Icannos/chess_studies huggingface dataset:
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): What this study will contain?"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/RUVVO022"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.18"]
[UTCTime "17:12:27"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Ruy Lopez
italian game
Giuoco Piano
Giuoco Pianissimo
The Fried Liver
Four Knights Game
Three Knights Opening
Scotch Game

Sicilian
The Najdorf Defense
The Dragon Variation
Accelerated Dragon
Hyper-Accelerated Dragon

French
Caro-Kann defense
The Scandinavian
Alekhine Defense
Pirc Defense
Hungarian defense
Two Knights Defense

Trompowsky Attack
London

Slav Defense
Dutch Defense

King’s Indian
Nimzo Indian
Queens Indian Defense
Grünfeld Defence
Bogo-Indian Defense
Benoni Defense

The English
Reti opening
Bird’s Opening
Hungarian
Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack
Polish Opening

Evan’s Gambit
King’s Gambit
Queen’s Gambit Accepted
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Benko Gambit
Smith-Morra Gambit
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Ryder Gambit } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Ruy Lopez"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/iYhDPkJn"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C60"]
[Opening "Ruy Lopez"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.18"]
[UTCTime "17:11:38"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The ruy lopez starts with e4. Play that now. [%cal Be2e4] } 1. e4 e5 { Where should we develop this knight on g1? [%csl Gg1] } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { The bishop on f1 is also waiting to become active :D! [%csl Gf1] } 3. Bb5 { Good Job! This is the Ruy Lopez. It is is one of the most common openings encountered with new players and is also played at high levels. } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Italian Game"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/StE1lhP0"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Opening "Italian Game"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.18"]
[UTCTime "17:16:58"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Play e4 again! [%cal Ge2e4] } 1. e4 e5 { The knight needs developing again! [%csl Yg1] } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { Now the italian game is very simliar to the ruy lopez. However, we need to develop this bishop to a new square! [%csl Rf1] } 3. Bc4 { This is the Italian game! It is a formidable opening since it follows all the opening rules: Knights before bishop, attack the center and don’t move your queen out at the start of the game. It is also played by players of all rating range. } ( 3. Bb5 { no,no,no this is the ruy lopez } ) *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Giuoco Piano"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/mq9wJ2sn"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C53"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Classical Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.18"]
[UTCTime "17:21:56"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The Giuoco Piano is a variation of the Italian Game. Let's test your memory! How do we play the Italian Game again? } 1. e4 { Good! We start with e4, controlling the center! [%cal Ge4d5,Ge4f5] } 1... e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 { Now black will play Bc5. Let's continue the game with c3. [%cal Bc2c3] } 4. c3 { Good Job! This is the Giuoco Piano. It allows for white to take advantage of his central position first by backing up the eventual d4 pawn push. [%cal Gd2d4] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Giuoco Pianissimo"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/grPiFnwI"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.18"]
[UTCTime "17:25:10"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Yet another variation of the Italian Game. I think you know what to play ;) } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 { Ok now instead of c3, let's play d3! [%cal Yd2d3] } 4. d3 { This is the Giuoco Pianissimo! It is a more quieter version of the Giuoco Piano. } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): The Fried Liver Attack"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/4HWF4LQK"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C57"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Knight Attack"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.18"]
[UTCTime "17:27:03"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ tut tut tut, i wonder what the italien game is ;p } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 { Now let's say that black decides to develop his knight first. Now we can unleash the fried liver attack! Continue with Ng5! [%cal Bf3g5] } 4. Ng5 { This is the fried liver attack. We are attacking the f7 pawn and aiming to get some material! Black tho also has a super strong counter attack known as the Traxler Counter Attack. But that is for another day lul. [%cal Gg5f7,Gf7d8,Gf7h8] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Four Knights Game"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/0gYSB4QS"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C47"]
[Opening "Four Knights Game"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.18"]
[UTCTime "17:31:56"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ As the title suggests, we want to develop the 4 knights! Start with e4 again! [%cal Ge2e4] } 1. e4 e5 { Let's develop our first knight! [%csl Gg1] } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { Let's develop the other knight too! [%csl Gb1] } 3. Nc3 Nf6 { Good! The four knights game is a a very standard game in which both sides develop their knights and attack the center of the board. [%csl Gd4,Ge4,Gd5,Ge5] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Three Knights Opening"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/oeOtUbHp"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C46"]
[Opening "Three Knights Opening"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.19"]
[UTCTime "13:24:01"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Very close to the four knights game but instead black may or may not choose to place his second knight on f6. Push with e4 again! [%cal Ye2e4] } 1. e4 e5 { same moves as the last chapter! } 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 { Ok now instead of playing Nf6 black will choose to play Bc5. } 3... Bc5 { Good job! This opening is also seen by a lot with beginners as they learn the structure of the game. } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Scotch Game"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/MKeVRWPx"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C44"]
[Opening "Scotch Game"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.19"]
[UTCTime "13:34:31"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 { Good! You remebered e4! } 1... e5 { Develop the knight again ^-^ [%csl Rg1] } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { Ok, not instead of developing bishops or knights. Let's push d4! [%cal Bd2d4] } 3. d4 { This opening was a popular opening in the 19th century, where it got its creation. } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Sicilian Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/TdNAkjeZ"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "B20"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.19"]
