Italian Game How to Play Part III


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Italian Game: How to Play Part III Video: This chess video on Italian Game will help you learn one variation of this chess opening. The variation is called Greco's Attack variation - ECO C54, with the move order of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Nc3.

Greco's Attack variation of Italian Game is common at the chess beginner's level, and it must be useful for chess beginners to learn. The variation does not belong to the "Giuoco Pianissimo" (very quite game) system. Greco's Attack variation is not very quite opening variation...

It is a typical open game: Open fight for the development, center, space, and initiative... Greco's Attack variation may appear from Scotch Gambit or from the native Italian Game. Black must not play 5... Bb6 or 5... Bd5. To see the video, click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

To replay on the chess board and learn Greco's Attack variation of Italian Game which was shown in the video, please find the variation in writing below:

Variation: Italian Game - Greco's Attack variation, C54:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Nc3
7... Ne4 8.0-0 Bxc3 9.d5 Bf6 10.Re1 Ne7 11.Re4 d6

Italian Game How to Play Part II


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Italian Game: How to Play Part II Video: This chess video on Italian Game will help you learn one variation of this chess opening. The variation in question is called Italian Four Knights variation - ECO Code C50, with the move order of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3.

The variation belongs to the system of Italian Game which is called "Giuoco Pianissimo" (very quite game). The Giuoco Pianissimo system is designed for unhurried development and positional run. It avoids or postpones the White's move d2-d4 as a direct run-in for the center at once.

Within this chess video you will learn how to play 2 lines of Italian Four Knights variation of the Italian Game opening as best moves for White and Black. You must get a feel of how to play this opening correctly... To see the video, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

To replay on the chess board and learn 2 lines of Italian Four Knights variation, which was shown in the video, find the variation in writing below:

Variation: Italian Four Knights variation, Line 1, C50:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 ...
[Line 1:] 6... h6 7.Bxf6 Qxf6 8.Nd5 Qd8 9.c3 Ne7 10.Ne3 0-0

Variation: Italian Four Knights variation, Line 2, C50:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 ...
[Line 2:] 6... Na5 7.Bb3 Nxb3 8.axb3 Be6 9.Na4 h6 10.Bh4 Bg4 11.Nxc5 dxc5 12.h3

Italian Game | Lesson 33


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[• Learn: Open Game Chess Openings 1.e4 e5]

This lesson is designed for chess beginners to learn the Italian Game chess opening. It includes the textual part and the following 4 chess videos: Italian Game - General Information, Italian Game - How to Play Part I - Part II - Part III. More material on the Italian Game chess opening to follow.

This lesson is divided into 2 parts:
I. Italian Game: Data and Variations
II. Italian Game Videos: See the Picture and How to Play

Latest Chess Opening Information and New Links

I. Italian Game: Data and Variations


Chess Opening Name: Italian Game
Type: Open Game opening (starts with 1.e4 e5)
Moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5
ECO Codes: C50, C53-C54
Note: ECO Codes C51-C52 are Evans Gambit, not Italian Game.

Italian Game chess opening

Italian Game: General Description

Italian Game is one of the oldest chess openings recorded. Its official name is Giuoco Piano. The opening is beautiful, useful for chess beginners to learn, and popular enough to play. It may easily transpose into Evans Gambit [1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4], which is a different opening.

Italian Game is an unusual one because it may run quietly or it may be wild... Black must remember that White is aimed at the Black's weak f7 square and may quickly mobilize the force to attack. Both parties must be careful in play because Giuoco Piano ("Quite Game") may be not so quite...

To answer Italian Game, White has the following 5 moves: (*) 4.c3 - appr. 40%; (*) 4.d3 - appr. 20%; (*) 4.O-O - appr. 15%; (*) 4.Nc3 - appr. 15%; (*) 4.b4 - appr. 10%. Officially, Italian Game has at least 36 variations. You can find the most common variations below...

Italian Game: Some Variations

• Greco's Attack variation, C54:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Nc3

• Center-holding variation, C53:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Qe7 5.d4 Bb6

• Canal variation, C50:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5

The magority of variations of Italian Game are played via the following 3 lines: 4.c3 .., the 4.d3 .., and the 4.0-0 .. Within Italian Game, there is a variation with 4.Bxf7+, but it is not being played today.

II. Italian Game Videos: See the Picture and How to Play


To understand this chess opening in general, you are recommended to replay Video 1: Italian Game - General Information. To see the Italian Game chess opening in a visible way and to learn it, click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

To see Video 2: Italian Game - How to Play Part I, click this link:
See Video 2: Italian Game - How to Play Part I
Note: You can find this video at the bottom of the page open.
Note: This video will display the 6.cxd4 line of Italian Game.

To see Video 3: Italian Game - How to Play Part II, click this link:
See Video 3: Italian Game - How to Play Part II
Note: You can find this video at the bottom of the page open.
Note: This video will display Italian Four Knights variation.

To see Video 4: Italian Game - How to Play Part III, click this link:
See Video 4: Italian Game - How to Play Part III
Note: You can find this video at the bottom of the page open.
Note: This video will display Greco's Attack variation of Italian Game.

Links to All Chess Opening Lessons

More material on Italian Game will be added later, and it must give you the essential initial knowledge on this chess opening. Please be advised that the chess opening material within this site is designed for chess beginners only.

Italian Game How to Play Video 1


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Italian Game: How to Play Video 1: This chess video on Italian Game will help you learn only one variation of this chess opening. The variation runs within the 6.cxd4 line. It goes via the White move 4.c3, which is the most common answer to Italian Game...

The 6.cxd4 line includes the designated moves of Italian Game plus the following move order combination 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4. The line may turn into some other variations of Italian Game, for example into Cracow variation, Greco's Attack variation, Greco variation, etc.

At the chess master level today, you can see the tendency of postponing the fight for the center and making Italian Game more positional in play. This can be demonstrated by chess masters' playing 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3 instead of 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4. This change avoids playing the 6.cxd4 line...

Within this video you will learn how to play a line of Italian Game. You will learn why Black must capture the White pawn on d4. You will see the picture of Cracow variation, and Greco's Attack variation... To see the video, just click the Play button below:





• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

To replay on the chess board and learn the Italian Game's 6.cxd4 line, which was shown in the video, please find this variation in writing below:

Variation: Italian Game - The 6.cxd4 Line, C54:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Bd2 Bxd2 8.Nbxd2 d5! 9.exd5 Nd5 10.Qb3 Nce7 11.0-0 0-0
Note: White is better.

