Top 50 Chess Principles for All Levels: Beginner to Advanced | Opening, Middlegame, Endgame Concepts

📢 BREAKING 1500 NOW OPEN 📢
chessvibes.net...
📗 FREE MIDDLEGAME GUIDE 📗
chessvibes.net...
👨🏽 Play Chess Here:
www.chess.com/...
Timestamps:
0:07 - Beginner Chess Principles
0:15 - Principle 1: Control the center
1:08 - Principle 2: Develop pieces quickly
1:35 - Principle 3: Castle before move 10
2:10 - Principle 4: Avoid too many pawn moves
2:40 - Principle 5: Avoid "bad" bishops
3:22 - Principle 6: Avoid moving the same piece twice
4:27 - Principle 7: Don't bring out queen too early
5:44 - Principle 8: Pay attention to f2/f7
6:55 - Principle 9: Watch out for stalemate
7:45 - Intermediate Chess Principles
7:53 - BREAKING 1500!
8:41 - Principle 10: Knights before bishops
9:55 - Principle 11: Connect your rooks
10:53 - Principle 12: Rooks to open/half-open files
11:44 - Principle 13: Knights on the rim are dim
12:54 - Principle 14: Avoid doubled pawns
14:04 - Principle 15: Avoid isolated pawns
14:45 - Principle 16: Avoid backward pawns
15:57 - Principle 17: Don't move pawns in front of castled king
16:53 - Principle 18: Don't open center if your king is there
17:48 - Principle 19: When attacking, don't trade queens
18:49 - Principle 20: If cramped, trade pieces
19:50 - Principle 21: 2 minor pieces better than rook and pawn
21:00 - Principle 22: 3 minor pieces better than queen
22:53 - Principle 23: Rooks are strong on 2nd/7th ranks
24:08 - Principle 24: Doubled rooks on open files are strong
25:43 - Principle 25: Bishops better in open, knights in closed
26:24 - Principle 26: Capture towards the center
27:02 - Principle 27: Activate king in the endgame
28:37 - Principle 28: Trade fianchetto bishop to weaken king
30:03 - Principle 29: Knight on f8, there's no mate
31:17 - Principle 30: Slow down - use your time
31:55 - Principle 31: Don't play hope chess
33:13 - Advanced Chess Principles
33:42 - Principle 32: Don't trade bishop for knight without a reason
35:00 - Principle 33: Meet flank attack with a counterattack in the center
36:45 - Principle 34: Rooks go behind passed pawns
38:25 - Principle 35: 2 connected passed pawns on 6th rank beat a rook
39:27 - Principle 36: Attack in the direction of your pawn chain
41:11 - Principle 37: Knights are best blockaders of passed pawns
41:45 - Principle 38: When ahead, trade pieces (NOT pawns)
43:22 - Principle 39: When behind, trade pawns (NOT pieces)
44:08 - Principle 40: 1 pawn can stop 2 pawns
45:48 - Principle 41: Put pawns on opposite color as your bishop
46:32 - Principle 42: Watch out for pawn storms when castled opposite
47:12 - Principle 43: When attacking, remove key defenders
48:14 - Principle 44: It's easier to attack than defend
48:41 - Principle 45: If c3, then d5
50:12 - Principle 46: If f4, then d5
51:29 - Principle 47: In d4/d5 openings, don't block c pawn
52:13 - Principle 48: Kings can use the crooked path
54:03 - Principle 49: Be carful for poisoned b or g pawns
55:02 - Principle 50: Be flexible about your plans
56:08 - BREAKING 1500!
Welcome to this comprehensive guide on the 50 essential chess principles! Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, this video covers key strategies and techniques to elevate your game. Dive into the intricacies of the opening, middlegame, and endgame, with principles categorized by skill level to ensure you get the most out of your practice.

[@ChessVibesOfficial]

Break through 1500 faster than you thought possible: chessvibes.net/breaking1500

[@god5458]

How did this comment was 3day ago?🧐🤔🤨😲

[@NJDJ1986]

@@god5458 maybe he somehow kept this video privated or unlisted until it's scheduled to be uploaded

[@NJDJ1986]

@@god5458 because he had this video unlisted until it's become public for reason

[@god5458]

@@NJDJ1986 now I get thx

[@terencewong5281]

I purchased already - for my son with passion in chess who has been watching your channel and wants to improve his skills quickly. Thanks for creating the course!

