1 Positional Chess Concept You MUST Know! [WIN Easily]

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In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov teaches a key chess positional concept that can transform your approach to the game and pave the way for success. Get ready to take your game to the next level with the most crucial chess strategy that will lead you to a 2000 rating and beyond.
But first, let's delve into why this concept holds such significance. Throughout his journey to becoming a grandmaster, Igor Smirnov discovered that chess is filled with countless rules and principles. However, identifying the most dominant and impactful ones can be challenging.
That's why he wanted to share with you the ultimate chess strategy that will simplify your decision-making process and enhance your gameplay. So, what is this fundamental concept that can revolutionize your chess understanding? It's none other than the principle of piece activity.
The essence of chess revolves around maximizing the activity of your pieces. The more active your pieces, the greater control they exert over the board, and the more pressure they can apply on your opponent. From this video lesson, you will learn 5 different ways on exactly how you can follow this single strategy in different positions.
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► Chapters
00:00 Best Chess Strategy to Reach 2000 ELO
00:06 Example-1
01:00 The Most Important Concept to WIN in Chess
02:39 Chess-Football analogy, be like Messi!
03:00 Rule-1: Move your pieces forward (most active square)
03:53 Rule-2: Do NOT make your bishop a tall pawn
04:59 Rule-3: Do NOT defend unless you have to
06:54 Rule-4: To take is a mistake
08:37 Rule-5: Improve your least active piece
09:29 GM Smirnov's Father's Day Special
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#IgorNation #ChessImprovement #ChessTips #ChessRules #ChessStrategy #ChessStrategies

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@chilliram]

Note for self: 1) Move your piece to the most advanced square that's possible under the circumstances. 2) Don't make your bishop a tall pawn. 3) Defend only when needed. Work out the possible threat in your mind first to decide if it's one at all. 4) When in doubt what to play, make your least active piece better. Fantastic advice and so easy to follow.

[@wavemaker2077]

You missed do not capture which can make your opponent's piece move forward.

[@bombswabs3041]

Won an extremely tense game following most of these principles. My opponent had a pawn 2 squares from promoting due to my mistakes. I had the opportunity to either take the pawn with my bishop or take a rook on my opponents back rank. I begrudgingly chose to take the best move over the most convenient move and took out the rook. I was sure this was a massive blunder. But it wasnt. Taking out that rook allowed me to counter attack with my own passed pawn towards an unguarded back rank. My opponent resigned. For context. I had no intention of pushing my passed pawn when I took out the rook. But shortly thereafter, it became obvious. Such an amazing game we play!!

[@benshaw5134]

the only problem is that in many cases moving (particularly your bishop) to the most advanced square isn't the best idea -- for instance, you don't want to develop your bishop as white to the 5th rank if there's no knight to pin on the 6th rank (the move will often lose you tempo: e.g. Bb5 c6) -- another example: in d4 openings, you want to avoid playing knc3

[@masterblaster5342]

A lot of this falls apart when playing blitz, but I guess that's what separates the greats from the novices.

[@pokerchannel6991]

such an amazing way to play, making your enemy do the work of losing for you.@@bombswabs3041

[@myokosanden]

I am a chess coach in Japan. The rules you mentioned in this video are all advice that I want to tell my students! You make them simple and easy to memorize. Great job!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@FeniteChess]

Been subscribed to your channel for while and I just reached 1000 elo and finally posted my first chess video (I'm 13 years old) your videos really helped!!

[@storm-brawlstars9513]

Yoooo! I'm 13 years old too! I'm also only studying from KZbin! I'll subscribe

[@ScottyDog345]

Well done

[@dinesharya5123]

​@@ScottyDog345 😮

[@weblanMaths]

@storm-brawlstars9513 excelent

[@NepptunesWilkins]

This is awesome, trust me you'll get much better if you work hard. I'm 14 with 1400 currently.

