The Simplest Way to Understand Chess Strategy

[@eL-K97]

Before discovering your channel, I gave up trying to improve my game (because it was very demanding, time consuming, and not fun at all) , and even stopped playing chess for about 6 months. But your wonderful teaching method and passion for the game made me come back and try again! Thank you for your fantastic work!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Your words mean a LOT to me! I even shared your words on X. I am extremely happy to have reignited your love for the game. I would really appreciate if you share the channel so we can spread the passion and I can keep producing similar content ❤️

[@swankiman]

Best instruction for new players is this channel!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Your words are so motivating to me. Please don't hesitate sharing the channel so other new players know this resource exists for free.

[@swankiman]

@@Dr.CansClinic Definitely, already am!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@swankiman Thank you so much!

[@athulprakash4447]

Homework answer: f4, to get the kingside rook active. The knight on f6 is pinned and weak, we can attack it .. maybe bring our second rook to double up. Later if we exchange on f6, after maybe our opponent unpins, we have good pressure on f7 as well, combining with our LSB.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent, thank you!

[@Melonengarten]

This is so helpful, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us !

[@Dr.CansClinic]

You are so welcome, thanks for your feedback!

[@sankr1175]

Thanks for the video.. Please make a video on good bishop and bad bishop and how bishops complements and play in tandem. Also another video on various opening traps /gambit. Once again liked your presentation style . Your best video so far has been the one with Knight check shadow and Karpov position. Never knew such a thing existed and it helped me to expand my horizons about how the knight attacks. Keep brining out such pearls of wisdom about chess. Thanks and god bless. Love the way you say…..”You are a great player if you are able to find the move…”😊

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your encouraging words. You are a great player indeed! :) I will consider your ideas. The bishop pair is in my mind too. Opening traps are oversaturated in the YT terrain so I will skip them for the moment.

[@naveenkumarvadla3005]

A great video sir!! Thank You for it🙏 HomeWork Solution: In the homework position it seems that both bishops are already doing something. The light-squared bishop has an eye on f7 and the dark-squared bishop pins the f6-knight and it cannot be driven away easily, because h6 is not possible. So this means that the rooks are our most passive pieces. To activate them we need to open a file. But which file? Opening the c-file with d4 would be counter-productive, since the e4-pawn that is currently blunting black's bishop on b7 would become a weakness. The f-file seems like a better alternative. The other rook is already there and also the pinned knight is there. 1. f4 is the way to break Black's position as it opens me the f fille and allows me to double up the Rook's on the f file where also my Bishop on b3 is already looking at f7 square which is their weakness in the long-term plans if White plays correctly. So the plan would start with f4 and then double the rooks on the f-file. The queen can join the battery if necessary. The file will be opened by either white playing fxe5 or black playing exf4. The only counterplay that can see for black is playing d5, trying to activate their bishop and create a target on e4. But if we start with 1. f4, black doesn't have time for it. For example: 1. f4 d5? 2. fxe5 winning. And if 1...exf4 it might be simplest to just take 2. Rxf4 and if 2...d5? then either 3. exd5 Bxd5 4. Bxd5 Qxd5 5. Bxf6 gxf6 6. Rxf6 winning a pawn or 3. e5 Re8 4. d4 Qd7 (if black doesn't step out of the pin, the the knight is lost after the white queen moves) 5. Bxf6 gxf6 6. Rxf6 also winning pawn. And finally, if they don't take on f4 in the first move, we can start doubling the rooks on the f-file. Black might try 1...Qe7 to be able to recapture with the queen (fxe5 Qxe5) and get rid of the pin, so there is no rush to capture before the rooks are ready. Otherwise, if the black queen moves out of the diagonal, we win a pawn by first exchanging on e5 and then taking twice on f6.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and excellent analysis! Thanks for taking your time and writing in detail!

[@sasthanatarajan4760]

Thank you for this valuable lesson

[@Dr.CansClinic]

My pleasure, thanks!

