2 Chess RULES To Think Like A Grandmaster

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@R.Akerman-oz1tf]

So @ 15:29-WH Q-C3 I'm a bit new here.

[@MislavIvkovic-sx8vd]

You are apsolutly wright but if you have 5 or 10 min you cant think of not tradind opening the centar not doubling the pawns tactics and defense sumultaniously😂😂😂

[@peaceondeath2319]

Qh6 ?

[@AaronKelly-m7n]

Qh6

[@AaronKelly-m7n]

😊 definitely Queen h6 because then he will hopefully make a queen and it'll be checkmate

[@ReflectionOcean]

1. Avoid unnecessary exchanges that may benefit the opponent (timestamp: 0:36). 2. Maintain pressure and look for ways to improve your own position (timestamp: 1:16). 3. Consider offensive moves that create threats and gain tempo, rather than defensive moves (timestamp: 7:38). 4. Execute your own plan and attack whenever possible, only defending when absolutely necessary (timestamp: 11:17).

[@DirtRoadFarmer]

Thank you so much. You're awesome

[@imemyself2091]

Thanks a lot ❤

[@anthonychirco]

thank u !!

[@lwwarren9485]

The real MVP!!!!🫡

[@jayopaiims69]

5. Dont challenge carlsen when he is drunk (~Sun Tzu, Art of War)

[@edwinma8085]

Solution to the excercise: 1. Qh6 Qf8 (to prevent mate on g7) 2. Qxh7+ Kxh7 3. hxg6+ Kxg6 4.Be4#

[@Andrey.N]

Black will play 1 … c1=Q+. It does change the solution, but makes it two moves longer

[@greenmoxy]

@@Andrey.N LOL 3 more if you kamikaze the rook for a check

[@Lovetheviolins]

Thank you oh wise and mighty one...

[@unclejoker9975]

​@greenmoxy Yup! While I sing "Under Pressure". 😅

[@Graded4433]

What i saw was pawn takes, rook sac and Qh4 Qh8 mate

[@Kyl4U]

"Don't challenge Carlsen when he is drunk" noted rule to becoming a GM

[@emsey6097]

me too lol @@crazyexbf

[@T-3.]

Do not challenge him when he is sleeping either

[@perkalov]

Also... Don't challange Carlsen when he is sober.

[@TheTruthSpokenPoof]

Don't challenge Carlsen.

[@sumeerm9197]

whats so great about Carlsen

[@risitas-po-polsku]

Igor you are an awesome teacher, the way you explain is simple, logic, everything makes total sense. I improved my chess skills massively by watching your videos, thank you!

[@darlingtoncd]

I agree...best channel here.

[@anilbista7445]

Yup I was stuck in 1200s for a long time. Within a month i crossed 1500 with 80%+ accuracy just by following his lectures Very much visible progress

[@n-tboookechuku2882]

Outstanding...if I can reach 1000, that would be great...​@@anilbista7445

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 2 Chess Rules To Reach 2000 ELO 00:37 Example-1 01:13 1st Rule 03:36 Example-2 03:53 Meaningful exchange & Unfavourable exchange 07:24 Example-3 08:00 2nd Rule 11:03 Example-4: Piket vs Kasparov 11:44 Extension of the 2nd rule 14:18 Kasparov's brilliant move 15:30 Quiz: Can you find Fischer's move?

[@ohyeahohyeah1071]

Hi Igor, a bit of a side note here: the graph in the thumbnail says the exact opposite of what you want to convey. Currently, it says that the person marked 'you' is going to be the exact average person (which is of course not what you intended lol). For the desired result, place the person marked 'you' at the right end of the graph. Don't mind, I'm just into some nerdy stuff I guess😅

[@NR-ft6cj]

Came just for this comment which I knew would be here

[@JAC82]

Haha I am guessing he meant it as a pyramid, with "you", the player, on top of everyone. But it confused me at first too, because it looks like it could be a bell curve, in which case, like you said, "you" should be way off to the right. It's a bit ambiguous. Another solution could be to make the pyramid shape less curvy and more like a triangle.

