Love your videos and the way you explain things. Keep up the great work. Please do some videos on chess strategies and thinking methods. Thank you so much.
I avoided the Pirc for 40 years, but then I learned how to play the Czech Pirc from NM Robert Ramirez including opening traps and middle game ideas. I know most chess teachers teach only “traditional” e4/e5 openings first, but that is 80% of most games for beginners. E4/e5 leads to the Scholar’s Mate and other bad habits, and it is completely avoidable. Now I first teach “modern” defenses like KID, Czech Pirc, and Modern, so that my players take control of the game using black.
@UnderhillKoufax That's great to hear! But how would you explain to your beginner level students the value of center control and space if you teach modern defense and alike openings? just curious.
@, Two things: 1. I focus my chess instruction on end game and middle game first and foremost, so they can “play chess” regardless of how good or bad the opening is played. 2. I still demonstrate “traditional” center control with white pieces and the Italian game, but then I explain with black and white pieces how “modern” openings give my students flexibility on how to attack the center and gain control. Bottom line: Since my students are more experienced with how to play modern openings, they have a strategic advantage throughout most games, including with black pieces. Most beginner opponents don’t know what to do against modern openings. 99.999% of beginners are not going to know 150 attacks or 3/4 pawn center attacks either.
Hello :) , This is an excellent overview on what exactly is the pirc defense all about but hey , The pirc defense taught me a lot ! It taught me way way more than any chess opening ever could , it taught me prophalyxis to keeping the king in the centre and not castle due to white attacking us :) .. It taught me how to create an pawnstorm to how to play with double isolated pawn but an open file ( In the 150 attack where black chooses the plan ( Nb8-d7-b6-c4 and exchanges the b pawn on the c file getting double pawns but an open file on the queenside castles king ) , It is what that made me go from a meagre 1100 all over to 2200 :D , and yup Probably it was the opening that suited my style , so to anyone who thinks that this is a tough opening to manage at the higher level , or maybe like It gets tough to handle the Austrian attacks and the 150 attack , dw just try it out :P , who knows you may fall in love with it like I did and I still do haha .... but regarding the rating I fully agree although I might prefer 3.5/5 for beginners as it gives black a system to play with and teaches us a lot !
interesting. In my opinion the Pirc is bad for beginners. I think you could've learnt everything you mentioned with other, more sound openings as well (multiple different ones, and you would have also learnt other concepts along the way that the Pirc probably can't teach you). Who knows if you could've reached your current strength quicker 🤔 Anyways - your playing strength justifies to say that it at least didn't hinder you from becoming strong and that everyone should play an opening that he likes
Interesting video! I have read the most critical variations are in the Austrian Attack. With also all different kind of subleties depending on when White pushes e5. I prefer learning the basics of an opening by principles rather than having to know specific lines that can blow you off the board already after 5-6 moves. So I'll stick to my beloved Caro-Kann :)
Your videos on openings are really excellent. I like the way you think in your own way and don't trot out stereotypical explanations. Is there any chance of your doing something on the Vienna Game? It's a great opening for White but kind of difficult for inexperienced players to organise thoughts about.
In my opinion, the Pirc is bad for beginners. Used as a system-like opening by many beginners (that's already a bad indicator), but much less principled (in the classical sense) than e.g. the London system. Adding to that, the Pirc is objectively risky and can lead to pressure from White who has better center control, being attacked by White and needing to defend and closed positions that are hard to understand well and play without experience. I think that beginners should only touch the e- or the c-pawn against 1.e4. However, what's a good opening probably also depends on the goals of the player.
@@lukastux3024 Couldn't agree more! I actually had some of those arguments in the preliminary version of the video, but then cut it in order to keep only things that are actually more relevant for an intermediate level player.
@@BadBishopChess 3/5 is still a fair rating, as it makes clear that it's not really good, but doesn't imply it's not playable (and there exist much worse openings :D)..
Love your videos and the way you explain things. Keep up the great work. Please do some videos on chess strategies and thinking methods. Thank you so much.
