These types of beginners videos are really the only type of videos on this channel that I'm able to follow and truly understand. Please make more of them Anna!
I’m sure that you hear this a lot…… You are very pretty AND amazing at chess! I hope that this doesn’t come across as creepy or offensive in anyway. How many languages can you speak? I wish I was better at chess…….. I enjoy watching/listening to your videos whilst I work on my bonsai trees. Keep up the awesome videos! Take care.
I do mistake 3 a lot. The reason is that as a beginner less pieces means simpler game. So I have to feeling to be able to strategize more after an null exchange.
@@williamhicks558 agree. im a beginner myself and I always push for rook or queen exchanges because chances are my enemy can handle them better than i do so if theyre gone its better for me
I would add to point No 4. Always check what defence you are taking away before you move a piece. For example at my lowly level very often you have a piece defending the queen which when you move causes a file or diagonal to open and consequent loss if there is an enemy piece strategically placed ie bishops stowed away in the back ranks!
Thank you Anna for being our chess teacher. :) The point of using your king in the endgame was something that really resonated with me because sometimes I have noticed that I just activated my king too late and ended up losing the game because of that.
I just got beat with two pawns and a king for each side the other day. Somehow the dude got the edge on me and started dominoing my pawns. That wss a good tip.
Thank you, Anna. Wonderful content for all ages as always. The point about not being scared of losing a bad bishop, was a really good point to remember. Practicing activating my king in an endgame has saved me from my horrible lost positions quite a few times. Not blundering a draw in a king and pawn endgame can be really hard when you're down to a couple of seconds though!
Anna, this is a HUGE help! And thanks for keeping your channel chess-focused, although you don't let that stop you from doing other fun things you want to do.
Anna is such a good explainer and explains extremely well abt wat we should and shouldnt do and why. So educational and informative! Keep up the good work anna and continue posting awesome content!😊
This is a nice video. Thank you. I think that the biggest beginner mistake that I've and many others make relates to king safety, specifically castling - not castling at all, castling too late or castling to the wrong side of the board (undefended by other minor/major pieces).
As a corollary to #3, it's also worth noting that taking "free" pieces is not always the best choice, especially if that piece is a pwn (sometimes, it is just a blunder). I learned that the hard way playing Chinese chess (close enough for the purposes of this advice) against a far stronger opponent. He offered me a handicap that allowed me to box him in very badly. He knew my greed, and fed me a pwn. After taking that pwn, everything went to hell, and he won easily.
You should do a video on the things a player should accomplish in their first ten moves. 1) develop your minor pieces 2) gain control in the center 3) castle 4) ... The first five things to do to become a "chess player" instead of a wood pusher are ... Learn the basic tactics; pin, fork, discovered attack, x-ray, remove the defender, increase pressure on a weak piece, ... Review and learn GM games with the opening theme so you don't get busted in the opening. Learn strategic ideas like opening lines for your bishops, posting a supported knight on the 5th or sixth(!) rank in a hole, placing rooks on open or half-open files, not using your queen early on a fruitless attack, ... Endgame play needs to be learned and understood earlier than new players believe. How to improve a position after the opening is the final part of the first lessons. Many new-ish players, after the opening, can't form a good plan to implement in the middle game. Then their opponent gets the initiative and wins.
Great video. I would have also included learning the points value of each piece. Pawn = 1, Bishop = 3, Knight = 3, Rook = 5, Queen = 9, King = (infinity).
More 11 mistakes. Dont feel miserable for loosing, even the best experienced loose. The mistake number one: loose a pawn or a piece with no compensation. Number two: not preventing a knight double attack. Number three: pinning. Number four: Not seeing the checkmate threat. Number five: voracious chess style without regarding chess pieces. This one I enjoy the most! Number six: delaying your pieces development. Number seven: playing without thinking. Number eight: playing an opening or a defense you dont know. Number nine: having pieces blocked. Number 10: Try to force a draw game an ending loosing it. My second most prefered. Number 11: Your opponent left a piece unprotected and you didnt take it.
I really appreciate this video, especially the part about considering where your piece is on the board as opposed to where your opponent's piece it at on the board when exchanging a piece as opposed to simply looking at the value of each piece irrespective of each piece's position . That makes so much sense but I had never thought of it that way before.👍👍👍
I popped into your stream a week or two ago to say that your vids from pogchamps were my favorite to learn from as a beginner. Thank you so much for making more of these!! I absolutely love your teaching style
Anna, The advice about the number of attackers is SO VALUABLE! I've been playing for about 2-years and had not made that connection. I used this logic is several of my games this morning. Also, reversed to where if I'm being attacked by two pieces, I try to guard with two pieces.... thank you!
Just keep playing. Eventually, your brain would adjust and grow out from having tunnel vision. Those blunders are building blocks of learning. We can all learn about it by watching others play, but unless you experience them yourself, you won't develop awareness to avoid hanging pieces.
@@odomisan Thanks. Yeah. It helped after I accepted the fact instead of oopses. It's a lot of layers to go through. A fog somehow. All of a sudden it isn't in some area.
I thought the explanation and examples on king actively in the endgame was really good. It's clear I've been pushing pawns way too early. I'll try this tip out. Thanks!