[@J-B-Free]

I think he means ‘you’ (viewer) ARE the exact average chess player - which is why ‘you’ need to click his video! 😂

[@Simrealism]

It isn't a graph. It's a pile showing you at the top..

[@wheelinshirt]

Hard to know whether he made a mistake or if he just knows that most people don’t know and so doing it the right way will look wrong to most people. Or it’s wrong because posting stuff that is incorrect drives engagement.

[@RandomJess7]

I am loving your videos that really guide us into having the right mindset and thinking skills for chess games. Very easy to follow because of the impressive teaching skills!

[@darlingtoncd]

I agree...best channel here.

[@wa1ufo]

Yes!

[@holerisen]

3:38 "Two amateur players rated around 1700". I felt that one.

[@AGUNGKAYA]

He also said that 2300 was still amateur player :D

[@thanos5220]

Wtf when is it not ameuteur no more 🤔

[@RedKnight-fn6jr]

1. Qh6 - Qf8 (Black is Forced) 2. Qxh7+ - Kxh7 (Forced Queen Sac) 3. hxg6+ - Kxg6 (Double Check) (Black avoids Rh8# but...) 4. Be4#

[@PriyanshuChauhan-dh2mo]

Brilliant

[@talk2ajeet911]

Qh6 - Qf8 is not forced. Pawn to C1 is the best reply which changes the complete tempo of the game

[@linhtruong7932]

Changes tempo but not the outcome. Just delays mate because Kh2 always escapes check. So Qf8 by black IS forced

[@belike5785]

What abt Hxg6? wouldnt it give a better chances for white to win?

[@focuswiddow1742]

​@@talk2ajeet911it dosnt work bozo

[@derektoyne2729]

When I first began playing at tournaments one rule I followed was keep pieces on. I'd noticed that GM always seemed to have a lot of pieces on the board without really understanding why. Igor's rule makes it clear that exchanging without any reason simply helps your opponent. This becomes obvious when under attack and you grab something opening you up to further attacks. An example from one of my games goes 1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 3.e5 Nc6 4.Nf3 Bf5 5.Bb5 Qb6 6.a4 e6 7.Nh4? Nh6 8.Nxf5 Nxf5 9.c3 c4! 10.d3 a6 11.Bxc6+ Qxc6 12.g4?? d4! 13.Rg1 Ne3!? 14.Bxe3 dxe3 15.Qe2? here White should have played 15.d4 keeping the position closed but instead I rip open Whites position with 15...cd 16.Qxd3 Rd8 17.Qxe3 Bc5 18.Qg3 Qe4+ and White resigned as I mate.

[@georgekosinski8957]

Incredibly valuable basic lessons even for very experienced players. And it's not just the candidate moves and/or the variations. It also reminds us of the fundamental ideas behind them. My Idea is 1.Qh6 c1=Q+ 2Rxc1 Rxc1+ 3.Kh2 Qf8 4.Qxh7+ Kxh7 5.hg6+ Kxg6 6.Be4 mate

[@pokerchannel6991]

I liked that you put in the forcing moves of c1=Q to add a wrinkle to the Qh6, Qf8 idea. It does remind us that c1 is a threat.

[@peteraschubert]

@@pokerchannel6991 Meh, after ...Qh6, White is unable to avoid a forced mate. Yes, he can delay it by throwing away a pawn/queen, heck, after ...Kh2, he can Rh1 Kxh1, and so throw a Rook away as well, ...but why? After Qh6, White should resign.

[@u_ser-8-6-2]

ya and if 5.hxg6+ Kg1 then simply 6.Rh8#

[@egosuit]

Black. Black should resign. :)

[@amiraliyan]

I know what you meant by the thumbnail, but from a statistical perspective, what the point on the bell curve indicates is better than 50 percent. Better than 95 percent would be pretty low hight on the right tail of the bell curve.

[@HexFent]

nerd

[@autohrrr414]

yep, it's about 1500

[@wa1ufo]

Excellent! Thanks Igor. You are one of the best chess teachers I have ever seen!

[@belue2429]

Coach, I just found your channel about 2 days ago. Just bought your 2000 bundle yesterday. You’re helping me so much to understand my frustrations on playing good chess consistently! Thanks!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Welcome aboard!

