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🔹 The BEST Chess Opening for Black Against 1.e4:
🔹 If you want to know more about the rule ‘To take is a mistake’ – check out this video:
In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov shares with you an unbeatable opening for Black against the White’s first move 1.e4. It is the Rubinstein Variation from the French Defense, which happens after the following moves: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4.
This variation is named after Akiba Rubinstein and can also arise from a different move order: 3.Nd2 dxe4. White has freer development and more space in the centre, which Black intends to neutralise by playing …c7–c5 at some point.
The great thing about this line for Black is its simplicity. You don’t have to study too much of theory or remember lots of variations. Your setup as Black is almost constant and your position is solid. It is completely risk-free so you can’t lose. You can win though if your opponent makes a small mistake. Watch the video lesson as GM Igor Smirnov explains the common ideas for Black in this solid opening.
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► Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Warm up: a question for you
01:30 Rubinstein Variation in French Defense
03:10 Solid line – Fianchetto setup
04:11 c5 – key move in Black’s setup
05:52 What if White castles queenside?
07:30 Aggressive and immediate c5
09:26 Be careful of this tactics
10:14 How to earn money with chess?
12:12 Prepare your attack
13:19 Sideline-1: White playing Bd3
14:23 Sideline-2: White playing Bg5
15:03 Beware of the tactics, again!
16:34 Solution to the puzzle
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