Chess calculation for beginners and grandmasters

Chess calculation for beginners and grandmasters

[@visionpiping1048]

First time watching one of your videos. I like that you break down the thought process for low level players like myself. There is also none of the over-emphatic comments. Looking forward to more. Thank you.

[@sh3lton]

We appreciate all of your videos and the teachings, thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@Free2BeYou]

Love your delivery. Slow enough for me to follow, and you seem caring & like you're not showing off at the same time, but really teaching, which I haven't found so much on other chess channels. I like your style! Thanks for the great info. I learned a lot.

[@cassio_lemos]

What a great lesson. This is the first video of yours that i watch and i really liked it. You're pretty instructive yet simple to understand. I love watching chess as entertainment, which several content creators make, but most of the time i feel like it lacks instructiveness. Now with your chanel i feel like i found, entertaining and instructive. I'm looking forward for more content, thanks!

[@kennethrichardson391]

Hello Irena, I stumbled across one of your videos on utube and have been a fan every since then. I'm getting better from your teachings. Thank you so much!!!

[@andrewmays3988]

I enjoyed listening to your thoughts and careful thinking processes, plus your calm and civil demeanor was greatly appreciated. I'm looking forward to spending more time as your student and a long-time chess enthusiast.😇

[@TikariChess]

Your channel has quickly grown into one where I look forward to (and make sure to watch!) each video you release. 1600 USCF. Love the homework idea as well.

[@joeweider9471]

ok, feedback time-- i've seen a few of your vids here on youtube, and every single one i've seen so far has been outstanding! i have been a regular school teacher (south florida) and a chess coach as well for many decades (i'm 75), and you are an EXCELLENT presenter and teacher of this difficult game... i just subscribed so i won't miss anything from now on...i like ben feingold as well, and there are many other great chess presenters on youtube, but i seem to gravitate toward a handful of you marvelous player/teachers repeatedly, and you are certainly one of those... thank you so much, and i hope i can meet you one day and tell you the same thing in person :)

[@darrengilbert7438]

I just started trying to learn chess from KZbin videos this week and found your channel. I'm not completely new as i already knew how the various pieces moved. I just have not really gotten involved with the strategy of the game. I have subscribed and hope to learn more by following your channel and others on here.

[@doc032848]

I always look for your videos. We always learn something from you every time. My rating is around 1200-1300,. so I have so much to learn!! So thank you Irina for all your free lessons and for just being you. The chess world is a better place with you in it.

[@gavinjones8543]

Great videi here Irina, just discovered channel and subbed. This vid is soo useful to me to improve because it is highly interactive, and highly relevant. So not just a vid Telling me to do stuff or not do stuff, or telling me im guaranteed to win in 5moves lol. More please, and good luck in growing the channel. I am plugged in!

[@lmSnarkk]

Glad I just found your channel! I really liked your analysis from the US Chess Championship!

[@RonaldoMoura]

Thanks for your time and effort, Irina. We really appreciate it.

[@imeprezime1285]

Both Botez and myself learned from this video. Nice lesson GM Irina! 👍

[@azelvallier8748]

Thank you Irina for your dedication and commitment in spreading chess knowledge to the masses. Many thanks

[@hodgeknobbler9848]

Great video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@sdfgdfsgdfsg]

I'm very excited this channel exists, I have long respected you as a player.

[@bardamu9662]

Very instructive video. Thanks for sharing!

[@rhysgriffiths9675]

Great video! I'm 2100 Lichess, since you asked, and I like your videos because you cover more advanced topics on your channel.

[@NoRodNeeded]

Really quite an instructive video - rather funnily, after some thought on the problem I said to myself "I'd probably (in a game) just play Re2 and try and push the pawn, but realistically d3 there kills the fun" without realizing that exd6 worked, purely because I forgot that e6 dxe2 exd6 Qxf5 existed - for some reason I just thought black had an extra move to play Qf1#. I remember doing one group lesson with you when I had been playing chess for about 5 months about 2 years ago, having never played a tournament game, and now I am rated 1800 USCF - I am very happy you are doing these videos for free now. For the "homework" - Qc2 looks right to stop Qa4 ideas, but I will say that my mind initially went to Qc3 because I saw that there might be some Nxf4 ideas looming in the future, once white's Rxc8 occurs. I evaluated that for a long time before realizing simply that Qa4 was the main thing to avoid, and that Qc2 as a result is the only move along the c-file that wins the whole knight.

