Icannos/chess_studies huggingface dataset:
[Event "üçÑ Ideas in the London System üçÑ: - Black Plays Old Benoni"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/KjivNw7F/MVvO9WFO"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/FunnyAnimatorJimTV"]
[ECO "A43"]
[Opening "Benoni Defense: Benoni-Indian Defense"]
[UTCDate "2018.03.29"]
[UTCTime "12:05:14"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 c5 { Old Benoni Defense. Here as white you need to make some changes in our system. } ( 1... e6 2. Bf4 g5 3. Bg3 h5 4. h4 ) 2. d5 { The Old Benoni is a completely different opening and has a completely different structure you need to learn. } 2... Nf6 3. Nc3 { Very important move. Do not play c4, but play Nc3 instead. This has an advantage over typical Queen's Gambit Benoni positions, because the c pawn is left flexible. It can move to c3 blunting the a1-h8 diagonal, and also the c4 square is left free for a white piece. [%csl Bc3][%cal Yc2c4] } 3... d6 4. e4 g6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O Na6 8. Bf4 Nc7 9. a4 b6 10. h3 Bb7 11. Bc4 a6 12. Qd3 Qd7 13. Rfe1 Rad8 14. Rad1 Qc8 15. Qe3 Rfe8 16. Bh6 e6 17. Bxg7 Kxg7 18. dxe6 Nxe6 19. Nd5 Bxd5 20. Bxd5 Nd4 21. Nxd4 Nxd5 22. Qg5 Ne7 23. Ne2 Ng8 24. Nc3 Nf6 25. Rd3 b5 26. axb5 axb5 27. Rf3 Re6 28. Nxb5 Qb7 29. c4 Rde8 30. Rfe3 Nxe4 31. Qd5 Qe7 32. f3 Ng5 33. Rxe6 Nxe6 34. Nxd6 Rd8 35. Qe5+ Qf6 36. f4 h5 37. Re3 h4 38. b3 Ra8 39. f5 Qxe5 40. Rxe5 Kf6 41. Rd5 gxf5 42. Nxf5 Rb8 43. Nxh4 Rxb3 44. Rf5+ Kg7 45. Rf3 Rb1+ 46. Kh2 Rc1 47. Nf5+ Kg6 48. Nd6 f6 49. Rg3+ Kh5 50. Rg8 Rc2 51. Nf5 Nd4 52. Ne3 Re2 53. Nd5 Kh6 54. Nxf6 Nf3+ 55. Kg3 Ne1 56. Ng4+ Kh7 57. Re8 Rxg2+ 58. Kf4 Nd3+ 59. Ke4 { Hansen, Curt - Rechlis, Gad, 1-0, Jerusalem, 1986, https://lichess.org/sNkDgJlJ } 59... Ne1 60. Kd5 *
[Event "üçÑ Ideas in the London System üçÑ: - Black plays Dutch"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/KjivNw7F/vWUFGUqC"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/FunnyAnimatorJimTV"]
[ECO "A83"]
[Opening "Dutch Defense: Staunton Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2018.03.22"]
[UTCTime "02:04:10"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 f5 { Okay so when black plays the Dutch Defense, he is hoping you will play something normal like c4, Nf3, or even Bf4. In these cases he gets a normal position and he will use his preparation.
We want to force black to play differently. So in this case I am recommending the Staunton Gambit } 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 { 5 moves for black:
d5 is the most obvious move, but it is a blunder move
e6 will give white a good game
Nc6, g6 and c6 are the main moves [%cal Rd7d5,Gb8c6,Gc7c6,Ye7e6,Gg7g6] } 4... Nc6 { From here, you are going to have to do your own research on the Staunton Gambit. } ( 4... d5 { A very obvious move. But this is a blunder move for black. [%csl Gd5,Ge4] } 5. Bxf6 { Two ways to recapture. Both ways lose for black [%cal Re7f6,Rg7f6] } 5... gxf6 ( 5... exf6 6. Qh5+ g6 ( 6... Kd7 7. Qxd5+ Ke8 8. Qxe4+ ) ( 6... Ke7 ) 7. Qxd5 Qxd5 8. Nxd5 { [%csl Rc7,Rf6][%cal Rd5c7,Rd5f6] } 8... Kd8 9. Nxf6 Bf5 10. Ne2 { [%csl Re4,Rf5][%cal Re2g3,Rf6e4] } ) 6. Qh5+ Kd7 7. Qxd5+ Ke8 8. Qh5+ Kd7 9. O-O-O a6 10. Nxe4 { White is a pawn up and black's king is caught in the center [%csl Rd7,Ge4,Gh5,Bd4,Gd1][%cal Gd1d7] } ) ( 4... e6 5. Nxe4 { [%csl Ge4,Gg5][%cal Gf1d3,Gg1f3] } 5... Be7 6. Bd3 Nxe4 7. Bxe7 Qxe7 ( 7... Nxf2 8. Qh5+ Kxe7 9. Qh4+ Kf7 10. Qxf2+ Qf6 11. Nf3 ) 8. Bxe4 ) ( 4... c6 { Here you can gambit the pawn with f3, or if you don't want to do that you can simply regain your pawn with Bxf6 and Nxe4. In both cases you will get a good game.
You are going to have to do some research on your own. [%csl Rf3][%cal Rf2f3,Gg5f6,Gc3e4] } 5. f3 ) ( 4... g6 { You are going to have to some research of your own. } ) *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: Introduction"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/JrYtn0Ab"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "15:42:26"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Hello everyone! Welcome to my study on the Caro-Kann Defense. To celebrate 1,000 ❤ on my London System study (https://lichess.org/study/17XtK3x9), I held a vote to let you decide on which study I make next. The winner was the Caro-Kann Defense! } 1. e4 { The Caro-Kann is a very solid and very popular reply to 1. e4. It begins with 1. ... c6. Play that move on the board! } 1... c6 { What's the point of this seemingly strange move? It looks like it just blocks the c6-square for your knight, but it really intends to play ... d5. It tries to improve upon the other way to achieve this advance, 1. ... e6, by not blocking in the light-squared bishop. Let's explore this opening! } *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: King's Indian Attack"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/UZXqtccU"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Breyer Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "15:48:04"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Before we explore some of the main lines of the Caro-Kann, we have to learn a few sidelines: the King's Indian Attack, the Two Knights Variation, and the Accelerated Panov Attack. First up, the King's Indian Attack! } 1. e4 { How do we play the Caro-Kann? } 1... c6 2. d3 { If you've done my study on the French Defense, you should know this setup. But unlike in the French, black has some more options, often involving ... e5.