[@TheLapinrieska]

I have actually started to hear your voice in my head, while playing chess. When my opponent moves a piece, I hear:"do I care about that, let's do a quick scan" and I think I've become a way better player for it

[@VexilleThePunisher]

I'm not alone 🥲

[@danmcleran]

Ha! Me too.

[@jeroen3657]

In the supermarket: There is long line to the left, but on the right there is an old lady paying with cash. What is the best line to que in? ......Well if you had a chance to think about it...

[@22NICO-he9kn]

Me to bruh😂

[@Chomta]

Same happens to me lol

[@xxxq1460]

50 Chess Principles Beginner: 1. Control the centre 2. Develop pieces quickly 3. Castle before move 10 4. Avoid making too many pawn moves 5. Avoid "bad" bishops 6. Avoid moving the same piece twice 7. Don't bring out your queen too early 8. Pay attention to the f2/f7 squares 9. Watch out for stalemate Intermediate: 10. Knights before bishops 11. Connect your rooks 12. Rooks to open or half-open files 13. Knights on the rim are dim 14. Avoid doubled pawns 15. Avoid isolated pawns 16. Avoid backward pawns 17. Don't move pawns in front of castled king 18. Don't open centre if your king is there 19. When attacking, do not trade queens 20. If cramped, trade pieces 21. Two minor pieces are better than a rook + pawn 22. Three minor pieces are better than a queen 23. Rooks are strong on the 2nd/7th ranks 24. Doubled rooks on open files are strong 25. Bishops better in open positions, knights in closed 26. Capture towards the centre 27. Activate king in the endgame 28. Trade fianchetto bishop to weaken king 29. Knight on f8, there's no mate 30. Slow down - use your time 31. Don't play hope chess Advanced: 32. Don't trade bishop for knight without a good reason 33. Meet a flank attack with a counterattack in the centre 34. Rooks go behind passed pawns 35. Two connected passed pawns on 6th rank beat a rook 36. Attack in the direction of your pawn chain 37. Knights are best blockaders of passed pawns 38. When ahead, trade pieces (NOT pawns) 39. When behind, trade pawns (NOT pieces) 40. 1 pawn can (sometimes) stop 2 pawns 41. Put pawns on the opposite colour of your bishop 42. Watch out for pawn storms when opposite castling 43. When attacking, remove key defenders 44. It's easier to attack than defend (Offence is the best defence) 45. If c3, then d5 46. If f4, then d5 47. In d4/d5 openings, don't block the c pawn (unless openings like Jobava) 48. Kings can use the crooked path 49. Be careful of poisoned b or g pawns 50. Be flexible about your plans!

[@user-un9ut9rw6m]

I appreciate that

[@main_domain]

Тор 50 Chess Principles # Beginner : 1. Control the center 2. Develop pieces quickly 3. Castle before move 10 4. Avoid too many pawn moves 5. Avoid "bad" bishops 6. Avoid moving the same piece twice 7. Don't bring out your queen early 8. Pay attention to f2/f7 9. Watch out for stalemate # Intermediate: 10. Knights before bishops 11. Connect your rooks 12. Rooks to open or half-open files 13. Knights on the rim are dim 14. Avoid doubled pawns 15. Avoid isolated pawns 16. Avoid backward pawns 17. Don't move pawns in front of castled king 18. Don't open center if your king is there 19. When attacking, don't trade queens 20. If cramped, trade pieces 21. 2 minor pieces are better than a rook + pawn 22. 3 minor pieces are better than a queen 23. Rooks are strong on the 2nd/7th ranks 24. Doubled rooks on open files are strong 25. Bishops better in opened positions, knights in closed 26. Capture towards the center 27. Activate king in the endgame 28. Trade fianchetto bishop to weaken king 29. Knight on f8 there's no mate 30. Slow down - use your time 31. Don't play hope chess # Advanced 32. Don't trade bishop for a knight without a good reason 33. Meet flank attack with a counterattack in the center 34. Rooks go behind passed pawns 35. 2 connected passed pawns on 6th rank beat a rook 36. Attack in the direction of your pawn chain 37. Knights are best blockaders of passed pawns 38. When ahead, trade pieces (NOT pawns) 39. When behind, trade pawns (NOT pieces) 40. 1 pawn can stop 2 pawns 41. Put pawns on opposite color from your bishop 42. Watch out for pawn storms when castled opposite 43. When attacking, remove key defenders 44. It's easier to attack than defend 45. If c3, then d5 46. If f4, then d5 47. In d4/d5 openings, don't block c pawn 48. Kings can use the crooked path 49. Be careful for poisoned b or g pawns 50. Be flexible about your plans

