Chess lesson # 51: Best Opening for Black | Chess openings the right way | The Czech Pirc Defense

This opening has been in my repertoire since the beginning of my Chess career and I still use it at the master level. The Czech Pirc Defense definitely helped me become a National Master and today I enjoy sharing it with my students. I think you should learn it now for many reasons. It is solid and offers good chances for Black. It is easy to learn and master. This opening works against anything the white pieces play. It includes a trap in the first few moves. Finally, I think that if you learn it well, you will always have the upper hand since many players are not familiar with it. People study how to deal with other popular openings such as the Sicilian defense, the French defense, etc. However, playing the Czech Pirc is like bringing your enemy to your territory. Have fun, learn it well, use it, and let me know how it goes!

Do you like my wooden Chess board? Check it out here (affiliate link) ⬇️

00:00 Intro
00:40 What you should play this and only this opening for Black
03:20 Opening theory and main plans
17:49 Coach Robert plays first blitz game using the Czech Pirc Defense
22:40 Coach Robert plays second blitz game using the Czech Pirc Defense

Join to access members-only content and perks:

Learn how to play Chess the right way from beginner to master level. National Master Robert Ramirez will take you up the pyramid by following a proven Chess training program he has been improving and implementing for over 10 years.

Benefits of Playing Chess:
​- Promotes brain growth
- Increases problem-solving skills
- It exercises both sides of the brain
- Raises your IQ
- Sparks your creativity
- Teaches planning and foresight
- Teaches patience and concentration
- Optimizes memory improvement
- Improves recovery from stroke or disability
- Helps treat ADHD
Chess is an intellectual battle where players are exposed to numerous mental processes such as analysis, attention to detail, synthesis, concentration, planning and foresight. Psychological factors are also present on and off the board; playing Chess stimulates our imagination and creativity. Every single move a player makes is the result of a deep analysis based on the elements presented on the battlefield.

Chess in its essence teaches us psychological, sociological and even moral values. In a Chess game, both players start with the same amount of material and time. The fact that the white pieces move first is considered to be practically irrelevant —especially because a player typically plays one game as white and one game as black. Consequently, the final result of the battle solely depends on each player. It doesn’t matter if you win by taking advantage of your opponent’s mistakes or by simply avoiding mistakes yourself. Truth is that Chess is an extremely individual sport and our defeats can only be blamed on ourselves and no one else. And this, in the end, only benefits us because we learn to be and feel responsible for our actions and never come up with excuses to justify ourselves.

We also learn that when it comes to our victories on the board, our opponent's mistakes play a more significant role than our own skills. Let’s not forget that a Chess game without any mistakes would be a draw. This way, Chess provides us with another valuable life lesson: be humble at all times.

About National Master Robert Ramirez:

With an outstanding background as a professional Chess player and over 8 years of teaching experience, Robert Ramirez brings both his passion and his expertise to the board, helping you believe & achieve!

Robert Ramirez was introduced to the fascinating world of Chess when he was 5 years old and has participated in prestigious tournaments such as the World Open Chess Tournament and the Pan American Intercollegiate Team Championships. Thanks to his performance, he has earned his National Master title from the United States Chess Federation.

[NMRobertRamirez]

We finally have a strong and well organized opening course for White and one for Black. With these and the FREE beginner to master level playlist from this YouTube channel, it’s all about consistency over an extended period of time 😎💪 ⬇

[lanalorenzen]

Wow!! I'm a 71-year-old woman attempting to learn chess to strengthen my memory and my ability to concentrate. This man is terrific! I spent two hours on this video and it was a great experience. My preference is for ad-free sites because the ads interrupt the flow of the instruction. I'm willing to pay for ad-free content to individuals who are this creative and adept at instruction. Love your instruction, Mr. Ramirez and will buy some of your merchandise.

[aryankumarprasad]

I can't believe someone have uploaded this for free.

