3 Rules That Skyrocketed My Chess ELO in 1 Year

[@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/ 💰💲 Join the RCA Affiliate Program, promote our courses, and get 50% commission - chess-teacher.com/partnership/

[@AtheerAsad]

You are a great teacher, sir. You just keep giving these precious advices for free and in the simplest possible ways. God bless you. ❤ Huge respect from Iraq.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@ReflectionOcean]

- Avoid releasing tension by trading pieces unnecessarily (0:34) - Move pieces forward to increase activity and apply pressure (2:53) - Defend by creating counter-threats instead of retreating (9:01) - Develop pieces, castle, and connect rooks as your opening tasks (6:52) - When attacked, look for ways to counter-attack (12:47)

[@SaiyaraLBS]

thank you!!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 3 Key Rules to Improve in Chess 00:22 Game-1 01:08 Rule-1: To take is a mistake 02:36 Tip: Do NOT move your pieces backwards 03:24 Tip: Maintain the tension (let your opponent release it) 04:13 The trap of wishful thinking 05:39 Game-2 06:48 Rule-2: 3 opening tasks you should do 08:51 Game-3 (after I became a GM) 09:18 Rule-3: Offense is the best defense 12:43 Universal rule (works in ANY position) 15:26 Learn the SECRETS of strong chess players

[@terencetembo8382]

Thanks very much? Where do you stay?

[@Magnus2900]

Nice

[@jasonwhitmore7236]

Another great video. I love these because it teaches us how to think as chess players instead of what should I move. Would also be helpful if you could make a Playlist with all these 3 tip videos in them.

[@hondorama]

This is great. Thank you. That was so much good stuff condensed in one video.

[@ThatCzechMapper]

Great stuff! You helped me teach my peak rating of 1048, and that made me really happy!

[@dowaliby1]

Igor, you have helped me immeasurably in a very short time. You teach how to think out of the mediocre box, and this has inspired me and greatly built my confidence. I am seeing tangible results. You are a GM as both a player AND a teacher. Thank you!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you!

[@allanchisulo2710]

This is very instructive. Thank you for sharing your great chess skills.

[@terencetembo8382]

Thanks very much for this courses. Please continue teaching us chess rules and strategies.

[@Phurngirathaana]

Your English is great now! I enjoyed your lessons nevertheless but now they are perfect

[@mastyer0fReality]

I think maintaining tension has been my biggest issue lately. I develop but often do trades that don't help me.

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

When trading, too often people only consider if the material is even. If you don’t lose material by letting *them* trade (or can maneuver to make this the case), never initiate a trade unless there is a *very specific purpose*. Like removing a defender or exposing a king. It also forces you to include more pieces into the game. And is in effect, a “Free” tempo.

[@casbuxMadai]

thanks. very instructive video.

[@davidrobertson1980]

Igor this was one of the most beneficial videos you've made - thanks man.

[@BuzzChess]

You are a brilliant teacher. You made me win my first small chess tournament thanks!

[@saymyname408]

What's ur elo rating?

[@physics2112]

Which of his courses do you most highly recommend?

[@BuzzChess]

@physics2112 I have used one of his paid courses. I think it was the grandmasters secrets. It is excellent. However, if you do not want to pay money, he has a free 1-hour exclusive video on his website, which will be one of the most helpful chess videos you could ever watch.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Congrats!

[@hopeambrose5965]

What's your rating?

[@aarongrooves]

Amazing tips! Thank you!! 🙏

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🙏

[@MyBiPolarBearMax]

Whenever you initiate an equal trade, you are effectively giving the other player a “Free” tempo aka extra move. It should *only* be done for a *very* specific purpose, like removing a defender, exposing a king, or not losing an exchange. Otherwise include your other pieces and improve your position. An extra move is so OP in chess and this alone can help your rating improve vastly. Love the channel Igor! Best Teacher on YT!

[@dowaliby1]

Good observations!