Exchanging minor pieces is a major tactic used by intermediate and strong players. The purpose is to create an imbalance. When there is an imbalance, a good positional player can for the position to favor his strength against the opponent's weakness. As you discussed briefly, trading your bad bishop for your opponent's good bishop is always worth a look. You shouldn't do it just out of reflex, but it deserves a look.
Here is a "check list" or thought process I was taught early on. Before you move a piece ask: 1. Why is the piece where it is? Could just be in its starting position, but it could also be there to protect another piece. 2. Why do I want to move it? Have a reason. Don't just move to move. 3. How is the square I want to move to defended? (as you discussed) 4. What will my opponent do next? You don't want to move blindly into a fork or skewer or pin. Calculate, calculate, calculate. You should use a similar thought process after each opponent's move: 1. Why was it where it was? Your opponent may have just blundered the piece it was guarding. 2. Why did they move to where they did? Figure out why. 3. Can you attack or defend? 4. What will my opponent do next?
I am a quite experienced chessplayer and I always apply the rules you are explaining. Regarding bishops and knights, bishops are superior when the positions are open or in the endgame, especially when you own the pair of bishops. Knights are superior when the positions are closed. Knights can always manoever in order to jump into the opponent‘s position.
thank you for taking the time to explain the fundementals and especially why they are the way they are you are very easy to watch and I love this kind of content bravo 🔥🔥
4:25 If you move your bishop "back over here here", (h4), the engine I want you to play will snag it, and probably rip apart your castle. I have learned it needs more of a back door, trade, or get it out of there. What it will do is black pawn to g5. You have one square left for the bishop at g3, then black knight to h5, and you trade anyway but leaving you with a damaged castle. That is not counting the black queen and light square bishop pointing at the castle wall with your pawns knocking on the castle door. I get smoked by my game if I put the bishop there with out a good back door.
With all respect I have to disagree around 4:19 in. By trying to pin the knight and having to move your bishop multiple times you've given up tempo and let them advance. Also, their next move would be pawn to G5 pinning you in and not even giving you the option to trade anymore. Trying to save pieces isn't a smart strategy imo. Go for the kill and take that bishop out. Bishops are just knight hunters as far as I'm concerned. Am I missing something? I don't claim to be a guru but I have played thousands of games and have been commended on my chess game since I was like 5.
4:20 can someone help me with the bishop situation. If u move bishop to h4 then the opponent can go pawn to g5 attacking it to then make you bishop move back which only loses you tempo and increases your opponents control of the board. Can someone type the moves that follow bh4? Also if black were to kingside castle I guess that would make them lose good king safety by moving the bishop but wouldn’t they just castle queenside instead then.
Thanks Anna; did learn & more importantly, understood. Most of the time we can't keep up with your thinking because you & yours are so quick -- which is good. We need to study more, and of course, practice. We don't even have a board and pieces, stationary or electric, so all we do is watch and listen. However, there's great hope as long as you keep up the motivation and ambition for chess enthusiasts. 🌹
For the not exchanging pieces, its good not to exchange as it can allow opponent to develop a piece. Better to let the opponent exchange so you can develop a piece.
This is really nice video. You are clear, articulate and the presentation is excellent. I'm not a complete beginner but I still found this worth watching.
Thanks for the tips. Haven't played chess since I was young and seeing some of your videos has really given me the spark I once had playing with my dad. Cheers.
another problem i have is being told do this do that ...but playing is different .....because the other player will do something different ...all your plans are gone ...i have seen it so many times do this trap do that trap ....but it never works out that way ....your oppented in not stupid
In the mistake 3 - what would you do if black plays pawn g5 after you moved back? Then your bishop has to go g3 which seems like a weak place. Is it not better to exchange because of that? Timestamp ~ 4:15
Your comments on the king in the endgame are very helpful, but the broader subject that players need to know is they must study endgame play early or they will fight for fifteen to twenty moves being nearly equal only to have it all lost with the first careless move in the start of the endgame.
@@shredder807she is beautiful, smart, kind and great at chess. What can you say for yourself? Stop comparing normal women to models, we are not in this world to serve you. Go wipe your butt properly now and brush your teeth, you stink
As someone with no chess experience, I always thought it was a decent strategy to exchange pieces for "no reason" since fewer pieces on the board would simplify the game and as a beginner it would give me a better chance against a more skilled player.
To be honest, I'm not sure if it'll help me become a GM. But listening to her and watching the arrows move back and forth is super relaxing. She's so sweet.
Oh my goodness, so much to remember. I'm very new to chess, and this seems to be a lot to take in. Thank You for the instructional video. I watched one of your videos which teaches about moving pieces, and keeping them protected which helped me which I'm very thankful for because I was just moving them all over the place which just frustrated me to no end. Many thanks for these videos.
