The Difference Between 1600 And 2400 Chess ELO [My Rating Climb]

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🔹 How I Went From 1600 To 2260 ELO In 1 Year - • How I Went From 1600 t...
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In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov shares the secret behind his chess transformation; how he went from a level of 1600 ELO to 2400 ELO, and became an International Master, all within just 2 years!
He presents a couple of his own games: one played when he was around 1600 ELO, and the other, 2 years later, when he reached 2400 ELO. More importantly, he explains the differences in his thinking processes between these two periods.
Therefore, after watching this video lesson, you will learn exactly how to think like a chess master and find the best moves with ease!
▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Chapters
00:00 GM Igor Smirnov's Rating Climb
00:08 Game-1 (1600 ELO level Igor)
00:45 Position-1 (Wrong Thinking Process)
02:01 Right Thinking Process
06:00 Position-2
07:27 Position-3
08:59 Tip: To take is a mistake
10:25 Maintain the tension
12:31 Position-4
13:27 Puzzle of the day
13:57 Position-5
16:33 Game-2 (My first win against a GM)
17:08 Position-1
18:41 Position-2
20:36 Position-3
22:10 Position-4
22:40 Position-5
24:11 Position-6
24:48 Position-7
26:46 Position-8
29:42 Position-9 (What to do when there is no way to attack)
30:51 Position-10
31:00 Final winning tactics
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[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@user-td1vx2zo9z]

Can you make a video on all the Chess tactics and rules before 2000. I love your content.

[@ranju235]

Yes we also want this video

[@JasdeepSingh-vu1vd]

Yea

[@ifbfmto9338]

There’s already a million tactics videos Just play a bunch of games and practice a bunch of tactics puzzles, and you’ll see essentially everything

[@drewberrynews3875]

Yes good idea. Your vids are so clear and helpful

[@jimkyle8008]

This video was really helpful and interesting because it showed the difference in thought processes between a club player and a master. The club player is more inclined to be passive and defensive, whereas the master looks for opportunities to move forward and attack his opponent and put him under pressure.

[@ReflectionOcean]

00:02:08 Active play: forward, activate pieces, attack. 00:08:02 Avoid trading without specific reason; maintain tension. 00:11:07 Rook E8 to keep tension, force opponent's move. 00:14:30 Think forward, create threats in opponent's territory. 00:16:25 Focus on strategic gameplay in chess. 00:17:08 Avoid unnecessary piece exchanges for positional advantage. 00:18:01 Maintain tension to create opportunities for counterplay. 00:20:38 Prioritize forward moves to attack and create threats. 00:26:10 Utilize counterattacks to surprise opponents and gain advantages. 00:27:59 Consider tactical forcing moves for strategic gains. 00:29:46 Plan attacks and prepare threats even without immediate targets. 00:31:19 Calculate and consider tactical exchanges for positional advantages.

[@user-ek8gs4ij4r]

I could listen to you all day long so don't worry about your videos being too long. Just keep moving forward and attacking and I'll be there listening.

[@08raghav6c7]

for the puzzle move is Rxd5 then Qxd5 then Bc4 pinning the queen to the king

[@beybaldes2172]

Rxd5 then if I play Qf7 if Rd8 then QxQ AxQb3 Rxd8 white is only a pawn up but the pawn on B3 and B2 is weak so we can easily take it

[@beybaldes2172]

If Rxd5 and Qf7 if you put bishop on C4 square then I'll play BE6 putting more pressure on d5 rook then you have to release the tension with Rd5xRd8 BE6xBC4 QxBc4 then QxQ RxQC4 Rf8xRd8 and black threatening back rank

[@Lupinicus1664]

You were right when you said this video is a 'game changer'. I wish I had had access to this straightforward advice about 50 years ago. I was about 2150 when I was 20 years old, completely self-taught (as chess tutors were a rarity in the UK in the 1970s!). I can clearly see that my chess would have benefited from some of your simple ways to approach the middlegame. I can totally relate to ways of playing when I was around 1600 too. Excellent video and I hope it helps many people. It definitely will if they follow your advice.

