Chess lesson # 91: Middlegame Strategy

We finally have a strong and well organized opening course for White and one for Black. With these and the FREE beginner to master level playlist from this KZbin channel, it’s all about consistency over an extended period of time 😎💪 ⬇️
Course on Black Opening (Counterblow) www.chessable.com/ramirez
Course on White Opening (First Strike) www.chessable.com/firststrike
Free Playlist (beginner to master level) rb.gy/hw61wt
All the Endgame Knowledge I have rb.gy/zels9y
All the Strategy Knowledge I have rb.gy/g1iqro
Hello guys! It’s time to take your middlegame strategy to the next level. In this lesson, you will have an opportunity to test a lot of what you have learned up to this point in the course. Likewise, you will also learn the next component to get your middlegame knowledge to the next level. Do not forget to test what you learned with the homework exercise I left at the end of the video.
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My Book Recommendations:
First tactics book: amzn.to/3tnUut5
Mixed tactics book: amzn.to/3vrbZul
Advanced tactics book: amzn.to/3rUlno9
Advanced tactics book (II): amzn.to/3bVdFVv
Carlsen’s book (excellent): amzn.to/3vwEMxy
Kramnik’s book (excellent): amzn.to/3cDlJsL
Pirc Defense book: amzn.to/3bQQefH
Endgames book: amzn.to/3cwxktM
Learn how to play Chess the right way from beginner to master level. National Master Robert Ramirez will take you up the pyramid by following a proven Chess training program he has been improving and implementing for over 10 years.
Benefits of Playing Chess:
​- Promotes brain growth
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- It exercises both sides of the brain
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Chess is an intellectual battle where players are exposed to numerous mental processes such as analysis, attention to detail, synthesis, concentration, planning and foresight. Psychological factors are also present on and off the board; playing Chess stimulates our imagination and creativity. Every single move a player makes is the result of a deep analysis based on the elements presented on the battlefield.
Chess in its essence teaches us psychological, sociological and even moral values. In a Chess game, both players start with the same amount of material and time. The fact that the white pieces move first is considered to be practically irrelevant -especially because a player typically plays one game as white and one game as black. Consequently, the final result of the battle solely depends on each player. It doesn’t matter if you win by taking advantage of your opponent’s mistakes or by simply avoiding mistakes yourself. Truth is that Chess is an extremely individual sport and our defeats can only be blamed on ourselves and no one else. And this, in the end, only benefits us because we learn to be and feel responsible for our actions and never come up with excuses to justify ourselves.
We also learn that when it comes to our victories on the board, our opponent's mistakes play a more significant role than our own skills. Let’s not forget that a Chess game without any mistakes would be a draw. This way, Chess provides us with another valuable life lesson: be humble at all times.
About National Master Robert Ramirez:
With an outstanding background as a professional Chess player and over 8 years of teaching experience, Robert Ramirez brings both his passion and his expertise to the board, helping you believe & achieve!
Robert Ramirez was introduced to the fascinating world of Chess when he was 5 years old and has participated in prestigious tournaments such as the World Open Chess Tournament and the Pan American Intercollegiate Team Championships. Thanks to his performance, he has earned his National Master title from the United States Chess Federation.
Currently, NM Ramirez and his carefully selected team teach at several private schools in the counties of Miami-Dade and Broward and they also offer private lessons. He says the key to their success as Chess coaches is their ability to adapt to every student and to make lessons fun and interesting for students and even their family members.
www.chesslessonswithrobert.com
www.panopticlessons.com

[@NMRobertRamirez]

We finally have a strong and well organized opening course for White and one for Black. With these and the FREE beginner to master level playlist from this KZbin channel, it’s all about consistency over an extended period of time 😎💪 ⬇ Course on Black Opening (Counterblow) www.chessable.com/ramirez Course on White Opening (First Strike) www.chessable.com/firststrike Free Playlist (beginner to master level) rb.gy/hw61wt All the Endgame Knowledge I have rb.gy/zels9y All the Strategy Knowledge I have rb.gy/g1iqro

[@112233JORDAN]

Huge respect for your consistent grind, man. Incredible channel you're building here

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you, Jordan! I truly appreciate your kind words 🙌👍

[@aaronalbino7132]

How utterly pleasing these instructive chess appraisals are. Indeed, you should be eventually rewarded with a thousand more of subscribers.

