My SECRET Universal Opening System [NO THEORY]

Get The Crystal-Clear Guide To Reach 2000+ ELO Rating Faster

Take Your Chess Skills To The Next Level With High-Quality Courses

In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov will share with you a simple, aggressive, and universal chess opening system for Black against 1.d4: the English Defense, which arises after 1.d4 b6.

This is a universal opening system; you can play it against any 1.d4 opening from White, and you’ll be using the same setup every time. This approach allows you to bypass complex opening theories, making it easy to learn and master.

Furthermore, you can also transpose this opening into the Rubinstein Variation of the Dutch Defense (by playing Bb4 and f5 later)—an aggressive setup that GM Smirnov covered in one of the earlier video lessons.

Another advantage of this opening is its rarity—only 2% of games have been played with the English Defense. This means you're more likely to catch your opponents off guard, giving you a competitive edge.

▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Chapters

00:00 Best Chess Opening For Black Against 1.d4 [No Theory]
01:11 English Defense - 1.d4 b6
01:44 Delaying f5 (Dutch Defense Setup)
04:21 If White plays 4.e4, controlling f5-square
07:46 If White does not play exf5
09:39 Solid approach for Black
12:14 If White does not play d5

► Follow RCA on social media

#IgorNation #ChessOpenings #ChessOpening

[rocco]

Recently got back into chess and found this channel and I have to say the amount of useful knowledge you are sharing is incredible. Thanks

[GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters

00:00 Best Chess Opening For Black Against 1.d4 [No Theory]
01:11 English Defense - 1.d4 b6
01:44 Delaying f5 (Dutch Defense Setup)
04:21 If White plays 4.e4, controlling f5-square
07:46 If White does not play exf5
09:39 Solid approach for Black
12:14 If White does not play d5

[TheSwagDawg]

Hey Igor could you please make a video one the Pirc, where black plays c6 on move 6 (after making that classic Pirc structure)? I know c6 is a very flexible move where you have options to play for e5, c5, for even to push b5 and a5 and start a queenside attack. The thing is, I'm not sure when to do which. If you could make a video on this that would be AWESOME! :)

[eddiescherer]

Extraordinary!!! Incredible analysis! Love your videos. Well done, Igor!

[sachinss]

Ah yes 1.d4 b6..and 2.white plays e4 and turns it into Owens defense.

[Thesilverrat]

I am a master of openings, a master of learning, a master of pointing out the obvious when I watch other people's games. But most of all I am god level master blunderer.

[blades]

There’s something about the way he says pawn and bishop that just feels good

[shustypl]

In practice, people very often like to annoy the English Defense players and deliberately do not play Nc3, or they play a3 before we manage to put the bishop on b4.

[Carterofmars]

I'm returning to chess after a half a lifetime away, so in essence, I'm like a beginner.

Questions: What do you think of Chessup2 for improvement? I ordered this board for the sole intention of improving my game. Is there a better board out there? Is an electronic board like this useful for a beginner at all?

Thank you.

[joeoleary]

Is it universal or against d4? I thought universal meant applicable to any opening move by white.

[DrZaiu]

Could you make an opening guide video to the Korchnoi Attack? I know how to play if my opponent falls into the main trap but if they don't it's a little more tricky. Thanks!

[jonathanbaake]

at 9:39, isn't it true you could play knight f3 and protect both the rook and bishop with a queen backed knight?

[Naborbukv]

5:05 if d5 - Bxc3+, bxc3 - d6, Nf3 - Nd7

[rudradevsingh]

What about g3 opening? Is there any good lines for white that gets opponents into deep think. I dont know if you covered the reason for 1.g3 and the amount of flexible options and possible traps.

[Jaybay-xmsd]

Could you please make a video on how to easily pass the 1200-1300 Elo range Thanks love the content.🙏

[trichycuber]

Put a video on elephant gambit for white

[psychosid]

How to deal pawn nd pieces tension?should we trade or avoid??😐😐

[Naborbukv]

Aftter b6 they go to London system and it is GG

[Faustusful]

one question its B6 viable aslo aginst a4?

[sl]

9:30 is it possible to use Knight g6 to protect the Bishop and close the Rook from the Queen? 🧐