[@in10se777]

Such a beautiful instructional video combining improving piece activity and attacking weaknesses. Piece activity and space are intricately connected both through advantages to the player with the space and disadvantages to the one who is cramped. Its also fascinating how much piece activity can compensate for material deficits. Being able to recognize, create, and exploit weaknesses is crucial as well and combining these concepts is the basis for positional chess and finding solid plans. Homework: my rook on a1 is sad, I have blacks f6 knight pinned, so I'd like to increase the pressure on this piece. If I exchange with Bxf6 straightaway then I risk activating and helping my opponents Queen which I would like to keep buried. Therefore the idea of doubling rooks on the f-file seems like a good plan, so I'd start with f4 (which will likely open the f-file), then double the rooks, looking to a possible rook sacrifice on f6 to open up the kings defense and expose his queen.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Such nice feedback, thanks! Great answer to the homework!

[@babakmahmid]

You are an amazing teacher and coach! Thank you for your lessons in which you teach how one should think in chess before touching a piece!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Amazing comment, thank you so much! Slowing down and thinking. That is the key!

[@briandwi2504]

Thanks, excellent lesson as always, clear and actionable. Homework. Black's pieces are quite passive, the knight is pinned, the bishop is staring at the e4 pawn. Our pieces are relatively active. The h file can be used as a possible attack route. Given the pin on the knight, we can put pressure on it, so 1 f4 If exf then Rxf4 and that is very good for us. If they don't take then 2 fxe5 and we have opened the f file and the knight is in trouble.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! Excellent answer!

[@TheVibelot]

Extraordinarily helpful. Thanks!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

My pleasure!

[@brainfellow5140]

Thank you as always, Dr. Can, another great video, and your training is helping me see a lot more of these plans and situations rather than blindly trying things. I love the "Homework" sections, please keep these coming! I always make every effort to answer the homework challenges, because they help to see how much I learned from the video lesson. Re: Homework - When I look at this position, I immediately see the bishop pinning the f7 pawn to their king which makes their pawn a g6 a potential target. Their knight is pinned to their queen by our bishop. Our rook on a1 is asleep, needs to get into the game. Their pieces are on back-rank doing very little right now. The only plans I see are either: 1) Rae1 to prepare an eventual rook-lift over to the h-file, and 2) f4 or h4 with plans of f5 or h5 to attack that g6 hook-pawn and break open the king's shelter. I don't see anything else that looks good that wouldn't awaken more of their pieces.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! I will keep giving homework. f2-f4! actually makes both of our sleeping rooks happy, after the inevitable opening of the f-file :)

[@brainfellow5140]

@@Dr.CansClinic Well, at least f4 was in my candidates list 🙂and I see now why it works better than the other two moves, but I was truly leaning towards h4 and suppose I got a bit tunnel-vision on that move instead... thanks Dr. Can, catch you in the next video!

[@joelrivera9394]

Thank you for uploading this video I found it very instructive.. Mabuhay and God bless..

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@DrSergioValdez]

Thanks!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

My pleasure!

[@derweigo]

Again a beautiful video. I really hope that this new course will be released still this year, because I started recently to work on my strategic/positional understanding and there are not so many courses on Chessable for fundamental understanding of positional play. And I have to admit even if I understand your message here very well, without drilling it with more exercises it is difficult to remember it on the long run. So a course would definitely help!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! This year is impossible as I only now started working on it. But I am excited about the final outcome!

[@darkomaric9613]

I want more videos like this! My ELO will jump at least for 100 after this educational video!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks! Please check chess strategy deep dive series as well as my 5 Chessable courses on strategy.

[@sertaco]

Another high quality video with vivid examples to make your point. Thanks. I will study these positions with my kids today.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is amazing to hear, thank you so much! Hope the kids will like it too!

[@samuelsiltanen4949]