@Anna Cramling Excellent tutorial. My biggest downfall as a crappy chess player isn't any of those 5 (typically) but rather I have what I call fatal tunnel vision.......meaning that I'm so focused on my plans that I fail to see many attacks that could have been averted if I wasn't so tunnel visioned into my own plans. I don't know if there's an actual term in chess for this strategy flaw but I'm sooooooo guilty of it. 😳
Two things you should do if you are willing to invest in getting better; record the moves of your games and review them to see where you got caught, and when your opponent moves figure out why they made that move before you select your own move. Good chess players try to create a threat with every move because this forces the opponent to react to their threats. In this way they hold the initiative. By itself this is a powerful part of being a strong player. To do it, you need to become very well versed in the tactical methods of chess.
@@LouisGedo My pleasure. I am teaching some of my scouts that have the maturity for it to play stronger chess. The few that think they are good players know the Scholar's Mate and beat their classmates with it in one way or another. But after learning which have the maturity to improve their play and I offer to help them become real chess players. Just this weekend, Charlie took his first steps to becoming a real player and not just a wood pusher.
@@LouisGedo Louis, also if you play weaker opponents they may not have any good reason why they played their move, so if you don't see the reason in about 30 seconds, just start looking for your own move. I try to have three moves to consider before I select one, just so I'm looking at the wider board. But this can come later. Having one good move when you can't find any opponent's threat is good enough for a start. But always spend a few seconds trying to see what your opponent just did.
I kind of don't like the first example for mistake 3 of not exchanging the white bishop for the knight because after Bh4 g5 black is winning a tempo with ideas of opening the kingside with h5.
Du gör så underbara videos Anna. Schack för mig ( stolt schack noob ) är som att förstå ett språk man inte kan, man kan vissa ord men man kan inte kommunicera MEN mig älskar utmaningen med att spela Schack hjärnan går verkligen på högvarv / kram på dig
Good tips. I've played for years, but not regularly enough to be a very good player. But I'm not a complete novice either, as I basically knew all of these tips. The problem is I play 10 minute games and often get low on time. If I have 40 seconds left, and am thinking of swapping, I can't take too much time to determine if I am swapping for a weaker piece or not. So sometimes I just blindly swap, especially if I'm taking a knight. My opponents knights always scare me. And I also can't take much time before doing a move to make sure my opponent doesn't have that square covered with more pieces than me. I have to tell at a quick glance in both of these cases. Otherwise I could lose on time. That's not always easy when pressured for time and that's been my problem -doing quick moves without blundering. Playing longer games would help, but I like quick games more.
I was playing online chess and checked off the beginner tab, which I am. I did well against the machine, but played a couple matches against someone who was clearly not a beginner. I hope it was good for their ego, it crushed mine!
I make mistakes playing chess all the time, but never any of these mentioned. For me it’s more about not being cautious and miscalculating where I can go and forget where my opponent’s most dangerous pieces are. A big mistake I think I and many others do is not learning from previous mistakes. Mistakes should not be seen as something negative, but rather something you can learn from and improve on. I think I’ve improved as a player simply by making thousands of different mistakes and then slowly but surely learning not to do those mistakes again. I still do, but maybe less frequently 😂
3:17 actually Bxf6 is the best move according to chess computers, black won't take with the pawn to damage the pawn structure, so black plays Qxf6. Then white play Nc3, threatens to play Nd5 attacks the queen on f6 and threatens to paly Nxc7+ and wins the rook. And it's not easy to prevent that move. If you play Be6 then white plays Bxc6+ forces the pawn to recapture and black's pawn structure is damaged, or still play Nd5 and you cannot take the knight at all, 'cuz if you take, the pawn takes back and the knight on c6 will be killed, except b5, then white will play c4, you can't take the bishop, otherwise white plays Qxa4 and won a pawn. The best choice that black should play is queenside castling. White still plays Nd5 put pieces in the center squares, so exchanging in this position is not bad.
When I was in my teens at school, I used to play quite a bit and although I'd win most games, I made most of these mistakes. We had a thick book on Chess at home that I learned from and there was this one move I used to do that baffled everyone. I'd read about it from this book. However, I just went on Wikipedia and now realise that I played it wrong all along. It was "en passant," which most beginners have no clue about.
Great video-it really does target beginners and provide useful and understandable information. I started playing chess more regularly about a month ago and I learned these lessons the hard way! If only I had seen this video first! Thank you so much/tak tak/gracias!
I like exchanging queens because it's too much pressure knowing the opponent has a queen. The stress of not knowing what to do is multiplied by the presence of a queen.
Most people look at trading pieces as a rookie move but I've had great success in doing so my entire career of 30 years. By doing so you are getting to the end game faster and some people shine there. I'd rather both of us have a knight, rook, a few pawns, and of course your King rather than both of us have an entire board. I've found I excel at the end game with few pieces so the faster I can get it there, the better. Not for everyone but I will almost always trade.
Anna, many thanks for these 5 tips. I'm getting back into playing chess since I teach a chess club in a former British school in Moscow. I've been playing Go since college when a friend introduced it to me. I usually play Go on computers online on a 9x9 board. I think Go helps me look for the best offense and defensive chess moves. I learned good tips from your video today. Thanks.
Getting the bishop out early to a square where it does nothing. Fo example automatically moving it in front of a knight without good reason (even if thereis no pin).
@4:15 the bishop is controlling the knight, but that is the *only* thing the bishop is doing. So it makes the knight useless, but it is itself also useless. How do you reason that the bishop is more valuable?
