How to WIN middlegames in chess

[@evantm2588]

Its kinda sad that a really well made educational doesn't get the recognition , I hope that you still post this style of content even if it doesn't get as many views because its genuinely useful for the average beginner and intermediate players

[@judsongordy8872]

I often think the same thing. I wish these types of videos were more popular

[@robertakerman3570]

@@judsongordy8872 Or not...(he said diabolically). I'd like to keep it secret, but yah; Anna deserves top recognition.

[@SoulHuN7eR]

The only time chess got a bit of traction recently, was with ludwig making videos with other players. The sad truth it that outside the chess bubble, no one really cares. Another sad truth is that players like Anna, the Botez sisters etc are mostly everyday girls. They may be cute, but they don't have the huge boobs/ass (or thot energy) today's viewers actively search.

[@robertakerman3570]

& then there's "pickle-ball".

[@user-mm5cd4kv2t]

@@SoulHuN7eR you must love Levy's boobs then, that's why you watch him

[@Checkmate_Edits]

Long story short: - Consider what you see as candidate moves (best moves) in positions - Consider simple plans, not necessarily brilliants left and right, (doubled rooks, control of open files, knight outposts or reroutes, batteries..) - Use tactics (pins, forks, skewers...) Good luck mate

[@viktorvondoom9119]

Also, if you pizza when you shohld be doing French fries, you're gonna have a bad time Edit: on a serious note, "Don't waste good pieces (like a queen) on defense against threats from worse pieces"

[@sanekabc]

Thanks, mate.

[@cjoth]

I think you missed the most important one: -Look at the characteristics of the position although you could argue that considering candidate moves involves looking at the position.. but i find myself constantly making inaccuracies (and sometimes mistakes if i rush) if i don't look at the characteristics of the position properly. often time, i think to myself "oh look, i doubled their pawns, now i can go target them!" instead of realizing stuff like "my rook is on the a file, and the king is on the b file, so i should try to break the king's pawn structure. etc...

[@Checkmate_Edits]

@@cjoth Thanks for the addition 👍

[@cominoengenharia]

I wouldn't say this summary conveys the content. That's the kind of vídeo that is totally worth the time spend watching. Since without the examples, the tips summarized look like simple chess clichées.

[@mikejschin]

Excellent instruction. The most important point covered: candidate moves are suggested by the position. Considering moves just because they look like they might be good will not lead to good choices. Evaluating the characteristics of the position tells you what avenues to consider. That realization got me out of the 1650 OTB rating rut where I was stuck for several years and took me near 1900. I actually started drawing and occasionally beating experts and played competitive games against masters. Anyone reading this comment can do the same if they take Anna's advice in this video. Caution: Evaluating positions correctly is not easy. It takes study and practice, so don't get discouraged if you have a hard time for quite a while. Keep up the effort and it will eventually pay off.

[@est9949]

Thanks for this summary. I agree.

[@briandwi2504]

More of these please. The middle game is tricky! Thanks!

[@judsongordy8872]

Yeah I wish we got more of these, but unfortunately these videos don’t get the views that the chess hustler videos get with the click baity titles

[@aaahtex902]

**IF YOU WANT TO PLAY HAPPY CHESS, BE SURE TO LISTEN TO ANNA CRAMLING!!!**

[@AV8R_Surge]

I like listening to Anna Rambling... I mean Crambling 😉

[@friedsushii_]

​@@AV8R_Surge Anna*

[@AV8R_Surge]

@@friedsushii_ thanks..i corrected it

[@samhiatt]

She’s the Bob Ross of Chess.

[@jacobdrollinger4802]

I like her better than Levy, he's a downer!

[@markangus3252]

Rudolf Spielmann - "Play the opening like a book, the middle game like a magician, and the end game like a machine". I really like Ludek Pachman's "Complete Chess Strategy" in three volumes, also abridged in one volume titled "Modern Chess Strategy". Uses the old descriptive strategy in all the English language editions that I've seen, but it is truly excellent. I think it was Alexander Kotov in his classic "Think Like A Grandmaster" who coined the term "candidate move". Secondhand English language editions of this book are now very expensive. It is very sought after.

[@aptudo]

If you watch streamed tournaments, you know that this is good advice. The GM commentators explore candidate moves NONSTOP during the middle game. You can tell it's become part of their DNA.

[@sgeskinner]

in English we use the french idiom coup de grâce meaning deathblow. Also you use of reiterate is correct.. One of the very few times we are reminded you are not a native English speaker and English is your third language.

