21 Positional Chess Concepts

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:35 - #1 (Avoid bad bishops)
1:02 - #2 (Isolated pawns are good targets)
1:32 - #3 (Double isolated pawns are even better targets)
1:57 - #4 (Rooks should control open files)
2:29 - #5 (NEVER trade a good bishop for a bad knight)
3:08 - #6 (NEVER trade a good knight for a bad bishop)
3:39 - #7 (Trade your BAD pieces for opponent's GOOD pieces)
4:25 - #8 (Be CAREFUL moving pawns forward)
5:19 - #9 (Rooks are great on the 7th/2nd ranks)
6:11 - #10 (1 pawn can stop 2 pawns)
7:17 - #11 (Blockade and attack backward pawns)
8:42 - #12 (Create protected passed pawns)
10:06 - #13 (Trade off fianchettoed bishop with battery)
11:16 - #14 (Bait opponent to create pawn weaknesses)
12:29 - #15 (A good knight on an outpost is worth a rook)
14:04 - #16 (Sometimes you should sac a rook for a knight and pawn)
15:00 - #17 (Put pawns on opposite color from your bishops)
15:46 - #18 (Protect bishop with a pawn)
16:27 - #19 (Weak color complex)
17:55 - #20 (Blockade pawns with pieces to hinder development)
20:18 - #21 (Minority Attack)
22:30 - BONUS TIP

[@ChessVibesOfficial]

Stuck at 1000 elo? Not anymore: chessvibescourses.thinkific.com/

[@ogdenjc]

This is awesome. Maybe I can finally beat my ***hole friend who's won the past 50 games in a row that we've played.

[@TK5280.]

@@ogdenjc I feel that lol

[@flippingbalisong3452]

nah im stuck at like 300 ): i guess im an ape....

[@hello_i_exist_uwu]

What’s elo

[@samuraiunites2845]

I'm stuck at 1200

[@urmama54]

i appreciate your straightforward non-egoic teaching style from a 1000 rated player who don't wanna wade through the bs

[@Bjorlin1]

Agreed, this is what everyone should do. Straight to the point.

[@unliving_ball_of_gas]

This channel made me go from 300 to 700 real quick in just 3?/4 months. It's easy to understand and straight to the point. Thumbs up!

[@illwill6205]

@@unliving_ball_of_gas hey, do you started with learning openings or you just randomly develop at first then when we get little better on our own we could learn openings maybe?!

[@TheGreatDanish]

@@illwill6205 start with whats comfortable with you! I got interested in chess because I read a book of openings when I was like in 4th grade, and had to back-fill a lot of basic concepts as I learned. So if you wanna start by learning openings because that's whats cool to you? Go for it. But remember that openings are just the start. There's a whole entire game afterwords and videos like this help. :)

[@michaelmassaro4375]

Egotistical very true

[@JM-gz1cp]

As a player who is always trying to improve my positional chess. The concept to block your opponents pawns to prevent development is indeed life changing. Thanks for this video.

[@marcoengland186]

literally blew my mind when he showed it - its genius i cant believe i never thought about it like that

[@prim16]

This really is one of the best chess channels out there for learning. It's like a hidden gem, like for this quality content you would expect half a million subs at least.

[@KironKabir]

i agree, he’s doing what other chess tubers should have done a long time ago. good job nelson

[@Ikyou34]

Yes

[@JurijFedorov]

There are much better and older channels with only 200K subs. Daniel Naroditsky for example.

[@darrylkassle361]

@@JurijFedorov you mean better than Nelson’s?

[@kingghidorah5271]

@@JurijFedorov But Nelson is better at teaching than Daniel. He has the ability to simplify everything so we can understand his points much easier.

[@dennisharrell2236]

Whenever I am in a chess slump I always spend a few days studying positional chess. It restores my confidence and improves my game.

[@satedampo4823]

For me its usually studying endgame, it's quite relaxing when there's only so little piece on the board.

[@Reedgram]

U are just like me fr

[@snortplug9582]

@@satedampo4823 yeah endgame calculation are one of the most fun things in chess

[@caroljung1310]

That's the exact reason I'm here today lol

[@The_Memer6969]

Me too. I felt depressed studying new openings but I feel relaxed studying tactics and tips. I prefer this informative and to the point better than levy's engaging and loud vids.Though he is very entertaining as commentator.