[@alejandrosegovia1208]

Great content! As a chess beginner it brings me much joy to know you have over 100 lessons I have yet to watch and learn from! It's like someone telling you your favourite TV show has 100 seasons, oh boy

[@InfiniteQuest86]

This was such a great lesson. I know it was nothing to do with the main topic, but when the king defended itself, that was a really cool idea too.

[@TheKrazyLobster]

I struggle a lot with the middle game. This video is a blessing. Thank you, sir ❤️❤️❤️

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome! Great to know you found it useful 😎

[@mrbreezenc]

Me too

[@michaelallport5816]

Thanks for the tip to check out this lesson. Each presentation demonstrates something new for me.

[@johnnywatts8680]

Mr. Ramirez, want to thank you for these videos. So many videos from others about openings (don't stop making your own, they are really good too!), but few talk about what happens after except for specific lines (opponent plays something not shown in the video, then what???). Showing us how to play strategically is the way to really get better, and you are the absolute best at it! You show the key concepts, and have us use our own brains to apply them. Having taught math from middle school to college I know how to spot a great teacher, and you are it!

[@coppervalley_1660]

these vids are really helpful. the general knowledge that i’ve gained has been great. 1200 and improving. 👍👍 keep it up!!

[@moura_time655]

Amazing instructional. So glad I've found this series.

[@vasylcherniy8814]

Very strong lesson. Thanks Roberto. You've put my chess understanding to a new level. Keep it on with strategy lessons

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You got it, Vasyl! It means a lot to know you are finding some value in these lessons 👍💪

[@jmmr77845]

Your channel is a true gift for someone like me who loves this game and seeking constant improvement. Thanks for all the great content!

[@vincentdufour613]

I have been searching a video lessons channel for a long time. Always something new to learn and great presentations. Thank you

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome, Vincent! Let me know if you ever have any questions as you go through the lessons.

[@oldhamegg]

In my opinion, of all the chess videos I've watched, these are the most informative for me. I'm not sure I can retain this info but it is well laid out.

[@sumithjayarathna2132]

final Nc2 move is amazing 🔥 incredible knite end game idea

[@Speedster___]

What to do (and I do) in MG: Give check with queen Queen captured by knight

[@NMRobertRamirez]

lololuolololololololol 😅

[@Speedster___]

Or a pawn

[@Countdown420]

😂

[@michaelmurray7472]

Excellent video. Your content is brilliant for learning important chess concepts. Kudos to yourself for putting content like this together.

[@the_madridista9059]

I m happy to have a Coach like you. Thank You sir.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

That's very kind of you to say, Salman! Glad you are enjoying these lessons 👍

[@ferdinandmartin8345]

I learn so much in these game reviews! thanks

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Glad to hear, Ferdinand 💪 Thanks to comments like yours, I try to go over the entire game whenever possible.

[@TELECHESS]

Nice! Strategy+ Tactic and understanding of requirements of the position!

[@nutangupta8659]

Omg!One of the best channel for chess no timepass, best content...... BTW this is my 3rd account who sub your channel dude lol

[@NMRobertRamirez]

🤓👍 Thank you for your feedback and all your support!

[@dasemaw1862]

Thank you for this lesson, I'm watching your videos one by one, thanks for your efforts it's appreciated.

[@richardlarsen8213]

Just re-visited this lesson. Nice refresher.

