Common Opening Mistakes | Beginner Chess Lesson

In this video, I have a chess lesson with a friend who recently caught the online chess bug. We review some of his recent games and address common opening mistakes along with the potential improvements. Towards the end of the video, we go over some more specific opening strategy that focuses on piece activity and immediately pressuring the opponent's position. I know this video is targeted for for beginning players, but I hope viewers can find some value in it!
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:12 Lesson Begins
2:27 Using lichess.org’s Study Feature
4:50 Game 1 Review: Opening Principles & Mistakes to Avoid
18:37 Game 2 Review: Addressing Subtle Mistakes
49:18 Game 3 Review: Crazy Play Accidentally Pays Off?!
58:45 Simple & Aggressive Opening Strategy for White
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Eric Rosen
4579 Laclede Ave #205
St. Louis, MO 63108
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Chess book recommendations: imrosen.com/book-recommendati...
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[@eric-rosen]

How long have you been playing chess? And what's your rating?

[@ranatha]

2 years 1600

[@winnielee8050]

2-3 years, don’t really play rated lol

[@benjaminviljoen8452]

6 months, 1200.

[@joki3556]

3 months, 1100

[@ImprovePath]

I was playing chess and then stopped playing it. Now, I started playing chess since last 3-4 months. My ratings on lichess is 1400 - 1500.

[@wrightmatthewj]

An IM has described my play as “bad on multiple levels,” “really crazy,” and “not the cleanest approach." I'm putting that on my resume!

[@owenschultz47]

He also said you “played a brilliant move.” All you have to do is edit out the “accidentally” before that ;) Thanks for letting Eric coach you, watching this definitely helped me improve too!

[@marLamaDeo]

@@owenschultz47 I think Matt is the other guy

[@tooticus]

Eric: "Don't move your flank pawns early if you don't need to it violates all the opening principles" Also Eric: plays king crab opening

[@lucasmatsuoca]

"unless you have a good reason", making the crab pincers is a good reason imo, already scaring your opponent

[@whisper3856]

Eric is *also* a very good chess player.

[@JustCoNa]

no, eric is a beginner

[@Jo_Es_Chess_Channel]

@@JustCoNa this reply is nonsense

[@chill_like_that]

@@Jo_Es_Chess_Channel nah, he just started playing last month

[@StevenStJohn-kj9eb]

MOAR. Yes, this is a great idea for KZbin content. Kudos to your student for being willing to share his mistakes publicly; he seems pretty self-reflective and will probably grow a lot. Eric, you might be too advanced to realize this, but for us beginners, chess seems like magic sometimes. A position looks hopeless or unsolvable, and then you make 2 moves and suddenly everything is different... bishops have scope, kings are safer, plans can be formed. Keep showing us how the magic works.

[@Dudevid]

Great comment.

[@ThePathOfEudaimonia]

Yes!

[@adjevangisteren6018]

Awesome, just searched 'Eric Rosen chess lesson" and this was uploaded 8 mins ago. Love your calm and clear videos!

[@Yepitsmedude]

I just searched it and it was uploaded 1 year ago. Love your calm and clear videos!

[@maxwellbussey4315]

34:18 "You accidentally played a brilliant move there" I started laughing at this part

[@mackinr7]

I've been improving through KZbin through multiple channels, but your's has definitely had the greatest impact. I played so much chess in my younger years, and somehow your persona has made me come back to it. I am currently at 1400 at Lichess and climbing. It's all thanks to you. I just wanted to give you a proper thanks.

[@EDENAVIRIC]

“There’s no danger for you, also you’re white” dk why I found that funny

[@w7lves]

Very poor choice of words

[@ABCDEFuckyou112]

It's not really a poor choice of words, not everything that includes the words white/black is connected to race issues.

[@w7lves]

@@ABCDEFuckyou112 no shit. It's still funny

[@ABCDEFuckyou112]

@@w7lves even after the 100th time you've read comments like this? They are everywhere

[@alyssaskier2656]

Oh my God, Eric, you can’t just tell people that they’re white!

[@shauryagaming8318]

How do you not fall in love with this guy? Despite being so brilliant, the way he speaks, even newbies get a sense of belonging and want to listen to him more and more. Otherwise most lose their interest coz they get intimidated by stronger players. He on the contrary, makes you believe that even you can be better. I don't care what his ranking is, or where he will be tomorrow. Will continue to love him coz he is way better than me and even reaching half his level and speed of thinking will be an achievement for me...

