Players to look at for openings (list isn't exhaustive): Petrov: Caruana Sicilian: Kasparov French: Korchnoi Caro-Kann: Carlsen* Scandinavian: Bartholomew Pirc: Seirawan Owen: Blatny Hippo: Ruddell *clearly plays all openings well, but focuses more on endgame than openings. Another great video, Giant.
Great list!!! Love it. I like the * you put by Carlsen too. He often tries to just play well in the opening but actually looks to get out of the main theory, simply looking to "just play chess" as opposed to having stuff memorized until move 40.
Glad you liked it! Ya it can be interesting to see how players are preparing for your specific chess opening/chess system. And ya the Sicilian is wild at all levels, but you really never know what is going to happen with a low level Sicilian!
I really like the way you teach. When watching other teachers explain a concept they just give gameplay but don't explain the ideas behind it. I don't want to just know what to do, but why I'm doing it. Great job- thanks!
Huuuge topic done well. I’ve noticed that matching one’s playing style with the proper opening seems basic but so often I see players I know very well making odd choices like my friend that plays Budapest gambit vs d4, but Petroff vs e4. But they just stick with what they know.
Thanks! And ya totally. I used to pick openings (poorly) because it didn't match with my style of play. Now I don't mind the Caro-Kann because I don't go into the main lines. However, I used to play the Caro-Kann in tournaments and it was a terrible decision because at the time I was an aggressive player. I made the switch to the Sicilian Najdorf and saw a huge jump in winning percentages. I now like hyper-modern stuff so the Hippo is my go to with other stuff. And ya you bring up an interesting point with the Petroff vs Budapest. Thanks as always for the great thoughts! Solomon
Great video overall, explaining how each one works. I tried to play the Alekhine for like a week but noone did e5 so I had to change my response to e4. I go for the modern rn. One quick thing I wanted to mention is that even if its a possible move, c5 after g6 and bishop g7 (pterodactyl defense) isnt the main idea of the modern. Also if you wanna play c5, dont do it when theres a knight on c3 because the queen plan doesnt work anymore.
Glad you found it helpful brotha! Always feel free to hit me up on here with chess related questions or videos you'd want to see. And ya if you're interested in the Hippo I have way too many videos on it. Wishing you a good week!
Hello Sollomon Ruddell Thank You For The Explanation, Your videos are the best i got from 1100-1300 because of your videos, I Also would Like To Request if You Could Make a Video against the Scotch Gambit But For Black Becuase the scotch Gambit is Crazy i lost to it twice in a Tournament and i would love to see the video if you could make the Scotch Gambit as Black, Thx
Hey! First of all, I am super glad to hear that the channel has been helping you improve at chess while gaining some ELO! And ya I think this is a good idea, I will keep it in mind going forward! In the meantime, here is the line which I recommend you memorize for black: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9. O-O Bc5 10. f3 Ng5 11. f4 Ne4 12. Be3 Bb6 13. Nd2 Nxd2 14. Qxd2 c5 I hope that this line helps you. 4. ...Nf6 and 5. ...d5 is in my opinion the best line for black, and it's actually the reason I stopped playing the Scotch Gambit myself! I played it as white for many years, but once I hit a certain level I saw this all the time, and I couldn't stand it. Let me know if you have any questions about this line!
Alekhine def is ok except the modern variation (exchanging e5xd6 and leaving black’s N on b6 cramped by the pawns on d4 & c4. Very interesting is using the modern’s g6 to transition to Hippo & if white attacks with an early f4 black blockades on white squares with c6/d5; & if white attacks with h4, black can strike back in center with c5 (possibly entering a pterodactyl beefeater set up) which seems quicker & safer for black than trying to develop Q-side pieces (N, B & Q) & evacuate K to safety on Q-side with ooo).
Thanks for sending these great thoughts! I myself (when playing the Hippo against early f4) look to strike with c5 in the center. I have a video coming out on this soon called Hippopotamus Defense OPENING THEORY Loved your thoughts on striking with c5 going into a Sicilian Defense type setup.