Thanks for the video. It confirmed my own views that piece activity and targets are basically all that is needed to understand chess strategy. Almost everything else can be derived from those two. This sounds deceptively simple, but I haven't found any counter-examples yet. In the homework position it seems that both bishops are already doing something. The light-squared bishop has an eye on f7 and the dark-squared bishop pins the f6-knight and it cannot be driven away easily, because h6 is not possible. So this means that the rooks are our most passive pieces. To activate them we need to open a file. But which file? Opening the c-file with d4 would be counter-productive, since the e4-pawn that is currently blunting black's bishop on b7 would become a weakness. The f-file seems like a better alternative. The other rook is already there and also the pinned knight is there. The plan would start with f4 and then double the rooks on the f-file. The queen can join the battery if necessary. The file will be opened by either white playing fxe5 or black playing exf4. The only counterplay that can see for black is playing d5, trying to activate their bishop and create a target on e4. But if we start with 1. f4, black doesn't have time for it. For example: 1. f4 d5? 2. fxe5 winning. And if 1...exf4 it might be simplest to just take 2. Rxf4 and if 2...d5? then either 3. exd5 Bxd5 4. Bxd5 Qxd5 5. Bxf6 gxf6 6. Rxf6 winning a pawn or 3. e5 Re8 4. d4 Qd7 (if black doesn't step out of the pin, the the knight is lost after the white queen moves) 5. Bxf6 gxf6 6. Rxf6 also winning pawn. And finally, if they don't take on f4 in the first move, we can start doubling the rooks on the f-file. Black might try 1...Qe7 to be able to recapture with the queen (fxe5 Qxe5) and get rid of the pin, so there is no rush to capture before the rooks are ready. Otherwise, if the black queen moves out of the diagonal, we win a pawn by first exchanging on e5 and then taking twice on f6.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Another excellent comment, Sam! Thank you for your thoughtful analysis. f4! is great, and you also broke down the ideas behind it.

[@roytwinberrow7956]

Suggestions for the title of your book "Whats going on?",.after doing a crazy amount of puzzles thats what I ask myself when I look at a chess position.. Great stuff as always sir. Are you interested in birds in general or just ravens? Thanks

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! An interesting title idea. Will consider that! Ravens in particular, birds in general.

[@c3works]

Great video! I had to get your Chessable course after this. Love your insights

[@Dr.CansClinic]

So motivating to hear this!! Please ask me anything while studying my course. Thank you, thank you!

[@anthonyjaglal]

Once again another fantastic video 👏👏💯🌟 there's so much complexity in managing or marrying the opening and the mechanics of piece play the blending of the two can be challenging, also in master games we look for sooo much fantasic moves when somtimes its simple moves wins the game🎉👏👏

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks again! Such wise words.

[@ibiwisi]

Thank you, Dr. Can! The notion of "piece activity" has always seemed vague and mysterious to me; but the more I watch your videos and work through your Chessable courses, the more concrete and understandable it becomes. Two thoughts for consideration. First, a "quick and dirty" way to orient myself to a particular piece's activity strength is simply to count the number of squares that the piece controls (i.e., the number of squares that it can move to, including squares where it can make a capture, even if the capture appears at first glance to be a bad move). If this number is low, then it's easy enough to "reverse engineer" a better spot for that piece where it would have greater activity strength. And from there, it's easy enough to come up with one or more plans to implement that idea. Does this make sense? Second, the key concept is _net_ piece activity, considering the opponent's piece activity as well. A plan that reduces the activity strength of the opponent's pieces is often as strong as a plan that increases our own. Final thought, if I haven't rambled too much already. For me, it's helpful to visualize a flock of chickens. Clearly, they are unhappy crammed into a chicken coop with hundreds of their closest friends. They want to walk around in the pasture! (For those of you who aren't vegetarian, if you've ever tasted a pastured chicken, you know how much better a happy chicken tastes!) So, when I see one of my Bishops trapped inside my own pawn chain (as in the first two positions in this video), I think: "For God's sake, let him out of the chicken coop!"

[@Dr.CansClinic]

As always, a lovely comment Michael! I took a screenshot and may brag one day on the intellectual quality of my subscribers 😅 Love those analogies of the flock of chickens and net piece activity! That was the reason why I created the Art of Burying Pieces course (can we decrease the opponent's piece activity?)

[@kevinfoley7379]

Well done and well said.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you!

[@RyanKrauss]

I would be very interested in the book/course that you are talking about. I own several of your chessable courses already. One of the reviewers of your courses commented that your stuff is some of the best out there for getting started at understanding strategy and positional play. I agree with that and feel like there is a need for what I would call advanced beginner content on strategy.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

So humbled to hear it, thank you so much for studying my courses! Please ask me anything on Chessable while studying them.

[@matthiaswolfl9759]

Excellent, thank you!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

The pleasure is mine!