The main point of the Caro-Kann is to play 2. ... d5. Play that move on the board! } 2... d5 3. Nd2 { French Defense players should know white's setup. But unlike after 1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Nd2, we can move the e-pawn to e5 without losing a tempo by playing ... e6 and then ... e5. So, what do you think we should do? } 3... e5 4. Ngf3 { How can we develop a bishop and support our center? } 4... Bd6 5. g3 { Just natural development here. } 5... Nf6 6. Bg2 { More natural development... } 6... O-O 7. O-O { Bring a rook to the center. } 7... Re8 { Nice work! We have a big center and easy development. It can be hard for white to find a good plan. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Variation"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/k0esRN1R"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "B11"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Two Knights Attack, Mindeno Variation, Exchange Line"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "15:56:58"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The Two Knights is another setup that is used in both the French and Caro-Kann, though it's much stronger against the Caro. } 1. e4 { How do we play the Caro-Kann? } 1... c6 2. Nc3 { 2. Nf3 can lead to the same setup. How do we usually counterattack in the center? } 2... d5 3. Nf3 { This is the Two Knights Variation. The critical move is 3. ... Bg4, which pins a knight and develops actively. So, why not play it? } 3... Bg4 4. h3 { The critical reply. Now, tactical players will love to play 4. ... Bh5 5. exd5 cxd5 6. Bb5+ Nc6 7. g4 Bg6 8. Ne5 (after you finish this chapter, click "analyze" and you can see these moves played on the board). On the other hand, positional players will prefer 4. ... Bxf3. As the Caro-Kann is a positional opening, I'll use this as our main line - so, play 4. ... Bxf3. [%csl Gf3][%cal Gg4f3,Bg4h5] } 4... Bxf3 ( 4... Bh5 { The variation for tactical players. } 5. exd5 cxd5 6. Bb5+ Nc6 7. g4 Bg6 8. Ne5 { and a sharp battle is coming. } ) 5. Qxf3 { Now, we often reach King's Indian Attack-like lines. To begin, solidify our central position with 5. ... e6. } 5... e6 6. g3 { Develop a knight } 6... Nf6 7. Bg2 { Now, white's main idea is to play e5. But, we can just develop and stop this advance, such as by playing ... Nbd7, ... Bd6, and at some point ... e5. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/ta3ECgLy"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Accelerated Panov Attack, Modern Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "16:07:57"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The Accelerated Panov Attack is in my opinion the strongest sideline against the Caro-Kann. It aims to be an improved version of the Panov-Botvinnik Attack, which is a strong enough line already! How can we counter this deadly opening? } 1. e4 { You should know what to do... } 1... c6 2. c4 { This is the Accelerated Panov Attack. Our second move should just be our usual counterattack. } 2... d5 3. exd5 cxd5 { Now 4. d4 is the standard Panov-Botvinnik, which we'll study later. The move that keeps things in Accelerated Panov Territory is... } 4. cxd5 { We don't really want to take on d5 with our queen and get chased around with moves like Nc3, so it's better to develop and prepare to take back with the knight. } 4... Nf6 { Now black has two annoying checks, 5. Bb5+ and 5. Qa4+. One sample line is 5. Bb5+ Nbd7 (the best reply to both checks) 6. Nc3. Now, 6. ... g6 and just developing and 6. ... a6 breaking the pin, are both good (when you finish the chapter, press "analyze" to see these moves played on the board.) But instead, white has a more popular move: } 5. Nc3 { Just win back the pawn! } ( 5. Bb5+ { one sample line: } 5... Nbd7 ( 5... Bd7 6. Bc4 { and our light-squared bishop is awkwardly placed } ) 6. Nc3 a6 { breaking the pin } ( 6... g6 { simply developing } ) ) 5... Nxd5 6. Nf3 { This is actually a test of black's play. I'm going to recommend 6. ... Nc6 here, just developing. } 6... Nc6 { Now white has an isolated d-pawn, but active pieces compensate for this. Our plan is:
- Trade off the minor pieces. White can't have active pieces if those pieces don't exist!
- Try to reach a queen and rook vs. queen and rook position. With only these pieces, white won't have any counterplay
- Create more weaknesses. Weak paws, squares, even a weak king! All these will make it harder for white to hold their position together. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: Fantasy Variation"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/rNkRhmQi"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "B12"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Maróczy Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "16:35:09"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ On to the main lines of the Caro-Kann! First up, the Fantasy Variation. } 1. e4 { ... } 1... c6 2. d4 { This is the main line. We can still play our usual counterattack. } 2... d5 { Now, there are many moves: 3. Nc3 or 3. Nd2, which often transpose to the same position, 3. f3, the Fantasy Variation, 3. e5, the Advance Variation, and 3. exd5, which can lead to the Exchange Variation or the Panov-Botvinnik Attack. [%csl Yd5][%cal Gb1d2,Gb1c3,Be4e5,Ye4d5,Rf2f3] } 3. f3 { White chooses the Fantasy Variation! Take their e4-pawn. } 3... dxe4 4. fxe4 { We can't play passively. Strike in the center! } 4... e5 { We have a threat of ... Qh4+ (for example, 5. dxe5 Qh4+) } 5. Nf3 { A natural move that controls h4. But, this move gives us a new target. Pin the knight! } 5... Bg4 { We have a main setup in this line: Knights on f6 and d7, bishop on d6, and castle quickly, followed by ... Re8 and ... Qc7. For example: } 6. Bc4 { Knight on d7 } 6... Nd7 7. c3 { Retreat the bishop } 7... Bh5 8. O-O { Time to develop the other knight! } 8... Ngf6 9. Nbd2 { Prepare to castle and develop a bishop. } 9... Bd6 10. Bd3 { Castle... } 10... O-O 11. Qe1 { Place a rook in the center. } 11... Re8 12. h3 { Where does our queen go? } 12... Qc7 { Now, we open the e-file whenever we want and pressure white's center. