Lessons Openings

Steps

Welcome to the first study of this course! This study will introduce the so-called Vienna Gambit and answer the question: after 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 what if Black simply takes our f-pawn? It's a very logical continuation, and is really worth exploring!

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We open with 1.e4.

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Black replies with the mirror image 1...e5, the most popular reply at all levels.

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We develop our queenside knight. This is slightly different than 2.Nf3, which is standard development.

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In this chapter, Black replies with 2...Nf6, allowing us to push 3.f4 next - the Vienna Gambit!

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This is the starting position of the Vienna Gambit. We offer Black a capture of our f-pawn in order to push 4.e5 and attack the enemy knight...

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You will face this a shocking amount of times. It simply lands Black in a dead lost position on Move 3! This is our plan: 4. e5 5. Nf3 6. d4 Finally, aim to capture the pawn back.

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We push 4.e5 and attack Black's knight!

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Black decides to retreat the knight - this is the only safe square. Black is now threatening Qh4+.

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You MUST play Nf3 before you push d4, as this prevents Black's Qh4+.

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Black undermines your pawn, and prepares to develop his light-squared bishop.

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We continue with 6.d4. Here, it is useful to remember one more move if Black captures in the center.

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Black captures the e-pawn.

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We continue with 7.Qe2 - this is very important! Now Black is frozen, you avoid a trade of queens, and you will recapture both center pawns before castling - preferably queenside.

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7...Nc6 is the most popular response at this point, but Black can do other things (we will review briefly in the video).

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This is the important move - we capture Black's f-pawn, taking advantage of the pin on the e-file. Now there is a nice trap...

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Black takes, threatening your queen...

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We capture the knight on d4.

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Black recaptures on d4.

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Success! We capture Black's e-pawn and Black is going to lose everything.

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