[@Zaral7]

Lots of channels cover good basics for openings, tactics, etc. But your videos have helped with the correct mindset and way of thinking than any others so far. Good stuff mate.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad to help

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 GM Igor Smirnov's Rating Climb 00:08 Game-1 (1600 ELO level Igor) 00:45 Position-1 (Wrong Thinking Process) 02:01 Right Thinking Process 06:00 Position-2 07:27 Position-3 08:59 Tip: To take is a mistake 10:25 Maintain the tension 12:31 Position-4 13:27 Puzzle of the day 13:57 Position-5 16:33 Game-2 (My first win against a GM) 17:08 Position-1 18:41 Position-2 20:36 Position-3 22:10 Position-4 22:40 Position-5 24:11 Position-6 24:48 Position-7 26:46 Position-8 29:42 Position-9 (What to do when there is no way to attack) 30:51 Position-10 31:00 Final winning tactics

[@user-yv7kn5pt2e]

Is this 1600 fide ??

[@mrityunjaykumar4202]

@@user-yv7kn5pt2e i was thinking the same thing. It should fide rating becz he said he got the IM title which you can get online as well but you'll not flex about it.. and if you're comparing both ratings then both scales should be same

[@joethibault5939]

I would take with the tower on d5. If the queen take, go on e4 or f3, bishop c4. If the queen go somewere else, discover check and still taking the queen with the rook and maybe even the rook if the queen go to c8

[@twentyrothmans7308]

Thank you, Igor - you taught so much in a short time. I saw a documentary about Viktor Korchnoi preparing for for a tournament by giving up smoking and drinking, and doing some exercise. He didn't win, so I'll never make that mistake 🙂

[@cesare77]

Outstanding video sir, very very useful, congrats!

[@drewberrynews3875]

Just want to say thanks. I watched your video on How you went from 1600 to 2200 In 1 year. I've been studying and have peaked at 1800. But lately I've been getting crushed and realized I went back to being reactionary. Your suggestions to get All pieces active and to move your piece to its most forward square has helped immediately. After dropping to 1700 with your instructions, I'm pushing to 1900. I have a video idea for you that would be helpful I think for us at this level. How about a video that prioritizes the basic chess ideas. That might be hard to do but a basic principle might be a good idea. For example we get these ideas of capturing pawns to the center and that rule is nearly always used. But as you've demonstrated, development might trump capturing a pawn towards the center. Another one I've found useful is a general rule en peasant is Almost always good to capture. But a list of that prioritizes basic concepts would be helpful. Thanks and subd

[@Steve_K2]

An 800 player, I'm guessing, I love playing against the computer on Lichess and doing puzzles. In the second game, I paused the tape (easy on a PC desktop: the space bar) on every Black move, ie, a puzzle on every move, and then heard the GM's thoughts, which almost never, sadly, matched mine. Mr Smirnov, you're a man among men as you share your wisdom. Many thanks.

[@CSRunner7]

Love this vid and the concepts. Looking for to applying as I definitely need to simplify my thinking 🤯😁

[@DiscoGoat1]

For the puzzle Rxd5, threatening the Queen and a revealed check. If Qxd5: Bc4 pins and wins the Queen. If Be6: Rxd7, BxB3, Rxd8, Rxd8 and axb3, white is up a bishop and a pawn. If Qf7, Bc4, Be4, Rxd8, Bxc4, Rxf8+, Kxf8, Qxc4, white is up a Rook and a pawn.

[@AdamSong-gq7wv]

Thanks Igor very helpful!

[@user-kh6xl4yg1j]

Excellent video with spot on advice

[@priitkuusik8255]

Thank you so much GM Igor :)...So much knowledge shared in such a short time...Love your lessons and by the way you ROCK :)...probably one of the best around!

[@5piral0ut]

Great stuff, thanks Igor!

[@WARRENBUFETT]

Thanks for this. Very helpful.

[@user-ge5hi7ou3i]

Excellent job! well done 👏

[@tigerspaw]

Outstanding video. These videos where you review your games are your best ones. Please do more of them.

[@Uli4Munich]

Thanks Igor, very instructive video 👍

[@noamzilo6730]

This is by far the best video you made. Please bring out more of them. I feel I learned something for a change

[@robinthomsoncomposer]

Very useful,and also works to,help out working out what the opposition might be thinking also

[@kadanissa3663]

These wise words are truly helpful !!

[@jhanseybarbosa2298]

I loved the way you explained it, very enlightening. It's already changed the way I'm seeing my chess games. Greetings from Brazil

[@MrJorjantas]

As instructive as always!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

🎉

[@Prototype7Vx]

Brilliant video thankyou! 30min videos are perfect imo

[@danagreen6518]

outstanding video, your the best

[@spghose2437]

This is a million dollar video for a chess lover...thanks again

[@grahamf695]

Terrific tutorial, thanks.