[@otinanai9806]

0:00 wait...What is this? A video including itself?

[@patrickbateman882]

Videoception

[@poseidonsmafia1160]

The video in the video is on private

[@dopamine6650]

A common mistake is to hang your queen and call it the botez gambit.

[@flstu7735]

what if i hang my king instead? king's gambit accepted?

[@msmeganurse]

Thank you so much for this, Eric! Your patience in explaining theory and willingness to teach us beginners is admirable. Love your videos, thanks for sharing!

[@mrfewtheaquariumdude12]

The hardest part of chess being new is you find a cool trap style opening and try it, and fall apart immediately after they don’t make the right move. This has been the most helpful video I have seen so far. Thank you so much!

[@mattchu7067]

Eric! This is incredibly valuable to me! I'm only about 15 minutes in and can tell I'll be rewatching a few times!! Thanks you well earned a sub :)

[@ethan3038]

there's nothing more wholesome than Eric Rosen getting excited about what a great site lichess is

[@deklares1]

Loved this Eric. I am more on this guys level so it was good to see you explain these principals at my level of understanding.

[@rahulsrinivas3224]

You are just awesome. I love how calm you are. You are doing a wonderful job.

[@SheaMurtagh]

Great content Eric, really enjoying your videos, thank you for sharing. You have a great approach and patient character for teaching. I also liked how you didn't rush off at the end, and gave the student some extra time until you felt you had completed the lesson. Respect.

[@lynxerax7011]

The best thing to come out of pogchamps, except ofcourse the growth of chess popularity, is that all my favourite chess streamers are now making more educational content for beginners! (Eric, Levy, etc)

[@makearunat]

This is excellent content! I'm subscribed and can't believe that I'm just seeing this now! It'd be interesting to see him in another chess lesson and to see how much he has improved.

[@leobird8756]

Man I just posted a long comment on your last video about how I’m a relative beginner to chess and have been overwhelmed by how much there is to learn. What timing! You’re the best 😄😄

[@EddieSkyZ]

Thanks for the vid! Ive learned so much from this channel. Eric is a super teacher- chilled out, great attitude and so measured in his approach to chess. What I admire most is how respectful you are to other players regardless of ability, wins/losses. Watching Eric play and talking through his thought process has really helped me get into the right mindset for chess. The only annoying feature of the videos are the ads but hey , a small price to pay for great content 👍✨

[@burningspirit7874]

Thank you Eric, this makes for a pleasant Saturday morning. Cheers from Mid-Missouri!

[@ScottOctober]

Been watching your videos a lot lately, keep up the good work.

[@pscharnett]

Eric, this was so helpful! I've played over 1200 games in the last two months and haven't been able to break 800. I'm finding myself constantly watching your videos now. Your explanations are super helpful, but this video is exactly where I am. Hoping this advice will help me get further! Thanks so much.

[@timhofmann1819]

That's the single most helpful chess video! My exact mistakes. Thank you!

[@Relik0414]

I have been running these openings and my game has improved alot. Thanks Rosen!

[@mikkelbakjensen2350]

Thank you for a great tutorial on common openings. Please bring more beginners lessons like this.

[@adloltery]

Thanks for using lichess, cant believe none of the streamers use it even tho its much better, guess you need to make a living somehow

[@3hr137]

Thank you so much for all the content you make for us, im really learning and getting better at chess

[@tommyhill34]

Wow! Thanks Eric. I have never really had a good grasp of how to approach the opening from a truly scientific and logical point of view. Instead, I sort of did things in a rote way and explained away my moves with often repeated platitudes. Your didatic approach is down to earth and infused with much patience. You also don't make a guy feel like he stupid. This results in a student breathing life into the game with plausible reasons behind each move. What a great teacher you are. I suscribed just now because of this video.

[@katelikesrectangles]

Really useful to see how these kind of lessons work. This guy is just about my level. Thanks to him for giving permission to share it!

[@patrickelliot943]

This is such a helpful video, thank you both!

[@Shagula420]

Really enjoyed this video. Learned a lot! Would definitely watch more.

[@joncheck1777]

Love your content. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us

[@Sarcasticool]

I am actually a Checkers/ Draughts player, got 3rd in NZ championships in 1992 but I am trying to improve my Chess game. Don't really play chess online but the few times I have played I do fine until I come across the Sicilians Defence, can't deal with the variations in the openings. This is one of the most helpful videos I have seen on KZbin yet. Thank you for posting it!