[@nicholask2829]

Folks, he is a great chess coach and has been opening my eyes ever since I subscribed ~2weeks back. Thanks coach!! Nit: The black ravens in your room are kinda eerie 😅 Maybe a more lively background setup will help the channel. 🙃

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Great to hear that! I hope you hear 'folks' and not 'fox' as some others. Hmm, will be difficult to say goodbye to the ravens... Thanks for the feedback though.

[@ibiwisi]

We love the ravens! @nicholask2829, FYI, @Dr.CansClinic is a cognitive scientist "in his spare time" 😉, and he has done some fascinating research about ravens,showing that they have thought processes (e.g., planning, anticipating threats, and using tools) that are more sophisticated than most people realize. Google "Can Kabadayi research" for more. End of advertisement. 😁

[@vineetkumar-sp8zg]

​​@@Dr.CansClinicI understand feelings so hear Folks😊. Thanks for your valuable videos.

[@timwoods3173]

Thank you

[@Dr.CansClinic]

You're welcome!

[@thorstendorn2119]

Folks ... if the chessable course comes out, I will buy.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That will make me happy, folks!

[@adeykittani]

Wow, fantastic video, Dr. Can! It's clear and super important. I believe the solution is f4, allowing my rook to become more active, opening the f-file, and potentially doubling the rooks to apply pressure on f7. Am I on the right? It would be great if you could add an opening series to explain how the middle game and pawn structure developed from the opening. Thanks for considering!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your kind words! f4! is the solution indeed :) I will consider your idea!

[@michaelf8221]

I love all lessons where you talk to your pieces. Doubly so if there's a tricky Nb1 move! Homework: f4 will activate all the heavy pieces down the f file to target the already pinned knight.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Nb1 is elegant indeed, thanks for the kind feedback! Great answer!

[@gvgthewave602]

I love this 🔥🔥🔥

[@Dr.CansClinic]

🙏 Lovely feedback.

[@ShakilAhmed-be3nc]

Your teaching process and your contents are great sir❤

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks a ton! Really motivating. Please feel free to share the channel so more people know the existence of this free resource.

[@stonedjunkie2081]

I will start with f4, if e takes f4 then Rxf4, if not i push f5 to try and advance on the king side with anticipation of doubling the rooks and breaking through and maybe some mating attacks😊

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! f4! is an excellent plan, making our rooks happy and putting pressure on the f6-knight.

[@ralfscholle2023]

Thanks. Great Lesson!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

My pleasure!

[@Crelids]

f4 , exf4, Rxf4 - ultimately doubling rooks on F, or opening center via f4xe5 forcing recapture and putting pressure down d file?

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Absolutely! Excellent.

[@andrejennings1577]

Good Morning all, I am a casual player i invested in two of his courses Fundamental Chess Calculation Skills and Chess Crime and Punishment and have become a much better player i recommended them for an investment...❤

[@Dr.CansClinic]

❤️ That is amazing to hear, thank you so much for your kind feedback!

[@TheRocking789]

Home work -F4 1.If e*F4 R*F4 and other room will join f file Then open up centre to attack the knight 2. If e don't take on F4 The we take e5 to open f file

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent, thanks!

[@karanasrani5596]

F4 seems to be a good move

[@raajeshchess]

Thanks for the video. Can please tell is it possible to play strategic/positional chess in aggressive opening too.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! Absolutely, we can play strategically in the Najdorf or most other Sicilians, together with several others. Piece activity + weaknesses are found everywhere!

[@pasadenapsych44]

Looking forward to hearing more about your book. I'm curious too, having made a few chessable courses, what is it about the book format that attracts you? (I say this as a great lover of books).

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much! The book idea was a thought, and I still need to find a publisher. I am a book nerd myself. Several people asked me to write one too.

[@pasadenapsych44]

Really enjoy the strategy videos. Myself went through the first three Helsten books, have a clue about strategy. But the errors that do me in are related to board vision. Curious if you have any ideas about improving board vision. Long bishop moves are the death of me!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! I will have dedicated exercises on those sniper bishops in my blunder-check course. I will also soon talk to a vision scientist, Ben Balas, on visual crowding and why we miss those long distance pieces. I will release that talk in this channel.

