Learn to Play Chess Openings: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Learn 3 Ways To Improve Your Chess Results

Welcome to the ultimate beginner's guide to chess openings! In this guide, we will explore the fundamental chess opening principles that will help you establish a strong foundation in chess openings. By understanding these principles, you can gain an advantage over your opponents right from the start.

In this video lesson, we will discuss key concepts such as controlling the center, developing your pieces quickly, castling your king early, seizing the initiative, and understanding your opponent's moves.

Chess openings lay the foundation for a successful game. By adhering to these fundamental chess opening principles, you can enhance your chess skills and gain an advantage over your opponents.

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► Chapters

00:00 How to Play Chess Openings (Beginner's Guide)
00:13 1st Rule: Control the center
00:24 Eg-1: Why control the center?
02:18 Eg-2: Importance of the center
04:20 Eg-3: When you don't control the center
06:21 Eg-4: Queen's Gambit Accepted (giving up center)
09:01 2nd Rule: Develop (minor) pieces quickly
09:14 Eg-1: Not developing minor pieces
11:15 GREAT NEWS!
11:58 Eg-2: Pawn sacrifice for a quick development
13:57 Puzzle of the day: Find the best move
14:07 Eg-3: Gambit style for a quick development
15:44 3rd Rule: Castle your king early (in 5-10 moves)
15:53 Eg-1: When you don't castle early
17:28 Eg-2: Preventing your opponents from castling
18:04 Tip: Do not overeat pawns in chess
19:44 Eg-3: Cons of delaying castling
21:25 4th Rule: Seize the initiative
21:41 Eg-1: Creating little threats along the way
23:30 People crack under pressure
24:28 Eg-2: Seizing the initiative early in the opening
26:26 5th Rule: Ask "Why they played this move?"
27:20 Eg-2: Thinking about your opponent's plans
28:02 Eg-3: Do not react quickly to your opponent's moves
28:43 Summary of chess opening crash course

#IgorNation #ChessOpenings #ChessOpeningsForBeginners #ChessGuide #ChessBeginners

[mitchelltj]

Of all the chess streamers, these are simply the most clear and concise lessons! Thank you GM Smirnov!

[peterbrown]

My guess is
... Nxa2+
and after its capture,
... Nb3 ++
Igor, your tutorials are first-cless. Thank you.

[anandsatheesan]

Knight takes pawn A2, (Check and forced to trade) then followed by knight to B3 mate 🎉

[GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters

00:00 How to Play Chess Openings (Beginner's Guide)
00:13 1st Rule: Control the center
00:24 Eg-1: Why control the center?
02:18 Eg-2: Importance of the center
04:20 Eg-3: When you don't control the center
06:21 Eg-4: Queen's Gambit Accepted (giving up center)
09:01 2nd Rule: Develop (minor) pieces quickly
09:14 Eg-1: Not developing minor pieces
11:15 GREAT NEWS!
11:58 Eg-2: Pawn sacrifice for a quick development
13:57 Puzzle of the day: Find the best move
14:07 Eg-3: Gambit style for a quick development
15:44 3rd Rule: Castle your king early (in 5-10 moves)
15:53 Eg-1: When you don't castle early
17:28 Eg-2: Preventing your opponents from castling
18:04 Tip: Do not overeat pawns in chess
19:44 Eg-3: Cons of delaying castling
21:25 4th Rule: Seize the initiative
21:41 Eg-1: Creating little threats along the way
23:30 People crack under pressure
24:28 Eg-2: Seizing the initiative early in the opening
26:26 5th Rule: Ask "Why they played this move?"
27:20 Eg-2: Thinking about your opponent's plans
28:02 Eg-3: Do not react quickly to your opponent's moves
28:43 Summary of chess opening crash course

[chessdaf]

Igor, for me you are the best chess teacher. God be with you.

[oledorrs]

@13:59 mate in two, the best move 4 white should be
Kxa2 check - Rxa2
Kb3 checkmate

[roberthawes]

Your videos are consistently excellent. Thank you!

[moshecallen]

I'm an intermediate level chess player (~1200) and this is still good stuff.

[mrjwx]

This is a very good choice for a video GM Smirnov. I have learned some openings, but I am certain this will help me in them and expand my repertoire.

[thedspenguin]

the video we've been waiting for... and for free?! stonks.

[felipejco]

Thanks a lot teacher Igor. Your videos and explanations are great even for non English speakers.

[BobChess]

I am a strong intermediate player and even these tips help me a lot! Sometimes, I just dont follow the principals. Thank you❤

[TheDyermian]

Igor- I just want to say that of all teachers for chess, you are the best because you explain very well the principles. Thank you sincerely.

[pedroelmacho]

Hi Igor, indeed, as someone said below, from all the chess streamers I follow, yours are the most clear and concise videos. Thanks for sharing !!!!

[speedking]

thank you Igor, for all your work and free content

[mikekeenan]

All good principles, albeit sometimes in conflict with each other (acknowledged in the Rousseau Gambit example, but also the case in the King's Bishop's Gambit example since White forfeits the right to castle in return for other advantages). A couple of others I picked up from the books I learned chess from:

In Al Horowitz's _Chess for Beginners_ he recommends most of your points. He also recommends playing 1. e4 as White and 1. ... e5 as Black if White has played 1. e4 (he doesn't say what to do as Black if White does something else). He reckons that you learn the principles of development more quickly in king pawn openings. For the rank beginner I'm inclined to agree, though soon enough players will figure out that playing something else can really mess with your opponent.

There was a little booklet called _Chess for the Beginner_ (probably originally published in the early 20th century based on the notation used; author uncertain since I no longer have it). In that book the author recommends that you develop your knights before their respective bishops (I think Horowitz also recommends this) but also that you develop _both_ knights before developing your queen's bishop. Makes sense, because it puts priority on developing the kingside and castling quickly.

Another one from that latter book was "never pin your opponent's king's knight before they have castled, particularly if you yourself have already castled on the kingside". No explanation is given but this is probably also a good principle for the beginner, since it has the potential to expose you to a dangerous attack on your castled king.

[wcstrmo]

wow love this🤩🤩 was about to quit chess but his vdieo changed my mind thanks a ton!🤗🤗

[saritachoudhary]

This vedio is very helpful to every beginners and intermediates. I really appreciate you

[vanilla]

I used to just rush the center and found the opponent was developing more because of my moves.

This was the best video you ever! Many other youtube chess videos emphasize on center control but the examples here really help explain incorrect trades and moves that will hurt you more.

Many Thanks! Valuable video for me!

[hou]

What an interesting video and and friendly teacher!