WIN WITH 1. E4 | The Vienna Gambit 

The perfect video doesn't ex-

"It's mate in a few moves, but more importantly, you're gonna win the queen." -IM Levy Rozman, 2020

who else was like:"ok imma try this now" and then started a game and played with black

2... Nf6 - Vienna gambit Accepted (f4) 1:33 Declined (Nc6) 2:41 Declined (d6) 3:41 Main line 4:27 5. d3 (not recommended) 5:17 5. Qf3 (recommended) 7:19 Nxc3 7:47 (b pawn) 6. bxc3 8:21 c5 9:20 5... Nc6 10:13 (d pawn) 7... Qh4+ 11:21 5... f5 12:05 (b pawn) 8... dxc3 12:24 9... g6 13:00 2... Nc6 14:42 Copycat (Bc5) Qf6 14:57 g6 17:22 Kf8 17:52 3... Nf6 18:06 Bc5 18:43 6... Ng4 0-0 19:40 6... Bg4 20:34 3... d6 21:25 This was coppied by someone else, just needed to fix on entry that was misswritten and also to stay on top!

You know you're getting into chess when you go to bed and you start thinking about possible opening moves and their counters

This is gunna be one of those "watch a couple times" videos

“Here you just slap them in the face and play Ng5” ... Instructions unclear, got kicked out of tournament. - 19:05

Hey levy, I know I am about 2 years late and you probably won’t see this comment but I really want to thank you. I’ve started playing actively pretty much one year ago after taking a break from when I was about 6. I’ve now managed to climb to ca 1450-1500 and it is in large part thanks to all your educational content and specifically your content on the Vienna. Even now, at about 1500 Elo, with the Sicilian becoming more popular (which I play the Alapin against and haven’t gotten an opponent that responded correctly yet) it blows my mind how few people actually know the Vienna. Out of my last 20 1. e4 e5 games I’ve probably gotten 3 copycat, 10-12 Vienna gambit accepteds and a few d6 and even nc6 declineds. The amount of time I’ve face the mainline total I can probably count on both hands. All that to say, thank you. You sparked a fire for chess in my heart and I kinda wish I didn’t stop when I was young (according to my mom my coach at the time shared that sentiment 😅)

I know it's been two years, but I must express my sincerest gratitude for you making this video This opening has carried me up from 700 elo a few months back, to having just crossed 1300. Thank you

"This cannot be accepted" "Black cannot decline" PERFECT

dont mind me Vienna Gambit Accepted: 1:35 Queen's Pawn attacking pushed pawn: 1:49 More variations with Queen's pawn attacking pushed pawn: 2:21 Vienna Gambit Declined with knight: 2:42 Situational Queen trap: 2:52 Vienna Gambit Declined with Queen's pawn: 3:42 Vienna Gambit Main Line: 4:27 Main Line variations for white: 4:56 Trap with Knight trade: 5:19 Trap with Queen check: 5:38 Knight defends: 6:38 Queen attacking knight Vienna Gambit Main Line variations for black: 7:20 Knight Trade taken with bishop's pawn: 7:56 Knight Trade taken with knight's pawn: 8:22 Simple bishop development on black side: 8:34 Left bishop's pawn push AFTER bishop development on black side: 8:52 Left bishop's pawn push BEFORE bishop development on black side: 9:07 Knight development: 10:11 Knight Trade: 10:25 Queen trade variation sacrificial mate: 11:27 Second Pawn defending knight: 12:09 Left Pawn trade after knight trade: 12:22 Defending against attack: 13:02 Defending pawns with bishop: 13:11 Knight defends pawn: 13:45 Pawn takes with immediate attack: 14:02 Vienna Gambit Bishop Development Variation: 14:47 Copycat system with black queen threatening mate: 14:48 Knight pawn up: 15:36 Queen Trap with knight: 15:40 Knight pawn up before queen out: 17:26 King defends pawn: 17:55 2 knights variation: 18:08 Knight threatens bishop: 18:18 Knight pin: 18:37 Trap with bishop on top of knight for black: 18:50 Threatening fork with castle: 19:44 Bishop pin: 20:36 Queens pawn defends pawn: 21:28