[@shimaalcarrim7949]

Respect 👏👏

[@JimBalter]

Very nice video. I played with you and "the world" against Kasparov way back when ...you did great handling that and it was a lot of fun!

[@ewanjamie1171]

A little above very beginner level chess for me. Great work Irena.

[@markshy5446]

I Just subscribe you.... Continue your work... Hope you will have a great journey on yt😊

[@papatingle9964]

Hi Irina, long time fan of your commentary and just happened to stumble across this channel (blessed be the youtube algorithm) Also, Maxime Lagarde was just on a tear during this tournament, 6.5 out of 8.

[@BernardHumphreyGaskin]

I always like watching and listening to your videos .... good chess and great looking presenter ... win, win 😊

[@emeyer816]

I am 1200 and this is the exact types of videos I need to improve! I immediately subbed what an amazing video and understandable explanation

[@xred54]

Thank you Irina. I appreciate the educational videos.

[@VaRag98]

Great puzzle. Interesting, yet not too complicated for beginners. Thanks

[@lilhaxxor]

Biggest fan. Automatic subscribe. Kinda like the voice. 😊 My first time seeing Irina play was during the US Chess Championship 2015/2016, with Maurice, Yasser, and Jennifer as commentators. I kinda enjoyed the fun you had with Maurice since you are both from New York (if I remember correctly). 🏆 Oh okay, I just checked Wikipedia. If correct, what I hear is probably a faint Slavic accent (mixed with a New York accent). I like Slavic languages so much that I started learning Polish. ❤ Anyway, I don't know if you still have family in Europe Irina, but I hope they are safe. Have a nice Christmas. 🎄

[@Uerdue]

1900 Elo-rated player here. Glad to have found your channel as most youtubers seem to be exclusively geared towards lower rating ranges!

[@larryg.6512]

Hi Irina, Thank you so much for this. One of the biggest areas in which I could use help is breaking down how to think and approach a position which is exactly what you did here. I like stopping and calculating as well, so having both options or resources available is great:)

[@IAmMyself3504]

Hello, I took chess as a hobby a few months ago , self-teaching everything, reading books and watching informative videos. I really appreciate the simplicity in which you explain theories and examples . Subscribed!

[@mindelos1706]

Self teaching while learning through videos 🤔

[@IAmMyself3504]

Well, I dont have a teacher or a guide, so yes, I am teaching myself? Whats the problem? @@mindelos1706

[@xxx333mmm]

wtf@@mindelos1706

[@theguillaume73]

Yes bro just grab a chessboard and do real self teaching in alpha zero spirit who learn alone. This is real self teaching

[@reginaldforthright805]

I hope your rating is at least 1800, otherwise dont comment.

[@sid9535]

You're posting more often now, Irina. I hope you continue to do that :)

[@faresar]

This is the type of chess videos that youtube is missing. Keep sharing those

[@arronfowler2338]

Thanks again for the great content.

[@astrogersunited5389]

great lesson

[@mrsuitcase9799]

1600 Canadian rated about a decade ago when I was playing long OTB games. Your video speaks to my level. Enough where I understand a bunch/calculate correctly early on , and then there are a few "Ah-Ha!" moments later in the calculation. I can follow your thought process quite easily, and the way you present the logic and reasoning behind each variation doesn't leave me behind (I assume you must teach?). So there's my feedback - I feel comfortable at this level of discussion.

[@RobertZitka]

The only channel that has homework. You're tough Irina! 🙂 I'll keep tuning in.

[@openwoundproductions1662]

These frequent uploads are much appreciated. Thank you! 1700 lichess. I'm quite a poor player especially in the opening. I try to simplify to an endgame because that is where I play strongest.

[@francesgoulart3379]

Just discovered you (thanks to the Backyard Professor!) Chess femmes do not get the attention they --and YOU-- deserve! Congrats on all your victories and for lending us a helping player's hand !!

[@simply4est]

Great vid! I vary around 1300-1400. For the homework I'm liking Nb5 because I like attacking pawn chain bases, lol; also keeps black bishop locked in and clears some space for white rook.

[@z0uLess]

Chess is such a beautiful game. Positions like this are so fun to calculate, but I always get in time trouble in games and I rarely get into complicated positions like this on my level ... people just trade and I suck at the endgame technique.