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

When i was a kid i had a baseball coach that was a great player but not a great coach. My dad explained that sometimes people that are good at things are bad teachers at it because it came naturally to them and communicating what they did is difficult. Your comprehension of the thought process of lower level players and ability to communicate these ideas is so incredible (your puzzle ones where you show how each level of player would calculate the lines are incredibly accurate) and makes you one of the better coaches ive seen for any sport, not just chess. your channel is going to get huge and get some merch! Especially about aggression in chess 😍 (the optimal way to play, keep creating threats!)

[@Padraic54]

I agree with this.

[@robertberger8981]

that is very true because they are good they are able to do the right thing by instinct and not by reflection.

[@roloa7741]

@GMIgorSmirnov Perhaps Igor had to work really hard at chess to master it. He says he once gave up, stopped playing altogether for ages, as he just couldn’t get any better. Perhaps that’s helped his coaching skills?

[@darkhorse2reign]

Igor has shown me there are real levels to this game. We all see the same board and end up in vastly different positions based on our skill level (and the opponent's skill level). That's about as fascinating a game as I can imagine.

[@Mishtiman]

well said.

[@newyorkslim2001]

Warm, communicative, insightful - as always your video sessions are much appreciated.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Best Chess Strategy to Reach 2000 ELO 00:06 Example-1 01:00 The Most Important Concept to WIN in Chess 02:39 Chess-Football analogy, be like Messi! 03:00 Rule-1: Move your pieces forward (most active square) 03:53 Rule-2: Do NOT make your bishop a tall pawn 04:59 Rule-3: Do NOT defend unless you have to 06:54 Rule-4: To take is a mistake 08:37 Rule-5: Improve your least active piece 09:29 GM Smirnov's Father's Day Special

[@books_rule]

7:23, can’t you push the pawn?

[@books_rule]

Oops sorry forgot it was pinned

[@PMA65537]

Title "1 Positional Chess Concept You MUST Know!" -- you know it's not true.

[@DaveRossignol]

Your the best chess Mensa online. Your kind, humble, coherent, and don’t talk down to your audience. Thank you Igor!

[@blueberryoatmeal4009]

He is indeed the best chess table.

[@todesque]

This might be the best single chess lesson I've ever seen on KZbin. Thank you!!!

[@georgekosinski8957]

It's amazing how instructive these mini-lessons about a single position can be, even for very experienced players. The g5, ...Nh5, gh6 g6 line was especially enlightening.

[@rotorblade9508]

I’ve just tested the principles and I could notice the difference, 😊, oportunities simply expanded

[@BobChess]

This is very good! The positional plays can be very hard but I really want to improve it. Thank you for this such video. Love you and Messi ❤️

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you liked the video! Good luck improving your positional play!

[@user-td1vx2zo9z]

This is so helpful. you should make more videos like this.😊

[@shahidmacaan4037]

Thank you so much for the tips!!!

[@theUroshman]

We are extremely lucky to have you as a chess teacher! This was one of the most valuable video chess lessons I've ever seen on the net! Thanks a million, GM Igor!!! 👍👍💪💪😎😎

[@Farren246]

Love that your channel is focused on actual strategy with no distraction of laughing at low level play

[@darkhorse2reign]

Low level play (mine) IS funny af.

[@darkhorse2reign]

It makes me wonder if Igor has a sense of humor at some of our amateur chess! 😂 . Different YT channel maybe? (Maybe)?

[@NevenKrougheil-eh1mb]

He ain't playing against real player..atleast not real time

[@charlesmarshall8046]

One of the better bits of chess instruction I’ve seen, really helpful.

[@lastsonofkrypton3918]

Love this strategy tip series. Very actionable advice. Subbed.

[@Padraic54]

I love your advice. You're an amazing chess teacher.

[@Reza090]

Thanks. Please make more content along this line🙏

[@Cousinsjay]

Invaluable! This provided a thought process to keep my focus during the difficult stages of the game.....Great job!

[@ChristianSoschner]

Excellent description. Thanks for sharing

[@gavinjones8543]

Very helpful Igor.. Thank you for the vid!

[@leeemmanuel5661]

Your videos are very straightforward and contains good content. Keep it up please, I would love to see more from you!

