Checkmate the Algorithm: Brilliant Chess Channels Flying Under the Radar

 

Much True wisdom lies not in the loudest voices,
 but in the quietest corners of the internet.

Hidden Gems
 Chess Channels You're Missing Out On

While the chess world on YouTube boasts some giants, there are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. These channels offer extensive content and high-quality lessons , but their subscriber count doesn't reflect the value they provide.

Here are 10 fantastic YouTube channels led by chess masters that deserve a wider audience

1. Bad Bishop Chess Channel - FM  Aleksandar Randjelovic - : 5k Subscribers

• English
• 97 Videos  (Active)
• 20+ Years as a Chess Teacher
• Video Playlists Cover Openings, Positional Chess and Tactics 

2. Palm Beach Chess - NM Bryan Tillis: 16k Subscribers

• English
• 1,100 Videos (Active)
• Instructor and Chessable Author
• Video Playlists Covering Everything from Openings to Endgames. Lot's of Lesson's from famous Master Games. 

3. Chess Thinking! with NM Dan Heisman: 8.4K Subscribers

• English
• 367 Videos (Active)
• Author of 13 Chess Books and Instructor for over 30 years
• Lessons on all types of topics
• Really Caters to the Beginner and Intermediate Player. But has Some advanced stuff as well.

4. U.S. Chess School]: 1.4K Subscribers

• English
• 237 Videos (Active)
• Most of these Videos are 1 to 1.5 Hour long Lessons
• Openings, Middlegame and Endgame Lessons (They cover it all)
• These Lessons are Given by Top Chess Instructors
  GM Johan Hellston - Author of Several Top Chess Books and Chessable Courses
  GM Jesse Kraai and IM Kostva Kavutskiy - Chess Dojo Instructors and Chessable Authors
  GM Sam Shankland - Book and Chessable Author+ Many other Top IM's and GM's
• I would say most of the stuff here falls into the Intermediate and Advanced Lessons.

5. Robert Plunkett's Chess Lab: 3.5K Subscribers

• English
• 382 Videos (Active)
• NM with over 20 Years of Chess Coaching
• Lot of Great Openings Playlists - Many Interesting easy to digest Lessons on many Chess topics

6. GM Max Illingworth: 2.6K Subscribers

• English
• 502 Videos (Active)
• Mostly 10-15 Min Videos Covering a Game w/ Analysis and a Lessons Learned on a certain topic from that game.

7. Molton - GM Moulthun Ly: 14.8K Subscribers

• English
• 222 Videos (Not- Active)
• 10-60 Min Videos
• Openings Videos w/ Many Game Analysis Videos
• From Beginner to Advanced Lessons

8. GM Irina Krush: 22.9K Subscribers

• English
• 49 Videos (Active)
• Many Videos on just a certain Chess Concept w/ some games Analyzed showing that concept.

9. GM Josh Friedel: 2.86K Subscribers

• English
• 34 Videos (Active)
• Chess Coach and Chessable Author
• 30 Min Video Lessons geared to Beginner and Intermediate Players. (Really nice Lessons)
•  "Don't let the subscriber count fool you - GM Josh Friedel's concise video lessons are pure chess gold!"

10. GM Talks - GM Sune Berg Hansen: 8k Subscribers

• English
• Building strong chess fundamentals, with a particular emphasis on Pawn structures like the Carlsbad and Queen's Gambit.
• Delivered by a highly decorated chess player (7-time National Champion and Danish National Team Coach), GM Sune Berg Hansen uses his enthusiasm and clear explanations to make even complex chess concepts accessible to viewers.
• 346 + Videos (Not much recent stuff but some amazing Lessons that are 2hr+ in length)
• Beginner, Intermediate, w/ some really Advanced Topics and Deep-Dives here as well
  
  

The world of chess learning on YouTube is vast!

Have you stumbled upon any other hidden gem channels offering fantastic chess lessons?