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/lqIhySfZ"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation, Rubinstein Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "16:31:42"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Another key line to know is the Exchange Variation. } 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 { Instead of 3. f3, the Fantasy Variation, white chooses the Exchange Variation. } 3. exd5 { Just recapture. } 3... cxd5 { Now, white can stick to a classical Exchange Variation with 4. Bd3, or play the Panov-Botvinnik Attack with 4. c4. We'll study the classical Exchange Variation now, and we'll study the Panov-Botvinnik in the next chapter. } 4. Bd3 { Develop a knight and threaten a pawn. } 4... Nc6 5. c3 { 5. Nf3 Bg4 is a bit more favorable for black. This is much more ambitious. Just develop our other knight. } 5... Nf6 6. Bf4 { If white doesn't want ... Bg4, why not play 6. h3? Well, this allows 6. ... e5 7. dxe5 Nxe5 and black has very easy development. Well, white didn't prevent it, so where should our bishop go? } ( 6. h3 e5 7. dxe5 Nxe5 ) 6... Bg4 ( 6... e6 { We never want to block in our light-squared bishop in the Caro-Kann. } ) 7. Qb3 { Now b7 is under attack. I'm going to recommend the simple 7. ... Qd7. } 7... Qd7 { Now, we need to understand both side's plans. White will try to attack on the kingside, often starting with Nf3-e5, while black will try to attack on the queenside, often with a b5-b4 advance. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: Panov-Botvinnik Attack"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/VWe9XrvV"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "B13"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Panov Attack, Modern Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "17:06:18"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The Panov-Botvinnik Attack, or the Panov Attack for short, is a critical line against the Caro-Kann. Let's see how we can defend against this opening. } 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 { So far, it looks like a normal Exchange Variation. But white decides to play the Panov, rather than the Exchange Variation proper. } 4. c4 { This is a critical test of the Caro-Kann. Black should play the natural 4. ... Nf6, defending their pawn. } 4... Nf6 5. Nc3 { Now, we have a choice. Do we play the very aggressive 5. ... g6, which often leads to black sacrificing a pawn? Or, do we play the solid 5. ... e6, which can transpose to a 1. d4 opening? I think that neither of these are the best option. I recommend the active 5. ... Nc6 } 5... Nc6 { 6. Nf3 often leads to chaos. Press "analyze" at the end of this chapter to see some lines. But a simpler and more popular move is... } 6. Bg5 { Now, we can simply take on c4. } ( 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. cxd5 Nxd5 8. Qb3 Bxf3 9. gxf3 { White has the initiative, but also has terrible pawn structure. } 9... e6 ( 9... Nxd4 10. Bb5+ { and black loses a piece } ) 10. Qxb7 Nxd4 11. Bb5+ Nxb5 12. Qc6+ $1 Ke7 { Black's king is now in danger. } 13. Qxb5 { Absolute chaos. } ) 6... dxc4 { This position is similar to the Accelerated Panov, and our plan remains the same. Do you remember it? If you don't, here it is:
- Trade off the minor pieces. White can't have active pieces if those pieces don't exist!
- Try to reach a queen and rook vs. queen and rook position. With only these pieces, white won't have any counterplay
- Create more weaknesses. Weak paws, squares, even a weak king! All these will make it harder for white to hold their position together. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/JulRlpjM"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "B12"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Advance Variation, Short Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "17:22:10"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 { This is the Advance Variation. As black, I recommend getting your light-squared bishop out. How? } 3... Bf5 { Now white has many moves: 4. Nc3, 4. Be3, 4. c4, and 4. h4 are all strong. You can see my analysis of these moves if, when you finish this chapter, you press the "analyze" button. But the main line is the natural 4. Nf3. } 4. Nf3 { Now, solidify our central structure with 4. ... e6. } ( 4. Nc3 { This is a very sharp move. When black cuts off the bishop's retreat... } 4... e6 { white attacks! } 5. g4 Bg6 6. Nge2 { Now, white wants to play 7. Nf4 followed by 8. h4, or just 7. h4. If black plays ... h5 or ... h6, white will take on g6. Black can defend, but will need to be accurate. } ) ( 4. Be3 { This is very flexible. White will develop the queenside, and only then will they play f4 or c4. } ) ( 4. c4 { White immediately takes the initiative on the queenside } 4... dxc4 { gives black the d5-square, but white then gets the e4 and c4 squares. } ) ( 4. h4 { is my main weapon against the Caro. White will likely follow with c4. } 4... h5 ( 4... e6 $2 { cannot be played because of } 5. g4 Bg6 6. h5 ) 5. c4 { black's h-pawn may be targeted. } ) 4... e6 5. Be2 { Next, we attack with 5. ... c5! } 5... c5 6. O-O { Build up more pressure with 6. ... Nc6. } 6... Nc6 7. c3 { Next, exchange on d4. } 7... cxd4 8. cxd4 { We want to put a knight on b6. Do you see a knight path from g8 to b6? Bring your knight along that path. } 8... Nge7 { [%csl Be7][%cal Bg8e7,Be7c8,Bc8b6] } 9. Nc3 { Keep moving along the path. [%csl Be7][%cal Bg8e7,Be7c8,Bc8b6] } 9... Nc8 { [%csl Bc8][%cal Bg8e7,Be7c8,Bc8b6] } 10. Be3 { Our knight now reaches its destination. [%csl Bc8][%cal Bg8e7,Be7c8,Bc8b6] } 10... Nb6 { Our knight made it! [%csl Gb6][%cal Bg8e7,Be7c8,Bc8b6] } 11. Rc1 { Now white has a space advantage, but black has a solid position. Can black prove their pieces are active, or will white's space advantage win the game? } *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/b1v9CqkW"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "B19"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense: Classical Variation, Spassky Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "17:39:40"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 { 3. Nd2 will lead to the same position. Black should take on e4 here. [%cal Gb1c3,Bb1d2] } 3... dxe4 4. Nxe4 { There are 3 main moves here: the risky 4. ... Nf6, the solid 4. ... Nd7, and my recommended move, 4. ... Bf5. Let's play the bishop move. } 4... Bf5 5. Ng3 { White threatens our bishop. So, it steps back. } 5... Bg6 6. h4 { 6. Nf3 is also played, but 6. ... Nd7 and white doesn't really have much attack. 6. Bc4 or 6. N1e2 introduces another plan. This is much more challenging. I've detailed it in the analysis.