I bought your e4 NY style course on Chessly as soon as Chessly started and I've been studying each day since. Recently I got confident with my skills and started playing again after a few years and I went from 950 to 1500 in just a week. Today I defeated a +1850 and I felt really happy. Thanks for your work, Levy!

its been 2 years and your channel has reached from 100k to almost 2 mil

"I do not fear a man who has practiced a thousand gambits once, I fear a man who has practiced one gambit a thousand times" - Chess Lee

im actually half of these views because i keep forgetting the lines

Crazy to hear how humbled you are by 100k, when you're sitting at 3.63M as I watch this right now. You deserve it man, you make awesome content and you're so entertaining to watch. God Bless

Watching the whole video, starting a game: I'm black

I am always looking forward to the next season! Especially when it involves crushing the center with The Vienna. Merry Christmas indeed.

Hey Levy, watching in 2022 almost 2023 and you have 1.78 million subscribers. I am happy to be one of them!

Levy: "It's pretty rare in a game of chess to be able to surprise your opponent as early as the second move. Hikaru: *Laughs in Bongcloud*

me: e4 random dude: d5 **credit rolls**

dont mind me Vienna Gambit Accepted: 1:35 Queen's Pawn attacking pushed pawn: 1:49 More variations with Queen's pawn attacking pushed pawn: 2:21 Vienna Gambit Declined with Knight C6: 2:42 Situational Queen trap: 2:52 Vienna Gambit Declined with Queen's pawn to d6: 3:42 VIENNA GAMBIT MAIN LINE (Pawn to d5 after Pawn to f4): 4:27 Main Line variations for white: 4:56 Trap with Knight trade (Pawn to d3): 5:19 Trap with Queen check (After Pawn to d3): 5:38 Knight defends: 6:38 Queen attacking knight Main Line variations: 7:20 Knight Trade taken with bishop's pawn: 7:56 Knight Trade taken with knight's pawn: 8:22 Simple bishop development on black side: 8:34 Pawn to C5 AFTER bishop development on black side: 8:52 Pawn to C5 BEFORE bishop development on black side: 9:07 Knight C6 after Queen Attacking Variation 10:11 Knight Trade: 10:25 Queen trade variation sacrificial mate: 11:27 Pawn to f5 defending knight (After Queen attacks Knight): 12:09 Pawn to d4 12:12 After sacrificing and playing Be2 13:02 Defending pawns with Be6: 13:11 Knight C6 Variation: 13:45 Pawn takes with immediate attack: 14:02 Vienna Gambit Bishop C4 Variation: 14:47 Copycat system with black queen threatening mate: 14:48 Pawn G6 Defending G7 square: 15:36 Queen Trap with knight to H3: 15:40 Defending G7 Pawn with G6 of King F8: 17:16 Defending M1 with Knight to f6 17:26 2 knights variation: 18:08 Knight to a5 threatening bishop on C4: 18:18 Knight pin: 18:33 Trap After Bishop to C5: 18:41 Castling to Defend F7 Pawn: 19:40 Bishop G4 Pin: 20:33 Early Pawn D6 (Knight to C6 Variation): 21:28

It's 2+ years later and whereas you had 100K subscribers when you posted this video, now you have 2.1M. Congratulations! Just found your channel yesterday--I'm retired and beginning to learn chess as a beginner plus. Thank you!

Levy, I'm on my chess team at school, we were in the finals, but our second best player couldn't go because of grades. To make it worse their school was already stronger than ours. I was sure I was going to lose, but I played the Vienna against an opponent who is clearly stronger than me. Thanks to you I won because of the Qg4 line winning me a piece.

Gotham: "You'll never face this" Me, after I memorized it: You just wait.

Gotham! you are awesome! i had been going through some of your course and checking out these older videos(5/3/23) and i tried this vienna opening and got my first ever Brilliant! truly thankful for what you do! 🙌🏽💪🏼

I don't watch openings from any other RU-vidrs. You are just the best teacher. Please do more opening videos.

Peition to make 25 minute single opening rather than "whole e4 in 10 minutes" This was veeery very thorough, thanks!