[@RoscoeStar]

I still honestly do not think people understand how great of a teacher Igor is. He makes everything sound so simple and guides you along the path to improvement with great ease.

[@matthewclark7955]

This is one of your best videos. Excellent stuff mate

[@davidgriffiths7696]

I would add that most important is quick and accurate calculation and tactical awareness. Always look for attacking alternative instead of defensive development is perhaps the main lesson for an intermediate 1200+.

[@RustyKnorr]

Uh, that’s exactly what he said in the video. 🤦‍♂️

[@forthwanderer111]

I love you Igor you give me hope that I can one day be a grandmaster. all your videos do, not just this one. keep being amazing

[@AllThatsLeft24]

This is probably the best chess channel on yt for improvement. Theres a few others that have more entertainment value but this has more educational value

[@andrejjovanovski5353]

White Qh6 Black must protect checkmate with the Qf8, White Qh7 gives him a check, Black Kh7, White Ph5 - Pg6 (give check to Black with rook and pawn) Black Kg6 (only solution) White Bg2 - e4 (checkmate)

[@TheRomyk]

Thanks Igor, you are the best. I really improved my chess skills by not less than 400 elo, since I started following you 6 months ago. Your contents are so special❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@dhruvkootal4237]

Your videos are so simple and well explained, thanks for the content you are providing. GG❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@darlingtoncd]

I agree...best channel here.

[@josephsalmonte4995]

The "Igor nation" part always cracks me up 😂 great lesson, thanks 🙏

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@qqw743]

I myself have a pretty good rule to help intermediate players improve: don't play bullet. It's not a rule I follow, but it's a good one.

[@GalileoYT]

and blitz, play rapid

[@thescribe1657]

Blitz has helped me find moves a lot quicker, and when I started playing rapid again I really noticed the difference

[@Georgewalsh100]

@@thescribe1657it doesn’t make a difference let’s bet over a rapid match and I’ll whoop your ass!

[@kingofthejungle3833]

@4:35 K-e5 to prevent white queen from taking in the next move, also sets up the knight for a possible attack or pressure on white king

[@rohityarakala8311]

00:01 Avoid trading Queens when it helps the opponent to improve their position. 01:52 Not forcing an exchange for no reason is a key rule in chess 03:49 Exchanging on D4 can be a mistake if there is no specific reason for it. 05:44 Taking on B5 is a mistake, violating the classical rule. 07:40 Attacking is the best way to win in chess 09:31 To think like a grandmaster, don't shy away from threats and go for aggressive moves. 11:20 Executing your own plan is crucial for a successful attack. 13:10 Black uses a simple plan to deliver a quick checkmate 15:11 Two main rules to think like a grandmaster

[@RelatedGiraffe]

10:49 What about ignoring the white pawn and instead moving your queen to maybe d4, b8 or c8 to give the king room to move out of the way? I don't see why you would have to give up your queen in this position.

[@easychess-us7iy]

The quiz ans: Qh6, if pawn premote we trade the rook with it, so black can move Q to f8 to defend checkmate, after that we sac the queen on h7, king takes, we take the pawn and double attack, after that white has 2 solution, but both lead to mate in 1

[@ownedinc4274]

Solution: White pawn takes G6. This is necessary for moving toward mate because it opens the file for the rook to support the queen. It does not matter which black pawn is chosen to take back, not does it matter if black does not take back at all. Whatever black does, white queen to H6 will lead to mate on the next move. (Black pawn promotion, then rook to check the white king can delay this by two moves, but will not prevent it.

[@ownedinc4274]

Or alternatively, if black moves queen to F8 following white pawn to g6, then white pawn to H7 will be mate.

[@theMosen]

8:31 Yeah I saw that but doesn't that just make the d-pawn overextended and difficult to defend? Black doesn't really lose a tempo if white could have just used that same move to do the thing it was going to have to eventually use a tempo for anyway: develop a piece. Of course RCA understands these positions way better than a 1600 like me does, but I came to the conclusion that Nf3 is best by following a bunch of chess principles that I've picked up over the years. "To take is a mistake" being among them. Problem is, those principles often contradict each other and then I screw up when deciding which ones to apply.

