How to Crush a 500, Every Step Explained

Hikaru plays as a 500 in UNRATED games and explains how to beat them.
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[@gnarfle]

Imagine thinking you played a move that made Hikaru really think for a minute but then you watch it later and realize he was just talking about ancient history and barely noticing the game.

[@chagavah]

lmao

[@praveenguleria5212]

Same

[@JK8]

How does world number two draw against an 1800 player😮

[@GeloLego99]

😊😊х😊

[@atle5153]

and eating....xD

[@anthonysaab9359]

Opponent: plays 3rd move Hikaru: “and now they’ve lost the game”

[@oleggindota8358]

Fr 😂

[@naskomsm]

yeah... lol

[@Tyler-lv6dv]

This comment had me in tears laughing

[@Cubewizz-nr]

i was about to comment this actually

[@ricardomago4997]

JJAJA

[@bendontran3605]

-Hikaru explaining every step -Hikaru proceeds to premove mate in 3

[@rxuledits]

alr im not the type of person that goes how does this comment not have any comments let me fix that, but 1k likes and no comments is insane

[@writam77]

Second

[@JohnDoe-JohnDoe]

@@rxuledits ur litteraly that type of person now

[@rxuledits]

@@JohnDoe-JohnDoe give ur mum her phone back

[@X_Wing1]

@@rxuledits it ain't even that insane bro

[@cycling_posts6423]

so glad to see this nakamura fellow progress past the 500 elo mark, its been so amazing to see him grow across the years, maybe one day he will be the next hikaru

[@HopefulOrange]

bro is this real was he at the time around 500 elo

[@HopefulOrange]

@cameronl1859 ye

[@DetectiveConan990v3]

@@HopefulOrange yeah this is 100% real

[@jeremytitus9519]

@@DetectiveConan990v3it’s crazy to look back at those crazy times and reminisce

[@pianosenzanima1]

Indeed, time flies

[@04WELLYDEEP]

Beginner moves pawn forward on turn 5 Hikaru "see this is the problem, he pushes the wrong pawn and now he's gonna lose the game" Me as a 600 rated player "😢"

[@HelenaBeil-m6y]

True

[@typicalwalrusk8424]

I was doubtful if Hikaru could beat a 500, but apparently he has the capabality.

[@ac4694]

Barely though

[@gregpeck0]

Spoiler alert!

[@moonknight6426]

but does he know how to play an English system though?

[@binks3371]

yes, with some engine assistance

[@WKogut]

As a 500, I can confirm that Hikaru wouldn't be able to beat me

[@miketorok4536]

Imagine thinking your opponent is taking time trying figure out your latest clever move when in reality he’s explaining to thousands of people how you’re f**king up.

[@cj5273]

That's me fr

[@dake-t9k]

@cj5273 it's not you

[@Phoenix3568]

this is actually a really good review about how to punish bad openings. This is definitely something I need a lot of work on

[@kurrygan]

Yeah i hate these b3 openings

[@sadigov]

yeah you’ve been bad and need to be punished 😮

[@Gweebi]

​@@sadigovyo wat

[@pendingchannelname627]

Finally! I’ve been playing chess for years and the 500s always get me

[@GardenChess]

Only thing you need to beat a 500 is the ability to play chess for more than 2 weeks and a functioning brain

[@sws250]

​@@GardenChesswell that's not nice

[@pendingchannelname627]

@@GardenChessI tend to need a chessboard as well, but I guess you’re just that much better than me!

[@suresanrahul5646]

@@GardenChess Just out of curiosity, should a functioning brain be able to understand humor?

[@AstralisNavi]

I hope Youre joking, I started playing chess one year and a half ago, and im already 1850 Blitz, Bullet and Rapid

[@MrSnufullahfahgess]

It's insane how Hikaru is single-handedly changing the way the average chess player plays chess, given modern times and the access we have to all of his content and teachings. It's amazing.

[@Astroqualia]

I have this invention that will change everything. It's round like a watermelon and rolls, and you can put a frame on it and carry loads across distance. It's amazing.