[debopamroy]

I have never achieved so much clarity in chess understanding until I do today. You are an incredibly gifted teacher who converted this bumbling fool of a chess enthusiast into an actual strategic player. No amount of thanks is enough for what you do. You deserve every good thing that happens to you, my friend. I'm going to recommend you to all my friends who are starting to learn chess. Absolutely incredible instructionals.

[brennenblotner]

This opening, no exaggeration, gained me 100 ELO almost overnight. Thank you NM Ramirez!

[mikeification]

fantastic, clear explanations! I like the way to focus on teaching and not showing off and trying to be a youtube star (the world has enough of those).

[anoukadel]

I originally came to this channel for this lesson because I was looking for a good and easy to learn opening for black. I haven't regretted it for a moment. I liked this video so much, I decided to start from the beginning and now, but 51 lessons later I'm here again and I've learned so much. Thanks again coach!

[jakes]

Wow, this is really good. Not only do you explain the opening, but you explain all of the reasoning behind it very clearly. This is one hell of a video.

[miguelhurtado]

I've been playing this defense for many years. I knew it as Rivas defense, Rivas is a spanish grandmaster who played it very often. This video is so awesome! You have clearly explained pieces set up, basic plans, patterns, and ideas of this defense. Keep up the good work!

[WaffleKnight]

This is maybe the best opening video I've seen on YouTube. Really appreciate how you explained every move while keeping it short and easy to understand for beginners.

[brass]

7 wins 1 loss as black since playing this opening!!! TY! I genuinely suggest that everyone gives this a few games! The best thing is to see the hesitation by white on move #5!

[mpp]

This is exactly what I'm looking for. Great explanations crammed in a relatively short video. Thanks!

[phillipbroughton]

My biggest problem is trying to make my mind up on what to play. I keep moving backwards and forwards between different openings and getting bogged down. This Czech Pirc is the one for me I think, especially as you can also play it with white. A universal opening that allows me to not get stuck on the opening and move on to the middle and end games. All your playlists are excellent. Thankyou Robert. Keep up the good work!

[jamesreed]

This is outstanding. I can't believe it took me so long to find out about it. Both simple and effective. I have used it in dozen 5+5 games with very good results AND you can play this against everything! Simple and effective. Outstanding. thank you RobRam.

[robertable]

Good morning thx so much I've been play from the age of 11, I'm in my 50s now, I've never seen this opening, I now use it all the time as presented, absolutely fantastic I may have lost twice & that was me experimenting. Your reasoning and detail is the best I've experienced, you are a great teacher. Subscriber for life!

[natigreenberg]

Thank you so much Robert!!! I used to struggle when playing the black pieces but after watching your lessons about the pirc and kid I actually win more games with the black pieces and I really feel comfortable playing this opening and get to the middle game in a good position and knowing the basic ideas instead of getting stuck without any clue how to continue. Your lessons are very clear, you cover all the points, and easy to remember for a guy like me that watched a lot of videos and failed to implement the ideas in real games. Your system is much more clear and easy for me to play and gets me through the opening safely, and if I lose it's because I hang pieces or do stupid blunders. Thank you so much, you are AMAZING!!!

[barskaracadag]

Robert, I can listen you for hours. Thank you for the content !

[johnnybombino]

This content is what I was searching for, you are natural born instructor, thank you

[angelitoadoptante]

during my NCAA times i played the french and pirc (not this variation), got bored with both of those defences and studied the sicilian in which i had a very good result both sides. after college and switching to being a teacher myself i found myself quite lost when i tried to start playing again.it seems that i have forgotten the many sharp lines for both sides of the sicilian. Came july 29, 2021 every time i go to youtube this blue colored channel suddenly appeared and with hesitation still tried to have a quick look at this video....and WOW!its amazing. tried this line which i never played before got me a straight 7 wins in 3+2 in lichess.and i am sort of feeling like going into playing chess again. I really thank you so much for this National Master Robert Martinez. I felt like my discovery of your channel has a purpose.

[Richson]

It was wonderful to watch our Instructor play spontaneously blitz chess and use the principles that he endorsed. He also talked us through his methodology.!!!
This is by far my Favorite Instructor....