Sounds so easy because of your great, understandable verbalization of the complex thinking behind ... this is it! A weakness = a potential outpost, a plan = a possible pawn break ... and so on. Please don't stop explaining chess!
Absolutely amazing! I can't get enough of your videos! You explain Chess so well, you have a gift for coaching! You really do! The way that you reiterate the information is so helpful! As a beginner my brain gets jumbled because so much new information is coming in and then you just do a 5 second recap of what I just learned and I hit an enlightenment! You really are helping improve my Chess so much! I really can't thank you enough! I can't say enough positive and nice things about you! The least I could do is to thank you in a comment! I wish I could donate, you absolutely deserve only the best! Keep being amazing! I'm loving your video pictures, they're so creative and cool! You're the coolest person ever! Thank you!
I have to say your comments always make my day. Thank you! I'm just glad to help and I hope you get to improve along with me, which is why I made the channel in the first place. Cheers!!
Very Informative Lecture, before this video i was always looking for pieces, not have any idea about weak squares, i learned a lot by this video. Bravo Sir , Thumbs Up.
I'm a mediocre 1200-1400 player and this channel has been the greatest education I've got. Really appreciate your effort and made me take chess seriously.
Helpful perspectives on positional advantages. For intermediate players like myself it is difficult to spot positional advantages and weaknesses. Again, very enlightening perspectives.
at 08:17 you should show what happens after Bb4. It's interesting that if the bishop moves from the diagonal Nd6 actually traps the queen. Also, when the bishops are exchanged, black could play Nb5, guarding d6. To be more exact u should show these lines too.
I love the way you teach, it makes chess a beautiful and interesting game to learn. Also, very creative thumbnails! Keep up the excellent work, Stjepan!
I was in a position similar to your first example, I didn't really see how getting to that square would benefit me. But as soon as that happened, i saw my opponents defense impaired as my pieces took over. A brilliant video, a brilliant channel. Please keep it coming.
I really like the concept of thematic ideas like "finding and utilising weak squares" together with ACTIONABLE information: instead of saying "look for weak squares", we learn exactly what a weak square is by a definition that even beginners can understand and use. 👍🏻
You are amazing human ، a great chess player also Thanks for everything you are putting in the channel, it's one of the best chess channels, maybe it's the best.
your video changed the way i think, i just played a game after watching the video, my opponent was only trying to attack my bones, i was trying to have a good position for my night and bishop, the game ended with me wining with a Checkmate , so, thank you very much
22:22 why does it have to be gxf4 here, why can't the bishop on e3 take then it would be an equal game and can prevent the knight from coming to the outpost.
I like this video a lot. I would like to see some more videos where you show how to exploit weaknesses. How to convert the weakness in an advantage that is the most difficult thing for me in chess.
I freaked out when that cable car thing went by, was watching the board before and took a moment to process what was going on and realise there wasn't a blue monster outside your window
I looked at some of the other videos on TH-cam regarding weak squares that tried to explain what weak squares were and I was completely lost until I came here! What did I learn? A weak square is a square attacked by a pawn unless it is defended by pawn. 2. Good players focus on squares rather than material 3. Get your knight to an outpost. What I still need to know/ would like to know is: Is there a limited amount of particular formations containing pieces and pawns that have weak squares that would necessitate a particular strategy for example: In the Carlson formation attack c6 with the knight and bishop and the opponents rook won't be able to prevent the outpost, however in the Nakamura formation with the enemy Queen and Rook here start by attacking the h7 pawn with the knight and then the Queen and the Bishop wont be able to challenge the outpost here. Also some mistakes have been shown and some preventative strategies have been shown briefly. Can I see some more examples? Perhaps some videos on pawn structural weaknesses to avoid that would result in outposts being created? How do we use outposts? For checkmating attacks? How are these done? Forks? What developmental problems do outposts create for the opponent and how are those weaknesses that are created by those developmental problems exploited? What specific attacking tactics should be employed in this regard? Also if we fall into the trap of letting our opponent establish an outpost how do we defend against the checkmating attacks created by outposts, defend against forks? How do we effectively develop our pieces while our opponent has an outpost in our territory without creating too many new weaknesses? In addition, how do we effectively address weaknesses that already have been created by the outpost? Can we also see some videos on how other pieces such as the Bishop which you mentioned briefly is used as an outpost? Can other pieces such as the Rook or Queen be used to create an outpost? What position necessitates an outpost of a particular piece over the other e.g. a knight over a bishop? Also what kind of developmental structures does an outpost by the each of the different pieces necessitate in our opponent's development and what weaknesses do they create and what specific tactics do they necessitate to exploit?
