Hi Master will, you are an amazingly good coach, this set of presentations is the very best, you know what pre 2000 players need and present it so well, easy to follow, and simple way to get a good game, once we can get into a common sence possition were all good, so many videos discuss long tactical lines rather than what you do wich is cover the main points the main ideas and more importanlty make us feel confident we can play a proper answer to e4 with confidence !, im so sick of the pirc and the philadore, im so happy i can play proper chess ! thanks !. so many good players waste their time on theory light rubbish like i did rather than take a proper defence accept were not gonna learn everything but know were not gonna get crushed and can build to a mature game rather than stagnent theory light side lines like the pirc.
Will i have watched all 3 parts of this series like 3 times and each time i learn something that i didnt catch the previous time. these videos are super helpful and packed with great info, keep it up!
FRENCH DEFENSE -CONQUERING THE SIDELINES- PART 3 ruclips.net/video/iswbGTNzWH8/видео.html Part 3 of the French Defense Beginner Chess Opening Series covers the Exchange Variation and other popular sidelines. The main lines with 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3.Nc3 or 3. Nd2 were covered extensively in Parts 1 and 2. The French Defense begins with an extremely flexible move order, and it is very important to keep this in mind when your opponent deviates with a sideline. As with almost any other chess opening, there is not one single best formula or move order - rather you have to react to your opponent’s ideas and figure out how to best combat them. THE EXCHANGE VARIATION I began by covering the Exchange Variation, a tame line with the white pieces usually aiming for a calm equality out of the opening and a prolonged positional struggle. Against the most aggressive idea involving 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. c4, black should respond with active developing moves 4. …Nf6 5. Bg5 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 0-0 - leading to a slight advantage for black as his development is more naturally aggressive and easy to play due to the open e-file and the fact that white’s king is stuck in the center. It is extremely important to play as actively as possible with the black pieces in the Exchange Variation of the French Defense. This opening is usually a tame attempt by white to avoid the main lines and achieve some type of equality out of the opening and to fight for an advantage in a prolonged positional struggle. If you want to play winning chess - you have to change your mentality and fight for the edge in every position. If white chooses the Exchange Variation, this is the perfect time for black to try to develop a piece and create a new threat with every single move. THE CLASSIC SET-UP: VERSATILE AND EFFECTIVE However, many beginner chess players simply do not feel comfortable trying to fight for an advantage out of the opening with the black pieces. There are also some calmer continuations that white can employ, and it is important to know and understand a basic set-up that you can use against a variety of different lines. This set-up is extremely compact and flexible, and does not create any committal holes or weaknesses in the black position. An important note about this formation for black is to remember that the light-squared Bc8 can become a problem piece, and I would definitely recommend to make it a point to try to trade it off if possible, usually for the Nf3. This is a great basic set-up to remember, as the simplicity of the structure and development allows it to be effective against a variety of continuations in the Exchange Variation of the French Defense. SIDE-LINES: BASIC GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW While it’s impossible to cover every sideline, I’ve included some basic structures and methods of development to guide the beginner player against the most popular side continuations for white in the Exchange Variation of the French Defense. The King’s Indian Attack has been used by many players to flat out avoid playing against the French Defense, however black has a very easy way of obtaining equality and pressure right out of the opening. After seizing control of important central dark squares with an early …c5, I recommend an initially compact develop of the black pieces involving the …Nc6 and …Nge7 to be followed by a kingside fianchetto with …g6 and …Bg7. This line is very flexible and exerts considerable pressure on white’s position by controlling critical squares in the center. The following PGN dictates an accurate move order and potential middle-game ideas for black: Part 3 of the French Defense Chess Beginner Series concludes with a few interesting yet generally harmless sidelines. I examine a Gambit Line that can be dangerous against an unprepared player, however it is fairly simple for black to maintain a slight material advantage with a solid position. The last sideline involves the superficial 1. e4 e6 2. Qe2?! - however black can employ a plan similar to the one recommended above against the King’s Indian Attack.
