#1 Shortcut to Improve FAST | Middlegame Chess Strategy

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In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov will share with you a simple actionable idea that will help you improve in chess immediately. He will show you the most effective thinking process while playing a chess game and will show exactly how you can do the same to apply in your own practical games.
This simple, yet very strong idea, is what's the difference between strong chess players or grandmasters and amateur/intermediate players. After watching this video lesson, you will learn how strong players find the best moves and win their games.
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► Chapters
00:00 A simple idea to improve in chess
00:18 Little test for you
01:14 Benefits of attacking your opponent
02:18 Your motto in a chess game
02:49 Game: Morphy vs McConnell
04:30 How would you play here as White?
06:11 Keep attacking your opponent
07:55 GM Igor's incident with GM Victor Bologan
09:12 Black's pieces remain on the 1st rank
09:48 Can you find the best move for White?
10:32 How can Black win here?
11:27 Attack with forcing moves
12:52 Conclusion: Keep punching
13:21 Secrets of Strong Chess Players
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[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💡Get the clear blueprint for chess improvement Learn "The Secrets of Strong Players" - online.chess-teacher.com/course/the-secrets-of-strong-players/

[@captainamerica5955]

Qb4+ was the winning move for black in the position of 10min 41 sec of the video

[@cryonide2008]

@@captainamerica5955 How so? White still has plenty of defensive manuevers available and black is all bottled up with white still on the attack.

[@chasewilson4773]

Kf7 D8

[@matthewdragomir2261]

Every time I try to do this, I do it wrong and leave my pieces open to captures. For example, I attack the queen and the queen gives me a check and forks my undefended knight. The difference here where I still found all the correct moves was that Morphy's pieces were all tied together so well. Everything defended and the pieces just fed off of their great placement. I think the message here is to attack but not with reckless abandon. It's so easy to find good moves when I'm following a video but when I'm the one moving the pieces, there's nobody there to guide me to the correct answer.

[@edwardcoyle5425]

This exactly the way I play. Skillfully blended with spectacular blunders.

[@josephsalmonte4995]

I hear you brother.🤣

[@orungbejatoluwani7363]

😂😂🤣

[@amanthapunnyasoma9672]

I feel that

[@humungous09]

Fully endorse you... Hahaha..

[@timothydelling5791]

we should start a blunder club...no good players allowed. The Highest Rank will be BM...only the very elite of chess disasters haha I would be amazing.

[@lonewolf5238]

Probably the best lesson I have ever learned in the many years playing this game. Bloody marvelous. Thankyou!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for the huge compliment!

[@dipanshuverma8819]

To take is a mistake :P

[@ciacciom]

Totally agree!!!

[@levilesher6615]

Innit

[@gtanz8475]

I totally agree, best lesson ever.

[@anthonylesar7337]

This is the single most informative chess video I have ever watched. All other lessons so far have done me just about no good in improving my game. I am now actively looking for these moves and taking them even if they are not always the best. Thank you and keep it up !!!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear!

[@TheAnshuman1974]

10:50 Qb4+ Bd2 Qxe4+ winning the knight. Now if Be2 then hxg5 or if Qe2 then Qxe2 Bxe2 hxg5 winning the rook as well. Edit: Qb4+ Nc3 hxg5 winning the rook. 12:50 Nd8# CHECKMATE!

[@001available]

Nice

[@dennisrosenfeld4347]

Anshuman Gupta, I saw Nd8 as a check and at first didn't realize K couldn't go c7 because of the d pawn on d6. I need to look better.

[@jehushaphat]

Nice, though I think for the first one Nc3 would be a better response, in which case white loses rook instead of both knight and rook.

[@neuuser7071]

Seems surprising he didn’t see this move.

[@TheAnshuman1974]

@@jehushaphat Yup, you are right. After Qb4+, white can play Nc3 to lose just a rook and not both rook and knight. Thanks for pointing out 👍

[@mohaimenulimam233]

This guy teaches something no one does for free. Awesome guy.

