Brian Wall said to check this out in one of his email's.. and I must say, I am very impressed with this. Great job on the video and thank you for taking the time to make it. Much appreciated. Amazing.
i think white can gain a very big lead in development and overall advantage by simply playing 4. h3 h5, followed by 5. c3 - intending to play bxc6 and hxg4 - to be able to answer a future bc5+ with d4 - does that seem right to you or am i missing something in this line? thanks!
The things you mention I am working on a lot too - so you're not alone! I take it you're excited about SC2 if you're a RTS fan? I am going to pick that up - SC1 has many good university memories for me. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Not yet - but hopefully will have an official rating sometime this summer/fall. Unfortunately I don't live by a large chess club. The closest one is a bit of a drive away, but I am hoping this summer I can make a tourny trip or two. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Engines are a mute point so early in? the opening. C3 and D4 would definitely be playable options for white. D4 looks like it will create a pretty wild and sharp game right at the onset - definitely not similar to the standard Ruy Lopez book lines, which should make it a bit uncomfortable for white if they're used to the common lines. Computers would grind out that advantage but with people pushing the pieces it wouldn't be very easy - game would still be an interesting fight.
Unrated officially, but for online I generally go by my last posted video. Hoping to start exploring the tournament scene sometime this summer/fall. Thanks for checking out the vid!
No worries - that's how people get better. My subscribers when I first started helped me see tons of things I missed and still do. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Hi Kewper - unfortunately the knight couldn't be taken there because the king is in check. The king has to go to H1 and then black can either move the queen to G3 or just take the knight on D4. White would be in a lost position either way.
It's a beautiful trapping line. Not sure if Jack Young created it or was passing it along when he told master Brian Wall, but regardless it's a gem of a trap, even if the bait isn't taken. Thanks for checking out the vid!
I agree - it is more like a variation in some ways. There isn't a huge weakness created if the bait isn't taken, and there will be a good tactical struggle.
Thank you for posting these videos, since I started following your channel the quality my game has improved exponentially, I still lose far more often than I would like but I now know how to learn from my mistakes. I am pretty sure I have lost to this trap more than once before.
Thanks Tops - I don't think so. It just gives black an option to take things out of book and have a good fighting game. Brian Wall has said he believes future chess books will need to investigate this line in further detail, and I agree. I think it's great that new lines are surfacing in openings that have been studied for many many years.
@pirola1 Well it is the defining move of the Ruy Lopez Opening. It is the most popular move for white in this position. The purpose of the move is to attack the knight. Since the knight is defending the e5 pawn, black now has to redefend the e5 pawn. Also, Bb5 will eventually become a pin on the knight after black advances the d pawn. Bb5 is considered stronger than Bc4, d4, or Nc3 at grandmaster level play.
at 7:31, (during the variation where white does not capturing the g4 knight) isn't white's best move pawn thrust to d4?? the move cuts off the black bishop to c5 move and gets center control. does this foil the trap altogether??? keep the videos coming! jrobi, your the best out there on youtube!
Its also scored some wins in longer time controls. I don't think the standard Ruy player will be totally comfortable with the aggressive position it creates if the trap is avoided. Definitely a fun line to play. =)
Good video, two question. Take a look at 6:30, couldnt white simply move pawn to H3? and next question, what program do you use to view that chess board?
Heh, I know this one. One must be careful when playing this though. Engine analysis shows a quick victory for black if white enters any of the trap lines, but a slow and painful death for black when white ignores the knight and plays for the center. Also, what do you think of the move c3 or an early push to d4 rather than h3?
I showed Re1 due to the other possible trapping line that's available if someone plays it. As for 5. C3, it's by no means a guaranteed win for white. If you're using an engine to base that statement on, it's not going to be accurate with real people pushing the pieces.