Thanks for the video Will. I tink White's Qe2 move was played in some World Chess Championship about a 100 years ago. I have a big chess nemesis, who loves the advance variation for White: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5. I hope you have a part 4 to deal with this. The Milner Barry gambit is tricky too.
@otuma07 We have a 19 part series on the Dzindi Indian done by GM Ron Henley along with a eBook we are going to be releasing next month. We are going to put out over 30% of the DVD and 30% of the eBook out for free.
One of the chessplayers I used to follow for French ideas was Igor Glek. I used to like his system against the KIA. It involved black expending another tempo getting in e5 somewhat early. It blocks white from getting in e5 which is something that white typically looked for in the KIA and blacks bishops can be really good. But I'm sure opening theory has changed a ton in the last 20 years.
In any case, white is down a pawn but its piece are much more active. So black traded development and activity for a pawn. But black doubled c pawns and b pawn seem weak while the white center pawn seems quite healthy and support a monster knight on e5. Now at 2:23 black does seem okay, but Bxc3 trades black's best minor piece and strengthens white's isolated center pawn. Maybe forgo the pawn advantage and develop? Take advantage of white's weaker pawns at 2:23.
Against the Chigorin (2.Qe2), 2...Be7 is also very effective (with intentions of playing d5 and c5, going into the "ordinary" lines). In main lines, White will find his development stunted and his queen misplaced.
Like your 3 part opening videos for Black. Still a little confused as to what your comment would be that others think that beginners should pick one opening for Black and White and become familiar with it. Rather than trying to play with several different openings due to the fact, it is hard to memorize several instead of one. Just curious. Thanks for your time in making these videos to help us. Keep them coming...
From minute 4:50 to 5:10 you said white can attack if Bg4 but I don't see why white has to play Nd2 instead of Bxh7 considering that the knight on e7 is blocking a possible escape. The least white can gain is a pawn and that is something.
I disagree with the first line til 2:34 "winning right out of the opening with an extra pawn". White is better after the exchange on c3 and b5. Whit will play a4, Ne5, Rb1 and the queenside will collapse. It's not only the computers that will play this way, it's just the normal way to handle the position. Maybe after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd exd 4. c4 Nf6 5. Bg5 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 0-0 7. Nf3 Re8+ 8. Be2 dxc4 9. 0-0 rather go Be6 and after 10. d5 Bg4 11. Bxc4 Nbd7 and you will play Nb6 and have play against the isolated pawn. In any case better than 9. ... Bxc3 10. bxc b5!? 11. a4! c6 12. Ne5 Bb7 and now Qb1, Rb1 or Bh5 should all favour white.
Is the position at 2:28 really a good position for black? With white to move what does white do against Ne5 (gaining huge center control) with a threat of following with Bf3. Black is forced to react to the threat of Bf3 preemptively with either c6 of Bb7. Bb7 gets met with Rb1 pinning the b-pawn to the bishop and forcing the queen to play defense (Qd7 which looks nice at first gets met with Bf3). c6 gets met with Bf3 anyways, hitting the c6 pawn twice. It will be hard to get rid of N on e5.
i think you misunderstood the Nd2 move. It's white's turn, so black hasn't played Bg4 yet. He just made Nd2 as a dead-move to show what happens after Bg4. He could have played a3 or whatever else. And if white doesn't play Bg4 and white attacks immediately, white loses his bishop (whereas if Bg4 then white wins it back). Afaik it's not a mating attack unlike the traditional greek gift where the knight is on d7 instead of e7 since the knight can block the queen's check on h8. I could be wrong.
Uh... at 1:33 it is White's move, so my question is "IF" White, with his dark squared Bishop takes Black's Knight on f6 what should I do ? You see if White takes Black's Knight this way Black's Queen will be under attack from this Bishop. If you don't understand I can make some screenshots and send it to you. Anyways thank you for your patience and help ! I really appriciate what you do, plus this information you offer is free, you have a good heart ! Thanks !