[@dremaceo]

Just like the title says. This tip improved my game, dramatically, instantly. Now my mantra before every move is "how do I punch my opponent in the mouth?" Thanks for this. Great video.

[@brandondean2530]

In the Morphy game with the Kc6 variation instead of Ka5, the winning move is Nd8#

[@joepangia4413]

I teach chess professionally. Your videos and conceptual teaching elements are truely profound in their simplicity and effectiveness. Awesome stuff! Thanks for posting these. You sir are a way better teacher and (undoubtedly) better player than I! I’ll definitely recommend your training courses to others . Cheers.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Wow cool! Good luck with your teaching

[@kaustavsen1571]

How I wish I could soon become a student of yours....you have an amazing way of explaining tactics.😊

[@premoved2794]

10:50 I'm pretty sure the winning move is to go to Qb4+ Nc3 hxg5.

[@andresfelipediazrivera2565]

You're an excellent coach. I've been learning quite a lot from your videos and your way of explaining every single detail that can help us improve. Thank you so much!!

[@matthews1402]

Great lesson, thanks !

[@raymondmcyeetface6850]

Good god it works. I went from 650 to 730 after watching this video and I'm still climbing.

[@georgeg4542]

really enjoyed this video. much appreciated.

[@andyn6053]

Awesome advice! Love Tals offensive style and this really helps

[@romyt9816]

This video has explained me why in high level matches often players don't captured pieces (and why at 600 elo it keeps happen 😅). Thank you very much for this great teaching, now I'll try to do when I play.

[@matthewwilliams3189]

I played against a lady who says she'd never lost a game before and she was a tough opponent but with the help of these videos I won three out of three games.

[@AmanSai-lm9ul]

Kudos

[@wallacebell4311]

Either the “Lady” had never played the game of Chess or the “Lady” lied about never losing a game of Chess. Checkmate!

[@thejohnzapido]

Thank you!

[@abuhanif2867]

Awesome idea. Thanks sir

[@VictoryDroneServices]

Incredible video. Thanks.

[@devgalileu]

Amazing explanation!

[@theplayzpaidoff3666]

Very instructive, this is a great video.

[@pizzaforever69]

l have been playing chess since a young age . Until now , l didn't know any openings and tactics . l used to always keep pressure on my enemies with mindset of taking their pieces . But l used to get demolished . See , this middle game tactic only applies when you are intermediate or advanced player . At first , you will need to have some basic concepts of chess . You need to think about your opponent moves more than making your move . lf you keep attacking your opponent blindly , you will get defeated easily . So you need to attack tactically which needs good experience .

[@anthonyjoevalen1]

Thanks Teacher I got good lessons today👍🙏

[@clintwarner3008]

Good stuff 👊🏽

[@barbarabarry3799]

One of the best videos, as it examined each move to think through the next best response. Thank you

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you liked it!

[@kenortiz8295]

Excellent lesson. Resulted in an immediate change in the way I think of each move. Grabbed a black win right after watching. Thank you.

[@angelitayaguipizzaro4925]

Very great trainer!!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 A simple idea to improve in chess 00:18 Little test for you 01:14 Benefits of attacking your opponent 02:18 Your motto in a chess game 02:49 Game: Morphy vs McConnell 04:30 How would you play here as White? 06:11 Keep attacking your opponent 07:55 GM Igor's incident with GM Victor Bologan 09:12 Black's pieces remain on the 1st rank 09:48 Can you find the best move for White? 10:32 How can Black win here? 11:27 Attack with forcing moves 12:52 Conclusion: Keep punching 13:21 Secrets of Strong Chess Players

[@darrylkassle361]

This also shows how attacking even a single piece mainly can help you develop while keeping your opponents piece stagnant .

[@darrylkassle361]

Not only that he gets his pieces to good squares , there seems to be a natural piece co ordination and he has tempo and development leads!!!!