Scotch Gambit | Lesson 32


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[• Learn: Open Game Openings 1.e4 e5]

Lesson 32 is designed for chess beginners to learn the Scotch Gambit chess opening. It includes the text and explanations to read, the PGN file to download and replay, and the following 4 videos to see and learn: Video 1: Scotch Gambit General Information, Videos 2-3-4: Scotch Gambit How to Play Different Variations Parts 1-2-3.

Latest Chess Opening Information and New Links

I. Scotch Gambit: Data and Variations


Chess Opening Name: Scotch Gambit
Type: An Open Game opening (begins with 1.e4 e5)
Move Order: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4
ECO Code: C44 (C44 is not only Scotch Gambit)

Scotch Gambit chess opening

Scotch Gambit: General Description

Scotch Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4) is a brother opening of Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4), but it is not so common as the latter. The reason for this is simple: Within Scotch Gambit, it is not easy for White to get better opening position...

The best Black moves to answer Scotch Gambit are the following 4: (1) 4... Nf6 - appr. 45%; (2) 4... Bc5 - appr. 40%; (3) 4... Bb4+ - appr. 10%; (4) 4... Be7 - appr. 5%. Officially, Scotch Gambit has at least 11 variations: 3-4 of them are the most common...

Scotch Gambit: Some Variations

• Dubois-Reti Defence variation, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Nf6

• Scotch Gambit, a 4... Bc5 line, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5

• The 5.Ng5 variation, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.Ng5

• The 6.bxc3 variation, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bb4+ 5.c3 dxc3 6.bxc3

• Benima Defense variation, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Be7

• Cochrane-Shumov Defense variation, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.Ng5 Nh6 6.Nxf7 Nxf7 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Qxc5 d5

II. Scotch Gambit: Learn 4 Videos


To understand this chess opening in general, you are recommended to see first Video 1: Scotch Gambit - General Information. To learn the Scotch Gambit opening in a visible way, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

You have seen the above Video 1 - You have learn the general picture on Scotch Gambit... And now you are recommended to see Video 2 and Video 3: Both are located on separate pages, find their links below. Video 2 and Video 3 will display how to play some variations of Scotch Gambit.

To see Video 2: Scotch Gambit - How to Play Part 1, click this link:
See Video 2: Scotch Gambit - How to Play Part 1
Note: You can find this video at the bottom of the page open.
Note: This video will display 2 variations of Scotch Gambit.

To see Video 3: Scotch Gambit - How to Play Part 2, click this link:
See Video 3: Scotch Gambit - How to Play Part 2
Note: This video will display other 2 variations of Scotch Gambit.

To see Video 4: Scotch Gambit - How to Play Part 3, click this link:
See Video 4: Scotch Gambit - How to Play Part 3
Note: This video will display Cochrane-Shumov Defense variation of Scotch Gambit.

III. Scotch Gambit: Download PGN File


Find below the Scotch-Gambit.pgn file to download and see how it works in real games at the chess master level. To read the file, you will need a PGN Viewer Program. See Lesson 16, which explains you how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer Program.

The Scotch-Gambit.pgn file includes:
• The description of Scotch Gambit.
• Some variations of this chess opening.
• 12 Scotch Gambit chess games played by chess masters in 2009.

To download the Scotch Gambit PGN File, click the following link:

Download Scotch-Gambit.PGN File, 9 KB

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. To read the above PGN File and see the chess games inside it, you will need a PGN Viewer software. See Lesson 16, which explains how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer.

Links to All Chess Opening Lessons

You have learned the Scotch Gambit chess opening, and this was Lesson 32 for beginners on https://chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com ...

Scotch Gambit How to Play Video 3


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Scotch Gambit: How to Play Video 3: This chess video on Scotch Gambit will help you learn only one variation of this chess opening. The variation runs within the 4... Bc5 line of Scotch Gambit, and its name is Cochrane-Shumov Defense variation. Read more on it below...

Cochrane-Shumov Defense variation includes 9 designated moves. At first, it looks promising for White: White moves 5.Ng5 and his bishop and knight attack the Black's f7 square. White sacrifices a minor piece for one Black pawn, and then makes the Queen fork to take the sacrificed back...

Black is deprived of the castling move... However, the Black position is better... After this short introduction, now you are invited to learn Cochrane-Shumov Defense variation of Scotch Gambit in a visible way. To see the video, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

To replay on the chess board and learn Cochrane-Shumov Defense variation, which was shown in the video, please find this variation in writing below:

Variation: Scotch Gambit - Cochrane-Shumov Defence variation, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.Ng5 Nh6 6.Nxf7 Nxf7 7.Bxf7+ Kxf7 8.Qh5+ g6 9.Qxc5 d5 10.0-0 dxe4 11.c3 Re8 12.Bf4 Bf5
Note: Not recommended for White: If correct, Black is always better.

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You have seen Video 3 and learned how to play Scotch Gambit.

Scotch Gambit How to Play Video 2


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Scotch Gambit: How to Play Video 2: This chess video on Scotch Gambit will help you learn the next 2 variations: The 5.Ng5 variation (within the 4... Bc5 line) and The 6.bxc3 variation (within the 4... Bb4+ line). The following is more information to remind you...

The designated moves for Scotch Gambit are 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4, ECO C44. Scotch Gambit is a brother opening of Scotch Game. Note: The second brother opening of Scotch Game is Goering Gambit with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.c3, ECO C44 - not to be discussed.)

To answer Scotch Gambit, Black has 1 of the following 4 moves: (1) 4... Nf6 - appr. 45%; (2) 4... Bc5 - appr. 40%; (3) 4... Bb4+ - appr. 10%; (4) 4... Be7 - appr. 5%. Officially, Scotch Gambit has at least 11 variations: 3-4 of them are the most common...

And now you are ready to see the video. Within the video, please pay attention to the recommendation not to play for White The 5.Ng5 variation (within the 4... Bc5 line)... To see the Scotch Gambit: How to Play Video [2], just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

To replay on the chess board and learn the Scotch Gambit variations which were shown in the video as Variations 1 and 2, please find them in writing below:

Variation 1: Scotch Gambit - The 5.Ng5 variation, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.Ng5 Nh6! 6.c3 0-0 7.0-0 d6 8.h3 a6 9.cxd4 Nxd4 10.a3 b5 11.Ba2 c6
Note: Not recommended for White. If correct, Black is always better.