[@lucyirungu6083]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🎉🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂😂😂😂😂tasha

[@smartbubba1]

I watched this entire video, took notes, played the 1200 Elo adaptive bot and beat him first try. I still struggled in the end game but I was able to notice my mistakes a lot quicker and came back around. This is the video I’ve been looking for. Thank you

[@sammarks9146]

It’s a simple thing, but “take your time” has propelled me from hovering in the 900’s to almost 1100. I agree with what others have said- the way you explain things is simple, humble and straightforward. Thank you.

[@muratkaraaslan7432]

Longer time controls (15+10) really help with that.

[@sammarks9146]

@@muratkaraaslan7432 Yeah, I play 99% 10-minute games. Not a big fan of increment.

[@pascalladal8125]

@@sammarks9146 I wasn't either. Just started playing btw. But I think increments diminish the chances of being flagged (opponent play fast and blocking moves to make you waste your remaining time)

[@sammarks9146]

@@pascalladal8125 Oh, I’m pretty good with the time. Not taking enough of it is my problem :)

[@shadow234LOL]

@@sammarks9146 wow, I wish I could have this superpower of playing fast and not necessarily blundering anything. 🙏

[@grahamdugan]

As clearly as knights on the rim are dim, Chess Vibes is the best of the chess channels. I cannot wait for the course tomorrow!!! My wife has been making fun of me, but I don't care, I can't wait!!

[@orionspur]

One way to summarize all the rules: Minimize the number of squares your opponent will control upon making their next move. As you improve, extend to deeper "next" moves.

[@TakuTePuke-qd6df]

Love the way you explain stuff bro. Just spitting facts. Trim the nonsense and just get straight into it.

[@SanityCheckOfficial]

Can I get a Nelson for all areas of my life please? Top tier.

[@awang_ir]

I know this day should happen! Thanks a lot, Nelson!! You are THE chess teacher in our heart

[@bennelson6207]

Only 30 minutes in, but I already found something I was completely unaware of in the intermediate section so I had to comment. I'm a 2000 player and I had never heard the knight on f8 there is no mate saying before. I've recognized the importance of defending the h7 pawn with the knight, but generally i've kept my knight on f6 to do that, which naturally can lead to it getting kicked around. It seems obvious in retrospect, but my solution has always been doubling up defense with another piece if necessary or simply doing my best to prevent my knight from getting harassed to begin with. I'm sure my knight has naturally found its way to f8 before in defensive situations, but it's never been something i've actively kept an eye out for, or went out of my way to make happen previously, and now I will try and implement this idea into my games.

[@ClarkPotter]

I'm a 2075-player and had never heard that either! I have a vague notion of this just bc of the number of times you wind up there, but it would never have occurred to me to consider it its own principle. Thanks for commenting so I don't have to.

[@kojifresh]

This was THE best checklist of chess principles I've ever seen on KZbin! Thank you so much for putting this together.

[@glauberk9018]

#51 - Don't put rice on to cook while you're playing

[@seeess925]

Absolute mandatory video. I was always good at chess. But every game, my queen was out in the third move. And I didn't know castling was for safety. I just did it just like any other move if the situation needed. I only started becoming much better after watching a similar video like this from Andrea Bonzet. Who taught me some of these concepts.

[@Ray-ku1sj]

You did a great job on this video. Keep up the good work. Ray.

[@adityachk2002]

Just today i watched the most popular video on your channel of 35 chess principles

[@DanielFBest]

Excellent, excellent tutorial, thank you. Will check out Breakthrough 1500 :) 🤩

[@VigneshDhakshinamoorthy]

Never a bad idea to remake one of your most successful videos! And only better each time. ❤ thank you for all the education Nelsi

[@antoniocarlosweyll1177]

Obrigado amigo,fantástica aula,abraço do Brasil.

