Italian Game Mastery – The Ideal Beginner’S Chess Opening

Free Download Italian Game Mastery – The Ideal Beginner’S Chess Opening
Published 10/2024
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Language: English | Size: 16.64 GB | Duration: 24h 12m
Master the Italian Game: Opening Principles, Tactics, Middlegame Strategies, and Key Grandmaster Insights

What you’ll learn
Be able to understand the core principles of the Italian Game.
Be able to develop your pieces efficiently in the opening.
Be able to control the center from the very first moves.
Be able to use the Italian Game as a lifelong opening weapon.
Be able to recognize the key plans in the Giuoco Piano.
Be able to navigate the Two Knights Defense.
Be able to safely deal with early deviations like the Elephant Gambit.
Be able to handle the Latvian Gambit confidently.
Be able to spot weaknesses like the f7 square and exploit them.
Be able to effectively coordinate your pieces in the middlegame.
Be able to use multipurpose moves to dominate your opponents.
Be able to reinforce central control through well-timed pawn moves.
Be able to spot tactical opportunities such as forks, pins, and skewers.
Be able to avoid common opening traps in the Italian Game.
Be able to play the quiet Giuoco Pianissimo with understanding.
Be able to execute a successful Evans Gambit.
Be able to calculate pawn sacrifices for maximum impact.
Be able to recognize typical pawn structures in the Italian Game.
Be able to transition smoothly from the opening to the middlegame.
Be able to play both sides of the Italian Game with confidence.
Be able to handle aggressive counterattacks by Black.
Be able to launch a successful kingside attack in the Italian Game.
Be able to defend against typical tactical threats from your opponent.
Be able to create strong knight outposts on key squares.
Be able to use your light-squared bishop effectively on c4.
Be able to spot and take advantage of overextended pawn structures.
Be able to manage space effectively on the board.
Be able to safely castle kingside or queenside based on the position.
Be able to exploit weaknesses in your opponent’s pawn structure.
Be able to recognize when to exchange pieces for positional gain.
Be able to control the open files with rooks for maximum pressure.
Be able to convert small advantages into winning positions.
Be able to calculate key tactical lines during the game.
Be able to launch pawn breaks at the right moment to open the position.
Be able to understand when to transition into an endgame.
Be able to leverage the power of the bishop pair.
Be able to outmaneuver your opponent in closed positions.
Be able to counterattack effectively when under pressure.
Be able to follow the example of grandmasters who use the Italian Game.
Be able to find strong responses to unfamiliar moves.
Be able to neutralize Black’s early Nf6 ideas.
Be able to calculate combinations that lead to checkmate.
Be able to recognize key imbalances in the position.
Be able to play with confidence against stronger opponents.
Be able to break down complex positions into simpler plans.
Be able to pressure your opponent into making mistakes.
Be able to simplify into a winning endgame from a superior middlegame.
Be able to outplay your opponent using strategic pawn advances.
Be able to understand when to exchange queens to your advantage.
Be able to create tactical threats that overwhelm your opponent.
Be able to identify and avoid blunders in the opening.
Be able to use prophylactic moves to prevent your opponent’s plans.
Be able to calculate forcing moves with precision.
Be able to identify key squares to dominate the position.
Be able to win material through tactical combinations.
Be able to adapt your plans based on your opponent’s responses.
Be able to apply key ideas from classic games in your own play.
Be able to recognize when to push for an attack versus solidifying your position.
Be able to use your rooks on open and semi-open files effectively.
Be able to execute tactical shots in complicated positions.
Be able to break down defensive structures with pawn sacrifices.
Be able to switch between positional and tactical play as needed.
Be able to enjoy the process of learning and mastering the Italian Game!