Share the links in the comments below! Whether it's a brilliant opening instructor or a master of endgame tactics, let's help each other expand our chess knowledge.

Latvian Gambit: A Double-Edged Sword for Aggressive Players C40

"There are two types of sacrifices: correct ones and mine." - Mikhail Tal

 

A King's Gambit! Wait, I'm Black.

Sacrifice a pawn, Win the Game (Maybe)
 Your Guide to the Latvian Gambit

Key Ideas of the Latvian Gambit

The Latvian Gambit is a daring opening for Black, sacrificing a pawn (f5) early on to gain rapid development and control of the center. This gambit aims to create an imbalanced position where Black hopes to exploit tactical opportunities before White can fully consolidate their advantage.

However, the gambit comes with inherent risks:

• Black Starts a Tempo Behind: Compared to White's development, Black falls behind slightly due to the pawn sacrifice. This gives White valuable time to formulate a safe response.
• White's Potential Attack: Accepting the gambit with 3. Nxe5 exposes Black's king and opens the h-file for a potential White attack (4. Qh5+).
• Black's Queen Development: Defending the f5-pawn often forces Black to move the queen early, hindering the development of other pieces.

White's Response: Exploiting Weaknesses

White has several ways to respond to the Latvian Gambit, all aiming to exploit the weaknesses created by f5:

• Accepting the Sacrifice (3. Nxe5): This is considered the most challenging response for White. Here, lines like 3...Qf6 4. d4 or 3...Nc6 4. Nc3 often leave White with a comfortable advantage.
• Refusing the Gambit (e.g., 3. Bc4): Here, White declines the pawn sacrifice and focuses on developing their pieces, aiming to maintain a positional edge.

Black's Compensation: Potential Advantages

While the gambit carries risks, Black isn't without potential advantages:

• Rapid Development: The f5-pawn advance forces open lines, allowing Black to develop their pieces quickly and put pressure on White's center.
• Central Control: Black aims to gain control of the central squares (d4 and e5) which can restrict White's piece mobility and create strategic pressure.
• Tactical Opportunities: The gambit disrupts the typical opening flow and can lead to sharp, tactical positions where Black might find unexpected opportunities to attack.

Latvian Gambit Wikipedia Page
History w/ Most all of Whites Reply's

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Latvian Gambit Articles

Delve into the theory, history, and key variations of the Latvian Gambit.

Latvian Gambit Opening Guide for White & Black - Chessable Guide -  This Chessable guide explores strategies and key variations for both White and Black players. (Theory & Lines)

The Latvian Gambit | Chess Openings for Tactical Players - GM Gregory Serper - Nice article where he shows a couple ways white can get an advantage and a couple of Blacks plans all from famous games being analyzed.

Latvian Gambit | The Refutation - GM Avatik Gregoriyan -  This in-depth article by GM Gregoriyan dives into refuting the Latvian Gambit, with strategy analysis and video explanations. (Refutation Strategies & Video Lesson)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Ne5 Qf6 4.d4 d6  5.Nd3 
ChessMood Refutation Line

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Latvian Gambit LiChess Studies

LiChess Studies offer interactive training grounds to solidify your grasp of the Latvian Gambit's intricacies. Here are some valuable studies to explore:

• Latvian Gambit: Opening Theory - 40 Chapter Study -This in-depth study delves into the opening's main lines, explores various variations, and showcases A bunch of Model games from IM Miodrag Perunovic for both White and Black. (Comprehensive Theory & Variations) 
  
  
• Latvian Gambit - 9 Chapter Study -This study provides clear explanations of different Latvian Gambit lines, highlighting several opening traps to be aware of. (Line Explanations & Trap Awareness)
  
  
• Latvian Gambit Refuted? - 8 Chapter Study -  This study focuses on refuting the gambit for White players. It delves into the best lines against each of Black's potential plans.(White Refutation Strategies)

New to LiChess Studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move. You can test your understanding, solidify your learning, and deepen your knowledge of the Latvian Gambit.

