Chess Lesson # 82: Prophylaxis

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Check out my Chessable course "Counterblow: A Complete Fighting Repertoire for Beginners" here www.chessable.com/ramirez

[@paulboro5278]

Games by old masters are very instructive because they used to play based on principles, instead of playing memorized engine moves.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

I will leave that between you and Carlsen hehe

[@darklord9025]

Does engines use the principles of chess??

[@darklord9025]

@@NMRobertRamirez lol

[@NMRobertRamirez]

@@darklord9025 I want to think they do hehe

[@rohanmanoharan5331]

The ideas in this video are mind blowing. I would never have thought of that. Guess that's why I'm rated 1050!😃

[@NMRobertRamirez]

😅 thanks a lot for your feedback. And don't get too comfortable at 1050 because you will be moving up fast 💪

[@Nitesh-st6qm]

what's your rating now?

[@mapekala]

Robert, this is another excellent lesson. Thank you. I would love to see more of your thinking on how to read the opponent’s plan, and how to prevent counterplay. I think this is the biggest obstacle holding me back from rising above 1300.

[@michaelallport5816]

Ah, prophylaxis. My favorite lesson in the course. Capablanca was a beautiful player as he defined the term "Universal. " Normally, I am weak on "paused" moved selection, but got all of them today. Currently reading Nimzowitsch's "My System." On an unrelated matter. Have you made a video on the Reverse Stonewall/Stonewall Dutch for black? I would be interested in your perspective. Hope the 'New Year' is treating you well, and good luck in your coming tournament play.

[@michaelmurray7472]

Brilliany content. You have really thought about your videos topics . I havent seen chess content covering these kind of topics Amazing, cant wait to watch these videos

[@sac4thewin]

Always appreciative of the knowledge you share in your videos

[@NMRobertRamirez]

That's great to hear. It truly means a lot 👍 Thanks for your kind words!

[@AmitKumar-ze4tv]

Thank you for this video sir. Everyday I come to youtube to find you've uploaded any new videos or not. It feels really nice when I find one. 😊

[@NMRobertRamirez]

That's great to know, Amit. So far, I am posting new lessons on Sundays and another one between Wednesday and Friday 💪

[@dhruvverma6460]

For the position you had shown at 2:30, probably not a prophylactic move, but I found a nice tactic that allows us to trade our knight for their light squared bishop, and also leave them with an isolated pawn... The move is Room c1, as you mentioned, and the threat is... Rc1, xyz Kh5, Qd8 Bxb7, xyz Bxa8 And like that their Rook is gone... Black can prevent this though, with either Bc6, Nc6 or Nd5... Rc1, Bc6 Na5, Qd8 Nxc6, Nxc6 Bxc6, bxc6 Rxc6 Rc1, Nc6 Na5, a6 Qa4, and White just keeps adding pressure... Rc1, Nd5 e4, and White win a Knight or Rook

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Excellent! It's great to see you are studying these lessons in this way. Are you using a board as you go over them?

[@ProPerson379]

THANK YOU !! NM robert ramirez this was a lesson that I would remember. Very logical thanks alot once again

[@russellscott1151]

Having paused the video at 1:20 as per your request, I see two possibilities. Q&B lined up on h2 so maybe a way of breaking through with g5. Alternatively maybe get through on the queen side with a6,b5,a5,b4 possibly backed up. Loving the videos.

[@Dra.goneye]

Lesson phrophylaxis #82

[@stephencindrich6787]

Super 👍 lesson, Robert! Capablanca is my all-time favorite player!!

[@felipejco]

Hola. Lo vi dos veces. Perfectamente entendido el mecanismo de prevenir la jugada del oponente. Gracias por la sencillez con que explicas cada jugada. Saludos

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Un placer, Felipe! Toma tiempo adaptarse a pensar de esa manera y en cada partido estar al tanto del plan de nuestro oponente pero poco a poco lo mejoramos 👍

[@stevechoatie249]

Great lesson. I wouldn't have thought about the prophylaxis moves before continuing my plans.

