Learn the Smith Morra Gambit with Hikaru

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  • Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
  • Hikaru reviews two of his own games and discusses gambits including the Smith Morra
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 271

  • @Aulut
    @Aulut Рік тому +234

    Hikarus "Welcome back!" versus Gotham's deadly stare...

  • @deaccess
    @deaccess Рік тому +160

    Wow hikaru I'm convinced you literally read my mind by releasing this video, because after watching the match between you and fabi I got motivated to play the smith mora and I started analyzing the games and studying the smith morra. Thanks hikaru 😅

    • @Speedster___
      @Speedster___ Рік тому +3

      Watch Danya has ton of content on it

    • @davidwindmiller3494
      @davidwindmiller3494 Рік тому +8

      @Speedster5 if you're going to recommend someone for the smith morra, it has to be Marc Esserman. Even Danya references his book on the morra

  • @sebu1301
    @sebu1301 Рік тому +45

    I'm glad to be living in this day and age, when one can get daily coaching from a 2800 rated super GM. Hikaru is the people's champ!

    • @jaylenlenear3944
      @jaylenlenear3944 Рік тому

      its actually not the best way to play the morra hence the engine eval got worse before it got better but still interesting to see him go over it

    • @edwincollison9317
      @edwincollison9317 Місяць тому

      Though I'm a Magnus fan, I trust Jikaru to give us the deepest lessons about chess since he's a great calculator player😂.

  • @jeremyrinker1339
    @jeremyrinker1339 11 місяців тому +3

    Brutally honest feedback on opening with e4 and gambits. I really appreciate it Hikaru!

  • @KidSmutty
    @KidSmutty Рік тому +11

    That "Welcome back everyone" makes my day every time!! LOL

  • @olavisau
    @olavisau Рік тому +27

    I think it's all the way to 2000 or perhaps beyond with simply tactics / opening understanding. At my rating around 1700 - it's very rare for there not to be a game ending tactic in the first 20-30 moves, but damn can they sometimes be hard to spot and verify in seconds like you can.

    • @martinpaddle
      @martinpaddle Рік тому +1

      Yeah, but in some positions any random move will be a blunder, while in others most moves will be fine. I see so many players up to 2000 online disregard the opening, get to cramped -2 positions after a few moves (and not on purpose, as in some tricky openings), and then defend brilliantly and somehow turn the game. Based on their tactical ability they could easily be rated higher if they didn't start every game with a handicap and spent more time attacking than defending. Or at least go through their games, even if they won, and make a mental note of improving some moves in the opening

    • @olavisau
      @olavisau Рік тому

      @@martinpaddle Yep, tactical abilty is king in lower ratings and the only reason it isn't king in higher ratings is because others have a better tactical ability as well. In theory tactical ability combined with excellent positional understanding can turn the game even from a bad opening, especially in bullet / blitz.

    • @wolfgangwiesinger9502
      @wolfgangwiesinger9502 Рік тому +1

      +2000 you need endgameunderstanding

    • @jakeswagerson9941
      @jakeswagerson9941 Рік тому

      ​@@olavisau2000s plus is stacking the basics (which you have to go back to lest you forget) plus tactics, positional study, and endgames endgames endgames. Literally so many endgames. Sometimes even some basic endings if you're at the lower end of 2000+. Technique is everything

    • @Hunni125
      @Hunni125 4 місяці тому

      @@martinpaddle yea this is why accuracy can be very misleading

  • @blastermast4545
    @blastermast4545 Рік тому +4

    Hahahah Hikaru is such a troll. “It won’t be the kind of game that goes in the books and lasts forever, unless it gets put on my UA-cam channel!” *evil smile*

  • @superrgmeli
    @superrgmeli Рік тому +13

    yeahhhh, just read Marc Esserman's book on this opening. A lot more fun to be had

  • @caleb101089
    @caleb101089 Рік тому

    The emphasis on “saaack” instead of “the rooook” was just the content we needed. Somebody needs to do a video loop of levy and hikaru saying, “sack(ed) the rook” back and forth to each other and it would be gold.

  • @andreworlowski2296
    @andreworlowski2296 Рік тому +3

    Hikaru, I watched you play the Smith Morra against Fabiano and immediately started researching it! Thank you so much for making this video!

    • @davidwindmiller3494
      @davidwindmiller3494 Рік тому

      Check out Marc Essermans book Mayhem in the Morra, no better book on the subject.