[@gnpar]

11:19 "make a bad move in the hope that your opponent will make an even worse move as a result". Classic positional chess concept 🤣

[@ShoopDaWhoop621]

Great video! Learned 2 new terms! "Battery" (lining up two pieces) and "Outpost" (a knight who cannot be attacked by pawns)

[@maikoui]

Isnt outpost a square that can not be attacked by pawns?

[@shrochrome]

@@maikoui yeah

[@geoffreygeorge999]

@@maikoui true

[@DeZomer35]

You are a hole in the market by making this kind of video's. No one explains these concepts like you do. Keep uploading good content for the chess community !

[@chesstime_0720]

True

[@whitepony8443]

Good knight is helpful especially when you're going to hit the pillow. I use good knight all the time.

[@nickeastmusic9930]

lol

[@knownas2017]

Name checks out

[@thefucksthisabout]

Is your knight white in colour? Or whenever it pees does a white thin colour liquid come out. 🌚

[@SidarOk]

As the famous song goes: Let tonite gonna be a good knight

[@BenOnuMuDiyorum]

And I truly prefer a good knight over a bad bishop. That's always safer.

[@raymondmcyeetface6850]

This channel is one of the biggest helps to me. I’m 1200 and still climbing! Every once in a while, going back to old videos and relearning basic concepts really helps.

[@archimedeis]

It's crazy how much I've learned from this channel in the past 2 months. Thank you for all the amazing content.

[@stickplayzrblx6901]

Yes Ty let me tell you my story for whoever reads this, I’m a kid about 10 and my parents have enrolled me into a chess club and I thought OMG I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT so I found this channel and started watching your videos and I’m way better TY FOR CREATING YOUR CHANNEL I APPRECIATE IT!!!👏👍

[@fastgames_pvp7705]

@@stickplayzrblx6901 what's ur elo currently?

[@mohammedashraf.1463]

@@fastgames_pvp7705 your elo?

[@johna3863]

As someone just getting back into chess, this is the most instructive channel out there, bar none:)

[@chesstime_0720]

For sure

[@brucewayne2184]

That awkward moment when I know all these but I'm still rated 1000.

[@FredPlanatia]

knowing them is different than applying them in your games. Try longer time controls or even correspondence chess to practice these concepts and train yourself to apply them in games.

[@josefserf1926]

Tactics first positional second.

[@lwanso]

@@josefserf1926 “Tactics flow from a superior position.” - Bobby Fischer

[@ltisenotem]

I could be wrong, but the boom of chess has made raised the difficulty of every elo. You have to fight through a lot more opponents to reach the average than you use to, which is the same with other games who adopted "elo" ratings. Today's 1000 elo in Age of Empires was 10 years ago a 1700 elo, for example

[@andresfontalvo17]

@@lwanso which could be understood to mean that if you don't know your tactics you can't take max advantage of your superior position

[@oskarpaulander4027]

As a ~2100 player I kind of know all these (some from theoretical learning, some just intuitevely) but your videos are really good. Good pace, pedagogical. Doesn't hurt to go over the basics every now and then and there is always one or two details I've missed or overlooked so I really enjoy your videos.

[@jeanjasinczuk7543]

Unfortunately, also as a ~2100 player and many years of playing chess, I found that video over simplified. It is missing some game sample for how to fully take advantage of those strategic principles and how the other side can and will try to find counter play in those situation.

[@fccgrnp2968]

@@jeanjasinczuk7543 its not a tutorial for us yw

[@shubhamvibhuti]

2100 elo or lichess???

[@oskarpaulander4027]

@@shubhamvibhuti haven't played for "real" in over a decade. Lichess I'm around 2200

[@uselessdegenerate7565]

@@oskarpaulander4027 that's like 1700 on CC

[@ludwiglarsson3352]

I went in to this thinking "I will be happy if I understand a single one of these principles" (I am a big noob with only around 700 rating). But this was actually super beneficial for me. Much simpler concepts than I expected. While there were a bunch of them which I already knew, I learnt several new things which will try to keep in mind.

[@robertstrong6639]

As a 1900 player, (advanced), I still may forget these simple principles when playing on the clock, a very practical instructional here!

[@burcgurel9575]

I’ve been practicing chess for many years, and this channel & videos are on another level. Simple - short - to the point. Thank you!

[@acesound6017]

love that you used the Alekhine defense for the creating pawn weaknesses section Its one of my favorite defenses for that reason even if its not the most practical ever

[@dirkpeloquin1425]

One of the best things you showed wasn’t even a main concept, but at 4:15 you showed how the nF3 move is susceptible to a pin; something I often find myself walking into.