Variation 2: Scotch Gambit - The 6.bxc3 variation, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bb4+ 5.c3 dxc3 6.bxc3 Ba5 7.0-0 d6 8.Qb3 Qf6 9.Bg5 Qg6
Note: Black can get equal position. But this variation is little risky for Black.

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You have seen Video 2 and learned how to play Scotch Gambit.

Scotch Gambit How to Play Video 1


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Scotch Gambit: How to Play Video [1]: This chess video on Scotch Gambit will help you learn its 2 main variations: Dubois-Reti Defense variation and Scotch Gambit, a 4... Bc5 line. Before seeing the video, please read the following short information on this opening.

Scotch Gambit is a brother opening of Scotch Game, but it is not so common. The reason for this is simple: Within Scotch Gambit, it is not easy for White to get better position... The designated moves order for Scotch Gambit is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4. ECO Code C44.

To answer Scotch Gambit, Black has 1 of the following 4 moves: (1) 4... Nf6 - appr. 45%; (2) 4... Bc5 - appr. 40%; (3) 4... Bb4+ - appr. 10%; (4) 4... Be7 - appr. 5%. Officially, Scotch Gambit has at least 11 variations: 3-4 of them are the most common...

And now you are ready to see the video. Within the video, pay special attention to the last section how not to play for Black (do not play 5... dxc3 in Variation 2)... To see the Scotch Gambit: How to Play Video [1], just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

To replay on the chess board and learn the Scotch Gambit variations which were shown in the video, please find them in writing below:

Variation 1: Scotch Gambit - Dubois-Reti Defense variation, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Nf6 5.e5 d5 6.Bb5 Ne4 7.Nxd4 Bd7 8.Bxc6 bxc6 9.O-O Bc5 10.f3 Ng5 11.Be3 0-0

Variation 2: Scotch Gambit - Scotch Gambit, a 4... Bc5 line, C44:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 Bc5 5.c3 Nf6 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Nxe4 8.O-O Bxc3 9.d5 Bf6 10.Re1 Ne7 11.Rxe4 d6

Note: In Variation 2, Scotch Gambit, a 4... Bc5 line, remember not to play 5... dxc3 for Black because White will conduct a short combination... and after this combination White will be better. You can see this in the video within its last section. Thank you!

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You have seen Video 1 and learned how to play Scotch Gambit.

Scotch Game | Lesson 31


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[•: Open Game Openings 1.e4 e5 - One by One]

Lesson 31 is designed for chess beginners to learn the Scotch Game chess opening. It includes 2 chess videos (Video 1: Scotch Game General Information, Video 2: Scotch Game How to Play), the text and explanations on the Scoth Game, and the PGN file to download, replay and see how this opening is played in real.

Latest Chess Opening Information and New Links

I. Scotch Game: Data and Variations


Chess Opening Name: Scotch Game
Type: An Open Game opening (starts with 1.e4 e5)
Moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4
ECO Code: C45 (C45 is only Scotch Game)

Scotch Game chess opening

Scotch Game: General Description

Scotch Game got its name from a correspondence match in 1824 between Edinburgh (Scotland) and London. It is a good sample of an Open Game. Being popular today, the opening was played by Garry Kasparov who considered it as a nice replacement for the multivariation Ruy Lopes.

At the very beginning, White occupies the center by placing his pawn on e4 and knight on d4, which is a challenge for Black to compensate the initial opening's position and break it through at the game opening's phase... The best Black moves to answer Scotch Game are the following 4:

(1) 4... Bc5 (common appr. for 45%), (2) 4... Nf6 (common appr. for 40%), (3) 4... Nxd4 (common appr. for 10%), and (4) 4... Qh4 (common appr. for 5%). Officially, Scotch Game has 21 variations. As today, the most common 4-6 variations are being played for appr. 90% of all the games on Scotch Game.

Scotch Game: Some Variations

• The 4... Bc5 variation, C45:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5

• Meitner variation, C45:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Be3 Qf6 6.c3 Nge7 7.Nc2

• Schmidt variation, C45:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6

• Ghulam Kassim variation, C45:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nxd4 5.Qxd4 d6 6.Bd3

• Horwitz Attack variation, C45:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Qh4 5.Nb5

II. Scotch Game: Learn 2 Videos


To understand this chess opening in general, you are recommended to see Video 1: Scotch Game - General Information. To learn the Scotch Game opening in a visible way, click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

To see Video 2: Scotch Game - How to Play, click this link:
See Video 2: Scotch Game - How to Play
Note: You can find Video 2 at the bottom of the page open.

III. Scotch Game: Download PGN File


Find below the Scotch-Game.pgn file to download and learn how this chess opening works in real and see its latest tendencies. To read the file, you will need a PGN Viewer Program. See Lesson 16, which explains you how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer Program.

Within the Scotch-Game.pgn file, you will find:

• Description, main lines, some variations, and how to play 3 of them.
• 20 chess games played on Scotch Game by chess masters in 2008-2009.
• The computer program's analysis on each game's opening phase, and more...

To see how Scotch Game works in real at the chess master level and download the Scotch Game PGN file, click the following link:

Download the Scotch-Game.pgn File (12 KB)

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. To read the above PGN File and see the chess games inside it, you will need a PGN Viewer software. See Lesson 16, which explains how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer.

You can find more Open Game chess openings to learn:

Danish Gambit   • Petroff Defense   • Philidor Defense

Chess Openings - See All Lessons

The next chess opening to study on this website is the Scotch Gambit (Lesson 32). And on this page you've learned the Scotch Game chess opening ECO C45, which starts with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4. The Scotch Game is a sample of open game chess openings because it starts with 1.e4 e5...

Scotch Game How to Play Video


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[•: To the Main Page of Scotch Game]

Scotch Game How to Play - Video: This chess video on Scotch Game will help you learn its 3 main variations. This opening video is also designed to help you develop feel of correctly playing Scotch Game and learn the opening's ideas, developing squares, and typical positions.

Before you play the video, please read the following information to better understand a general picture on Scotch Game... Today this chess opening is being popular. It was played by Garry Kasparov who considered Scotch Game as a nice alternative to multivariation Ruy Lopes.

Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4, C45) and Scotch Gambit (to be discussed later: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Bc4 (or 4.c3), C44) are two parts of the Scotch Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4, C44-45). Scotch Game is an excited one to play for White and Black.

To answer Scotch Game, Black has 1 of the next 4 moves: (1) 4... Bc5 - appr. 45% in 2009; (2) 4... Nc6 - appr. 40%; (3) 4... Nxd4 - appr. 10%; (4) 4... Qh4 - appr. 5%. Officially, Scotch Game has 21 variations: 4 - 6 of them are the most commonly played. The opening is useful for beginners...