[@milehighslacker4196]

I agree. 5.Nf3 develops a piece that I want to develop anyway (to quote Igor), while defending my d-pawn. 3.Bb5 develops a piece that I want to develop anyway, while attacking a well defended piece (the ...c6-Knight), and if that Bishop gets forced away, or traded off, my d-pawn has one less defender. Now I have to predict whether my pawn is over extended and whether or not it will be easy for me to continue development while at the same time hanging on to my pawn. In this case that might be so, but in other cases?!? At my level (1300 (1600 lichess)), 5.Nf3 is played about 6 times more often than 5.Nf3, while only being slightly less effective (5.Nf3 has a 62% win rate, 5.Bb5 has a 64% win rate). I love this channel's material, but this idea seems a bit too esoteric for people near my rating.

[@theMosen]

@@milehighslacker4196 Yeah I don't like 5.Bb5 at all, that allows black to force white to trade away a bishop for a knight in what looks to become an open game. Rewatching this a few months later I have to say Igor is giving terrible advice to lower ELO players here. Of course his recommended moves are engine approved, he's a GM and can see 6 moves of tactics and 20 moves in terms of strategy into the future. But for us normies that ain't the case, and his explanations for those moves are overly simplistic and don't do the position justice at all. It's fine to recommend looking out for attacking moves as a pro-active defense, I do think that's something lower ELO players struggle with. I just don't think this was a good position to make that case without addressing all the other considerations that need to be made here.

[@mythicalmystery66]

7:32 There my first thought was to do knight to e4 which I'm guessing will result in either black taking my pawn with the knight or with the queen (Probably knight as that is much more logical, so I'll just go with that example) once the knight has taken my pawn, that leaves me free to check with bishop to b5. Resulting in an activation of my bishop and possibly my knight as well.

[@MooseTracker100]

This is my first educational KZbin on chess that was detailed, understandable, and helpful. 😊 subscribed

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Welcome aboard!

[@bilalbigb4497]

I got a solution i dont know if it is right.queen h6.opponent queen f8 to prevent mate.we take on h7(pawn) with check the king is forced to take.then we play pawn takes g6(pawn) with a discovered check with our rook.the king is again forced to take,(if not and he moves to g8 it is mate after rook to h8). therefore he takes our pawn on g6.then we check the king with our bishop to e4 and i think its mate. Correct me if i am wrong ❤

[@dinroutray7885]

Very nice video, but I have a question: In the first example, after black does Qxg3 or if white moved Qh2; Qxg2, can't black just move itself to Ne5. The only benefit I'm seeing now is that you get an extra tempo. The original idea of not allowing the knight and bishop to evolve its pieces wouldn't work.

[@mickthunder1107]

Chess noob here. Question, 15:31 when black moved his queen to f2. Couldn’t white just move his queen to c2 or e2? Am I missing something?

[@foxgom]

Your explanations are easy to follow and I have improved my game. Thank you. The picture at the start of this video shows a gaussian distribution with someone standing at the top. The best in a gaussian distribution are on the far right. The values in the middle are average players....

[@BonDeRado]

You beat me to the gaussian comment, bravo.

[@TKZprod]

I mean you are not wrong but it can simply be interpreted as a mount

[@chrisworldglobalnetwork9047]

That Kasparov game example was amazing. Hadn't seen that game before. Would have loved to see Kasparov v Magnus when Kasparov was at his peak.

[@cdahlquistjr]

That brings up the Jordan/Lebron debate in basketball. Jordan simply moved the game forward. There just is no Lebron without the social consciousness of Jordan. In this case Kasparov pushed the nerds to make the chess computers and then chess computers made Carlson, but philosophically how do you subtract Kasparov's residual skills that are present in Carlson to balance the match? We tend to be more regularly presented with the horrors of humanity, but the ability to pass these gifts between generations is a good one. Also, ONLY play Magnus with a full case of Heineken next to you. Hand three over whenever he takes a pawn.