[@mospc4993]

Hello, Nelson It would be great if you keep doing these types of videos, you are easy to understand, clear, and concise. You seem to be a naturally gifted teacher. I am just exploring your channel right now so I don't know all the videos. Here is a suggestion: making specific videos on some of these principles and general concepts, showing examples on how to get the best out of them, as the attacker, and prevent them (if possible), as the defender. It does not need to be 25 videos for the 25 principles, but just a few, stand-alone videos for the most important principles and concepts. I wish you all the best. You are on the right track to keep growing your channel. Cheers from Colombia! from a faithful subscriber.

[@vitoamodio1229]

I'm only half through and I already think this video is gold. Can't wait to put all this concepts in practice. Thank you so much!!!

[@shannonjones8877]

This is fantastic instructional content. For one, i didn't know a lot of these. For two, it actually gives practical examples for what a good knight vs good bishop is. For three, it provides guidance on when to disregard the point system for sacrificing pieces. I appreciate this so much. Thank you.

[@LegendOfThin]

Such an underrated channel, so so helpful. Keep up with this and you'll no doubt get your time in the spotlight

[@Proflaxis]

I think this is a great video for many beginner to intermediate players. Kudos man. Well done.

[@alexandrapopovicova8370]

I really appreciate these sort of videos, condense information in short period of time. I always pick up 1 or 2 ideas and try to implement them in my next chess games. Then rewatch and pick another 1 or 2 concepts. Helps me learn. Thank you!

[@tuddgrimley8532]

17:55 This one tops the list for me, White sticking something on d6 and blocking the pawn on d7 has ruined me in a lot of games in the Taimanov Sicilian. It's not a check, capture or attack so it can be easy to overlook. It's such a strong positional concept that it's nearly a tactic

[@DocMatthews0311]

Wow. I have decided to jump back into the game after a decade of just casual games with my Dad & friends. I decided that I would really study the game and started to look at some YT vids. This is the best one I’ve run across in the past 3 months. Definitely subbing . 👍🏽

[@mihaicotet6509]

Great to find you on this channel, Nelson. I got into chess a few years ago and I enjoy your videos, I think you are very good at teaching. We used to play soccer at UTD ages ago, and had no idea back then you're into chess, so it was a nice surprise to find you here. All the best.

[@tahahassan3738]

Nelson, although I know these points, your explanations have so nicely consolidated my knowledge. A massive help. Thank you.

[@mikebikekite1]

Excellent roundup. Any chance you could do a part II of this with more subtle strategies?

[@politotrujillo1722]

This was such an important video you probably know most of this but even after a full year of playing 5-10 chess games a day I came out with at about 5 new concepts for attacking and defending

[@mynameisyasser]

That box arrow thing was excellent (to work out if a King can catch a pawn in time)

[@_bones_jones]

Im rated 1100 ish and always stuck for moves to make in pretty standard games, I'll make it to move 12 or so and struggle to find the right place for my minor pieces. The videos you've uploaded (especially this one!) have made these sticky situations SO much easier to navigate. I've noticed subtle mid-game moves I normally wouldn't realise are game changers! 1200+ here we come! :)

[@caroljung1310]

The box method is really useful in bullet and rushed blitz endgames to determine fast whether a pawn has advanced enough, thanks!

[@rogerzhang5993]

Every time I watch someone else my ELO goes down but when I watch your videos my ELO goes up. Thank you for making very digestible chess videos that are highly effective.

[@ltisenotem]

You're a legend. I watch one of your videos every few weeks and my elo is increasing because of these concepts you talk about. Awesome info

[@nighthawk984]

Thanks again for the excellent video. I am getting surrounded by the post-it notes having all the knowledge that you have provided in this video and your previous videos.

[@madisont3123]

your vids are super helpful. something i discovered recently was how useful it is to pin a pawn to a king because it helps to open up both squares very close to the king

[@ardnfast]

I'm part of the way through this video, and although I have an understanding of these ideas so far, you really bring them out and solidify them well. Thanks 👍

[@saisaketh7243]

Love it.. gems of wisdom. I was struggling against fianchetto. Love to see more videos.

[@MacAnthony209]

I appreciate your channel and the way you explain concepts so they’re easy for me to understand. Thank you.

[@kruksog]

You're killing it Nelson. Thanks so much for these.