Something that is not true with good players but is true with new players is in a end game bishops are easier to attack with. For example remove all pieces except 2 bishops same color and force mate for practice than do the same with 2 knights. Which is easier?🤔🤔. Bishops of course!!! New players bishops are like 3.1 points and knights 2.9 in a end game!
Amazing video I have never been rated this is everything I've learnt is having the control of the centre and calculating apponents moves not just my own, I've always went back to basics forks, pins, skewers thankyou for this video🔥🙏
It is important to remind beginners, when they're facing the possibility of an exchange, that all pairs have different values and that the bishop is higher than the knight when its mate is still around and less so when not, which is why you're better off ending up with two bishops than with two knights in an end fame.
Anna , I been playing chess for nearly 40 years but your video here really fixed my game , I was making rookie mistakes but not my game is better then ever , thanks!
Thanks. Used to play alot. Started again this week. Not played for years, for 35 years. Used to beat my dad rip, but as good as i got. Your videos r helpful.
Thank you so much Anna you have inspired me to start playing again but the computer is beating me most times and Im only at level 2 of 6 difficulty. Im sure these instructions will help me improve my game 🤠👍
4:20 Why does it make sence to go there with the bishop? It's the same at the other side when you play the Ruy López opening. The enemy can simply hunt your bishop back with his pawns? Why is this a good move anyways?
Thanks so much, I’m a complete beginner but finally managed to get my opponent into checkmate!! This video helped a lot I’m dominating those four center squares
Glad I found your channel. I’m a 60+ yo beginner who always wished I could learn to play but it seemed beyond my intellect to ever get good at this game.
For #4, how many attackers and defenders/square, I read a interesting tip from a person in a comments section. Use pieces of paper with 64 squares on it, and actually write down in the square, how many times that square is covered and by who. I have not tried it. I don't know how many pieces of paper I would use, but I would draw a table up and print them if I had a color printer, and play with ti a bit.
I'm now a GM because of this video
Lol!
Yup, that's right.
Ah but are you a super GM because of this video?
I'm now a ford
Too much information, we don't need to know what you do when watching Anna 😉
I've been playing chess for 40 years. This is one of the best videos I've ever seen concerning beginner mistakes. Great job, Anna
Been playing for 40 years and not a Grand Master by now??
@@jamesa.2880 maybe he doesn’t play in tournaments
@@jamesa.2880 Do you realize how hard Grandmaster is to achieve?
@@jamesa.2880 I have been pooping for 20 years, still miss my shots from time to time 😏
@@NygorakhonKekadhunama Oh, I didn't know that was how you had to be getting to GM. Sounds like it is for just a limited few it seems.
These types of beginners videos are really the only type of videos on this channel that I'm able to follow and truly understand. Please make more of them Anna!
same here!
Same!
I’m sure that you hear this a lot…… You are very pretty AND amazing at chess! I hope that this doesn’t come across as creepy or offensive in anyway. How many languages can you speak? I wish I was better at chess…….. I enjoy watching/listening to your videos whilst I work on my bonsai trees. Keep up the awesome videos! Take care.
I do mistake 3 a lot. The reason is that as a beginner less pieces means simpler game. So I have to feeling to be able to strategize more after an null exchange.
In defense of beginners trading pieces, besides simplifying things, a piece traded is a piece not blundered away for nothing.
@@williamhicks558 agree. im a beginner myself and I always push for rook or queen exchanges because chances are my enemy can handle them better than i do so if theyre gone its better for me
You're braver than I
I would add to point No 4. Always check what defence you are taking away before you move a piece. For example at my lowly level very often you have a piece defending the queen which when you move causes a file or diagonal to open and consequent loss if there is an enemy piece strategically placed ie bishops stowed away in the back ranks!
Thank you Anna for being our chess teacher. :) The point of using your king in the endgame was something that really resonated with me because sometimes I have noticed that I just activated my king too late and ended up losing the game because of that.
I just got beat with two pawns and a king for each side the other day. Somehow the dude got the edge on me and started dominoing my pawns. That wss a good tip.
Haha noobs
3:10 I like trading pieces in bullet games, specially if it's the opponent's knight which are often too annoying and hard to calculate
same but with bishops LOL
Based on what Anna has seen she could easily do a "And here are the next 50 mistakes players make" video.
These 5 are the most basic aspects of chess after knowing how the pieces move.
Mistake # 6 Dont play women who wear distracting clothing.
@@gus892 you are just weird atp
@@gus892 Orrrr you can just be normal man
If she sees one of my games she'd make that video 😭
This video is not only a great education in chess, it is also a great example of how to do a video.
Anna, this is really helpful. I just started playing and you got me thinking more about why and where I'm moving my pieces! Appreciate you!
Thank you, Anna. Wonderful content for all ages as always. The point about not being scared of losing a bad bishop, was a really good point to remember. Practicing activating my king in an endgame has saved me from my horrible lost positions quite a few times. Not blundering a draw in a king and pawn endgame can be really hard when you're down to a couple of seconds though!