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Games Databases

Take your Latvian Gambit knowledge to the next level! Explore these online databases to analyze real-life games featuring the Latvian Gambit and witness how it unfolds in practice:

ChessTempo.com

• Latvian Gambit, General (C40) - 222 games

365Chess.com

• C40: Latvian counter-gambit 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 - 1798 Games
• C40: Latvian, Nimzovich variation 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Qf6 4. d4 d6 5. Nc4 fxe4 6. Ne3 - 54 Games
• C40: Latvian, Fraser defence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Nxe5 Nc6 - 176 Games
• C40: Latvian gambit, 3.Bc4 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 - 164 games
• C40: Latvian, Polerio variation 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 3. Bc4 fxe4 4. Nxe5 d5 - 59 games

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Latvian Gambit Puzzles on LiChess

LiChess offers a treasure trove of puzzles specifically designed for the Latvian Gambit. Here's a breakdown of what you can find:

LiChess Opening Puzzles 

• Latvian Gambit - 929 Puzzles  Dive into a massive pool of puzzles encompassing the entire Latvian Gambit spectrum. Test your skills against a variety of lines and sharpen your tactical vision.

Specific Variation Puzzles: For targeted practice, explore puzzles dedicated to specific Latvian Gambit variations:

• Latvian Gambit: Mlotkowski Variation - 148 Puzzles
• Latvian Gambit: Mayet Attack - 106 Puzzles
• Latvian Gambit: Mason Countergambit - 107 Puzzles
• Latvian Gambit: Greco Variation - 51 Puzzles
• Latvian Gambit: Fraser Defense - 106 Puzzles

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Latvian gambit Video Lessons

Learn from chess masters in video tutorials that explain the Latvian Gambit's key ideas and strategies.

GM Boris Alterman Gambit Guide

• Alterman GGuide Latvian Gambit part 1 - 31 min 
• Alterman GGuide Latvian Gambit part 2 - 27 min

IM Miodrag Perunovic (The Butcher)

• World First?! Chess Master Teaches Latvian Gambit for Black! - 24 Min - IM Miodrag Perunovic - In-depth tutorial on playing the Latvian Gambit for Black in chess, focusing on various responses to White’s moves and how to gain a strong position. Video Below
  
  
• Chess Master Blitz...Latvian Gambit as Black!! - 36 min - IM Miodrag Perunovic - Bltz games
  
  

Latvian Gambit | Aggressive Play in the King's Knight Opening | Gambits | IM Andrey Ostrovskiy - 15 Min - In-depth analysis and explains the gambit’s key ideas, potential pitfalls, and best responses, various lines and tactics that can arise from this opening, emphasizing the importance of piece activity and central control.

Learn the Latvian Gambit in 10 Minutes - 10 Min - ChessGeek - Learn how to respond to common defenses from your opponent, as well as how to take advantage of any weaknesses or mistakes they may make 
Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Latvian Gambit! - 8 Min - Chess Giant - I recommend this chess opening to aggressive, club level players up to an 1800 ELO.

Chess Opening For Black Against 1.e4 | Latvian Gambit | KING'S GAMBIT FOR BLACK - 18 min - Coach Kestony - The video discusses various responses from white, including Nxe5, exf5, and d3, and explores black’s potential moves in response.

White best Defense 

• The Latvian Gambit (Never Lose to it Again!) - 16 Min - Hanging pawns - A very aggressive and unsound opening for black, with which black tries to blow white off the board in a couple of moves. I've made this video to give you everything you need to make sure that never happens!
  
  
• Chess Openings - How to refute the Latvian Gambit - 12 min - IM Christof Sielecki -  Comprehensive guide on refuting the Latvian Gambit in chess, focusing on key moves and strategies. It emphasizes the importance of understanding one effective line against the gambit to gain an advantage.