@@TheChessGiant Thanks for the encouragement, Solomon. Will keep my eye out for your vid on hippo theory vs white’s most challenging set ups… keep’em coming! Cheers!
hello Solomon, could you please bring the Old Indian Defense and Include sidelines like the czech varation (1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 or Nc3 c6) and the janowski variation with (1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5), which tries to make a stop in the e4 push? thanks!
I love your vids. I'm really into the scotch game right now. I'm getting familiar with the mainlines but can you do a video on how to properly punish 4.Nxd4? Thanks in advance bro
Thanks for watching them! And nice, that's a really solid choice. Thanks for putting this Nxd4 move on my radar! In the meantime, you can just take with the knight and then capture back with queen. This isn't considered very good for black because our queen isn't easily kicked. Not to mention our space advantage in the center. We can play Nc3 fast and then decide if we want to castle kingside or queenside. Hope this helps! Solomon
@@TheChessGiant Qxd4 is my go to in this variation. I understand that it gives white a big space advantage, places a hard to kick queen in the center, gives white a lead in development and allows for early attacking chances. I do win the majority of games when I get this variation. I would love to see a series on how to properly capitalize when an opponent plays an incorrect opening move. Not simply the move orders but the strategy behind why a move is considered bad.
I hope to eventually! My thoughts are that it is very very sharp, and you really gotta hit the books if you want to play it as well as you can. Maybe study the top GMs to play it as well? Picking a player who is really good at an opening and studying that player is both inspiring and educational for improvement.
Hey, this video came at just the right time for me but I'm still having trouble picking a response to e4. I've been upgrading my repetoire and I've settled on the Catalan and the Semi-Slav but I have yet to stick to something for e4. Which opening would you recommend following this repetoire?
Hmmm what's your stye of play? As a Semi-Slav player, the Caro-Kann has a similar start - although it is a much different feel. I'd say maybe check out the Caro-Kann, Hippopotamus Defense, and Owen's Defense. See which of those you like and go from there?
@@TheChessGiant Thanks for the response I'll check out those openings then. What I like about the Catalan and Semi-Slav is that they feel very positional and solid. It's a slow build up where I fee likel I have the advantage. I guess I just want to replicate that with e4
I cover 3-pawn and 4-pawn centers (Austrian Attack included) as well as early h4/h5 ideas + early e4 to e5 or d4 to d5 advancement plus happens if the opponent tries to play the Hippo as well. All that said, I talk about it from the black perspective and give reccomendations for the Hippo player in terms of how they can respond to these. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Your title says "Top 10 Chess Openings for Black Against d4!" not e4. Also, apparently this video is unlisted but it was part of a Pirc playlist. Was I supposed to be able to see it?
Ya it's funny, if you put it on a playlist (without scheduling video for specific time) it will show up on Playlist but it's still "unlisted" on main CZcams channel page. So, I am having it premier on main page now. Guess you got to see it a little early!
It is good for black! I believe I covered the Petrov's Defense which starts with e4/e5. But... there are so many other things that can happen. For example, right off the bat (when playing e5) we could see a King's Gambit, Danish Gambit, Bishop's Opening, and Vienna Game. When playing Nc6 against Nf3, we could run into a Ponziani Opening, Ruy Lopez, Giuoco Piano, Italian Game, etc. And these can lead into other things! So e4/e5 is good, but then it's up to white which direction they want to take the game in a lot of ways. Of course, this can be said about a lot of openings. However, e4/e5 in particular has a lot of torching tossing as both sides keep making major moves concerning the direction of the chess game. But, yes, it is good for black! And yes, a lot of theory. Hope this helps! Thanks, Solomon
Yep, releasing on Main Page now! CZcams has an interesting setting where if you put a video on a playlist (without scheduling video for specific time) it will show up on Playlist but it's still "unlisted" on main CZcams channel page. So, I am having it premier on main page now.