The video will display how to correctly play the following 3 main variations of Scotch Game: Meitner variation, Schmidt variation, and Horwitz Attack variation. To see the Scotch Game How to Play video, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.
• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

To replay on the chess board and learn the Scotch Game variations which were shown in the above video, see them in writing below:

Variation 1: Scotch Game - Meitner variation, C45
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Be3 Qf6 6.c3 Nge7 7.Nc2 d6 8.Bxc5 dxc5 9.Ne3 Qg6 10.Nd2 0-0

Variation 2: Scotch Game - Schmidt variation, C45
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Nc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.exd5 cxd5 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bg5 Be6 11.Qf3 Be7

Variation 3: Scotch Game - Horwitz Attack variation, C45
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Qh4 5.Nb5 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Qxe4+ 7.Be2 Kd8 8.0-0 Nf6 9.N1c3 Qh4 10.g3 Qh3 11.Bf3

Ponziani Opening How to Play Video


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Video - Ponziani Opening How to Play: This chess video on Ponziani Opening will help you learn 3 main variations of this chess opening. The video is also designed to help you develop feel of correctly playing Ponziani Opening and learn ideas, developing squares, etc.

Before you play the video, please read the following information to better understand a general picture on playing Ponziani Opening... Today this chess opening has been forgotten. It is difficult even to find sample games on Pozniani Opening at the chess master level. But...

Pozniani Opening must be good for White. If you play correctly for White, you will have at least an equal position. As with any opening, the main problem is to have idea how to play it. And now you are proposed to find the video below and see it. Maybe you will like this opening...

The video will display how to correctly play 3 main variations of Pozniani Opening: Leonhardt variation, Jaenisch Counterattack variation, and Ponziani Countergambit variation. To see the Ponziani Opening How to Play video, click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

To replay on the chess board and learn the Ponziani Opening variations which were shown in the above video, see them in writing below:

Variation 1: Ponziani Opening - Leonhardt variation, C44
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 Nf6 5.Nxe5 Bd6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.d3! 0-0 8.Be2 Re8 9.Bg5 h6 10.Bxf6 Qxf6 11.Nd2

Variation 2: Ponziani Opening - Jaenisch Counterattack variation, C44
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6 4.d4 Nxe4 5.d5 Nb8 6.Nxe5 Bc5 7.Qg4 0-0 8.Qxe4 d6 9.Bd3 f5 10.Qc4 b5! 11.Qxb5 Qe7 12.0-0 dxe5 13.Bg5!

Variation 3: Ponziani Opening - Ponziani Countergambit variation, C44
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 f5 4.d4 fxe4 5.Nxe5 Qf6 6.Ng4 Qg6 7.d5! Nd8 8.Be2 Bc5 9.0-0 Nf7

This is a secondary page of the Ponziani Opening. To return to the Home Page of the Ponziani Opening, use the link at the top of this page.

Ponziani Opening | Lesson 30


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[• Get: PDF eBook on Ponziani Opening on This Page]

This Lesson 30 is designed for chess beginners to learn the Ponziani Opening, an oldest opening in the history of chess. The lesson includes text, PDF ebook and the following 2 chess videos: Video 1 Ponziani Opening General Information and Video 2 Ponziani Opening How to Play (see them below).

Note. The PGN file on the Ponziani Opening will not be developed on this website -- or may be later on. Instead, you can download a special free PDF ebook "Pozniani Opening: How to Win." Small in size, the above PDF ebook will provide you with detailed information on the Ponziani Opening.

Latest Chess Opening Links

I. Ponziani Opening: Data and Variations


Chess Opening Name: Ponziani Opening
Type: Open Game opening (begins with 1.e4 e5)
Moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3
ECO Code: C44

Ponziani Opening

Note. C44 is not only Ponziani Opening.
Note. C44 is also Tayler Opening, Inverted Hanham, and some others.
Note. Looking for Ponziani Opening games by C44, please check the move order.

Ponziani Opening General Description

Ponziani Opening is an oldest opening in the history of chess. It is named after Domenico Lorenzo Ponziani (1719 – 1796) who was an Italian law professor, priest, chess player, chess writer and composer. The opening is also called English Knight's Game or Staunton's Opening.

The main features of Ponziani Opening follows. By moving 3.c3, White goes for the center control. At the same time, the pawn on c3 slightly delays the White development of the minor pieces at the Queen's side. Because of this, today Ponziani Opening is being played rarely at all levels of chess.

Black may get slightly better position if he knows how to play it correctly. For White, Pozniani Opening may be effectively used from time to time against an unprepared opponent. To some extend, the opening is similar to Ruy Lopes (3.Bb5)and Italian Game (3.Bc4), which are much more popular today...

As a respond to Pozniani Opening, Black is to answer the following 1 of 5: (1) 3... d5 - one of the best moves; (2) 3... Nf6 - one of the best moves; (3) 3... f5 - old one (original Ponziani's move); (4) 3... Nge7; (5) 3... Be7. Officially, there are 11 variations; the most common 4-6.

Main Variations

Leonhardt variation, C44
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 d5 4.Qa4 Nf6

Jaenisch Counterattack variation, C44
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 Nf6

Ponziani Countergambit variation, C44
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 f5

II. Ponziani Opening: Learn 2 Videos


To better understand this chess opening, you are recommended to see Video 1: Ponziani Opening - General Information. To learn Ponziani Opening in a visible way, click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

To see Video 2: Ponziani Opening - How to Play, click the next link:
Ponziani Opening Play Video
Note: You can find Video 2 at the bottom of the page open.

III. Ponziani Opening: Download PDF eBook


To learn Ponziani Opening, you can download the following PDF ebook:

Ponziani Opening - How to Win, PDF eBook; 102 KB

Note 1. The above PDF file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. The above link will open in a new window of your web browser.

Sister Chess Blog | Chess Video Blog

Chess Openings for Beginners - See All Lessons

The next chess opening to study on this website is the Scotch Game (Lesson 31). And on this page you've learned the Ponziani Opening, ECO C44, which starts with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3... The Ponziani Opening is a representative of open game chess openings because it starts with 1.e4 e5.

Petroff Defense | Lesson 29


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[•: Learn Open Game Chess Openings 1.e4 e5]

Lesson 29 will help you learn the Petroff Defense chess opening. It includes 3 chess videos: Video 1 Petroff Defense General Information, Video 2 Petroff Defense How to Play, and Video 3 Petroff Defense Trap. Video 1 is located on this page, Videos 2-3 on separated pages (their links below). The lesson also holds the PGN file to download, replay and learn how the Petroff Defense games are played in real.