Game Videos w/ Analysis

Finegold Once Said "Never Play F5" | Latvian Gambit | A GM Naroditsky Theory Speed Run - 50 min -  15 Min Rapid game deferred Latvian gambit, Great Lesson on how to play against the Latvian gambit.

An Amazing Latvian Gambit Game | David Moody vs Les LeRoy Smith: Michigan Open 1982 - 3 Min - Chess School

PGN Database

PGNMentor.com

Latvian-Elephant.pgn Download   View

Latvian Gambit and Elephant Gambit 1442 games

1.e4 e5 2.f3 f5, d5

Black Lion Defense: A Surprise Weapon for Aggressive Chess Players

 

"Our flanks are exposed, our center is wavering – in that situation stand firm!"

Unleash the Black Lion:
A Dynamic Weapon for Black in Chess

The Black Lion Defense: 

• Variation of Philidor Defense: The Black Lion is an aggressive sub-line of the Philidor Defense employed against the common 1. e4 opening by White.
  
  
• Dynamic and Unorthodox: This defense offers Black a chance to fight for the center and launch a kingside attack, deviating from more reserved approaches.
  
  
• Step-by-Step Sequence: The opening sequence involves developing knights, placing the black bishop on d7, and eventually pushing pawns to e5, h6, and potentially g5 to create attacking chances.
  
  
• Strengths:
  • Challenges White's central control.
  • Offers flexibility in strategy and tactics.
  • Provides a dynamic and surprising weapon for Black.
• Weaknesses:
  • Requires understanding positional concepts and active analysis.
  • Less common than other openings, leading to fewer resources for study.
  • Decision-making during the middle game can be challenging for beginners.
• Suitability:
  • A fun and exciting option for players seeking alternatives to standard defenses against 1. e4.
  • Accessible for beginners due to the clear opening sequence.
  • Effective against various White opening strategies.
    
    Bishop's Bounty Philidor Main Page
    
    

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BOOKS & Courses (Free)

Short & Sweet: Black Lion - Free Chessable Course - 24 Trainable Lines w/1 hr Video - GM Simon Williams

• In a mere 24 variations, you can learn how to play this Line which is fierce to face and rich in tactics. The Black Lion avoids castling and aims to checkmate White on the Kingside from the get-go. You are a predator and you are on the hunt.

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Black Lion Articles

• Black Lion Defense: The Total Guide (Only For The Brave) - An in-depth exploration for advanced players, covering history, theory, variations, and strategic concepts.
  

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LiChess Studies

• The Black Lion - 4 Chapter Study (114 hearts) - Explore the Black Lion variation, a dynamic sub-line of the Philidor Defense, with a few model games for practical application.
  

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.

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Games Databases

Unleash the Black Lion by delving into real chess battles! Explore these game databases to find high-quality games featuring the Black Lion and related variations:

365Chess.com

• C41: Philidor, Hanham variation 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 - 2420 Games - Explore games featuring the Black Lion's roots in the Hanham variation.
• C41: Philidor, Improved Hanham variation 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 - 10,638 Games - Analyze a broader range of games with the Improved Hanham variation, which can sometimes transpose into the Black Lion.

ChessTempo.com

• Philidor Defense, Hanham Variation (C41) - 1518 Games - Focus on the core Black Lion ideas within the Hanham variation.
• Philidor Defense, Lion Variation (C41) - 16,815 Games - Deep dive into the Lion Variation (C41), a dynamic sub-line of the Philidor Defense that frequently leads to Black Lion structures.

