Stonewall Chess Opening Tutorial

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In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov shares one of the easiest chess openings to learn for beginners. At the same time, it's a powerful chess opening for White after 1.d4.

It is the Stonewall Attack which is characterized by White playing their pawns to d4, e3, Bd3, Nd2, and then playing pawns to c3 and then f4. The Stonewall is a system where White heads for a very specific pawn formation, rather than trying to memorize long lines of different variations. White puts up the Stonewall formation regardless of how Black chooses to defend against it.

Watch the video lesson to learn the logical reasoning behind the moves, White's main idea in this opening, middlegame plans, and a deadly trap that wins the game in just 12 moves!

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► Chapters

00:00 Best Chess Opening for White
00:11 Stonewall Attack Chess Opening
01:00 White's idea in the Stonewall Attack
02:15 Trap to win in 12 moves!
02:52 Logical reason behind White's moves
05:57 Middlegame plan for White
08:08 Q&A: Common questions about this opening
08:58 If Black plays c4 to attack d3-bishop
09:23 If Black plays cxd4

#IgorNation #ChessOpenings #ChessOpening

[vmf]

Just wanted to thank you for this opening. Lots of people haven't seen it. So it's been getting me a much needed win streak.

[GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters

00:00 Best Chess Opening for White
00:11 Stonewall Attack Chess Opening
01:00 White's idea in the Stonewall Attack
02:15 Trap to win in 12 moves!
02:52 Logical reason behind White's moves
05:57 Middlegame plan for White
08:08 Q&A: Common questions about this opening
08:58 If Black plays c4 to attack d3-bishop
09:23 If Black plays cxd4

[huntermach]

This is definitely my favorite chess channel, and my 2nd one would be Rey Enigma's, so I love how this opening has similar vibes to the Colle system, same way the Bishop opening and the Italian game feels the same. Definitely gonna practice the Stonewall attack.

[TheChristriton]

I'm already familiar with this opening but this video still taught me quite a few things and improved my knowledge. Subscribed.

[deafrock]

thanks gm Smirnov, i have watched many chess training youtube channel, by far this is the best amongst them, very clear and practical

[DirtRoadFarmers]

This is the first opening I learned!!!! I love it!!!!

[resop]

What I do against the Stonewall is castle, play b6 and the Ba6. (Leaving out castling leaves one open to the fork with Qa4+.) If I am able to exchange the white squared bishop then White's attack loses a lot of steam and he is left with a dark squared bishop that will take a while to find something useful to do.

[funtimewaste]

Thnaks for the great tips. What if they play E5?

[eduwoodentoys]

Thank you, we export a lot chess, but play very few.good lesson!

[EcstaticMonkey]

Thank you very much this is by far my favorite opening! I have never been a massive fan of the London and d4 in general but this thing is just too good.

[vovan]

On 2:28 you say "there is no defense against Q H7 checkmate.

As I was watching it, it wasn't obvious to me that R e8 making room for the king doesn't save black. I had to analyze the position to see that:

- Re8
Q h7 - K f8
Q h8 - K e7
Q g7#

[Solkefra]

Great video - love your explanations. Could you do a follow-up from the black perspective and give some insight into how black should think about defending an attack like this?

[Wibgloria]

9:32 you say ideally white wants to capture with the e pawn but in that position what if Bd6 followed by Qc7? Then it seems as if white is forced to play g3 which is a huge risk considering that white has to castle that way. I lost a game like I that in tournament and my opponent simply played h5-4 etc, 0-0-0 and mated me. That’s why I believe when the Bishop can go to d6 and queen to c7 white must actually capture with the c pawn instead to avoid weakening his structure as f4 can not be defended adequately.

[mevansm]

Thank you for making these videos you are so helpful, one of only 3 people I watch to learn! Do you reside in USA?

[dimitristheodoropoulos]

Could you make video about the italian game ( white - variations and ideas) and about the london (with white)? And finally one video for an easy (for begginers) openning for the blacks? thank you

[erich.]

Question: What if black plays bishop f5 before you can develop white bishop to d3?
It would be greatly appreciated if you would explain. Thanks.

[seanmartens]

This raised my ELO from 1050-1150 in just 2 days!

[minthihaswe]

Thank you so much for sharing man. Worth it to subscribe this channel. After watching on your chess strategy, my chess skills is a little bit more improvement. Appreciated. Wish successful!

[arthurwieczorek]

I have the same question for this as for the Colle, how do you answer 2.----B-f5 ? My guess would be 3.B-d3.

[EdSuastegui]

One nuance not mentioned here is how Black (as played by Stockfish 16.1) would love to trade their light square bishop for White's, which is a key piece in the attack. The key move is ...b6. At that point, you have to do something to avoid the immediate exchange.
1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3 e6 4. Nd2 c5 5. c3 b6 6. f4
(6. Bc2? Ba6 {and now White can't castle short.})
(6. Qe2 {This neutralizes Ba6 in the short term, but Black could still play it after ...a5})
6... Be7 7. Ngf3 O-O 8. O-O Qc7 9. Ne5 Ba6 {and White must give up its good bishop for Black's or sacrifice the exchange, losing another key piece for the attack.}