Think about weak squares: squares that can't be defended by a pawn - Imagine what you want to do with their weakness: usually the best piece to put is the knight (even more in close positions); before you have to identify and remove the main defender; you can create a weakness by spotting potential weakness and provoking the opponent, making the weakness real. (Think everytime of potential outpost.)
Problem for me is, whenever i go for a nice little square planting my knight ontop of i don't know, connect 4, with a bishop staring at the square, at my elo people would just take the damn knight immediately, so i lose a majorly strong piece for a passive bishop, even if it's a bad move, i wouldn't see how that little trade would benefit me like 10 or 20 moves ahead cause i can only evaluate about 3-5 moves ahead
Another invaluable video! Thanks a lot, Stjepan. So just to make sure I've got this right: a weak square in my opponent's position would be a square that can not be controlled by any of their pawns anymore, but I myself am (or have the possibility of) controlling it with one of my pawns, right?
Very nice but I find it difficult to identify the weak squares. In most of the positions you showed it wasn't simply a case of the square not being defendable by a pawn.
I know it's tough. That's why this should only serve as a learning example. It will become easier in time. Take 5 random positions at move 20 every day and try to identify weak squares. You will improve rapidly!
@@HangingPawns Hey Stjepan, it's really unlikely you will see this but I wanted to ask - would you happen to know any books that I can take 2 unclear complex middlegame positions, analyse them myself, write down 3-4 possible strong continuations/plans and then compare them with the books analysis of the same position? I downloaded some positional chess books from the internet but they all seem to give only one continuation of the position i.e. the best one. And each example usually only focuses on attacking the weakest part of the opponent's position without really comparing the strength of the various possible plans you could come up with. In a real game however the best continuation would only be found via comparing different plans against each other! Anyways, if you happen to know such a book do respond!
I'd really like your take on ´incentive´ I am a really aggressive chess player, Smith Morra Gambit/ Tennison Gambit/Kings Gambit/ Latvian gambit, basically ANY gambit. I find it so fun and dynamic. However sometimes I run out of gas because I attack too soon vs preparation. A video on recognition vs incentive would be amazing
Beautiful video. It does make me wonder though how often Fischer used the plan of tempting with a great outpost defended by only one pawn, and then trading off to give the opponent a passed pawn that might become a weakness that could later be rounded up!
Thank you so much sir for your valuable videos.. Some of the best chess videos i have ever seen. The examples are appropriate and your way of teaching is so great. Thanks for all the hard work. Love from India..
one Q: 22:37 in the check, if Fisher was completely ok exchanging the bishop for the knight, why not just take with the bishop and after gxf5 Queen has an over file?
Like yourself I'm new to Chess and have an ambition of becoming a master one day. These are the most useful videos for my progression I have come across to date and I thank you very very much. I look forward to all the videos to come, and following your progression to GM. Wishing you the best of luck. Hvala puno, pozdrav is Australije.
Veoma poucan i jasan snimak, hvala puno! Svidja mi se predlog da pogledamo nekoliko pozicija dnevno, posle dvadesetog poteza i da probamo da nadjemo ta polja. Nisam imao do sada ideju kako da vezbam ovo podrucje sahovske igre. Imam jedno pitanje, kako da proverim posle da li je moja procena ispravna? Ako je to moguce, naravno... Veliki pozdrav, samo nastavi tako :)
Mislim da ne postoji nacin da tocno provjeris ideju. Mogao bi unijeti poziciju u neki engine (lichess ima besplatan) pa onda vidjeti da li potezi kandidati u sebi sadrže tvoj plan ili ne. Ja najčešće radim tako.