[@danomaly8943]

#3 I would probably take with the bishop to develop a piece and let the room and pawn protect it. I feel taking with the pawn leaves a lane open and the dark square bishop loses its post and whites light square bishop becomes more powerful and I see some really bad exchanges for black in the future…again just my opinion

[@sandeshthonge5259]

Thanks for the guidance, great work sir

[@marcusminifee3978]

Awesome instructional content…thank you!!!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are welcome, Marcus! Glad you found it useful 👍

[@user-kh6xl4yg1j]

Really great video. I’m a candidate master (mainly based on tactical ability) but still learning so much from your video lessons. Many thanks!

[@chilakashalemraju3668]

Outstanding lecture. Thank you

[@smar1k359]

Thank you very much for this! More videos like that would be great!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

There are more to come for sure! 👍

[@Rahman2323]

Your videos are amazing Robert! Thank you 😀

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are welcome, Rahman! Glad you are enjoying them 👍

[@KnightToD5]

Homework thought process: a) gxf5 closes the file for the f-Rook and creates a rather weak pawn. b) Bxf5 develops a piece that can retreat in case it's attacked. c) Rxf5 moves the Rook away from its ideal square. My answer is b) Bxf5 is the best move.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thanks a lot for sharing your answer, Xavier! 👍💪

[@ImprovePath]

Learnt very good concept about chess. Thank you.

[@dragadeyt]

For #2, Bxe4 since K or R would block the Bishop. It seems improved moving to e4, and more backup for d5. Rook could take e4 for a rook lift but doesn't have anywhere to go yet because Black's bishop and queen control g4,g5.

[@caitlinm6580]

I’ve not been studying recently and I wasn’t as sharp as I was a few months ago as a result. Feeling the frustration I came back to some of your old strategy videos and sure enough I just had a game that was actually strategically interesting rather than me just either winning through luck or getting my ass kicked! Thanks RR

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome! 👍😎 Nice to see you back 💪

[@redareda6607]

huge respect🙌

[@dudemcgyverson]

I feel that white is better -better knight ranks -traded bishops off and kept knights (center is locked) -Connected rooks -More presence in the center -Pieces are more coordinated -rook on semi open file From blacks perspective his bishop and queen are well coordinate but not his rooks and it will take at least 2 turns to connect them. He has a rook on a semi open file but so does white. Edit: I also just noticed white has a knight outpost on e6 as well

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thanks a lot for sharing your answer 🙌👍

[@chilufyachanda2106]

I had no opening black at now I am in love with PIRC for the rest of my life.

[@mmsaint4283]

Amazing channel and lessons.

[@buster-108]

first time my mind is totally twisted in this course till this lesson.I nvr had seen board the way you are making me see it . thanks for the efforts but Have to see this lecture again in order to digest it .

[@micahbowen1799]

In position 1 I rather white because his pieces are more active and his knight on E4 is pressuring the dark squares and black's bishop is quite passive

[@Guruofsexy222]

What an amazing class

[@mac-lab3dprinting257]

very good content , nice video thank you!!!

[@tonykora1715]

amazing video NM.i learned lot and still to analyze the quest u asked to do.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you, Tony! Glad to see you are studying these lessons the right way 👍

[@vijyantmehrotra8119]

Thanks for your valuable tips dear

[@christopherpward]

Robert, I'm a big fan of your videos. On this video in particular I would find it more useful to see a link to the game you suggest practicing or the PGN to import.

[@shibinjohn5853]

Great content.

[@mrbreezenc]

Well done!!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you!

[@gm2407]

1. White. 2. Knight (blockader), 3. Bishop (develops an undeveloped piece, feel the pawn weakens the king and leaves the dsq bishop open to being pinned. But I do know it is a KID so pushing pawns is a part of the plan).

[@Hauserstjepan557]

This guy you are the best your videos have improved my game drastically

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you! Glad to hear you are making progress. Just keep training consistently and enjoy the process! 💪

[@indraneel3918]

Just excellent

[@catherinechan966]

Very nice middlegame strategy boss.