[@fakrulotaku5655]

Very helpful sir, thanks a lot❤

[@Reza090]

Great stuff man thanks.

[@JC8.16]

This is one of my favorite vids of Mr. Smirnov so far! Thank you.

[@cathalcooney1992]

Absolutely brilliant information. I love the way you teach. ❤

[@ItIsYouAreNotYour]

My biggest weakness is pawn breaks and figuring out how to maintain a proper structure in the end game. Sometimes I think it's the best move to keep the structure, but the computer says to take X pawn, which seems losing but it some how works out. So being 100% sure which pawn to take to end up promoting is easily my biggest weakness.

[@Vihaan-p6c]

Honestly I think these videos are great, i went from stuck at 1100 to reaching 1500 and rising fast

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Wow! Great to hear.

[@mitchellcastillo646]

Wow that was very eye opening. Thanks for sharing your insight.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NinjasOfOrca]

Dude! I watched your free 1-hr masterclass. I have solid opening fundamentals, and I routinely get a 1-2 point lead in the opening only to blow it Your 1 hour class taught me the ONE PLAN FOR THE MIDDLEGAME. Admittedly a small sample size, but armed with that one-hour video, I just annihilated a player building an 8 point material advantage over 25 moves. 93% accuracy, including one brilliant move just by focusing my middlegame. Looking forward to more games with your system

[@BobKraemer-s1b]

Very valuable advice! You provide a book full of information but you need to slow down your delivery and allow your important points to sink in! You can also repeat key concepts to reinforce those points you want a student to embrace. Keep sharing your bounty of chess knowledge!

[@marcusminifee3978]

Hands down one of the best online teachers in the game! Thanks Igor…

[@danpatterson6937]

Excellent tips; simple is best and the slower explanation for newbies (me for example) is valuable. Thank you

[@tobiseitz]

Brilliant because it's so actionable. Thanks!

[@mannynunez1481]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🌟 *Chess improvement journey* - Summarizes three key rules for rapid chess improvement. - Shares personal experience of advancing from 1600 to 2260 in a year. - Emphasizes the importance of correct thinking in chess strategy. 04:12 🛡️ *Chess principle: Maintain tension* - Analyzes a chess position where releasing tension leads to a mistake. - Demonstrates the drawback of the seemingly natural move Knight to F3. - Advocates maintaining tension and avoiding premature exchanges. 07:00 🏰 *Chess principle: Connect the Rooks* - Discusses the common dilemma of what to do after developing pieces. - Highlights the importance of connecting the Rooks as a key opening task. - Explains a positional mistake made by playing H6 and Rook to E8. 10:18 ⚔️ *Chess principle: Offense is the best defense* - Illustrates a game where countering an attack leads to a winning position. - Emphasizes surprising the opponent with unexpected counterattacks. - Showcases the power of offensive moves, such as Knight to D3, to dominate. 13:19 🚀 *Universal application of offensive defense* - Discusses the universal application of the principle "offense is the best defense." - Provides examples across various openings, emphasizing counterattacking. - Encourages proactive play instead of reactive defense in different scenarios. Made with HARPA AI

[@TheRealRussell]

@13:04 I actually ran into this exact position yesterday. Some reason I remembered a line where you take on f5 but I think it was from another opening. What I found after reviewing the game, other than that d4 was the right move, is that after exf5 and e4, White can play Nd4! The game is equal but only if Black plays Nf6. Nxd4 is a at least a mistake, if not a blunder. If anyone cares lol.

[@Naborbukv2]

Great video. Thank you.

[@leeemmanuel5661]

Thank u for these videos, they r rly helpful and easy to follow

[@abdurrahmanshaon3181]

You are the best online chess mentor, we are grateful to you. ❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@mikeherbert1343]

Very instructive!

[@guillermopinus]

Excelent content Igor, please continue with this very practical classes!!

[@yairdvora871]

Loved it! Thank you!