    • @andreworlowski2296
      @andreworlowski2296 Рік тому +1

      @@davidwindmiller3494 Thank you so much

  • @PaulGoldstein
    @PaulGoldstein Рік тому +6

    i play smith morra all the time, because of all the opportunities it opens. Esserman has a nice book on it. So nice to see it played at top levels.

  • @braum9547
    @braum9547 Рік тому +5

    hikaru's energy on the opening is very addicting.

  • @ehatipo4598
    @ehatipo4598 9 місяців тому

    This is probably the best instructive chess video on UA-cam under 20 mins! All hail the king Hikaru!!

  • @PaullHutchh
    @PaullHutchh Рік тому +29

    Favorite opening by far! Learned from Marc Esserman. Thank you Hikaru!

    • @martinpaddle
      @martinpaddle Рік тому +2

      I read that book... tbh I found it weird that an author goes to such lengths to show that white can achieve equality in an opening. With the same effort one could learn to play against the open sicilians and have objectively better chances. But in the end, it's about what one enjoys most

    • @jmgolob
      @jmgolob Рік тому +12

      @@martinpaddle be honest with yourself, you didn't read the book.

    • @martinpaddle
      @martinpaddle Рік тому

      @@jmgolob what do you know? I have it and read large parts of it. It's fun.

    • @jmgolob
      @jmgolob Рік тому

      @@martinpaddle Grammar for starters

    • @martinpaddle
      @martinpaddle Рік тому +1

      @@jmgolob it's not grammar, it's orthography

  • @Isaisc64
    @Isaisc64 Рік тому +10

    ¡Gracias por la lección Gran Maestro!

  • @kyuchess
    @kyuchess Рік тому +1

    It's great to see you giving credibility again to this amazing opening!

  • @SRMi
    @SRMi Рік тому

    Thank you, this is my favorite of your guides so far.

  • @PhilosoJitsu
    @PhilosoJitsu Рік тому

    OMG that entry quote spoke to me. I've played Queen's gambit all my life and cannot break that barrier over 18/1900. Ty Ty Ty Ty 🤠

  • @NicoBirknicnoc
    @NicoBirknicnoc Рік тому

    man i love the smith morra gambit, first opening i learned. now they all gonna learn it and how to defend it, i think i have to find something different thats not often played ^^

  • @dashingclasher
    @dashingclasher Рік тому

    smith morra is my favorite way to deal with people who play sicilian under 1500, i already loved the danish and this is very similar

  • @move_to_spain
    @move_to_spain 22 дні тому

    Thank you so much for the lesson! 🙏🏻✌️

  • @tonysu8860
    @tonysu8860 Рік тому

    Small comment on the references to the Danish Gambit in this video....
    IMO simply offering the c3 pawn (in double KP openings) is the Goring Gambit initially but evolves into the Danish Gambit if White develops a certain way and doesn't recapture with the QN on c3 immediately.

  • @osenazl
    @osenazl Рік тому

    9:30 🥰 my heart smiled

  • @justforfun1844
    @justforfun1844 Рік тому +1

    Hikaru 's fake smile for intro of his video is permanent

  • @ruthxk7844
    @ruthxk7844 Рік тому

    9:30 absolutely!!

  • @tonysu8860
    @tonysu8860 Рік тому

    I was looking forward to this particular GMHikaru take on the Smith-Morra because one can almost say that Hikaru's treatment/interpretation of playing it is relatively new to me. The viewer should know that in none of these games Black played the recommended defenses to the Smith-Morra but that's part of the charm of choosing an opening like this that puts pressure on the opponent to remember and spend time on the line and the Smith-Morra is actually a fairly safe gambit for hite to play... AFAIK White always achieves good positions and pressure even if Black plays accurately although in the end with all gambits if Black can withstand the assault without having to return the material, White is likely playing the rest of the game at a disadvantage... But at the GM level I doubt that a pawn deficit in the opening and middlegame likely means a loss in the endgame.

  • @HughesMath1
    @HughesMath1 Рік тому

    Listened to the first game over 10 times today. Still working still grinding still learning the board.

  • @characterwheaties
    @characterwheaties Рік тому +2

    Best Hikaru video I’ve ever seen

  • @synsx
    @synsx Рік тому +2

    as a dragon player, i hate facing the smith morra as i literally cant play the same thing anymore

  • @chlydabrigo
    @chlydabrigo Рік тому

    I love the way it was explained ,simple and quick,. Easy to understand,.