At 1:33 if white moves Bxf6, taking your knight with his dark squered bishop, what to do next ? If I capture his bishop with my queen he will capture my d pawn with his c pawn. Or if I capture his bishop with my g pawn... well I don't think that will be good for black's pawn structure or for my king. Thank you in advance !
Hey can I have some help with a chess book? You most likely have heard of it: Modern Chess Openings (15th edition). I have no idea how to read it and would appreciate some help.
The best thing about the Chigorin variation is that it is better than it looks, Which can make it kind of dangerous sometimes, LOL But I'm the same guy that used to play the Alapin French OTB ( but I typically knew who not to try that on)
thanks for watching and commenting. i´d be glad to offer you a 50% off coupon for all digital items in our online shop - just send me a personal message and i´ll shoot over your coupon code. cheers, will
Let me add to Nge7 then castle after black is forced mate by 8.Bxh7+ KxB; 9. Ng5+ Kg8; Qh5. Ok but black don't white bishop just move h8? Ok still 8.Bxh7 Kh8; 9 Ng5 f6 try kick the knight out of g5 square it doesn't matter 10.Qh5 black is on mate net.
Hi Master will, you are an amazingly good coach, this set of presentations is the very best, you know what pre 2000 players need and present it so well, easy to follow, and simple way to get a good game, once we can get into a common sence possition were all good, so many videos discuss long tactical lines rather than what you do wich is cover the main points the main ideas and more importanlty make us feel confident we can play a proper answer to e4 with confidence !, im so sick of the pirc and the philadore, im so happy i can play proper chess ! thanks !. so many good players waste their time on theory light rubbish like i did rather than take a proper defence accept were not gonna learn everything but know were not gonna get crushed and can build to a mature game rather than stagnent theory light side lines like the pirc.
Will i have watched all 3 parts of this series like 3 times and each time i learn something that i didnt catch the previous time. these videos are super helpful and packed with great info, keep it up!
im working on that this week - should have it out in 1-2 weeks on the Advanced Variation
FRENCH DEFENSE -CONQUERING THE SIDELINES- PART 3
ruclips.net/video/iswbGTNzWH8/видео.html
Part 3 of the French Defense Beginner Chess Opening Series covers the Exchange Variation and other popular sidelines. The main lines with 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3.Nc3 or 3. Nd2 were covered extensively in Parts 1 and 2. The French Defense begins with an extremely flexible move order, and it is very important to keep this in mind when your opponent deviates with a sideline. As with almost any other chess opening, there is not one single best formula or move order - rather you have to react to your opponent’s ideas and figure out how to best combat them.
THE EXCHANGE VARIATION
I began by covering the Exchange Variation, a tame line with the white pieces usually aiming for a calm equality out of the opening and a prolonged positional struggle. Against the most aggressive idea involving 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. c4, black should respond with active developing moves 4. …Nf6 5. Bg5 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 0-0 - leading to a slight advantage for black as his development is more naturally aggressive and easy to play due to the open e-file and the fact that white’s king is stuck in the center. It is extremely important to play as actively as possible with the black pieces in the Exchange Variation of the French Defense. This opening is usually a tame attempt by white to avoid the main lines and achieve some type of equality out of the opening and to fight for an advantage in a prolonged positional struggle. If you want to play winning chess - you have to change your mentality and fight for the edge in every position. If white chooses the Exchange Variation, this is the perfect time for black to try to develop a piece and create a new threat with every single move.