[@obscurealm]

Great lesson. We want part 2

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you! We will have "sort" of a part two next week 💪

[@חגיהשינג]

thx a lot for the lessons I was in school for the last 2 weeks so i watched the past four vids right now the lessons were really helpful (as usual) thnx for the hard work that you do for us

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome! It's great to know you are enjoying these lessons so thank you for your comment 👍

[@rainerausdemspring894]

Another petite combinaison by Capablanca at the end. This is the game Abraham Kupchik - Jose Raul Capablanca, Lake Hopatcong, USA, played on 8.Jul.1926. A small tournament with 1. Capablanca, 2. Kupchik, 3. Maroczy, 4. Marshall and 5. and last Edward Lasker. Apparently, Kupchik was a strong player. Wasn't the idea of prophylaxis propagated by Niemzowitsch in his famous "Mein System" (My System)?

[@mehdila6144]

i review it now its amazing thank you sooo much its very helpful for me and i remember lot of stuff thank you master

[@NMRobertRamirez]

I knew you would remember because you study the right way 👍

[@mehdila6144]

@@NMRobertRamirez thaaannkkk youuu master, i try to give an importance for each details and take lot of time to study each lesson and i love it , thank you so much for your helpp sir !!!

[@antonnovo695]

I've just imagined Robert getting up at a tournament , going to his opponent, leaning in and asking him " what you thinking baby?" 🤣🤣

[@NMRobertRamirez]

😅 now I have to do it

[@timwoods3173]

Thank you for sharing!

[@unkownguyno.1]

15:20 the move is a3 Ba4 b4 and the bishop is trapped

[@jaypenn5117]

I love your videos. You're a good teacher

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you, Jay! It means a lot 👍

[@vijyantmehrotra8119]

Very well explained Sir

[@VivaanChess]

I thought of Rh6, my plan is to push 5g and than use the bishop and rook and queen to attack on his king if he takes the pawn. If he does not takes the pawn than also g5 is a good pawn break preparing an attack by g6 with attack on rook

[@abhijeetsingh5681]

Great content! You got one more sub. Thanks for sharing your knowledge 🙏

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you and welcome aboard! It means a lot that you took the time to provide your feedback 👍

[@mkw.22]

at 13:04 , why not move pawn to h4 to make his dark squared bishop useless? And also I think that our dark squared bishop should move (Bb4 instead of our rook on h8) to defend pawn on c3, it is way more active than on the d square. What are your thoughts? Instead of trying to force his pieces we could have granted ourselves a bishop he cannot use anymore. If we put Bb4 our opponent would also have a hard time to justify the move Bh4 Edit: After his rook threatens the pawn, even if he chooses to take double rooks to keep our pawn in check we still have a better setup by defending it with a bishop and rook, no matter which rook we use, I still prefer the rook on b8 as our kinside rook keeps his whole kingside in check

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! I do like the idea. It's great to see you are studying these lessons like this. Maybe h4 was not played because the bishop is already pretty dominant on g5 and Black would rather use that tempo to move a different piece instead of the h-pawn. Thanks a lot for bringing this up b y the way 👍😎

[@unkownguyno.1]

1:18 the move is a3 Ba4 b4 and the bishop is trapped

[@owner6787]

I like prophylaxis so much. I use it every time when I don't know what to do or I'm in trouble.

[@sanpatkan]

Thanks Robert for an excellent lesson.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are welcome, Sanjay 👍 Glad you liked it!

[@craiglien6046]

Great video. I am really learning a lot! Pretty happy that I saw most of the correct next moves. Also my immature side giggles at propholaxis.

[@stag6161]

0:04 32 moves for white 35 moves for black, am I right? Still working on this Qxc4 was a blindspot in my initial counting

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! Are you maybe referring to lesson # 10? 🤔

[@stag6161]

@NM Robert Ramirez Yep board vision, I'm still working on a plan for this first position when I get breaks at work, but I was thinking a6 b5 to get that bishop out of there and I'm probably way off but after Bc2 g5 fxg5 Bxh2 gxf6 Rxf6 that's where I'm at so far still thinking of whites play

[@LeventK]

My plan is to play Bc6. After exchanging the bishops, we will break open the position via b6-b5-b4 pawn-break. After getting that open position, we will have get a good bishop, while our opponent will have got bad.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thanks you for providing your feedback! It helps me a lot. I see you have a good understanding of positions like this 👍

[@shubhamrohila493]

Wow now I know the term finally! I always wondered why people moves their a or h pawns by one step whenever I took out my knight. Now I know it!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Excellent, Shubham! Glad to know this lesson was helpful! 👍

[@XFlyingDutchmanX]

Great lesson, thank you coach.