[@haviskam]

This s an absolute all-in-one package lesson. Heartfelt thanks.

[@Sudip683]

I've improved my game a lot after watching your video. Thanks 👍

[@redwatch.]

I haven't played in ages and I have never had much instruction. This video is even better than I could have imagined. I'm looking forward to joining a chess club so I can apply the knowledge. Thank you!

[@r33th]

You are a godsend for chess players seeking knowledge. These are the most instructive chess lessons I've ever found that aren't behind a paywall. That's how you get people to buy a more in-depth course! Looking forward to it

[@azurehydra]

Beautiful tips! I already know many of these are going to help me out.

[@UserIslm]

7:34 you missed Rd8 mate in 1

[@Beast_RiderF]

Thxx now my Mind is refresh again I'm currently 1900s looking forward to Break 2000 ❤😊😊

[@mertturan5081]

Unbelievably useful. There should've been more videos like this in chess world.

[@sanjaynandalall2260]

not even 5 minutes in, and im learning a ton. tysm

[@darrylkassle361]

Have not been here for a while and good to see Nelson has over half a mil subs. Well done

[@tylerbruce3189]

Lesson 2.4 was awesome in course I was constantly getting my c pawn attacked being too aggressive with my bishop and having to defend and getting my rook forked or worse losing my queen! Thanks Nelson

[@dejavu2706]

The basics is always important as we are all not GMs. This are all helpful especially if you dont have the time to study all the theories which again we are all mot GMs 😅. Keep this all in mind and you will reach 2000-2500 elo even without fully understanding the theories

[@chrisworrell7629]

Almost a Year into chess and im at 1100 elo. I've been watching your stuff. Amazing video....I didn't know about the open file or half open file idea. Its already changing my gameplay, Thanks!

[@brass4235]

Hey Nelson. Awesome 50 principles video. You are the only chess KZbinr that I've EVER spent $money$ on. I was previously a "Stalemater" on your chess team. I know $2.99/ whoopie! Lol. But in all honesty I gained one of the most important things that I didn't previously have - CONFIDENCE in Myself!!! You actually even reviewed one of my games during a live stream! What could be better than having a NM review your game and give you positive feedback?!?! Just looked through your Break 1500 elo tutorial and ohhh man it looks sick! I wish you had a longer monthly payment plan- something like 12 months @ $19.99/month. I would jump all over it! Unfortunately, I won't be to afford it at this time. Just wanted to say Thanks for putting out so much great free content and allowing everyone the opportunity to learn from your experiences and expertise.

[@GlobalWarmingSkeptic]

On #37 I think it's also important to note is that because knights can jump pieces, they can always move back to where they came from on the next turn, which is unique because other pieces can be short circuited and have their paths blocked by the opponent. Knights can always have control of that square for 3 turns as a result.

[@Ashted229]

Straight to the point ❤

[@derpymoose9948]

This is a great video. I plan to watch it many times. Thank you!

[@episteme666]

9:55 - Principle 11: Connect your rooks 10:53 - Principle 12: Rooks to open/half-open files 14:45 - Principle 16: Avoid backward pawns 15:57 - Principle 17: Don't move pawns in front of castled king 16:53 - Principle 18: Don't open center if your king is there 28:37 - Principle 28: Trade fianchetto bishop to weaken king 30:03 - Principle 29: Knight on f8, there's no mate 35:00 - Principle 33: Meet flank attack with a counterattack in the center 36:45 - Principle 34: Rooks go behind passed pawns 39:27 - Principle 36: Attack in the direction of your pawn chain 43:22 - Principle 39: When behind, trade pawns (NOT pieces)

[@imaniashley1138]

Wow, as a beginner these are invaluable tips

[@sandeepverygoodvedeo8693]

Thanks Sir very much

[@cablestick]

You're the best Nelson

[@nikpaul8550]

Watched this video an won the 3 next games, breaking the 1800. Thank you very much, your doing a really good job as a chess trainer. 😃

[@ralkadde]

Enjoyed this collection of principles very much. 06:54 One way to avoid stalemate is a mate in one by Rd8. (Clearly, if not seen, any check works out as well.)