Latest Chess Opening Information and New Links

I. Petroff Defense: Data and Variations


Opening Name: Petroff Defense
Type: Open Game opening (begins with 1.e4 e5)
Moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
ECO Codes: C42-C43

Petroff Defense

Petroff Defense: General Description

This chess opening is named after the first recognized Russian chess master Alexander Petroff (Petrov). Alexander Petroff (1794-1867) is also a famous world chess composer. In Russia, this opening is called the Russian Game. The opening may be also spelled as Petrov, Petrov's, Petroff, or Petroff's Defense.

The Petroff Defense opening is recognizable, respected, and a popular Open Game at the chess master level. It is being played at the top level chess. The main feature of Petroff Defense is the the following: Instead of defending the e5 pawn, Black counter-attacks at the very beginning to take the initiative.

The Petroff Defense may transpose into the Four Knights Game, Bishop's Opening, and into some other openings. For chess beginners, it is important to learn one trap which is possible at the very beginning of this opening (see video 2). The best White moves to answer Petroff Defense are the following 3:

(1) 3.Nxe5 (common today appr. for 60%), (2) 3.d4 (common today appr. for 20%), and (3) 3.Nc3 (common today appr. for 15%). Officially, Petroff Defense has 28 variations. As today, the most common 6-8 variations are being played for appr. 90% of all games on Petroff Defense. 3 most common variations of the Petroff Defense are:

1. Cozio (Lasker) Attack. 2. Modern (Steinitz) Attack. 3. Petroff Three Knights Game.

II. Petroff Defense: Learn 3 Videos (1 Trap)


To get a picture on this chess opening, you are recommended to see Video 1: Petroff Defense General Information. The video runs for 2 min. 26 sec.. It will give you general information, show some statistics, 3 common variations and more... To learn the Petroff Defense chess opening in a visible way, click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

To see Video 2: Petroff Defense - How to Play, click this link:
See Video 2: Petroff Defense - How to Play
Note: You can find Video 2 at the bottom of the page open.

To see Video 3: Petroff Defense Trap, click this link:
See Video 3: Petroff Defense Trap
Note: You can find Video 3 at the bottom of the page open.

III. Petroff Defense: Download PGN File


Find below the Petroff-Defense.pgn file to download and see how it works in real games at the chess master level. To read the file, you will need a PGN Viewer Program. See Lesson 16, which explains you how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer Program.

The Petroff-Defense.pgn file was compiled in the following way:

• The file includes 3 main variations and displays how to correctly play them.
• Also, the file includes 16 chess games played on Petroff Defense in 2009.
• The chess games were selected randomly, all FIDE players rated 2389-2751.

• All the names of the chess players were removed.
• The game results and tournament names were removed as well.
• The games are shown from the beginning to the end of the opening phase.

• At this point, the positions were analyzed by a computer program.
• You will see the result of the program's analysis, like this...
• "If White finds a best line ..., White will be better at 0.24 pawns."

• The computer program's analysis will help you:
• To analyze who was better at playing the opening.
• To understand how to correctly enter the middle game...

To see how Petroff Defense works in real games at the chess master level, click the following link:

Download the Petroff-Defense.pgn File, 9 KB

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. To read the above PGN File and see the chess games inside it, you will need a PGN Viewer software. See Lesson 16, which explains how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer.

Chess Openings for Beginners - See All Lessons

The next one to study on this website is the Ponziani Opening (Lesson 30). And on this page you've learned the Petroff Defense chess opening, C42-C43, which starts with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6... The Petroff Defense is a representative of open game chess openings because it starts with 1.e4 e5.

Petroff Defense Video How to Play Variations


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Video - Petroff Defense How to Play Variations: This chess opening video on Petroff Defense will help you learn 3 main variations of this opening. This video is also designed to help you develop feel of correctly playing Petroff Defense and learn ideas, developing squares, etc.

Before you play the video, please read the following information to better understand a general picture on playing Petroff Defense... Officially, there are 28 variations of Petroff Defense. But, there are only 6 main variations that cover appr. 95% of all the games played on Petroff Defense.

The video will display 3 (of 6) main variations that cover appr.60% of all the games played on Petroff Defense - The calculations were made based on the recent games played on Petroff Defense at the chess master level. To see the Petroff Defense How to Play video, click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

To replay on the chess board and learn the Petroff Defense variations which were shown in the above video, see them in writing below:

Main Variation 1: Petroff Defense - Cozio (Lasker) Attack Variation, C42
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Qe2 Qe7 6.d3 Nf6 7.Bg5 Qxe2+ 8.Bxe2 Be7 9.Nc3 c6 10.O-O-O Na6
Note: C42 is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {3.Any White move but not d4

Main Variation 2: Philidor Defense - Classical Attack Variation, C42
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.c4
Note: C42 is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 {3.Any White move but not d4

Main Variation 3: Petroff Defense - Modern(Steinitz) Attack Variation, C43
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 d5 5.Nxe5 Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.c4 Nf6
Note: C43 is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 {3... Any Black move

Be sure to see also Video: Petroff Defense - Learn This Trap. The video will show you the main trap of Petroff Defense which is very common for chess beginners. After this, you must be safe to play Petroff Defense. The Petroff Defense - Learn This Trap video is located on this page:

The Petroff Defense Trap - Video

You can also access the above video from the Main Page of Petroff Defense.

Petroff Defense Trap Video


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[•: To the Main Page of Petroff Defense]

Video: Petroff Defense Trap: Find this chess video on the chess opening trap below. The video will show you the Petroff Defense opening trap, which is possible at the very beginning of the game... The Petroff is reliable. It is safe to play for Black. The Petroff Defense opening is also popular at the top-level chess. From the very beginning, Black attempts to take the initiative. Within the Petroff Defense opening, Black may get good opening position to explore...

But there is one common trap that you must know about... The following is more information on this trap. The designated moves of Petroff Defense have just been made... 2 knights and 2 pawns at the center under opposition... White is taking the pawn and... The first desire of the Black player is to take the White pawn in respond. Be aware of this mistake... There is only one best move for Black to answer. For sure, Black may safely take the White pawn but little later.