Back to 6. h4. Let's make an escape square for our bishop. } ( 6. N1e2 e6 7. Nf4 Bd6 8. h4 Qc7 { undermining the f4-knight } ) ( 6. Bc4 e6 7. N1e2 Nf6 { this is critical. 8. Nf4 sticks with the original N1e2 plan, but } 8. O-O Bd6 9. f4 { is more aggressive. } ) 6... h6 7. Nf3 { 7. h5 isn't bad, but this is stronger. White threatens Ne5. Prevent that threat! } 7... Nd7 8. h5 { Just retreat the bishop. } 8... Bh7 9. Bd3 { It's best to trade bishops. } 9... Bxd3 10. Qxd3 { Here, the most flexible move is also very natural. Do you see it? } 10... e6 { Black has a major choice: to castle kingside or queenside? I recommend queenside. White has a choice here, too. Where to develop the bishop? If 11. Be3, we can just bring our knight to f6, and eventually exchange off that bishop with Ng4. Better is 11. Bf4. Here, we should play 11. ... Qa5+ 12. Bd2 Qc7, transposing to our main line. But the main line here is 11. Bd2. } 11. Bd2 { Now, we just develop a knight. } 11... Ngf6 12. O-O-O { We want to castle queenside. To do that, we have to move our queen. Where should she go? } 12... Qc7 { The critical reply is... } 13. Ne4 { We moved our queen for a reason! So, what should we do? } 13... O-O-O 14. g3 { White wants to play 15. Bf4. We can stop this, though. First, trade knights. } 14... Nxe4 15. Qxe4 { How can we control f4? } 15... Bd6 16. c4 { White wants to chase the bishop with c5. How can we stop this? } 16... c5 { Now, we will have a battle for the center after 17. d5 or 17. Bc3. } *
[Event "Caro-Kann Defense: Conclusion"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/scx3KjuF/nPqecEfO"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[UTCDate "2021.11.28"]
[UTCTime "18:01:06"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Congratulations! You can now play and win with the Caro-Kann Defense. If you enjoyed this study, please press the ❤ and leave any feedback in the chat. See you in the next study! } *
[Event "10 Traps in the London System: Trap 1: nice checkmate!"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/dOtynhuN/jPOTuxnz"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Bosburp"]
[ECO "D00"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "07:41:12"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 { Hello! welcome to this study. This study will be about traps in the London system, they will be for white and black (go to chapter 9 for traps for black). Let's start! } 1... d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 { we have a nice pawn pyramid. [%csl Gc3,Ge3,Gd4,Gf2,Gb2][%cal Gb2c3,Gc3d4,Ge3d4,Gf2e3,Ge3f4] } 4... e6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Bd6 { here it is not good to take black's bishop, because then black's queen is already developed } 7. Bg3 ( 7. Bxd6 $6 Qxd6 ) 7... O-O 8. Bd3 Qe7 9. Ne5 Nd7 10. Nxd7 Bxd7 $6 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. dxc5 { [%cal Gc5d6] } 12... Qxc5 $2 13. Bxh7+ Kxh7 14. Qh5+ Kg8 15. Ne4 { the pawn cannot take the knight because the white takes blacks queen [%csl Gc5][%cal Ge4c5,Rd5e4,Gh5c5] } 15... Qe7 ( 15... g6 16. Nxc5 gxh5 17. Nxd7 Rfc8 18. Nf6+ Kf8 19. Nxh5 { you won 2 pawns! } ) 16. Ng5 Rfe8 ( 16... Qxg5 17. Qxg5 ) 17. Qh7+ Kf8 18. Qh8# { Over 600 people fell for this trap! } *
[Event "10 Traps in the London System: Trap 2: Greek gift"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/dOtynhuN/DUBPpRAo"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Bosburp"]
[ECO "D00"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "08:00:39"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 { [%csl Gb2,Gc3,Gd4,Ge3,Gf2][%cal Gf2e3,Ge3d4,Gc3d4,Gb2c3] } 5. Nd2 e6 6. Ngf3 Bd6 { we don't want to take the black bishop, because otherwise black's queen is developed [%csl Rf4][%cal Rd6f4] } 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bd3 { this bishop is aiming at the h7 pawn [%csl Gh7][%cal Gd3h7] } 8... b6 { black forms a pawn chain [%csl Gc5,Gb6,Ga7][%cal Gb6c5,Gd6c5,Ga7b6] } 9. e4 { now we start our trap setting! most people here would take the pawn [%cal Re4e5,Re5f6,Re5d6] } 9... dxe4 $6 10. Nxe4 Nxe4 11. Bxe4 { we are attacking black's knight [%csl Gc6][%cal Ge4c6] } 11... Bb7 { here the dark squared bishop can be attacked thrice [%csl Gb7,Gh7,Gd6] } 12. dxc5 { [%csl Gd6][%cal Gc5d6,Gg3d6,Gd1d6] } 12... Bxc5 13. Qa4 { now the knight is attacked, so black needs to protect it [%csl Gc6][%cal Ga4c6,Ge4c6] } 13... Qc8 $4 { [%csl Gc6][%cal Gc8c6,Gb7c6] } ( 13... Rc8 14. Rd1 Qe8 $4 15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Qh4+ Kg8 17. Ng5 Bxf2+ 18. Kxf2 b5 19. Qh7# ) 14. Bxh7+ Kxh7 15. Qh4+ Kg8 16. Ng5 Rd8 17. Qh7+ Kf8 18. Qh8+ Ke7 19. Qxg7 { [%csl Gf7][%cal Gg5f7,Gg7f7] } 19... Rf8 20. O-O-O $18 { we have a +5.0 advantage! white's position is great [%csl Gf7][%cal Gd1d8,Gg7f7,Gg5f7] } *
[Event "World Blitz 2016"]
[Site "Doha QAT"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[Round "12.1"]
[White "Carlsen, M."]