[@CasinoCrenshaw]

Cause of your channel ive been getting better but my tactical game needs to improve as far as remembering moves & defense

[@basantchanna8925]

I would love a guide/thoughts on what to do once your pieces are developed. So many times my opening accuracy is solid but the middle game is terrible. I end up making inaccuracies/mistakes because pushing a pawn somewhere means that 4 moves later I'm at a slight disadvantage. I think getting the basics down, control the centre etc are all good but there comes a point where you've done all that and your left wondering 'what now?'

[@zoltano_cortez]

Just wanted to thank you for all your videos, I always learn something new from them. The tricky part is actually remembering and utilizing the knowledge lol.

[@doublestarships646]

Your channel is amazing, dude. You know how to teach so well.

[@Amyerd-Addie]

I've always lost to lower level Chess apps, my reasoning has been that I lack strategy from the beginning. Now I know that my lacking of strategy itself lacks basic common sense. Thank you, so much needed speed advice.

[@genshiroankishmahbdah254]

Very valuable knowledge about chess pieces development to ensure winning the game.

[@guythatisdumb3819]

Yo im a big fan love your tutorials

[@suqmadiq6653]

Chess is such an amazing game. I’m so glad I invited it.

[@atariwashik9223]

Your videos are now a MUST 😊!

[@ClarkPotter]

Great video. Wow. This is fantastic for new players. Curious that you have #32 - Don't trade a bishop for a knight without good reason, as an advanced principle. It feels late beginner/early intermediate to me.

[@Petrochess]

39:39 *36* _Attack in the direction of your pawn chain_ , this was new to me. Although it seems plausible, I had actually never heard of that. The other 49 principles are more or less well-known after a couple of decades with chess, although I am not much better than approx. 1250 🙂 Cheers, Olaf

[@arassemiaktas8075]

I better get my popcorn ready😅

[@franktaggart-qs5ff]

Thank you for sharing your experiences on the moves and why

[@adrianpilbrow]

This is a brilliant lesson! Well done.

[@sonnypenales7]

Nice tutorial.Thank you very much

[@user-xv8jf7fq1s]

Thank you for your knowledge ❤

[@manojmayekar8457]

Thankyou very much sir. You are awesome

[@ZawadiMuthoni]

❤

[@yassinkaoukab]

I love watching your chess videos...Thank you so much ❤❤❤

[@deepanchakravarthy594]

Nicely summarised 🎉

[@TheEthikos]

imo "knights on the rim are grim" sounds better. :)

[@NJDJ1986]

these 50 principles will be helpful, especially the number 22 where Nelson won his game with his knights, bishops, & rooks on board!

[@lotsandlotsofcomics]

Excellent info. Thank you

[@franbrok]

Outstanding video!!! , very useful!

[@gideonkvo7332]

51:35 *stares in jobava london*

[@rife133]

bro literally me haha

[@ClarkPotter]

Your asses ain't Jobava.

[@pascalladal8125]

Big day today! Been playing for 3-4 months and it's the first move I recognized by its square name, or rather, by the absence of its name haha. At 36:18 , I listened to so many videos on king's indian I was expecting to hear the usual "c5!" but he confused it for d5 lol.

[@Jogi-1111]

Always great to watch !!! But although the rule no. 17 is totally fine, the showed game seems to be more or less equal, if(!) white doesn't resign and instead just play Bxf7+ - or did I miss something here ?

[@marcinz.3570]

Would love to see even more advanced (though probably more nuanced too) principles. What are the titled players hiding from us?! One I discovered to be very often true: always (if possible of course and not losing) play e5 in Ruy Lopez.

[@multiverse737]

Thanks!

[@michaelmurray7472]

Brilliant video of 50 chess principles 😊

[@pran10000]

excellent

[@paulwu1301]

This is very helpful, thank you!

[@milowright2415]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@johnpro2847]

Trade off knights, (they are sneaky) then at least one bishop ,then trade the queen. Now with a simplified board the strategy is easier ..

[@manuelfuentes4509]

Principle 29: Knight on f8, there's no mate! 30:05 Very interesting maneuver Nbd7, Nf8...