Anna, this is a HUGE help! And thanks for keeping your channel chess-focused, although you don't let that stop you from doing other fun things you want to do.
Other....Things....there is more...than..chess?
This cant be meant serious🤪
@@diskuslars7527 He means drooling
Anna is such a good explainer and explains extremely well abt wat we should and shouldnt do and why. So educational and informative! Keep up the good work anna and continue posting awesome content!😊
Calculating attackers and defenders is really good. Very helpful. Tack så mycket!
This is a nice video. Thank you. I think that the biggest beginner mistake that I've and many others make relates to king safety, specifically castling - not castling at all, castling too late or castling to the wrong side of the board (undefended by other minor/major pieces).
As a corollary to #3, it's also worth noting that taking "free" pieces is not always the best choice, especially if that piece is a pwn (sometimes, it is just a blunder).
I learned that the hard way playing Chinese chess (close enough for the purposes of this advice) against a far stronger opponent. He offered me a handicap that allowed me to box him in very badly. He knew my greed, and fed me a pwn. After taking that pwn, everything went to hell, and he won easily.
Im a beginner trying to improve, and your videos are really helping me, keep up the good work!
I'm a 400 I'm a beginner I'd love to play you
You should also check out Gothamchess, if you haven't already!
@@pravarshl2992 also Daniel Naroditsky. So many instructive and entertaining content!
@@andrerodrigues2877 are you serious right now
@@mekonnenkifle8744 yes?
You should do a video on the things a player should accomplish in their first ten moves.
1) develop your minor pieces
2) gain control in the center
3) castle
4) ...
The first five things to do to become a "chess player" instead of a wood pusher are ...
Learn the basic tactics; pin, fork, discovered attack, x-ray, remove the defender, increase pressure on a weak piece, ...
Review and learn GM games with the opening theme so you don't get busted in the opening.
Learn strategic ideas like opening lines for your bishops, posting a supported knight on the 5th or sixth(!) rank in a hole, placing rooks on open or half-open files, not using your queen early on a fruitless attack, ...
Endgame play needs to be learned and understood earlier than new players believe.
How to improve a position after the opening is the final part of the first lessons. Many new-ish players, after the opening, can't form a good plan to implement in the middle game. Then their opponent gets the initiative and wins.
This would be a great video. Have you found one that explains these things yet?
Learning to activate king during endgame was a huge boon to my win rate. Absolutely vital!
I could play chess all day if I had you as my mentor. You have such a passion for the game and explain it lamens terms. Love your videos.
Yes, your enthusiasm is lovely to watch and very contagious. I have not felt this excited about chess for many years.
Great video. I would have also included learning the points value of each piece. Pawn = 1, Bishop = 3, Knight = 3, Rook = 5, Queen = 9, King = (infinity).
More 11 mistakes. Dont feel miserable for loosing, even the best experienced loose. The mistake number one: loose a pawn or a piece with no compensation. Number two: not preventing a knight double attack. Number three: pinning. Number four: Not seeing the checkmate threat. Number five: voracious chess style without regarding chess pieces. This one I enjoy the most! Number six: delaying your pieces development. Number seven: playing without thinking. Number eight: playing an opening or a defense you dont know. Number nine: having pieces blocked. Number 10: Try to force a draw game an ending loosing it. My second most prefered. Number 11: Your opponent left a piece unprotected and you didnt take it.
Re #5, I have to confess that my aggressive style may get me into trouble more often than it gains, but that's the kind of chess I love.
Your personality, your physical appearance and your chess is absolutely breathtaking. I'm obsessed with your content.
I really appreciate this video, especially the part about considering where your piece is on the board as opposed to where your opponent's piece it at on the board when exchanging a piece as opposed to simply looking at the value of each piece irrespective of each piece's position . That makes so much sense but I had never thought of it that way before.👍👍👍
I play casual and not often but I enjoy the game. This is exactly what I needed ; a quick sensible easy to understand lesson.
I popped into your stream a week or two ago to say that your vids from pogchamps were my favorite to learn from as a beginner. Thank you so much for making more of these!! I absolutely love your teaching style
Anna, The advice about the number of attackers is SO VALUABLE! I've been playing for about 2-years and had not made that connection. I used this logic is several of my games this morning. Also, reversed to where if I'm being attacked by two pieces, I try to guard with two pieces.... thank you!
Thats pretty basic stuff,i mean you didnt see that after 2 years? you must be very stupid!
Great advices. Blunders were my big problem. Started to give it a few more observations each move.
Just keep playing. Eventually, your brain would adjust and grow out from having tunnel vision. Those blunders are building blocks of learning. We can all learn about it by watching others play, but unless you experience them yourself, you won't develop awareness to avoid hanging pieces.
@@odomisan Thanks. Yeah. It helped after I accepted the fact instead of oopses. It's a lot of layers to go through. A fog somehow. All of a sudden it isn't in some area.
I thought the explanation and examples on king actively in the endgame was really good. It's clear I've been pushing pawns way too early. I'll try this tip out. Thanks!
W rizz
Exchanging minor pieces is a major tactic used by intermediate and strong players. The purpose is to create an imbalance. When there is an imbalance, a good positional player can for the position to favor his strength against the opponent's weakness.