[@squall2667]

Thanks for this new great video, happy sunday to you. Greetings from France :)

[@pranaychawla3343]

This is an outstanding chess channel, and you're an excellent coach, GM Smirnov. Keep the videos coming! :)

[@darkhorse2reign]

^ ❤ 100

[@freddiemercury2075]

Outstanding is a real understatement. I usually do not learn much from chess channel. But this channel is way too fantastic. Another understatement I know.

[@WARRENBUFETT]

This is very useful teaching. Thanks!

[@i.g.l.z.9215]

Great advice(s), thank you!

[@magnustorque5528]

Invaluable tips in a very short video. Outstanding !

[@arturt7192]

This is actual practical advise. Really helpful

[@Daniel-G-P]

What a fantastic video! Thank you.

[@coconot4990]

This is so good! Thanks for the advice, this video is so informative it helps me alot with that kind of issues

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Str8W.tm4rv]

This was a great, helpful video!

[@drkshr4803]

Very nice video, thank you.

[@user-wv2kn2lz5s]

You learn me something! Many Thanks🎈🎈

[@ashmigchess]

Thx This Was Helpful

[@john-henrylochbaum9324]

Your videos are so informative and well done! They are exactly what I’ve been looking for since I started getting back into chess and I’m very grateful that you’re sharing your knowledge with the world. God bless.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you!

[@b0ssdude190]

Love your genuine spirit

[@davidpatton7298]

One of your best videos imo. Thankyou, and Happy Fathers Day.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Relisimy0001]

these are the best kinda chess videos. the ones about strategy

[@user-dt5gq9mp6s]

love the illustration with Messi!! Awesome ; thanks for all your help!!

[@gossedejong9248]

thank you, Sir, brilliant!!!!

[@paulmanning4901]

Great vid. Thank you

[@tomsmith3886]

Thank you for sharing. I've been making lots of the mistakes that you mentioned. I've got lots to learn about chess.

[@JD-td8kl]

Great tips!

[@othfrk1]

Best video by GMIgorSmirnov so far!

[@Hailmich10]

Excellent Igor and Happy Father's Day!

[@martymoo]

Always great advice. Thanks!

[@krispe2512]

Great video!

[@attilahalmai4590]

I play chess as a hobby for 15 years now, but this video really said new things to me! Thank You Igor! Greetings from Hungary!

[@mrrobinson10]

Thanks. Good advice👍🏾

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks.

[@darrylkassle361]

When I think about it I always hear high Elo players talk about finding the most active squares - piece activity ,piece activity and piece activity ad infitum

[@ChristianSoschner]

Great stuff

[@evilstorm5954]

Once again, your easy way of explaining things just helped me win 2 games against higher ranked players, and I played white and black. Black was more satisfying, he though (so did I) that he had the win in the bag but my queen got him on the back tank with a rook behind her.

[@GetOffTheLawn]

You are an excellent teacher. TY.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@haithamebrahim3403]

Love it thanks as always

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏🏻

[@stevesidare2493]

Another gem. Where tactics, openings and mating patterns are about Quantity (variations, moves, patterns, etc), I've come to need to improve on the Quality of my chess (position, strategy, principles). Engines don't tell you "Why" another move would have been better when looking over lost games. This is the stuff I need after being stuck around 1750 Elo in Lichess for 2 years! Thank you for understanding the needs of players to have simple rules/principles to improve their game.

[@chimbiepaladin4629]

Best video. I feel like I understand chess when I listen to you. Im going to inprove, and be a LOT calmer at the board

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You got this!

[@jonEbird]

Happy Father's Day. I'll be sure to play a game with my son today as well.

[@Blinknone]

Nice video and very useful advice!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad to hear that!

[@amjadmtashar6806]

Thank you

[@lostpianist]

Great, thank you

[@c0y0te1st00]

Thanks, you have been a big help to me. This video I find the most helpful. I have a question about opening strategy. What should the player with the black pieces try to achieve out of the opening? And likewise, what are some goals for the person with the white pieces? Thanks an advance.

