Fischer's Rule Will Prevent 50% of Your Chess Mistakes

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In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov teaches you the golden chess rule that was used by the former world chess champion Bobby Fischer. Learning this single chess rule will help you stop making blunders, lose less often, and increase your chess performance tremendously.
You will learn this rule from several illustrative examples, including the games of Bobby Fischer himself in which he has implemented this golden chess rule and won games easily!
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► Chapters
00:00 Chess rule to prevent blunders and improve your performance
00:09 Example-1
00:57 Example-2
01:42 Most common chess mistakes/blunders [Prevent them]
02:26 Bobby Fischer's Golden Chess Rule
03:26 Example-3: Donald Byrne vs Bobby Fischer
04:44 Example-4: Bobby Fischer vs Laszlo Barczay
07:39 Puzzle of the day
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#IgorNation #ChessRules #ChessStrategy #ChessBlunders #BobbyFischer #ChessTips
Thumbnail photo: David Attie/Getty Images

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🎯 Get the Clear Blueprint to Elevate Your Chess Performance. Learn "The Secrets of Strong Players" - online.chess-teacher.com/course/the-secrets-of-strong-players/

[@hchandu3366]

Literally fell in ❤ with the provided information. For me this gonna be 1st principle of chess " Neutralize the pieces if they enter your teritory". Great video and explain man🎉.

[@nth7273]

You are an underrated chess teacher! Thanks for your work!

[@nth7273]

Do you have a favorite chess channel (other than your own)?

[@neilrhyanllumpera8712]

in 3:25 Black can still go with Nxh3

[@ernestcooper3316]

I want to really learn this game of chess, I mean being a strong player Help me out

[@rxw5520]

I’ve studied chess casually on and off for years, I’ve read beginner books, watched hundreds of videos and played thousands of games, and whenever people discuss how to analyze a position, I’ve NEVER heard anyone just simply say “notice the pieces on your half of the board and neutralize them”. I mean sure you notice where pieces are, but most of us low-intermediates when we see a position, we count material, count attackers and defenders of everything, look for checks, forks, skewers, look to pin something, etc. If none of this jumps out, it’s like ok what now? Increase piece activity? Pawn break?? This idea of neutralizing opponents pieces in your territory “should” be assumed, but it isn’t, so thanks for pointing it out. Failure to address this has caused me a lot of losses as I neglect the first piece into my territory and it snowballs into brutal tactics and mate threats.

[@activepieces]

Agreed, and I am a professional chess coach and Candidate Master

[@cedricgist7614]

You're the first comment I've read - and I tip my hat to you! I just resumed playing after decades of aversion to the game and judging from your comments, you're light-years ahead of me in study, puzzles, and competition. I don't feel like I've been looking for shortcuts, but I have been seeking principles that I can regularly apply with the necessary flexible mindset. Your comment arrested me because with all your experience and exposure, you're telling me that none of the experts you've read or heard simplified board vision to, "Neutralize invaders." I know it's more complicated than that - but man, with all the complexities and nuances of this game, it's nice to latch on to something that seems simple and common sense. Let me end by saying that it seems common sense is an uncommon commodity. Thanks for your comment.

[@jumpingship3001]

First time I've heard this to.

[@DexterHaven]

I studied chess casually for years too... now I wear pants.

[@AJBTemplar]

It's actually commonly recommended. Last time I saw it was either Anna Cramling (months ago) or one of the Botez girls.

[@fizzahyder2965]

If this prevents 50 percent of my mistakes, I'll just watch it 2 times 😎

[@aresorum]

The joke's on you; you'll still make 25% of the mistakes you used to do.

[@hoon_sol]

@@aresorum: I watched it a million times.

[@mattt180]

@@hoon_sol That would take you nearly 16 years on a video that's been out 7 months. That and the video clearly says 741k views. Checkmate!

[@hoon_sol]

@@mattt180: I downloaded it and watched it fast-forwarded by a factor of a million; it took me a bit less than one minute. Check and mate!

[@jeffkaplan9486]

I had to pause the video "A smart man knows how to get out of trouble, A wise man doesn't get in to trouble" Igor... YOU ARE THE BEST !!!

[@aparnarai3708]

I have heard a different version A smart man solves a problem, a wise one avoids it.

[@BlindHatchet]

That was a great line!

[@DexterHaven]

I knew Hunter Biden wasn't the one who said that first too.

[@upisntdownsilly]

@@aparnarai3708 trouble is more accurate than problem, you can stay out of trouble but youre always going to need to solve problems

[@KororaPenguin]

Of course, away from the chessboard even the very wise cannot see all ends.