As you discussed briefly, trading your bad bishop for your opponent's good bishop is always worth a look. You shouldn't do it just out of reflex, but it deserves a look.
Here is a "check list" or thought process I was taught early on. Before you move a piece ask:
1. Why is the piece where it is? Could just be in its starting position, but it could also be there to protect another piece.
2. Why do I want to move it? Have a reason. Don't just move to move.
3. How is the square I want to move to defended? (as you discussed)
4. What will my opponent do next? You don't want to move blindly into a fork or skewer or pin. Calculate, calculate, calculate.
You should use a similar thought process after each opponent's move:
1. Why was it where it was? Your opponent may have just blundered the piece it was guarding.
2. Why did they move to where they did? Figure out why.
3. Can you attack or defend?
4. What will my opponent do next?
I am a quite experienced chessplayer and I always apply the rules you are explaining. Regarding bishops and knights, bishops are superior when the positions are open or in the endgame, especially when you own the pair of bishops. Knights are superior when the positions are closed. Knights can always manoever in order to jump into the opponent‘s position.
thank you for taking the time to explain the fundementals and especially why they are the way they are you are very easy to watch and I love this kind of content bravo 🔥🔥
Thank you so much for helping me be a stronger player. :) I'll keep trying to get better. :)
4:25 If you move your bishop "back over here here", (h4), the engine I want you to play will snag it, and probably rip apart your castle. I have learned it needs more of a back door, trade, or get it out of there. What it will do is black pawn to g5. You have one square left for the bishop at g3, then black knight to h5, and you trade anyway but leaving you with a damaged castle. That is not counting the black queen and light square bishop pointing at the castle wall with your pawns knocking on the castle door. I get smoked by my game if I put the bishop there with out a good back door.
OK trying to follow along here, if Black Knight goes from h5 to g3, can’t pawn at h2 just capture it?
@@Mereship Yes. That is why it does not move to g3. :) I am sure she would see it if she wold play the game I have asked her to play.
With all respect I have to disagree around 4:19 in. By trying to pin the knight and having to move your bishop multiple times you've given up tempo and let them advance. Also, their next move would be pawn to G5 pinning you in and not even giving you the option to trade anymore. Trying to save pieces isn't a smart strategy imo. Go for the kill and take that bishop out. Bishops are just knight hunters as far as I'm concerned. Am I missing something? I don't claim to be a guru but I have played thousands of games and have been commended on my chess game since I was like 5.
What do you recommend studying to improve? I’m trying to find the best videos and apps.
4:20 can someone help me with the bishop situation. If u move bishop to h4 then the opponent can go pawn to g5 attacking it to then make you bishop move back which only loses you tempo and increases your opponents control of the board. Can someone type the moves that follow bh4? Also if black were to kingside castle I guess that would make them lose good king safety by moving the bishop but wouldn’t they just castle queenside instead then.
Thanks Anna; did learn & more importantly, understood. Most of the time we can't keep up with your thinking because you & yours are so quick -- which is good. We need to study more, and of course, practice. We don't even have a board and pieces, stationary or electric, so all we do is watch and listen. However, there's great hope as long as you keep up the motivation and ambition for chess enthusiasts. 🌹
Very well described and demonstrated! Among the best 15 minutes I've spent on TH-cam this year! Thanks, Anna.
For the not exchanging pieces, its good not to exchange as it can allow opponent to develop a piece.
Better to let the opponent exchange so you can develop a piece.
Very good! Also the opponent's piece is often an advanced piece.
I am a complete beginner and this helps soooo much! Thank you!!
This is really nice video. You are clear, articulate and the presentation is excellent. I'm not a complete beginner but I still found this worth watching.
Agreed. I really love how her subtle accent makes it easier to understand her speech. But it does make me wonder where she's from...
Thanks for the tips. Haven't played chess since I was young and seeing some of your videos has really given me the spark I once had playing with my dad. Cheers.
I've been playing for a couple years now but I still found the endgame explanation very useful.
another informative video! thank you Anna!! 🙏
You are making very good content and seem like a cool person. I like the chess hustler Videos, especially when you beat them. Keep doing a good job.
another problem i have is being told do this do that ...but playing is different .....because the other player will do something different ...all your plans are gone ...i have seen it so many times do this trap do that trap ....but it never works out that way ....your oppented in not stupid
In the mistake 3 - what would you do if black plays pawn g5 after you moved back? Then your bishop has to go g3 which seems like a weak place. Is it not better to exchange because of that? Timestamp ~ 4:15
Really well said! I think all of these are really good points that every beginner should know!
So, I'm being taught chess by a supermodel... life is amazing!!!
Your comments on the king in the endgame are very helpful, but the broader subject that players need to know is they must study endgame play early or they will fight for fifteen to twenty moves being nearly equal only to have it all lost with the first careless move in the start of the endgame.
I just started plat chezz and this helped alot! A whole new world open up for me! Tack för underhållande videos anna! Cheers from sweden
bro is it just me or is she fine?
Not just you, that's her whole "schtick". Otherwise nobody would watch .
@@hamschhshe’s not all that to me but I watch her videos cause they’re good 👍
@@hamschh how does it feel to be an incel?