in 1:23, the video focus on d6 as weak square , cos it is unguarded by the opponent (black) pawn. But what about a7 , b6 and f7, they are also weak square since unguarded by opponent pawn. So aren't white supposed to occupy them too? I watch several videos and articles that define "weak square" as square that is unguarded by opponent pawn, and should be attack, occupied and secured. So does that mean ALL squares unguarded by opponent pawn should be attacked, occupied and secured? Confused ~😁
Wonderful explanation, I like your dedication to explain in detail.many youtubers don't explain that deep concept.You are the best.hope you continue to teach chess for free after becoming grand master.best of luck for your journey
After watcing this course, I played a game whose link is below and although I lost it because of the lack of time, I think that I tried to evaluate the position strategically and created an outpost with c4 move.
Your dedication and generosity towards helping other chess players get better is very much appreciated. Thank you.
No problem Maurice:) Thanks for watching
Subscribed within 5 minutes. No wows, no OMGs, just clear and precise information. Hats off, mate!
Again the best chess thumbnails on TH-cam ever ...creative!
:) I appreciate that!
Do you create these yourself ? Or found some help ?
Sounds so easy because of your great, understandable verbalization of the complex thinking behind ... this is it!
A weakness = a potential outpost, a plan = a possible pawn break ... and so on. Please don't stop explaining chess!
Thank you for the wonderful feedback Walter:)
This is an excellent video. Clear presentation, good examples. Digestible concepts.
Happy to hear that Gerhard! Thanks for the feedback.
Absolutely amazing! I can't get enough of your videos! You explain Chess so well, you have a gift for coaching! You really do! The way that you reiterate the information is so helpful! As a beginner my brain gets jumbled because so much new information is coming in and then you just do a 5 second recap of what I just learned and I hit an enlightenment! You really are helping improve my Chess so much! I really can't thank you enough! I can't say enough positive and nice things about you! The least I could do is to thank you in a comment! I wish I could donate, you absolutely deserve only the best! Keep being amazing! I'm loving your video pictures, they're so creative and cool! You're the coolest person ever! Thank you!
I have to say your comments always make my day. Thank you! I'm just glad to help and I hope you get to improve along with me, which is why I made the channel in the first place. Cheers!!
@@HangingPawns you are just making my day......stepank
A playlist with 50 videos and my mind is already blown away halfway through the first one. Amazing stuff my friend
Very Informative Lecture, before this video i was always looking for pieces, not have any idea about weak squares, i learned a lot by this video. Bravo Sir , Thumbs Up.
I'm glad to help Naveed! Yeah, squares are as important (if not more important) than pieces.
Dude. This is an impressive list. Amazing collection of topics. Best structured and comprehensive learning material ever. Big thank you
I think you have the only real channel actually teaching chess. Thanks a lot for making these videos.
hard agree
I'm a mediocre 1200-1400 player and this channel has been the greatest education I've got. Really appreciate your effort and made me take chess seriously.
How is it going so far?
What's your rating?
you call 1400 mediocre?
@@abdelrhmanragab1620 would love to know as well
@@luisp.3788it is
@@luisp.3788it is mediocre 🙏
Great intro, Stjepan! Fantastic!
Vesna Ćuro-Tomić A very proud mum?
Thank you my favorite viewer:) Hvala mama!
@@tsonus And the best mum:)
Hanging Pawns Of course! 💖
@@tsonus yes, Pink Waters, that is correct! :)
Helpful perspectives on positional advantages. For intermediate players like myself it is difficult to spot positional advantages and weaknesses. Again, very enlightening perspectives.
Love your style and way of explaining. Best thumbnails for any chess channel.
Now that I have found this channel, my chess game is about to improve significantly.
at 08:17 you should show what happens after Bb4. It's interesting that if the bishop moves from the diagonal Nd6 actually traps the queen. Also, when the bishops are exchanged, black could play Nb5, guarding d6. To be more exact u should show these lines too.
Jeroen Woulnd’t you capture the knight back with the Bishop on B4 tho?
@@dinowithacookie8187 exactly my thought... how are you trapping the queen with the dark squared bishop on b4?