[@hififlipper]

You're a chess queen. It is very inspiring. Big thank you!

[@mentalglitch9603]

I’m 820 I learned more in this video than in any other instructional that I’ve watched. I’m going to implement everything I’ve learned here in my long road to 900

[@24stakaman]

bullet game?

[@mentalglitch9603]

@@24stakaman rapid. And I’m happy to say that I’ve improved a bit and I’m 870 now!

[@Alexlinnk]

Did you make it to 900?

[@mentalglitch9603]

@@Alexlinnk yes I did! But I still fall below it sometimes again. I’m reading chess for dummies now and trying to figure out how to boost into the mid 900’s. Thank you for asking 😁

[@fortyofforty5257]

@@mentalglitch9603 One of the best books for general chess information, imho. I am over 1200 now and I still got a lot out of the book, just relearning things I'd forgotten or learning principles in a new way. Good luck on your journey.

[@judsongordy8872]

I LOOOOVE the coming up with a plan videos!!

[@mrjwx]

Very helpful Anna! Your content is amazing!!

[@chipcurry]

That was a very good way to teach - give us three candidate moves to choose between. It's not so difficult to do, and what we learn is good strategy from having invested some thought into choice.

[@RingsLoreMaster]

Anna, thank you. I believe this was your best video as far as information goes.

[@RingsLoreMaster]

Further, in a way you do remind me of Mary Richards. I doubt you'll read this if you do and you don't know the person Mary Richards, she's very famous, check Wikipedia.

[@AV8R_Surge]

@17:36 "el remato final" - the final spike/ strike

[@EponaDreams-AmbientDreamscapes]

Wonderful. I learned that I need to play longer games rather than languishing in no mans land with blitz and bullet. I got both of those moves but missed the white bishop power - was focusing on the defending knight. But it makes me see that I can "see" what the pieces are saying to some degree - thanks Anna.

[@thomasvontom]

What i like about anna is this. 1) a great talented player. 2) makes great content for many levels of the game. 3) their is a childish genuine enthusiasm for the game. Its infectious.

[@danturner1331]

Thanks!

[@LostSoulAscension]

0:57 she's like, 'as if that would ever happen." 😂😂😂

[@reg4008]

Thank you Anna, I'm learning all the time.👍👍

[@theeightytwentytd]

Not only are you good at implementing the principles you have learned, your presentation is both entertaining and informative. Your self analyses of your own games, in other videos, shows you have the same thoughts as the rest of us about your own positions. You teach the rest of us how to deal instead of giving up - Thank you!

[@2009Neelam]

it is also very kind of you teaching us about these ideas we can use. i once won in these candidnite moves.

[@danwilliams8626]

I love Anna’s excitement and enthusiasm for all things chess. She makes the work fun!

[@leonardobarrera2816]

4:08, spanish speakers can understand that word (reriterate)

[@MercurialMoon]

This video is so helpful. You explain things so clearly. And I love the puzzles

[@joshtheegotist]

So I tried the Cow with the black pieces, lost to a much higher rated opponent, but it was my own midgame blunders that lost me the game, and despite losing I definitely was giving my opponent hell. I like this opening, I felt immediately comfortable playing with it and thought the dynamics were fun, I will definitely be looking deeper into the Cow.

[@EponaDreams-AmbientDreamscapes]

There should be a tournament where only the Cow is played for either side.

[@fun_g]

@@EponaDreams-AmbientDreamscapes then we could say that the players will have "beef' with each other 😂

[@JimMcGrath25]

Anna- thank you for another great, instructive chess video!

[@2009Neelam]

For vi_pranav i suggest playing g5 because once you play g5 your opponent will play hxg5. you will now play hxg5 threatning the the Queen and trying to play Qh7.Qh7 makes a checkmate and is kind of forced . Even though he can play Qe3 and then Qh3 at least you are up 2 pawns. and that is why i think g5 is the answer.

[@visionbishop9517]

Been playing chess for awhile.Never thought of this.I was taught to find the best move,thinking of 3 possible moves never entered my 🧠.I geel like I just leveled up!!! Thankx Anna!!!