[@cedrics7374]

#2 with the knight because I'd like to continue moving it to g5 and then forking the king and queen. That knight can not move forward to any other position so it will be more active

[@Noone-li4mx]

I guess it’s been a month everyday i watch ur video. And yesterday I finished this lecture. And today i played 4 match i won all 4 bcz of this vid. Idk how to thank u. It’s been 1month i play this game i wanna say i reached 1100 bcz of u. And inshalllah i will finish all ur videos soon and tell u how i improved thank u again. ❤

[@Boxingvibe]

Greatest KZbin chess channel i have seen so far

[@NMRobertRamirez]

🙌😎

[@jonshive5482]

14:20---It's tactics like this which consistently elude me. Of course in Rapid one shouldn't expect brilliancies but it would be nice if one didn't blunder away two pieces in the space of four moves, turning a won position into a losing one. This happened in a recent game. As GM Huschenbeth sez, "Tactics are the foundation of everything else." If you don't see stuff like that in real time WITHOUT PROMPTING you can hardly become an Expert, let alone NM or higher. Great viddy BTW, perhaps your most instructive one yet on the middlegame (which probably matters more than anything else). Cheers!

[@vijyantmehrotra8119]

Very nice lesson

[@vids290]

This was chess gold, you just earnt a new subscriber...much appreciated

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you and welcome aboard! 💪😎

[@shawnmillwood868]

Good lesson my teacher

[@vijyantmehrotra8119]

Thanks Sir

[@ThunderHead3i]

I'm becoming a huge fan of this guy

[@ashrafyousif570]

Thanks alot

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome! 👍

[@jaiamarkumar7572]

Thank you very much , earlier I used to get annoyed by that c and d file pawn but now I know how to handle it....

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are more than welcome! 👍😎

[@aridojikatochiri9120]

Great video!

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you!

[@huunhatle7853]

Now I really know how to use the f file and attack the target pawn . Thank you sir! (Can you make more video about middlegame?I will love it very much.)

[@NMRobertRamirez]

That's so nice to hear! Glad to see you found some value in this lesson 👍 And yes, we have a lot of middlegme lessons coming up! Thank you for your feedback by the way 😎

[@growwithsomangshu1463]

nice video ! this will help combat that nagging feeling of getting frozen in the middlegame , kindly suggest a good book for the middlegame

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Absolutely! Regarding the book, take a look at my book recommendations in the description of this video. The one about Carlsen and Kramnik are really good.

[@MrOsm-ex3jd]

Dude seriously u told all this ur the best chess youtuber dude

[@nasakenaii5222]

Great video as usual ! Could you next time do a video on the kings indian Attack in non-french positions and the general idea / plan in those positions ? All the videos i have seen talk about the mainline against the french but not on the lines where black avoids it

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello! Thank you for your feedback! 👍 Regarding your question, did you go over lesson # 80?

[@AcVinicious]

position Nr. 1 : White looks scarry but black is completly playable ( you have even the ability to get a better center ) position 2 : my logic to take here with the knight is: where it stands now it has no future, also a knight in the center is always a pleasure ! ( also it cannot get kicked out easly ) i was blown away as you said '' you take with the bishop '' position 3 : i would take with the pawn.

[@maxsyesumantri504]

sThankyou so much

[@rainerausdemspring894]

In position #1 I prefer White: 1) The black bishop is a bad bishop. 2) The knight on e4 has an excellent square. 3) White has space advantage on the queen side. 4) White has a rook on a semi-open file. 5) The white pieces are in active positions

[@kokawiliam1258]

Thanks excellent explanation... My favourite chess site.. Just found it.. Thank you..

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Welcome aboard! 👍😎

[@kamalofdeka]

gxf5 is the correct move , according to me .It controls e4, sets a pawn roller , enhances kingside attack ( black pawn structure pointing kingside attack), opens g file for attacking king in long future may be . What more can be expected from a single move.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are absolutely correct! Nicely put, Kamal 💪

[@KnightToD5]

In the 2nd position, I would have immediately recaptured with the Knight, but I understand the logic of taking with the Bishop first.