[@elnuraliyev6603]

At 4:12 if black plays something like f6, isn't the attacking initiative stopped? Or can we still take advantage of the pin?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Elnur! Great question. I think we can definitely continue to put pressure and they at least have to give us a pawn or a superior position. It could be something like 1.Kh1, f6 2.Qe2, Nec6 3.Bxc6, bxc6 4.Re1 and we have to be better as White.

[@elnuraliyev6603]

@@NMRobertRamirez Thank you Mr Ramirez, after Re1 it is indeed a more comfortable position!

[@stevechoatie249]

My plan would be to drive open the queen side. Gaining tempos attacking his bishop by advancing my pawns and trying for a passed pawn. Supporting the pawn push by my pieces.

[@Speedster___]

7:50 why do you aim for the C pawn instead of the link that holds it together in this case the B pawn?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Excellent question! In positions like this, our target is the pawn in front of our most forward pawn. In this case, our c4 pawn is our most forward pawn. Hope this makes sense 👍

[@Speedster___]

@@NMRobertRamirez I get that but why is it why in front of most forward pawn instead of the base of the pawn chain in front of the most forward pawn?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

@@Speedster___ In this specific case, notice that it is faster to make contact with the c3 pawn than the base pawn. Also, by putting pressure on c3 we disrupt their pawn structure and if they do to take, then we take their pawn forcing them to do bxc3 and that base pawn will be on c3 now. Besides, it is not easy to reach b2 with hitting c3 first. If you do a5 and a4, they could do a3 themselves locking the queenside. Please, let me know if this answers your question. If not, we can talk more about it 💪

[@Speedster___]

@@NMRobertRamirez thanks!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

@@Speedster___ you are welcome! Does it answer your question or not really?

[@growwithsomangshu1463]

good revision 😇 Need more videos on this!!! Preventive thinking (counterplay killer) Saw all the mentioned moves btw 😁 Except that I rushed my plan on expand ing on the queen sides without caring about the rook lift and g4, ....... Also Got to 1200 finally 😁! 1300 next target 🎯

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! Congrats on finding the moves and on your steady progress! It's so nice to see you moving up the ladder 👏 This concept, you will see it reinforced and other lessons, so I am glad you liked it 👍

[@Speedster___]

12:01 why doesn’t queen take and defend the forward A pawn?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

In that case, we keep a protected passed pawn on c4 and their a pawns are isolated. So, we can do something like Ra8 and those pawns will fall sooner or later.

[@Khan_2025]

thanks

[@mehdilolar286]

capablanca genius engine hehe thank to him for his games thank to you for the lesson master

[@epiclazer7833]

What chess book would recommend to beginners about the Pirc and other modern defences like the KID?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Ayaan! In the description of every video, you will find a link to my book recommendations. Let me know if you find anything like what you are looking for 👍

[@mehdilolar286]

i review it now thank you soooo much master

[@medam9042]

In the Capablanca game, My plan was to trade my white bishop against his by playing Bc6 and play Rh6 and maybe Kh8 - Rg8 so after I open the pos with g5 I might put his king at risk and win material ^^

[@vladislavshevchenko634]

I would move a6 hitting the bishop forcing it to retreat then b5 hitting the bishop once more and then trying to open the game by pawn break on b3.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thanks a lot for sharing your answer! 🙌💪

[@rejuantamim6939]

how to select puzzles themes according to my beginner level to solve. like one day for mate in 1,2,3 or motifs or all togather?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! You can do them all together and then if you see there is any in particular you struggle with, just do that one until you get the hang of it 👍💪

[@rejuantamim6939]

@@NMRobertRamirez thanks a lot :D

[@defenseandgeopolitics]

You missed a perfect chance to show the king of prophylaxis T.Petrosian's games :( But great lesson!

[@carlbinch898]

Kh1 is the only one I got right. Would play a6 kicking the bishop away without much thought Robert. h5 what a good move. At my level would be wary of weakening the kingside therefore wouldn't consider it. Lesson 71 my friend couldn't find it?.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hey Carl! Congrats on finding Kh1. This is a theme we will continue to reinforce in future lessons. You will smile when you come back to read these comments in a few months. Keep training consistently and enjoy the process. Do you need lesson # 71 or # 81?