[@omamoka63]

Having studied it, I can wholeheartedly recommend 'Chess crime and punishment'. It is excellent. It is great news, that a sequel is in course of preparation. A good book of strategy, that is not overly advanced is sorely missed. But now we are about to have one. 👏

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you soo much for your kind recommendation 🙏

[@sammcmaster8588]

Hey Dr. Can, really appreciate your videos. I'm still at the beginning stages of my chess journey and would like a suggestion on which of your chess courses would be most beneficial for someone who is just starting out, love your videos but I have a problem putting the lessons into practice and thinking of them in real games. For example with the home work, I know the knight on F6 is weak but I'm unsure of the ideal way to attack it. our bishops are strong but our rooks are sad. Maybe pushing F4 would propose a pawn trade, opening the file for our rook? Thanks again for your channel, you do an amazing job!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your amazing feedback. f4! is excellent, congrats! As we discussed with Solveig on the last podcast episode, the teacher has to catch the student on the right level/time. Here is my Chessable course for beginners: www.chessable.com/the-chess-elevator-climb-to-1200-and-beyond/course/229177/ It will help raise your floor and give solid thought process fundamentals.

[@shadeburst]

Homework first line up the a1 rook with the Black queen. Black queen to e7. Attack the centre with either d4 or f4.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

f4 is the right plan! You mentioned it!

[@shadeburst]

@@Dr.CansClinic Yes but that's a tactic not a positional strategy.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@shadeburst What do you mean? We are activating both of our sleeping rooks on the f-file after f4.

[@ChillMusic15-z5m]

Thanks a lot sir for your deep info about the as i improved my elo and reached 810

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is amazing to hear, I am so happy if I have contributed to it!

[@ChillMusic15-z5m]

@@Dr.CansClinic You really did and I learnt positional understanding of pieces as position of pieces does matter a lot for example in my end game it was just my pawn and king Left but still won the game ... Question - How to dominate and set traps at every single move ?

[@NidusFormicarum]

P1: Yes, I had the same ideas, but I also noticed that if ...exf5, g5 traps the knight and if Black moves the knight let's say to g8 the move f6 could become a serious problem. My problem is move order though. Not easy at all. Perhaps it doesn't matter so much but it often does matter - at least if you have a strong opponent. c3 stops ...b4 so it seems good to start with, but I am tempted to play an early f4 och perhaps sneak in that before Rae1. Sometimes it is a good idea to start with the moves you know should be played and c3 and f4 are more definite than Rae1. (Maybe I want to bring it to another square later.) I did notice that Black's knight will get in trouble if I can threaten mate in h7 and he has to play ...g6 Yes, Kg7 saves the knight bit White would get an attack. But of course, Black will have solved that problem by then so it will not work unless Black plays poorly. P2: Same thoughts. P3: The same even though I tried ...Na5 for Black after Ra1. I confirmed that ...Rh8 is necessary by the variation 1 Ng5 Ra2 2 Nxh7 Rxb2 3 Nf6+ (or Nf8+) followed by pawn push and promotion. P4: Same variation, but I started with Qe1. Not Nf3, but f4 followed by Nf3 instead just wins the pawn if I am not mistaken. "Homework": Rad1, Bc2, d4 and perhaps f4. I know I can play d4 immediately too. I am not sure about using the f-file since a ... Nh5 could be annoying. The pawn on d4 stops Nc5. Black's queen might go to e8. ...a5 and ...Ba6 is an idea.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent observations, thanks! f4 wins the pawn indeed, but fxe5 allows ...Bh6! followed by ...Be3. That gives Black compensation. Not easy to see though...

[@NidusFormicarum]

@@Dr.CansClinic I saw ...Bh6, but I didn't consider the positional ramifications of ...Be3. Yes, a bit hard for me to notice a couple of movrs in advance. I would have good chances to see it in the position after Nd2 though when I would have to choose again between f4 and Nf3. This is the reason Black's bishop doesn't go to d6, I realize now. Then the question is whether I would evaluate the position correctly. I am not sure. To see the opponent have compensation is one thing, how much compensation is a completely different story. Yesterday I was up a piece for two pawns and his king was on f1 while his rook was cut of from the rest of the army. That sounds winning, right? The problem was that he had good control over some central squares and my own king was relatively weak/exposed with tactical possibilities for him. I correctly (according to the computer) judged that I was much better, but in practice it was very difficult for both sides to play. Eventually I won, but there was so much work to do!