[@Rextum]

Such a helpful and matter of fact video. Thank you, sir!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chrisdavidson8525]

Very much enjoying the series, keep it up!

[@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele]

Thank you Igor, this video is very useful!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad to hear that!

[@petrzeidler1201]

Very nice lecture! Thank you. Remind me one of my question. Where can overage person come with hard work and at what level in your opinion will talent take over your further progress? Thank you for the eventual opinion.

[@jccc335]

Great video! Can You make a lesson about modern defense? There is not much films on youtube about this opening. :)

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@andrewhavens9993]

Another excellent video. I very much like your teaching style and the content you share. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? That said, I cannot resist - Ne2+ to drive the King to g1 doesn't seem necessary. 1. Qg1+ R/N x g1 2. Nf2# - or am I missing something?

[@mrmarkstv6585]

Could you please share training routines that you used to get stronger. What is it that you did to be even better than 2000. PS. You are the first GM on youtube that shares how exactly did you become a better player, thanks for that.

[@LauraSsnchez-ug7tt]

Great teacher thank you.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

😃

[@FootballFanatic888]

You are the 🐐! Thank you sir!

[@SangPham-nk7zd]

He makes the best chess videos! Great teacher

[@philip6419]

I really like the way you teach. Ive learned allot since I subscribed a couple weeks ago. Around 11:40 with K-f1, I was somehow thinking P-b4 attacking his Q, with the resulting thoughts of eventually getting his Be3 taken.. either by R-e8 ,[then sacrifice?] with N then back to d3,protecting f2 square for Q to slide up xP for mate. Im thinking at 10:45 that f2 square is the focal point. Just curious.. is that a bad plan?

[@masharawi]

Dude yet again a great video this is helpful

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks dude!

[@GeometricStalemate]

Thank you Igor 😊

[@ChessicalNewbie]

I follow many chess channels and so far this is on of the best. GothamChess is a lot of entertainment and he shares games about current tournaments which is nice, but about learning and improving at chess, this channel and Daniel Naroditsky's channel are the best

[@kayasper6081]

Very helpful! I am ELO 1600 and just discovering these strategies. Thank you so much.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear!

[@ChristianSoschner]

Great explanation

[@kirbo1248]

Moving back is useful for knights when your trying to get in position for a potential fork though usually you should never move back and you should move forward to reach that fork rather than back of possible.

[@knightjaz2598]

THank you for this video. I'm currently rated 2100 blitz on lichess and most of my chess skills and knowledge comes from opening theory from chessable. I find it hard to improve my rating because of the too many variations that you have to remember in the games and you just forget them in the game.. My question is, did you have to learn opening theory on your path to 2260? how about endgames?

[@Young_as_Lenin]

Спасибо, что делишься опытом.

[@mazyzazie4048]

Superb. Again!

[@lucmanaly]

WE NEED MORE VIDEOS LIKE THIS

[@bantanwacono8456]

Interesting lesson, Igor 👍

[@justincaya9995]

Love it great video prince igor

[@Princess_Blue380]

This is the best and most helpful youtube channel for my chess.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Happy to hear that!

[@leszekryniec7054]

Levy is great too, especially if you need to laugh

[@dowaliby1]

@@leszekryniec7054 Yes, Levy is a great entertainer. But IMHO he cannot compare to Igor either as a player or as far as insight and depth of thinking, and the ability to help people improve.

[@johnstevenson9956]

More please!