@@DeathEaterLink the queen is trapped if the bishop leaves the diagonal, say after Qc4 the bishop takes the pawn, then Nd6 traps the queen
Superb,thank you.Hvala majstore
Nema problema!
I love the way you teach, it makes chess a beautiful and interesting game to learn. Also, very creative thumbnails! Keep up the excellent work, Stjepan!
I was in a position similar to your first example, I didn't really see how getting to that square would benefit me. But as soon as that happened, i saw my opponents defense impaired as my pieces took over. A brilliant video, a brilliant channel. Please keep it coming.
I’ve played you on lichess quite a few times and although I watch all your videos you still win every time :(
Haha:D Sorry for that mate. Blitz isn't really chess though. You should watch the ginger gm or someone else to improve blitz
True enough. I beat folks at 20 points ahead in Blitz. This is weaker than 10 minute play. Funk dat.
Absolute gold information and delivery for the ones dedicated to learn more. Thanks
Hvala za sve na ovom kanalu.
everything in this video is appealing!! thumbnail, content, presentation examples - Everything!! Amazing
I really like the concept of thematic ideas like "finding and utilising weak squares" together with ACTIONABLE information: instead of saying "look for weak squares", we learn exactly what a weak square is by a definition that even beginners can understand and use. 👍🏻
i have no idea why your channel doesnt deserve that popularity despite this huge legacy
Taking a complex issue and making it easy for us novices to understand. Thank you and keep them coming!!
Bro, excellent video, really, I love this Middlegames concepts. Thank you very much for doing this.
All of your videos are excellent! Really well made and informative. You’re appreciated a lot, keep up the great work!
Very instructive
You have by far the best chess lecture videos on youtube. I gotta add you to my watchlist with agadmator/suren!
Thank you Ben:)
You are amazing human ، a great chess player also
Thanks for everything you are putting in the channel, it's one of the best chess channels, maybe it's the best.
Thanks!
Whoa
Thank you! Excuse the late reply!
You're one of the VERY BEST chess channels on TH-cam.
your video changed the way i think, i just played a game after watching the video, my opponent was only trying to attack my bones, i was trying to have a good position for my night and bishop, the game ended with me wining with a Checkmate , so, thank you very much
All of your videos are excellent! Thank you!!
22:22 why does it have to be gxf4 here, why can't the bishop on e3 take then it would be an equal game and can prevent the knight from coming to the outpost.
Seconded, am quite confused
Easy, taking the horse is the problem. Not how to take it. Because the queen would be attacked regardless and the g-file would be open.
Priceless video series. Thanks
Excelent channel, I only can thank you for your hard work here.
Really amazing lesson. I've just found this youtube channel and will try to get what I can have here at most. Thank you!
I like this video a lot. I would like to see some more videos where you show how to exploit weaknesses. How to convert the weakness in an advantage that is the most difficult thing for me in chess.
Excellent stuff as always. Thank you. Also loved the intro.
Hands down the best chess channel. Keep it up!!!
That bobby ficher play was pure genius
I freaked out when that cable car thing went by, was watching the board before and took a moment to process what was going on and realise there wasn't a blue monster outside your window
Love the intro❤️
Thanks mate:)
Excellent video, one of the best I've come across. Thank you!
Clear, straight to-the-point lessons. Thank you❤️
Really good analysis. Subbed!
keep up those good videos! i am thankfull for your time put in it!
AMAZING vid, helped me learn so much!
I loved this video, also I love the intro!
Thanks and thanks William:) I appreciate the support.
Exceptionally good video from an already exceptionally good channel
Your videos are very resourceful. As a newbie your videos helps me develop
Absoulutely love it! Great explanation of the key concept.
Thank you Kamil!
I looked at some of the other videos on TH-cam regarding weak squares that tried to explain what weak squares were and I was completely lost until I came here! What did I learn? A weak square is a square attacked by a pawn unless it is defended by pawn. 2. Good players focus on squares rather than material 3. Get your knight to an outpost.