[@ChessBitez]

Solution to the puzzle: 1.Rxg7+ Kxg7 2.Ne6+ wins the queen with a fork 1.Rxg7+ Kh8 2.Rxh7+ Nxh7 3.Qxh7# 1.Rxg7+ Kh8 2.Rxh7+ Kg8 3.Qg6#

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

Beautiful

[@okechukwuokeagu]

Beautiful

[@u.nagarajvaidya7827]

😮wow

[@germinat0r]

I'm new to chess - I get that outcomes 2 and 3 are perfect, but why is the first (and most likely one to happen) reason enough for black to resign? Black would lose the queen, but still has 2 rooks and a knight against a queen and a rook?

[@GTAfresch]

@@germinat0r Because of king safety, blacks King is exposed and it would end in a nice hunt for white

[@Om-nq3sl]

The rule is: 2:27 If opponents piece is in your half of the board, try to get it out of there. It can be done by trading pieces or pushing the opponents piece back into his half

[@HeavenStudiosOfficial]

THANKS FOR SAVING ME 9 MINUTES.

[@3300flavio]

Thanks

[@jongler9775]

This advice is pure gold. About the last puzzle, I would say Rxg7+ If king takes the rook, you fork with the Knight and take the black queen. If it doesn't take, he gets mated in a few moves. Crazy stuff.

[@mysticseven6578]

I saw that, but is the attempt much of a gain for white? The captures end in white trading a knight and rook for a queen, while black’s pawn structure remains in tact going into the end game. Sure, a queen and rook have the potential to rip those pawns apart if they can infiltrate black’s territory, but black still seems to have fighting chances. I’m not sure if it’s a notable enough win for white. (Though for all I know stockfish has this position as a mate in 5 or something.)

[@grenvthompson]

@@mysticseven6578 Stockfish says Rxg7 is the only winning move at around +7.5 - after the trade you also get dxc5, giving yourself a passed pawn - and adding 2 pawns to the trade (don't forget the original pawn the rook took). Also Stockfish says g6 by Black is slightly better than Nf6 - but white plays Re1 and Qe2 and has a lot of threats that black cannot properly defend.

[@ThePatriots010304]

It's 100% worth it because white trades a knight and rook for the queen and 2 pawns with a passed pawn on C5. It's a queen and rook vs 2 rooks and a knight with white also being up 2 pawns. Black is in horrible shape and can't sufficiently defend this position. It's winning every single time for white.

[@heesable]

what about Ne6?@@mysticseven6578

[@bradallen1762]

Not only all of that after taking the queen next move I would think is best would be dxc5 creating 2 isolated pawns in that position and all of whites pawns are connected. As long as there isn’t a major blunder it should be unstoppable

[@Jasterouge]

The problem is that long range pieces don’t need to be in your half of the board to be a threat. That’s what really catches many players.

[@jaydenkumar4695]

5:08 thats why he covers that as well

[@abpolsci27]

The reason bishop is slightly better than knight.

[@rodrigomesquita25]

@@abpolsci27 exactly

[@rasmachris94]

I think the principle here is 'most active' rather than just simplifying it down to whatever is on your side of the board. It's whatever is applying pressure to your side of the board in terms of threat potential. A queen staring across the board with none of their pieces on your side is most likely the biggest threat, then rook/bishop. If you have a knight on your side of the board that's obviously going to be your main concern. When you distil a game down to board states like the one at 5:33 the rooks dont have line of sight to apply pressure, neither does the queen and the knights are too far away to make a one turn impact. The only piece that is aiming down sights at your pieces is the bishop. And assuming that the bishop didnt have a line of sight to your pieces, you should be concerned about pawn breaks to open up the sight lines of their more powerful pieces. so locking the pawns in place so they have to make a mistake in moving their more powerful pieces into disadvantageous spots would be best.

[@adammcallister9675]

I ALWAYS exploit this when possible. People ALWAYS forget eventually.

[@mazenahmed2269]

I think the answer to the puzzle is 1.Rxg7+,Kxg7 2.Ne6+ and you grab the queen on the next move

[@redribbon9432]

Umm bt still both are losing equal points... White losing rook and knight and black queen

[@bjornkvaale6464]

No it’s +2 for white since you would get the pawn

[@ssj4stone269]

Yep that's what I think

[@judemorales4U]

I agree with your moves but although you fork black queen and rook, she can move. And she would. Then you take black rook and you will lose your knight. So you cannot just take her.

[@mikemahalo8290]

@@judemorales4U but the king is in check by the knight

[@cliffberry1900]

What I love about Igor's excellent method of teaching is that he involves you and makes you pause and really think. Otherwise I've just found myself passively following along with many other teachers- and learning VERY little.

