Here's the 2nd presentation:
Opening Study Forum: The Urosov Gambit
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you make it look so easy, thanks for the lessons
The Urosov Gambit is one of the oldest opening systems. It is one of my favorite, because the ideas behind this system are so natural that it's almost unnecessary to remember moves. It's just that easy, and keep in mind that this statement is coming from a chess player who, aside from an occassional video lesson, has never had any formal chess training. Another reason why I like the Urosov Gambit is because it can easily transposed into so many other systems with which I'm comfortable playing. Before I start with the Urosov Gambit, allow me to talk briefly about systems and gambits.
What is meant by a system in chess terms? Simply put, a chess system involves an orderly arrangement of moves with the intention of supporting specific ideas and schemes. This may sound a bit complicated, but in reality it's easier to remember systems than move orders. You may have trouble recalling 10 moves deep the move order for, say, King's Gambit Accepted or Sicilian Dragon. But you will have less trouble remembering the moves when you understand what specifically you're trying to achieve. Personally, I think beginners and intermediate players will beneift most from learning 2 systems for white and 2 systems for black, grasping the ideas and schemes behind the systems.
Now gambits. In chess, a gambit is simply offering of a pawn (or a piece in some cases) in order to gain some type of positional or tactical advantage. The player who accepts a gambit will gain in material, but will, more often than not, lose a tempo as a result since it takes time to capture. Although it can happen at any point during a game, gambit offers are normally done in the opening. An interesting statistical fact: although a player may be a pawn down from the opening, that player still has a 50% chance to win or draw the game. Because of this, no one should be shy about offering a gambit in the opening for a good reason. The clause 'for a good reason' underscores the importance of learning systems, for it is in that learning that you will see the reasons behind the moves.
Now the Urosov Gambit. Simply put, the ideas of this opening system have three main goals in mind. The first goal is to put immediate presure on black's weakest square in the opening - f7. The second goal is to offer a pawn in order to be two or three moves ahead in development. The third goal is to open up the d and e files for the rooks. How easy is that to remember?!
I will start this forum with two examples, and will be adding more examples in the days to come. Please post your questions, comments, or observation, but try not to 'jump' variations by asking things like 'Well, what would happen if black did this?'. Give everyone a chance to grasp the variation that's presented trusting that all variation will eventually be covered. Enjoy!