[@anaskhoja5447]

Mate, I want to hug you sooo hard. This tip literally changed my gameplay 360 degrees, It's unbelievable

[@richardcasey4439]

Excellent strategy

[@bryanjensen5357]

Good reason to keep your queen back and use the other pieces first

[@marcusminifee3978]

Great video

[@danielbradley333]

Thank you so much!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it helped!

[@thedarkknight8225]

this was amazing video

[@Md-sl2sy]

Man I love Igor Smirnoff

[@josephsalmonte4995]

*This* was a great lesson. Just keep swinging 👍

[@hellopleychess3190]

keep swinging the punch into your opponent s face

[@RoyalCaliberOfficial]

At the end knight to d8 is a checkmate

[@kd-bv4my]

Ok going to try now , will come back with results

[@yvettemaldonado3725]

Great advice 😁

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks! 🙂

[@nakano704]

After Nf5 I think Black will play Qb4 and if white covers with the pawn,Queen or Bishop the knight on e4 is hanging.And if he covers with the knight the Rook on g5 is also hanging...I don't know if this is the correct move but I only simply follow your reccomendations :) ...Thanks and it really helps many in my games!

[@bogdananicescu6051]

Yes. That has to be the reason

[@victorchun]

this is actually useful

[@X00000370]

E7->B4 check E4->C3 (or E2); H6 X G5. Any other blocks and white drop's the Knight on E4. Black is up material and though cramped should win...

[@villejarvi8219]

The best play what i ever see

[@shadeburst]

10:40 Perhaps the rule Checks Captures and Attacks hadn't become popular yet or McConnell would surely have found the winning check Qb4+?

[@josephferdinand6255]

most logical GM u r !!

[@JerryTom0077]

For black QB4+ For the last move if he had played KC6 it would be checkmate on the next move with ND8#

[@2009Neelam]

The answer is Qxe5 because you threaten the unprotected knight on e4 and threaten the rook

[@jamesguimary1252]

Nice,,,👍👍👍👍👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

👍

[@Cheesenipz97]

The move for black to win was queen d2 to b4 which wouldve corned the king into checkmate. i think, (still memorizing how the grid works) im unsure of if whites queen could have moved forward to defend in that siuation but even if so he didnt have very much defense since he went so hard on offense😅 it wouldve only take. One or 2 moves more. Im pretty new to chess lol so if im wrong feel free to correct me

[@nass7070]

This is the best thing i have hear to improve!!! I'm stuck at 1800 and i never think of that!!!! Thx a lot mister!!!!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Happy to help!

[@alexhendrick8288]

D8 knight would be epic

[@mehulpaliwal7013]

12:46 answer is Nd8 and its a beautiful checkmate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . .. . . .

[@kelem8316]

The move that I would do as White is: Nd8 Checkmate🤗

[@ripfumelochauke2978]

I don't believe in shortcuts ,I believe in hardwork

[@brandondean2530]

These winning move for black in the Morphy game is Bb4+. Once they block the check, you can capture the rook the rook with the h6 pawn.

[@ems3832]

I think you mean ...Qb4+ 😉

[@linyun3975]

13:07 Nd8#

[@gm2407]

Qb4+ if Nd2 then hxg5 if Bd2 then qxe4, Ne3 hxg5 Black is up minimum of one piece and this should be enough to win the game. The ending question is Nd8#

[@vladislavshevchenko634]

10:48 Qb4+ and the white loses the knight on E4 no matter what. 12:51 Nd8#

[@andrewcarey9836]

At 12:52, isn't Knight to D8 Checkmate?

[@Your_creative_plug]

Igor smirnov is the best chess teacher

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you!

[@AngelPerez-tk7rp]

I go for the Knight check

[@deeptimutha870]

Hello sir, can you play against alfa zero or stockfish?

[@samgreatclasher3798]

Night d8 check mate

[@brandondean2530]

The inning move for black in the Morphy game is Bb4+. Once they block the check, you can capture the rook.