[@GaryWalters-tk2lp]

Great lesson as so useful to look at positional chess broken down like this, two principals that are easy to remember and as youve just shown sometimes simple to put into practice if we just look out for the signals. Homework, white looks clearly better here in my opinion, we have far better piece activety and various targets, the black knight is tied down because of the pin, the bishop is undefended, c7 is a backward pawn at present and the g6 pawn is undefended due to the piece relationship between our bishop and there king, so a lot to look at but I believe our strongest play would be pressurise the g6 pawn whilst keeping the pressure on the black knight, therefore f4 followed by f5 looks promosing I think

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! f4! is the correct move indeed, making our rooks happy and pressurizing the f6-knight.

[@GaryWalters-tk2lp]

​@@Dr.CansClinicSorry to ask but in the homework position I see reading the comments that most have seen the initial f4 push which makes most sence (thankfully including me) but it seems opening the f file is the main goal for most afterwards with the intension of bring in the rooks on that file but can I ask why keeping it closed is not so strong after the initial f4, I looked at both options and fxe5 certainly looks strong. Whereas pushing looks like it locks out blacks pieces from defending there king and I thought still gave us the options to bring in the heavy pieces whilst maintaining a lot of pressure on black, I assumed probably wrongly that black could not take f5 as it was so weakening to his king's safety, both options still look good to me so I'm kind of left torn as to why one is better than the other.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@GaryWalters-tk2lp I hear you. f5 also looks strong, if the idea is to activate the rooks on the f-file. The issue is would you still play f4-f5 is Black played ...Bc8? because then you allow ..gxf5 and you cannot recapture with the rook.

[@GaryWalters-tk2lp]

​@@Dr.CansClinicthank you that's really helped as I'd assumed black would move his queen first of all but bc8 is a nice resource 👍

[@netcrazy4727]

I would like to know the ideas different between hyper modern opening and the old school opening sir I wish to watch in next episode 🎉🎉🎉

[@jpc812]

I am getting better at evaluating your position examples. I feel like I am getting better at seeing the weaknesses. I am still faltering in my games to lack of closing skill. Too often I am losing any material advantage I have due to either a late game blunder or just miscalculating an exchange and letting my opponent even back up. The other thing I am exceptionally weak at is the ability to force the queens off the board when I do have an advantage. If I am up a minor or major piece but the Queens are still active, I often fall to my opponent's aggressive use of their Queen and let them back into the game. My endgame is getting better, but do you have a video on effective use of the Queen in the middlegame both as an attacker or a way to neutralize the opponent's Queen? Thanks again for the great content.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts. Have you checked my course The Art of Exchanging Pieces? There is a separate chapter on the queen trade there. That involves trading off and neutralizing the enemy queen too.

[@mitchellcastillo646]

On position 3 after 1Ng5 Rh8. I thought maybe 2.Rh3 followed by Rf3-f7 putting pressure on h7 was also a good continuation. Maybe it's too slow.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks! That looks like an interesting idea too!

[@feizai245]

Typical beginners’ problem is lacking the concept of squares contest and control. Beginners only see occupied squares and most of the time don’t take into account the unoccupied squares.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is why I made a video about square control. Will keep on doing similar videos.

[@feizai245]

@@Dr.CansClinic Yes, please. And thank you for the work, time and effort you put into your videos.

[@Flickit100]

Thank you Dr Can, for your excellent videos

[@richardsrensen4219]

what is going on ?!!😇You got humor ! in the last position i whan f4 open the f file and pressure on the pin and black have no chek to get uot of the pin after f4 qe7 Rf2 And Raf1 plan and as i see it black can t play d5 ! i am looking forward to your Book !

[@Dr.CansClinic]

:) f4! is excellent, thanks!