[@SilentArc]

It’s stupid crazy. That’s like if Lebron taught basketball while in the NBA to recreational players in the YMCA.

[@i.ehrenfest349]

@@Astroqualiathe wheel?

[@artemkatelnytskyi]

When I listen to Hikaru everything makes so much sense and I see more moves, but when I play it's as if I look at the chessboard under water. 😅😂

[@zombieninjapitbull3856]

Narrate your own games... time and place could make things awkward, but the narration makes can make you more analytical.

[@artemkatelnytskyi]

@@zombieninjapitbull3856 thanks for the tip. 👍

[@bonface221]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@fheadmemes1368]

You got me there... 🤣🤣

[@sarchie3544]

This is my weakness as well like I know I'm dumb but dang am I really THIS dumb?😂

[@Composer_]

Such a useful video, I love how he talked through every move and gave explanations. Way more valuable than any lesson you can pay for.

[@severoon]

21:30 The confidence to offer Hikaru a draw from a lost position. 😆

[@jaksdh-u4t]

Nice! 0:13 Spanish opening 3:07 Black against modern opening 8:12 Scotch opening 14:23 Scotch opening 22:00 Caro kann defense 28:15 Standard spanish to 4 knights 33:34 ??? 40:32 Advance french 46:40 Scotch opening 50:00 Scotch opening 52:53 Classic gucci piano 40:32 Advance French 50:00 Scotch Opening

[@singaldhruvds]

Amazing content, thank you so much!

[@fademusic1980]

Hikaru I just wanted to say it was a joy watching you at the chess cup even though I know it didn't go the way you wanted. some very good chess on display

[@marcmoore4069]

This was very nice of you bro. You seem like a genunely cool dude lol

[@pepethefrog6837]

Agree

[@Your_Daily_Scroll]

"WAIT HE PLAYS AT 6AM?!?!?! >:c" "Just do it?" *visibly disgusted at the thought of getting up at 5am to cover chess at 6am*

[@freak2681]

Hey hikaru, It would also be helpful if you could tell us what the opponent should be doing to get in proper shape again.

[@syndrac6254]

Instructions unclear got scholars mated by a 500.

[@thesilentpearl8575]

You mean fool’s mate? 😂

[@cloud5464]

@@thesilentpearl8575isn’t fool’s mate the 2 move one

[@thesilentpearl8575]

@@cloud5464 yeah

[@HowThatHappen]

This is way above my head. Need a tutorial on how to beat a 200 please thanks

[@UniMatrix_1]

fr lol

[@BradPwnsU]

If you just play chess like 10x a day for 3 months you’ll easily crush 200’s

[@abhisheknag7177]

this is very helpful for chess fans, I wish hikaru wud do this more often, the more complex games are understood by only by very high ranked players

[@kylbarry4466]

yeah most viewers are trash (me) to mid

[@jplayah5264]

I like how Hikaru has these games so comfortably under control that he can stop in the middle of the game for 30 seconds to look something up on the internet.

[@some1and297]

I feel think this is good advice for me (1300), never mind a 500 lol. For 500's the main thing is just like don't lose all your pieces.

[@cshepard09]

as a former 500 who recently hit 1000 i can say the opening really changed alot for me. simply being able to know certain openings at an elementary level and knowing their potential strengths made my games a lot easier. A lot of people at my ELO can be beaten by simply countering their opening, then they get kind of stuck

[@user-td4do3op2d]

I like how Hikaru is surprised the 1700 is playing much better than the 700.

[@BlueLOUill]

hikaru im 2000 and the trick at 46:35 with splitting the rooks blew my mind i cant believe ive never seen/thought of that thanks so much for making these videos with the pinnacle of speed chess’ insight

[@davidshatto7604]

I’m not that high rated, but still as a 1400 I’ve been in that situation a few times and scratched my head trying to figure out how to mate, and now it will definitely stick with me!

[@iambelzar]

I love how confident Hikaru is just chilling beating everyone while eating a sandwich 🥪 lol 😂

[@pri012]

He's always like this in online

[@alhfgsp]

@@pri012 Or he's focused because another super GM is on his level giving him a challenging game.

