Coffee House Masters 2: Henry Bird Vs Joseph Blackburne, London 1879

[Vonzi0000]

the correct move is 4... g5 not Nf6

[JMChessVids]

Hi Vonzi0000

I wouldnt go as far as to call 4...Nf6 incorrect - Blackburne has played a system that was later popularised by the fantastic British GM Jonathan Mestel - you will find it called the Mestel variation in Birds opening books.

Your talking about the more mainline Lasker variation - I dont particularly think this is great for black either, but yes, white does have to be more on the ball.

[indyk91]

nice game. im starting to miss the morphy series though, will you be making any more morphy videos?

[JMChessVids]

Hi indyk91

Stay tuned, I may have a little flick through the Morphy book over the weekend. Im playing myself in the Yorkshire League tomorrow, so there will likely be a game of mine going up as well (there is an Xmas break in the Chess season, its left me itching for a game!)

[jrobichess]

Henrick Danielsen is a modern GM that uses a system in the Bird's Opening called the Polar Bear. His username on YouTube is Krakkasak and he won the Icelandic chess championship this year. If you're interested in F4 you might want to check him out - it's a pretty good system for white and he has beat modern GM's with it. Great post - looking forward to more!

[JMChessVids]

Hi Jrobi

Yes Ive looked into Danielsens stuff before - the Polar Bear is basically a Leningrad Dutch for White, but very important for anyone planning to play the Birds opening. Im hoping to make some videos of my own on the subject in due course.

By the way I have admired your videos for some time, thanks for subscribing!