Requirements
Know how the chess pieces move
Description
Welcome to "Italian Game Mastery: The Ideal Beginner’s Chess Opening!"The Italian Game is one of the most beloved and enduring chess openings, having stood the test of time across centuries. From the early analyses by Greco to its frequent appearances in the games of modern grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen, the Italian Game offers a rich, strategic foundation for chess players of all levels. Whether you are new to chess or looking to strengthen your opening repertoire, this course will give you the tools to confidently navigate and win with this powerful opening.Why the Italian Game?The Italian Game is often considered an excellent starting point for beginners, thanks to its logical structure, clear principles, and relatively straightforward plans. In this course, we’ll explore the two main variations: the Giuoco Piano (Bc5) and the Two Knights Defense (Nf6). You’ll learn how to develop your pieces efficiently, control key central squares, and target weaknesses like f7, which is a crucial soft spot in Black’s camp.Unlike more complex openings like the Ruy Lopez, the Italian Game doesn’t require encyclopedic knowledge or deep preparation to achieve a solid position. You’ll discover that you can safely arrive at the Italian Game while also learning how to deal with early deviations, such as the Elephant Gambit (1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5?!) and Latvian Gambit (1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5?!). By mastering this course, you’ll be prepared for any surprises your opponents might throw your way.What You’ll Learn:Core Opening Principles: Develop your pieces, control the center, and safeguard your king. These are the building blocks of every great chess opening, and the Italian Game embodies them beautifully.Strategic Middlegame Concepts: Once you’ve successfully reached the middlegame, you’ll reinforce crucial chess principles such as central control, multipurpose moves, and piece coordination. Understanding these ideas will help you dominate your opponents in the middle phase of the game.Tactical Motifs: The Italian Game offers plenty of opportunities to learn and execute key chess tactics such as pins, forks, and skewers. In particular, the sharp lines of the Two Knights Defense allow for dynamic, tactical battles that can give you a quick edge over your opponents.Pawn Structures and Sacrifices: Discover how the Italian Game can lead to fascinating pawn play, including the famous Evans Gambit, where a well-timed pawn sacrifice can open up powerful attacking chances.Grandmaster Insights: Learn how modern grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana use the Italian Game in their tournament games. We’ll explore how quieter lines, like the Giuoco Pianissimo (with d3 and c3), have become increasingly popular among top players seeking strategic depth while avoiding the highly theoretical Ruy Lopez.Dealing with Deviations: Learn how to safely navigate second-move deviations like the Elephant Gambit and Latvian Gambit, so you can confidently steer the game back to your Italian Game setup.Lifetime Repertoire: The Italian Game isn’t just a beginner’s opening-it’s a solid and reliable repertoire that can serve you well throughout your entire chess career. As you progress, you’ll find that the strategic depth and flexibility of the Italian Game offer countless opportunities for growth.Why Take This Course?If you’re looking for an opening that combines classical principles with modern relevance, the Italian Game is the perfect choice. Many World Champions, from Paul Morphy to Magnus Carlsen, have played it successfully. Whether you want to dominate your local chess club or compete in online tournaments, mastering this opening will give you a strategic advantage.This course is packed with quizzes, and detailed analysis to ensure you grasp every concept. We’ll cover not only the standard lines but also the nuances of each position, so you can confidently face any opponent. By the end of this course, you’ll have a solid understanding of the Italian Game, as well as the tools to employ it as a powerful weapon in your opening repertoire.Who Is This Course For?Beginners (0-1500 Rating): If you’re new to chess or just starting to explore opening theory, this course will give you a thorough understanding of the Italian Game and help you build a strong foundation for your overall chess strategy.Intermediate