[@ducky169]

Thank you for your inspiration. One of the best players in the world missing mate in 1 right after talking about it gives me the confidence I need 😅

[@angelthman1659]

39:46 Hikaru missed mate in one. He explained it prior to this, but then didn't do it.

[@sirkiz1181]

Yeah also noticed this, very funny

[@ARMYxDUD]

He sacrificed.... THE CHECKMATE!!!!!!!!

[@joker-j7591]

Not only that…I think he also missed the black’s queen may capture the light square bishop at b6 when Bb7 was played?

[@ShadowZx22]

It couldn't cuz the queen was protecting.​@@joker-j7591

[@crymaker9628]

actually he didn t, he explained right before that if i recall right, that he doesn t wanna end it right away to make it more educational, right when he explained it too

[@DanChickHolla]

12:00 - “It’s taking my opponent a minute to respond to my bishop d7, he must be squirming from that move!” my opponent: when a lot of people think of hannibal, they think of hannibal lector but I’m talking about the great general from the punic wars …

[@klq95]

“There’s nothing he can do here rather than lose” - NAKAMURA, Hikaru

[@Ocelot44194]

this is so helpful, straight to the point explanations. thanks GM!

[@chad0x]

I love the speed with which you pick up on their mistakes finding mates.

[@nunyabusiness4606]

the way he just premoved that checkmate at the beginning, holy shit, goes to show what a level GMs are really at compared to a 500

[@MirceaRenchez]

Oponent: Concentrates as much as he can Hikaru: 'eating and trashtalking while premoving all the game'

[@cisp360]

I really like this series man. Very informative and inspiring.

[@ATTACK_CAMP_]

Gotham: crazy move Hikaru: he lost

[@IMstudying2]

one of the goats is back at it! helping people who are struggling at 500+ is awesome as now i can show my friends this ❤ thank you very much !

[@igdes1]

I love chess. It's an incredible game. Sadly, I suck so bad. I've probably played 10 12 thousands games and I still blunder 2 or 3 times a game. Just can't seem to add up the moves. Still love it and will still continue to play.

[@spasegeek9214]

That would be normal amounts. Unless youre like an IM

[@bartholomewtheiiijr.386]

What time control are you playing? Are you analyzing your games?

[@kil683]

Play longer time controls and resist the urge to just bust out moves. You will easily cross 1000-1200

[@antonis5999]

Read opening theory and do more puzzles, helped me a lot

[@haroldcruz8550]

Chess knowledge is not your problem, it's focus and patience or maybe chess is simply not for you.

[@Rigoglioso]

4:51 Him:daammn he's thinking a lot for this move, he's in trouble and he don't know what to do Hikaru:eating

[@smithmichael8144]

The way you essentially ripped the door off his little king bunker when you wanted that diagonal battery was terrifying lmao. The knight couldnt save him, the queen couldnt stop it, i think there was a rook at one point that got destroyed. It was brutal

[@KatherineConway-f3p]

this is so helpful, straight to the point explanations. thanks GM!. You’re the best GM Hikaru, thank you for your time..

[@sherylbegby]

I'm impressed with your classics knowledge, Hikaru. I nearly topped my country in classics in my last year of high school. I loved it, and I love the classics references on Brooklyn99:"Wunsch, if you're here, who's guarding Hades?" My favorite story is when Xerxes I has his men lash the sea with chains and red-hot pokers to punish it for destroying his pontoon bridge. Oh, boy. So many good stories. Poor Dido, throwing herself on the pyre. Great video by the way. I always end up embarrassing myself with the Scotch, so I love this demonstration.

[@ez8827]

Imagine being on the other side, 1750 being crushed by a 500, emotional damage bruh

[@relacks]

He played the same 1700 two times 😭

[@npc2.010]

*500 elo WHAT A JOOKE😂* It was their last words before being murdered

[@jefftaylor1186]

Probably a much higher rated player on a newer account or one he doesn’t play rated games on that much.

[@AaritChandala-r5w]

I started playing chess around when this video was published - this will be a time stamp for me.

[@superfinisher3905]

the only satisfying line was "OK lets keep going"

[@mattkennedy371]

Great content. Being a 500-600 player, this kind of thing is super helpful.