[@Rowdyb64]

First time visitor to your channel. Your commentary on a game position is just wonderful. Loved it .. Thankyou! Subscribed :) Oh .. 980 rated .. Yes i'm rubbish ;)

[@AlexAtterbury]

Loves this! I'm very new, so this was a bit too challenging for me to figure out on my own, but it still helps learn how to see and think :)

[@chadmacgargle5311]

This is a good example of calculation for many reasons. Captures, threats, and checks as shown in the analysis. But the game shows great examples too, Bf8 understands the role the Bishop was playing in the position. What are the negatives of a move? And even the move Kg8, identify what's important? It allowed more active play. There's no clear one route path to decision making, the best we can hope to accomplish is a clear and consistent ideology. In chess and in life's choices. Excellent video Irina great instructions that will help people think through their games! ❤️

[@MyOneFiftiethOfADollar]

Consider creating your own chess channel. Excellent commentary should not be wasted in comment sections unless you really are electing to LOVE someone who never replies to comments/questions.

[@chadmacgargle5311]

@@MyOneFiftiethOfADollar I think you're misunderstanding what I mean, love in this case means support. Irina is doing really great work all I've done is write a comment..

[@josephhughey9203]

@@MyOneFiftiethOfADollar Except for yourself, has someone else appointed you to moderate comments?

[@soichirohonda267]

Great lessons, inteligent opinions.

[@gogogooner]

Very instructive, thanks a lot!

[@69fabin]

amazing player, incredible teacher/coach, gorgeous and elegant woman and with a channel that focus so much in C(alculation!)hess?! whats no to love?!?! 😍

[@soggos4298]

I am a very old beginner (USCF

[@inteluhdgaming1524]

Qc2 is what I calculated for the assignment. The bishop looks trapped and Qc2 so as to avoid any trick with Qa4. Initially I was looking at Qb5 cause after the trade, d6 pawn will be hard to defend but Qc7 and I couldn't find a follow up. Thanks for the lesson, was happy when I found rook e2 in the first puzzle, almost missed the rook f2+ cause I was calculating a deflection tactics with rook b7 before realizing its bullshit, but didn't see knight e7 in the beginning

[@kawanrazi]

Irina You are the best.!

[@bjorneriksson6480]

This is good edutainment

[@mau5099]

1300, playing for a year now, really working on improving my visualization. I lose track of where I am in my calculation & often reset. I also struggle with losing focus and then writing off possible lines because I fail to calculate correctly, if at all, after a threat. So of course I found the rook e2 move but then immediately gave up after all bark no bite d3! Lesson learned.

[@alfredobizardi-fc5sm]

Thank you so much for your help. I love your style of teaching, your personality and your smile. I m certainly ing to learn much more from you. Once again, thank U so kuch

[@guillermoalonsoaguilarrosa7090]

Good Explication and Analisis Irina, Thanks.

[@lmartins5776]

thanks for the video, excellent

[@2Oldcoots]

Thank You Ms. Krush for the most informative chess teaching I've ever seen, accomplished biy asking the audience questions, providing analysis, and then asking the next question! Salute.

[@TrueBlueAndrew]

My new favorite Channel.

[@daltondemaria2172]

Love this channel. Regarding the puzzle, I would think that Qc2 is the play to defend their queen from getting around the board for a mate with an out posted knight and to threaten the bishop on c8 with another piece?

[@TheMaestromMephisto]

someone shared this video on Twitter( yes i refuse to call it X), and was shocked Irina has a channel, i subbed so quickly Irina is the best teacher

[@eclecticexplorer7828]

I just now discovered your channel, as I am getting back into chess after many years away from the game. I participated in the Kasparov vs the World game. I was one of those who generally supported your suggestions. I was quite disappointed that the division over your suggestion led to in-fighting and eventual sabotage of the game. There was no need for that. I would have liked to have seen how it would have played out without the sabotage.

[@jamestgr9090]

Hello. Congrats for the channel, its growing. Since you asked for our preferances, I would say that although we all know the significance of calculation in chess, nevertheless its a topic that can be found everywhere. We can also use engines, maybe not the same way as an experienced player but still there are here for all of us. What we cant find everywhere is why an equal position, according to the engines, is not equal for humans, for example. Other interesting topics could be position evaluation, planning, schematical thinking, pattern recognition etc. So, just to give my modest and eccentric opinion, I am interested in everything but calculation, in all the other stuff that makes the difference between the good and the mediocre player. As for the tactics, a puzzle from time to time would be OK. Thanks for listening, keep up with the good stuff

[@yendisgame5134]

Bro. Everything you suggested is base on calculation. What makes the difference is calculation. The better you get at it, the better your chess becomes in general.