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Puzzles

Sharpen your tactical skills specifically for the Black Lion Defense with these puzzle collections:

LiChess Openings Puzzles

• Philidor Defense: Lion Variation - 724 Puzzles
• Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation- 457 Puzzles

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Black Lion Video Lessons

The Lion Defense (Played Right) - 52 Min - GM Max Illingworth - introduces the Philidor Defense as a solid response to 1.e4. He discusses the traditional move order and its drawbacks, suggesting an alternative approach to avoid common issues. The video covers the Antoshin variation, the Black Lion move order, and strategic ideas for both sides. Slingworth emphasizes the importance of move order, development, and pawn structure in the Philidor Defense, providing insights into how to play it effectively.

Hanham Variation of the Philidor Defense - 24 Min - Hanging Pawns - in-depth analysis of the Hanham Variation of the Philidor Defense in chess. The presenter, Stepan, discusses the key ideas behind the variation, its transpositional nature, and the main lines that can arise from it. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the lion variation, which is a common transposition, and the critical move orders that lead to it.

The most DECEIVING opening? The BLACK LION chess opening! -  7 min - ChessGeek -  goes over the black lion opening, one of the most deceiving openings there are. You start in a very passive setup, but quickly and powerfully transition into a massive attack on your opponent.

Philidor LION Variation for Black | Advanced Chess Theory | Bortnyk - 8 Min - Delve into the key ideas and strategies behind the aggressive Philidor Lion Variation for Black. Presenter Bortnyk analyzes common lines and critical pawn structures that arise from this dynamic sub-line of the Black Lion.

How To Play The Black Lion - Quickstarter Jedi Guide - 13 Min - FM James Canty III: A comprehensive guide explaining move order, key pawn structures (like the fianchettoed bishop and the pawn chain on d6 and e5), and strategic objectives (like castling quickly and launching a kingside attack) for beginners new to the Black Lion.

Dirty Chess Tricks 22 (Larobok Shock for Philidor/Black-Lion Defense) - 27 Min - Chess tricks against Philidor Defence, Chess tricks against Black Lion, Dirty chess tricks to win fast, Chess tricks to win fast for white

Chess Openings : A gambit system vs Philidor defence - Lion variation  - 4 Min (Analysis of a GM game)

The Black Lion Opening's Pawn Structure and Pieces Placement Ideas - 13 Min - main focus is on its typical pawn structure and piece placement for both sides.

Black Lion Series

• Crush your opponent with this opening for black Pt 1 (BLACK LION) - 11 Min - detailing how to launch an effective attack against the white king. It explains the opening moves, strategic pawn structure, and key maneuvers to secure a strong position and potentially checkmate the opponent.
  
  
• Destroy EVERYONE with Black Lion (FULL Theory) 2nd Part - 57 Min - This video (Part 2) tackles the Black Lion's main line for players below 2000. Eleyah dissects key variations to strengthen your Black Lion!
   
• Black Lion opening (Part 3) Full games analyze - 48 Min - Analysis of 3 GM Games
  
  

 NM Sean Lei

• How to Play the Philidor Defense || Lion Defense Structures || Chess Openings for Black - 10 Min - discussing my beloved Philidor Defense and its Lion Defense structures.
• My Precious "Philidor" || Philidor and Lion Defence Chess Games || Episode 1 - 18 Min

Simon Williams - The Black Lion - An aggressive version of the Philidor Defense - 18 Min - GM Simon Williams

Learn the Black Lion Opening: In Five simple stages - 23 Min - GM Simon Williams -Master the five essential elements for playing the exciting Black Lion opening in this beginner-friendly video. GM Williams breaks down concepts like developing your pieces efficiently, controlling the center squares, and preparing for a quick pawn storm on the kingside.

Chess Stream #74 Black Lion Q+A - 57 Min - GM Simon Williams - answering questions and demonstrating key ideas. The Black Lion is a response to 1.e4, aiming for an exciting, aggressive setup against the King’s Pawn opening. The host shares his journey of discovering the Black Lion and emphasizes its potential for launching a strong kingside attack.

Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Black Lion Defense! - 20 Min - Chess Giant - Learn the concepts and plans and not theory.