[@Shaun_GTI]

Please keep the educational videos coming! Very instructive and I like chance to figure things out from options you give😊

[@mantzagar]

Anna, can you PLEASE make a playlist with all your educational videos like this one? (e.g. "The BEST Way To Calculate" "The SECRET To Stop Blundering Your Pieces" etc.) Playlist 'Lessons' is not so complete. You are so sweet and communicative. Your work is great! Keep it up! A fan of yours from Greece (Crete)

[@est9949]

-Candidate moves -evaluate position, not just going by familiar ideas -know when to exchange. Never exchange the queen if the opponent's king is weak and our king is safe, piece down, etc. (back to evaluating the position)

[@user-IAGCPA]

Anna always makes her instructional videos FUN and INTERESTING by SLOWLY explaining each move and the options available! Other sights blast through the moves at blazing speed!

[@onetiredgamer411]

I found this info so late. A year late. But, I love this educational “lesson” type content. It is very helpful. Would very much enjoy seeing some more in the future.

[@susymay7831]

Nice video! ❤ The candidate moves and following analysis are the hardest of the three big tips to implement well.

[@ariarmanevaghef3296]

you are by far the best in explaining

[@a.k.7840]

I remember studying Silman's method for finding middle game plans, but I never could connect with it because it relied upon conceptualizing a good position and forming a plan to reach that position. The problem I had was deciding what a good position would look like. I mean, ultimately the good position is you check mating your opponent, but a good short term position can be very difficult to decide upon, at least for me it was. For example, in this video Anna gives us the positions to look at. Silman did the same thing in his books. When the time comes to find those few possible positions to choose from, it doesn't seem so easy to me.

[@spghose2437]

The way magnus played is to keep the distribution of minor pieces equal for light square and dark square as some of the greats in this line, specially Boby Fischer and Garry Kasparov did. So he followed the best ploy to attack in the middlegame. He could easily go to C1 to A7, however in this level the opponents will surely prepare attack against him.

[@huronchess4810]

I agree with EvanTM. This was very helpful and I encourage you to continue with them! Thank you

[@Aexeek]

Thank you, Anna. I learned more and gained a clearer understanding of the meaning of "candidate moves" and how to choose better ones.

[@silverchairsg]

I'd like to see Anna (or any chess expert) play Chinese chess. There's a river in the middle, cannons, and two advisors/guards and a general stuck inside a palace in place of the king and queen. The elephants (bishops) and soldiers (pawns) move differently too.

[@alancoe1002]

I may have to make my own pieces for Chinese Chess, as the characters writing on the disks baffle me. The game itself will no doubt baffle me more.

[@snufkin4568]

At 6:50 [anna] completely missed dark square bishop takes the horse on h4, the old “remove the defender tactic” if you take back its check mate, it creates the same issue moving your horse would make in the first place.

[@stephanbriem1882]

I'd suggest knight to h4. Exchanging queen allows the opponent to bring his bishop to the e5 square which is good for him. Knight to h4 forces the opponent to eather exchange queens on the d1 square which is good for the development of the white rook or to go to d7 or b5. Queen to c1 is also possible.

[@SorenIsANerd]

In the first game, Nf4 looks interesting, too. Puts pressure on the black queen and helps defend the bishop on g2. I'll probably regret posting this when I watch the rest of the video and realize why it's a bad move. lol. Of the ones you suggest, I was thinking of Qc1, with an eye towards going to h6. [a little later] OMG! I got one right! :D

[@slgarrett]

I love your videos. You make chess brilliance glamorous!

[@TylerRolloGuitar]

Your ability to teach is so good, more lesson content please!

[@robertrichard2322]

17:43 I believe the expression you are looking for is "the final nail in the coffin"

[@wiley3840]

Hi Anna, I love your videos so much. They have helped me become a better chess player. I love your positional approach to chess (and your Mom's :) ) It is so elegant and brings out the beautiful qualities of chess. Like when you get so excited about a "pretty" move. Thank you for all the hard work you put into your channel. You've helped make chess so popular these days!

[@emmadiaz6734]

1)I think Qc1 because we are a pawn down and if we exchanged we would be in an ending with a pawn down then it will be difficult. So Qc1 2) I thinks is g5 since it follows; hxg5, hxg5 and the rook have a open column and you can atack that column.

[@tmithoth8956]

"It's always good to reiterate that" was perfect english 👌 ☺

[@jamesmunroe6558]

Being paused at 5:43 and not looking ahead to other answers, I'm thinking the right candidate move is Qc1. The queen exchange is bad because it only moves Black's queenside bishop in to pin White's kingside knight to the king, while Rh4 is terrible because Black's queen will simply swoop into g2 to checkmate. With Qc1, we have the opportunity to being advancing on the queenside. Let's see if I'm right.

