What you should not do in a game

I do not see any lectures on the internet that are that clear as the lectures of Igor Smirnov. Most important he teaches strategy and I do not see that any other grandmaster teaches that well. Here he teaches you mistakes that are commonly done.

1) you should not spend so much time on tactical puzzles (it should be only a secondary part of your studies), instead you should invest your time into critical thinking, since chess is still a thinking game

So Smirnov interesstingly enough teaches you Thinking

2) Analysis of GM games is a mistake is insufficient, however, what do you get out, when somebody analyses a game?

3) Obscure theories, instead of focusing on 1000 rules you should focus on less rules. Less are better, because you can make better desicions.



 Unfortunetly Smirnovs books are really expensive, since I think these are probably the best lessons we can learn.

Why chess is intrinsically a strategical game and how you play against tactical players

Here is another great Video of the GM Smirnov who teaches you how to win:

He provides the analysis of a typical chess player, who plays according to two basic characteristics

1) an Attack
2) Tactical Tricks

The question Smirnov asks is: How to beat this player? His idea is simple: Take away all what they can attack. So they will have no tactical ideas, they do not know what to do, and you will win by strategy.

This works, since chess is intrinsically a strategical game. Of course you must always keep an eye open for tactical possibilities, but the goal is to learn how to outplay any opponent by strategy.

To demonstrate you this skill, Smirnov will analyze this with regard to a grandmaster game, while out of a Kings-Indian attack Black makes serveral mistakes.
Game: Value: 7/10, Difficulty 3/10
 

4 principles of chess - Horrible English, valuable Chess lessons

Besides the horrible English, these might actually be the most valuable chess lessons on Youtube. It is not like in other youtubevideos that it is endless talk, and an endless presentation of moves (and I know my English is also akward). These are the insights of a grandmaster who leads you quickly to the important moments of a game. This video asks general questions about the game:

1. How long do you have for a move in a single game? (Such questions should be asked)
2. When do you think longer?
four principles
a) In the opening you should play quickly, develope pieces quickly
b) At the end of the opening you should develope a concrete plan - This means that you save time for later moves

There are some examples provided

c) Variations should be calculated in tactical positions, in strategic positions you should think generally
d) When is it time to calculate: When there is contact to the pieces of your opponent, or when you plan to make such a contact.