I'm mostly a d4 player, and in that sense, I love the Blackmar Gambit and its variations. I faced a FM in a National Rapid Tournament, using the Rasa-Studier variation, and although I didn't win, I made him fight hard and we both ended up with little time, and he had more experience and knowledge with endings, so I only lost because of that. But I know it is a great weapon to get people ungarded. Great video as usual, but I'll add that, even though what you've said makes complete sense, OBT and in words of far more experienced players, there is no such thing as a bad opening; there is only bad players. In other words, if the foundation of your chess is good, you can play anything and win. And you don't need to be Nakamura to achieve that. I salute you, Master Solomon!
Thanks for these great thoughts!! I as well love playing stuff that's off-key and different, makes the game fun as the opponent has to think for themselves, not relying on stockfish or what Magnus Carlsen or Vishy Anand played last week. Sounds like a great game where you put that FM in the hot-seat. Props to you! Keep it up, Thanks, Solomon
Everything about this dude is clean - his way of explaining things, his mic, his backdrop, pixel precise graphic design. All business. Been waiting awhile for him to explode.
My favorite is the bird. I love Andersons opening too. I still, even at my high rating never play e4 or d4 ever. Also one next move for d3 would be either g3 or a3 next and then the other one next. With black most likely going with moves like e5 d5 NF6 Nc6 it’s really not that bad. It also goes and transposes quite well to a polish, or a Queens gambit (depending on blacks moves) and the engine slightly favors a draw more likely too.
@@HongwareeChannel I play as a “retired” NM, but yes I agree. Try, as black, making sure you play g6 quick bc that really gives a big help in defending against whites plans on infiltrating white’s king. Bc with the bird, the ideal position for white are species like f4, e3, b3, Bb2, Nf3, and Bd3. Assuming you are going to castle short with black most of the time, this is why defense as black is key for any f4 opening. Don’t play Froms gambit unless you absolutely know what you’re doing. I mean like 2000+ rated know what you’re doing. To play against f4, a good second move is the Dutch, the Sicilian Grand Prix, and definitely make sure if you do so, that you are prepared for things like the sturm gambit, Swiss gambit, korchnoi attack, batavo gambit, Hobbs gambit, and the kings gambit declined
Love it!!!!! The Polish Opening is awesome. My favorite response for black is 1. ...c5 with the Birmingham Gambit, but this is a very rare find and the only reason I know it is because I've studied way too much chess opening theory. Amazing how much 1. b4 can afffect the game in a positive way for white!
That's great! Love this for white. Truly funky and strong and unpredictable. I've found the Birmingham Gambit (1. ...c5) to be good for black, but I doubt even 1% of chess players know what this is, so you probably hardly ever see it I'm guessing?@@HongwareeChannel
I have been using both 1. d3 and 1. e3 as early transpositions to get into the hippo and semi-hippo attack since most people will often fail to play either ...f5 or ...c5 as black early on, thus often avoiding a Reversed Austrian attack from black. If I am feeling rather adventureous, I will transpose into a Cow or Semi-Cow with 1. d3 and 1.e3. If I would like a normal game, I can always dive back into the King's Indian Attack as white. I also play the 1. b4 the Polish from time to time.
Van't Kruijs with 1.e3 2.d3 3.Nd2 4.Ne2 is playable. I will transpose to the Hippo if Black ever plays f5. I have never been afraid of Black's central pawn build up with c5,d5,e5. Even Black's h5 flank attack is not that terrible. Just to confuse my opponents, I sometimes start with 1.d3 2. Nd2 but then transposes back with 3.e3 and Ne2. Won many rapid games with this setup. It can also be used as Black and very effective against the London System 1. d4 e6 2. Bf4 d6 and now the Bf4 becomes a target for my later central pawn push. As Black it is a universal defense against all White openings.
Sick of people bashing the sodium attack 😂 it’s probably the highest winning opening I’ve done, taken someones queen in half a dozen moves using only that opening and knight, obviously not gonna whack it out consistently against better players but against beginners you’ll be surprised using it sometimes
Hi!!! I love your vids, I got from 300 to 1000 elo in part because of your videos, and as I know your videos are good, i would love you to Make a video about the 4 knights, and the lines you recomend in it.