[@srenpetersen8060]

Nelson is a incredible good chess teacher. Very instructive stuff. Im rated 1362 in OTB chess and my chess understanding has gotten better watching his videos. ☺

[@fminc]

That b5 Sicilian setup for the blockade and the minority attack are GOLD for a 1000 like me. Excellent concepts all around, EACH one of them.

[@triexortism]

ngl this is probably one of the best channels to learn chess, a good explainer, really experienced, and really good examples that can apply.

[@lepaux]

By far the best chess instructional channel, thanks Nelson Lopez you rock like a true chess rockstar! Not only a great guy and player but a fantastic teacher!

[@MrTsetso]

Thanks, man! Very usefull, though I already knew most of those tactics it was useful to see them again explained so well!

[@rannikkolainen_]

This is such an amazing compilation. Thank you for putting it together!

[@waynecwk]

This channel is so underrated! You deserve much more recognition for sure! Thanks for the useful content! 👍

[@egnite8942]

Tysm! Keep making these videos, helps me a lot! Just got to 1900 correspondence because of you 💓

[@anuproy1062]

Thank you so much! You are my favourite now! I love chess, but never could learn it formally. Learning from you at 42!!

[@VollDerBrummer1]

Thanks man. Playing chess for years and learned something today. Was very easy and smooth to listen to. Your cannel rocks!

[@yousseflahbabi3842]

Love number 20. First time I hear about that. Thank you for sharing !

[@userhome3601]

You learned all his 20 years of knowledge. Now y'all can be masters.

[@karthikshanker9598]

That's a great video. Thank you so much, i appreciate the way you teach - the concepts are crystal clear.

[@Rikcey]

I've been somewhat successful in chess when I was young, and I had to look up that en passant move. I never got taught that one. Like your content!

[@davebrowne8042]

Trying to get back into chess after 30 years. I'm loving these concise videos. You also have what I would call a very good teachers voice. Well done.

[@rahawala]

This is a really wonderful way to teach concepts. In theory I already understood these ideas, but I can't tell you the number of times I've made these mistakes in game. Seeing them explained in such a concise way in succession with examples is so helpful. I need to make it a point to periodically watch this vid. Thank you!

[@jameslonergan4830]

It's like bad data vs. good data. Bad data just sits there. It isn't activated. Good data is activated. It has an objective. For me, the way he explains these concepts activates the bad data (OK, I understand these concepts) into good data (OK, I'm going to utilize these concepts to win).

[@NisseHult101]

Excellent quality tutorials, and not too long videos either. Looking forward to see more, possibly slightly higher level stuff?! Subbed!

[@Steve-cv7qv]

Nelson, I love your videos you get to the point have a ton of content in a very short period of time!! Thank you!!!

[@billpence5444]

this video is amazing. Love everything about it! good vibes dude :)

[@7352SoS]

The blockade and attacking backward pawns is definitely something new that I didn't know about, I have heard about everything except that, wow what am I doing be a 1300 that doesn't know about that

[@syoudipta]

I'm surely showing this to one more person who will definitely benefit from this video. Thanks for making this great content.

[@hugoaguilar3740]

Trying to get back to chess after 20 years, absolutely the best video. Great job!!! Thanks for sharing

[@williambettis2961]

Thanks for the great lessons. I'm enjoying them and getting a lot out of them.

[@junaubomber6977]

I love it. Condensed information instead of endless yapping.

[@the3xtr3mist]

protecting bishop with a pawn.. 15:45 and on.. is not mentioned but poses another positional thing there; to place your bishop against a knight two squares apart and that knight can't move forward all the squares of that knight are held by that bishop.. very useful in the endgame where the board is clear and open..

[@rainerausdemspring3584]

Excellent as always. In some openings one side deliberately plays with an isolated pawn (often on d4 or d5) for some other positional advantage. Of course, fore beginners ist is a good rule of 👍 to avoid them 👌.

[@quentincastroniemann7530]

I love playing with the isolated d-pawn, which will create more open lines for my pieces 😄. Especially because modern chess shows how strong dynamic play can be.

[@NisseHult101]

@@quentincastroniemann7530 Yes, it is a trade-off: One accepts a possible long-term disadvantage (isolated pawn) for the gain of a short-term advantage (active piece play). (Almost a sort of positional gambit, one could say.) Then it is up the two players how those advantages/disadvantages is best used.

[@hatim410362]

Fantastic video, thank you so much! I like how you explain things in very easy short way, continue like that, love ur channel!

[@lizs4060]

As someone whose been playing for years but struggling to improve this is a huge help!