[@munsulight721]

Isnt the solution to the fischer move something like 1.Qh6 Qf8 2. Qxh7+ Kxh7 3.hxg6+ Kxg6 4. Be4 Mate ? That is some nice mating pattern here. Some Discover and worthy sacrifces Sure there is the possibility of the promoting pawn interfering with that, but the idea can stay the same just with some more move (the pawn promoting only delay the inevitable, because those pieces can't affect this pattern right ?

[@terrordude11]

I do have a question about example 2. Since you want to avoid the exchange of queens by supporting the queen. Why not move knightC3 to E2? Thereby backing up the queen, saving your knight in the process, and putting them on the defensive. Stockfish didn't list it on decent moves in the video, but this seems good to me. Am I missing something?

[@pax630]

What about alternative BLUNDERS? When I saw the initial position, my instinct was not to take, but play either Rd3 or Qd3. When I looked at these moves with a computer, the advantage drops from +2.4 to +1. How am I analyzing the position that is leading me to make these terrible moves?

[@wingwang007]

That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Why is Qd3 bad????

[@tominmo8865]

Igor, as I'm sure you know, Levy Rozman just came out with a new book for players from 0 - 1200ish Elo. It is really good. How about you coming out with one for higher level players? You have so much valuable material giving great advice on how to play well.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You can find Igor's here. online.chess-teacher.com/

[@Dar_Al_Hikma0321]

Master Smirnov, I have returned to this video because this content has elevated my game to new heights, and I wanted to thank you. I was stuck in my rating, and these secrets just changed my brain and the way I approach the game now. I've seen other videos, and they were helpful, but this... this was a breakthrough. Thank you so much!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad to hear that!

[@anhinaho4713]

One of the best chess videos I've ever seen. Right after watching this, I played against someone about 50 elo higher than me and won flawlessly. Thanks for the advice.

[@SavioSenaMachado]

15:41 Qh6. it's either #6 or #4, depending on how your opponent plays, but it's a forced mate anyway.

[@american1911]

This is the best lesson in chess that I have ever had. Thank you very much!

[@alancornejo318]

3:53 *Instantly plays a6*. Sorry I don't want any troubles on the queen side. a6 might be one of inaccuracy but I really like these h6/a6 moves... A question to the Igor Smirnov. Isn't Ne5 any good, I don't really see a threat in this d5 move (for white)

[@Luis_1605]

4:55 but when his queen is out we can develop more with tempo bcs we attack his queen, no? For example after the exchange I would play e5 then he would have to move his queen and then I can continue developing normaly. Sound better than just developing 1 piece instead of development + better center control with the pawn. Am I missing something here?

[@DariusShanle]

e5 creates a weakness on d6.

[@ryndanriley5348]

Wait, at 8:46, doesn't that lose the pawn? Because if they pressure your bishop with their pawn, you have to retreat, and then they can take your pawn. Right?

[@40cli]

For the last riddle: 1. Qh6 Qf8 2. Qxh7ü Kxh7 3. xg6+ Kxg6 4. Be4#

[@JackLogan90]

That's a very good one!! Thanks!

[@barthouweling4787]

How about the Kings Indian after d4 Nf6, c4 g6, Nc3 Bg7, e4 0-0? The move e5 is considered weak, but doesn't it hold to your principles entirely?

[@HardIsEasy]

Why is H2 better than G2? In case oponent doesn't trade the king is closer to the center?

[@vishwassheoran7658]

Qh6 qf8 qxh7+ kxh7 hxg+ If king takes g6 be4 checkmate If king g8 rh8 checkmate

[@KhushiLohave]

14:21 why didnt the white capture the knight now?? I maybe wrong but even if the pawn captures he can still bring the rook behind from the attacking pawn Plz correct me

[@Samandjam555]

My idea for the puzzle: rook d4: they go rook d8: I go rook d8 taking theirs: queen takes on d8: my bishop takes on d8 and I’m up 10 points.

[@robwilliams3592]

Good stuff... That last position is a very famous game which involves a queen sacrifice if i remember correctly...

[@alancornejo318]

5:27 Nf6 I think is a mistake the player (IN MY OPINION) should attack the queen and force it to move again with e5

[@timthaman5778]

I have watched hundreds of chess videos in my life… this one just hits different. This has unlocked a whole new section of my “chess brain!” Instant Subscribe!!!