Besides, the Black blunder may follow the mistake. If the blunder move is made, it will be too late for Black... The video will show you how to use and how to avoid the trap... The Petroff Defense: Learn This Trap video is ready to show up. You will learn the mistake, the blunder, the correct line of play, and why it is not recommended to make this mistake within Petroff Defense... To see and learn this video on chess opening traps, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

You have seen the video about the Petroff Defense Trap. After this, you are recommended to return back to the Main Page of Petroff Defense (see the link at the top of this page).

Philidor Defense | Lesson 28


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[• Learn: All Open Game Chess Openings e4 e5]

This chess opening lesson is designed for beginners to learn Philidor Defense. The lesson holds 4 chess videos (Video 1: Philidor Defense - General Information | Video 2: Philidor Defense - How to Play | Video 3: Philidor Defense - Trap 1 | Video 4: Philidor Defense - Trap 2)...

Video 1 is located on this page; Videos 2-3-4 on separated pages. Find the links to Videos 2-3-4 on this page below... The lesson is also the textual part to read and the .PGN file to download and learn the real chess games, which were played on Philidor Defense in 2009 by chess masters.

By composition, this chess opening lesson is divided into 3 parts:
I. Philidor Defense: Data and Variations
II. Philidor Defense Videos: See a Picture, How to Play, and 2 Traps
III. Philidor Defense PGN File: Download and Learn Real Games

Latest Chess Opening Information and New Links


I. Philidor Defense: Data and Variations



Opening Name: Philidor Defense
Type: Open Game opening (begins with 1.e4 e5)
Move Order: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6
ECO Code: C41

Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Description

This chess opening is named after the famous 18th century player Francois-Andre Philidor. The main 2 features of Philidor Defense are the following: 1. Black creates strong defense, but his chess pieces are limited in movement. 2. If you want to play Philidor Defense for Black, be sure to learn 2 traps.

The best White moves to answer Philidor Defense are 3.d4 (for 60-70%) or 3.Bc4 (for 10-15%). As an answer for the White move 3.d4, it is not recommended for Black to play 3... Bg4? or 3... f5?!. At the chess master level, it is popular to use the alternative move order for Philidor Defense.


II. Philidor Defense Videos: See a Picture, How to Play, and 2 Traps



Now, you are recommended to see Video 1: Philidor Defense - General Information. To see and learn the Philidor Defense chess opening in a visible way, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

See also Video 2: Philidor Defense - How to Play clicking the next link:

See Video 2: Philidor Defense - How to Play
Note: You can find Video 2 at the bottom of the page open.

See also Video 3: Philidor Defense - Trap 1 by clicking the next link:

See Video 3: Philidor Defense - Trap 1
Note: You can find Video 3 at the bottom of the page open.

See also Video 4: Philidor Defense - Trap 2 by clicking the next link:

See Video 4: Philidor Defense - Trap 2
Note: You can find Video 4 at the bottom of the page open.


III. Philidor Defense PGN File: Download and Learn Real Games



Find below the Philidor-Defense.pgn file to download and see how this opening works in real games at the chess master level. To read the file, you will need a PGN Viewer Program. See Lesson 16, which explains you how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer Program. Before downloading the file, please read in which way it was compiled and what you will see within it.

The Philidor-Defense.pgn file was created in the following way:

• The file includes main variations and displays how to correctly play 3 variations.
• In addition, the file includes 24 chess games played on Philidor Defense in the year 2009.
• The chess games were selected randomly, all FIDE players rated 2027-2696.

• All the names of the chess players were removed, their ELO ratings kept intact.
• The game results and tournament names were removed as well.
• The chess games are shown from the game beginning to the middle game stage only.

• At this point, the positions were analyzed by a computer program.
• You will see the result of the program's analysis, like this...
• "If White finds a best line ..., Black will be slightly better at 0.09 pawns."

• The computer program's analysis will help you:
• To analyze who was better at playing Philidor Defense.
• To understand how to correctly continue the middle game...

To see how Philidor Defense works at the chess master level, click the following link:

Download the Philidor-Defense.pgn File (15 KB)

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. To read the above PGN File and see the chess games inside it, you will need a PGN Viewer software. See Lesson 16, which explains how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer.

Chess Openings for Beginners - See All Lessons


The next chess opening to study on this website is the Petroff Defense (Lesson 29). And on this page you've learned the Philidor Defense chess opening, ECO C41, which starts with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6... The Philidor Defense is a representative of open game chess openings because it starts with 1.e4 e5.

Philidor Defense How to Play


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[•: To the Main Page of Philidor Defense]

Philidor Defense - How to Play is the chess video which represents a general picture on how to play the Philidor Defense chess opening. You can find this chess opening video below. The following is what it is all about...

The Philidor Defense - How to Play video will show you how to play 2 variations of Philidor Defense. It will also give a Short If-Then Reference on playing this chess opening. Please be advised that it is only the short reference...

The video will display Exchange Variation and Improved Hanham Variation. It will also show the main lines and main move-answers. To see the Philidor Defense - How to Play video, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

To replay on the chess board and learn the Philidor Defense variations which were shown in the above video, see them in writing below:

Variation 1: Philidor Defense - Exchange Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7 6.Bf4 O-O 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0

Variation 2: Philidor Defense - Improved Hanham Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Qe2 c6 8.a4 Qc7

The below is how to play Philidor Defense in general. For Black, it is a strong defense but limited in movement. There are 2 main lines: 3.d4 (main) and 3.Bc4. The 3.d4 line is common for 60-70%... Be sure to learn 2 traps within the Philidor Defense opening.

As an answer for the White move 3.d4, it is not recommended for Black to play 3... Bg4? or 3... f5?!. Nowadays, at the chess master level it is popular to use an alternative move order to begin Philidor Defense. The alternative move order may be this one: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3...

You have seen the 2nd video on Philidor Defense. Now you are recommended to return to the Main Page of Philidor Defense to continue (see the link at the top of this page).

Philidor Defense Trap 2 Learn


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Philidor Defense: Trap 2 - Learn. This chess video will show you Trap 2, which begins from the Philidor Defense opening. Please remember: If you want to play Philidor Defense for Black, be sure to have learned the Philidor Defense traps. Read more on Trap 2 next...

The game starts as Philidor Defense. Then it transposes into another chess opening... Inside the video, pay close attention to and be sure to learn this typical position. If Black makes a looked-to-be "strong move", he will be trapped. The combination is called the Legal's Mate...

Learn Trap 2 to know how to use and avoid the trap... The best White answer for Philidor Defense is 3.d4... Please be aware of the 3.Bc4 line (second line) in Philidor Defense. To see and learn this video Philidor Defense: Trap 2 - Learn, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

You have seen the 4th video on Philidor Defense. Now you are recommended to return to the Main Page of Philidor Defense to continue (see the link at the top of this page).