[@tonyaldridge8917]

So very great 👍

[@roloa7741]

@GMIgorSmirnov Hey Igor, love your videos but this one’s… Outstanding! Much love brother 😉👍🏼 🌞

[@chaosdemon1870]

One of the best channels to improve your chess for free . Keep up the amazing work .

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks, will do!

[@The_Angry_BeEconomist]

good video, thankz

[@ntnmnk2009]

Thank you for the amazing video! You are really doing awesome explanation as the concepts taught by you will stick to my mind

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear!

[@ShaunStrand-qi6mx]

Great job

[@tanujb]

thank you Igor

[@zoa666]

It’s also assessing if you have a plan to go there or any ideas long-term. Of course, chess will have those moments where the best move is counter-intuitive to what you’re taught and that’s what shows mastery. You’ll be able to swerve around main chess principles simply because the exact position allowed for it, like going back with a knight move or bishop, it seems silly on the surface but it goes deeper. When I first began learning chess I would be oblivious to why they move their pieces certain ways. Why they just didn’t take a knight or pawn if they could capture it. It baffled me to see them dance around without a clear plan (in my view at the time), but now it’s obvious to me that these moves hold deep weight and implications in every situation. The goal of chess is to outmaneveur your opponent, to restrain and dominate. It took me some time to realize that pieces aren’t the only thing that hold value, but squares and control of them. They’re the window to victory in most situations. They facilitate tactics and prospects. Moving with purpose is the key. But it is much easier said than done, and it can take years to fully appreciate and understand certain positions and concepts. You will naturally stop ever considering too passive squares, the inaccuracies, and sub-conciously not see some moves that you once saw as a beginner as somewhat sensible. They once did a test (I forgot which or where) where they asked groups of players, from sub 1000 ELO to GM level how many moves a certain piece had, or how many squares they had available during a certain time-frame, through positions the testers picked- and they found something fascinating- the gist of it is that GMs didn’t ever consider blunders as possible moves in the position. It is completely off their radar. The way I see it… as you get better at chess, the more you begin to filter out impurities in a position, to the point the path to victory becomes clear, it becomes obvious, and that’s why it becomes hard for some high ELO folk to understand how to teach lower ELO folk. They can’t fathom their less clear mind. (Not to say it in a bad way but- in a way, their mind is more fuzzy or foggy). Like being illiterate? Chess is a language. The earlier you were taught it, the better. GMs have a clear board in their head, they can picture every single square, from A1 to H8 front and backwards, and be able to envision it in such a way they can have an entire conversation or analysis with other GMs with it just fine. But to most… they can only nod and pretend that they’re following.

[@zoa666]

7:15 I believe this is an example. (Potentially!) Although he did click the pawn for a moment… I’ve noticed this across the board, that sometimes chess players disregard or don’t pay too much attention (they don’t see the need to). Like maybe he wishes for the viewer to find out why a certain move doesn’t work. In this case… why not push the C pawn up, to reveal a discovered attack on the enemy queen? Allowing time for the Knight to escape somewhere else? The answer is because the pawn is pinned. It’s these “little” things that go unmentioned all the time in chess channels or broadcasts, and you can’t really blame them. This also happens at a lower level! For example, people don’t take time out of their day to explain why taking a pawn protected by another pawn (with a queen- (I don’t mean exceptions)) is a bad idea. It is considered common sense and so ingrained into their system that 99.99 out of 100, they will just not voice it outloud. “Queen can’t take because pawn takes.” You’ll never really hear them feel the need to explain it and with good reason. I simply decided to explain this effect and how intriguing it is to me personally.

[@LeslieShelton-gv5ys]

Ah, ini baru satu konsep catur yang harus diketahui ya? Seru juga nih belajar secara detail. Mungkin aku bisa menang lebih mudah nanti. Thanks for sharing!

[@sameerasmr6217]

First 1:00 - 3:20 minutes are great strategy explanation by GM 🎉💚👍🧠

[@danilosorallo4701]

You're a great chess professor...

[@elliottFamily2]

Good video. Thanks.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you liked it!