[@AMatterOfTechnique]

Hello, Do you think some of the courses on your website could be used for players above 2000 FIDE / 2350 online who want to improve their thinking process? I discovered your channel a few weeks ago and really enjoyed the content (I watched all the playlists on techniques/misguided techniques/middlegame etc. but I'm not watching videos on openings & tricks). Thank you and have a good day :)

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for the question. You can checkout these two course which are made for advanced players. online.chess-teacher.com/course/how-to-beat-stronger-opponents/ online.chess-teacher.com/course/calculate-till-mate/

[@theresnothinghere59]

The move i had considered in the first "puzzle" was not even mentioned. Cool xD

[@elderlycatpatriot]

I'm a noob, but I'd like to add one: If your opponent does something that seems completely stupid, *don't be quick to jump on the supposed blunder.* I've had quite a few games where it seemed like I was going to lose no matter what...until I played a really obvious bait move in a desperate last-ditch effort and my opponent took it without hesitation, allowing me to mate in one. Instead, look closely at what your opponent has done - did they really just hang their queen for nothing, or is taking the queen a massive blunder that will cause you to lose? Of course, if it seems that your opponent genuinely did play an idiotic move, punish it! But you shouldn't automatically assume that it's a blunder. Otherwise, _you_ will be the one doing a blunder.

[@clintwarner3008]

Good stuff 👌🏾

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

💯

[@ONeilTD]

7:23 Qd7 looks dangerous after Bb5, Bd6, Ne5 but I guess it works out 10 moves later. Still not the best example, when a6 prior to connecting the rooks, would avoid all these problems.

[@Kimoexe]

9:54 I'm actually so proud I found Nd3 as an online 1050 rated player

[@jacobcarrizales427]

I think a good general principle is that if you are going to play a move they you according to principles is bad it better have immediate forces payoffs.

[@LukasSt95]

Good one!

[@nightmare-dates]

Pretty cool advice

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you think so!

[@tonyaldridge8917]

Strong stuff 💪

[@isaacharkness6235]

Nice one

[@zI-Meta-Iz]

You should post a video of you playing some live games. Im sure we'd all love to watch

[@Vincy._.jaiswal_0.7]

the three golden rules 1. offense is the best defense 2. know the basics of chess opening that develop your pieces and castle and connect your rooks 3. to take is a mistake

[@walterbrownstone8017]

It really is these simple rules make the difference. I have problems with remembering them during a game. I was thinking of writing down a list of Igor's rules and keeping them beside me while I play online. That's not wrong, is it?

[@dowaliby1]

I know of no chess rule that forbids it.

[@walterbrownstone8017]

@@dowaliby1 I decided to just write notes in the note section of the pgn. To this day I launch an attack before I'm fully developed.

[@wesselknobbe7307]

Isn't Re8 better in game 2?

[@droussel7359]

I'd love to play so badly that I could reach 1600 😅 But even for me trying to cross the 1000 level, this is super insightful, thanks!

[@adsencely.adsencely7123]

sounds good

[@ebalim]

Magnus might be the greatest chess player but I think you are the greatest instructor of the game😊

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

😳

[@bharath2410]

When he said I played the worst move, f6 I was ashamed that I was thinking about the same move. Then I realized that I am a 1600, and he was a 1600 when he played it. 😂😂😂

[@darrylkassle361]

Dude forget about chess you should be selling courses on how to age slowly. You don't look like you have aged much. What do you eat???

[@daddykool9507]

I do always hope my opponent cooperated 😂 that’s why my rating stuck at 1800 😂

[@gabrielfernandezmendiguchi5768]

❤❤❤❤

[@chessx6847]

1600, 35 y.o.

[@theunknowmaBS]

To take is a mistake

[@omprakashsen3358]

12:01 mate in 2 ......possible......queen f1(rook takes queen) then knight e2 mate

[@vascowhite]

D4 x E2

[@mombuto]

Nope. White doesn't have to capture with the rook or Knight. He will capture with the king. And then no more knight e2 mate...😢 That's why you need to do the sequence shown in the video😊

[@brokenpromisesproductions8606]

Young Ivan rocks.

[@LiorAssouline]

3 games please

[@Psycommander]

We are about to have our Intramurals here in the Philippines and after watching your vids I've been destroying most of my friends in chess and I hope I get to win on our Intramurals 😄

[@greamespens1460]

I would have moved the porn too. Great I am only a year behind. All the best

[@psychosid7516]

Let the board on right side of the screen