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📥 Download the PGN of this opening setup here –
In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov shares with you a simple, effective, and universal chess opening for Black against 1.e4 and 1.d4. Yes, this opening system works for both of the most common first moves from White.
It happens in the Czech Defense from the Pirc Defense which happens after the following moves: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6. But this is not just Pirc Defense – this is an opening system, so you can play the same setup irrespective of what White plays.
This setup is so powerful that White is often clueless after the opening moves as their pieces are stuck and are really passive. On the other hand, Black has a solid position with great attacking plans!
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► Chapters
00:00 Best Chess Opening against 1.e4
00:25 Pirc Defense: Czech Defense
03:03 Solid setup for Black
04:31 No clear plan for White
08:18 Line-2: White plays 4.f4
10:10 Beware of this forcing line
12:47 White rook is trapped
15:01 Same setup against 1.d4
16:39 If White blocks the center
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#GMSmirnov #ChessOpenings #PircDefense
tried this and they immediately played e5 gg
how if black move Bg4 before castle ?!
Can you share an explanatory video, how will black play if after Qa5, white will play Bd2?
I always have to watch your videos many times. I can't concentrate … Because the first time I mostly only look to your cat in background! 😂
Thanks! beautiful. You seems like a nice nan and i have share your content🤘
Wow, this is a really good lesson
I was looking for some solid openings for black and then I saw this, before watching this video I play the pirc main line and the czech pirc I thought that this opening was too passive, so I didn't play it a lot, but this video made me realize that the pirc can also be very attacking! thank you, GM Smirnov
great!
Thanks!
ну ты маэстро, пытаюсь применить на своём рейтинге 800(битва бомжей).
Great opening for black,(Chech Pirc)but 4.f4 is critical.White has just better always.This is the problem.
What about 5.Bd2?
Excellent excellent video!
I was struggling to learn some aggressive variations with black, and started losing very badly. I guess at my (low) level, a solid opening is better than a flashy one. And I have to say, this opening has been a blast the last days. Very solid, I mostly end up winning with a good position and on time, because the opponent is simply crushed and have no more moves to do, while I have multiple to choose from. Many thanks!
Black bishop
I got these position in a real.match and 7 steps in I forgot what comes next in a 1 minute match lol but I was still in strong position i just forgot what to do next to win it was funny I had to just play basic chess from there
What happens if white advances the pawn to e5 before black can play e5? You didn't mention that.
NM Robert Ramirez popularised this opening: Czech Pirc. He has a full series of videos on the Czech Pirc.
bad english and unsympathetic voice
This is very much like the black lion.
Hm. 4. e5 seems to blow this up real fast. After a messy exchange, black's position is purely defensive and not looking very good.
in the opening, when you play Qa5, most opponents will play Bd2 threatening your queen. You say just move it back to safety, but then you’ll have moved the same piece twice and gave your opponent an extra move to develop. How is that correct? shouldn’t we consider Qc7 right away then?
Tuning into Grandmaster Igor has no doubt helped me become a better player .
Can this defence be played against any White opening?
99% of my opponents will play pawn e5 😢
I've tried this twice and it's already so much fun. Genuinely leaves White going…ok…what now
It gets nasty for black after Qa5 by black then white plays bd2
3rd .most common move is e4_e5?
Playing against engine this does not work
What about 3.f4
@ 2:10 – what if white responds with BE7? The computer played actually this move against me, I tried to continue as given here, but it defended quite well.
What to play after
1.e4d6 2.d4Nf3 3.Nc3c6 4.e5
Great opening for black, won most of the games
dude, after watching your videos . I paly like chessmaster. I mean, your advices are really deadly. I sacrifice pawns even bischop or knight but neverthless, I win the game. Thanks man.
I found that with my low rating pirc or KID works very well as it results in me having a pretty solid position. It's not practical to memorize a lot of responses to specific moves since 400 rated players often do pretty unpredictable moves with white pieces.
Thanks for this video i won 2 games they just simply resign after their queen 💀 ☠️
so , no one want to talk abt the cat ?
Love you system approach Igor. Less moves to memorize. Thanks.
When the rook moved to f1, pawn to g5 traps it as well
What if your opponent plays bd2 as soon as you play queen a5 ? It happens to me all the time
At the beginning I was to say the least… dubious about this type of play. So I did what any hesitant player would do. I went and used it online a lot. I had some crazy games and gave me lots of chuckles. I also did found moves that ruin the plan completely but at that point… chess is played. Not bad at all. Thank you!
I love your cat.
GMSmirnov, more like Super Grandmaster Cat
what if he defend knight with bishop right away?
I find this white opening works very well against players better than you if you get super agro.
What if they go e5 in the beginning? And attack your night before you move out your queen?
Love your Cat!!!!!
If white recognizes this soon enough. QF3 instead of the knight to defend the pawn starts to break the pattern. Hardly unrecoverable but subsequent moves may be suboptimal unless you switch to early queen tactics.
Will definitely put more time into studying this opening
Thank. You
White pushing e5 attacking the f6 knight doesn’t look like it leads to a comfortable position for black.