Players (1500-2000 Rating): If you’re looking to refine your opening repertoire or add a versatile, solid weapon to your toolkit, this course will deepen your understanding of both tactical and positional play within the Italian Game.Players Looking for a Mainstream, Lifelong Opening: The Italian Game has proven its longevity. By mastering it, you’ll develop an opening repertoire that can evolve with you, from beginner tournaments to more competitive levels of play.Course Structure:This course is designed with a clear, logical progression in mind. You’ll start by learning the core opening principles before moving into specific variations and tactical themes. Each section is filled with instructive model games that highlight both classic and modern examples of how to play the Italian Game. The course covers both the Giuoco Piano and Two Knights Defense, as well as common deviations and how to handle them.You’ll also have opportunities to test your knowledge with quizzes and puzzles. These interactive elements are designed to challenge your understanding and reinforce key ideas, making the learning process both fun and effective.Key Benefits of This Course:A Timeless Opening: The Italian Game has been played for hundreds of years and continues to be a staple among players of all levels. It’s simple to learn but deep enough to remain relevant throughout your chess journey.Hands-On Learning: With numerous quizzes, puzzles, and interactive examples, you’ll have plenty of chances to test your knowledge and apply what you’ve learned.Chess Mastery: By the end of this course, you won’t just know the Italian Game-you’ll understand the strategic principles that underpin the entire game of chess. This will improve your performance across all phases of play, from opening to middlegame and even endgame.Fun and Engaging: Chess is meant to be fun! The Italian Game offers both strategic depth and exciting tactical opportunities, making it an opening you’ll enjoy playing again and again.Enroll now and start mastering the Italian Game! Whether you’re looking to improve your opening repertoire, sharpen your tactics, or deepen your overall understanding of chess, this course has everything you need. Let’s unlock your potential on the chessboard together!
Overview
Section 1: Introduction
Lecture 1 Why play the Italian Game?
Lecture 2 The two Main Italian Game variations after 3.Bc4
Lecture 3 Two Knight’s defence – Surprise vs Accuracy trade off of moves
Lecture 4 Giuoco Piano – Surprise vs Accuracy trade off of moves
Lecture 5 The Rich Heritage of the Italian Game
Lecture 6 Multipurpose moves in the Italian Game
Lecture 7 How seriously should we take the Italian Game?
Lecture 8 Course structure and conventions
Section 2: 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 {2 N. Def.} 4.Ng5 {N attack} d5 5.exd5 Nxd5? 6.d4!
Lecture 9 6.d4 is called the Lolli Attack – alternative version to the fried liver attack
Lecture 10 Technical analysis: Stronger Alternative to immediate Nxf7 (Fried Liver) – 6.d4!
Lecture 11 Technical analysis: b5 instead of f6 – supplement to main technical analysis
Section 3: 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 {2N Def.} 4.Ng5! {N attack} d5 5.exd5 Nxd5? 6.Nxf7!
Lecture 12 Technical analysis of 6.Nxf7 – Fried Liver Attack
Lecture 13 172 Cs-Classic early 1610(!) game of Italian game researcher Polerio vs Domenico
Lecture 14 19 Cs- instructive game showing common mistakes and improvements – Greco vs NN
Section 4: 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 {2N Def.} 4.Ng5! d5 5.exd5 Na5! {Polerio) 6.Bb5+!
Lecture 15 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5! d5 5.exd5 Na5! 6.Bb5+! Bd7
Lecture 16 8 Cs- Bd3 novelty at the time takes GM out of comfort zone – Nakamura vs Friedel
Section 5: 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 {2N Def.} 4.Ng5! d5 5.exd5 Na5! {Polerio) 6.d3 !?
Lecture 17 6.d3 is known as the "Kieseritzky Variation"
Lecture 18 44 Cs- Black misses opportunity for e4! – Bg4? played- Morphy vs Mongredien
Lecture 19 34 Cs-2.Bc4 move invites Boden-Kieseritzky gambit leads to 6.d3- Morphy vs Maude
Section 6: 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5! d5 5.exd5 b5?! {Ulvestad Variation} Bf1!
Lecture 20 Technical analysis of why 6.Bf1 is needed – Bxc6 gives black easy game – Part 1
Lecture 21 Technical analysis of why 6.Bf1 is needed – Bxc6 gives black easy game – Part 2
Lecture 22 Technical analysis of 8.cxd4 – very involved – but White should end up on top!