[@marcuscoe2020]

39:51 Hikaru misses checkmate, Q-G2

[@VagabondQ8]

I was looking for this comment

[@Pragmaphil]

@@VagabondQ8me too

[@richardv.582]

Loved ancient history! Still do. Battle of Cannae! One of Romes worst defeats , at the hands of Hannible.

[@iambrianlevy]

..and after fewer than 10 moves, Hikaru is completely winning.

[@Biskawow]

The random noob resigns, because there is nothing left to do?

[@HorusGaming12]

'He has nothing he can do here other than lose' 14:05...Wow what a potential chess player lol

[@WeeNiallYT]

You know, watching Hikaru go into endgames just one pawn up against ~500s gave me a lot of hope for my own game lol

[@7rodo]

That guy defo had a higher rapid rating than blitz

[@Kaiwizz]

Watching Levy and Hikaru back to back feels like watching dota and lol streams back to back

[@sujitpachode3207]

50:47 plz tell him it's not what he thinking about

[@lbrtvlldr]

21:33 The guy offered a draw in that completely lost position, HAHAHA!

[@thekerr8728]

You don’t crush a 500 as much as the 500 crushes itself

[@kevinhernandez8283]

This is so informative wow. I always wanted to know how the pros saw the game and you’re literally sharing everything with us on a very simple educational basis. Thank you for giving back

[@FluxedState]

Thank you for this. This is the best series.

[@Entropy825]

This was an excellent series of tutorials. Amazing insights. I learned several things from each game.

[@theopippig9740]

39:50 hikaru missed a checkmate in one

[@Biskawow]

39:49 pause the video here and find the move hikaru missed that wins the game on the spot while I give you a couple of seconds

[@Erix963]

Qg2# lol he pointed it out that "if he takes with knight it's mate in 1" then he didn't do it

[@Erix963]

Chat reminded him at 41:25

[@bjorsam6979]

Congratulations to those of you who found the mate, you are very good at solving Hikaru puzzles.

[@ChandraKishore189]

"My dog steps on the bee" Hikaru - shows concern - "Ouch!!"

[@Stay-hard]

Beautiful , perfection. I need this series to continue until 2300 elo Hikaru. It is very interesting and educational to watch

[@ericastier1646]

Is anyone else as impressed as I am ? His masterminding of Chess is even beyond what i would have imagined in the wildest fantasy fiction. I cannot even follow his ideas, none. He does not even look at the board and spend most of his time replying to questions. He is a genius and it feels so impressive to see how fast he thinks. Nothing i imagined prepared me to this. Not even fiction sci fi.

[@1594simonsays]

It's memorization very little creativity

[@andrewgregger3081]

I completely agree with what Hikaru says about Gotham. His older videos got me to 1100, but I don’t really learn anything from his new videos. At this point it’s more for entertainment

[@LifeShortsGaming]

It's so nice to hear that you were more of a history guy than a mathematics guy. I assumed everyone who is good at chess is good at maths, as we call it in the UK. I suck at maths, so it's inspiring.

[@Avrage_student]

I'm good at maths , sucks in chess🤣

[@LifeShortsGaming]

@@Avrage_student I'm good at neither 😑

[@pressurewashguru]

I love that Hikaru just speaks his mind and doesn't try to appease everyone by being fake. TY Hikaru!

[@sariahjohnson2960]

exactly what i needed - trying to get to 600 by the end of the summer, at 550 now

[@Nagib23_32]

Did you get it?

[@joaoruxa]

bruh just play the game at that elo you really just need to play more

[@TobiwanChen-os2jj]

Yeah bro play more

[@Checkmate777]

2:33 lol Hikaru’s demeanor is so funny

[@KrisRoxas]

It's actually kind of true. I stopped watching Levy except for championship recaps. I learn a lot more from you and Danya.

[@joaoruxa]

yeah Hikaru is obviously thousands of times better, but imo levy is a better teacher.

