Against 1.e4

• At a glance

  Against 1.e4

  28 games, 28 wins: against 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, Nemsko plays the Latvian Gambit 2…f5. A move Stockfish disputes, and one that sets White concrete problems.

  15 cards, one idea each. Swipe to move on.

• The big idea

  Your games: 87× · you score 85%

  After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, Nemsko often leaves classical theory: 2…f5, the Latvian Gambit, in 15 games of this family, and sometimes 2…d5, the Elephant Gambit.

• The big idea

  He goes for the initiative right away, at the cost of a position Stockfish rates as favorable for White.

• The big idea

  Your games: 16× · you score 100%

  28 games, 100% in this family. Stockfish disputes 2…f5 and prefers 2…Nc6, but White has to find precise moves: one natural move off track, and White's kingside is under fire.

• The big idea

  Your games: 5× · you score 100%

  The course shows both sides: what White should play (3.Nxe5 and Bc4), and the traps Nemsko sets when White chooses 3.exf5 or 3.Nc3. The last chapter covers the Elephant Gambit.

• Principle

  Open the f-file

  Your games: 16× · you score 100%

  2…f5 attacks e4 and opens the f-file toward f2. If White does not react, …fxe4 kicks the f3 knight and the f8 rook eyes f2.

• Principle

  The e4 pawn as an outpost

  Against 3.exf5, 3…e4 kicks the f3 knight. The e4 pawn takes d3 and f3 away from White's pieces.

• Principle

  Defend e7 and f7 with the queen

  Against Nxe5 and Bc4, the queen on e7 covers the diagonal toward e8 and the e-file. Without her, Nf7 or Bf7+ decides.

• Principle

  Development before the pawn

  In these gambits, the pawn given matters less than time. Black develops fast and pushes …d5 to take back the center.

• Imbalance

  The exposed black king

  Your games: 16× · you score 100%

  After …f5, the e8-h5 diagonal is open. Bh5+ or Qh5+ are moves to watch for at every turn.

• Imbalance

  The black e4 pawn

  In the lines with …fxe4 or …e4, the black pawn on e4 gains space but has to be supported by …d5.

• Imbalance

  Initiative against structure

  Black plays for time and open files. If White consolidates, Black's structure stays weakened around the king.

• The trade-off

  What you gain

  • White is out of theory from move two.
  • Concrete traps after the natural moves 3.exf5 and 3.Nc3.
  • An open game, with the initiative for Black in many lines.
• The trade-off

  What you give up

  • Stockfish disputes 2…f5 and prefers 2…Nc6.
  • Against 3.Nxe5 and Bc4, Black has to find …Qe7.
  • The e8-h5 diagonal stays open throughout the opening.
• That's all

  Your turn

  These ideas only stick once you play the moves. The chapters make you find the right ones.

  Start chapter 1

Card 1 of 15: Against 1.e4

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