@@shredder807she is beautiful, smart, kind and great at chess. What can you say for yourself? Stop comparing normal women to models, we are not in this world to serve you. Go wipe your butt properly now and brush your teeth, you stink
You are the prettiest chess player I've ever seen, and you're darn good at chess, too.
I think you mean good at chess. 😉
@@perpetualbystander4516 Yes, I changed it. Thanks.
@@bluenetmarketing 👍
As someone with no chess experience, I always thought it was a decent strategy to exchange pieces for "no reason" since fewer pieces on the board would simplify the game and as a beginner it would give me a better chance against a more skilled player.
I do that...but only if I'm a pawn up,or tempos up,or if the opponent is 2000 or higher.
To be honest, I'm not sure if it'll help me become a GM. But listening to her and watching the arrows move back and forth is super relaxing. She's so sweet.
Why do woman have to undress to explain something ?
@@greenpoweradex2762 i observe only...
Ur so weird
Thanks Anna! Is there a video for 5 mistakes intermediate players make?
Oh my goodness, so much to remember. I'm very new to chess, and this seems to be a lot to take in. Thank You for the instructional video. I watched one of your videos which teaches about moving pieces, and keeping them protected which helped me which I'm very thankful for because I was just moving them all over the place which just frustrated me to no end. Many thanks for these videos.
@Anna Cramling
Excellent tutorial. My biggest downfall as a crappy chess player isn't any of those 5 (typically) but rather I have what I call fatal tunnel vision.......meaning that I'm so focused on my plans that I fail to see many attacks that could have been averted if I wasn't so tunnel visioned into my own plans.
I don't know if there's an actual term in chess for this strategy flaw but I'm sooooooo guilty of it. 😳
Two things you should do if you are willing to invest in getting better; record the moves of your games and review them to see where you got caught, and when your opponent moves figure out why they made that move before you select your own move. Good chess players try to create a threat with every move because this forces the opponent to react to their threats. In this way they hold the initiative. By itself this is a powerful part of being a strong player. To do it, you need to become very well versed in the tactical methods of chess.
@@eddarby469
Thank you for the suggestion.
@@LouisGedo My pleasure. I am teaching some of my scouts that have the maturity for it to play stronger chess. The few that think they are good players know the Scholar's Mate and beat their classmates with it in one way or another. But after learning which have the maturity to improve their play and I offer to help them become real chess players. Just this weekend, Charlie took his first steps to becoming a real player and not just a wood pusher.
@@LouisGedo Louis, also if you play weaker opponents they may not have any good reason why they played their move, so if you don't see the reason in about 30 seconds, just start looking for your own move. I try to have three moves to consider before I select one, just so I'm looking at the wider board. But this can come later. Having one good move when you can't find any opponent's threat is good enough for a start. But always spend a few seconds trying to see what your opponent just did.
@@eddarby469 you have great tips! do you recommend any app or site for learning by playing? I feel like I learn the best this way.
I kind of don't like the first example for mistake 3 of not exchanging the white bishop for the knight because after Bh4 g5 black is winning a tempo with ideas of opening the kingside with h5.
Du gör så underbara videos Anna. Schack för mig ( stolt schack noob ) är som att förstå ett språk man inte kan, man kan vissa ord men man kan inte kommunicera
MEN mig älskar utmaningen med att spela Schack hjärnan går verkligen på högvarv / kram på dig
The way you teach is perfect for my brain. Honestly bless this channel
Good tips. I've played for years, but not regularly enough to be a very good player. But I'm not a complete novice either, as I basically knew all of these tips. The problem is I play 10 minute games and often get low on time. If I have 40 seconds left, and am thinking of swapping, I can't take too much time to determine if I am swapping for a weaker piece or not. So sometimes I just blindly swap, especially if I'm taking a knight. My opponents knights always scare me. And I also can't take much time before doing a move to make sure my opponent doesn't have that square covered with more pieces than me. I have to tell at a quick glance in both of these cases. Otherwise I could lose on time. That's not always easy when pressured for time and that's been my problem -doing quick moves without blundering. Playing longer games would help, but I like quick games more.
I was playing online chess and checked off the beginner tab, which I am. I did well against the machine, but played a couple matches against someone who was clearly not a beginner. I hope it was good for their ego, it crushed mine!
I make mistakes playing chess all the time, but never any of these mentioned. For me it’s more about not being cautious and miscalculating where I can go and forget where my opponent’s most dangerous pieces are. A big mistake I think I and many others do is not learning from previous mistakes. Mistakes should not be seen as something negative, but rather something you can learn from and improve on. I think I’ve improved as a player simply by making thousands of different mistakes and then slowly but surely learning not to do those mistakes again. I still do, but maybe less frequently 😂
Your smile and laughter in these videos is infectious!!