[@Nick-H-77]

My thoughts on the end puzzle is the first move has to be hxg6. If black doesn't take back with fxg6 and instead plays Qf8, then gxh7 and there's no way to stop the pawn queening with mate. So fxg6 is forced. (taking back the other way with hxg6 hangs Rh8#). 1. hxg6 - fxg6. Then you sack the rook with Rxh7. Again if black doesn't take the rook (Kxh7), and plays Qf8 or Kf8, then Rh8# is unstoppable. 2. Rxh7 - Kxh7 Then it's a simple mate in two: 3. Qh4 - Kg8 4. Qh8# ----------------------------------------- Maybe I missed a defensive resource for black but that's what I would try in any case (I'm around 1500).

[@michaelrobinson2687]

After 2. Rxh7, Black could use the Rook on a7, no longer impeded by the f7 pawn, to take White's Rook instead of doing it with the King.

[@Nick-H-77]

​@@michaelrobinson2687Ah yes thank you Michael. Thought I'd probably be missing something!

[@madhusudanranganathan1382]

Appreciate all the wonderful comments about chess play and players by Mr. Smirnov... It is an art

[@robincarriger3017]

White should move Pxg6. If black counters with h7xg6 or f7xg6, then Qh6 followed ultimately by Qh8#. There's nowhere the black King can run. If black instead counters with Qf8, then Pxh7#. Right? 🙂

[@madchessLeviathan]

in the first position white is up a pawn and black has isolated double pawns, so exchanging queens simplify the position.

[@HavingSaidThat1]

Igor. I just wanted to let you know when I first washed your video a couple days ago, I knew that it would be very impactful for me. Since then I have played 11 games and lost one. I'm not saying that that trajectory will last, but I feel I am more conscious while playing chess. I used to take pieces off the board thinking that I'm doing myself a favor, but oftentimes I instead simply give them the upper hand. I am not doing that now (or at least thinking more about it before taking a piece of theirs) and it's just so much easier to play the game. Thanks!

[@cameronmoore136]

1:49 "When you make the exchange, you usually help your opponent move forward and activate his position." But isn't that already the case before you even consider exchanging queens? He moved his queen up, so he activated his queen. So by not taking the exchange, you're not avoiding or preventing your opponent from developing, you're merely changing which pieces make it to a solidified "developed" stage (in your example, it was the knight that solidified its position after developing, rather than the queen). Not to mention, while your opponent gets to develop their queen, they're forcing you to move your queen (or defend it), which often times can make your would-be plans happen 1 (or more) turns/moves later since you now have to waste a turn to move/defend. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying trading is a good idea, just that this particular point of yours doesn't resonate with me as of now.

[@mohhammadalamin9230]

1. Qh6 c1=Q+ , 2. Rxc1 Rxc1+ , 3. Kh2 Qf8, 4. Qxh7+ Kxh7, 5. hxg6+ Kxg6 , 6. Be4#

[@smokeybeard429]

1. White Pawn to g6 black takes back with either pawn doesn’t really matter. If the take with there h pawn it’s mate in two, if they take with the f pawn or not at all its mate in three. 2.queen to h6 again it doesn’t matter what black plays. 3. Queen to h7 check. Only move left for black is king to f8. 4. Queen h8 is mate.

[@Iddy267]

No, first move is not a pawn move, its a queen move to setup for a mate in 1 where black is forced to move q to f8 to defend this threat then qxf8 - kxf8. Now is when you capture on g6 to get the sequence of moves that ends with be4#

[@Sleepybear6032]

In 2:30, you can exchange the rook for two minor pieces. IDK if it is any better but it seems like a better option.

[@SamTorontoRealEstate]

What about Queen to D3 in the first example? Obviously not as good as moved described, but is it bad?

[@Bareslehm]

Could this work: h5xg6, and then queen to h-file in next move, giving check on both g7 and h7, depending on what black does

[@polytropos1.1]

For the puzzle: Would the following solution work? 1. hxg6 fxg6 (Black must take because otherwise gxf7 would win the queen, and taking with the other pawn hxg6 would be immediately lethal due to Rh8#. Any Queen move would be answered by gxh7+ and subsequent promotion) 2. Qh6 Qf8 (otherwise Qg7# is unstoppable) 3. Qxg6+ hxg6 (forced) 4. Rh8# The idea is to forcibly open the h file for the checkmate while keeping the queen long enough on the diagonal to protect the c1 square.