I avoided the Pirc for 40 years, but then I learned how to play the Czech Pirc from NM Robert Ramirez including opening traps and middle game ideas. I know most chess teachers teach only “traditional” e4/e5 openings first, but that is 80% of most games for beginners. E4/e5 leads to the Scholar’s Mate and other bad habits, and it is completely avoidable. Now I first teach “modern” defenses like KID, Czech Pirc, and Modern, so that my players take control of the game using black.
@UnderhillKoufax That's great to hear! But how would you explain to your beginner level students the value of center control and space if you teach modern defense and alike openings? just curious.
@, Two things: 1. I focus my chess instruction on end game and middle game first and foremost, so they can “play chess” regardless of how good or bad the opening is played. 2. I still demonstrate “traditional” center control with white pieces and the Italian game, but then I explain with black and white pieces how “modern” openings give my students flexibility on how to attack the center and gain control.
Bottom line: Since my students are more experienced with how to play modern openings, they have a strategic advantage throughout most games, including with black pieces. Most beginner opponents don’t know what to do against modern openings. 99.999% of beginners are not going to know 150 attacks or 3/4 pawn center attacks either.
Muy buen video muchas gracias 😃✋👍👍👍♟️
Hello :) , This is an excellent overview on what exactly is the pirc defense all about but hey , The pirc defense taught me a lot ! It taught me way way more than any chess opening ever could , it taught me prophalyxis to keeping the king in the centre and not castle due to white attacking us :) .. It taught me how to create an pawnstorm to how to play with double isolated pawn but an open file ( In the 150 attack where black chooses the plan ( Nb8-d7-b6-c4 and exchanges the b pawn on the c file getting double pawns but an open file on the queenside castles king ) , It is what that made me go from a meagre 1100 all over to 2200 :D , and yup Probably it was the opening that suited my style , so to anyone who thinks that this is a tough opening to manage at the higher level , or maybe like It gets tough to handle the Austrian attacks and the 150 attack , dw just try it out :P , who knows you may fall in love with it like I did and I still do haha .... but regarding the rating I fully agree although I might prefer 3.5/5 for beginners as it gives black a system to play with and teaches us a lot !
interesting. In my opinion the Pirc is bad for beginners. I think you could've learnt everything you mentioned with other, more sound openings as well (multiple different ones, and you would have also learnt other concepts along the way that the Pirc probably can't teach you). Who knows if you could've reached your current strength quicker 🤔
Anyways - your playing strength justifies to say that it at least didn't hinder you from becoming strong and that everyone should play an opening that he likes
Interesting video! I have read the most critical variations are in the Austrian Attack. With also all different kind of subleties depending on when White pushes e5. I prefer learning the basics of an opening by principles rather than having to know specific lines that can blow you off the board already after 5-6 moves. So I'll stick to my beloved Caro-Kann :)
Your videos on openings are really excellent. I like the way you think in your own way and don't trot out stereotypical explanations. Is there any chance of your doing something on the Vienna Game? It's a great opening for White but kind of difficult for inexperienced players to organise thoughts about.
I appreciate that! Will do the Vienna at some point for sure! 🙂
In my opinion, the Pirc is bad for beginners. Used as a system-like opening by many beginners (that's already a bad indicator), but much less principled (in the classical sense) than e.g. the London system. Adding to that, the Pirc is objectively risky and can lead to pressure from White who has better center control, being attacked by White and needing to defend and closed positions that are hard to understand well and play without experience. I think that beginners should only touch the e- or the c-pawn against 1.e4. However, what's a good opening probably also depends on the goals of the player.
@@lukastux3024 Couldn't agree more! I actually had some of those arguments in the preliminary version of the video, but then cut it in order to keep only things that are actually more relevant for an intermediate level player.
@@BadBishopChess 3/5 is still a fair rating, as it makes clear that it's not really good, but doesn't imply it's not playable (and there exist much worse openings :D)..