[@tonynorriss379]

In the example 13.09-17.05, would white have been better to play f4 before playing Nf3? This would have exploited the pin on the black rook and then allowed Nf3, attacking the black pawn four times and winning it by force. In the homework position, it appears that the rook on a1 could be improved and the attacking potential of the rook on f1 increased. So f4. If pxp then Rxp allowing the rook on a1 to come to f1 with tempo. Thus, white has doubled their rooks on the f file. Then there is a big threat of BxN pxB Rxp and, combined with the bishop on b3 white has enormous pressure against the pawn on f7. White could also triple on the pawn on f7 by bringing the queen into the battery with say Qf2.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent answer to the homework! f4 in that position is also a good thought, the only drawback is fxe5 will be answered by ...Bh6! followed by ...Be3. The bad bishop becomes annoyingly active!

[@alexatedw]

I was thinking the pawn push blocks out the queen from coming in easily. I can later trade the bishop for the knight after I set up my rook

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent! I assume you meant f4.

[@petetaylor9758]

At the 16:30 mark or so, can White not play f2-f4 before Nf3, taking advantage of the pin?

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is logical too. The problem is after fxe5 Black has a strong retort ...Bh6! followed by ...Be3. They are awakening the bad bishop.

[@petetaylor9758]

@@Dr.CansClinic OK, Thanks, I missed that. Maybe I need to watch your video on calculation!

[@shanr8120]

Excellent thank, in above examples if you’re black how to play?

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much! That is the topic of another video :)

[@TheDedloc]

As a beginner player: The first thing I notice is the black knight on the side of the board. The position is closed up and my white bishop looks unhappy. My wall feels incomplete. My immediate plan is c3, Bb1, and Qd3. If his pieces don't move at all then that is a mate threat. I guess if I were black, I want to fix my knight. Thats what I see Edit: I think I nailed it lol Position 2: As white, my bishop again feels bad. My knight could be better. My rooks feel meh but are at least connected and I don't mind the rook lined up with the queen.. I mean that cant be bad right? My pawn structure again feel incomplete. If my knight were to move I could finish my wall, which feels nice. I want to do a similar plan as position 1. Ne2, c3, Bb1, and this time start pushing h4, h5.. if he stay pinned. As black I'm looking at the outposts on g3 and e3 and wondering how I could menuver my knight there.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

You nailed them indeed!

[@RMF49]

#3 Black has the a file and our b2 is weak and our second rank is weak. Black N has outpost on f5 that would hit our h pawn. Our R is passive but our N has jumps to e5+ and g5 hitting the weak h7 pawn. Black can’t let us capture h7 as our h6 pawn would run and our R would become good. So Ng5 seems best then black must play Rh8 which is totally passive. We could then take the a file if we want though blacks king seems to be able to stop us from doing much with it. f3 and e4 can take away blacks outpost for the N on f5. We also could create an outpost on e5 for our N by playing d4 but that would really help blacks N as well giving him c4 and e4. So I’m playing Ng5 then after Rh8 I’m not sure. Probably f3 and e4 keeping my R on h1 so that Nxh7 remains a threat.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Excellent observations! Ng5! was the correct move.

[@RMF49]

I see our bishop is terrible. Both sides rooks are bad lacking open files. Our queen is passive at the moment but helps defend . Black’s knight has no where to go. I see c3, Bb1 improves our bishop but we first want to move our a1 rook. Since black may want to play f6 to open a file for his f8 rook and give his knight a square that means e1 is a good place for the a1 rook as this makes f6 worse. So c3, Rae1, Bb1, f4, f5 is my plan though it’s not 100% to our advantage since this plan makes his knight more active. But overall it seems like the f file us our best pawn break.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Super nice!

[@yangye7754]

Wait. When you have three attackers against your opponent's pawn defended by three defenders, aren't your pieces also "tied up" to the attack and couldn't move?

[@Dr.CansClinic]

No, because you have the initiative: you can remove them from attack any time you want to create other problems or you can put more pressure while keeping the opponent's pieces in check.

[@yangye7754]

@@Dr.CansClinic thanks. Can you make a video about this? I feel like what you described here is the hardest part. Too often the attack just stalls.