Lecture 23 1 C- Sax plays 8.Ne4 instead of the very involved cxd4 variation – Sax vs Nunn
Lecture 24 1 C- Short plays 8.Nxf7 instead of the lengthy 8.cxd4 variation- Short vs Jaeger
Section 7: 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5! d5 5.exd5 Nd4?! {Fritz variation} 6.c3!
Lecture 25 Technical analysis on why playing 6.d6 is a bad idea – 6.c3 is much better
Lecture 26 12 Cs-10.Qf3 instead of 10.0-0 but still gets advantage later – Fischer vs Allan
Section 8: 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 {2Knights} d3! {Modern Bishops Op.} – Options to Bc5
Lecture 27 Note Bc5 now transposes back into Giuoco Pianissimo – see that section
Section 9: 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 {Two Knights Defence} 4.d4 {Open Variation}
Lecture 28 N.B. Can lead to the Anderssen attack – see Hartlaub vs Lasker
Lecture 29 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. Ng5?! – The Perreux Variation
Lecture 30 204 Cs- Elegant attacking chess because of missing Qe7+ resource – Morphy vs NN
Lecture 31 90 Cs- Funny King Walk to create mating threats – Anderssen vs Riviere
Lecture 32 366 Cs- Improvements possible for both sides – nice finish – Morphy vs Schruffer
Lecture 33 253 Cs- Magnificent tactical resourcefulness with back row issues- Tal vs Miller
Lecture 34 16 Cs- The Anderssen attack can get both pawns back – Hartlaub vs Lasker
Section 10: 1.e5 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 {Two Knights Defence} 4.Ng5 Bc5?! {Traxler} 5.Bxf7+!
Lecture 35 At CG(com) the traxler has 55.3% for black – higher than 4…d5 – SCARY!
Lecture 36 N.B. The Schneider games here are high level super accurate Correspondence games
Lecture 37 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bc4! Qe8 7.Nc3!
Lecture 38 The bishop returning to c4 seems safest – Schneider vs Cvak
Lecture 39 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bc4! Rf8 7.O-O Qe8 8.b4!
Lecture 40 White plays in Evans Gambit style with b4 later – Scheider vs Corbat
Lecture 41 Powerful exchange sacrifice on c6 puts K back in center – Schneider vs Renard
Lecture 42 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 6.Bc4! Rf8 7.O-O h6
Lecture 43 White gets to advantageous endgame – Schneider vs Roebuck
Section 11: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 {Evans Gambit} Bb6 – Evans Gambit declined
Lecture 44 Generate note on the handling of Gambits
Lecture 45 19 Cs-Blacks Qe7 didn’t help – White’s coordination impressive- Morphy vs Lewis
Lecture 46 45 Cs- Amazing dynamic play with positional lock-up ideas – Kasparov vs Piket
Lecture 47 19 Cs- B on a7 swapped- powerful positional exchange sacrifice – Short vs Zhang
Section 12: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 {Evans Gambit} Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5?! 6.d4!
Lecture 48 Note: 6.d4 more accurate – Morphy played 6.d4 5 times vs 0-0 21 times
Lecture 49 Relatively Straightforward Evans Gambit technical analysis of 5…Bc5
Lecture 50 53 Cs- How to beat your dad at Chess – Paul Morphy vs Alonzo Morphy
Lecture 51 145 Cs- Beating Dad at Chess Part 2 – Bb5+ also wins instead of Re1+
Lecture 52 93 Cs- Beating Dad who plays more solidly with Na5 – Dad 2 rooks up later
Lecture 53 18 Cs- Black tries Ne7 for f5 to undermine center – Anderssen vs Steinitz
Lecture 54 16 Cs- Black did not address the threat of f6 well – Anderssen vs Steinitz
Lecture 55 ==1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Bc5?! 6.0-0 {tiny black edge}==
Lecture 56 N.B. In practice, opponents later played exd4 giving advantage to Morphy!