The only thing I remember after watching this is Nb5. Always play Nb5. Thanks, Levy! I’m getting better

I am an 800elo player and I found I was doing the same 4 moves a lot in the opening. So I checked if they were book moves. It was the Vienna opening. So this was great to see some powerful opinions past move 4. Hopefully studying this can get me to 1000elo.

I foresee a lot of blundering coming out of this system.. and not from my opponent

0:00 It's pretty rare that in a game of chess to being able to surprise your opponent as early as second move. 2.Ke2

I opened chess and got white, played the Vienna and my opponent rated 566 KNEW EVERY TOP MOVE

10 minutes in and I already forgot everything

First game I played after this video: opponent accepted the Vienna gambit and lost horribly

Let me tell you that you have 1 million apprentices in 2021 well done mate🍸

Levy saying it's crazy how he has 100 000 subs and a few years later he's at 4.5 mil.

2022 - 1.76 Million

Twice today while playing blitz I used the Vienna gambit, and they each responded with d5. I asked each of them if they watch your videos, and both confirmed that they had learned it from you. Pretty cool.

22:08 Now you have a 1.04M Subscribers, you're the most entertaining chess content creator, and I still watching this video to memorize some moves. You're amazing Levy, you grew up so much. So proud of you.

Four minutes into the video, I pause and play a not rated game and it works!!! This era is awesome. Thank you, Levy!

Winter is my favorite season and I like to stay in and watch movies. Thanks for all your videos dude!

Thought this opening looked really cool, so I tried it for myself. Played it for a couple hours and lost 300 points, turns out I’m dogshit and can’t play anything but the London

"This is the stockfish defense, you will never get this" The 100k viewers of this vid : MMMMMHHHHH

I have recently been playing in a students vs. profs chess tournament and have been playing this opening when I can. So far I have won a game with it and drawn a game (for reference on the drawn game I am a 1400 rated player and the game I drew was against an 1800!). I must say I have really been enjoying this opening and it works quite well for me! I always had an advantage coming out of the opening and have won due to the great activity of my rooks thanks to the opening of the f-file. I would highly recommend you give this opening a go! Definitely catches a lot of players off guard! Great video!

Great video. It shows how to the analysis board.

MY LIFE IS FINALLY COMPLETE

Please do more Vienna videos! Also, I love how this was longer than 10 mins, the others felt a bit rushed

Subscriber and Chessly course owner here. The e4NYS course has helped a ton with getting me to the middlegame in a great position but now I am looking forward to your middlegames course to get me a bit further. Thank you Levy. Keep on keeping on.

Levy you know have 2,33 MLN subscribers. At this time, you had 100.000. Still here to say that your consistency in video making every single day it's amazing, and all of your success you EARNED it until the last drop. I know that you will probably never read this, but i just wanted to thank you and what better way than your vienna video that made me win so many games. Thank you for all your effort ❤️ (you worth more than a queen)

Learned this 8 months ago. And I must say I've won hundreds of games using almost every variation that you showed. My personal favourite is the copycat variation.

"im nearing a hundred thousand" *4 months later* 600k

I played this in a tourney after briefly studying this video, and he gave me his knight because he did not retreat, i take with queen, vien keto my bishop, and then like 8 moves later he couldnt prevent checkmate. best opening ever

My favorite season is fall too. Just right tempature. I actually like catching snakes, speedcubing, drawing, photography, aaaaaaand chess ofc in the fall. Great video!

Levy: "This is completely winning for white." Me: "So how exactly does one win in such position..."

“It’s mate, but more importantly you’re going to win the queen” 😅😅😅

It's so cool to know that Levy just going to reach 100000 subs while making this video and now he has 1.6 million subs

Back in 2020 when you were almost to 100k subscribers, you asked folks who may be watching it in 2021 to let you know how many subscribers you have. Well it's 2023 now and you have 2.86M subscribers :D great work and great video, thanks!