Really? I think I heard him say not to play until your 2000, is that what you're speaking of? But also I disagree with him, I think 1500 is a good point to start playing it.
Players to look at for openings (list isn't exhaustive):
Petrov: Caruana
Sicilian: Kasparov
French: Korchnoi
Caro-Kann: Carlsen*
Scandinavian: Bartholomew
Pirc: Seirawan
Owen: Blatny
Hippo: Ruddell
*clearly plays all openings well, but focuses more on endgame than openings.
Another great video, Giant.
Great list!!! Love it. I like the * you put by Carlsen too. He often tries to just play well in the opening but actually looks to get out of the main theory, simply looking to "just play chess" as opposed to having stuff memorized until move 40.
@@TheChessGiant yeah, Carlsen often appears to have studied main lines just so he can avoid them. Works for him, but not advised for us mere mortals.
Petrol Eric rozen
@@levkrinitskych1 Ponziani - Rosen
Excellent summary, my favorite? Alekhine and Owen defense, my two favorite hypermodern defenses.
Thanks! And love it! Both are such great options.
As an e4 player it was interesting to watch your advice for black.
Low level Sicilian is fun. Both sides don't know the theory & it's often chaos 🥳
Glad you liked it! Ya it can be interesting to see how players are preparing for your specific chess opening/chess system. And ya the Sicilian is wild at all levels, but you really never know what is going to happen with a low level Sicilian!
I really like the way you teach. When watching other teachers explain a concept they just give gameplay but don't explain the ideas behind it. I don't want to just know what to do, but why I'm doing it. Great job- thanks!
Thank you I really appreciate that brother. And nice verse with Colossians 2:8-9. God bless and wishing you a Merry Christmas and good finish to 2023
I play the scandy with a 54% win rate as black. Absolutely love it.
Huuuge topic done well. I’ve noticed that matching one’s playing style with the proper opening seems basic but so often I see players I know very well making odd choices like my friend that plays Budapest gambit vs d4, but Petroff vs e4. But they just stick with what they know.
Thanks! And ya totally. I used to pick openings (poorly) because it didn't match with my style of play. Now I don't mind the Caro-Kann because I don't go into the main lines. However, I used to play the Caro-Kann in tournaments and it was a terrible decision because at the time I was an aggressive player. I made the switch to the Sicilian Najdorf and saw a huge jump in winning percentages.
I now like hyper-modern stuff so the Hippo is my go to with other stuff.
And ya you bring up an interesting point with the Petroff vs Budapest.
Thanks as always for the great thoughts!
Solomon
Great video overall, explaining how each one works.
I tried to play the Alekhine for like a week but noone did e5 so I had to change my response to e4. I go for the modern rn.
One quick thing I wanted to mention is that even if its a possible move, c5 after g6 and bishop g7 (pterodactyl defense) isnt the main idea of the modern. Also if you wanna play c5, dont do it when theres a knight on c3 because the queen plan doesnt work anymore.
Hey Solomon, do you plan on doing a D4 version of this video? Look forward to it bro.
Cheers
~~Qaaman~~
Hey brotha! Ya I made one awhile back, I will leave the link below. Also, CONGRATS on breaking 250K!
czcams.com/video/XtFn7mXj-TI/video.html
A very informational video for me as a beginner! The Hippo looks interesting; going to see your video on it.
Glad you found it helpful brotha! Always feel free to hit me up on here with chess related questions or videos you'd want to see. And ya if you're interested in the Hippo I have way too many videos on it. Wishing you a good week!