Chess Stream #43 Live Lesson with YayBjorn. A masterclass in the Black Lion! - 1.5hr

How to Fight Against The Black Lion!! - 21 Min - IM Perunovic - discusses strategies to counter the Black Lion opening, a variation of the Philidor Defense, emphasizing the importance of controlling the center and light squares.


Smithy's Opening Survey #2: The Black Lion / Philidor - 16 Min - SmityQ - A look at the basic ideas of the Black Lion set-up in the Philidor, plus some suggestions to get Black off his automatic play-without-thinking plan.

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Game Videos w/ analysis

Playlists

• The Black Lion Opening - 70 Video playlist - Maurice Bishop - Personal  games and Lessons 

The Black Lion Defense is FUN! Subscriber Game Analysis 2x03 - 11 Min - Chess Giant 

A Brutal Tactic Against the Philidor Defense: Hanham, Lion Variation - 4 min - Jozarov's Chess Channel

Standard Chess #193: IM Bartholomew vs. vperboy (Philidor Defense) - 39 Min - In the Hanham Philidor (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7) Black develops quietly in hopes of later counteracting White's central advantage. Here Black experiences problems after 12.Nf5 Bf8 13.Bg5, and blitzing out his moves does not help him find a viable defense!

Kingscrusher (Blitz Games)

• Philidor: Improved Hanham variation (B07) #1981 vs ChessIPO1 (1990) - 10 Min - kingscrusher
• #2067 - Philidor: Improved Hanham variation - 8 Min 
•  #238 vs. gile (2424) - Philidor: Improved Hanham(C26) - 10 min
•  #780 vs supereagles (2163) - Philidor: Improved Hanham  (B07) - 8 Min
•  #2567 - White vs FM kunifax in Philidor: Improved Hanham  - 5 Min
• #3230 - Black vs GM Bones in Philidor: Hanham, Schlechter- 10 Min
•  #2721 - White vs IM Lotus-Eater in Philidor: Improved Hanham  - 11 Min
•  #2332 - White vs GM Rahmaninov in Philidor: Improved Hanham - 10 Min
  
  

GM Simon Williams (Black Lion Games)

• Longer Chess Games #52 The Black Lion Bites! - 30 Min
• Longer Games #11 Climbing the 2500 mountain... The Black Lion!
• Longer Chess Games #40 Climbing the 2500 mountain - The Black Lion in Action - 33 min 
• GM Chess Analysis #60 Lupulescu vs Williams. The Black Lion vs a 2600+ GM - 31 Min
• GM Analysis #14: Looking for an aggressive Opening to learn? Enter the Black Lion! - 27 Min
  
  
  
  For those who want a little change of pace.
  Below is the Link to The Monty Python Version
  of this post.
  
  (Why you ask? Because I could.)
  
  It might even spark some creative thinking for your next game! (Though results may vary...)
  
  
  Forget boring chess! This Black Lion Defense is so CRAZY it just might work! ♟️ (Yes, we're serious. Kind of.)

English Opening - Reversed Sicilian (King's English) A20-A29

"Balance is key."

 

A Guide to the English Reversed Sicilian
  Beyond the Basics

 Take your game to the next level with this advanced resource archive!

• Deep Dive into Critical Lines: Uncover hidden nuances, master strategic concepts, and refine your opening repertoire.
  
  
• Expert Analysis & Insights: Gain valuable knowledge from chess professionals and elevate your positional understanding.
  
  
• Sharpen Your Chess Skills: Challenge yourself with complex positions and decision-making scenarios. 

Focusing on (King's English) variations A20-A29, this collection offers in-depth analysis and strategic insights to elevate your chess.

Bishop's Bounty - Main English Opening Page

English Opening - King's English

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Books & Courses

This section delves into resources designed to equip you with a strong foundation in the Reversed Sicilian (1. c4 e5).