Philidor Defense Trap 1 Learn


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[•: To the Main Page of Philidor Defense]

Philidor Defense: Trap 1 - Learn. This chess video will show you Trap 1 within the Philidor Defense chess opening. Please remember: If you want to play Philidor Defense for Black, be sure to have learned the Philidor Defense traps. New video on Philidor Defense Trap 2 is to be published soon.

Learn Trap 1 to know how to use and avoid the trap... The best White answer for Philidor Defense is 3.d4... Please be aware of the 3.Bc4 line (second line) in Philidor Defense. To see and learn this video Philidor Defense: Trap 1 - Learn, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

You have seen the 3rd video on Philidor Defense. Now you are recommended to return to the Main Page of Philidor Defense to continue (see the link at the top of this page).

A Vienna Game Chess Opening Trap


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[•: To the Main Page of Vienna Game]

Below on this page you can see a video dedicated to a Vienna Game chess opening trap. See it below to learn this chess opening trap which may be delivered by a White player, provided that the Black king makes a wrong move in the Vienna Game. The result of this opening trap is Black being checkmated at the start of the game.

A Vienna Game trap

Before seeing the video, please look at the above picture and read the text below... The Vienna Game chess opening starts as 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 (see the picture). Then the Vienna Game may run via this line: 2... Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 d5! (strong Black move with better position for Black).

Note 1. Instead of 4.Nxe4, White should play 4. Qh5 Nd6 5. Qxe5+ (or 5.Bb3).
Note 2. Instead of 4.Nxe4, White may play 4.Bxf7+ with trapping threat.
Note 3. Now you are ready to see the below video on the Vienna Game trap.

The video will show you the Vienna Game trap as possible White answer for the Black attempt to conduct the nice positional combination on d5. This trap is possible only if the Black king makes a blunder. Learn this trap and know how to avoid it!

After the check on f7 by a White bishop, the Black king must return back to avoid the trap. If so, then the opening position will be equal. If not... See the video Vienna Game Learn This Trap by clicking the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

To the Main Page of the Vienna Game

You have seen the 3rd video on the Vienna Game chess opening on this website -- dedicated to a chess opening trap in the Vienna Game. Now you are recommended to return to the Main Page of the Vienna Game to continue (see its link just above or at the top of this page). Thank you!

Vienna Game | Lesson 27


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[•: Open Game Openings e4 e5 - One by One]

This lesson is designed for chess beginners to learn the Vienna Game chess opening. The lesson includes the following 3 chess videos on the Vienna Game: Video 1 General Information, Video 2 How to Play, and Video 3 Learn This Trap. Video 1 on the Vienna Game chess opening is located on this page below.

Video 2 and Video 3 (see their links below) are located on separated pages, and they will open in the same window of your browser. This chess lesson also includes the text to read, the pictures to see, and the PGN file to download and learn the real games which were played by chess masters on the Vienna Game.

Note. At the bottom of Part I (Vienna Game: Official Data and Lines), you can see and study 6 proven lines how to correctly play the Vienna Game.

Latest Chess Opening Information and New Links

I. Vienna Game: Official Data and Lines


Opening Name: Vienna Game
Type: An Open Game opening (starts with 1.e4 e5)
Move Order: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3
ECO Codes: C25-C29

Vienna Game

The Vienna Game chess opening was invented in the 19th century by a group of Vienna's chess players lead by chess master Carl Hamppe. Vienna Game was born as "delayed King's Gambit" with White playing 3.f4. This variation is still being played today, together with some other variations.

Within the Vienna Game, Black can get good position. To answer Vienna Game, the best 3 moves for Black are: *2... Nf6, *2... Nc6, and *2... Bc5. Black often uses the strong pawn move on d5, which works in many positions of this opening. However, in rare situations White might trap on Black's d5.

The Vienna Game trap with d5 is shown in Video 3: 1 Trap - Learn Vienna Game Chess Opening Trap. The Vienna Game may transpose into the King's Gambit Declined, the Four Knights Game, and some other openings. The Vienna Game is organic and very beautiful in play. It can be met at the top-level of chess.

Vienna Game

Study 6 proven lines how to correctly play the Vienna Game:
• 2... Nf6 3.f4 d5! 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7!
(sharp: if 5.d3 Qh4+ 6.g3 Nxg3 7.Nf3 Qh5 8.Nd5 Nxh1 9. Nxc7+ Kd8 10. Nxa8)
• 2... Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 (if 4.Nxe4 d5!) 5.Bb3 Nc6 (or 5.Qxe5+ Qe7)
• 2... Nf6 3.g3 Bc5 4.Bg2 d6 5.Nf3 Nc6
• 2... Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bb4 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6
• 2... Bc5 3.Nf3 d6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Nc6 6.Be3

II. Vienna Game: 3 Videos and 1 Trap


Now, you are recommended to see Video 1: Vienna Game - General Information. To learn the Vienna Game chess opening in a visual way, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

To see Video 2, click the next link:

Video 2: Vienna Game How to Play Some Variations

To see Video 3, click the next link:

Video 3: 1 Trap - Learn Vienna Game Chess Opening Trap

In Part III, you can download the Vienna Game PGN file to open and learn how this chess opening is played at the chess master level.

III. Vienna Game: Download PGN File to Learn Real Vienna Games


Find below the Vienna-Game.pgn file to download and see how the Vienna Game works in real games at the chess master level. To read the file, you will need a PGN Viewer Program. See Lesson 16, which explains you how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer Program - you will need this chess program to open and replay all chess games within the PGN file. Before downloading the Vienna-Game.pgn file, please read how it was compiled and what you will see within it.

The Vienna-Game.pgn file was created in a special way, explained below:

• The file includes main variations and displays how to correctly play two of them.
• The file includes 24 chess games played on the Vienna Game in the year 2009.
• The chess games were selected randomly, all FIDE players rated 2051-2725.

• All the names of the chess players and their ratings were removed.
• The game results and tournament names were removed as well.
• The chess games are shown from the start of the game to the middle game.

• At this point, the positions were analyzed by a computer program.
• You will see the result of the program's analysis, like this...
• "If White finds a best line ..., Black will be still better at 0.52 pawns."

• The computer program's analysis will help you:
• To analyze who was better at playing the Vienna Game.
• To understand how to correctly continue the middle game...