[@K1roff]

making a 1 hour video on how to beat 500 elo players is NUTZ!!!! Would never mess with them

[@GamingMasterMind3000]

Me being rated 498 💀

[@EVANRGB]

Real

[@authorcs]

bat

[@ign8060]

"My dog stepped on a bee" "Ouch that must be bad" 😔

[@WuhSuhDood]

RFK Jr 2024

[@ShadowMasher1]

0:06 "plenty of time to think" Hikaru turns his head away from the screen.😂

[@christianosei366]

Jesus loves you and accepting him into your life will get you to heaven

[@handavid6421]

last guy drawed though with hikaru giving advantage, pretty well played for a 1800 I think

[@siemniak]

Yes but hikaru wasn't even trying

[@indiefan23]

As someone casually playing trying to get to 500 this is equally helpful and humbling. That sandwich looks great tho

[@thebonesaretough]

Me: e4 Hikaru: oh you blundered! Mate in 20

[@cf8502]

21:33 this dude really offered a draw TWICE like he's not gettin his ass whooped 🤣

[@EvilDogProductions]

Hahaha yeah I noticed I was looking for a comment like yours, when I saw the draw offer I was like...it's not a draw my G, you're losing hard :D

[@slightlybelligerent3140]

I need to watch this at .000000000035 speed

[@faanvdberg]

Thank you for the educational content. As a casual player I find it instructive to have your thoughts behind the game play. Much appreciated and, again, thank you for the content 👊

[@mfalmog]

GM Hiraku is actually being generous to play 500s. Depending on the individual this improve their game substantially.

[@leskiss220]

Love that a top GM plays with us plebs. Thank you! ✌🏽

[@DRako-nr4rj]

50:45 my dog stepped on a bee XDD

[@Changingcolors531]

What we have to fixed 1. develop piece 2. Protect the king 3. Prevent them from castle 4. Focus on center 5. Only opening that recommend for you 6. dont fall from traps 7.create space 8.dont block defender

[@anthonydrake3553]

Most definitely just gained a sub, I’m new to the chess world and I like how he breaks down every move

[@zickerrr___1759]

4:51 i thought he was going to say this is good or something but i was dead wrong lmao

[@werd2182]

Thoroughly appreciate this from Hikaru! I was just thinking that I wish I could find some game play step by step thought process from a GM and low and behold Hikaru has done so! Most excellent narration, exactly what I was looking for! I am just getting into chess and find this to be very helpful as well as entertaining. Props to the Mr. Nakamura!

[@fireshadow7932]

Not even lying these tactics work in higher elos to this was so helpful. Using your other openings also work like white with k f3 with f3 and b f2

[@elliekate.a]

It’s actually comforting to know Hikaru wasn’t great at maths. Then again, he’s probably good but he just didn’t really enjoy it lol

[@rww805]

I lolled at "my dog stepped on a bee” when Hikaru did the face without even knowing what it was about.

[@switchherd3922]

Oponent after playing a move: Hikaru must be thinking about this move Hikaru: I hated math growing up

[@Shiiinnne]

Thank you GM Hikaru 😊 Always a pleasure looking at how simple and logical you play chess. I tried to imagine a group of people when i played chess to try and explain to them all my moves too but i failed miserably. Yeah i thought i was Hikaru for a brief moment in time 😂😅

[@vinodvagadurgi414]

Hikaru vibing to music and teaching chess is the best thing 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼💯💯💯

[@QIgorecki]

dan carlin hardcore history on punic wars, cool stuff

[@moom2k829]

Thank you Oversimplified for making me understand the punic wars references, we miss you

[@Hyaku_A]

I think just watching normal games of Hikaru or any GMs game is making me notice opening and moves that I didn't notice before. So yeah ty for making videos

[@Yassine.Bouhlel]

I am Tunisian 🇹🇳 of course I know what you are talking about and I loved how you spoke about Hannibal and punic wars! Come visit us there is a lot to see in Carthage, I would gladly show you around. (One year later lol)

[@krislimpus]

Appreciate the video man.. Been very helpful! Thank you

[@jrhenry24]

Great video. I love when someone points out a move you could of made that was better you can deduce in 1 second or less they were correct, move on nd keep teaching without feeling threatened