[Black "Bosiocic, Mari"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "lichess.org"]
[BlackElo "2591"]
[BlackTitle "GM"]
[ECO "D00"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System"]
[Termination "Normal"]
[TimeControl "-"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "08:31:14"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[WhiteElo "2840"]
[WhiteTitle "GM"]

1. d4 { this game was played in the "World Blitz 2016", between the current world chess champion GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Mari Bosiocic } 1... d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 { [%csl Gb2,Gc3,Gd4,Ge3,Gf2][%cal Gf2e3,Ge3d4,Gc3d4,Gb2c3] } 4... Nc6 5. Nd2 e6 6. Ngf3 Bd6 7. Bg3 O-O 8. Bb5 Ne7 9. Bd3 b6 $6 { (0.00 → 0.56) Inaccuracy. c4 was best. } ( 9... c4 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. Bc2 b5 12. O-O Bb7 13. Rb1 b4 14. Ne5 h6 15. cxb4 Qxb4 16. a3 ) 10. e4 dxe4 11. Nxe4 Nxe4 12. Bxe4 { [%cal Ge4a8] } 12... Rb8 $6 { (0.38 → 0.94) Inaccuracy. Nd5 was best. } ( 12... Nd5 13. dxc5 Bxc5 14. O-O Bb7 15. Re1 Qe7 16. Qa4 Nf6 17. Bxb7 Qxb7 18. Rad1 Rad8 19. Be5 ) 13. dxc5 Bxg3 14. hxg3 f5 $4 { (0.75 → 3.30) Blunder. Qxd1+ was best. } ( 14... Qxd1+ 15. Kxd1 f5 16. Bd3 bxc5 17. Kc2 Rb6 18. Bc4 Nd5 19. a4 Nf6 20. Ne5 Bb7 21. f3 ) 15. Qxd8 Rxd8 16. c6 { [%csl Gc7][%cal Gc6c7] } 16... Nd5 17. Bxd5 Rxd5 18. Rd1 Rxd1+ 19. Kxd1 Ba6 20. Ne5 Rc8 21. c4 b5 $6 { (3.57 → 5.33) Inaccuracy. h6 was best. } ( 21... h6 22. Kd2 ) 22. b4 bxc4 23. a4 Rd8+ 24. Kc2 Rd5 25. f4 { Black resigns. } 1-0
[Event "10 Traps in the London System: Trap 4: the \"Jobava\" trap"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/dOtynhuN/cnFyUWpx"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Bosburp"]
[ECO "A46"]
[Opening "Indian Defense: London System"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "08:38:36"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 { over 7000 people on lichess have fallen for this trap } 1... Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. e3 { white forms a pawn chain [%csl Gd4,Ge3,Gf2][%cal Ge3d4,Gf2e3] } 4... Nc6 5. Nc3 { this knight is threatening to go to b5 [%csl Gc7][%cal Gc3b5,Gb5c7,Gf4c7] } 5... d5 $2 6. Nb5 $18 { white has a +3.1 advantage [%csl Gc7][%cal Gb5c7] } *
[Event "10 Traps in the London System: Trap 5: win the rook"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/dOtynhuN/dXLOWo8I"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Bosburp"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: London System"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "08:49:52"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. Nf3 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 Bg4 { black is pinning the knight [%csl Gd1][%cal Gg4d1] } 6. c3 { [%csl Gb2,Gc3,Gd4,Ge3,Gf2][%cal Gf2e3,Ge3d4,Gc3d4,Gb2c3] } 6... e6 7. Qa4 Bd6 $2 8. Ba6 $1 { BOOM! [%csl Gc6][%cal Rb7a6,Ga4c6,Gc6e8,Gc6d6,Gf4d6] } 8... Bxf4 ( 8... bxa6 9. Qxc6+ Ke7 10. Qb7+ Qd7 11. Bxd6+ Kxd6 12. Qxa6+ Ke7 13. Ne5 { [%cal Ge5d7,Ge5g4] } 13... Qc8 14. Qa3 { [%cal Ga3e7] } ) 9. Bxb7 { [%cal Gb7c6,Gb7a8] } 9... O-O 10. Bxc6 $18 { [%csl Gf4][%cal Ge3f4] } 10... Bd6 11. dxc5 Bxc5 12. Bxa8 { white has a +5.4 advantage } *
[Event "10 Traps in the London System: Trap 6: Trap the queen!"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/dOtynhuN/xU90IMxG"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Bosburp"]
[ECO "A45"]
[Opening "Indian Defense"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "09:14:51"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 { This is a nice trap against the KID } 1... Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. Nf3 d6 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. h3 Nbd7 7. Bc4 Re8 $4 { 700 people played this! } 8. Bxf7+ Kxf7 9. Ng5+ Kg8 ( 9... Kf8 10. Ne6+ { [%csl Gf8][%cal Ge6f8,Ge6d8] } 10... Kg8 11. Nxd8 ) 10. Ne6 { The Queen is trapped [%csl Gd8,Rc8,Bc7,Be7,Yd7,Ge8][%cal Ge6d8] } *
[Event "10 Traps in the London System: Trap 7: win the rook!"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/dOtynhuN/0rG8kupQ"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Bosburp"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: London System"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "09:36:04"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 Bf5 6. dxc5 e6 7. Nd4 { [%csl Rf5,Rc6,Gd4][%cal Gd4f5,Gd4c6] } 7... Bg6 ( 7... Bxc5 8. Nxf5 exf5 { [%csl Gf4,Gf1] } ) 8. Bb5 { [%csl Rc6,Gd4,Gb5][%cal Gb5e8,Gd4c6] } 8... Rc8 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Ba6 { [%csl Rc8,Ga6,Gf4,Gb8][%cal Ga6c8,Gf4b8] } 10... Ra8 11. Bb7 $18 { [%csl Ra8,Rc6,Gb7][%cal Gb7a8,Gb7c6] } 11... Rb8 12. Bxb8 *
[Event "Best London System Traps: Chapter 6"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/1ewWk7jn/oYUSxbJC"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Banzeus"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: London System"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "09:37:39"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 Bd6 5. Bg3 O-O 6. Bd3 c5 7. c3 Nc6 8. Nbd2 Re8 { [%cal Re6e5] } ( 8... Qe7 { [%cal Ge6e5] } 9. Ne5 Nd7 10. Nxd7 Bxd7 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. dxc5 Qxc5 13. Bxh7+ Kxh7 14. Qh5+ Kg8 15. Ne4 { [%csl Rc5,Ge4,Rg5,Gh5,Yg8][%cal Ge4g5,Ge4c5,Gg5h7,Gh5h7] } ) ( 8... Qc7 { [%csl Gc5,Gc7][%cal Gd4c5,Gd6c5,Gg3c7] } ) 9. Ne5 Qc7 ( 9... Bxe5 10. dxe5 Nd7 ) 10. f4 { [%csl Ge5] } 10... Nd7 { [%csl Yh7][%cal Rf7f6,Gd3h7] } 11. Bxh7+ Kxh7 12. Qh5+ { [%csl Rh7,Rf7,Gh5][%cal Gh5h7,Gh5f7] } 12... Kg8 13. Qxf7+ { [%csl Rg8,Re8,Gf7][%cal Gf7g8,Gf7e8] } 13... Kh7 14. Qxe8 $18 *
[Event "10 Traps in the London System: Trap 9: win the bishop"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/dOtynhuN/riQU1God"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Bosburp"]
[ECO "D00"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "09:21:55"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 h5 3. e3 $2 e5 4. Bxe5 f6 { [%cal Gf6e5] } 5. Bf4 g5 { [%cal Gg5f4] } 6. Bg3 h4 { [%cal Gh4g3] } 7. Bxh4 gxh4 *
[Event "10 Traps in the London System: Trap 10: win the bishop (again)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/dOtynhuN/A3YwBaea"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Bosburp"]
[ECO "A45"]
[Opening "Indian Defense"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "09:28:56"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c6 3. e3 g5 { [%csl Gf4][%cal Gg5f4] } 4. Bxg5 $2 Qa5+ { [%cal Ga5e1,Ga5g5] } *
[Event "10 Traps in the London System: outro"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/dOtynhuN/AQfee8Mh"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Bosburp"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[UTCDate "2022.06.28"]
[UTCTime "09:39:22"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ I hope you enjoyed this study, and if yes please click the heart button to make this study one of your favorite studies.