THE CLASSIC SET-UP: VERSATILE AND EFFECTIVE
However, many beginner chess players simply do not feel comfortable trying to fight for an advantage out of the opening with the black pieces. There are also some calmer continuations that white can employ, and it is important to know and understand a basic set-up that you can use against a variety of different lines. This set-up is extremely compact and flexible, and does not create any committal holes or weaknesses in the black position. An important note about this formation for black is to remember that the light-squared Bc8 can become a problem piece, and I would definitely recommend to make it a point to try to trade it off if possible, usually for the Nf3. This is a great basic set-up to remember, as the simplicity of the structure and development allows it to be effective against a variety of continuations in the Exchange Variation of the French Defense.
SIDE-LINES: BASIC GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW
While it’s impossible to cover every sideline, I’ve included some basic structures and methods of development to guide the beginner player against the most popular side continuations for white in the Exchange Variation of the French Defense. The King’s Indian Attack has been used by many players to flat out avoid playing against the French Defense, however black has a very easy way of obtaining equality and pressure right out of the opening. After seizing control of important central dark squares with an early …c5, I recommend an initially compact develop of the black pieces involving the …Nc6 and …Nge7 to be followed by a kingside fianchetto with …g6 and …Bg7. This line is very flexible and exerts considerable pressure on white’s position by controlling critical squares in the center. The following PGN dictates an accurate move order and potential middle-game ideas for black:
Part 3 of the French Defense Chess Beginner Series concludes with a few interesting yet generally harmless sidelines. I examine a Gambit Line that can be dangerous against an unprepared player, however it is fairly simple for black to maintain a slight material advantage with a solid position. The last sideline involves the superficial 1. e4 e6 2. Qe2?! - however black can employ a plan similar to the one recommended above against the King’s Indian Attack.
Thanks for the video Will. I tink White's Qe2 move was played in some World Chess Championship about a 100 years ago. I have a big chess nemesis, who loves the advance variation for White: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5. I hope you have a part 4 to deal with this. The Milner Barry gambit is tricky too.
@otuma07 We have a 19 part series on the Dzindi Indian done by GM Ron Henley along with a eBook we are going to be releasing next month. We are going to put out over 30% of the DVD and 30% of the eBook out for free.
One of the chessplayers I used to follow for French ideas was Igor Glek. I used to like his system against the KIA. It involved black expending another tempo getting in e5 somewhat early. It blocks white from getting in e5 which is something that white typically looked for in the KIA and blacks bishops can be really good. But I'm sure opening theory has changed a ton in the last 20 years.
not sure i understand as black had just played Bb4+ ?
In any case, white is down a pawn but its piece are much more active.
So black traded development and activity for a pawn. But black doubled c pawns and b pawn seem weak while the white center pawn seems quite healthy and support a monster knight on e5.
Now at 2:23 black does seem okay, but Bxc3 trades black's best minor piece and strengthens white's isolated center pawn. Maybe forgo the pawn advantage and develop? Take advantage of white's weaker pawns at 2:23.
This is called the Advance Variation - I´m going to make a video on this ASAP and will publish within next 2 weeks. Keep an eye out!
Good video, helped me to underdstand an opening I had dismissed because of the bad bishop. Now, I'm re-evaluating.
Against the Chigorin (2.Qe2), 2...Be7 is also very effective (with intentions of playing d5 and c5, going into the "ordinary" lines). In main lines, White will find his development stunted and his queen misplaced.
How he holds then tension at 10 minutes is great
Thanks for watching!
@failboy98 if you sent it I got it, we've gotten 100+ submissions so I haven't had time to look them all over yet :-)
Like your 3 part opening videos for Black. Still a little confused as to what your comment would be that others think that beginners should pick one opening for Black and White and become familiar with it. Rather than trying to play with several different openings due to the fact, it is hard to memorize several instead of one. Just curious. Thanks for your time in making these videos to help us. Keep them coming...
From minute 4:50 to 5:10 you said white can attack if Bg4 but I don't see why white has to play Nd2 instead of Bxh7 considering that the knight on e7 is blocking a possible escape. The least white can gain is a pawn and that is something.
Any ideas on how to play after 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. exd5?