[@matyasludanyi8655]

he obviously knows that but that would blow his checkmate potential if at the end the black king moves c6

[@johnsullivan8104]

Actually if Be2 to block the check black plays Qxe4+. Winning the knight and putting the king in check again. Depending on whites reply either Qe2 or Be2 than in the first you exchange queens with check and then take the rook with hxg5. If Be2 than just hxg5. Either you get a N and a R.

[@akt436]

Last best move is knight to D8

[@anessavillar539]

pls.make a video against englund gambit d4 e5 dxe5 Bc5 Nf3 d6 exd6 Ne7 what is the best cont.for white ? pls.share ur idea sir tenk u

[@ivanradojicic5152]

Here one have a clear target- black queen. Usually in openings one doesn’t get this position. Still very nice lesson.

[@Devotionalify]

Sure

[@vjlad13]

Amazing advice, thank you

[@andyvaldez4334]

Summary: Jab, Jab, Uppercut, Lefthook and work the ribs.

[@darkrider7625]

12:50 f knight to d8 is checkmate? im fairly new to chess so dont hate to much

[@isngaming147]

10:45 best move was hxg5

[@dlkrauter]

Knight to d8 mate for last example

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Correct!

[@Martin_Ditzel]

Winning line for black 10:34 n) Nf5 Qb4+ .) Pc3 Qxe4+ .) Qd2 ... Next?

[@AmitDas-wp4vp]

Winning move is Knight to D8 checkmate.

[@ferenclangheinrich4603]

Qb4+

[@ddtalks2821]

(6:20) - Bd3? : This allows the Queen to get in on g2. What about Nh4 ? This limits even more squares the queen can go to and also defends g2

[@radornic2387]

The knight being put on the edge of the board is weakening the knight.

[@shantipriyapanja6747]

Qb4

[@alexlegard6245]

I won my last three rapid games, and I didn't even do anything special 😕I made sure not to create unnecessary weaknesses. I watched out for my opponents' tactics especially those tricky knight moves.

[@mr.e1047]

Black queen to capture pawn on e5

[@ilikeherculepoirot]

Nd8 mate

[@IsmailMuwanga-ky6fs]

I would check the King using the Queen and win the horse

[@ne1uno]

at 12:40 black moved into check?

[@jubayerhossain7160]

I think Qb4 was the wining move for black.

[@prenolangovender5242]

i feel this example is very irrelevent coz there is alot of emphasis on not moving the queen in early stages and this whole game focuses on attacking the queen, now i know what he is trying to say that we should always attack but rather use a more realistic example for an analysis where we can relate to it like with a common opening where these sort of things usually happen not show us an example that might never happen

[@ernestogarcillan1977]

1. Nd8#

[@neuuser7071]

Q b4+

[@jackskura923]

White Knight to D8 checkmate.

[@Martin_Ditzel]

10:32 "How Can Black Win Here?" ... Qb4+, ... Qxe4+ capturing the kNight!

[@joshuareturns9907]

No. Qb4+ wins the rook.

[@gayanweerasekara9803]

Thank you…before i watch this i was 1000 elo.now im 1700

[@shhiknopfler3912]

Lol

[@hellopleychess3190]

I become Fide Master from 700 rated player after watch

[@jordan3681]

Qb4 check

[@danid9294]

Qe5, winning move for black at 10:49

[@splooey2151]

unfortunately this fails to Nfd6+, a check that reveals the rook's attack on the queen, and thus black will have to either move their king and allow white to capture black's queen with the rook, or sacrifice the queen for the knight, which after Nd6+ Bxd6 exd6, black can finally capture white's rook but black will be down a queen for a piece and a rook, and white is ready to bring other pieces into the game by playing something like Bc4 or just simply picking up the g5 pawn with Bxg5

[@Cam-uf9ke]

12:52 wouldn’t it be Kd8 i am new to chess 550 elo but I’m pretty sure it is a checkmate

[@jayknot88]

Qb4+? then Nd8#?

[@TheNightsWolfYT]

I think I start to lose brain cells because my brain knows it’s a real person

[@RilkeForum]

Qb4 check could have been nice - winning the knight...