[UTCTime "14:46:42"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Not every time your opponent will play e5, sometimes they play the Sicilian Defense which you will learn about in this and the next few chapters :). You know what to play! } 1. e4 c5 { The Sicilian Defense is arguably the best opening for black when encountering e4. Pushing the c pawn rather then the e pawn leads to a better position in most cases! The next few chapters will focus on this opening. } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): The Sicilian Defense (Najdorf Defense)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/G3vYFdKp"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "B90"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.19"]
[UTCTime "18:57:34"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Sicilian again :) } 1. e4 c5 { Continue with Nf3! [%cal Gg1f3] } 2. Nf3 d6 { Let's control the center with this d pawn! [%csl Gd2] } 3. d4 cxd4 { You guess which piece to take back with! } 4. Nxd4 { Good! } 4... Nf6 { Develop this knight too! [%csl Gb1] } 5. Nc3 a6 { This is the Najdorf Defense! It is played when black defends against ideas of Nb5 and Bb5! Well done! } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): The Sicilian Defense (The Dragon Variation)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/l6nlinZD"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "B70"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.20"]
[UTCTime "22:03:18"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ You know what to do :D } 1. e4 c5 { Let's develop this knight on g1! [%csl Rg1] } 2. Nf3 d6 { We want to control the center again! [%csl Gd2] } 3. d4 cxd4 { Take with the knight! } 4. Nxd4 Nf6 { This knight also needs to get out! [%csl Gb1] } 5. Nc3 g6 { This is the dragon variation, it is named like that cause it kinda looks like a dragon. It is a popular variation in which black decided to fianchetto the bishop on f8. Dragon openings are all very aggresive! } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): The Sicilian Defense (Accelerated Dragon)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/IQI3dUEd"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "B32"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.21"]
[UTCTime "13:53:29"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ *yawns* } 1. e4 c5 { Guess which knight we develop first! } 2. Nf3 { Yup, this one again xD! } 2... Nc6 { Push d4 again! } 3. d4 cxd4 { You know which piece to take with :) } 4. Nxd4 g6 { This is the accelerated dragon! Black has skipped the d6 push in a attempt to gain a tempo! [%cal Gf8g7] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): The Sicilian Defense (Hyper-Accelerated Dragon)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/OYVfKTez"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "B27"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Dragon"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.21"]
[UTCTime "13:57:45"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c5 { You should know which knight to develop! } 2. Nf3 g6 { Awesome! this is the hyper-accelerated dragon! It basically speeds up the process up even further. A good move in this positon by white could be c4 making black cant play d5. [%cal Gc2c4,Rd7d5] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): French defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/jorLhnoL"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C00"]
[Opening "French Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.21"]
[UTCTime "18:31:18"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The french defence is my personal favourite opening as black. I used to play it when i was a beginner, still play it now :). You know which pawn to push! } 1. e4 e6 { This is the french defense! The quiet e6 move allows for d5 or c5 almost immediately. it is also a very closed game with careful calculation on both sides on the best way to open up the center. [%cal Gd2d4,Gd7d5] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Caro-Kann defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/juwP64Bu"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "B10"]
[Opening "Caro-Kann Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.21"]
[UTCTime "18:35:32"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ This time were gonna play black :) } 1. e4 { I wonder which square we should move this c pawn to? [%csl Gc7] } 1... c6 { The caro-kann is very similar to the french but allows for a less cramped position. The point of c6 allows a similar attack on the center with d5. This move also allows the queen to give surprise checks. [%cal Gd7d5,Gd8a5,Gd8b6] } ( 1... c5 { this is the Sicilian Defense -___________- } ) *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): The Scandinavian"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/VKdJK2tR"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "B01"]
[Opening "Scandinavian Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.21"]
[UTCTime "18:35:44"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 { Guess where we should move this d-pawn? [%csl Gd7] } 1... d5 { The Scandinavian is an opening where black counters e4 with d5, an immediate attack on the center and forcing white to make a more immediate decision right in the beginning in the game. The Normal response would be just to take the pawn on d5 thinking that their opponents would play Qxd5. However, if white takes this pawn, more advanced players choose to develop their knight to f6 rather than take back immediately. } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Alekhine Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/YYFokBDh"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "B02"]
[Opening "Alekhine Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.21"]
[UTCTime "18:35:56"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 { We have made all sorts of pawn moves in the first moves. But this time were going to develop our knight first! You know where to develop this knight :) [%csl Gg8] } 1... Nf6 { Now im not really a big fan of this opening since white can just push e5 and gaining loads of tempos. However e5 also leads to a weaker center for black and distraction. White gains a stronger center for the moment while black repositions their knight to the queenside and still strong open play. [%cal Ge4e5] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Pirc Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/jt4xuMVl"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "B00"]
[Opening "Pirc Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.22"]
[UTCTime "14:38:33"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 { Let's push this pawn to a different sqaure! [%csl Yd7] } 1... d6 { After white plays e4, black answers with d6. The Pirc defense is very similar to a King’s Indian set up. If you see 2…d6, you should react the way you would if you saw 2…Nf6. Black is choosing to delay an attack on the center right away in preparation of developing pieces before a major attack. } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Hungarian defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/x43FYtNd"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Hungarian Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.25"]