  • @lordhelps1
    @lordhelps1 Рік тому +1

    Just to be clear, 1st game move 11 by Ghandeevam2003 is a howler blunder, +- 3. Correct was Qe7. Nevertheless, you show what a weapon the Smith-Morra Gambit is. Love your stuff!

  • @boftungol9423
    @boftungol9423 Рік тому +1

    If I’m below 2000 but aspiring to be above it I don’t think it’s unreasonable to play 1.d4. I get great positions against unprepared opponents and just feel more confident playing d4.

  • @rileyrobinson4273
    @rileyrobinson4273 Рік тому +3

    You inspired me to play chess and enjoy the game

  • @viushin
    @viushin Рік тому

    Good gambit, but in blitz and rapid i usually play d3 in reply, and its pretty comfortable sicilian defence for black

  • @vinsincere
    @vinsincere Рік тому +2

    I kindly request you cover the Scandinavian opening. You briefly covered it in Legendary Openings but then the opponent surrendered within 5 minutes.

    • @vertexblue1007
      @vertexblue1007 Рік тому

      the Scandinavian isn't good to play

    • @vinsincere
      @vinsincere Рік тому

      @@vertexblue1007 Which means it's extra humiliating if you lose to it. It's a beginner-friendly opening, unlike the bongcloud which Hikaru is famous for playing such an atrocious opening

  • @HunchoDean
    @HunchoDean Рік тому +3

    More of these opening vids

  • @ClassicMist360
    @ClassicMist360 Рік тому +3

    I feel like someone told Hikaru to be more energetic at the start of the video for viewer retention or something, so thats why he forces that awkward "HELLO, and welcome BACK EVERYONEEEEE" at the start of each educational video/recap😂😂

  • @N0Xa880iUL
    @N0Xa880iUL 7 місяців тому +2

    Smith Morra is OP

  • @marcofrey2903
    @marcofrey2903 Рік тому +1

    Awesome. I play the Smith Morra myself! Big fan, at 1500. It's a bit funny that Hikaru has often played the rather tame d3 push decline variation. Not sure that's still his preferred line after studying it.

    • @strategygames1026
      @strategygames1026 Рік тому

      Hikaru already knew more about this gambit than you can forget. He's played multiple games with Esserman in this variation and that's why he knows exactly how dangerous taking the pawn is.

  • @albertynwA
    @albertynwA Рік тому

    You’re the goat Hikaru! You can still see the love of the game in your content

  • @PleasantTorture
    @PleasantTorture 6 днів тому +1

    My all time favorite opening. Nice games Hikaru

    • @Dragoninstar
      @Dragoninstar 5 днів тому

      I really love it, especially because there is no refutation to it

  • @Harryf2201
    @Harryf2201 Рік тому +23

    Hikaru adopting the levy stare at the start, brilliant

  • @davidc5191
    @davidc5191 Рік тому

    I recall a funny comment by Bent Larsen on the Smith-Morra. He was playing in a tournament in San Antonio where Ken Smith was also playing. He commented on a game where Smith played 1. e4 and his opponent played a French Defense. Larsen annotated Black's 1...e6 with a ?, saying 1...c5! wins by force since Smith always plays his gambit and lost every game playing it.

    • @Dragoninstar
      @Dragoninstar 5 днів тому

      It's funny how, in the history of chess, so many people hated on the Smith-Morra but none of them actually came up with a refutation.

  • @jmgolob
    @jmgolob Рік тому +18

    Be honest, was Marc Esserman the actual major inspiration to play the Smith Morra? Who showed you Qb3 in the dragon setup? Thanks for that, now let's move on...

    • @davidwindmiller3494
      @davidwindmiller3494 Рік тому +1

      Hikaru is mocking marc by not mentioning him

    • @jisoom3
      @jisoom3 Рік тому

      @@davidwindmiller3494banned

    • @user-iq1hk9hu5p
      @user-iq1hk9hu5p Місяць тому

      Thats why i Love Stockfisch Humans are mean dirt WHO destroy each other and the Planet ​@@davidwindmiller3494

  • @musakhoshnaw1857
    @musakhoshnaw1857 Рік тому

    What a brain you have
    Memorizing all violence lines in smith mora

  • @krishsoni23
    @krishsoni23 Рік тому +2

    Please teach the Scandinavian Defense!

    • @Magnusisme
      @Magnusisme 8 місяців тому

      I used to play the scandinavian all the time but i lost some respect for it after i got more advanced and i forgot about it for weeks until i saw this comment

  • @makayneilson7570
    @makayneilson7570 Рік тому

    Perfect, I was just studying the Sicilian and needed some example games

  • @NoudvanHarskamp
    @NoudvanHarskamp Рік тому

    😂😂😂Amazing intro!!