First off, CONGRATS on making so much progress! That's astounding. Keep it up! And thank you man, glad to be of help!! Do you play the 4 knights as white I'm guessing? Or black?
@@TheChessGiantYes, I am talking about white, appreciate your response and by the way, do you know a rare quiet opening for white, because every time I play D4 It transposes to a Sharp opening like the benko gambit, that’s why i’m asking about the 4 knights.
@@TheChessGiantAlso, with black I Have no problem playing with the hipo and the caro kann, but with white I cant find a good and quiet opening that does not transpose into an open game, could you tell me about a solid and rare option (to disconcert the rivals) that does not turn into a double edge choice?
It's crazy haha, I will see 1. g4 from him and think "common man there's gotta be a way I can refute this." But, no matter what I do, he always makes it a game!@@HongwareeChannel
Study from books then. I mean, Solomon is a good player and teacher, but the real understanding comes from books specialized in every aspect of the game: opening, middle game, ending. I actually suggest to start with ending books. I hope this helps you.
@@TheChessGiant exactly. A large factor in my opening choices is "I want to be more likely to know the theory than an opponent of roughly equal skill would."
I'm mostly a d4 player, and in that sense, I love the Blackmar Gambit and its variations. I faced a FM in a National Rapid Tournament, using the Rasa-Studier variation, and although I didn't win, I made him fight hard and we both ended up with little time, and he had more experience and knowledge with endings, so I only lost because of that. But I know it is a great weapon to get people ungarded. Great video as usual, but I'll add that, even though what you've said makes complete sense, OBT and in words of far more experienced players, there is no such thing as a bad opening; there is only bad players. In other words, if the foundation of your chess is good, you can play anything and win. And you don't need to be Nakamura to achieve that. I salute you, Master Solomon!
Thanks for these great thoughts!! I as well love playing stuff that's off-key and different, makes the game fun as the opponent has to think for themselves, not relying on stockfish or what Magnus Carlsen or Vishy Anand played last week. Sounds like a great game where you put that FM in the hot-seat. Props to you! Keep it up,
Thanks,
Solomon
Everything about this dude is clean - his way of explaining things, his mic, his backdrop, pixel precise graphic design. All business. Been waiting awhile for him to explode.
Thanks a ton for that brotha. Appreciate you! 🙏🏽🙏🏽
My favorite is the bird. I love Andersons opening too. I still, even at my high rating never play e4 or d4 ever.
Also one next move for d3 would be either g3 or a3 next and then the other one next. With black most likely going with moves like e5 d5 NF6 Nc6 it’s really not that bad. It also goes and transposes quite well to a polish, or a Queens gambit (depending on blacks moves) and the engine slightly favors a draw more likely too.
I struggle with Bird´s sometimes as Black. It's highly underestimated, and it's a great weapon for White if you are prepared.
@@HongwareeChannel I play as a “retired” NM, but yes I agree. Try, as black, making sure you play g6 quick bc that really gives a big help in defending against whites plans on infiltrating white’s king. Bc with the bird, the ideal position for white are species like f4, e3, b3, Bb2, Nf3, and Bd3. Assuming you are going to castle short with black most of the time, this is why defense as black is key for any f4 opening. Don’t play Froms gambit unless you absolutely know what you’re doing. I mean like 2000+ rated know what you’re doing. To play against f4, a good second move is the Dutch, the Sicilian Grand Prix, and definitely make sure if you do so, that you are prepared for things like the sturm gambit, Swiss gambit, korchnoi attack, batavo gambit, Hobbs gambit, and the kings gambit declined
Good thoughts! Thanks for sharing this.
No kidding!!@@HongwareeChannel
Great thoughts! You know your chess! When did you earn the NM title?@@pianxtremeyt
The polish is my favorite underrated opening because your opponent has no prep
Polish is my secret weapon! I can't tell you how many people I have caught ungarded with this amazing opening.
Love it!!!!! The Polish Opening is awesome. My favorite response for black is 1. ...c5 with the Birmingham Gambit, but this is a very rare find and the only reason I know it is because I've studied way too much chess opening theory. Amazing how much 1. b4 can afffect the game in a positive way for white!
That's great! Love this for white. Truly funky and strong and unpredictable. I've found the Birmingham Gambit (1. ...c5) to be good for black, but I doubt even 1% of chess players know what this is, so you probably hardly ever see it I'm guessing?@@HongwareeChannel
@TheChessGiant I will have to look that up I personally go for c6 a5 against the polish
You are right, I've never met that@@TheChessGiant
Just going to say this is a brilliant idea for a video. Last one was great.