[UTCTime "16:54:22"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Let's push e4 again! [%cal Re2e4] } 1. e4 e5 { develop this knight again ;p [%csl Gg1] } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { this bishop also wants to have some fun! [%csl Gf1] } 3. Bc4 Be7 { The hungarian defense tells white that you don’t wish to play the fried liver. Black avoids any chances of Evan’s Gambit or Giuoco Piano while giving a more open position to white. White's best response is 4.d4, seeking advantage in the center. Other moves pose fewer threats to black. Black's main responses are either 4...exd4 or 4...d6. [%cal Gd2d4,Ge5d4,Gd7d6] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Two Knights Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/6NL50KVa"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "C55"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Two Knights Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.25"]
[UTCTime "16:54:29"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ lol should i even be tellin u what to do ;p } 1. e4 e5 { let's get out our knight again ;p } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { Remember the Italian Game? [%csl Gc6] } 3. Bc4 Nf6 { The two knights defense can of course lead to the Fried Liver opening for White, but after careful play, this is easy to defend despite bringing your king into the center of the board. 4.d5 is also a popular pick for black. After 4...d5 White has little option but to play 5.exd5, since both the bishop and e4-pawn are attacked. Black usually plays Na5. Since, the recapture 5...Nxd5?! is extremely risky. [%csl Gf6][%cal Gd7d5,Ge4d5,Gc6a5] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): D4 OPENINGS"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/07mQYOhF"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.27"]
[UTCTime "14:58:52"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ E4 is a really popular opening, however d4 is also common played for players who want to change their game up as they start to advance to higher levels. D4 is generally followed up with ideas like C4 for the Queen’s Gambit and strong play for white. } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Trompowsky Attack"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/IFNk20Xm"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "A45"]
[Opening "Trompowsky Attack"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.27"]
[UTCTime "15:00:01"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ lol if u just read the last chapter u know what to play! } 1. d4 ( 1. e4 { -________________________________________- noot this opening again ;p } ) 1... Nf6 { Black starts off with nf6 to begin, one of the indian defenses and also commonly played. Let's continue with Bg5! [%cal Gc1g5] } 2. Bg5 { In this position, white prepares to trade knight for bishop inflicting doubled pawns upon Black in the process. Black has tons of ways to counter this. 2... Ne4 is the most common reply. Black does break one of the opening rules (do not move a piece twice) but it attacks white's bishop. 2... e6 also avoids doubled pawns since the queen can recapture if White plays Bxf6. d5 and c5 can also be played to attack the center. [%cal Gg5f6,Gf6e4,Ge4g5,Re7e6,Yd8f6,Bd7d5,Bc7c5] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): London System"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/kMgNTAjE"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "D02"]
[Opening "Queen's Pawn Game: London System"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.27"]
[UTCTime "15:08:01"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ what should i say here? xD } 1. d4 d5 { we wanna still develop knights :D [%csl Gg1] } 2. Nf3 Nf6 { this bishop is waiting to also get out! [%csl Gc1] } 3. Bf4 { The london system is a "system" opening that can be used against virtually any black defense and thus comprises a smaller body of opening theory than many other openings. It normally results in a closed game. 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 is a opening played most often played/ named by Jobava. Read more about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baadur_Jobava } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Slav Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/xfIANnBx"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "D10"]
[Opening "Slav Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.27"]
[UTCTime "15:16:34"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ d4 again [%cal Gd2d4] } 1. d4 d5 { Let's push this c pawn too! [%csl Gc2] } 2. c4 c6 { The Slav Defense is one of the primary defenses to the Queen's Gambit. The main line in the slav is Nf3. However white can also try e3. Then black might play Bf5 or Nf6. The exchange slav happens with cxd5. It is considered one of the most drawish positions in chess. [%cal Ge2e3,Gb1c3,Gg8f6,Gc8f5] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): King’s Indian"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/VgjxbeF1"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "E60"]
[Opening "Indian Defense: West Indian Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.07.05"]
[UTCTime "14:04:43"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ I think u should know what to play by now! } 1. d4 Nf6 { Let's push this c pawn again :) [%csl Gc2] } 2. c4 g6 { King's Indian is a very common opening that you'll see many times. Black allows white to control the center while black first castle saftely and also subsequently challenge the center. Black intends to follow up with 3...Bg7 and 4...d6. The main variation of the king's indian is 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6. [%cal Gb1c3,Gf8g7] } *
[Event "42 openings that you need to know (in progress): Dutch Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/UAHxMLOe/qBVpk4qb"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/YJP"]
[ECO "A80"]
[Opening "Dutch Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.06.27"]
[UTCTime "15:16:46"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. d4 f5 { The dutch defense is an aggresive and unbalanced opening. Black's f5 can weaken his own king. White could try many methods to exploit the kingside weaknesses, such as the Staunton Gambit (2.e4) and Korchnoi Attack (2.h3 and 3.g4). } *
[Event "Queen's Gambit️️: Introduction"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug/GLBhCzrK"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "D06"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2022.01.16"]
[UTCTime "16:28:38"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Hi everyone! In this study, I'm going to explain how to play a popular chess opening: the Queen's Gambit. The Queen's Gambit is a great opening, and one of my favorites. It generally leads to positional games, but not always! White may get attacking chances too.