[@anhada.8347]

Hey what about chess vibes

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Engaging with the material instead of just passively following along can truly make all the difference. Your feedback is appreciated!

[@darrylkassle361]

@@anhada.8347 his great too. Like Igor he explains everything in a way even hacks like me can easily understand what's going in. His actually in hospital at the moment with a life threatening blood clot!!! Igor is just as good but unlike a lot of educators he also has a great understanding of the psychology of chess and what to study and why and which methods are best. He has a PhD in psychology i think. What I am really impressed with having studied language before is how well he speaks English. Fascinates me how some people speak as well in a language as a native speaker yet grow up in non English speaking countries.

[@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele]

It's also a good channel @@anhada.8347

[@OregonMikeH]

@@anhada.8347 COMMENT OF YOURS IS WELL DESERVES IN THAT BOTH THESE TEACHERS EMPLOY THIS UTMOST IMPORTANT TEACHING AID, HOWEVER I WOULD APPRECIATE IGOR PROVIDING HIS PERSONAL SOLUTION SOMEWHERE IN THE LATER STRING OF COMMENTS.

[@dinos7318]

i like how crystal clear your lessons are. A friend of mine, who is a much more capable player than me, recommended your lessons - and guess what, they seem to be equally valueable for many players of different levels. Please keep up that amazing work.

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

Remember the corollary of this idea: dont trade off your active pieces! When you can, develop your pieces into the opponents territory as far as you safely can! (Igor did another video on this concept). Love the stuff, Igor, best Chess teacher on YT 👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

👍

[@cronoscraiss330]

Can you link the other video Igor made that you mentioned, please? :)

[@Zaral7]

This seems like such a simple concept that I've not seen presented in any of the other chess training/studying I've done so far. It's been really helpful, thanks!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear! Yes, this is rarely discussed.

[@jhcmusicii6181]

This is the kind of Grandmaster advice that most Grandmaster keep a secret. Thank you it makes analyzing high level games more understandable. I've always noticed that even the best chess players don't really calculate better until the end game when there are fewer pieces but they somehow manage to get the advantage early on in a game. This is one way how. Amazing. I'm my own games I've noticed that the piece in my territory while not a threat initially the opponent will sooner or later find a way to hang you with it. It's limited my chess rankings to a max of 1650 at my best because I never even thought of the idea of neutralizing a threat. I'm more of a bring down the hammer kind of a player. Problem of course if I don't handle that threat then the opponents hammer might be faster than mine.

[@sammarks9146]

Excellent tip! I have tried to do this in games, but it has been more of a casual thought up until now. Definitely going to make it part of my strategy!

[@gcjacob]

One more very nice lesson, Igor! Thank you very much!

[@markhenrychristensen]

I love and admire the amount of effort you put into simplifying all your rules of engagement as much as I love your actual rules. 👍👌

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anthonylesar7337]

Another excellent chess rule explained in such a way that you will never forget it. Thanks !

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Chess rule to prevent blunders and improve your performance 00:09 Example-1 00:57 Example-2 01:42 Most common chess mistakes/blunders [Prevent them] 02:26 Bobby Fischer's Golden Chess Rule 03:26 Example-3: Donald Byrne vs Bobby Fischer 04:44 Example-4: Bobby Fischer vs Laszlo Barczay 07:39 Puzzle of the day

[@Rat.s]

❤❤

[@AlexScorpionVn]

In description please

[@eufrosniad994]

Thank you for this. Just one comment as feedback. At first I was about to give a dislike and leave the video because it felt like you were just doing a puzzle video with a click bait title. Luckily, I watched until you introduce the rule. It would have been good if you started with the rule and then went to puzzles to illustrate the point.

[@cronoscraiss330]

Well I found it good that way he did it.. because this forced us a bit to think for ourselves and to see that we eventually not yet think the way Fisher does, as we might consider other moves. Also he actually does say, that he will show the rule just in a bit, and then he goes through those examples once again. So you really experience the difference of finding moves using the new rule. ❤

[@zackfishman3245]

Great concept, explained brilliantly! Thank you.

[@barbarabarry3799]

This was really helpful! Thank you

[@death826able]

Puzzle solution: Rxg7+ If Kh8, then Rxh7+ leads to a checkmate after Nxh7 and Queen takes Knight If Kxg7, then Ne6+ forks the King and Queen

[@captainoldspices3119]

This is gold. Thank you, Smirnov!

[@n0denz]

This is really really helpful. One of the things that kept me out of the game for so long is my issue with visualizing things. I'm terrible at seeing shapes in my head, doing mental math, and stuff of that nature. I thought that in order to be good at chess, you needed to be able to play out scenarios in your head, entire games based on the first move. It's nice to know otherwise.