[@carlbinch898]

@@NMRobertRamirez You advised me to look at lesson 71, Pirc tactics/middlegames I think. Thanks

[@NMRobertRamirez]

@@carlbinch898 my bad. I have replied to quite a few comments already and I don't know what I have said already. Here you can find them all. kzbin.info

[@carlbinch898]

@@NMRobertRamirez No its ok my friend, Found it and watched it.

[@darklord9025]

Heard of it but never used it. But i have a question how to think about the themes in a 3 min blitz game without spending much of your time😄😄

[@NMRobertRamirez]

🤣 you have to be prophylactic and prevent yourself from playing 3 minute games lol Nah seriously, It is true you will use it more effectively in longer games, but even in 3 minute games you can use prophylaxis. The more exposure you get to it, the easier it becomes to put it in practice just like with any tactical pattern 😎

[@darklord9025]

@@NMRobertRamirez that's wow

[@cedrics7374]

Took me like 7 or 10 retries tp beat stockfish 8 from that position lol. I ended up with a bishop and 6 pawns against 6 pawns

[@NMRobertRamirez]

It's so great that you did that. Congrats and keep it up 💪 That's an excellent way to improve Cédric!

[@chessnikova]

you mentioned not to move pawns on which side you are getting attacked as it will be easy for opponent to make contact and sacrifice and also h5 in this game ..comfused

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! Good question. It's mainly trouble when castled opposite sides since our opponent can push everything he got to get to our king. Of course, advancing our castle pawns could be dangerous in general, but we also have to remember something very important: nothing is set on stone. Every rule in Chess can be broken 👍

[@chessnikova]

@@NMRobertRamirez thank you got it

[@insydenit9158]

Please try to upload more live videos/stream of lichess..when I see you playing at lichess live I can understand even more....❤️🔥🎉 .. btw thanks for this awesome video..👍👍

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! You are more than welcome. We will have a lesson like that next week for sure 💪

[@emmanuelisrael6688]

my plan would be to bring my another rook in to the game my next move is Rfe8

[@vijyantmehrotra8119]

Love from INDIA

[@tarekfakhoury2401]

Pre emotive war Coach !!!

[@RedGaming23]

I’d play rook h6 before they play rook h3. And then I’d play a3 and b4 to push the bishop out

[@RedGaming23]

Ok so I knew I had to stop their attack on kingside 1st I just had the attack wrong. I’m excited to play this vs computer as converting passed pawns is a skill I’m severely lacking!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

@@RedGaming23 yes I see your prophylaxis was on point 💪 Hope you had a good experience playing this position vs the engine!

[@karanarora1468]

👍

[@mdashrafulislam969]

I have not yet seen your idea yet. Because you told us to write my plan in the comment: - my plan here is to a6. Now bishop cannot come here into my territory because 2 squares are guarded by my queen and the third one is guarded by my rook. So the bishop has to retreat to a5. Now I can do b4. and Bishop has to go back to its own territory. Now I will see the rest of the video what your plan is. (Edit after watching the rest of the video: I got my idea wrong. But it is really hard to understand for me that I had danger in the kingside. I couldn't even spot that)

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It helps me a lot. This is a concept we will be reinforcing a lot in future lessons. The important thing is that you already understand what prophylaxis is about. Then we will master how to easily implement it in our games.

[@Speedster___]

This was capa v who?

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Abraham Kupchik 👍

[@tarekfakhoury2401]

sorry I meant pre emptive war

[@mehdila6144]

Hello can you check if my transaction has been completed? because as we do not yet have the subscription option in my country. you cannot join a channel etc on youtube. I installed a VPN. I made a transaction with my bank card. if it didn't work. can you send me a link. in which I can simply donate. and do it every month without subscribing because I don't have this option in my country. and that I would very much like to contribute. so if you have a link on your website i can donate every month or so i will be happy brother. It might as well be good to share a link where people can donate. in the description of your lessons. thank you again master

[@Speedster___]

Legit sounds like a medical term not chess

[@NMRobertRamirez]

😅