[EDIT]: Thank you all for 1500 likes!

More studies: https://lichess.org/study/by/Bosburp/popular } *
[Event "Vienna Opening - Gotham Chess Youtube: Main Line 1"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/qD0XXK7k/GzojPcH8"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ivano456"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2020.10.31"]
[UTCTime "04:09:00"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 { This study follows Levy Rozman's video on the Vienna Opening and the most important variations he mentions. You can follow along with his video on Gotham Chess (youtube /JVxENCPcCjU) } 1... e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 exf4 4. e5 Ng8 5. Nf3 d6 6. d4 dxe5 7. Qe2 Bb4 8. Qxe5+ Qe7 9. Bxf4 Nd7 *
[Event "Vienna Opening - Gotham Chess Youtube: How NOT to decline"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/qD0XXK7k/lLT37LJf"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ivano456"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2020.10.31"]
[UTCTime "04:13:35"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 Nc6 { Black shouldn't decline with the knight because... } 4. fxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 { After takes-takes, we're left with a Halloween Gambit, but without the knight sacrifice } 5... Ng6 6. e5 Ng8 { Black now has to retreat and go back to G8 } 7. Nf3 d6 { If black goes on with d6... } 8. Bc4 dxe5 9. O-O exd4 10. Ng5 { You can totally ignore the gloating pawn because... } 10... dxc3 11. Bxf7+ Ke7 12. Re1+ { There are multiple ways to mate here } 12... Be6 ( 12... Kf6 13. Qf3+ Bf5 14. Re6# ) 13. Rxe6# *
[Event "Vienna Opening - Gotham Chess Youtube: Vienna Gambit Declined - CORRECT"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/qD0XXK7k/rBflLiYL"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ivano456"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2020.10.31"]
[UTCTime "04:26:27"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 { This is the right way yo decline the Vienna Gambit } 3... d6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bb5 { Now white can go on with ideas like pinning the King } 5... Bd7 6. d3 { Ideas here are castling, putting pressure on e5, and using the open f file for the rook once you castle [%cal Gf3e5,Ge1g1,Ga7a6,Gb5c6,Gf4e5,Gf1f8] } *
[Event "Vienna Opening - Gotham Chess Youtube: Actual MAIN LINE"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/qD0XXK7k/eeDHoM2z"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ivano456"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Main Line"]
[UTCDate "2020.10.31"]
[UTCTime "04:32:10"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 { This is the absolute main line on how to play the VG as black } 3... d5 { If your opponent plays d5, they know what they are doing (probably) } 4. fxe5 { Take on e5 and attack the knight } 4... Nxe4 5. Nf3 { Knigh to f3 is the actual main line, but black has a lot of options and variations here. It's a trappy system } ( 5. Qf3 { Queen to f3 is the 3rd most popular move but has some powerful ideas... } ) ( 5. d3 { d3 is the 2nd most popular move. It has a little trap if black play Queen h4 } 5... Qh4+ 6. g3 Nxg3 { You can't take the knight because you lose the rook [%cal Gh2g3,Gh4h1] } 7. Nf3 Qh5 8. Nxd5 { [%cal Gd5c7] } 8... Na6 { This defends the check on c7, but is a huge mistake } 9. Nf4 Qh6 { W } 10. Ne2 { We win a rook [%cal Gc1h6,Ge2g3] } ) *
[Event "Vienna Opening - Gotham Chess Youtube: Queen f3 - knight xc3"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/qD0XXK7k/zi6iXumG"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ivano456"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Paulsen Attack"]
[UTCDate "2020.10.31"]
[UTCTime "05:14:37"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 { Beginning of MAIN LINE } 5... Nxc3 { Variation 1 - knight takes on c3 } 6. bxc3 ( 6. dxc3 { Another option is to take with the d-pawn } 6... Be6 7. Bf4 c5 8. O-O-O { Put pressure on the d -file, pin the pawn to the Queen [%cal Gd1d5,Gd5d8,Gf1c4,Gg1h3,Gh3g5] } ) 6... Be7 { If black plays this, IMMEDIATELY take the center } ( 6... c5 { If black attacks quickly on c5 } 7. Qg3 { Black can't develop his bishop now [%csl Gf8][%cal Gg3g7,Gf3g3] } 7... g6 8. Nf3 { [%cal Gf1b5,Gb8c6] } 8... Bf5 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. cxd3 { After the trade of bishops, white can easily castle and has two open files and a strong central pawn [%csl Ge5][%cal Ge1h1,Gf1f8,Gb1b8,Gg3e5] } ) 7. d4 O-O 8. Bd3 Be6 9. Ne2 { [%cal Ge1g1,Ge2f4] } 9... c5 *
[Event "Vienna Opening - Gotham Chess Youtube: Queen f3 - knight c6 + knight e4"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/qD0XXK7k/UGJBiiN6"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ivano456"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Paulsen Attack"]
[UTCDate "2020.10.31"]
[UTCTime "05:16:41"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 { Beginning of Queen f3 main line } 5... Nc6 { Knight on f6 variation [%csl Gf1][%cal Gc6e5] } 6. Bb5 { Pin the knight to prevent it from capturing } 6... Nxc3 { NOW knight takes on c3 } 7. dxc3 { in this case take with D pawn to open the bishop [%cal Gc1h6] } 7... Qh4+ { CHECK } 8. g3 Qe4+ { Black made this manouver in order to trade queens but we have some ideas here... [%cal Ge4f3,Gf3e4] } 9. Be3 Qxc2 { Black decides to take a pawn } ( 9... Qxf3 { If black actually takes, we just trade and life goes on } 10. Nxf3 { [%cal Ge1c1] } ) 10. Ne2 { We keep sacrificing pawns } 10... Qxb2 11. O-O { Castling now threatens a great check on f7 [%csl Gf1][%cal Gf3f7] } 11... Qxb5 { Black decides to keep being a dick } 12. Qxf7+ Kd8 13. Nd4 { Don't play bishop to g5 too early, first attack here [%cal Ge3g5,Gd4b5,Gd4c6] } 13... Nxd4 { If black takes, it's unstoppable checkmate! } 14. Bg5+ Be7 15. Qxe7# *
[Event "Vienna Opening - Gotham Chess Youtube: Queen f3 - pawn f5"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/qD0XXK7k/dHlKYzAJ"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ivano456"]