Edit: Thank you for the 1000+ ❤! Please visit my next study, on the Catalan Opening! https://lichess.org/study/sSteffJU/BLWuBX6U

To play the Queen's Gambit, play 1. d4. } 1. d4 d5 { The Queen's Gambit can only be played if black replies 1. ... d5. Now, play the Queen's Gambit with 2. c4! } 2. c4 { This is the Queen's Gambit! Black has 3 main options: The Queen's Gambit Declined (2. ... e6), the Queen's Gambit Accepted (2. ... dxc4), and the Slav and Semi-Slav Defenses (2. ... c6.) We'll go over all these options in this study. [%csl Yc4][%cal Gc7c6,Be7e6,Yd5c4] } *
[Event "Queen's Gambit️️: Queen's Gambit Accepted TRAP"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug/o94eA6I8"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "D25"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Accepted: Normal Variation"]
[UTCDate "2022.01.16"]
[UTCTime "16:34:10"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Do you remember how to play the Queen's Gambit? } 1. d4 d5 { Now, the key move is... } 2. c4 { Great! This is the Queen's Gambit. } 2... dxc4 { Black plays the Queen's Gambit Accepted. Although this opening is called the Queen's Gambit, it isn't actually a gambit. Holding onto the extra pawn is very dangerous for black, as we'll see.
When black accepts the gambit, we play 3. Nf3 to prevent ... e5. } 3. Nf3 Nf6 { Now, we push our e-pawn so our bishop can take back on c4. } 4. e3 b5 $2 { Too greedy! Black should have played 4. ... e6. Now, how can we attack b5 with another pawn? [%cal Rb7b5,Ge7e6] } 5. a4 { Yes! } 5... c6 { Now, exchange on b5. } 6. axb5 cxb5 { And play a pawn break that attacks c4. } 7. b3 { Black is dangerously behind in development, while white has the center, is destroying black's queenside, and may be able to attack the black king. Very nice! } *
[Event "Queen's Gambit️️: Queen's Gambit Accepted"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug/R4HNZsei"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "D27"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Accepted: Classical Defense, Rubinstein Variation"]
[UTCDate "2022.01.16"]
[UTCTime "16:41:15"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ How do we reach the Queen's Gambit? } 1. d4 d5 { And now? } 2. c4 dxc4 { We'll now see how black should play. But first, what do we play here? } 3. Nf3 Nf6 { And finally, how do we move a pawn so our bishop attacks c4? } 4. e3 e6 { This is black's best move. But, we can just win the pawn back. } 5. Bxc4 c5 { This is best. Black will try to take on d4 at some point. But we don't care! Just castle. } 6. O-O a6 { Black wants to go ... b5 and ... Bb7. We can stop this queenside expansion with 7. a4. } 7. a4 { We willingly weaken the b4 square and black, after ... cxd4 exd4, gives us an isolated pawn and a weak d5 square. So what do we have in return? We'll find out soon! } 7... Nc6 { Begin by bringing your queen to e2. } 8. Qe2 cxd4 { We don't have to take back right away. Bring our rook to the d-file. } 9. Rd1 { We've pinned the pawn to the queen. } 9... Be7 { NOW we recapture. } 10. exd4 O-O { And finally, 11. Nc3. } 11. Nc3 { In return for weakening b4, d5, and an isolated d-pawn, we have:
1) Prevented black's queenside expansion
2) More central space
3) A good square for a knight, e5.
4) All these factors add up to a kingside attack for white! } *
[Event "Queen's Gambit️️: Queen's Gambit Declined"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug/NkvYBeNe"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "D35"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Exchange Variation, Positional Variation"]
[UTCDate "2022.01.16"]
[UTCTime "16:52:26"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Black won't always accept our gambit. Here's a variation where black decides to support their d-pawn with 2. ... e6, keeping a central stronghold. } 1. d4 d5 { And the Queen's Gambit is... } 2. c4 e6 { This is the Queen's Gambit Declined. Black maintains their central stronghold at the cost of blocking in their light-squared bishop. We should develop our b1-knight. Where? } 3. Nc3 Nf6 { This is black's main line. We'll look at the alternatives 3. ... c5 and 3. ... Be7 next. After 3. ... Nf6, I recommend the Exchange Variation with 4. cxd5. } 4. cxd5 exd5 { Now, we develop our dark-squared bishop and pin black's knight. } 5. Bg5 Be7 { How do we clear the way for our light-squared bishop to enter the game? } 6. e3 c6 { This is the famous Carlsbad Pawn Structure. Bring out our light squared bishop. } 7. Bd3 Nbd7 { Here, we play 8. Qc2. } 8. Qc2 { Pressuring h7 a bit. } 8... O-O { Now comes a key moment. Where do we develop our g1-knight to? Well, both e2 and f3 are popular, but e2 is better. } 9. Nge2 Re8 { Now, we castle! But which way? Queenside is OK, but black is perfectly fine. So, kingside is better. } 10. O-O Nf8 { In this position, white has 3 possible plans.
1) f3 and e4
2) Rb1 and a minority attack with b4-b5
3) A mixture of both plans 1 and 2.