Thanks!
have you heard about "DZINDZI INDIAN DEFENSE"? please make an instructive video for that defense, i want to learn more about it.
I disagree with the first line til 2:34 "winning right out of the opening with an extra pawn". White is better after the exchange on c3 and b5. Whit will play a4, Ne5, Rb1 and the queenside will collapse. It's not only the computers that will play this way, it's just the normal way to handle the position. Maybe after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd exd 4. c4 Nf6 5. Bg5 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 0-0 7. Nf3 Re8+ 8. Be2 dxc4 9. 0-0 rather go Be6 and after 10. d5 Bg4 11. Bxc4 Nbd7 and you will play Nb6 and have play against the isolated pawn. In any case better than 9. ... Bxc3 10. bxc b5!? 11. a4! c6 12. Ne5 Bb7 and now Qb1, Rb1 or Bh5 should all favour white.
Is the position at 2:28 really a good position for black? With white to move what does white do against Ne5 (gaining huge center control) with a threat of following with Bf3. Black is forced to react to the threat of Bf3 preemptively with either c6 of Bb7. Bb7 gets met with Rb1 pinning the b-pawn to the bishop and forcing the queen to play defense (Qd7 which looks nice at first gets met with Bf3). c6 gets met with Bf3 anyways, hitting the c6 pawn twice. It will be hard to get rid of N on e5.
i think you misunderstood the Nd2 move. It's white's turn, so black hasn't played Bg4 yet. He just made Nd2 as a dead-move to show what happens after Bg4. He could have played a3 or whatever else. And if white doesn't play Bg4 and white attacks immediately, white loses his bishop (whereas if Bg4 then white wins it back). Afaik it's not a mating attack unlike the traditional greek gift where the knight is on d7 instead of e7 since the knight can block the queen's check on h8. I could be wrong.
@7:22 alarm bells rang in my mind and the dark squares around the black king look weak.
I like the setup c6 Nf6 Bd6 Bg4 Nbd7 i feel this is a little better in my opinion. :)
Uh... at 1:33 it is White's move, so my question is "IF" White, with his dark squared Bishop takes Black's Knight on f6 what should I do ?
You see if White takes Black's Knight this way Black's Queen will be under attack from this Bishop.
If you don't understand I can make some screenshots and send it to you.
Anyways thank you for your patience and help ! I really appriciate what you do, plus this information you offer is free, you have a good heart ! Thanks !
At 1:33 if white moves Bxf6, taking your knight with his dark squered bishop, what to do next ? If I capture his bishop with my queen he will capture my d pawn with his c pawn. Or if I capture his bishop with my g pawn... well I don't think that will be good for black's pawn structure or for my king.
Thank you in advance !
Awesome video.
Hey can I have some help with a chess book? You most likely have heard of it: Modern Chess Openings (15th edition). I have no idea how to read it and would appreciate some help.
Awesome video, Will!
Keepin' high & tight! :)
The best thing about the Chigorin variation is that it is better than it looks, Which can make it kind of dangerous sometimes, LOL But I'm the same guy that used to play the Alapin French OTB ( but I typically knew who not to try that on)
After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 If black plays e5 then what?? please reply. I just cant solve this problem
what about the advanced variation?
Great video thanks
+David Travis yw!
Zohar about 2 white bishop to c4?
What happens if 2.bc4?
thanks for watching and commenting. i´d be glad to offer you a 50% off coupon for all digital items in our online shop - just send me a personal message and i´ll shoot over your coupon code. cheers, will
Let me add to Nge7 then castle after black is forced mate by 8.Bxh7+ KxB; 9. Ng5+ Kg8; Qh5. Ok but black don't white bishop just move h8? Ok still 8.Bxh7 Kh8; 9 Ng5 f6 try kick the knight out of g5 square it doesn't matter 10.Qh5 black is on mate net.
It's pronounced "fianketto". I know because I live in Italy and speak Italian.