Thanks, I appreciate that! Glad you're enjoying them.
I have been using both 1. d3 and 1. e3 as early transpositions to get into the hippo and semi-hippo attack since most people will often fail to play either ...f5 or ...c5 as black early on, thus often avoiding a Reversed Austrian attack from black. If I am feeling rather adventureous, I will transpose into a Cow or Semi-Cow with 1. d3 and 1.e3. If I would like a normal game, I can always dive back into the King's Indian Attack as white. I also play the 1. b4 the Polish from time to time.
Thanks for sharing these great thoughts! I love your chess opening choices, legendary mix of stuff with the Hippo, Cow, and Polish all included!!
Great overview for openings.
Thanks!
Excellent video very informative sir👍
Thanks Barry, you got it!
Van't Kruijs with 1.e3 2.d3 3.Nd2 4.Ne2 is playable. I will transpose to the Hippo if Black ever plays f5. I have never been afraid of Black's central pawn build up with c5,d5,e5. Even Black's h5 flank attack is not that terrible. Just to confuse my opponents, I sometimes start with 1.d3 2. Nd2 but then transposes back with 3.e3 and Ne2. Won many rapid games with this setup. It can also be used as Black and very effective against the London System 1. d4 e6 2. Bf4 d6 and now the Bf4 becomes a target for my later central pawn push. As Black it is a universal defense against all White openings.
Great chess opening thoughts! Thanks for sharing this. Fun how much white can switch up move orders and catch the opponent by surprise because of it!
Keep up the educational vids, Solo.
?????
Thanks! And you got it my guy. More on the way.
Great video - and believe it or not you can swap orange juice for milk in a lot of baking recipes as it has a very similar acid to sugar ratio 😅
Sick of people bashing the sodium attack 😂 it’s probably the highest winning opening I’ve done, taken someones queen in half a dozen moves using only that opening and knight, obviously not gonna whack it out consistently against better players but against beginners you’ll be surprised using it sometimes
Niiiiceeee
@@TheChessGiant nothing to knock home about much tho tbf, suppose any old attack will work against inexperience
Hi!!! I love your vids, I got from 300 to 1000 elo in part because of your videos, and as I know your videos are good, i would love you to Make a video about the 4 knights, and the lines you recomend in it.
First off, CONGRATS on making so much progress! That's astounding. Keep it up! And thank you man, glad to be of help!! Do you play the 4 knights as white I'm guessing? Or black?
@@TheChessGiantYes, I am talking about white, appreciate your response and by the way, do you know a rare quiet opening for white, because every time I play D4 It transposes to a Sharp opening like the benko gambit, that’s why i’m asking about the 4 knights.
@@TheChessGiantAlso, with black I Have no problem playing with the hipo and the caro kann, but with white I cant find a good and quiet opening that does not transpose into an open game, could you tell me about a solid and rare option (to disconcert the rivals) that does not turn into a double edge choice?
Bird's Opening Master Race 😎
Bird's Opening is highly underrated! I'm considering making a course on it soon.
that Shout OUt to the Duck!!
You gotta see him play the Grob, he is a hero.
LEGEND!
It's crazy haha, I will see 1. g4 from him and think "common man there's gotta be a way I can refute this." But, no matter what I do, he always makes it a game!@@HongwareeChannel
@@TheChessGiant So true! hahahahah.
Sir you missed the jabova London opening
He did not miss that. He is only talking about first move openings.
❤❤❤❤
I need all the help I can get
Study from books then. I mean, Solomon is a good player and teacher, but the real understanding comes from books specialized in every aspect of the game: opening, middle game, ending. I actually suggest to start with ending books. I hope this helps you.
With what area of chess? Where are you currently at in chess and where are you trying to go?
@@TheChessGiant I'm currently at 740 and very slowly working my way up. I'm trying different openings and defenses trying to improve my game.
English unless I know my opponent's responses
Nice choice! Nobody is excited to play against the English Opening! At least, anyone that I know.
@@TheChessGiant exactly. A large factor in my opening choices is "I want to be more likely to know the theory than an opponent of roughly equal skill would."