[@thetransferaccount4586]

this rule is really simple yet so easily overlooked, thank you

[@leedsmanc]

Thank you for actually providing the valuable lesson promised in your video title!

[@davidken4344]

Hi Igor...love all your lessons and would be great to meet you one day. You are an absolute inspiration😊

[@ChristianSoschner]

That’s an amazing piece of information. Thanks for sharing

[@r7diego]

Such a simple and mind blowing concept ! Thanks !

[@mazyzazie4048]

Superb analysis, lucid teaching, as usual.

[@nexonofc]

I have your course of positional understanding like GM's and I got all answers correct !! thank you

[@ngtecksen7298]

Sincerely GM Igor, this is very useful. Thank you for the tip, hope you recruits someone for the manager role soon. 😆

[@Crisslendin_]

Excellent narration. I will follow up constantly

[@Kevin-xj4ni]

Appreciate you a lot for making this free.

[@balasavenedintulashabalbeoriwe]

He is a great teacher and makes this Chess game very enjoyable to learn!

[@clintcheshire7613]

Excellent tip and teaching. Thank you.

[@peterbrown6224]

Rxg7+, either a royal fork if Kxg7, or hunt the King on h8 with your Rook. Some excellent tips in this episode, thank you!

[@pokerchannel6991]

I see. that is really simple and pretty straightforward. Neutralize the active pieces of the enemy. It is a good directive and gives our side the easy answer as to which moves to make.

[@hololiveenjoyer5655]

Thanks I needed this, I was 1300 blitz a month ago, then a lot of stuff happened even my elo lowered down to a whopping 1000. Trying to get my groove back and perhaps get even better.

[@minukaasel]

This is GOLDEN indeed, Thanks for sharing!!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💡 Register to GM Igor Smirnov's FREE Masterclass "The Best Way to Improve at Chess INSTANTLY" - chess-teacher.com/masterclass 💲 Join the RCA Affiliate Program, promote our courses, and get 50% commission - chess-teacher.com/partnership/

[@shanindtheeed]

Really helpful,, thank you 👍👍

[@HearterSG]

you always hear about attacking chess, but this 'defensive chess' rule is really useful. thanks!

[@eoghaininfacundodiarmuid]

Thank you. I will keep this Fischer rule by heart

[@zianandfriends]

Thank for this info bro this will definetilely help alot of games especially the most important ones

[@borg304]

Super helpful . I will try it !

[@stefanosias7422]

Brilliant video and advice!

[@munashematangira4870]

I love how Igor’s courses have made me brilliantly lazy…I don’t have to think too much to play strong moves …Activity Activity Activity!!!🔥

[@zpiks6729]

This is such a pretty simple vision of chess but clearly the most accurate, thank you for this !

[@Hailmich10]

Very instructive and easy to understand!-Thanks!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks!

[@williamarthur5336]

Thanks for this great lesson ! About the last puzzle: Rxg7+. If black takes with the king, then Ne6 forks black's king and queen and black will lose the queen. If black doen't take the rook with the king, then it has to move the king to h8 and it becomes mate in 2 for white: first Rxh7+ then black could play Kxh7 and then white will play Qxh7#. If black plays Kg8 then Qg6#

[@ryanscott3261]

I guess you need to recognize when the urgent priority is a defensive/damage control posture before trying to mount your own attack. If you can't 'outrace' the opponent then you should seek to stabilize the losing position first and foremost.

[@ramongoroth]

Great video. Really helpful

[@xplicitmike]

I like this. It's so obvious but I never heard this before. I'll try to implement it in my games going forward!

[@theUroshman]

Your video lessons are genuine pearls of chess wisdom, and your sense of humor is awesome as well!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you like them!

[@LauraSsnchez-ug7tt]

Excelente clase. Beautiful game. Thanks.

[@bigandtallfilms]

Love your videos man keep up the great work!

[@CT2507]

Very good way of thinking and building of a good habit. Exactly what i was looking for. Thanks!

[@McLKeith]

What a simple and great idea to improve at chess. Thank you Igor.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Absolutely!

[@kobe51]

Thanks Igor🙂

[@crosbypasses14]

This is extremely helpful! Thanks!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Daniel-G-P]

Another amazing video. Igor is the best.

[@juancruztrueba5310]

Thank you very much for the tips greetings from Argentina.

[@aaronf.186]

Makes sense. Most of us under 1500 ELO tend to ignore what our opponent is doing until it’s too late. We’re so caught up in our own tactics, we get caught off guard. So addressing the attacker proactively solves this problem without having to figure out our opponent’s idea.