[@sansonsolutions]

Instead of 3.QxG6+, what about 3.QxH7++?

[@adrianbauze1864]

after 1...fxg6 2. Qh6 ... then 3. Qg7 is not a threat due to 3... Rxg7

[@togfanatic3781]

qh7 is the corrent line

[@alancornejo318]

6:48 Is Ke7 the best move???

[@chukspeter4044]

Igor, what is wrong with Qd3 in the first example , pressuring the knight

[@liquidmantle]

Just as a preface, I learned chess like 3 days ago so I'm a total newbie. But my question is: in the first setup, why would you not want to move your knight to e2 instead of moving the king?

[@samuelwagner8713]

What about Queen to d3? Doesn’t this make sense as well involving the situation?

[@wilhemberg]

What do you think if it was played d7 in the 10:54?

[@nathanaaronfernandes9698]

what about Qd3 at 3:00

[@lyingcat9022]

HINTS: Queen-Bishop ready for the common and often unstoppable Pincer Mate. Rook lined up on the H file with the h-g pawn lever pre hooked and ready to pry open the King. The ability to control both light squares and dark with both bishops if need be. Quickly make sure any annoying checks don’t work for Black. And finally, as you should ask yourself every move of every game “Can I sacrifice anyone and EVERYONE for the win?” ;)

[@Smurez]

Regarding the second example: after black moves the bishop, whites knight will be taken. Blacks pawns are more developed and the rook has a better position to move. How exactly does white have the advantage here? Are two rooks worth so much more than a rook and a bishop? Or is it that two if blacks pawns are at the same vertical position?

[@Syar044]

For quiz answer: 1.Qh6 Qf8 2.Qxh7 Kxh7 3. Be4 Qg7 4.pawn x g6 mate

[@josievilla2613]

Bishop (white) to e4 Sir. I like the way you explained. Thanks.

[@davehumphreys1725]

Thanks for the video Igor. Again, you have highlighted one of the many reasons that I don't understand chess at a deeper level. At 3:36 into the video, you say that white should NOT swap queens, and you give a number of possible options for him to defend his queen. But, if he uses one of those options, and black swaps queens, can't black then just put his knight on e5 anyway? If white swapped queens then moved is king to g3, wouldn't he still be in the same position?

[@pankajakshanramavallabhan8753]

The point is who develops first. Note that black is getting his knight to e5 only after you. In previous case, if you swap queens and you want to walk your king to g3, you have to spend 2 more moves to get to g3, while you already helped his knight get to e5. By the time, you get to g3, he would have 2 additional free moves. But if you let him take your queen by defending it with your king, you develop your king while defending saving 1 move. And then, if he takes, then you develop again for free to g3. Where he comes to e5 next. Now you have the move.

[@davehumphreys1725]

@@pankajakshanramavallabhan8753 Thanks for your comment, but I didn't understand it! Perhaps I should not be playing chess at all!! Regardless of the move order, the final position, with black's N on e5 and white's K on g3 is the same. I just can't get my head around what the differece is.

[@miladsammouh4741]

​@@davehumphreys1725if white swaps queens then white's king would still be on h1 so he wouldn't be able to go to g3. By not swapping queens, white essentially gets a free king move

[@vbcsalinasapologetics1242]

PxP, if Pc1-Q then RxQ if h7xP then Qh6, leading to Qh8# if f7xP then Qh6, leading to QxH7+, KF8; Qh8# if Qf8 then QxH7#

[@TKZprod]

This video is perfect. Even if I somehow knew these concepts already, you made me understand them. I played some game having this in mind and it really changed my playing to a less automatic one, wiser, more active and aggressive... Thanks!

[@twentyrothmans7308]

(1) He did not ask you to trade Queens because he likes you. Two hanging pieces, you must defend both.I prefer Kg2, no pin on my Q. As far as the quiz is concerned, we cannot check him. Qh6 Qf8 Qxh7+ Kxh7 hxg6+ Kxg8 (because Kg8 means Rh8++) Be4++ I hope that's right. happy to be corrected. Edited to add - thank you, Igor. You're a brilliant teacher.