I recommend plans 1 and 3. Let's prepare them with 11. f3! } 11. f3 Be6 { If we want to play e4, we should support our d-pawn with a rook. } 12. Rad1 Rc8 { We first go Kh1, then Ng3, then e4! with an attack. } *
[Event "Queen's Gambit️️: Queen's Gambit Declined 3. ... Be7"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug/kLikQqUD"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "D31"]
[Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Charousek Variation"]
[UTCDate "2022.01.16"]
[UTCTime "17:03:26"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ You know what to do! } 1. d4 d5 { OK... next? } 2. c4 e6 { And now? } 3. Nc3 Be7 { This avoids our normal Exchange Variation lines because after 4. cxd5 exd5 there is no knight on f6 to pin. But, we can still exchange on d5. } 4. cxd5 exd5 { Our bishop can't go to g5, so it stops one square short. } 5. Bf4 { Just like the London System, our bishop goes to f4. } 5... c6 { We now clear the way for our light-squared bishop. } 6. e3 Bf5 { We can chase the bishop with an attacking pawn push. What? } 7. g4 { 7. ... Bg6?! isn't good because the bishop gets chased around. 8. h4! So black instead retreats to e6. } 7... Be6 { Now we can push our h-pawn! } 8. h4 Nd7 { Keep going! The h-pawn marches on. } 9. h5 Nh6 { Bring our light-squared bishop out so it can defend g4. } 10. Be2 Nb6 { 11. Nh3 is best. } 11. Nh3 { And we have a dangerous attack. } *
[Event "Queen's Gambit️️: Tarrasch Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug/BXRKevBz"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "D34"]
[Opening "Tarrasch Defense: Classical Variation, Carlsbad Variation"]
[UTCDate "2022.01.16"]
[UTCTime "17:10:36"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Time for one more Queen's Gambit Declined line. } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 c5 { This is the Tarrasch Defense. Even against this move, we take on d5. } 4. cxd5 exd5 { Develop our other knight. } 5. Nf3 Nc6 { We want to fianchetto our bishop to g2. What pawn push helps us do that? } 6. g3 Nf6 { We pushed g3 for a reason. Where do we put our light-squared bishop? } 7. Bg2 Be7 { Just castle! } 8. O-O O-O { We have one minor piece left to develop. Where does it go? } 9. Bg5 cxd4 { Recapture. } 10. Nxd4 { I like white's position. We want to simplify into a position where we have blocked black's isolated d5-pawn and can surround it and hopefully win it. } *
[Event "Queen's Gambit️️: Slav Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug/aueqEyOD"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "D10"]
[Opening "Slav Defense"]
[UTCDate "2022.01.16"]
[UTCTime "17:15:53"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Black's other main move is 2. ... c6, the Slav Defense. } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 { This is the Slav Defense. Let's play 3. Nc3. } 3. Nc3 Nf6 { And now, 4. e3. } 4. e3 g6 { This is the Schlechter Slav. Just go 5. Nf3 here. } 5. Nf3 Bg7 { Here, let's go 6. Be2. } 6. Be2 { This makes ... Bg4 harmless. } 6... O-O { No need to play anything fancy. Just castle. } 7. O-O Bg4 { Now, we can exchange on d5. } 8. cxd5 cxd5 { And go 9. Qb3. } 9. Qb3 b6 { We've forced black to weaken the light-squares. It's a small victory, but still a victory. } *
[Event "Queen's Gambit️️: Semi-Slav Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug/4V0pKtGj"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "D10"]
[Opening "Slav Defense"]
[UTCDate "2022.01.16"]
[UTCTime "17:23:14"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The Semi-Slav is a hybrid between a Queen's Gambit Declined and a Slav. } 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 { Now what? } 3. Nc3 Nf6 { And finally... } 4. e3 e6 { 5. Nf3 is most common. But I recommend a rarer system based off of Bd3 and Nge2. we can start with 5. Bd3. } 5. Bd3 Nbd7 { In this strange system I'm recommending, our knight goes to e2. } 6. Nge2 Bd6 { Charge forward with the c-pawn! } 7. c5 Bc7 { Gain kingside space and restrict black's bishop further with 8. f4! } 8. f4 { I like white's position. Black's main pawn break is e5, which we've prevented. We've also killed off both of their bishops. We can attack on the kingside or the queenside. } *
[Event "Queen's Gambit️️: Conclusion"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug/cYFdohvY"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[UTCDate "2022.01.16"]
[UTCTime "17:27:51"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Congratulations! You now have a complete Queen's Gambit repertoire. I hope you enjoyed this study. Please ❤ and post any feedback in the chat. Thank you, and see you in the next study! } *
[Event "Italian Game: Intoduction"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/FrQSyJ53/JR6SEQ6Z"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Opening "Italian Game"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.28"]
[UTCTime "01:28:08"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Hello everyone, welcome to my new study! In this study, we'll be looking at the Italian Game, a popular opening for white. Please ❤ this study and leave feedback in the chat!

Edit: Thank you for the 1,000+ ❤! Please visit my next study, on the Queen's Gambit, here: https://lichess.org/study/DAmLK0ug

To play the Italian Game, play 1. e4 } 1. e4 e5 { A popular and good reply from black. Continue with 2. Nf3. } 2. Nf3 { In this study, I'll explain both 2. ... Nf6, the Russian Game, and 2. ... Nc6, the main line. [%cal Gb8c6,Bg8f6] } 2... Nc6 { Now, we can play the Italian Game with 3. Bc4. } 3. Bc4 { White develops the bishop to a good square and prepares castling.