Courses:

• Chessable: Short & Sweet: Reversed Sicilian (Free)
  • Author: GM Arturs Neiksans
  • Length: 27 Variations with 66 Minutes of Video
  • Description: Don't be fooled by the "Short & Sweet" title. This course by GM Neiksans explores 27 critical variations, giving you a deep understanding of the opening's strategic themes and the dynamic possibilities that arise in the middlegame.

Books:

• Starting Out The English (PDF available on Internet Archive) by Neil McDonald
  • Pages: 61 (Reversed Sicilian coverage on pages 115-126)
  • Description: While this book primarily focuses on the English Opening (1. c4), it dedicates a section (pages 115-126) to the Reversed Sicilian (1. c4 e5). This can be a valuable resource, especially for beginners, providing a foundational understanding of how the English ideas translate when Black meets them with 1...e5.

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Chess Articles

Reversed Sicilian: How Bojkov Created Beating the English - Chessable Blog - The article discusses GM Dejan Bojkov’s chess opening repertoire, “Beating the English,” which is based on the reversed Sicilian.

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Reverse Sicilian LiChess Studies

Sharpen your skills in the Reversed Sicilian with these interactive Lichess studies!

 

• The English - Reverse Siciclian - 14 Chapter Study (White plays w/out g3) - This comprehensive study delves into White's repertoire when they choose not to play the typical g3 move. Explore various positional and tactical ideas that arise in these lines.
  
  
• English Sicilians: Reverse Sicilian Open - 4 Chapter Study - This study focuses on the different variations that can branch out from the Reversed Sicilian Open (lines without an early Nc3 for White).
  
  
• Reversed Sicilian (1.c4 e5) (for Black) - 6 Chapter Study - Equip yourself with a strong understanding of the Reversed Sicilian from Black's perspective. This study explores key ideas and potential plans for Black to take advantage of the initiative.
  
  

New to Lichess studies?

 Lichess studies are a fantastic way to learn and practice chess concepts in an interactive format. You can explore different variations move-by-move, test your understanding by solving puzzles, and review key points with explanations provided.

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Game Databases: Exploring the Reversed Sicilian in Action

Delve into real-game scenarios with these valuable resources from 365Chess.com! 

365Chess.com

A20: English opening 1. c4 e5 - 58,783 Games  (+ 2 sub-variations)
A21: English opening 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 - 41,552 Games (+5 Sub-variations)
A22: English opening 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 - 26,828 Games (+4 Sub-Variations)
A23: English, Bremen system, Keres variation 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 c6 - 1767 Games 
A24: English, Bremen system with ...g6 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 g6 - 501 games
A25: English, Sicilian reversed 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 - 12,431 Games (+5 Sub-Variations)
A26: English, closed system 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. g3 g6 4. Bg2 Bg7 5. d3 d6 - 
2106 Games (+1 Sub-Variation)
A27: English, three knights system 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 - 4807 Games
A28: English, four knights system 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 - 14,080 (+8 Sub-Variations)
A29: English, four knights, kingside fianchetto 1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 - 6040 games

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Puzzles: Sharpen Your Reversed Sicilian Tactics

WTHarvey.com Puzzle Collections:

English (ECO A20) 1.c4 e5 w/o 2.Nc3 - 17 puzzles
English (ECO A21) 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 - 11 Puzzles
English (ECO A22) 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 - 9 Puzzles

English, Bremen System, Keres Variation (ECO A23) - 26 Puzzles 
English, Bremen System with ...g6 (ECO A24) - 14 Puzzles
English (ECO A25) 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 - 16 Puzzles

English (ECO A26) 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.d3 d6 - 17 Puzzles
English, Three Knights System (ECO A27) - 14 Puzzles
English (ECO A28) 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 Nf6 - 18 Puzzles
English, Four Knights, Kingside Fianchetto (ECO A29) - 19 Puzzles

LiChess Opening Puzzles

• ENGLISH OPENING: CARLS-BREMEN SYSTEM - 488 Puzzles - While not exclusive to the Reversed Sicilian, this collection includes puzzles relevant to the Bremen System lines (A23 & A24).
• ENGLISH OPENING: KING'S ENGLISH VARIATION - 10,386 Puzzles - This broader category might contain some Reversed Sicilian puzzles, but be prepared for a wider range of English Opening variations. 