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

Good rules for people who want to reach level ~2000, especially the 5th rule. But the bishop rule changes once you exceed level 2700 or enter engine-level territory (3000-3600).

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

While techinically correct: 1. No one watching this video will reach that level. 2. According to engines, Magnus plays suboptimally.

[@yerramsettimuralidhar5085]

Thank you.....

[@laffiny]

this is a great video

[@vmsauro]

When I want to watch chess games, I always go to Nakamura's channel, but when I want to learn and improve, yours has always been my top priority to watch. Keep it going sir. 😊

[@jaybingham3711]

Not just chess but life in general...people assign more importance (value) in terms of losses rather than gains. By roughly a ratio of 3:1. That's encoded deep into our genetic makeup. It's hard to disabuse ourselves of that. But clearly to play chess well that's what's needed. Still there are times a purely defensive play is the best. But that very much is the exception. Always be looking to counterpunch. And complicate. You get more out of a loss under that scenario than the occasional draw brought about from a defensive masterpiece. Probably with a payoff of at least 3:1. Fight your tendency toward passivity. Passivity still sometimes has value. But be extremely judicious in making use of it in tense moments.

[@dowaliby1]

"Still there are times a purely defensive play is the best." Yes, like when you're looking at being mated in one, for example..

[@yosefcohen483]

Superb.

[@JulioSerrano2015]

AM A ZING LESSON, THANX A LOT! 😃

[@MrJorjantas]

How to find an equilibrium between the most active square a piece can have and its stability, i.e. how to find the most active and stable square a piece can have?

[@irontree3842]

Just ask yourself "can my opponent quickly attack this piece, especially with a lower rated one, if I go there ?"

[@dowaliby1]

Igor, you are brilliant! Thank you, the value of this lesson cannot be overstated. And your children are beautiful!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Wow, thank you!

[@TKZprod]

It's crazy how tactic attacks follow automatically when all pieces are active. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@ezioauditoredafirenze3086]

great content

[@kuyajon]

the best teacher by far

[@MajorAddiction]

Aww your children are so cute 🥰. Great principles to keep in mind with useful examples as well. Thanks

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

😊

[@Real_Musicc]

I already loved the video but the Messi reference 🔥🔥 Great video

[@we4columbus]

good stuff

[@baderalrawais2189]

1) Move your piece to the most advanced square that's possible under the circumstances. the problem is that the advanced square = easy to be attacked by his pawn then I have to return.

[@robertberger8981]

very good advice I often do not comply

[@McLKeith]

I like your expression “Don’t make your knight a tall pawn.” Great video.

[@kayasper6081]

Are those your kids? That is wonderful! You are right; it was my father who introduced me to chess. I am sure you're a great father!

[@tanelkagan]

Hi Igor - great videos as always. I'm nowhere near your level obviously but I am wondering, your "Rule 1" example with the bishop gives me some concerns - I always think that while Bb5 is a nice pin, it's easy enough for black to respond with a6, forcing a retreat. If you play Bc4, you've wasted a move, as you could have gone to c4 to begin with. If you play Ba4 to preserve the pin, black can simply follow up with b5, forcing Bb3. This means you've wasted 2 moves, because although the bishop is now on a nice diagonal putting some pressure on the f7 pawn, again, you could have played Bc4 to begin with. It's possible that if black actually wants to castle queenside, it will keep the position more closed and leave the queenside pawns as they are. However, if the more common approach is castling kingside, it just feels as if white has wasted time while black has gained space. Any thoughts on that?

[@neuvocastezero1838]

In the second to last example, what would be a preferable alternative to NXE4?

[@tedmd5893]

Great vid - I’m a real chess amateur. Anyway I just tried these principles as black in a rapid vs a higher rated player. Unpicked their Queens Gambit and mated in 22. Has opened my eyes to new ideas, thanks!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to know!

[@Elyagdeppa]

Happy Fathers day as well.

[@ScottyDog345]

Im going to give in

[@Harpoika]

Its funny because this is actually a great masterplan for me. Thanks. Best chess advice ever.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!