Let's explore this opening! } *
[Event "Italian Game: Giuoco Piano"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/FrQSyJ53/ji6m6syp"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Giuoco Piano"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.28"]
[UTCTime "01:33:30"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Let's see the main line of the Italian Game. Do you remember how to begin? } 1. e4 e5 { Now what? } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { Now comes the key move... } 3. Bc4 { This is the Italian Game! } 3... Bc5 { Black chooses the main line, known as the Giuoco Piano. There are 3 main lines we'll learn in this study: The Giuoco Pianissimo, the modern (unnamed) main line, and the very sharp Evans Gambit!
To play the Giuoco Pianissimo, we play 4. Nc3. If we prefer the modern main line, either 4. d3 or 4. c3 are played. And finally, if we must attack, play 4. b4, the Evans Gambit! [%cal Gb2b4,Gb1c3,Gd2d3] } *
[Event "Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/FrQSyJ53/Vuipl9L3"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "C50"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo, Canal Variation"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.28"]
[UTCTime "01:38:11"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ If you like simple developing moves and calm positions, the Giuoco Pianissimo is the variation for you! To reach the Giuoco Pianissimo, first we must play the Italian Game. } 1. e4 e5 { OK, now what should we do? } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { And the move that gives us the Italian Game is... } 3. Bc4 Bc5 { To play the Giuoco Pianissimo, play 4. Nc3. } 4. Nc3 Nf6 { Now, just play calmly with 5. d3. } 5. d3 d6 { Now, we MUST attack somehow! How do we develop with threats? } 6. Bg5 { Great! 7. Nd5 is the threat. There are 2 main moves here: 6. ... h6 and 6. ... Na5. [%cal Rc3d5,Gh7h6,Bc6a5] } 6... h6 { The more popular of the two.
6. ... Na5 7. Bb3 with a nice position. Easy development for white.
Back to 6. ... h6. We don't want to play 7. Bh4, because then black can then play ... g5 at some point, the castle queenside. So, we should take the knight! } 7. Bxf6 Qxf6 { How can we bring a knight to a strong square and gain a tempo on the black queen? } 8. Nd5 Qd8 { Now, we should seize the initiative by preparing d4. How? } 9. c3 { Excellent! d4 will come with a good position for white. } *
[Event "Italian Game: Modern Main Line"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/FrQSyJ53/rfin5dda"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "C53"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.28"]
[UTCTime "01:48:28"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Another possible setup for white is the modern main line.

If we want to play the Italian, how do we start the game? } 1. e4 e5 { And now... } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { Time to play the Italian game! } 3. Bc4 Bc5 { The modern main line can be played with either 4. d3 or 4. c3. Let's play 4. d3. [%cal Gd2d3,Bc2c3] } 4. d3 Nf6 { 5. Nc3 is the Giuoco Pianissimo again, but to play the modern main line, choose 5. c3 instead. } 5. c3 a6 { 5. ... d6 and 5. ... 0-0 are also played, but the plans remain the same either way.
In the above position, just castle! } 6. O-O Ba7 { Stepping out of the way of a b4 advance. Now, develop your knight. } 7. Nbd2 d6 { Black is threatening 8. ... Na5 to trade off your bishop. Where can your bishop retreat so that it can go to c2 if 8. ... Na5 does happen? } 8. Bb3 O-O { I recommend a simple move here, 9. Re1. } 9. Re1 { Preparing a knight maneuver: Nd2-f1-g3. Then, Be3, Bc2, and d4! [%csl Yg3][%cal Yd2f1,Yf1g3,Bc1e3,Bb3c2,Gd3d4] } *
[Event "Italian Game: Evans Gambit"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/FrQSyJ53/Pasp1HKn"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "C52"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Evans Gambit, Compromised Defense"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.28"]
[UTCTime "01:57:45"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ If you love to play attacking chess, you may want to try the Evans Gambit!

How do we play the Italian? } 1. e4 e5 { Next... } 2. Nf3 Nc6 { And now? } 3. Bc4 Bc5 { Now, just give up a pawn with 4. b4! [%cal Gb2b4] } 4. b4 { An amazing gambit!
"This magnificent attacking game was invented to make man understand that chess is a gift from the gods." - Savielly Tartakower } 4... Bxb4 { This opening was used in the 19th century, the Romantic Era, when chess was a purely attacking game. It was played in the famous Evergreen Game. It once again became popular in the 1990s, with Garry Kasparov even using it! The point is 5. c3. (You can play that move.) } 5. c3 Ba5 { Now, play 6. d4! } 6. d4 { For the cost of a pawn, white has achieved a good center and attacking chances. } 6... exd4 { Just castle! } 7. O-O dxc3 { Black is very greedy, grabbing not one, not two, but three pawns! Another idea of the Evans is to set up a dangerous queen-bishop battery. How? } 8. Qb3 { But in return for the many pawns sacrificed, white has a strong queen-bishop battery staring at the black king. } *
[Event "Italian Game: Two Knights Defense"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/FrQSyJ53/1G3C3Qer"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "C55"]
[Opening "Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.28"]
[UTCTime "02:08:00"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ The Two Knights is black's other main defense to the Italian. } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 { I recommend the simple 4. d3. } 4. d3 { 4. ... Bc5 transposes to either the Giuoco Pianissimo after 5. Nc3, or the modern main line after 5. c3. But black does have another possible move. } 4... Be7 { Simply castle. } 5. O-O O-O { I recommend 6. Bb3 here. } 6. Bb3 d6 7. c3 { A similar position to the modern main line. } *
[Event "Italian Game: Russian Game"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/FrQSyJ53/B8PoeNua"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "C42"]
[Opening "Russian Game: Nimzowitsch Attack"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.28"]
[UTCTime "02:12:51"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Time to study one more move by black! } 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 { The Russian Game. Just take the pawn on e5. } 3. Nxe5 d6 { Best. 3. ... Nxe4 allows 4. Qe2, when a knight retreat loses the queen to 5. Nc6+. 3. ... Nc6, the tricky Stafford Gambit, will be studied and refuted in the next chapter.