Great trap. But what if white does not play 5. h3? In other words, what do you recommend if the game went like this: 1. e4 e5, 2. Nf3 Nc6, 3. Bb5 Nf6, 4. 0-0 Ng4, 5. d4 I have actually had some games where after white's 5th move above the black Knight was still sacrificed but because of d4, white's Bishop was able to get to f4 and gaurd the h2 square. Also, white was able to get the Knight to h2. Any suggestions? Sorry as you can see I am a beginner. Thanks!
This is my favorite trap ever. Shortly after watching this video I played a few games trying to lure my opponent into this trap. Surprisingly it happened, and I could tell my opponent was completely dumbfounded. It was the most satisfying feeling ever.
Once black plays pawn to g3, could white play Nf3 so it could delay the checkmate enough to prevent white from losing (attacking the queen + and attacking h2, the checkmate square. It may bring a material deficit, but not a checkmate, or am I wrong?
J Robi, dang this IS a fine "trap" however, I have stepped out of line with using traps, and have tucked this one away and bring it out on occasion during the course of games. The idea is, it seems, not entirely new. I found at least one case of a person using his Bishop as the King's Knight is used here. But the point is, using it as a tool, and sometimes not even having to "sac" the piece, as in, the opponent uses a piece to grab the bait.
I love both the Ruy Lopez traps however when playing kf6, white normally takes the knight on c6 with the bishop. Are there any handy traps or moves to make when they do try to swap off?
The spam might be because all together it was over 500 characters - The Stuart Finney game is my latest slow time control Fishing Pole and the Manny Presicci game shows what might happen in a slow game if Black avoids the Smothered Mate.
Funnily enough I actually fell into this very trap less than a week ago. Not a bad line, good way of challenging the Lopez grip. Didn't know it was called the fishing pole trap... nice one.
Thanks Mrius! Piece sacs are always fun when they are tactically sound. I have had my fair share of "tunnel vision" though sacrificing a piece only to find a reply that I hadn't thought of. Getting much better at avoiding that though, so that's a good thing. =)
Hey, just a quick question about a variation I thought of. What should black do if white defends the H4 square with a pawn move to G3? Just move the bishop to C5? Thanks!
I've got an idea for you, jrobi -- I really enjoy your blitz videos, and in one you used an opening that you had just done a video about. It would be really instructive if you made supplemental videos for these opening and trap videos, of you testing them out on people.
@goph000 It looks like black could play Nd4 and threaten the rook. If white takes the knight on Nd4 then his king is vulnerable to the queen advance. I haven't played it out though, but it doesn't look too promising on initial glance.
I played this trap and it went alll well until 7:37. instead of using knight to c3 he/she did pawn to c3. And then pushing my bishop to c5 was useless because he then pushed his d2 pawn to d3. Is there any way in that position to get the trap going anyway?
im a beginner at chess. but what's the point of bringing the white bishop to b5 at 1:21 . i guess the opponent have to do this move so that the berlin trap would be made.
Great video as usual, Jrobi! 5 stars :) Wow, this was just a brutal trap! I try to play some crazy moves in the opening, like a piece sacrifice, just to push my opponent around and make it MY game, not his/hers. It works more often than not since the ones I play against are mostly weak players (sub 1000 rating) and will usually just try to take material right away. I love playing attacking chess and this trap suits my style perfectly. Thank you.
A lot is posted here. One new point: If you have learned something basically about open games, then three things are well known: - Fighting for the center with d4 as white or d5 with black. - Keeping care of f2/f7 and moving the h-pawn only and only if you have a plan for this move. - Opening the e-file if the enemies king stays in the center. So the move h3 is far from natural. It's a positional and tactical patzer. Re1 is a patzer too, ...
Wow, great line! It looks like it could work even if white plays fried liver, (Bc4 instead of Bc5), as long as they castle right after. I suppose this trap is a great example of why not to castle prematurely!
how does Bc5 eliminate d3 after h5 or in other words what would happen after 1....h5 2.d3 Bc5.....then what because if 3.Ng5 it seems to block the queen
Good trap for blitz. After 5. h3 - h5; 6. c3 or d4! Put white back on the wheel. This trap will throw opponents off in blitz but on regular time control black has little to show for and cannot really justify moving their knight twice.