What I still need to know/ would like to know is:
Is there a limited amount of particular formations containing pieces and pawns that have weak squares that would necessitate a particular strategy for example: In the Carlson formation attack c6 with the knight and bishop and the opponents rook won't be able to prevent the outpost, however in the Nakamura formation with the enemy Queen and Rook here start by attacking the h7 pawn with the knight and then the Queen and the Bishop wont be able to challenge the outpost here.
Also some mistakes have been shown and some preventative strategies have been shown briefly. Can I see some more examples? Perhaps some videos on pawn structural weaknesses to avoid that would result in outposts being created? How do we use outposts? For checkmating attacks? How are these done? Forks? What developmental problems do outposts create for the opponent and how are those weaknesses that are created by those developmental problems exploited? What specific attacking tactics should be employed in this regard?
Also if we fall into the trap of letting our opponent establish an outpost how do we defend against the checkmating attacks created by outposts, defend against forks? How do we effectively develop our pieces while our opponent has an outpost in our territory without creating too many new weaknesses? In addition, how do we effectively address weaknesses that already have been created by the outpost?
Can we also see some videos on how other pieces such as the Bishop which you mentioned briefly is used as an outpost? Can other pieces such as the Rook or Queen be used to create an outpost? What position necessitates an outpost of a particular piece over the other e.g. a knight over a bishop? Also what kind of developmental structures does an outpost by the each of the different pieces necessitate in our opponent's development and what weaknesses do they create and what specific tactics do they necessitate to exploit?
Superb, excellent and clear explanation, very much appreciate your sharing these insights. Thank you
Think about weak squares: squares that can't be defended by a pawn - Imagine what you want to do with their weakness: usually the best piece to put is the knight (even more in close positions); before you have to identify and remove the main defender; you can create a weakness by spotting potential weakness and provoking the opponent, making the weakness real. (Think everytime of potential outpost.)
Great vid!
You're such a great teacher, keep it up,it's impressive
Excellent video on middle game strategy. Thank you.
Problem for me is, whenever i go for a nice little square planting my knight ontop of i don't know, connect 4, with a bishop staring at the square, at my elo people would just take the damn knight immediately, so i lose a majorly strong piece for a passive bishop, even if it's a bad move, i wouldn't see how that little trade would benefit me like 10 or 20 moves ahead cause i can only evaluate about 3-5 moves ahead
Another invaluable video! Thanks a lot, Stjepan. So just to make sure I've got this right: a weak square in my opponent's position would be a square that can not be controlled by any of their pawns anymore, but I myself am (or have the possibility of) controlling it with one of my pawns, right?
at 8:25 is there no Bb4? Thanks for these great videos!
after Bb4 Qc4, if the bishop takes the pawn Nd6 traps the black queen so it could continue as h6 Qxb4 hxg5 and the bishops are exchanged anyway
Very nice but I find it difficult to identify the weak squares. In most of the positions you showed it wasn't simply a case of the square not being defendable by a pawn.
I know it's tough. That's why this should only serve as a learning example. It will become easier in time. Take 5 random positions at move 20 every day and try to identify weak squares. You will improve rapidly!
@@HangingPawns Hey Stjepan, it's really unlikely you will see this but I wanted to ask - would you happen to know any books that I can take 2 unclear complex middlegame positions, analyse them myself, write down 3-4 possible strong continuations/plans and then compare them with the books analysis of the same position? I downloaded some positional chess books from the internet but they all seem to give only one continuation of the position i.e. the best one. And each example usually only focuses on attacking the weakest part of the opponent's position without really comparing the strength of the various possible plans you could come up with. In a real game however the best continuation would only be found via comparing different plans against each other! Anyways, if you happen to know such a book do respond!
I'd really like your take on ´incentive´ I am a really aggressive chess player, Smith Morra Gambit/ Tennison Gambit/Kings Gambit/ Latvian gambit, basically ANY gambit. I find it so fun and dynamic. However sometimes I run out of gas because I attack too soon vs preparation. A video on recognition vs incentive would be amazing
Fantastic. Thank you!
Beautiful video. It does make me wonder though how often Fischer used the plan of tempting with a great outpost defended by only one pawn, and then trading off to give the opponent a passed pawn that might become a weakness that could later be rounded up!