After 3. ... d6, retreat your knight to f3. } 4. Nf3 Nxe4 { I'm going to recommend the interesting 5. Nc3. } 5. Nc3 Nxc3 { Recapure! } 6. dxc3 { Now, we have a simple plan: Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0, and a kingside attack! } 6... Be7 { Stage one: Be3. } 7. Be3 Nc6 { Stage 2: Qd2 } 8. Qd2 Be6 { Stage 3: 0-0-0 } 9. O-O-O Qd7 { We first secure our king with 10. Kb1, then it's kingside attack time. [%cal Gh2h4,Gg2g4] } *
[Event "Italian Game: Refute the Stafford Gambit!"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/FrQSyJ53/7wcl8bfL"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "C42"]
[Opening "Russian Game: Stafford Gambit"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.28"]
[UTCTime "02:19:50"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nc6 { Black sacrifices a pawn, but has all sorts of tricks up their sleeve. Unfortunately for them, their gambit is dubious. I'll show you how to refute it here! First, take the knight on c6. } 4. Nxc6 dxc6 { 5. Nc3 is best. } 5. Nc3 Bc5 { Now comes a weird move, but it refutes black's opening! Play 6. h3. } 6. h3 { ! Blocking black's access to g4. f2 is our main weak point in the Stafford, so we prevent a knight from ever going to g4, which attacks f2. } 6... Qd4 { Threatening mate. Defend with 7. Qf3. } 7. Qf3 { Great! Now black's just down a pawn. } *
[Event "Italian Game: Conclusion"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/FrQSyJ53/KjNMJ11H"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/caelT8"]
[ECO "?"]
[Opening "?"]
[UTCDate "2021.12.28"]
[UTCTime "02:24:32"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Now, you should be able to play the Italian Game, play against the Russian Game, and even refute a popular gambit! Please press the ♥ button, and I'll see you in the next study! } *
[Event "���� Sicilian Kan Repertoire ����: Introduction and Opening Ideas"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/1D1HCJEb/e61uypkO"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"]
[ECO "B43"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Kan Variation, Knight Variation"]
[UTCDate "2018.09.11"]
[UTCTime "00:58:57"]
[Variant "Standard"]

{ Hello chess fans! This is NM Mr_Penings (Daniel He) bringing you all an in-depth guide to the Sicilian Kan. I started playing the Kan as black way back in 2012, and it has been my main defense against 1. e4 ever since!
��わ��Please give this study a like (Heart) and share with others! } 1. e4 { I would estimate I've played over 3000 games total in the Kan, which includes bullet games online, so I would call myself a "specialist" in the opening. At the end of the course, I have some sample games of mine in the Sicilian Kan to illustrate some key ideas in action. All of the games are played on either chess.com or Lichess.org. } 1... c5 2. Nf3 { In this course, I will be covering 2nd move sidelines 2. c3 (Alapin variation) and 2. Nc3 (Closed Sicilian). For both lines, I recommend a flexible setup that resembles the Kan pawn structure. } 2... e6 3. d4 { Third move sidelines are the variations of the King's Indian Attack (3. d3, 3. g3, and 3. Qe2). 3. c3 and 3. Nc3 usually transposes back to a familiar line. } 3... cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 { This is the starting position for the Kan Sicilian. The moves I included in the study are the lines I have used successfully over the years. There are definitely other moves for black in these lines, but generally the Kan is more about ideas in the position rather than concrete moves. Enjoy the guide! } 5. Nc3 { The most common 5th moves are 5. Nc3, 5. Bd3, and 5. c4, all of them leading to pretty different positions. All three will be covered extensively in the rest of the course. } 5... Qc7 { The queen is safe on c7 and hits all areas of the board. Notice the queen is safe from any knight attacks (d5 and b5 are off limits for white). Qc7 also prevents e5 so black can play Nf6 next. } 6. Bd3 Nf6 7. O-O Nc6 8. Be3 h5 { This weird looking move, h5, is quite common in the Kan Sicilian. I approve of this move and have very nice kingside attacks that begin with this h pawn move. The idea is obviously to play Ng4, threatening the bishop and checkmate on h2. } 9. h3 b5 { This is a typical setup in the Kan, where black is comfortable playing on all sides of the board. Usually, black knights are developed before bishops because the dark squared bishop in particular can be developed on any square depending on the position. Common ideas include b4 to take more control over the center and Ne5-c4 to place some pressure on white. Black can often get away with not castling since the center is still fairly closed. } *
[Event "���� Sicilian Kan Repertoire ����: Rare Sidelines"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/1D1HCJEb/rJ0nF7bU"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"]
[ECO "B40"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: French Variation"]
[UTCDate "2019.08.04"]