[@robertsweeney1162]

Eric is so patient. Impressive

[@joesweeney1712]

Love your videos and this video type/format is really useful. I am struggling in the middlegame right now and would appreciate another video like this but where your partner is a higher rates player. - I feel that this would be more valuable.

[@louiswalker923]

So helpful - please do more like this!

[@clicky9630]

thank you for all these hour long videos, so good :)

[@darleendhaifina_dcag1130]

all your vids are awesome, love them

[@soysaucebananna]

This is exactly the kind of content i need. You are the only chess you tuber I follow but most games are way over my head.

[@Jonas.Nilsson]

I really enjoy watching this video! The questions from the student makes the situation so much more easier to understand! I watched an other video the other night where you were more focused on the black side and that helped me get my blitz rating from 900 to 1050!

[@marLamaDeo]

Yes he is a very good student, asks good questions

[@ameetdesai8455]

Thanks for sharing great learning stuff

[@keeblem1]

Really informative. Thanks!

[@koningsp]

Hey Eric, I've been getting into chess for the past year or two. Loving these videos, keep em coming!! Is be interesting if you have something about overcoming 1v1 ranking anxiety 😁😊😉

[@adamschmidt4671]

I'm glad you showed him the Italian at the end there, the whole lesson I was thinking he might benefit from a brief intro to the Fried Liver or the Ruy Lopez - gotta get those bishops out and active!

[@elseif4760]

Hi, you seem to know chess, how would you best defend against the italian he showed in the end? Or prevent it from happening

[@xshaddd]

Eric is probably best coach, with this calmness and nice explanations

[@anaknyasar3731]

eric: dont move your flank pawns early alphazero: haha harry go brrrr

[@mannatg5444]

Please try to bring up with more videos like this.. loved it

[@philljenner4045]

This newbie making me feel like a GM....cheers man!

[@Berzeger]

This video is incredibly helpful. If you can, please do some more.

[@rickywest1384]

I would like more content like this.

[@lexodus82]

Lovely video for a beginner. Thanks a lot!

[@usernamehere2124]

This helped me so much! Thank you! ♟

[@oshealaff221]

Pushed to 1200 today, two weeks ago I didnt know the first thing about chess. These strategies are not necessarily new to me but the way you describe what/where/why is very clear and you earned yourself a sub my man

[@toolateformenow2408]

Great idea! I’d like to see more of these. Most chess “players” just play. I personally love the game but have never memorized or studied

[@rayclay2]

More More more~! great stuff.. thank you sir

[@HighLanderPonyYT]

Thanks for sharing!

[@matthewj.evans-author]

Really helpful. Thank you. I’d love to see more.

[@matthewj.evans-author]

I’m about 1400.

[@harshnagarkar6979]

Best teacher Eric 🔥

[@gus.stviaaa]

Thanks Eric, for explaining I love your vids.

[@TheAfroboy1990]

Why i read it "i love your kids" lol

[@gus.stviaaa]

@@TheAfroboy1990 lol wut

[@1320archives]

The fact that I can watch this channel and get lessons from an IM... This is amazing stuff, and very entertaining.

[@TheChocofresh]

Really nice video :) can relate to many problems he was adressing even though sometimes i already am more advanced very interesting opening struggles like the bishop - knight pin is explained thoroughly

[@milesbright9510]

great content! more please!

[@Ammar23217]

Thank you sir! it was great lesson

[@markthomas1391]

Awesome video thank you! More vids like this please, maybe include some mid game ideas/ strategies because I get kinda lost after the opening haha

[@Dhieen]

very good video! i will need to watch it alot of times

[@TheDStee]

Loving the d4, wants him to say a6 to give an escape square for the bishop and instead he finds the engines secret move. Love this by the way very informative.

[@JustAddingMy2Cents]

Eric, great work and happy holidays! Do you have videos of what to do with pawns in the center (c,d) (take, move fwd, stay put, etc)? Thanks!

[@FlyingDutchMan753]

I learnt a lot from this lesson, thx!

[@Gbtx6]

I wish i had a friend who would review chess games with me :'(. This was great to watch. I've been playing chess for more than 10 years now, but never pursued it beyond good fun. I learned some openings to the T but when I came to the US i stopped playing and forgot all openings. Been playing on Lichess for some time now. it's fun, but some of these 1200 rated players feel like smurfs to me XD. Awesome vid btw!