To see how the Vienna Game works in real games at the chess master level, download and read with a PGN viewer the next PGN file:

Download the Vienna-Game.pgn File (14 KB)

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. The above link will open in a new window of your web browser.

To see all lessons on Chess-Openings-for-Beginners.Blogspot.com:

Chess Openings for Beginners - See All Lessons

The next chess opening to study on this website is the Philidor Defense (Lesson 28). And on this page you've learned the Vienna Game chess opening, ECO codes C25-C29, which starts with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3... The Vienna Game is a representative of open game chess openings because it starts with 1.e4 e5.

Vienna Game How to Play Video 2


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[•: To the Main Page of Vienna Game]

Vienna Game - How to Play Some Variations (continued). Video 2 will show how to play some variations of Vienna Game and the Black's d5 positional combination, which is a typical one for the Vienna Game opening.

The video will also display Short If-Then Reference on playing Vienna Game best. It is only short reference... To see Video 2: Vienna Game - How to Play Some Variations, just click the Play button below:




• If the opening video hasn't shown up, please wait a little.
• If the video stops, drag a little right the player's handle.

To replay on the chess board and learn the Vienna Game chess opening variations, which were shown in the above video, see them in writing below:

Variation 1: Vienna Game - Main Line (Vienna Gambit)
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Be7 6.d4 0-0 7.Bd3 f5 8.exf6 Bxf6 9.0-0 Nc6

Variation 2: Vienna Game - The 2... Nc6 Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d3 Bb4 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Qxf6 8.Ne2 d6 9.d4 0-0 10.0-0

You have seen the 2nd video on Viena Game. Now you are recommended to return to the Main Page of Viena Game to continue (see the link at the top of this page).

Danish Gambit | Lesson 26


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This lesson on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com is designed for chess beginners to learn the Danish Gambit chess opening. The Danish Gambit is an original, mobile and exiting chess opening. The Danish Gambit is very specific, risky and "may-be-quick" opening which is also aggressive for White: White gives up 1 or 2 pawns on will, to get fast development and attack.

As a rule, White gets overwhelming development and quickly deliver a powerful attack. The main task of Black in a Danish Gambit game is not to break down at the beginning and try to take steps for his own development and reducing the power of White. As for White, it is important to keep the power of 2 bishops (not to exchange) -- especially when the gambit is accepted.

So, the Danish Gambit games are divided into the Danish Gambit Accepted and Danish Gambit Declined... To reduce the power of White or sharpness of strong attack, Black may takes only 1 pawn, conducts a counter-gambit and returns back the sacrificed material at a later stage. Mostly as 3 to 4, Black accepts the gambit with 3... dxc3. The Danish Gambit is rarely played at top level.

The Danish Gambit is popular at beginner level but must be used sparingly. This gambit opening is very effective for White at novice level against a player who never met it before. Is the Danish Gambit good or is the Danish Gambit bad is explained in Chapter III at the bottom... To learn how to correctly play the Danish Gambit chess opening with all variations and lines, see Chapter II.

I. Danish Gambit Explained


Chess Opening Name: Danish Gambit
Moves to Memorize: 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3. c3
Encyclopedia of Chess Openings Code: C21
Note. ECO code C21 is not only Danish Gambit.

Danish Gambit

The Danish Gambit was invented by a Danish chess player in the 19th century, and it belongs to the Open Game chess openings (Open Games start with 1.e4 e5). The main feature of the Danish Gambit was already stated above, namely: White offers a sacrifice of 1 or 2 pawns on will to get quick overwhelming development and attack (while attacking, White must be mobile).

The Danish Gambit is a sub-variant of the C21 Center Game (1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4), but the Danish Gambit is a separate chess opening. Under the correct defense, Black can neutralize the White quick development... Because of this, the Danish Gambit is not popular at the top-level of chess but is playable and used as surprise. As for beginners, it is very exiting beautiful and nice opening...

It must be good idea to play the Danish Gambit against an unprepared opponent who is a novice (chess beginner)... You are not recommended (as beginner) to play the Danish Gambit as White party against a chess master. Playing the Danish Gambit as White against the master, you may find shortly that the greatest part of your game was only a great beginning :-(.

2 Chess Videos to Get a Feel of the Danish Gambit

II. How to Play the Danish Gambit


Danish Gambit

The below information on the Danish Gambit variations and how to play the Danish Gambit links will help you learn the following: how to play the Danish Gambit step by step, how to make the correct Danish Gambit moves (you will see proven lines played by chess masters and evaluated by chess engine; you will see Danish Gambit lines including the Declined and Accepted and all variations; you will learn a Danish trap)...

Study below the Danish Gambit all variations (3 official ones):
1. Collijn Defense:     3... dxc3 4.Bc4 cxb2 5.Bxb2 Qe7
2. Schlechter Defense: 3... dxc3 4.Bc4 cxb2 5.Bxb2 d5
3. Soerensen Defense: 3... d5

Use the following links to learn how to play the Danish Gambit (all variations):

How to Play the Danish Gambit Accepted 3... dxc3 (Most Common)

How to Play the Schlechter Defense of the Danish Gambit Accepted

How to Play the Danish Gambit Declined (Soerensen Defense)

How to Play the Unknown Collijn Defense 5... Qe7

Danish Gambit | PGN File

Use the link below to see on another page Video 3 which will help you learn the important Danish Gambit trap delivered by White -- the trap will show how Black may lose the queen:

Video 3: Danish Gambit - Learn This Important Trap

III. Is the Danish Gambit Sound?


Is the Danish Gambit sound opening or is the Danish bad? If we compare playing chess with war, the Danish Gambit opening must definitely resemble a blitzkrieg: the attacker mobilizes all his power to bring a swift victory, and it's important for the defender to repulse the first powerful attack. If the defender encounters it for the first time, he may be overwhelmed...

If the defender knows how to respond, the attacker may have some or even big problems... Blitzkrieg is a good tactic, but it must not be used in all the battles. However, it is effective when no time to think (in blitz chess games)... The Danish Gambit is a sound chess opening without any flaw, but it should be used sparingly. The Danish Gambit is also a good chess opening for chess beginners.

To see all lessons on this chess opening website, and more:

Chess Openings for Beginners - See All Lessons

How to Learn Openings on This Website

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This is the main page for the Danish Gambit on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com and Lesson 26 for chess beginners on this chess opening website. On this page, you could find information on the Danish Gambit chess opening and the needed links to learn how to play it. The Danish Gambit is an exciting opening for beginners. In chess games, it should be used sparingly.