[@Balistick51]

ND4 is the best move because it develops your knight with a protection and it also protects your queen

[@sophiaisabelle027]

Thanks for this video. It's helpful and informative. Keep up the good work.

[@Chessmemories]

Wow 😍🔥 this is amazing👍 I love watching your videos. Useful as always😎🔥🔥

[@stephanbriem1882]

I think pawn to g5 is the best move. The white queen has to move. If the white queen is exchange white loses the pawn on f6. So if the white queen moves the pawn on h4 can be taken, opening up the g-file for the black rook. Casteling short or long would be to passive in my opinion.

[@exdejesus]

Once again, it's wonderful to see how you would think about games like this!

[@fubarbrandon1345]

Thanks Anna...great lesson, glad to find your channel.

[@escanor9920]

As a self taught noob, the middlegame is ABSOLUTELY NOT my problem ! I'm struggling much much more with the end game because if i'm not careful, I'm ending up doing pat / stalemate... I've wasted so much games this way, it's horrifying 😅 I have trouble also "understanding" some moves from the computer. Sometimes he's describing my move as "inaccuracies" and some of HIS moves as " best" or "excellent", but his moves are sometimes translating into a major piece loss while MY inaccuracies made me won the game vs the computer 😅 So I don't understand. (just so you know where I'm at, I'm managing to beat the bot Nelson rated 1300 on a regular basis, but I'm aware that this doesn't represent real ELO level 😅, I'm still really bad...)

[@jamesnotsmith1465]

An interesting video. Very instructive. I like the way you presented multiple move choices and then explained the pros and cons of each candidate move. You could use the same two games and do the same thing with end game choices.

[@hexacomb4946]

More videos like this pls

[@StankyLegs]

This was a fantastic video. I learned a lot here.

[@cuz_i_sedso9574]

so cute that she meows when she says "move"

[@shannonjones8877]

Somehow my first instinct ended up being the right move both times. Now i just need to be able to do that in actual games.

[@kjelltoreknudsen2195]

Love it. Idea for more videos are to explain the ideas in the Italian game, Spanish and Queens gambit exepted and declined. One thing is det moves but the idea behind them and wich squares Black and White is fighting for :). Thank you for the great videos you are making :)

[@jeroenhak7048]

can you do a video about the end game too? I always lose my end games eventhough I have a better position when starting the end game.

[@Blueguitar007]

She has many end game videos. Others too.

[@viniciusgomes1984]

Loved this type of video. Making us actually think in the video

[@followCuriosity]

I love you Anna... your explanations are very helpful and you have a great attitude 😍

[@cosasverdes]

The mascara agrees with the camera. It might be a pain, but making it regular will help the algo! TY for the amazing free content per usual.

[@ripdimebag42]

I feel pretty good that I immediately noticed Ne4 before you even pointed it out. Crazy that a 3000 rated player would miss it if even I saw it lol

[@emiliengonsard4522]

What is your elo at chess ?

[@Sixsoul]

Anna says the word 'moves' exactly like my cat meows 😹

[@chuckmanion1128]

Game 1: the extra candidate move I came up with that wasn't mentioned was is the e2 knight to d4. It blocks the attack on your queen, protects the other knight, and is double protected by the other knight and the queen. I see three ways opponent can try to kick it away. First with his bishop to c5, but then rook to a5 pins it, else they lose their queen. They can threaten the rook with their own knight, but then you trade knights, and depending on how the opponent takes the knight, possibly queens and bishops. Its an equal trade but does develop the rook some. Or they can try bishop f6 to try to kick the knight. Pawn to c3 defends. They can exchange pawns but the knight is still triple protected from the queen/bishop Alternatively they can try to kick away the knight with their pawn to e5. Have the knight take f5. They can exchange queens, but you eliminate the threat on your king's box and have the knight in a good position to threaten the king and equalize the pawn score and force them to move/protect their e7 bishop. I think queen c3 is better, but I did think this was better than the other 2 candidate moves. But I'm not that great of a player so I'm sure someone will tell me what I'm missing that makes it horrible.

[@twinsinparis]

It's not a horrible move but after Black develops their knight to c6 the only move for white which doesnt force the queen trade (which we dont want) is to go to c3 with our pawn which leads us to having a isolated weak pawn in the centre! (Computer evaluation rates your move more or less equal with the two candidate moves that Anna gave) You'll definately improve in no time with analysis like that, what is your current rating?