Lecture 57 90 Cs- The famous "Dancing Queen" game for good reason – Morphy vs Riviere
Lecture 58 29 Cs- "Morphy Attack" tested with Bg4 – Nice Deflections – Morphy vs Riviere
Lecture 59 64 Cs- 6.0-0-instructive mistake Bg4xf3 gives g-file attac- Morphy vs Schulten
Lecture 60 90 Cs- Instructive punishment of King stranded in center – Morphy vs Hampton
Lecture 61 75 Cs- Very nice forcing moves and tactical finish – Morphy vs Lowenthal
Lecture 62 42 Cs- Nice combination to win queen or get mating attack – Anderssen vs Hamel
Lecture 63 132 Cs- g-file – Nice Philidor mating pattern at the end – Anderssen vs Suhle
Lecture 64 18 Cs-Black misses a tactical shot from B on b2 – Anderssen vs Steinitz (Rd7 WC)
Lecture 65 44 Cs-"Morphy Attack" also has 70%+ win rate for Chigorin – Chigorin vs Steinitz
Section 13: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 {Evans Gambit} Bxb4 5.c3 Be7 6.d4!
Lecture 66 239 Cs- Black goes two pawns up but King near center – Kasparov vs Anand
Lecture 67 15 Cs- Transition into winning endgame with passed ‘c’ pawn – Tal vs Brakmanis
Section 14: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 {Evans Gambit} Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4!
Lecture 68 794 Cs- The immortal Evergreen Game- Beautiful combination-Anderssen vs Dufresne
Lecture 69 Trivia note – Paul Morphy vs Ba5 is playing usually 6.d4 vs 6.0-0 13/15 times
Lecture 70 44 Cs-Black plays Qe7 – Qd7 more accurate to handle Ba5 issues – Morphy vs Ayers
Lecture 71 131 Cs- Interesting how Qb3 is sometimes the strongest move-P.Morphy vs E.Morphy
Lecture 72 63 Cs- Three pawns down but all variations winning for White – Morphy vs Stanley
Lecture 73 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 Nf6 {mistake a bad mistake}
Lecture 74 75 Cs- Black plays instructive mistake of 6…Nf6 – Morphy vs Laroche
Lecture 75 131 Cs- Very instructive bishop pair disaster game with f5 – Morphy vs Bonford
Lecture 76 223 Cs- K-side attack leads to beautiful mating sequence Anderssen vs Zukertort
Lecture 77 100 Cs-Pressure on e5 increased with Bb5 pin leading to mate – Steinitz vs Pihal
Lecture 78 50 Cs- Black is greedy with dxc3 and ends up castling Q-side – Steinitz vs Gray
Lecture 79 8 Cs- Lasker able to imitate Anderssen attacking plans – Lasker vs Polson
Lecture 80 ==1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 {Evans Gambit} Bxb4 5.c3 Ba5 6.0-0?!==
Lecture 81 18 Cs-Weak Qf6 early gives big advantage and space to White-Chigorin vs Steinitz
Lecture 82 19 Cs- Repeat of Qf6 in special Telegraph game-disaster again- Chigorin vs Stein
Lecture 83 56 Cs- Funny repeat of Qf6 – White has all guns blazing – Gunsberg vs Steinitz
Lecture 84 156 Cs-Improvements (not Qf6 but d6)- black still crushed – Chigorin vs Steinitz
Section 15: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d4 {Rosentreter Gambit}
Lecture 85 111 Cs- Black transposes badly into the Max Lange Attack – Steinitz vs Meitner
Section 16: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 {Classical var} d6 ?! {Slightly inaccurate}
Lecture 86 18 Cs- (Sac with Rxe4+) – Severe punishment for black’s greediness – Greco vs NN
Lecture 87 75 Cs- Questions raised like d4 vs castling immediately – Morphy vs A.Morphy
Section 17: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 {Classical var} Qe7?! 7. Re1!/a4!/h3!
Lecture 88 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 {Classical var} Qe7?! 7. Bg5?!