[@sa9245]

I feel like my problem is I'm one or the other. I can play defensively and try to stop my opponent from doing what they want. Or I can try and create an attack for myself. But if I'm playing defensive I feel like I'm too passive and I don't get to create opportunities to attack or even simple counter play. I basically feel like I'm on the back foot for the entire game and my hope is that they create their own problems. Either by a straight up blunder or even just over extending themselves too much.

[@Liberty_Freedom_Brotherhood]

Brilliant video thank you 🙏

[@rlevans0602]

Excellent video as always Igor! Well done

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bertrc2569]

Thank you!

[@thomasrad5202]

there is a reason fischer was one of the greatest of all time, in order to simplify such complexities into such a simple and actionable rule gives us a glimpse into his mastery over the game.

[@Justus-ji1nc]

This helped me so much thank you

[@ramongadellaa6889]

Great tips! Going to try this

[@seanhammer6296]

This is a good principle. I'm going to incorporate it into my play.

[@samthegamer4910]

brilliant video !!

[@stephenbaka]

Brilliant advice.

[@wa1ufo]

Great! Thanks!

[@imienazvvisko]

Cool video, and cool that instead of your picture you post something related to video! ;)

[@ddenti99]

Thanks, Igor! Great tip!!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you liked it!

[@mariowario2280]

Great content...thank you

[@jamesreed4483]

Very nice video thank you. This idea reminds me of the cautious way Petrosian played.

[@brianbennett2397]

I greatly appreciate your teaching and chess channel. Thank you.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@PhoenixCrown]

Great principle to follow. Thanks!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Welcome!

[@Spar10Chess]

You never disappoint, thanks for this tip.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

👍

[@silentbullet2023]

great lesson, much tanks.

[@algebraist1997]

Ke2 was my first choice at the start of the video because I'm very defensive and passive, any knight in the center or just off center I like to get rid of having been burned too many times with unseen forks and so on.

[@markroudebush7844]

this is really useful, thanks

[@worshaka]

Puzzle solution: Rxg7 is the move, if Kxg7 then Ne6+ forking the King and Queen, otherwise if Kh8 then Rxh7+ and black decides how mate is given between Nxh7, Qxh7# or Kg8, Qg6# At least I think, I'm still shaky on calculating without moving the pieces for visual confirmation.

[@keithwhittington1322]

Blast the pawn and fork'em royal. Thanks for the lessons. I'm learning, still kinda suck, but learning.

[@unixue1]

Thank you for this solid information. I am 700 elo and am aiming to get to 1000 and I feel like the 8 minutes of this video have been a completely great use of my time learning about threats and your teaching about Bobby's rule. Thank you very much. PS. I subbed 😀

[@eatyourfuckingcereal9362]

Also remember that offense is sometimes the best defense. Instead of exchaging, you can try to create an even bigger threat on the enemy's side and neutralizing their attacking piece that way.

[@arshdhillon4934]

I am here just for Igor He is only teacher worth listening and watching ❤

[@paulsmith2188]

Brilliant!

[@billyrodriguez9499]

The answer to the chest puzzle is rook takes g7, if the king takes the Rock night to e6 making it a family fork! If King to h8 rook takes h7, and if night takes 87 Queen to h7 checkmate. And the only other option is if King to G8 and then Queen to g6 checkmate!

[@D0nkkkkkk]

this could be your best video to date

[@iatethecarrot]

great video!

[@Drawfill]

Pretty good advices! As someone who plays mostly bullet, I don't really have time to come up with a plan sometimes and this just makes it way way easier to plan my defense/attack without thinking TOO much.

[@CousinJamess]

Bullet is the biggest reason why lower rated players dont grow fast. Bullet completely hinders your ability to learn more thoughtful chess. if you want to play better stop playing bullet and play 10 min and higher.

[@Drawfill]

​@@CousinJamess Yes i'm aware... but I just won't do it. 10 minutes+ is just not fun for me idk

[@JulioSerrano2015]

a very useful tip! 😎

[@scacchifilosofia]

Wonderfully insightful, thanks!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chessbrilliance8783]

It's so logical and intuitive thing to do.

[@bastianvalero4612]

If you'll keep teaching like this, then I don't have other choice than subbing

[@superawesomepayton6038]

On both examples I said the move that was played, as soon as I was told what the rule was, I immediately though Qe7 to get rid of that queen. I will definitely try this in future games

[@AkshayDeoke]

Igor may not be world no. 1 in chess, but he is world no. 1 in teaching chess. He teaches chess so simply. My game has improved a lot watching these videos. Thank you.