Great vid! All ur ids r good but this is the best one! I've used this trap in the past, it works not only with the Ruy--pronounced roo-ee by the way--but with other openings as well, the 4 N's Game for ex. All of the traps in the Ruy are interesting. When I was 11 years old I used a trap in the Ruy that I figured out myself to beat the US Checkers Champion at chess! My suggestion 2 u is to do more vids on some of the other Ruy traps.
I would capture 2) d7xc6 to open the file for my queen (and my bishop is case I need it) then proceed to play Bc5. If he tries to push the pawn I would just take with my bishop and then proceed to pick off the pawn at f2 to cause a discovered check next turn. Black might do something else depending on the response, I'm saying taking with the bishop gives black great developing lines and a better position because of the existing pressure on the kingside castle.
Just thought you should know, JRobi, that I am getting many reports of people watching this video for the first time and winning in 10 moves or less in less than a week. Goyathlay ( Geronimo ) is one such creature.
wow...that was just one...no - it was the most beautiful trap i have ever seen. I cant wait to try this out. Thanks for sharing this and the effort to make this video - i loved it. best regards Mm
Wow i just realized that i use the Ruy lopez on most openings, and also using that trap u just explained a lot:) i thought it wasn't "known much" but apparently it's a video posted on youtube by a very awesome commentor:) Thanks for the video, it definately improved my ideas of the Ruy Lopez
Brian Wall said to check this out in one of his email's.. and I must say, I am very impressed with this. Great job on the video and thank you for taking the time to make it. Much appreciated. Amazing.
Man, these are great videos! Very instructional and the audio/video quality is excellent. Two views and a new subscription.
i think white can gain a very big lead in development and overall advantage by simply playing 4. h3 h5, followed by 5. c3 - intending to play bxc6 and hxg4 - to be able to answer a future bc5+ with d4 - does that seem right to you or am i missing something in this line? thanks!
The things you mention I am working on a lot too - so you're not alone! I take it you're excited about SC2 if you're a RTS fan? I am going to pick that up - SC1 has many good university memories for me. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Not yet - but hopefully will have an official rating sometime this summer/fall. Unfortunately I don't live by a large chess club. The closest one is a bit of a drive away, but I am hoping this summer I can make a tourny trip or two. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Engines are a mute point so early in? the opening. C3 and D4 would definitely be playable options for white. D4 looks like it will create a pretty wild and sharp game right at the onset - definitely not similar to the standard Ruy Lopez book lines, which should make it a bit uncomfortable for white if they're used to the common lines. Computers would grind out that advantage but with people pushing the pieces it wouldn't be very easy - game would still be an interesting fight.
Yes, black will stand better by a pawn early in the opening. For example, 7. BxC6 GxF3 8. G3, QF6. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Unrated officially, but for online I generally go by my last posted video. Hoping to start exploring the tournament scene sometime this summer/fall. Thanks for checking out the vid!
No worries - that's how people get better. My subscribers when I first started helped me see tons of things I missed and still do. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Hi Kewper - unfortunately the knight couldn't be taken there because the king is in check. The king has to go to H1 and then black can either move the queen to G3 or just take the knight on D4. White would be in a lost position either way.
It's a beautiful trapping line. Not sure if Jack Young created it or was passing it along when he told master Brian Wall, but regardless it's a gem of a trap, even if the bait isn't taken. Thanks for checking out the vid!
I agree - it is more like a variation in some ways. There isn't a huge weakness created if the bait isn't taken, and there will be a good tactical struggle.
Thank you for posting these videos, since I started following your channel the quality my game has improved exponentially, I still lose far more often than I would like but I now know how to learn from my mistakes. I am pretty sure I have lost to this trap more than once before.
Thanks Brian! I have the first one linked in the comment section, wasn't aware of the second and will check it out.