Wow, I just discovered your channel. It seems you have great content. Subscribed!
Wow - great video - thanks!
Thank you so much! Your videos are very helpful for a newbie like me.
Why king moves 10:01 plz anyone explain
Right side Horse threat
Wow how great is this video.... just added 200 points to my chess.com IQ
Thank you for educating us!
At 8:28 , can we play Nd6, which attacks the queen so he can't take the other Knight, followed by Nge4 ?
Looked down for a moment to make a note.. looked back up and thought the movie INCEPTION was happening outside your window 4:05
it's the Zagreb's funicular
Another classic! So interesting! Thank you!
No problem Brian! I'm glad you think it's interesting:)
At 17:40, you refer to d6 as weak square, but it is defended by a pawn. Could you elaborate?
How the hell was Fischer able to win that game🤔
Thank you so much sir for your valuable videos.. Some of the best chess videos i have ever seen. The examples are appropriate and your way of teaching is so great. Thanks for all the hard work. Love from India..
Stepan, All the videos in this playlist are numbered. But does this mean this is your recommended order of learning? TIA!
You are such a great chess teacher, thanks for this tutorial!
one Q:
22:37
in the check, if Fisher was completely ok exchanging the bishop for the knight, why not just take with the bishop and after gxf5 Queen has an over file?
Thanks for the great lesson, I realy appreciate it !
Excellent presentation, and well spoken! If you could slow down a bit, it would make it better. Subscribed!
I really like the way that you're helping us to be good chess player
23:51 okay in the last position which you showed,Why did white not go for Bxf4 gxf4 Qf3 fxg3 fxg3 white allowed Nd3 for black??
Best chess instruction on the internet. Thank you, sir.
Very good job! I understand this concept thanks Your lecture. Thanks a lot.
All the best.
Hello, I think at 8:22 Bb4 prevents the trade... Great video BTW
Very informative and well explained👍🏽
Like yourself I'm new to Chess and have an ambition of becoming a master one day. These are the most useful videos for my progression I have come across to date and I thank you very very much.
I look forward to all the videos to come, and following your progression to GM. Wishing you the best of luck.
Hvala puno, pozdrav is Australije.
Veoma poucan i jasan snimak, hvala puno! Svidja mi se predlog da pogledamo nekoliko pozicija dnevno, posle dvadesetog poteza i da probamo da nadjemo ta polja. Nisam imao do sada ideju kako da vezbam ovo podrucje sahovske igre. Imam jedno pitanje, kako da proverim posle da li je moja procena ispravna? Ako je to moguce, naravno... Veliki pozdrav, samo nastavi tako :)
Mislim da ne postoji nacin da tocno provjeris ideju. Mogao bi unijeti poziciju u neki engine (lichess ima besplatan) pa onda vidjeti da li potezi kandidati u sebi sadrže tvoj plan ili ne. Ja najčešće radim tako.
Hvala puno na brzom odgovoru, svako dobro...@@HangingPawns
in 1:23, the video focus on d6 as weak square , cos it is unguarded by the opponent (black) pawn. But what about a7 , b6 and f7, they are also weak square since unguarded by opponent pawn. So aren't white supposed to occupy them too? I watch several videos and articles that define "weak square" as square that is unguarded by opponent pawn, and should be attack, occupied and secured. So does that mean ALL squares unguarded by opponent pawn should be attacked, occupied and secured? Confused ~😁
At 10:00 why does black move his king back and forth?
Great explanation!
8:25
Why didn't black play Bb4???!!!!!
I think it is a very good move....isn't it??
Wonderful explanation, I like your dedication to explain in detail.many youtubers don't explain that deep concept.You are the best.hope you continue to teach chess for free after becoming grand master.best of luck for your journey
Hi Step, can you include in this course f7 weakness? Thanks
At 23:44 why we can not capture with a bishop? my engine says 0,00 if we capture with a bishop that knight
After watcing this course, I played a game whose link is below and although I lost it because of the lack of time, I think that I tried to evaluate the position strategically and created an outpost with c4 move.