[@Insidia85]

Irina is like the wine that get better through the years. Her beauty is improving, it s getting better and better

[@IlidioMartins]

Thank you. I really appreciate your videos

[@Daniel-qx6bg]

thanks for the session Irina

[@DNVKUMAR]

Very Very instructive. Thanks a lot. Thought process of a GM is explained lucidly. Thanks

[@patrickdaly1088]

You definitely do an excellent job of taking difficult positions and breaking them down so anyone can understand them, I really appreciate it. As an intermediate, ~2000, I found the main position just a little too difficult. I got scared and didn't take the pawn, Ng6 was too much. It wasn't so much the ideas, I saw d3 concepts, I just couldn't make them work out, probably because I was trying to play Nxf4 d2 and not realizing I could be patient, down a piece with a king that looks like it did. Will work on that homework, that one's also not simple, the threats to c8 are obvious but it's not so easy to capitalize.

[@BMWE-hm7uz]

Scared? It's chess. Evaluate and analyse what's happening logically and what's there to be scared of? You mean you couldn't calculate accurately for 4 moves... not scared

[@patrickdaly1088]

@@BMWE-hm7uz No, I mean scared. There's more to chess than calculation, you have to understand the positions you're reaching. If you're NOT scared in that position, then I don't think you actually play chess.

[@BMWE-hm7uz]

@patrickdaly1088 if I'm not scared of a winning variation that I can calculate thoroughly then I don't play chess? How does that logic work out? A move either works or doesn't. If it works, there's nothing to be scared of unless of course you doubt your own competency and lack confidence and execution and if it doesn't work, then you don't play it and being scared makes no sense either.

[@patrickdaly1088]

@@BMWE-hm7uz "Scared" is a practical thing, which has nothing to do with objectivity. Both objective chess and practical chess are necessary to properly *play* chess, which is why I don't think you, personally, play that much chess. *If* you get it wrong, you're gonna lose. The question is obviously "Can I take that pawn?" and if I missed a concrete variation(I did miss a move), then there's a very good reason why my instincts were screaming "Watch out!" If you're latching onto the word "scared" in a bad way, then try to envision it as a practical guideline; Things could go very wrong very quickly, and that should be the guidepost for the entire set of calculations. I didn't see how to not get rekt, being "scared" means that's what I was looking for, and I'm not exactly awful at chess.

[@BMWE-hm7uz]

@patrickdaly1088 right practicality has part to do with it. But the first thing is can I just capture that pawn, and survive whatever is going to happen. There isn't really much to decipher from there. If it's a queen sac it's a bit different and needs to be concrete. Simply on the basis of king safety, and material, the activity white gains from it is negligible. But none of that is emotionally based and no move should be based on any emotion, other than bullet where a general pattern might work or i feel this might work. The board is giving you the information. Instantly, you're radar should be going off if undeveloping your Bishop to f8 instead of capturing a free central pawn is an option. Bf8 simply invites an initiative, and gives the psychological aspect of chess to your opponent on a plate. I stand by my point that scared isn't something that is relevant to the position. It doesn't do anything for the facts of what is happening. I mean even irina says that whites rook can't move from the 2nd rank, the queen is kind of hindered, the Knight is the only bit of activity white has in reality. The pin is annoying for black, sure, and it is a critical move but look at it from whites perspective, it looks good, but it isn't really clear how white takes advantage of that pin. The statics in the position still favour black, whites king is weak, and black has the centre. I'm a level 2 national fide coach and little over 2000 fide. I don't know why you would say I don't play chess.

[@SuzanneLeQuesne]

Thank you from a new subscriber- I am 70 and been playing for just a year - I love your channel- you speak slowly and give us time to see the actual moves - and ask what would we do. Excellent teacher - thank you again 😊

[@Master_of_Chess_Shorts]

Thanks for your content. Calculation is a concentration effort that takes practice.

[@jamesnix4556]

Thank you for this broadcast.....boom!!!

[@karlballester5119]

Thanks youtube for recommending this gem of a chess channel

[@bobbyv3]

Chess and mathematics. Subbed! Thanks for sharing. 🙏🏻

[@christopher_rrocha]

I really appreciate your explanation. thanks, I learned a lot

[@kevinwellwrought2024]

Calculation is the only skill we need to master but not the Kotov’s way!