[@baskas13]

"3 minor pieces are better than a queen" for

[@chess26622]

You forgot about THE most important chess principle: DO NOT BLUNDER

[@TeroKoskinen-xy2zz]

"Do not play Knight blunder moves and you lose one move mate"

[@zzzaphod8507]

Interesting video, thanks! July 15-20 is 6 days?

[@ChessVibesOfficial]

I meant to say 15 to 19 but my brain told me that 5 days was 15 to 20 lol. Sorry!

[@ClarkPotter]

I was a 1900-player (2075 now) before I ever encountered the principle of #11 "connecting rooks." I consider it a superfluous principle and a somewhat odd way to think about what you should be doing. You've occupied the center with a pawn or two, developed your Knights and Bishops, castled, and now it's time to do something with your Q. Usually it's going somewhere like e2, d2, c2, maybe a4 or whatever. You'd also like to get your rooks to center, or on an open or semi-open file. Voila! You've moved your Q and now your rooks are connected! It's not an achievement in and of itself, however. It's just what happens. Additionally, you generally want your pieces protected. Bishops can't protect each other, and Knights are too short range for their mutual protection to really be a thing. Your rooks, however, are long range and spend much of the game on the first rank. When they recapture, they're frequently being captured by another rook. If you wanted that rook there to begin with, you'd likely like to recapture with a rook to replace it. Voila, your rooks are "connected." You never needed to aim for it, though. The power of two connected rooks on the 7th rank IS worth its own principle, however. So that case is covered by that. TLDR: "Connected rooks" just happen and it isn't something to aim for in and of itself.

[@ClarkPotter]

I'm also not attached to what I wrote, and admit it's likely a product of having never encountered the idea and never needed it. If it helps an extreme beginner to think of developing their queen in the opening, then I can see it being somewhat helpful, maybe.

[@exuviumisopods]

1:00 "control the center of the board". Yet Pirc defense and the Modern defense develop the sides first, in order to attack the center later... Both are very good openings, played by GMs.

[@piergiorgioalarconmoscoso2344]

You said it yourself, those are used by grandmasters and this is a tip for begginers

[@stevemotocrayz2892]

Wow..!! GREAT job, Nelson 👍👏.!!

[@sunnydayy5504]

Good

[@1Rene9Night5cart0]

In ancient times, when i started, the term was 'knights on the rim are trim'.

[@davefleury2583]

Great video.

[@kaidoChess]

50 baby

[@InsaneC4]

Great Work i love itt !! Keep going ❤️

[@piet-0]

Principle 18 says, don't open center when the king is there, like moving the two central pawns. But principle 1 says control the center, and you show this by starting to move the two center pawns. But the king is still there, obviously. Doesn't that contradict principle 18? Could you elaborate?

[@Josiah_Harder]

Nelson I can't make the course but would love to have access to that library can you please make it available afterwards!

[@ChessVibesOfficial]

It's lifetime access so everyone can go at their own pace!

[@roymorgan828]

These principles work ,but if you have read kasperov book of chess you would learn his mindset that work well with these principles. Sometimes you would have to break from the principles, Sometimes you would have to break from the mindset. This would lead to very little of your own spin on the game. But would teach you to own the game.

[@kalpeshb1649]

Hi, I’m watching your videos and these are really really effective. I want to join the course but I’m wondering if the course is in Australian dollar or it’s US dollar 197 whatever.

[@ChessVibesOfficial]

It's USD

[@Ziyad09]

this so helpful, thx

[@Norgie.Noriega]

Gracias

[@user-gc2us1yt2z]

16:29 then what can we do when opponet pin the knight

[@andrewbennett5911]

Would it still be a half open file if , say , black has doubled pawns on the file ( no white pawns )!?

[@DendrocnideMoroides]

yes

[@andrewbennett5911]

@@DendrocnideMoroides thank you ! Thought it prob was , but needed to know for sure .

[@ArshitRawat-w3j]

Love ur tutorials

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

No 21 is why I consider a rook 4½ points, not 5 points (and a queen 8, not 9).

[@iambezapp711]

You deserve like share subscribe comment and so on you are the goat that what i have to say ❤❤❤❤

[@johnpro2847]

My level is still 650..I can then consistently win without racking my brain too much. Winning is what counts psychologically. Not what level you lose on.

[@matthewliu6987]

43:58