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Reversed Sicilian Video Lessons

Dive deeper into the Reversed Sicilian with these insightful video lessons from various chess instructors!

Reversed Sicilian - Discussion with GM Pavel Eljanov - 77 Min - Modern Chess -  He will present a selection of his most instructive games in this opening. During the analysis, GM Eljanov will talk about basic positional ideas, pawn structures, and theoretical trends.

The Reversed Sicilian: 1.c4 e5 · English Opening Theory - 1.5 Hr - Hanging Pawns - A comprehensive guide on the Reversed Sicilian, specifically the English Opening with 1.c4 e5. It discusses various strategies, pawn structures, and responses to different black moves highlighting the benefits of playing with an extra tempo as white.

English Opening Reversed Rossolimo Variation (Chess Openings) - 13 Min - Chess Mode - Today, we have looked at the reversed rossolimo with 4.Bb4. This is a pretty interesting way for black to play

Chessbase India

• Sagar's English Love Part II | Reversed Dragon with 8...a5  - 32 Min - Sagar begins with 1.c4 e5 and shows you some reversed Dragon positions. There are three games covered in this video.
• Sagar's English Love Part III | Reversed Dragon Main Line in English Opening - 36 Min -  Part III deals with the main line of the reversed Dragon system.

English Opening Reversed Dragon Variation (Chess Openings) - 18 Min - Chess Mode - Show you basic ideas and plans for for white and black in this variation of the English.
English Opening - Reversed Dragon - 17 Min - MKS Chess - Dragon reversed is an excellent way to meet blacks most popular move against the English opening of 2...Nf6. 

Playing Against the Reversed Sicilian

• GM Neiksans Boot Camp #37: Neutralize English Opening - 1.5 hr - Gm Neiksans - how to neutralize English Opening. Why fight for equality when you can treat it as Sicilian but colors reversed?
  
  
•  A SIMPLE System To Beat The English Opening - 10 Min - NM Nelson lopez -  It provides a clear plan for the middle game by trading a bishop for a knight and placing pawns on dark squares to limit the opponent’s dark-squared bishop’s effectiveness. The system is demonstrated through a game.
  
  
• How to play the Reverse Sicilian against the English - 21 Min - Rober Plunketts Chess Lab

Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Observe top chess players navigate the complexities of the Reversed Sicilian with these annotated game videos!

English Opening - King's English Variation - 4 Video playlist

English Opening (Reversed Sicilian) | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - 10 Min

Master Class | English: Reversed Sicilian | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 34 Min

Reverse Acc. Dragon | English Opening | GM Naroditsky’s Top Theory Speedrun - 63 Min -  presents a comprehensive guide to the English Opening in chess, focusing on principled play and the importance of controlling the center. He discusses various strategies, including the accelerated dragon setup

Reversed Sicilian problems - Ding Liren vs Hikaru Nakamura - 14 Min

NEW IDEAS in the Reversed Sicilian! - FF2 (in SF ) vs Stockfish 15 - Kramnik-Shirov Counterattack - 19 Min - Jozarov's Chess Channel - engine game.

Standard Chess #138: Seibt vs. IM Bartholomew (English Opening) - 31 Min

Blitz chess postmortem #481: English opening - Reverse Sicilian - 7 Min - Jim's Chess Channel

Blitz chess postmortem #985: English opening - Reverse Sicilian - 19 Min - Jim's Chess Channel

Blitz chess with live commentary #985: English opening - Reverse Sicilian - 21 Min - Jim's Chess Channel