[@wayoftheneet2839]

this is the best video i've been looking for xD

[@grolarqc]

3 years ans stucked between 1500 and 1600. Your videos are helping a lot thank you

lol watched this video, played first game as white an could actually win using the moves at the end - best feeling ever! Thx Eric

[@ShihabdeentheCyclist]

again and again i watched this video really really really 1000 times use full for extreme beginners

[@AlienIntervention1137]

Got the "bug" 2 years ago after 25 years of absence. I like your calm approach in your presentations makes it easy to take in information. Still playing on lichess . This one took alittle long to get into the good action . First game shoulda be left out imo . Learnt some good stuff

[@TyCroll]

I always learn something from your videos.

[@andrewslack318]

Would love more content like this! From the beginners out there.

[@mr.rainbowlovescoffee]

Eric thanks for this video. I needed to learn how to play better and this really helped. 👍❤️🙏

[@soccer2themax]

I really like this type of content. I'm not really very good at chess, and this beginner type stuff is especially helpful.

[@ZX-yt9bi]

Thanks for the free lesson!

[@abrotherinchrist]

This was one of the best beginning chess videos I've watched. Some of the things you said immediately improved my game. I'm new and struggling to stay above 1200. I think a couple of these tips will help get me to 1500 in no time.

[@Nick2014B]

How did it go

[@reeceselby2979]

Hope you made it!

[@abrotherinchrist]

@@Nick2014B Still struggling with my ELO, although I've improved in my game quite a bit. It takes years to get passed this level, I think, unless of course you are a child prodigy raised with a knight in your hand from birth. From what I understand, when you are only 2 years into playing chess you shouldn't worry so much about ELO. Just learn and play. ELO will come when the time is right.

[@connormonday]

Alright now post a video of Michael teaching you the trombone.

[@coltonmykael]

Gotta love the good ol' sacbut

[@Jh-bx7vo]

Thanks Eric

[@nihalsahu]

Would love more instructional content!

[@andrewthuswaldner1268]

Excellent discussion. It was exactly what I was looking for. Hearing an expert explain the good and bad moves made by a player that makes some of the same moves I make. Thanks for sharing.

[@lee-annecarpenter6844]

This is so instructive! How invaluable would it be to get one on one instruction like this.

[@5RustyBin]

god I would love some calm coaching like this

[@lynxerax7011]

I love how much Eric loves lichess

[@Chessdot89]

1100 games in first 5 weeks playing its safe to say I'm addicted. Thanks for your content mate 😉🙌🙏

[@azaz...]

as a beginner this was very helpful to me, many thanks

[@Rommerio007]

Eric for the love of god we need more lessons for beginners from you

[@leobird8756]

Yes please!

[@moistureoner7669]

Would love a vid like this aimed at 1000 rated players! I feel like i know the basics and principles but then how to launch good attacks from there

[@joejitsu034]

I feel you’re at a similar level to me. I know about 10 openings & don’t often just give away pieces but when the middle game starts I know I’m playing at the most elementary level.

[@connorclarke5835]

Hi Eric, can you do a video like this but aimed at a higher level (1800 FIDE)

[@eric-rosen]

I posted one a while ago with a student rated around 1700 focused on a repertoire against the English Opening: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6S9k52XqtaUY9U Will likely do more of these in the future!

[@PraveshJain1991]

@@eric-rosen Just to pile on the requests - please do a video like this aimed at 1200 rated players. :)

[@StevenStJohn-kj9eb]

@@eric-rosen This reminds me a bit of John Bartholomew's "climbing the rating ladder" which was so helpful and interesting. He didn't have the student with him like you do here, but he would analyze the games after playing a 1000 or 1200 or 1400 or whatever. It also reminds be of Jeremy Silman's book The Amateur Mind. But in video form.

[@evanelken4964]

Great material. I’m a little above this player’s level, but listening to Eric’s analysis of these positions was very helpful.

[@monarchgupta2712]

@@eric-rosen can you do a video like this aimed at 1300-1400 players

[@dallaswood4117]

Ha just used some tips given and won two games in a row thanks I like watching more advanced chess videos but this was more helpful to me than just being in awe like I am with the other videos

[@sebastiangonzalezgonzalez2183]

You blow my mind Eric!!!! Thanks for that mastee

[@richardmorschel6266]

Good teacher!

[@spurlworld]

Great video

[@chris15325]

I'd like to see more content like this