Hello Sollomon Ruddell Thank You For The Explanation, Your videos are the best i got from 1100-1300 because of your videos, I Also would Like To Request if You Could Make a Video against the Scotch Gambit But For Black Becuase the scotch Gambit is Crazy i lost to it twice in a Tournament and i would love to see the video if you could make the Scotch Gambit as Black, Thx
Hey! First of all, I am super glad to hear that the channel has been helping you improve at chess while gaining some ELO! And ya I think this is a good idea, I will keep it in mind going forward! In the meantime, here is the line which I recommend you memorize for black:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. e5 d5 6. Bb5 Ne4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9. O-O Bc5 10. f3 Ng5 11. f4 Ne4 12. Be3 Bb6 13. Nd2 Nxd2 14. Qxd2 c5
I hope that this line helps you. 4. ...Nf6 and 5. ...d5 is in my opinion the best line for black, and it's actually the reason I stopped playing the Scotch Gambit myself! I played it as white for many years, but once I hit a certain level I saw this all the time, and I couldn't stand it. Let me know if you have any questions about this line!
As much as I love beating E4 players using Hippo, Modern, & Owen, I especially love cooking them with St. George Defense
The St. George!! This didn't quite make my list, but it's right there. Even stockfish likes 1. ... a6!
my win rate went up by 20% thank you very much
You got it my guy! What opening are you rocking with?
Alekhine def is ok except the modern variation (exchanging e5xd6 and leaving black’s N on b6 cramped by the pawns on d4 & c4. Very interesting is using the modern’s g6 to transition to Hippo & if white attacks with an early f4 black blockades on white squares with c6/d5; & if white attacks with h4, black can strike back in center with c5 (possibly entering a pterodactyl beefeater set up) which seems quicker & safer for black than trying to develop Q-side pieces (N, B & Q) & evacuate K to safety on Q-side with ooo).
Thanks for sending these great thoughts! I myself (when playing the Hippo against early f4) look to strike with c5 in the center. I have a video coming out on this soon called Hippopotamus Defense OPENING THEORY
Loved your thoughts on striking with c5 going into a Sicilian Defense type setup.
@@TheChessGiant Thanks for the encouragement, Solomon. Will keep my eye out for your vid on hippo theory vs white’s most challenging set ups… keep’em coming! Cheers!
Very informative video, thanks alot!
Thanks for the kind words, glad you liked it!
Excellent video again keep them coming sir😀👍
Thanks and yessir! 🤝
My favorite is caro kann
Great choice. 🙏🏽👍🏽
hello Solomon, could you please bring the Old Indian Defense and Include sidelines like the czech varation (1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nf3 or Nc3 c6) and the janowski variation with (1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Bf5), which tries to make a stop in the e4 push? thanks!
Just took a picture of this comment, thanks for sending in these openings!
If possible please cover how win alekhine defence exchange variation. Till now i think you have covered four pawns and Scandinavian.
I cover it in this video! Hope this helps. czcams.com/video/gwqqecee0hY/video.html
Please do some modern def vlogs a6 or c5 pterodactyl variations
I love your vids.
I'm really into the scotch game right now. I'm getting familiar with the mainlines but can you do a video on how to properly punish 4.Nxd4?
Thanks in advance bro
Thanks for watching them! And nice, that's a really solid choice. Thanks for putting this Nxd4 move on my radar! In the meantime, you can just take with the knight and then capture back with queen. This isn't considered very good for black because our queen isn't easily kicked. Not to mention our space advantage in the center. We can play Nc3 fast and then decide if we want to castle kingside or queenside.
Hope this helps!
Solomon
@@TheChessGiant Qxd4 is my go to in this variation. I understand that it gives white a big space advantage, places a hard to kick queen in the center, gives white a lead in development and allows for early attacking chances. I do win the majority of games when I get this variation.
I would love to see a series on how to properly capitalize when an opponent plays an incorrect opening move. Not simply the move orders but the strategy behind why a move is considered bad.
@@ieatpaste8360 Yessir!
Will you ever cover the Hyper Accelerated Dragon? Do you have any thoughts on it.
I hope to eventually! My thoughts are that it is very very sharp, and you really gotta hit the books if you want to play it as well as you can. Maybe study the top GMs to play it as well? Picking a player who is really good at an opening and studying that player is both inspiring and educational for improvement.
Alekhine for me....
Alekhines defence usually works extremely well for me
@@jordanmcmorris5248 My fav...
I thought of you when I put that in the video!