[ECO "C29"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Vienna Gambit, Bardeleben Variation"]
[UTCDate "2020.10.31"]
[UTCTime "05:41:42"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3 { Beginning of Queen f3 variation } 5... f5 6. d3 Nxc3 7. bxc3 d4 { If black plays d4 } ( 7... Be6 { If black DOESN'T play d4 and makes some other move we can move d4, or bring out the knight to attach the bishop [%csl Ge6][%cal Gd3d4,Gg1e2,Ge2f4,Gf4e6] } ) 8. Qg3 { Ignore the little pawn [%cal Gd4c3] } 8... dxc3 9. Be2 { BISHOP E2! We now threaten check on h5, for example black plays a random move here... [%csl Ge8,Ge2][%cal Ge2h5,Gh5e8] } 9... a6 ( 9... g6 { If black stops our trap we just go bishop f3 and castle } 10. Bf3 { [%cal Gg1e2,Ge1h1,Ge2c3] } ) 10. Bh5+ g6 11. Bxg6+ hxg6 { We sacrifice our pretty bishop here and go... } 12. Qxg6+ { Queen g6, and now it's losing for black [%cal Gc1g5,Ge5e6] } 12... Kd7 13. e6+ { We have all kind of threats here. King has to move forward, and then we have a discovered attack when moving the pawn [%cal Gd7d6,Gd7c6,Ge6e7,Gg6c6,Ge7d8] } 13... Kd6 14. e7+ Kxe7 { If black takes the pawn we simply go... } 15. Bg5+ Kd7 16. Bxd8 { And we win a queen } *
[Event "Vienna Opening - Gotham Chess Youtube: Vienna system - Copycat variation"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/qD0XXK7k/Ty4tumAk"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ivano456"]
[ECO "C25"]
[Opening "Vienna Game: Stanley Variation, Meitner-Mieses Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2020.10.31"]
[UTCTime "05:59:52"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 { COPYCAT VARIATION } 4. Qg4 { Winning move: Queen to g4 [%cal Gg4g7] } 4... Qf6 { If they play queen to f6 trying to defend and attack... [%cal Gf6g7,Gf6f2] } ( 4... g6 { If black defends with g6... [%cal Gf3f7] } 5. Qf3 { [%csl Gf7][%cal Gc4f7,Gf3f7] } 5... Nf6 6. Nge2 { Knight e2 prevents the opponent's knight coming forward. Ideas are now d3 and pinning the knight [%csl Gd4][%cal Gd2d3,Gc1g5,Ge2d4,Ge1g1] } ) ( 4... Kf8 5. Qf3 { [%cal Gg1e2,Gd2d3,Gc1g5,Ge1d1,Ge1f1] } ) 5. Nd5 { We attack the queen and threaten a fork. If black gets excited and goes for queen xf2... [%cal Gd5f6,Gd5c7,Gc7e8,Gc7a8] } 5... Qxf2+ 6. Kd1 { We simply slide back, and all our threats are still standing [%cal Gd5c7,Gg4g7] } 6... g6 { Even if we have the fork, there are bigger rewards ahead... [%cal Gd5c7] } 7. Nh3 { After knight h3 queen is trapped and has only one safe square [%csl Gd4][%cal Gf2d4] } 7... Qd4 8. d3 { d3 seals her tomb and there's an unstoppable attack on c3 coming [%cal Gc2c3] } 8... h5 { B } 9. Qf3 { Black counter attakcs, but it's useless [%csl Gf7,Gd4][%cal Gf3f7,Gd5c7,Gc4f7,Gc2c3] } *
[Event "Vienna Opening - Gotham Chess Youtube: Vienna system - Main line"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/qD0XXK7k/cYREhsZS"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/ivano456"]
[ECO "C24"]
[Opening "Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid"]
[UTCDate "2020.10.31"]
[UTCTime "06:11:39"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 { Knight to f6 is the main line [%csl Gc3,Gc4,Gf6,Gc6] } 4. d3 Bc5 5. f4 { Delayed Vienna gambit! [%csl Gf4][%cal Gf2f4] } 5... d6 6. Nf3 Ng4 { Yeah, this is a scary attack, but... [%csl Gf2][%cal Gc5f2,Gg4f2] } 7. Ng5 Nf2 ( 7... O-O { If castles... } 8. f5 { F5! Black knight is no longer defended, but our knight is! [%csl Gf5][%cal Gc8g4,Gc1g5] } 8... Nf2 { The knight tries to escape but it's over now } 9. Qh5 { [%csl Gh7,Gf7][%cal Gg5h7,Gh5h7,Gg5f7,Gc4f7] } 9... h6 10. Nxf7 { If black tries to stop mate, we have knight to f7, with a discovered check, and an a ttack on the queen [%csl Gf7][%cal Gc4g8,Gf7h6,Gf7d8] } 10... Rxf7 11. Qxf7+ Kh8 12. f6 ) 8. Qh5 g6 9. Bxf7+ { King has to move. e7 is mate after knight d5 [%csl Ge7][%cal Ge8d7,Ge8f8] } 9... Kd7 10. Be6+ Ke8 11. Qh6 { It's over for black now. } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Introduction"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/fmDWRvl8"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "3n4/8/8/3B4/8/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Welcome to another instructive study by NoseKnowsAll. This interactive study is for players <2000 lichess, taking you through an important middle- and endgame strategical concept: knight domination. Let's see how we can dominate our opponents' knights, and keep squeezing until they can't breathe! Importantly, we'll also learn how best to avoid getting our knight dominated too.

Please check out my other middlegame strategy studies as well:
* Bishops | Slice through the opposition! https://lichess.org/study/kNn68T8l
* Rooks | Infiltrate for activity! https://lichess.org/study/U7tTRtdj
* Always sacrifice the exchange! https://lichess.org/study/h3ccaYFE

Throughout this study, I will also provide general middlegame tips that these positions showcase. Whenever this general advice occurs, I'll write it just like this:

PRO TIP: Knights on the rim are dim!

If you find this study useful, please heart it and share it with any friends! [%csl Gb7,Gc6,Ge6,Gf7][%cal Bd5a8,Bd5g8,Gd8f7,Gd8e6,Gd8c6,Gd8b7] } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Bishop dominating a knight"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/TtNSA6U1"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "2n4k/5ppp/8/K7/8/4B3/5PPP/8 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ We first introduce the concept of dominating a knight by showing off the capabilities of its mortal enemy: the all-powerful bishop!

Material is perfectly equal, so it might at first seem surprising that white is completely winning in this position. However, noticing the sad state of the knight currently on the edge of the board should be a big clue that we can effectively dominate it. } 1. Bc5 $1 { With this simple move, the knight is completely paralyzed! Black has no way to stop the plan of Ka6, Kb7, Kxc8.
