01:10 Introduction: Closed Sicilian Grand Prix Attack, 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 02:00 Sicilian Pterodactyl: 2...g6 3.d4 10:18 2...d6 3.f4: Grand Prix Attack vs. Dragon setup 22:50 2...Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Bc4 e6 35:46 2...Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Bc4 g6 43:20 Black destroys 3.Bb5

30:52 Eric's slightly wrong here. c3 is Stockfish's recommendation when Black plays 8...Be5 a move earlier, instead of 8...d6, to defend that square. After 8...d6, 9.c3 is fine, but Stockfish recommends 9...d3, threatening 10.f4 to dislodge the bishop. This forces Black to play 10...g5, weakening their kingside, and only now 10.c3. I can only recommend analyzing all these these lines with Stockfish if you want to play them because they are really a course in advanced tactics. (I can also recommend using the word "recommend" far too often.)

25:20 I totally loved this nasty trap, but it should be noted that surprisingly, according to the Lichess database, 6...a6 is played *much* more often than 6...d5, even among players on my level... this unfortunately prevents any of the nice b5 stuff, resulting in lots of trades and a very equal game. So if you want to play this trap, you should also check out the ...a6 line.

13:30 "Usually my style is more conservative, I don't like sacrificing material if I don't have to." Sure, Eric, but lemme tell ya this put a big smile on my haggard face XD

Who would have thought that Berlin will so quickly become unpopular

who's mary chain

I got here because Browne impressed in the tv series The Master Game, you should view that. Top players comment themselves on theirs & opponents ongoing play. Browne had one frequently recurring comment on a move by opponent: "hmmm....that's what I figured". Excellent player!

The intro🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

5:18:15 anyone know the tune?

1st comment

This was a great lecture. I was so happy to be in your class yesterday!

Stop drinking whilst you speak. Thanks

Key squares look like knight moves... nice

Any relation to *the* Cervantes?

That a knight becomes more powerful the more it is supported by your other pieces is such a valuable lesson, i on my own would have never figured that out, i definately try to adapt this knowledge into my own games.

Akobian is nothing short of amazing in his teaching skills. His chess skills aren't bad either.

Stop gulping bro. Switch the mic off when drinking

For a long time, I've been opening up the last puzzle with Kb1, I found I actually like to open it with Kd2 better. It's a mate in 45 but Kd2 gives me possibility of mate in 43. When the knight crosses to black's side of the board, there's 2 tempos the white king may make. When the knight is on a4, if the black king moves to c6, the tempo Kd1 puts black in zugzwang to move to d6, then white can play Nb6. Black must always prevent the knight from getting across or it's a much sooner win. When white plays Nd5 most likely check, if the black king moves to e6, not only after b4xNa3can the pawn march to a Queen, but also the black king can travel over to defend the pawn on a3, the black king can break into the white side of the board with Kb3, black will sweep the white pawns and it's a win for black. If the white king is on the c file, it's close enough over, but on the d file, if the black king is on e6, a tempo to the other d square puts black in zugzwang and forces Kf7. The black king makes any other move and the knight gets across and gets the pawn on h6 and the knight and white king can do something on the king side of the board. The black king on f7 is far enough over that if b4xNa3, the black king cannot get back in time to defend the pawn from the white king. And do play the king on g2-h3 before the knight on g2-h4 because it saves a king move.

What if in the first game black changed the structure to an igp by playing for c5 since white fianchettoed

ممتاز باسم متابعك من العراق ، لاعب مشرف

is this man a Jesus & Mary Chain fan?

Jen and Alejandro in 1 pic... who would know....

Maybe this should be anyone below 1400? I learned these endgames when I was 1100. I would doubt you wouldn’t know the basic endgames below 1400. I could be wrong but the standard of play at all levels has drastically increased. I have a friend who is 1400-1500 (uscf) and he knows all the basic endgames. Lucena, philidor, etc. i believe this lecture is for anyone below 1300-1400 I’m sure there is a 1800/1900 who never learned the basic endgames like a strong youth but that’s an outlier. Last month I played a 9 year old (1600+ uscf) and even he knew the philidor to my horror. I lost rating to that draw :/

The variations Finegold choses to analyse are so instructive, as opposed to some chess content creators that chose random engine variations to analyse.

I’ve been playing the London a lot on white but I don’t really enjoy it too much so I’m thinking of switching it up and play the Vienna.

Ben's the best teacher for players below 2000. Makes ideas very simple to understand and very humorous while still providing GM level insight and experience

Koliko je ovaj covek divan

First game after Be6 Qg3 is not a problem imo. I mostly play e6 instead of e5 though and dont have a backward d pawn

Najdorf is my bread and butter. Just like Kasparov!!

you lost me at "if you're not sure, then take things" LOL

Very impressive. Thank you =)

As a 2000 rated player… you’d be surprised how many people even a bit above my level need to learn endgames lol That may or may not include myself lol As I progress I’m finding myself in endgame positions more and more, when before most of my games would be decided in the middle game.

14:00 d5

Keep a lot of pieces on the board and keep more play in the position not so much theoretical because your opponent might go for the quick draw my opponent is either going to find a good move against me or they’ll blunder most times it’s the latter

Right send those pawns up the board I kind of hate when my opponents do that because here come all these pawns trying to open up my kings defenses I know the better players see it as an opportunity because it also weakens the kings defenses that has sent pawns etc

"You know these guys are good at chess because you can't pronounce their names." - Ben Finegold, probably

Nice lecture! Thanks!

6:50 in - the 1924 NewYork Tournment?!?! That would be Emanuel Lasker - not Capablanca (finished second) - who won when he was 55 years old!! He took years off at a time and yet was still competing at the highest levels well into his sixties. Extraordiary talent in several different fields.

Hi

Pure class

Are you okay you look very sweaty

Really really impressed with this guy! Like the thought process,explanation,reasoning everything feels so logical and correct!

VERY GOOD

5:00 so well spoken for her age! damn at that age i woulda been like, "take that you suckers!"

Where's the whole video?

Saint Louis Chess Club, I really liked this video! I subscribed too!

I heard in the news today that the Russian government issued an arrest warrant for Garry Kasparov. I offer prayers for your safety Garry. Please take care of yourself.

Yasser, will you ever reprint No Regrets so all of us can read it? Crazy price the used copies are listed at.

If I recall correctly, the first 5-6 moves follow Korchnoi-Karpov, Hastings 1972. Korchnoi castled queenside and won by a direct kingside attack.

Nakamura vs. Caruana in the recent Candidates Tournament. Pretty much sudden death blow to Caruana who overlooked this (not particularly complex, especially at their level) tactical shot completely. Quite a shocker - Caruana resigned immediately after this move