[@stevemotocrayz2892]

You have a typo above... You mean Kxg6, rather than Kxg8, . . correct.??

[@twentyrothmans7308]

@@stevemotocrayz2892 Thank you, Steve, you are right! As you can see, I didn't mean Kg8 :-)

[@jbpisang]

Quiz => M7 1. Qh6 c1=Q+ 2. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 3. Kh2 Rh1+ 4. Kxh1 Qf8 5. Qxh7+ Kxh7 6. hxg6+ Kxg6 7. Be4#

[@baydrixnewzealandwarrobotf2681]

Is it important to know the names of the squares ie. E4 , F4 Asking for checkers player friend

[@GeorgAubele]

Really a helpful video! Thanks!

[@דניאלמנשה-ו4ז]

Maybe I didn't understand but at minute 6:15 if he takes the knight you lose material?!

[@ThinkerT]

On the first example, I understand the point in general, but I don't quite understand why trading Queens isn't beneficial to white. Yes, black improves their position slightly, but white is up a pawn, has decent control of the center, and black has doubled isolated pawns on the f file, so it seems like even trades benefit white in this case.

[@joshuahall4488]

I’m a novice but for the last question would you move your right most pawn up? To continue pressuring the king?

[@sunnyjupita]

I'm sorta new to chess (around 300 Elo I think) so I may be missing something but in the 1st Rule, isn't it better if White Queen goes to d3? Wouldn't this move remove the queen from danger and simutaneously protect the vulnerable Rook?

[@Captain-Cardboard]

I just said the same thing myself!

[@candidecandler88]

Dear Mr Smirnov, thanks so much for your awesome videos you are my fave chess teacher.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you like them!

[@Karadjanov]

H6 completely locks down the king and later the bishop could come to G7 if needed and white is free to deal with the passed pawn. Or perhaps RxD4 first and then push H6

[@roopaanand7346]

Ans Qg6 (mate g7)Qf8 Qxh7 + Kxh7 hxg6 Kxg6 (cannot capture with pawn cuz double check) Be4#

[@joaopires8815]

Hopefully this is correct. Queen H6, Black Queen to F8 to prevent Check mate next move on G7. Queen takes pawn on H7 with check. king takes Queen on H7. pawn takes pawn on G6 with uncovered Check with the rook on H4. King to G8 as only possible square. Rook H8 check mate. Of course after initial Queen move to H6 black could always promote with a check but that would only delay the plan one move Hopefully this makes sense

[@pakomot2]

Discovered check, on king H7 Can just take the pawn, then white square bishop comes along to finish it?

[@danielbrunk9121]

In the first shown Position I also thought, that white shouldnt take the queen and I also saw that I could defend my Queen with my King. But I wouldve played Qd3 Qf4 RxNd7 BxR QxB (1 R for 2 pieces)... And my Queen is on the enemy camp doing stuff but also blacks Queen is now near my king and a bit active.. but at least the Knight of black doesnt get active I thought .. Seeing that stockfish likes the black sided Queenexchange more than my thought lets me think, that through exchanging lots of pieces black has more relative space than black having more pieces in stockfishs variation but also problems coordinating them..

[@wingwang007]

I was wondering the same???? Is it because of Nf6, Nxe4, then movement toward the king for a checkmate threat that is too risky?

[@darlingtoncd]

Your the best. My approach to games is giving me wins that I would have lost in the past. I have even won games against the 1800 & 2000 computer which was a not possible in the past.

[@EllisiumVP]

I tried to follow the principle "do not capture pieces, if opponent will advance his pieces on recapture". Game review shows that a lot of captures I ignored because of this rule are actually the best possible moves. Confusing.

[@Abdulhaqq7148]

First option is to attack, last option is to defence..i think you right on that..stockfish going to play like that too..my question is, how to train a tactic..GM above is like always no what to do next and to set a trap, can you suggest a book or software only focus on tactic..bcoz magnus carlsen also in his video always repeat word 'tactic'..