God damn chess theory is so beautiful

Me: “Alright let’s do this!” Opponent: 2...c6 Me: “Fuck”

You said if I was watching this video in 2021 to let you know how many subscribers you have at that point. Well I am watching this video in 2022 and if you were nearing a 100k subscribers in 2020 then you have done exceptionally well in a year and half. 1.5 million subscribers as of June 2022. That's the reward of great content. Keep it coming my friend. 👍

Damn, from 100,000 subs to 4.5 million in 3 years! Well deserved

‘Nearing 100k’ in 2020. Now over 2 million subs in 2023. Crazy growth. Congrats @GothamChess! 22:00

As a casual player I find I benefit the most from just hearing you talk about the general ideas and concepts around the openings, I have the capacity but not the desire to memorize the theoretical moves, but knowing the general ideas of what I should be trying to accomplish based off different positions makes the game a ton of fun because i feel like i'm figuring out the theory as the games go on :) This is absolutely not to say you shouldn't talk about the theory, I just wanted to say thanks for sharing the ideas and strategies!

I just landed a checkmate in 10 moves. The Vienna system is amazing. Thank you for all the free advice you provide. You've substantially helped me improve my game. 10/10

Just the 4.04 MILLION subs here in 2023 😂

21:50 can't believe he was at only 100k 2 years ago. Now nearing 2M!!!

Levy, I love you. Thank you so much for teaching your pride and joy, the Vienna. It's really appreciated as it is very hard to find theory for this system.

Aaaaaaaaand now everyone's gonna play the vienna. God dammit my precious opening😭

I love how he asks how many subs he will have in 2021, and now its 2022 and he has over a 1,5 mill subs, which are all completely deserved!

19:25 "And it's losing... they- it's just- it's losing... it's losing... And if I wasn't clear... it's lost."

still as golden of content as it was 4 months ago, like well-preserved cheese.

15:55 Levy: crap I've started saying it, gotta finish

First game after watching this video: *Move 1* *Move 2* *Move 3* *Move 4* *Move 5* *Black resigns*

This is the best instruction I've seen on playing the Vienna Gambit... Thank you for this excellent video.

7:02 "This is very trappy" *Future starts playing in my head*

If you guys wanna see the position played at 3:48, danya naroditsky in his 1580 vienna gambit video playes this exact variation all while being the literal best teacher of all time

"I'm now nearing 100k [subscribers]". You're at 2.5 Million now Levy. So proud of you.

I've dabbled in the Vienna a few times over the years, but never got serious about it. This video is a great starting point. As a reference to help me study, without having to watch the video over and over, I made notes of all of Levy's recommendations. Here they are, if anyone wants them: Vienna Gambit 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 • Gambit accepted (mistake by black) o 3. … exf4? 4. e5 Ng8 5. Nf3 (to prevent Qh4+)  and then maybe d6 6. d4 dxe5 7. Qe2 Bb4 8. Bxf4 Qe7 and castle queen side, or other options.  Just be sure to prevent Qh4+ and develop quickly • Gambit declined o 3. … Nc6? 4. fxe5 Nxe5 5. d4 is like Halloween Gambit (5. … Ng6 or Nc6 6. e5 Ng8 7. Nf3) o 3. … d6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. d3 (play Bxc6 if a6, plan to O-O, fxe5)  Pretty much any plan with Bc4 or Bb5 before d3 should be fine. • Mainline o 3. … d5 4. fxe5 Nxe4 5. Qf3  5. … Nxc3 6. bxc3 (and against almost anything besides 6. … c5, play 7. d4, then Bd3, Ne2, O-O) • 6. … c5 7. Qg3 and if 7. … g6 8. Nf3, bishop out, then O-O  5. … Nc6 6. Bb5 Nxc3 7. dxc3 • Theory: 7. … Qh4+ 8. g3 Qe4+ 9. Be3 o Qxc2 10. Ne2 Qxb2 11. O-O Qxb5 12. Qxf7+ Kd8 13. Nd4! trades for Nc6 before Bg5+ for mate. o Or Qxf3 10. Nxf3, O-O-O, etc • If not, play Bb4, O-O-O, Ne2, etc  5. … f5 6. d3 Nxc3 7. bxc3 • 7. … d4 8. Qg3 dxc3 9. Be2, with threat of 10. Bh5+ g6 11. Bxg6+ hxg6 12. Qxg6+, and Bg5, e6, etc (9. … g6 10. Bf3, intending Ne2 and O-O) • 8. d4 against almost anything else (maybe Ne2-f4) Vienna Game 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 • Copycat Variation (mistake by black) o 3. … Bc5? 4. Qg4  4. … Qf6 5. Nd5! Qxf2 6. Kd1 g6 7. Nh3 Qd4 8. d3 traps queen with eventual c3  4. … g6 or Kf8 5. Qg3 Nf6 6. Ne2, intending d3, Bg5 • Two Knights (Mainline) o 3. … Nf6 4. d3  4. … Na5 5. Bb3 Nxb3 6. axb3 or 5. Qf3 Nxc4 6. dxc4 and Bg5, O-O-O  4. … Bb4 5. Nge2, then O-O, f4, f5  4. … Bc5 5. f4 d6 6. Nf3 • 6. … Ng4 7. Ng5 o 7. … Nf2 8. Qh5 g6 9. Bxf7+ o 7. … O-O 8. f5 Nf2 9. Qh5 • 6. … Bg4 7. Na4 Nd4 8. Nxc5 dxc5 9. c3 Nxf3 10. gxf3, and Be3, Qe2, O-O-O Other Oddball Moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 ??? (or 2. … ???) • Similar to Vienna Game, above. ie Bc4, d3, f4, etc Looks like the formatting from MS Word didn't copy perfectly here, but should still be useful.