Lecture 89 16 Cs- 4…Qe7?! being tested – this time with King going to f8 – Greco vs NN
Lecture 90 91 Cs- Not the perfect punishment for Qe7 but instructive tactics – Greco vs NN
Lecture 91 12 Cs- 4…Qe7?! being tested – King going to d7 with Qf8- Greco vs NN
Lecture 92 16 Cs- 4…Qe7?! being tested – King going to d7 extra with Qg7 – Greco vs NN
Lecture 93 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 {Classical var} Qe7?! 7. h3!
Lecture 94 56 Cs- Knight maneuver a3-c2-e3-c4-e3-d5 -amazing tactic – Morphy vs Riviere
Section 18: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. Ng5?! {Surprise move}
Lecture 95 84 Cs- Fishing pole (7.h4 sac) works better than it should have! Greco vs NN
Section 19: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 {or 4.d3} Nf6 5. d3 – Giuoco Pianissimo
Lecture 96 70 Cs- Powerful exchange sacrifice creates winning position- Carlsen vs Nakamura
Lecture 97 11 Cs- Accepting doubled pawns for d5 bind and bishop with targets-Carlsen vs So
Lecture 98 17 Cs- Doubled and isolated central pawns but pieces dominate – Carlsen vs Anand
Lecture 99 16 Cs- reversed Black Lion Attacking plan opening g-file – Kasparov vs Queiroz
Section 20: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 {Center Attack}
Lecture 100 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 {Greco Gambit}
Lecture 101 69 Cs- (10.Qb3 inaccuracy) Black plays in a super-greedy manner – Greco vs NN
Lecture 102 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 {Giuoco Piano 6.e5}
Lecture 103 18 Cs-Black plays over optimistically with f5 and piece sac – Steinitz vs Lasker
Lecture 104 180 Cs-Rook lift across the 3rd rank for winning attack – Rossolimo vs Reissmann
Lecture 105 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Nc3 d5
Lecture 106 777 CsI- ICONIC game with interesting Nc3 move Steinitz vs Curt von Bardeleben
Lecture 107 14 Cs- 7….d5 mistake repeated – Black crumbles – Steinitz vs Blackburne
Lecture 108 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. e5
Lecture 109 28 Cs-Committal g5 move gives battery opportunities vs h6- Steinitz vs Schlecter
Lecture 110 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.b4 {Dubov Surprise move!}
Lecture 111 17 Cs- "Dubov’s Immortal" – Black gets caught in a bind – Dubov vs Karjakin
Section 21: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nd4 {blackburne shilling gambit} 4.Nxd4!
Lecture 112 2 Cs- Sweet punishing game with 4.Nd4 based on f4 later – Zevetov vs Yakimov
Section 22: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Be7 {Hungarian defence} 4.d4!
Lecture 113 7 Cs- Black plays passively with d6 and Na5 and gets squished – Nunn vs Cooper
Lecture 114 Attacking chess with g4 but there may have been a defence – Turov vs Bryzgalin
Section 23: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 d6 {Paris Defence AKA Semi-Italian game} 4.c3!
Lecture 115 12 Cs- Black reaches equality but then does caveman attack – Morphy vs Thomas
Section 24: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 h6 {The Anti-Fried Liver Defence} 4.d4!
Lecture 116 Early Qf6 mistake unpunished- but then castling was punished – Velicka vs Blatny
Section 25: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 f5 {Rousseau Gambit} 4.d3!
Lecture 117 18 Cs- 4.d3 proves very effective celebrating weaknesses – Morphy vs Rousseau
Section 26: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 g6?! 4.c3! {also d3! is very strong! as well as d4!}
Lecture 118 White’s trolling simplification play wins a pawn – Mednis vs Korchnoi
Section 27: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 {Petrov’s Defense} 3.d4! {"Modern Attack" – avoids Stafford}
Lecture 119 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. e5 Ne4 5. Qxd4 d5 6. exd6 Nxd6
Lecture 120 3 Cs- Black’s Q subjected to tempo gaining moves – Nezhmetdinov vs Kakabadze
Lecture 121 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Be7
Lecture 122 13 Cs f5 from Black starts to breed more weaknesses – Alekhine vs Levitsky
Lecture 123 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Qf6?!