[@kekkles4001]

Your emphasis on attacking at any given opportunity have really helped my chess and performance in other games as well. It's something that I have always intuitively understood in other games but in chess it's easy go get lost, as you often say.

[@ricklanders]

Igor, you're the best! Great content, I'm learning a lot from your videos, SPASIBA! :-)

[@Griegg]

Thanks, Igor.

[@noruwajoshua7066]

Thank you very much!

[@jamesmiles1456]

I think you're one of best chess teachers on youtube. I have learned a lot from your videos.

[@AsaFalyRayyan]

13:36 I'm 1000s. As white, I would like to play Rxd5, attacking the Queen, and discovery check idea.

[@paultharp4626]

Really insightful.. thanks fir sharing. Love the 'how you think in chess' videos

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you like them!

[@vinvin4884]

I'm at a lower ELO (just started) and it can be very confusing - some games I can just FEEL the other person is a beginner - like I can just tell they have no idea what type of opening move they're playing or what type I'm playing. While other times I KNOW the other person has a firm grasp of fundamentals. One of the issues I'm encountering is moves I play against more experienced players often completely backfire when I'm playing a beginner. For example, I'll engage in the same process of elimination reasoning. I'll think 2-4 moves ahead and try to think about my opponents next move, possible weakness, my weaknesses, overall board positioning etc. I've watched a lot of your videos which I've found INCREDIBLY helpful. Then, my opponent will take NONE of the movies he/she SHOULD make - moves that would result in obvious gain and better positioning. Instead, my opponent will play something that makes ZERO sense but which I somehow haven't prepared for. Because, why would my opponent play that move when it's so obviously inferior. It's very frustrating, because I've done a fair bit of self study for how early on I am. I'm pretty well versed in opening moves like the Scandinavian defense, Petrov's Defense, Scotch Game, etc. A lot of the time I'll completely dominate during the early game and then somehow completely blow out by end game. This is a difficult thing for me to explain, because on the one hand I guess you should be prepared for anything, but a lot of the time these other beginners can feel like a blind madman shooting off a handgun in a crowded bank. There's zero logic to how they think which makes them completely unpredictable. I've only been playing 10 min blitz games. Is this OK? Should I be playing longer games?

[@Complexity_Tv]

Thank you GM Smirnov you're not only a good player but a good teacher as well just keep going and i wish you luck in your tutorial 👍🙂

[@cma697307]

Loved this video! I improve my ELO by about 100 points every time I change my way of thinking. It's so much fun when you start getting winning streaks :) Thanks for all the content you provide!

[@lonewolf5238]

One of the most helpful, inspirational presentations I have had the good fortune to see. Most chess tutorials are devoted to tactics and strategy, hardly ever anything on _thinking_ processes. I swear... this video has been an epiphany for me! Almost like turning on a bright light in a dark room, where everything that has been so meticulously described is suddenly *_revealed_* !!! THANK YOU, Grandmaster Smirnov! Thank you.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear!

[@RonnieSidhu]

Great video! Igor you are awesome and make chess very entertaining 🎉

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@newyorkslim2001]

great tutorial -- as always!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks!

[@Not_Pepa]

Thid video was super helpfull and i realy enjoyed it, i would appreciate more content like this. I think it helped me imrove a lot.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alekhinefan]

@GMIgorSmirnov At 14:49, is there an overreaching general principle that makes Be4 a bad move? On the surface, it seems to conform to what you are saying, it advances the bishop into opponent's territory and puts pressure on the knight, but according to Stockfish, it's actually worse than the move that you made as a 1600 player (Bf8).

[@johnwalker1058]

So I guess this is the main takeaway: Always seek to maximize activity. Activity is the lifeblood of one's position. Failure to acquire activity leads to the development of a passive, cramped, and lifeless position with fewer attacking chances or even things you can do with your pieces. So you must always seek to gain maximum activity with every single move you make. Try to make each move accomplish as many things to benefit your position as possible, rather than just settling for a move that perhaps does one thing, but without looking for another move that could have at least done two good things for your position. Especially avoid making "one-movers" for this reason. Try to squeeze the most benefit out of each move. Don't make defensive moves unless absolutely necessary, or else you are playing passively, giving your opponent more chances to gain more activity, and are essentially asking to lose. And if you must make a defensive move, the best defense is a good offense, where if possible, try to respond to an attack with a counterattack. Much of the fighting that goes on in chess is to try to gain as much activity for one's pieces as possible, while trying to restrict the opponent's pieces as much as possible. If one can realize this, the adoption of this single insight alone into one's playing habits can significantly improve one's playing strength as it will make them better at finding the right moves in any position, even if they might not know the exact theory on why certain moves are better than others.