Thanks Levy! Just watched this again (like 5 times now 😂) and played a 0 mistake 10+0 game in the Vienna gambit accepted with queen to e2 to pin the pawn… I’m rated just below 1200 rapid so this is still quite the achievement! You the 🐐 my guy!

This is a great video but I chuckled around the 3:30 mark when he said "...and it's mate in a few moves but MORE IMPORTANTLY (my emphasis) you're going to win this queen".

I've watched parts of this video so many times to try to memorise every single line and idea by heart, finally finished.Just need to keep revising this opening, and I'll be set

Me being a complete begginer and following all the steps here : 1.e4 Oponnent : d.5 Me : WAIT!! THATS ILLEGAL...

I feel clickbaited. I wanted to see Levy in a wig and reds playing tf out of this gambit

My favorite season is also fall. I like walking, drinking cider, and having fires. On a side note, I have your e4 course and I'm pumped to transition from the London to the Vienna.

I watch this video like every couple months to brush up and “it’s mate but more importantly you win the queen” gets me every single time

"I am nearing 100k subs"... less than one year after this beast of a man reached 10x that value. Super congrats for the awesome work, Levi.

1.43M subscribers as of March 24 2022. I have learned so much from you, about the game, how to study, how to review competitions critically, the inspiration to learn, and the determination to work through slumps. I'm putting in the time, I'm doing puzzles and I'm reading books. I started this adventure at a particularily dark time in my life, and while this may be 'just a game', it has given me hope, respect for myself, and confidence to tackle the day. Thank you, what you do here means a lot to me.

I've watched this so many times. Thanks Levy

Awww, he talks about his 100,000 sub count in this video and as of Christmas 2022, he has just reached 2 million subs :)

Now that Hikaru showed he's inexperienced in the Vienna, you can say it's a video for 3000+ elo Edit: 15:00 "a lot of beginners here are gonna play Qf6" And Hikaru against Alireza apparently

This is an amazing video, I was quite nervous about getting back into chess and playing online, played this opening and absolutely crushed my first 3 games. Been having lots of fun with this opening!

Spring is my favorite time of the year You start to see the flowers start to grow everything starts turning green blooming it's not too hot not too cold just nice

Crazy that Levy was at 100k subs just 2 years ago and now nearing 4,5mil

100 k soon! EARLY CONGRATULATIONS!

why i am learning this opening: 10% because i dont know any openings 90% because i heard there is an opening named after my home town

22:05 watching in 2022. Channel's not deleted, congrats on 1.5 mill :)

Dang 1.69m subscribers 😮I’ve been watching your videos for awhile and come back to older openings videos just to try something different. Crazy how many subscribers you’ve attained!

Favorite season: Fall Favorite activity: Playing the Vienna while listening to "Vienna" by the great Billy Joel.

Living in Vienna and playing the Vienna fits just perfectly and I love this gambit 😍👍 Thanks for this very helpful and entertaining video Levi 👍✌🇦🇹