PRO TIP: Placing a bishop exactly three squares away from a knight dominates the knight. Every forward knight move is covered by the bishop. This is sometimes also called "offsetting a knight." [%csl Ga7,Gb6,Gd6,Ge7][%cal Bc5a7,Gc8e7,Gc8d6,Gc8b6,Gc8a7,Bc5e7] } 1... g5 2. Ka6 Kg7 3. Kb7 Kf6 4. Kxc8 $18 { Now up a piece in an otherwise equal endgame, white is sure to win. } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Pawns dominating a knight"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/I19RlRDd"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r1r3k1/pp3pp1/4pn1p/3p1b2/P2P4/4P3/1PPKBPPP/R1R1N3 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ White is up a pawn, but the road to victory will be long and arduous. However, with an acute awareness of dominating pieces, white can surely find the next move: } 1. f3 $1 { One careful pawn move shows that white is much better. Now that the knight no longer has access to the g4 or e4 squares, it has no future on f6 and must reroute backwards in order to move forwards somewhere else. However, this slow maneuvering with the knight will give white time to activate their queenside pawn majority and start making progress towards a win. [%csl Ge4,Gg4,Gh5,Gd5][%cal Bf3e4,Bf3g4] } 1... Ne8 { Notice also how the bishop on f5 is also dominated by this g2-f3 pawn chain too! } ( 1... Nh5 $4 2. g4 $18 ) 2. b3 Nd6 3. c4 dxc4 4. bxc4 $16 { The knight still has no forward squares, and white is close to achieving a passed c pawn, winning the game. } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: An uneasy knight post"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/zvJnOTBD"]
[Date "1941"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Mikhail Botvinnik"]
[Black "Isaac Boleslavsky"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[BlackTitle "GM"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "5rk1/3r1ppp/1pq3n1/p2p4/P2P4/2PNRQ2/1P4PP/4R1K1 w - - 0 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[WhiteTitle "GM"]

{ Black has just played Qc6, attacking the a4 pawn, but Botvinnik notices the knight on g6 is unstable. } 1. g3 $1 { [%csl Ge5,Gf4,Gh4][%cal Bg3f4,Bg3h4,Bd4e5] } 1... Rd6 ( 1... Qxa4 $5 2. h4 $1 { Knight domination! } 2... Rfd8 $2 3. h5 Nf8 4. h6 $18 { "and the attack plays itself" -Botvinnik. } ) 2. h4 { Two wing pawns (pawns near the edge of the board) can both dominate a knight on g6/g3 (or b6/b3) as well as potentially keep pushing forward to kick the knight further back. } 2... f6 $2 { The pawn push h5 cannot be stopped, so Boleslavsky felt he had to control the e5 square with a pawn instead so that his knight could safely reposition elsewhere. However, this weakening move gives up all the light squares near his king (in particular e6). Moreover, this means every endgame will be good for white as well. } ( 2... Rfd8 3. h5 Rf6 $1 4. Qe2 Nf8 5. Re8 Re6 $1 $14 { The best defensive sequence is difficult to find while placed under pressure. } ) ( 2... h5 $4 3. Qxh5 $18 ) 3. Qf5 { Immediately keying in on the weakened light squares. } ( 3. h5 $5 Nh8 4. Qf5 Nf7 5. Nf4 $16 { This is also strong, but Botvinnik's direct play allows no counterplay. } ) 3... Qc8 { Boleslavsky is basically forced to trade queens so as to avoid the incoming attack, but the endgame does not provide any reprieve. } ( 3... Qxa4 $2 4. h5 Nh8 5. Nf4 $16 { [%cal Gf4e6] } ) 4. Qxc8 Rxc8 5. h5 $1 { The dominated knight is kicked back further. } 5... Nf8 6. Re7 Rcd8 7. Nf4 $18 { Each one of Botvinnik's pieces is better than its black counterpart. He went on to win the endgame in 49 moves: https://lichess.org/ftNPjqmy } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Preventing knight domination"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/esM5CHox"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "r1bq1rk1/ppp2pbp/n2p1np1/3Pp3/2P1P3/2N2N2/PP2BPPP/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 8"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ This position is a main line of the King's Indian Defense. } 8... Nc5 { Black's knight finds c5 a great outpost. By attacking the e4 pawn, white is first forced to react. [%cal Rc5e4,Rf6e4,Bc3e4] } 9. Qc2 a5 $1 { An important move! b4 is prevented temporarily, and black can rely upon the c5 square for some time. [%cal Ba5b4] } ( 9... Nh5 $2 { If black goes about their normal plans here (Nf4 and the pawn break f5) without considering the poor knight on c5, black can get overrun. } 10. b4 $1 Na6 ( 10... Nd7 11. Be3 Nf4 12. c5 $16 ) 11. a3 $1 $16 { The knight on a6 has been sidelined again, and is completely dominated. The only available square (b8) is tragic. [%csl Gb8,Gc7,Gc5,Gb4][%cal Ba3b4,Bb4c5] } ) 10. a3 $6 { This poor move doesn't actually prepare b4 yet because the a1 rook is undefended, but regardless black can now snuff out white's plan of b4 and lay claim to the c5 outpost square forever. } 10... a4 $1 $10 { b4 is now impossible due to axb3 en passant. The knight on c5 has found a beautiful hole to rest on and will never be dominated!
PRO TIP: Knights need advanced support points to reach their full potential. Sometimes a key pawn move ensures such an important square will remain under our control for the rest of the game. } *
[Event "Knights | How to dominate your opponents!: Rook dominating a knight"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kI8ikTU4/vUm660nX"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll"]
[ECO "?"]
[FEN "8/1p1kpppp/3n4/8/2R5/3K4/1P2PPPP/8 w - - 1 1"]
[Opening "?"]
[SetUp "1"]
[UTCDate "2021.08.30"]
[UTCTime "16:50:19"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ White is up an exchange in this otherwise symmetric endgame. The path to victory will start by saving our rook, but here we have a nice move that quasi-dominates the d6 knight. } 1. Rb4 $1 $18 { Just like that, three of the four forward knight moves have been covered. Moreover, the b4 rook is exactly two squares diagonally away from the knight, a square that cannot be harassed by the knight for some time.
PRO TIP: Placing a piece exactly two squares diagonally from a knight ensures it cannot be attacked by that knight for at least 3 moves. [%csl Gb5,Gc4,Ge4][%cal Gd6b5,Gd6c4,Gd6e4,Bb4e4,Bb4b7] } *