[@TeeGar]

Over the last 2 years, I have been able to go from 600 to 800!!!

[@Steve_K2]

Ha, sounds like me. Thought I was the only one.

[@sbuzulu3693]

I guess am moving at a fair pace. I have moved from 100 to 800 in 4 months since I played my first chess game

[@qwerty____141]

Bruh, normal people get from zero to 1500-1700 elo

[@ekronberger]

Thank you!

[@ZingceMagqo]

Can you do a video on how to play as black on your second move in the Englund gambit after white did not take the e.4 pawn

[@RealityCheck1]

Magnus said the exact same thing in a recent video, " Keep up the tension & make him pay for releasing it."

[@sachinss5854]

I muted my youtube notifications because it was too noisy and distracting as there's always a lot of videos getting uploaded.... but it's only for your videos that i go through the notifications list to see if there is any new uploads from you.

[@subgenso6282]

Just wanted to say that Igor is the best chess teacher I have ever seen

[@jopekpl3986]

I really need an Alekhine defense video from Igor

[@mrityunjaykumar4202]

i started to play by watching chess streamers on what should be the opening idea to construct a solid centre or to get better piece activity...worked on by tactics, solved puzzles and now i am usually 1700+-20 without knowing any opening theories by name.🤷‍♂..i know theories are important if you want to excel professionally but learning theories at an early stage rather than building natural game is like mugging up rather than understanding the depth in my view..

[@unlucky9515]

13:40 I'll play Rxd5 as white because after Qxd5 Qxd5 and Rxd5, Bc4 pins the rook to king and even moves like Be6 by black to get a bishop for the rook wont be that great if white uses his rook on the e file

[@wisdom7564]

Thank you sir ❤

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

❤

[@end7377]

Holy shit! I have just won a 2000 opponent using your logic. Only looking for attacking options works surprisingly well. Insane content! Thank you!

[@user-ej7sr3ow8b]

The pawn push at 11:27 successfully weakened the a2-g8 diagonal and closed the a1-h8 which the bishop was controlling, definitely should not play it unless it's the last resort to hold the position

[@akshatkalantry7719]

13:40 Rxd5

[@Mista_Andy]

GM Igor never bores you with countless amounts of variation or fancy names, He actually teaches chess on a deeper level, so that you can build up your thinking system by following the basic principles of a chess game, and with a little practice these ideas become automated you dont have to mechanically remember them but they come to you naturally during a game, i was a weak 1300 player when i came across the video, "To take is a mistake" few years back and my chess changed , right now I'm 2200+ all thanks to The Remote Chess Academy ✔️

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great to hear! Good luck getting a chess title.

[@thetransferaccount4586]

nice demonstration actually

[@Speedness.]

the dislikers are grandmasters who are angry you are revealing their secrets

[@cutethunderplays_YT]

the puzzle answer is that you trade the pawn even though you lose the trade but then you have a pin to the rook with bc4!

[@MichaelDomer]

*_"How I Went From 1600 to 2400 Chess ELO in 2 Years"_* Talent, and nothing else, you were just lucky to have it, don't act like anyone else can do the same.

[@abdullahjumaah43]

10:40 isnt bishop to h3 possible?

[@somebody1828]

13:33 rd1xd5, black can't take the rook with the queen because because of be2 - c4

[@ede2225]

Egor, I'd love to see your take on the Meises opening. I got my ass handed to me TWICE today by a lower rated guy playing both white and black using this weird opener.

[@kohlagustin9643]

Rxd5 and if Queen takes then there is Bf4 winning the queen as it is pinned to the king

[@user-je1gv3hh2r]

I reach 0 to 2100 in 8 month How it look to your Improvement igor😅

[@sayantopics77]

Still thinking why the pawn couldn't be captured by the knight in the game 1.

[@alexgarcia-ip3dj]

Cant figure the schame sir Igor ? Very much deep deception moves.

[@tomvw5494]

Is bC4 an option?

[@scottwaddle1030]

That`s the move I saw too.

[@chathushkasubasinghe5063]

Rxd5

[@bia8367]

What? Even you were 1600 before??

[@pinakiojha8524]

Better you open thanks. Everyone does not have time to join a course.

[@user-hm4zi4pz7r]

First one here!

[@Indiamaisabchorhai]

My frds reach 2200 in 30 days wat he do use low rated chess engine for cheat 😂 and never get caught.