[@eshw23]

I was wondering what do you think about the Slav defense? I am looking for some other openings against d4 except the fiancetto bishop ones because i am so bad with them lmao. Thx love your content. If you could teach more openings like that would be great.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

The Slav is an opening we will certainly cover in this course. I like it a lot. It is solid and pretty dynamic as well. It's simply one of those legendary replies vs 1.d4.

[@Poltyshay]

1 black looks nice; 2 take with bishop to protect knight from rook sacs; 3 idk probably pawn no g4 with tempo and develop knight next

[@davidbatchelder85]

like white but have to bring queen. move the knight to h2 and bring the rook up and slide it over, q d2

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you for sharing your answer, David! 👍

[@arthurwieczorek4894]

#1 white, #2 knight, #3 pawn, #4 4:00 locked pawns target.

[@danomaly8943]

#2 I would capture with Rook then prepare to push it to h4 rhe thought process being I feel the bishop on C2 is in a great position to either pin the king for a checkmate or greatly weaken the queenside. Although the smart move may be to take with the Knight then go to G5 where we can exchange for Queen. I still feel I need the rook to h4 at some point

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thanks a lot for sharing your answer! 🙌👍

[@tarekfakhoury2401]

Hello Mr Ramirez. Nice video great analysis. I played the 2 positions against the engine. I won the 1st one easily. But I lost the 2nd one.

[@SheldyM]

0:59 with out looking ahead. White looks better as he has the break coming on c5, space advantage, and outpost potential on e6. Also doesnt look like black bishop has much to target at the moment vs whites knight. Black king also weaker with f7 diagonal open.

[@lokiodinson3353]

Hi sir, amazing video as always, I learnt a lot, like really a LOT. I just wanted to know, why is it that it is common to "target the pawn in front of your most forward pawn"? Is it just to ultimately capture their base pawn and open files for you rook and other pieces to come in and infiltrate?

[@carlbinch898]

Very Instructive, thanks. In similar positions I play gxf trying to control e4. Although wouldn't Bxf5 be like the Lasker game. Strong Kt versus Open f file?.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Carl! In the homework exercise, the most accurate move is certainly gxf5 for the reason you mentioned 👍

[@angel_machariel]

Question Robert 2:45 : this video indicated we already should know what to do in these center formations. So I tried to find those videos - you're an amazing teacher. But where are they? What videos did taught me how to continue in these formation? Cheers! Edit: or is it opening study of the Ruy Lopez? I never study openings.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Out of those types of center, We have really covered in detail the one we addressed in this lesson. That's why I said we had one problem because that specific one, we should be familiar with. At least the ideas of what pawn to target 👍 We covered it in lessons # 69 and # 85 where we talked about the Pirc and KID, but I have reinforced it many other times. As we advance, we will study other openings and types of centers until we cover them all.

[@cedrics7374]

#1 white because the pieces are a little bit more active. Pawn to h4, Neg5 threatening checkmate. Blacks bishop has no squares to move to

[@STREETBEATstation]

Hey Robert and thank you for your amazing instructive course! Bravo for making the effort in pronouncing the Pirc in a better way :) but still if you want to get it perfect here's a tip: The way you said stienitz was fine. So take the "tz" and use that to say Pirc the correct way = pirtz. Thats how you will get it right. And thank you again for eveything you do with such clear and positive energy!

[@STREETBEATstation]

1)white is better 2)take with the rook 3)take with the rook

[@NMRobertRamirez]

You are welcome Yuval! Thank you for taking the time to share your answers and also for the tip and all your support in general. It's great to see you continue to enjoy these lessons 👍

[@christian7054]

Would be nice to have some FEN positions in the description of the video if appropriate.