Not sure why the top part of the PGN is showing as spam but I can't seem to fix it. Thanks for sharing the games Brian!
That's great bibcath - I am glad to hear that! Thanks for checking out the vid and for the feedback!
It definitely has some possibilities, even if the bait isn't taken. Thanks for checking it out Dan!
Thanks D - Jack Young definitely was onto something here. I am curious if he came up with it or if it's been around for awhile. It's a beauty!
Thanks Tops - I don't think so. It just gives black an option to take things out of book and have a good fighting game. Brian Wall has said he believes future chess books will need to investigate this line in further detail, and I agree. I think it's great that new lines are surfacing in openings that have been studied for many many years.
Your videos are very helpful! Easier to follow than notation in a book.
@pirola1 Well it is the defining move of the Ruy Lopez Opening. It is the most popular move for white in this position. The purpose of the move is to attack the knight. Since the knight is defending the e5 pawn, black now has to redefend the e5 pawn. Also, Bb5 will eventually become a pin on the knight after black advances the d pawn. Bb5 is considered stronger than Bc4, d4, or Nc3 at grandmaster level play.
at 7:31, (during the variation where white does not capturing the g4 knight) isn't white's best move pawn thrust to d4?? the move cuts off the black bishop to c5 move and gets center control. does this foil the trap altogether???
keep the videos coming! jrobi, your the best out there on youtube!
Its also scored some wins in longer time controls. I don't think the standard Ruy player will be totally comfortable with the aggressive position it creates if the trap is avoided. Definitely a fun line to play. =)
99 moves - sounds like a good game. There is a number of wins for black also. Brian Wall has some posted online.
Good video, two question.
Take a look at 6:30, couldnt white simply move pawn to H3? and next question, what program do you use to view that chess board?
Aquarium with Rybka 3 - link is in the video details box on the right. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Heh, I know this one. One must be careful when playing this though. Engine analysis shows a quick victory for black if white enters any of the trap lines, but a slow and painful death for black when white ignores the knight and plays for the center. Also, what do you think of the move c3 or an early push to d4 rather than h3?
I showed Re1 due to the other possible trapping line that's available if someone plays it. As for 5. C3, it's by no means a guaranteed win for white. If you're using an engine to base that statement on, it's not going to be accurate with real people pushing the pieces.
Great trap. But what if white does not play 5. h3? In other words, what do you recommend if the game went like this:
1. e4 e5, 2. Nf3 Nc6, 3. Bb5 Nf6, 4. 0-0 Ng4, 5. d4
I have actually had some games where after white's 5th move above the black Knight was still sacrificed but because of d4, white's Bishop was able to get to f4 and gaurd the h2 square. Also, white was able to get the Knight to h2. Any suggestions? Sorry as you can see I am a beginner. Thanks!
In the second line you present, jrobi, after white ignores the knight and plays Re1 the position is equal (after Bc5) because R back to f1 is fine.
This is my favorite trap ever. Shortly after watching this video I played a few games trying to lure my opponent into this trap. Surprisingly it happened, and I could tell my opponent was completely dumbfounded. It was the most satisfying feeling ever.
Once black plays pawn to g3, could white play Nf3 so it could delay the checkmate enough to prevent white from losing (attacking the queen + and attacking h2, the checkmate square. It may bring a material deficit, but not a checkmate, or am I wrong?
Thanks whikor - I haven't tried those variants before. What do you like about them?
J Robi, dang this IS a fine "trap" however, I have stepped out of line with using traps, and have tucked this one away and bring it out on occasion during the course of games. The idea is, it seems, not entirely new. I found at least one case of a person using his Bishop as the King's Knight is used here. But the point is, using it as a tool, and sometimes not even having to "sac" the piece, as in, the opponent uses a piece to grab the bait.
I love both the Ruy Lopez traps however when playing kf6, white normally takes the knight on c6 with the bishop. Are there any handy traps or moves to make when they do try to swap off?
Glad to hear that Smash - thanks for checking out the vid!