[@hiwibaba22]

Okay medical joke here but if you do go ahead with your book idea that you mention here in the video one chapter could potentially be called "Dr C's Board Exam Review" (or something like that). Put me down for Amazon Pre-sale with signed copy when that comes out 🎉

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I love that idea! :) I need to find a publisher first, but the thought is there!

[@larspersson5492]

ok, Dr Mabuse...

[@theciscokid-23t]

Thank you. I’ve been committing chess crimes. I have been punished. I will not break the laws as much now 😂🎉

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is great to hear! Mistakes are inevitable, but we should reflect on those and seek feedback.

[@mingolam]

Please provide the solution on the homework on the next video so that we can check so everyone will chase your video in sequence

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I am interacting with each and every comment on the homework position. I should mention this more in the actual video. You can also read the other comments to see the solution and even ways for the correct solution.

[@mingolam]

@@Dr.CansClinic I understand but as a follower of your channel, maybe you spend one minute to explain the solution in the beginning of a new video so it will feel like watching TV series

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@mingolam Yes but that would actually bad for the algorithm (if the new video has nothing to do with the old homework position, people may find it irrelevant and quit early). I may limit it to the chess strategy deep dive series only. I will think about it.

[@MM-tt3np]

f4

[@peterintoronto6472]

Lovely lesson. I think it would be good to tie the homework to an available answer. Right now the homework doesn't require you to do anything, it just sits there. Possibilities: just announce that you will provide the answer in the comments 24 hours after you post; give students a link to an answer place; some other alternative (I know nothing about how KZbin works). Just a suggestion.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks as always, Peter! I am replying to each and every answer for the homework, and I thought it was very easy to check that way. I will keep thinking about it.

[@ibiwisi]

Hi, Peter. I would respectfully suggest that even better than reading a posted answer is to scroll through the comments and see others' answers and explanations. One of the hidden beauties of this KZbin channel is that @DrCan'sClinic has attracted an amazing community of thoughtful and articulate followers who are happy to share their ideas. Every Dr. Can video is not only an excellent lesson, but it's also a spirited class discussion!

[@giacalonebuilding4443]

If you look a bit harder he always gives the answer in the comments , he will respond to comments telling them they are right, or why they are not right and giving the correct move(s). He should make a discord server though that would be cool

[@peterintoronto6472]

@@Dr.CansClinic Hi, that you provide an individual or a cumulative answer (if that is how you conceptualise it) is not the same as stating somewhere that at least an answer is forthcoming at some later moment (if no one provides it). You don't say anywhere that if you do your homework, the teacher will answer, or check one answer off as the right one. I only just found out that individual answering is what you believe you are doing to all submissions! It may be that where you live, that is standard -- i.e. the teacher marks all submitted homework assignments. In North America, you can do all kinds of homework that is never submitted or marked: some is, but some is not, homework is often considered just what you do at home to keep up. There is no automatic sense that it is submitted and gets feedback. Mine is only a suggestion to clarify the status of what happens to homework on your site.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@peterintoronto6472 Thanks Peter. I should remind people that I am responding to every comment on the homework position.

[@sasthanatarajan4760]

First Qf3 and attacking the knight twice with the help of bishop.. After capturing the Knight and make the double pawns in front of Black king then bring out light square bishop in to action after Rook to e1.,Bdl . Then target the weak pawns before the black king with the bishop and Rooks. Our Rooks and Bishop are well coordinated against the weak structured pawns before the black king where as Black’s bishop and Rooks are not coordinated well enough. It’s a small advantage

[@MaltaCros]

The Knight is protected by his Queen, so there will be no double pawns.

[@sasthanatarajan4760]

@@MaltaCros1. Qf3 then what if bishop captures knight ??Either Queen trade and double pawns or simply captured by pawn and made double pawns

[@mikkelhansen3714]

did you forget that white can just start with f4? No need to rush:)

[@sasthanatarajan4760]

@@mikkelhansen3714 it’s may be your style…. Nice ..!!! Well done

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I agree with mikkelhansen:)

[@newstatejim]

Amazing video. I want to ask whyyyyyyy?! And know the answer! 🙏🏻👏🏻♟️

[@Dr.CansClinic]

❤️ That is always a great question, and not only in chess!

[@RagnarsAxe1945]

Thanks!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is extremely generous, thank you so much for your support! 🙏