[UTCTime "08:20:47"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bc4 $6 { Surprisingly common amongst beginner and intermediate players. When starting out, players are taught the Italian Game (e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bc4) which is a great opening to learn piece development and center control. But these moves are not automatic. I'll be blunt, but against the Kan, it is just plain bad. The a2-g8 diagonal is already closed, so the bishop is not going places on c4. To make matters worse, d5 comes with tempo! } ( 3. c4 a6 { This often transposes to the Maroczy Bind variation, one of the 3 major lines. See chapters 15-16 } ) ( 3. b3 { An early queenside fianchetto is rare but a reasonable try. The downsides of this line is the a1-h8 diagonal can rarely be opened up because whenever white plays e5, the diagonal closes. Meanwhile, with White's dark squared bishop on b2, there is less control over the g1-a7 diagonal. Often times, Black can play Bc5 and put a lot of pressure down that diagonal. } 3... a6 4. Bb2 b5 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 Bb7 7. Bd3 Nf6 8. Qe2 Qc7 { Very similar to a Kan structure now. See sample game below in the 3. b3 variation. } ) 3... a6 { I recommend this move. 3. d5 is also logical, but the lines with Bb5+ and an early 0-0 and Re1+ sometimes can lead to bad positions if not played accurately. 3. a6 is very straightforward. The idea is 4. d5 or 4. b5, which both can't be stopped. } 4. Nc3 ( 4. a4 d5 ) 4... b5 5. Be2 ( 5. Bb3 c4 ) 5... Bb7 { Black already has a much better position. b4 is the threat, winning the e4 pawn. } *
[Event "���� Sicilian Kan Repertoire ����: Sideline: Closed Sicilian Part 1 (2. Nc3 a6 3. f4)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/1D1HCJEb/WtgeKU4u"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"]
[ECO "B23"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Closed"]
[UTCDate "2018.09.19"]
[UTCTime "16:48:45"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 { The Closed Sicilian/Grand Prix Attack is a great attacking opening for white. White can fianchetto his kingside bishop or go for a quick attack with f4. A pretty rich opening with lots of ideas. } 2... a6 { I have great success with this move because it strikes back on the queenside immediately with a quick b5, rather than develop on the center/kingside. There are 4 main moves after 2. a6 : f4, g3, Nf3, and a4. } 3. f4 { The other popular line 3. g3 often transposes to the lines in the 3. f4 variation. See chapter 3. } ( 3. Nf3 e6 { Transposes back to the main line of the Kan Sicilian. See later chapters } ) ( 3. a4 { I'm always happy to see white play 3. a4 because a6 for black is a lot more useful than a4 for white. Yes, it stops the plan of 3. b5, but a6 is a useful move in the Kan, while a4 is not. So I suggest just switching gears back into a Kan with 3. e6 } 3... e6 4. f4 d5 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. d3 Nf6 7. e5 d4 { This is a comfortable position to play for black. } ) 3... b5 4. Nf3 Bb7 5. d3 ( 5. d4 { I've seen this move played plenty of times, and should not be feared. This is basically a Kan with an early f4 for white. } 5... cxd4 6. Nxd4 ( 6. Qxd4 e6 7. Bd3 Nc6 8. Qf2 Qc7 9. Be3 Nf6 { [%cal Gf6g4] } ) 6... b4 7. Nd5 e6 8. Ne3 Bxe4 { A free pawn with no compensation. } ) 5... e6 6. g3 d5 { The threat is to play b4 and break open the center. Black wants to tempt white to play e5, closing the center. See variation below. } 7. e5 h5 { This is a common idea for black whenever white pushes e5. Now the f5 square is weakened and a great spot for the black knight, which will hop in from g8-h6-f5. Black has dominance over all sides of the board, with a potential kingside attack with a well-timed h4, and space advantage on the queenside and center. } *
[Event "���� Sicilian Kan Repertoire ����: Sideline: Closed Sicilian Part 2 (2. Nc3 a6 3. g3)"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/1D1HCJEb/kZKDKXj5"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "*"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Mr_Penings"]
[ECO "B23"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Closed"]
[UTCDate "2019.08.03"]
[UTCTime "07:27:32"]
[Variant "Standard"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 a6 3. g3 b5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. d3 e6 6. f4 ( 6. Nge2 b4 { And white's knight is forced to go on a weak square and black has a comfortable position. } 7. Na4 ) ( 6. Be3 Nf6 7. f4 d5 8. e5 Ng8 { Knight is headed to f5/g4 again, and the threat of d4 to fork the bishop and knight still stands. } ) 6... d5 7. e5 h5 8. Nf3 Nh6 { This is a favorable position for black because of the weak squares g4 and f5 to place for the knight, and a center/queenside space advantage. So basically black has dominance on all sides of the board. Oftentimes, black can play Nf5 and then a well-timed h4 to create a dangerous attack along the h-file. } *