[@scottr8360]

Thanks for sharing chess legend!

[@Immushfiqurrahman]

Thank you so much Irina Maam for this beautiful video... We really appreciate you alot... Can you kindly make a video for players rated around 1200-1500, on how they should study chess and improve, Thank you...!

[@jonc6157]

Great !

[@giovannivannicelli]

Thank you for your videos Irina.

[@Arkady_Chernobrovkin]

Great video!💪

[@uroscolovic1357]

Thanks for your time! Videos are great!

[@slylataupe4272]

Great stuff, great delivery! A 1554 fide elo fan 😉

[@RedStar-dz5tc]

Excellent video! Really enjoyed looking for the right the moves. Revealing the wrong moves one by one gives further chance to pause and guess some more. The choice of the game is excellent and very instructive! Assignment:Qc2 prevents black queen going out to a4 (prophylactic) also immediately attacks the bishop. Played 303 online rated Rapid games so far on Lichess with rating around 1800 (provisional)

[@jimhyslop]

I was thinking Qc4, for the same reasons. I think both moves work equally well. I'm not rated, haven't played chess in many years except against some chess apps.

[@jimhyslop]

I just read further down and discovered why Qc2 is better :)

[@heavyhands1383]

My answer to the puzzle: Qc2, attacking the trapped Bc8. Qc3 and Qc4 both also attack that square, but I think Qc2 is best because it prevents the counterattack Qa4! which pins the knight to the rook. The hint about thinking prophylactically threw me! I spent quite a while looking for some defensive move before figuring out how to integrate that thinking into an attacking move. Thanks for the great videos! I'm about 1700 in Lichess rapid.

[@jordanmcmorris5248]

That's what I came up with as well

[@heavyhands1383]

@@jordanmcmorris5248 👍

[@sanjuktakumarisahu2563]

Me too

[@iustintoma2160]

Me too, probably the hidden tactic could be Qc2 b6? and at Nxc8 (also Rxc8 works too because at Qxa7 you have Rc7+ and win the queen) Qb7 you have Ra7 with huge advantage. Good exercise to see the Qa4 counter attack that you should not alow.

[@alcidesrenofioneto]

And thanks for your explanation as well, it helped me understand the whole figure.

[@brandonzhu2304]

Thanks for the videos!

[@johanswart5562]

Great thumbnail 👌. Excellent material. Thanks 🙏

[@terencetembo8382]

Great analysis ❤😅

[@roqsteady5290]

Really good video! Would be great if you could put the FEN for your homework question in the comment!

[@razkara5809]

Love your videos, thank you so much; however, it would be perfect if you put the notation for the homework position.

[@OTOMEMARTINS-zg2iu]

I did like to say thank you cuz ur videos are insightful. I think QC4 is just the right move for white to win the game.

[@HongwareeChannel]

My suggestion for your channel are: be more succint, make your videos no longer than 10 minutes at best and add an intro an thumbnail to them. But most importantly, keep that messy hair. I love it. My FIDE rating is 1388(standard) but I haven't played more than twice OTB tournaments, though. My rapid rating online goes from 1550 to 1800. Very instructive video, by the way. Thanks for the effort.

[@markattila9835]

Thanks much , this was quite educational.

[@innopva9973]

better than great 950 3 min blitz player mostly I have a patience problem in a game but an watch and learn hours of chess clips like all of yours!

[@stephano2996]

Great video. Analysing and breaking down positions is very useful. Okay for the homework puzzle. 1st instinct is material is equal but blacks pieces are out of place. Then i noticed blacks bishop is under attack twice and it cant move. Whites queen can be the 3rd attacker and win the bishop. You got Qc4, Qc3, Qc2 to achieve that goal, but whites queen also needs to guard the a4 square actually. Because black can play Qa4 to pin your knight to the rook if white goes for Qc4 or Qc3. So Qc2 is the only play to win the bishop.

[@dilrajsingh7730]

Thnks for videos

[@disco_sugar_g]

cool series

[@robyfischer4501]

Thanks you very much for that kind of video!

[@stefika]

Very useful. Gratings from Bulgaria.

[@GrooveMan21]

Those are really nice chess pieces in the thumbnail image. What brand are they?

[@Autism101]

I enjoyed thinking through this position...my instinct was to take the pawn with the bishop because I just couldn't see why not. But I did miss some things in my calculations I hadn't considered.