The spam might be because all together it was over 500 characters - The Stuart Finney game is my latest slow time control Fishing Pole and the Manny Presicci game shows what might happen in a slow game if Black avoids the Smothered Mate.
It's definitely a solid one for sure - it creates a wild position but definitely playable even if the bait isn't taken.
It's definitely a fun line to play! Thanks for checking out the vid!
Funnily enough I actually fell into this very trap less than a week ago. Not a bad line, good way of challenging the Lopez grip. Didn't know it was called the fishing pole trap... nice one.
@pirola1 the bishop has to move for WHITE to castle plus the ruy lopez opening includes the bishop moving to b5
How do I get rid of the captions which are blocking the view of the positions?
Thanks Mrius! Piece sacs are always fun when they are tactically sound. I have had my fair share of "tunnel vision" though sacrificing a piece only to find a reply that I hadn't thought of. Getting much better at avoiding that though, so that's a good thing. =)
Jrobi!!! You have the best chess videos on the internet
Hey, just a quick question about a variation I thought of. What should black do if white defends the H4 square with a pawn move to G3? Just move the bishop to C5? Thanks!
@shadowdancerRFW
afterwards I would say Qxh2, K-f1, Qh1, Ke2, Qxg2 - still not looking good for white
or did I miss something there?
Great video, thanks for the post.. Does this trap lowers the Ruy Lopez opening ??
at 2:02, Practicing vs the computer, very often he moves pawn to d4. Doesn't this cause more trouble for black as it blocks the bishop's exit?
Very nice video! Very nice job jrobichess, can i ask you, when you playing online in what site you play?:) P.S sorry for my english, its really bad :|
I've got an idea for you, jrobi -- I really enjoy your blitz videos, and in one you used an opening that you had just done a video about. It would be really instructive if you made supplemental videos for these opening and trap videos, of you testing them out on people.
Great video as usual! you chess vids have really helped me improve my game
Totally agree - thanks for checking out the vid!
Thanks for checking it out Brain!
My God. This is the most beautiful trap I have ever seen. This trap is the number one reason why I love chess.
great video
i just found your channel early in the week and i love it!
very informative! Keep up the great work
Thanks for the feedback and idea Icrokis187!
Thanks for checking out the vid waking - I am going to try and capture one on vid.
isn't bishop to c5 good as well? white can only block by rookf2, then queen h1, and checkmate.
Definitely plan on it Zyrog - thanks for checking it out!
Interesting BigLou - I will have to play around with the reversal. Thanks for posting the idea.
The book this tactical device is discussed in is the "Art of Attack" by Vukovic, pg 163 in the algebraic edition.
Check the link in the description Numb - might have been that one that I talk about in the video.
@goph000 It looks like black could play Nd4 and threaten the rook. If white takes the knight on Nd4 then his king is vulnerable to the queen advance.
I haven't played it out though, but it doesn't look too promising on initial glance.
I played this trap and it went alll well until 7:37. instead of using knight to c3 he/she did pawn to c3. And then pushing my bishop to c5 was useless because he then pushed his d2 pawn to d3.
Is there any way in that position to get the trap going anyway?
Very interesting trap, I'm not really into chess but the traps are quite unique, especially this one!
Awesome J!!! I used this at the chess club and defeated 2 players 150 pts. Higher than myself. You are doing a great job!!
Thanks for checking it out and for the feedback thestew56!
I have a question, if Ng4 is such a good posible move, why isn't it the mainline? What would be the most solid defense against it?
Great video! You covered key points of the opening very well. I'll look for your other videos. I just have "um" one suggestion.
Hey what program do you use for this cool chess lesson? I wanna use it.
Thanks Jrobi. Just delivered a checkmate in 9th move. Game Over.
im a beginner at chess. but what's the point of bringing the white bishop to b5 at 1:21 . i guess the opponent have to do this move so that the berlin trap would be made.
Just found your channel! Love it,
But - what if white plays 7.Nh4 ?