@@jordanmcmorris5248 Love it.
Great video, however it would be nice to have the board markings
Great Video 👍🏼
Thanks! And glad you enjoyed it :)
Hey, this video came at just the right time for me but I'm still having trouble picking a response to e4. I've been upgrading my repetoire and I've settled on the Catalan and the Semi-Slav but I have yet to stick to something for e4. Which opening would you recommend following this repetoire?
Hmmm what's your stye of play? As a Semi-Slav player, the Caro-Kann has a similar start - although it is a much different feel. I'd say maybe check out the Caro-Kann, Hippopotamus Defense, and Owen's Defense. See which of those you like and go from there?
@@TheChessGiant Thanks for the response I'll check out those openings then. What I like about the Catalan and Semi-Slav is that they feel very positional and solid. It's a slow build up where I fee likel I have the advantage. I guess I just want to replicate that with e4
great video btw in your hippo course do you cover a weapon against the hippo defense???
I cover 3-pawn and 4-pawn centers (Austrian Attack included) as well as early h4/h5 ideas + early e4 to e5 or d4 to d5 advancement plus happens if the opponent tries to play the Hippo as well. All that said, I talk about it from the black perspective and give reccomendations for the Hippo player in terms of how they can respond to these.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
There's a national master who recommends the pirc as your first black opening. Meaning for beginners and above.
Are you talking about Robert ramirez?
That's my best guess. NM Robert Ramirez has contributed a lot to Pirc Defense chess on CZcams
Do you speak of NM Robert Ramirez?
@@TheChessGiant yes that's correct
Your title says "Top 10 Chess Openings for Black Against d4!" not e4.
Also, apparently this video is unlisted but it was part of a Pirc playlist. Was I supposed to be able to see it?
Ya it's funny, if you put it on a playlist (without scheduling video for specific time) it will show up on Playlist but it's still "unlisted" on main CZcams channel page. So, I am having it premier on main page now. Guess you got to see it a little early!
And thanks! I edited the title and thumbnail!
french 4 me with knight a3 after qf5
Nice!! Also qf5? At what point?
I have to watch this because my win rate is always down
Let me know how I can help as you look to try out new openings!
How about e4 e5? Is it good opening for black? A lot of theory sir?
It is good for black! I believe I covered the Petrov's Defense which starts with e4/e5. But... there are so many other things that can happen. For example, right off the bat (when playing e5) we could see a King's Gambit, Danish Gambit, Bishop's Opening, and Vienna Game. When playing Nc6 against Nf3, we could run into a Ponziani Opening, Ruy Lopez, Giuoco Piano, Italian Game, etc. And these can lead into other things! So e4/e5 is good, but then it's up to white which direction they want to take the game in a lot of ways. Of course, this can be said about a lot of openings. However, e4/e5 in particular has a lot of torching tossing as both sides keep making major moves concerning the direction of the chess game. But, yes, it is good for black! And yes, a lot of theory.
Hope this helps!
Thanks,
Solomon
@@TheChessGiant how about sicilain dragon for intermidiate player sir? Is it suitable?
No st George? I'm hurt.
Very understandable! I gave it a shout-out on my community post but it probably deserves more than a shout-out tbh. Good start and Stockfish likes it.
@@someguyontheinternet7628 Thank YOU brotha!!
could you do this for d4?
Here it is! czcams.com/video/XtFn7mXj-TI/video.html
@@TheChessGiant wow you made that really fast, ty chess giant
This video is only not on your home page
Yep, releasing on Main Page now! CZcams has an interesting setting where if you put a video on a playlist (without scheduling video for specific time) it will show up on Playlist but it's still "unlisted" on main CZcams channel page. So, I am having it premier on main page now.
@@TheChessGiant i remember when we accidentally discovered this
@@brandvi45 Yep!!
Gotham chess suggest don't play najdorf Sicilian
Really? I think I heard him say not to play until your 2000, is that what you're speaking of? But also I disagree with him, I think 1500 is a good point to start playing it.
Z