[@smar1k359]

36:25 gxf5 and aim for f4

[@unpaidtuber4609]

Hey Robert thanks to your class that I managed 1850 . My best.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Congratulations! Keep training consistently and you will be hitting 2000 soon 💪😎

[@ahmadnagar673]

In position number 1, I'd like to be the white pieces, I even have a plan starting with my knight on e4 moving to g5. In position number 2, I guess I will capture with the bishop.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Excellent! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! It helps a lot 👍

[@masibayjes8207]

ANSWER: although gxf5 preventing his knight on e4 outpost more controlling the center , but i think my pieces coach is under develop compared to him plus my king is expose the pawn that protecting my king is now open. i guess this is a double edge sword move.base on that i think i will keep it consistent base on what i learn i will move Bxf5 and continue the plan. GREAT VIDEO SIR! i have question , instead of white play d5 he takes the pawn on e5 what is the typical plan for black if he takes with a pawn on e6 to e5 and whats the plan if he take with a knight.

[@dragadeyt]

For #1 White has more space, and is fully developed with connected rooks. Black has less space, and doesn't have the rooks connected. Black's pawn structure is aimed at the kingside where the White king is, but Black doesn't have many pieces there yet. White's pawn structure is a littler harder to tell since b4 looks like it's doing a queenside pawn storm but otherwise it looks like White should be doing a kingside attack too and has more pieces on the kingside already. So: White.

[@larssundin]

Okay, without peeking I'd say white. Black's position seems cramped, and white should be able to launch an attack on the king side. #2. I would take with the rook, to involve it in the king attack, for example on h4. #3. I think I would take with the bishop, to activate it and control some key squares such as d3, e4, h3.

[@larssundin]

Know what? I'll take it from Lesson 52 instead. Apparently I have some "weak squares"...

[@akashgupta7214]

Hello sir, before the closed pawn structure, you talked about position (2:42) if pawn takes in centre and if knight takes in centre. Please tell what is middlegame plan then. Thanks

[@CirAMB]

What is the second game? Im interested on it for my database.This concept is in the book Superior strategy from Roberto Grau but never managed to understand it. I will revisit this video several times to master it.

[@eel9]

#1 I would take white, #2 I would take with the bishop preventing Bf5, and #3 i would take with pawn removing outpost on e4 and maybe playing f4 later or attacking down g file

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Excellent! First of all, thank you for actually providing your feedback. It helps a lot. And congrats on being one of the few to understand the importance of gxf5 in position # 3 💪

[@julienguiraud1270]

Great vid

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thank you!

[@vinothindrakannan2240]

I was eagerly waiting for the next video.. First comment and like for this video

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Hello Vinoth! Nice to see your comment 😎

[@dragadeyt]

For #3 Bxf5. taking with pawn would lead to the h pawn being isolated and less cover for the King. Taking with Bishop improves it, controls the b1-h7 diagonal as well. Taking with Rook is ok but doesn't improve it as much as taking with Bishop, and it blocks the Bishop's control of h3.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thanks a lot for sharing your answers, Dhananjay! Let me know if you saw the correct answer for that one 👍

[@dragadeyt]

@@NMRobertRamirez yeah I saw you said that later in the video as the other reason being to save the knights for taking the output.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

@@dragadeyt excellent! 👍

[@hiphopesq]

Position 1: I’d rather white for the spacing, black looks cramped, not sure anything else affects my decision. Position 2: Rook, to either goto Ra4 or double up rooks on e file. Position 3: bishop because it is least active, definitely not pawn because opens king up.

[@NMRobertRamirez]

Thanks a lot for sharing your answers 🙌👍

[@stltom6568]

Robert, I've become a HUGE fan, and am learning so much from your videos. Great voice, and great way of explaining. Question: at 24:20 why doesn't white take the pawn en passant at b7? The only way to protect from promotion is to move the bishop at d1 and there are no open squares except e2 leaving c1 hanging. Then protect the pawn at b1 with a knight to b4? This would be troublesome for white, no? Thanks, and if you're ever in St. Louis, I'd love to buy you a beer! Cheers! Edit: Never mind, I just found the answer way down in the comments. Yes, I too confused the rule on en passant. Mea Culpa!

[@archiewoosung5062]

White's pawn would have needed to be on c5, not c6 to take en passant (as though black's pawn had moved to b6, not b5).