Lecture 124 1 C- 5…Qf6 adds fun to White’s dynamic possibilities – Alekhine vs Pita
Lecture 125 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7
Lecture 126 4 Cs- Complex game – Black should have kept Queens on- Ivanchuk vs Giri
Section 28: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 {Philidor defence} 3.d4!
Lecture 127 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4! Bg4?!
Lecture 128 1073 Cs- The Classic Opera Game – highlights fast development – Morphy vs Allies
Lecture 129 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4! Nd7 4.Bc4!
Lecture 130 107 Cs- Black doesn’t punish Qe2 inaccuracy with h6 – Fischer vs Fine
Lecture 131 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4! exd4 4.Bc4!? {Morphy Attack – interesting and dangerous}
Lecture 132 12 Cs-Reinforcing principle of PIECE DEVELOPMENT in the Opening- Morphy vs Sicra
Lecture 133 115 Cs- The "Morphy Gambit" move order relevant for Philidor – Morphy vs Hart
Lecture 134 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4! exd4 4.Qxd4!?
Lecture 135 450 Cs- ICONIC demonstration of back row related downsides – Adams vs Repetto
Section 29: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5 {Latvian Gambit} 3.Nxe5!
Lecture 136 Technical analysis of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 – 3…Qf6 alternatives
Lecture 137 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.d4! {Considered the main line}
Lecture 138 17 Cs- Substitution of the Blockading knight – Nimzowitsch vs Behting
Lecture 139 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4.Nc4! {Foltys-Leonhardt Variation}
Lecture 140 2 Cs- Qe7 is not so good – Tal punishes well with piece sac – Tal vs Searle
Lecture 141 Tech. Analysis: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4. Nc4 fxe4 5.Nc3 Qf7 {best} Ne3!
Lecture 142 Technical analysis of Bd6 or Be7 or Bb4 instead of Bc5 – White plays Nexd5!
Lecture 143 Technical analysis of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5 3.Nxe5 Qf6 4. Nc4 fxe4 5.Nc3 Qg6?! d3!
Section 30: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 {Elephant Gambit} 3.exd5! e4 4.Qe2! {Do not play 4.Ne5 here}
Lecture 144 Technical analysis of 3…e4
Lecture 145 68 Cs- It is very important against e4 to play 4.Qe2 – Morphy vs Mongredien
Lecture 146 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 {Elephant Gambit} 3.exd5! Bd6 4.d4! {Do not play 4.Qe2 here}
Lecture 147 Technical analysis of 3…Bd6
Lecture 148 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 {Elephant Gambit} 3.exd5! Qxd5 4.Nc3!
Lecture 149 Technical analysis of 3…Qxd5
Lecture 150 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 {Elephant Gambit} 3.exd5! Nf6 4.Nxe5!
Lecture 151 Technical analysis of 3…Nxd5 {allowing e5 pawn to be taken!}
Section 31: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Qe7 {The Gunderam Defense} 3.Nc3!
Lecture 152 Black has too many weaknesses especially after B exchange- Azarov vs Khouseninov
Section 32: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 {Damiano Defense}
Lecture 153 Technical analysis showing a big advantage for White – and avoid trap
Section 33: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Bc5 {Busch-Gass Gambit – one idea for Stafford gambit} 3.Nxe5!
Lecture 154 White a pawn up for not much compensation – Mihalichenko vs Tikhiy
Section 34: PGN Downloads
Lecture 155 PGN Downloads
Section 35: Conclusions and Philosophical points
Lecture 156 Conclusions
Section 36: Bonus
Lecture 157 Bonus Lecture
Beginner Chess Players – especially with model games from Greco, Paul Morphy, Adolf Anderssen to reinforce the principles of the Open game,Intermediate and more advanced players can also benefit from this course – especially from the technical analysis and detailed analysis generally of key games
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