@ 6:37~6:39
white's move:
instead of moving Nf3, why didnt he moved Re2 OR Qe2????
Great video as usual, Jrobi! 5 stars :)
Wow, this was just a brutal trap!
I try to play some crazy moves in the opening, like a piece sacrifice, just to push my opponent around and make it MY game, not his/hers. It works more often than not since the ones I play against are mostly weak players (sub 1000 rating) and will usually just try to take material right away. I love playing attacking chess and this trap suits my style perfectly. Thank you.
A lot is posted here. One new point:
If you have learned something basically about open games, then three things are well known: - Fighting for the center with d4 as white or d5 with black. - Keeping care of f2/f7 and moving the h-pawn only and only if you have a plan for this move. - Opening the e-file if the enemies king stays in the center.
So the move h3 is far from natural. It's a positional and tactical patzer. Re1 is a patzer too, ...
Another awsome video!! I learn every time I watch one! Thanks!
Hey
Thanks for putting time in your videos so beginners (like me) can learn very much.
Grtz
Wow, great line! It looks like it could work even if white plays fried liver, (Bc4 instead of Bc5), as long as they castle right after. I suppose this trap is a great example of why not to castle prematurely!
how does Bc5 eliminate d3 after h5 or in other words what would happen after 1....h5 2.d3 Bc5.....then what because if 3.Ng5 it seems to block the queen
instead of pushing the pawn at 3:43, could black play bishop to c5?
i need help as a ruy lopez how can i stop the trap after the knight moves to g4
Good trap for blitz. After 5. h3 - h5; 6. c3 or d4! Put white back on the wheel. This trap will throw opponents off in blitz but on regular time control black has little to show for and cannot really justify moving their knight twice.
@2067deepak after Nxe5, 1. Qg5 2. Nf3, Qxg2 and black has the advantage and white cant castle kingside
i saw this vid and said to my self. wow. this is like a work of genius. i have to try this on some one.
like always nice vids man . keep on coming.
Great vid! All ur ids r good but this is the best one! I've used this trap in the past, it works not only with the Ruy--pronounced roo-ee by the way--but with other openings as well, the 4 N's Game for ex. All of the traps in the Ruy are interesting. When I was 11 years old I used a trap in the Ruy that I figured out myself to beat the US Checkers Champion at chess! My suggestion 2 u is to do more vids on some of the other Ruy traps.
I would capture 2) d7xc6 to open the file for my queen (and my bishop is case I need it) then proceed to play Bc5. If he tries to push the pawn I would just take with my bishop and then proceed to pick off the pawn at f2 to cause a discovered check next turn.
Black might do something else depending on the response, I'm saying taking with the bishop gives black great developing lines and a better position because of the existing pressure on the kingside castle.
Now this was quite wonderful jrobi! I am glad I subscribed!
So how do you not get trapped by it?
Just thought you should know, JRobi, that I am getting many reports of people watching this video for the first time and winning in 10 moves or less in less than a week. Goyathlay ( Geronimo ) is one such creature.
If you come across it definitely let me know - I would be interested to read it over!
@ 5:37 cant white put the f1 rook to f2 so that the g3 pawn will eat the rook on f2 and the king moves to f1?
Thanks MageVail - I appreciate the feedback!
wow...that was just one...no - it was the most beautiful trap i have ever seen.
I cant wait to try this out.
Thanks for sharing this and the effort to make this video - i loved it.
best regards
Mm
You bet - Aquarium with Rybka 3. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Wow i just realized that i use the Ruy lopez on most openings, and also using that trap u just explained a lot:) i thought it wasn't "known much" but apparently it's a video posted on youtube by a very awesome commentor:)
Thanks for the video, it definately improved my ideas of the Ruy Lopez
Awesome! Thanks for checking out the vid!
thanks. so it doesn't work on level 7?
after Ng4, can't white just play c3 preparing d4 and just stop every attacking diagonal?
what if what moves the pawn to f3 instead of f4?