3:17 actually Bxf6 is the best move according to chess computers, black won't take with the pawn to damage the pawn structure, so black plays Qxf6. Then white play Nc3, threatens to play Nd5 attacks the queen on f6 and threatens to paly Nxc7+ and wins the rook. And it's not easy to prevent that move. If you play Be6 then white plays Bxc6+ forces the pawn to recapture and black's pawn structure is damaged, or still play Nd5 and you cannot take the knight at all, 'cuz if you take, the pawn takes back and the knight on c6 will be killed, except b5, then white will play c4, you can't take the bishop, otherwise white plays Qxa4 and won a pawn. The best choice that black should play is queenside castling. White still plays Nd5 put pieces in the center squares, so exchanging in this position is not bad.
"Zugzwang" ist just an efficient German word to say "You have to move, even if you don't want to."
No shit, Sherlock
I generally go for a knight-bishop exchange if it leaves the opponent with stacked pawns.
When I was in my teens at school, I used to play quite a bit and although I'd win most games, I made most of these mistakes. We had a thick book on Chess at home that I learned from and there was this one move I used to do that baffled everyone. I'd read about it from this book. However, I just went on Wikipedia and now realise that I played it wrong all along. It was "en passant," which most beginners have no clue about.
Great video-it really does target beginners and provide useful and understandable information. I started playing chess more regularly about a month ago and I learned these lessons the hard way! If only I had seen this video first! Thank you so much/tak tak/gracias!
I like exchanging queens because it's too much pressure knowing the opponent has a queen. The stress of not knowing what to do is multiplied by the presence of a queen.
Thank you. I’m a beginner and thought protecting the king was important than using him. It helped me a lot
As a general rule knights for beginning game, bishops for middle and end game.
Most people look at trading pieces as a rookie move but I've had great success in doing so my entire career of 30 years. By doing so you are getting to the end game faster and some people shine there. I'd rather both of us have a knight, rook, a few pawns, and of course your King rather than both of us have an entire board. I've found I excel at the end game with few pieces so the faster I can get it there, the better. Not for everyone but I will almost always trade.
Anna, many thanks for these 5 tips. I'm getting back into playing chess since I teach a chess club in a former British school in Moscow. I've been playing Go since college when a friend introduced it to me. I usually play Go on computers online on a 9x9 board. I think Go helps me look for the best offense and defensive chess moves. I learned good tips from your video today. Thanks.
What is the chess teaching software you're using called?
Excelente video Anna! Muy útil para principiantes como yo.
También es muy últil cuando juegas y explicas tus movimientos.
Gracias.
Getting the bishop out early to a square where it does nothing. Fo example automatically moving it in front of a knight without good reason (even if thereis no pin).
@4:15 the bishop is controlling the knight, but that is the *only* thing the bishop is doing. So it makes the knight useless, but it is itself also useless. How do you reason that the bishop is more valuable?
Something that is not true with good players but is true with new players is in a end game bishops are easier to attack with. For example remove all pieces except 2 bishops same color and force mate for practice than do the same with 2 knights. Which is easier?🤔🤔. Bishops of course!!! New players bishops are like 3.1 points and knights 2.9 in a end game!
Amazing video I have never been rated this is everything I've learnt is having the control of the centre and calculating apponents moves not just my own, I've always went back to basics forks, pins, skewers thankyou for this video🔥🙏
It is important to remind beginners, when they're facing the possibility of an exchange, that all pairs have different values and that the bishop is higher than the knight when its mate is still around and less so when not, which is why you're better off ending up with two bishops than with two knights in an end fame.
The question I have as a seemingly perennial beginner is what's to stop black responding with eg4 at 4:28 to make the bishop lose tempo?
The one thing I was taught that changed how I viewed the game was one simple rule “let your opponent lose, don’t try and beat them”
Thank you, do more like this PLEASE!
Anna , I been playing chess for nearly 40 years but your video here really fixed my game , I was making rookie mistakes but not my game is better then ever , thanks!
I make too many mistakes but seem to knock off players that are feared in our group
Thanks. Used to play alot. Started again this week. Not played for years, for 35 years. Used to beat my dad rip, but as good as i got. Your videos r helpful.
Excellent Tutorial 🎉🎉🎉 Is there any systematic plan to memorise all important opening variations?
Thank you so much Anna you have inspired me to start playing again but the computer is beating me most times and Im only at level 2 of 6 difficulty. Im sure these instructions will help me improve my game 🤠👍
She really helps to understand how to look at the board.
4:20
Why does it make sence to go there with the bishop? It's the same at the other side when you play the Ruy López opening. The enemy can simply hunt your bishop back with his pawns? Why is this a good move anyways?
Thanks so much, I’m a complete beginner but finally managed to get my opponent into checkmate!! This video helped a lot I’m dominating those four center squares
Glad I found your channel. I’m a 60+ yo beginner who always wished I could learn to play but it seemed beyond my intellect to ever get good at this game.
I recommended this channel to some friends who are just starting with chess, keep up the good work!
Could you perhaps do a video about the most common mistakes that intermediate players make?
For #4, how many attackers and defenders/square, I read a interesting tip from a person in a comments section. Use pieces of paper with 64 squares on it, and actually write down in the square, how many times that square is covered and by who. I have not tried it. I don't know how many pieces of paper I would use, but I would draw a table up and print them if I had a color printer, and play with ti a bit.
Love, the energy you apply to teaching!!! I could have used this information before becoming a mediocre player with bad habits