[@chesscannonball7572]

Great lesson! Good examples and clearly explained. Going to share with son and daughter.

[@tottenvillelegend826]

Thank you for the tips and advice!

[@RMF49]

Another feature of an isolated pawn is that the square in front of the pawn is weak. If it’s a central pawn we can post up a piece aggressively in front of the pawn. The piece can’t be booted by another enemy pawn and it is shielded from frontal attack. This immobilizes the pawn making it even more of a target and prevents it from moving forward to be traded off or sacrificing itself to damage our pawn structure. Immobilizing the pawn in turn somewhat reduces mobility of opponent’s pieces behind the pawn or along its diagonals.

[@MrBrix3]

Thanks Nelson, always providing good information........keep up the great work !

[@buddybuythis3889]

The time stamp and chapters are really useful. Not as useful as the concepts you presented but still really useful. Thanks Nelson.

[@philburns5656]

Great video! Covers pretty much the knowledge I have. Can you do a follow-up on this? Like 21 more advanced positional concepts or tips?

[@dragonman1265]

This is a really nice, straightforward, non bs chess channel. Big fan

[@robnorcia3818]

Thank you, learning so much from you and these videos!

[@mse181]

Number 10 is really helpful. Pawns are sometimes hard to see how I have to move them.

[@alejrandom6592]

This is gold. Thanks for sharing this with us ❤

[@KanjiMadeEasy]

Nice....all beginners need this, along with combination puzzles

[@cloudforest4087]

All of these tips are greatly needed. Thanks for showing.

[@komabrown4485]

I have really learnt a lot from chess vibes.thank you Nelson for such wonderful teachings.i will greatly improve in chess by watching thes videos.

[@stiffiron]

Wow! That was a really helpful video! That helps my understanding A LOT! Thank you!

[@jcoffy]

I like that you say ‘annoying’ because often I feel like part of my mission is not just to win but to really annoy my opponents plans.

[@goodluckturtle2677]

Thank you. You answered alot of the questions I have in my head that is difficult to find answers for because I don't even know how to phrase those questions the right way

[@chessassassin2813]

Thanks, I'm going to use your 21 principles for my next KZbin video post. I appreciate the inspiration.

[@FrankCrocker]

Yet another amazing video. Appreciate the content and keep up the good work!

[@Hailmich10]

Thanks! Excellent as usual. You gave one of the clearest and straightforward explanations of the minority attack that I have heard.

[@momoaux3673]

great video, thank for the tips!

[@rexjohnson233]

I've learned more actionable concepts in the first ten minutes of this video than I've learned in the past month.

[@kimbirch1202]

It's really just logical thinking. Making the right moves at the right time. Its good to learn from a great channel like this, but even better to work it out for yourself.

[@ashvinim]

Thankyou for sharing the tactics.

[@jacksellers9524]

Thanks for the videos. Enjoy you tone and cadence and the fact you don’t go into tongues with chess quotation. The way you explain is easy to follow. Over last few months I have watch lot of streamers and settled on you and not Levy etc. Really getting a lot out of your elo climb with Peter. Thanks for what you do.

[@ChessVibesOfficial]

Appreciate that, Jack!

[@indy1990100]

very good stuff, also I have found that in my experience a queenside castling can be very powerful and if you can prevent that or weaken it severely early on in the game, that can be helpful. also if position allows try to take at least one of their bishops because two bishops in a middle to end game can be very powerful as well especially against rooks.

[@ServantOfOdin]

En passante... I heard it alot over the years, but no one ever explained it to me. Thank you, now I finally get it.

[@ledgeballam9181]

I really enjoy your down-to-earth, blunt, non-egotistical and wholesome teaching style. Your deep love for the game shines through in all of your teaching examples, which is perfect! 👌❤️ Makes you want to (seriously consider!) becoming a NM or GM sometime soon! Well-done! And please keep up the good work, Mr. Lopez! Looking forward to your next few videos!! 🤩👌❤️🌈

[@OregonMikeH]

Hay YA Nelson, it's been a pleasure recommending your Ch. to Members of my Chess Club. I enjoy sharing your fine work with Social Media Friends around the world. I'm Always out here with a huge Thumps Up with great appreciation for your Content, Style, and exceptional Host Demeanor. Blessings your way Always, from Oregon Mike H

[@kaidoChess]

Always love the tips man! Great vid Nel

[@georgechen1124]

Big thanks!!! A true gem among all chess tutorials!!!