[@chuckmanion1128]

@@twinsinparis 700. I played a little as a kid, but I'm only now just getting back into it. I have a long way to go to get good. If they defended with knight c6 then why not take their knight? They absolutely have to take it back. If they instead go for the queen trade, knight takes bishop checking the king. They have to move the king, you take the queen. You take knight bishop queen vs them taking your queen. If they instead just knight trade, using the queen, then they take pressure off your queen on their own. If they instead use the bishop, you're in more or less the same position and can still avoid the queen trade.

[@twinsinparis]

@@chuckmanion1128 Yes like you say the bishop trade leads to a similar position BUT white has traded the e2 Knight (active square, lynchpin in the defense & potentially a key attacker on the kingside for black's passive undefended knight! You're now simply closer to being in a disadvantageous endgame than you were before

[@Besgigobro]

this is so helpful

[@TechyBen]

The subtexts of this video are amazing.

[@philcrom6299]

Gave some very nice and new points of thought. Thanks Anna!

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Thanks Anna , this episode is full of golden nuggets of info

[@drake4931]

I actually saw both moves before she said candidate moves! I was pretty happy with myself

[@macleadg]

I would give Nf4 some thought as a candidate move. Activates the knight with tempo, right? Not saying it’s best, just worthy of consideration.

[@StrawWeaver]

Really instructive! Thanks for the middle game lesson!

[@Square-Peg]

Yes "reiterate" is the correct word. And in English the phrase you were looking for is, to finish the game by finding - "the killing blow". :)

[@stephanbriem1882]

Thank you for this excellent instrution!

[@blindknitter]

You are such a wonderful teacher, thanks for this content.

[@elcanaldemanu2921]

This video was really absolutely instructive, thank you so much for the content :D

[@tbbwolfy8584]

there is a 4th move that is even better than those 3. first good exchange queens arent bad. 2nd no go there is a bishop ready to take the knight and its game over. 3rd maybe ok but still doesnt really do nothing do to the bishop. 4th move i would do would be... pesent at C2 to C3. you will have an attack or protect. either way you might open for pushing his queen out of the threatening spot

[@Dmitriy_D]

Those are some good advises here Anna. Thank you!

[@OlleJonasson-pr8lu]

I learn a lot rhrough your show Anna. Thanks so much.

[@Mushketer300]

I love your channel so much!

[@loicgrange9238]

Thanks for this video. I guess it will be useful on my journey to get better at Chess. 👍🏻

[@uygarbaksi]

thank you, that's pretty instructive lecture.

[@wolfheilmann774]

Knight E2:D4 would be the second best move. ing the queen, backing up the other Knight

[@JimmyBoosterCrate]

After watching this video, I became a 1500 (after starting at 1900). Thanks Anna, very cool

[@MarkoVegano]

Thank you for the lessons. I alway enjoy your videos. You make learning fun and interesting. I’m still learn.

[@jinbla2]

At 5:07, would a good move be to let black take the queen and trade into Magnus so that either rook then has an open file? Qxd1 Rxd1

[@MikkoRantalainen]

Great video! I'd like to have at least 2 more about middlegames.

[@ga4701]

I hope you will continue more of these type of videos!!

[@ryanroy1701]

Bro l was just thinking about my middlegames. I was so bad but I couldn't find any videos. Not saying that other videos were bad but they were boring. Thanks Anna

[@mmathems395]

Answering: pawn to g5 seems bad bc the queen could immediately take it and weaken rows 8 and 7, the short castle seems less prepared and less beneficial than the long castle ... So if I un-pause here I hope to hear that the long castle is the best move : )

[@7352SoS]

9:40 i love this analogy 😂

[@nicolasheinemusic]

So - before solution. I would go for Queen C1, cause i could then slide over later to H6 and do some work there maybe. Knight H4 looses on the spot, cause it will be taken by the bishop and mate is threatened. A Trade of queens may not be a good solution, cause white is a pawn down. That's my thoughts.

[@theclashers1055]

I belive knight H4 and bishop takes loses a queen

[@conquerordie230]

4:08 I believe the word you were looking for is “retrace”.

[@sahpdude]

You are adorable Anna, I don't play much chess but I love watching the channel for the energy and when you go here and there and play a bunch of people all of the world