  • @xavierjohnson1608
    @xavierjohnson1608 Рік тому +1

    I love the Smith-Morra gambit

  • @HughesMath1
    @HughesMath1 Рік тому

    So I wonder, on other videos, when Hikaru looks up left, and sees the board from one side, then turns the right looking up at the reverse position.

  • @merimackara
    @merimackara Рік тому

    played the default smith morra gambit and found out its a real opening so i came here. crushed him ofc

  • @Mustafa-r3o4j
    @Mustafa-r3o4j Місяць тому

    I don't think 1 e4 is the only move for beginners and intermediates. I'm 1200 and play almost most of them. Some people could argue that this is why I'm still 1200😅 but it's not. I'm only playing chess for a few months. But I really feel that by playing different openings you can have a better understanding of the dynamics of the game

  • @HughesMath1
    @HughesMath1 Рік тому

    It will last forever for me cuz this is some memorizing the board thank you

  • @HughesMath1
    @HughesMath1 Рік тому

    I am using this video to help me imagine/map the board

  • @PhoenixH7
    @PhoenixH7 Рік тому +1

    I like 1.f4 because as a below 2000 it has teached me to ignore kings safety and always sac if possible 🤣 also I am pretty close to 2000 so maybe I should start playing a normal opening. My friends always tell me to stop playing f4 and play something "normal"
    Also below 2000 you should be playing for fun thats why I play f4 really aggressive

  • @AnimePianoD
    @AnimePianoD Рік тому

    Thank u for the video! You are the best

  • @GodMode714
    @GodMode714 Рік тому

    Deez knights are jumpy 😂 17:08

  • @Pogo4799
    @Pogo4799 9 місяців тому

    Hi from Italy thanks for such a lesson.
    If I may I pose you a personal question, why at 12:35 do you count in spanish?
    Generally a person counts in his first language. Me, for example, with a strong accent of my youth northern Italy dialect.
    All the best to you and your family.

  • @the_lava_wielder6996
    @the_lava_wielder6996 Рік тому +1

    Hey Hikaru I am 1800 and want to learn the Nimzo. If you made a video on it that'd be dope. That's all

  • @Veptis
    @Veptis Рік тому

    A while ago you had a tutorial video on the danish gambit. And it felt more beginner friendly than this

  • @HughesMath1
    @HughesMath1 Рік тому

    "Welcome back..." thank you Mr Hikura

    • @HughesMath1
      @HughesMath1 Рік тому

      Only 5 seconds into the video and I feel welcome.

  • @NMBrayanAmaya
    @NMBrayanAmaya Рік тому +4

    Marc Esserman is happy when he hears this

  • @johnkai3359
    @johnkai3359 Рік тому

    GOOD CHESS QUOTES MY MAN

  • @kashifushi4962
    @kashifushi4962 8 місяців тому

    that spanish came out the blue ahahhahaha

  • @RandomArcherPlayer
    @RandomArcherPlayer Рік тому

    hikaru gives u motivation before every opening xD

  • @cameronskellams5670
    @cameronskellams5670 Рік тому

    Very insightful thanks so much

  • @kaffnir
    @kaffnir Рік тому +5

    BANNED and MOCKED yam yam yam

  • @ddenti99
    @ddenti99 Рік тому

    I knew this video was coming! 😍

  • @jessereustxxsilentripxx272
    @jessereustxxsilentripxx272 Рік тому

    Hikaru is Literally the best Aaand… he literally does not care.

  • @anthonypassarelli5534
    @anthonypassarelli5534 Рік тому

    Epic opening monolog

  • @McBlinks95
    @McBlinks95 8 місяців тому

    Please, don’t ever change how you say “Today’s episode”. 😂

  • @sunondo8671
    @sunondo8671 Рік тому

    Hikaru's fake smile is the best smile ever!

  • @Chess_Improvement
    @Chess_Improvement Рік тому

    this is great content!!

  • @Magnusisme
    @Magnusisme 8 місяців тому

    He taught us how to beat erigaisi if he plays the sicillian

  • @gratitud143
    @gratitud143 Рік тому +1

    Marc, you have made it. The Smith Morra has arrived in the mainstream

  • @jluke6861
    @jluke6861 Місяць тому

    Thanks for the Great Videos.

