Finegold - 50 Min -
A lecture on the Jobava London System, Finegold discusses the system’s key features, including the combination of Bishop F4 with Knight C3, and contrasts it with the traditional London System. He emphasizes the Jobava London’s aggressive nature, favoring players who excel in tactics and non-theoretical positions.

1000s Can Learn the Aggressive Jobava London!! - 57 Min - GM Nakamura
shows you how to implement the aggressive and crowd-pleasing Jobava London in your chess repertoire.

GM Denes Boros

Learn the Jobava London (Complete Guide - Ideas, Theory, and Game Examples) - 16 Min - ChessGeek complete guide on the Jobava London System! the opening moves, main ideas and key strategies for both white and black. We'll also examine a range of typical plans and tactical motifs that arise in this opening, and provide tips and tricks for navigating the position.

Jobava London: everything you need to know - 54 Min - IM Banzea - 7 Games w/ analysis

London MasterClass (Jobava Variation)
 47 MIN IM Banzea - a Comprehensive guide on playing the London System against the King’s Indian and Grunfeld defenses in chess. It begins by explaining the Jobava London setup and why it’s specifically effective against kingside fianchetto structures. Delves into various lines and responses, highlighting the importance of pawn structure, piece placement, and strategic planning.

Jobava London System | Chess Traps | ChessMaster2000 - 15 Min

GM Simon Williams 



Battling The Jovbava London
 (Black Systems & Games)


Jobava London Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Jobava London - 13 Video playlist - Chessbase India


Attacking with the Jobava London - 35 Min IM Eric Rosen
Jobava London System as played by the World Champ! - 10 Min
Tactics in the Jobava London System you should know. #1 Jobava vs Quparadze - 26 Min
Jobava London by Magnus! What a Game! | Carlsen vs Xiong | - 23 Min
Strategy in the Jobava London | Standard Chess #293 - 48 Min IM Bartholomew
My Most Brilliant Rapport-Jobava Game - 7 Min GM Denes Boros

GM Simon Williams (Games)

Longer Chess Games #41 Climbing the 2500 mountain - A Typical Trick in the  'Jobava-London System' - 8 Min
Longer Chess Games #48 The Jobava London System in Action - 40 Min 
Longer Chess Games #49 The Jobava London System - What to do against an early ...Bf5 - 40 Min
Longer Chess Games #63 The Jobava London System - A Common Trap - 56 Min
Chess Speed Run 50: The Jobava London System is a Killer! - 17 Min - we look at some typical mistakes that players make around the 2000+ level


Water color Painting of London at night with lamp post
"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is." - Vince Lombardi