  • @Cfnminus
    @Cfnminus Рік тому +4

    You’re so entertaining, mad respect for letting levy win the streamer award 💀

  • @Philson
    @Philson Рік тому +1

    Only here for the: WELCOME BACK

  • @muhammadsaudbarakzai4565
    @muhammadsaudbarakzai4565 Рік тому

    Thank you hikaru you made my day😊

  • @davidsantiago7808
    @davidsantiago7808 Рік тому +1

    why does hikaru always look like he's in pain when he's talking

  • @gerardduffy3406
    @gerardduffy3406 Рік тому

    Ooh a new weapon against the Sicilian. I can finally move away from Levy's grand Prix attack 😅

  • @donbmcgee
    @donbmcgee Рік тому +1

    Call me Tactics Tactics Tactics from now on

  • @martinpaddle
    @martinpaddle Рік тому

    As Hikaru starts with quoting Smith, one should add for completeness that he wasn't very successful with it

  • @peterpetrov6522
    @peterpetrov6522 Рік тому

    I can't believe Hikaru dumped the hiphopohthala LALAmoose for the Smith Morra. He seems happier though, so...🤣

  • @IamSteeamZ
    @IamSteeamZ Рік тому

    Once a legend said "Welcome back everyone"

  • @wtfskilz
    @wtfskilz Рік тому

    This is what I started playing against the Sicilian

  • @tonysu8860
    @tonysu8860 Рік тому

    😀I watch and highly recommend GMHikaru content for its consistent high quality.
    Yet. I'd laugh and probably wouldn't agree that anyone below 1900 has to play e4 all the time and take their lumps to improve. IMO that's exactly right if you want to develop or already find yourself playing in a highly tactical attacking style like Hikaru but IMO there are as many ways to play chess as there are individual humans. I myself self-schooled myself on the technical aspects of playing positional defense before adding tactics to my personal style. I studied games by players like Botvinnik, Petrosian and Smyslov with the idea that tactics are born organically out of a position that was prepared and only when the ground was properly cultivated tactics would finish off my opponents, and that got me up to Expert class (UCSF). IMO practically anyone else can tread the same path I did and also approach a UCSF Master rating.
    But of course, becoming really good at chess requires a well rounded style. No matter what your personal bias might be, higher class play requires a good balance of both tactics and strategical play although it's anyone's guess what the right mix might be. I am mightily impressed that Hikaru can exemplify chess played mostly based on tactics and relatively few games that involve long, slow maneuvering. Even long Hikaru games are usually a succession of tactical constructions rather tha an effort to strangle. I speculate that might be because of the impact of computers on play today that positional advantages are achieved by relatively few tactical sequences and computers may not yet be capable of playing positionally as well. And it helps that brute force calculation of about 9 plies(half moves) are frequently sufficient to conquer most opponents.

  • @CBFW_KO
    @CBFW_KO 5 місяців тому

    5:33 hahaha

  • @krishrao2778
    @krishrao2778 10 днів тому

    Strange to see Gm playing like a patzer when facing this gambit.

  • @TheSublimeLifestyle
    @TheSublimeLifestyle 4 місяці тому

    Hikaru should bring this content back.

  • @OpusPocusMusic
    @OpusPocusMusic Рік тому

    Hikaru always chews on his words in the intro

  • @tellu1899
    @tellu1899 Рік тому

    this stare at the beginning of the video HAHA

  • @infinitypowergaming2995
    @infinitypowergaming2995 Рік тому

    I played this gambit without knowing and i was winning pretty much and my opponent resigned

  • @biankakoettlitz6979
    @biankakoettlitz6979 Рік тому

    I like the quote,it's like my life 's quote 😀

  • @jakeswagerson9941
    @jakeswagerson9941 Рік тому

    hikaru talk different from what I remember

  • @BK-ef4rv
    @BK-ef4rv Рік тому +1

    When are you gonna play against the new bots?

  • @DrMocktopus1
    @DrMocktopus1 Рік тому +3

    Little bro thinks he’s Marc Esserman

    • @jmgolob
      @jmgolob Рік тому +1

      BANNED SUCKA

  • @elRhubbard
    @elRhubbard Рік тому

    Are you and levy ever going to do more sub battles or collabs in general?

  • @fernandezfran
    @fernandezfran Рік тому

    The best part was Uno, dos tres, cuatro, cinco, seis pieces 😅

  • @rzepic2711
    @rzepic2711 Рік тому

    "These Knights " ❤