What to do in a chess opening? - Beginner to Chess Master #5

This is video #5 from the "Beginner to Chess Master" playlist. Presented is what you should do in the opening of a chess game. The focus of a chess opening is on building a combative structure and developing efficienctly. A great emphasis is placed on the 'pawn duo' and its strength in the game. Moreover, some important opening tips and principles are shared regarding the pawns. Shown are several examples on how to successfully build a combative structure and develop efficiently in a chess opening.

Beginner to Chess Master Playlist:

[kyebean]

I love that you talk about chess very simply, clearly and methodically, it seems like so many teachers prioritize impressing their students over actually teaching them optimally.

[SystemYTP]

Openings are so complicated -.- I always try to make a natural looking move that develops a piece or protects a pawn.
Two moves later my knight is pinned, I lose my center pawn and the enemy queen is about to take on g2.
I should stop playing against the Magnus Carlsen app...

[odomi]

So far, the best chess opening explanation. Not so much a tutorial of famous openings, but this opened my mind in understanding what openings to use and why.

[rafaelluisdasilva]

You are really a good teacher man. The way you teach the concepts and break down information so dummies like me can understand is impressive. Thank you very much and keep it coming!

[benevolentworldexploder]

What always amazes me in chess is how well the initial lineup of pawns and pieces is incredibly capable and how the evolution of that starting line as it forms up and advances feels so natural like a perfect balance between beauty and reason.

[MoleyMoleo]

When I was a kid, I took some basic chess training. The idea of checkmate with a queen/rook, the value of the pieces, development and fighting for the centre, the open/closeness of files, all of that was shown to me at an early age and I internalised it easily.

However this concept of the pawn duo is a gap in my basic knowledge. I suspect that this section of the video might then be perfectly shoring up what may be the biggest weakness I have in my casual chess intuition.

[strayster]

Great video. I feel like I've just been a functioning illiterate before now, blindly making moves and hoping I come out with an advantage. The opening has always been my least favorite part of the game but I now I at least feel like I can go into it with a plan.

[qwerty]

It may be important to note that passed pawns can not only control the two diagonal squares in front of them, but may also prevent the enemy pawns from moving up two squares due to the threat of en passant. In this way, they control more than two squares each.

[SassyFanana]

I think this has been the most eye-opening lesson so far; as an amateur you're thinking you should save your pawns and might not consider how your bishops are advancing. And then you wonder why in mid-game you have so many pieces with nowhere to go. Especially as a defensive player I find I end up pretty clogged up mid-game. Let's see if I can use what I learned here to change that...

[tedzards]

The f2 pawn also is helpful in preventing any Qh4+ tricks in the opening.

[amazinginsight-zp]

Good advice, but to avoid falling asleep, go to Settings (Daisy Wheel) then change Play Back Speed to 1.5

[onlimi]

I've been playing for years, but I still learned a lot from this video. Thanks!!

[BMessemer]

Jerry, seriously, this is incredible. I'm only 5 videos into your series and already I now have a WAY WAY better understanding of how to think and act in the opening. You teach the principles very very well with such clear lesson plans, clear presentation, and multiple examples with sufficient repetition and variations to drive the points home. I wouldn't be surprised to learn you are a professional educator of some sort.

[connorgould]

I know this video is old so the comment section is probably dead, but I gotta say, I love this video. I’ve always felt overwhelmed at the thought of openings and having to take so much time to memorize what felt like random things, but this video helped me understand the mentality and goals of starting a game which is just what I needed. Once I’m more comfortable I might jump into the standard games playlist.

[graememadison]

Thank you so much my openings were always clumsy but after watching this my next game i used an unchallenged pawn duo and let my bishop out before advancing another pawn leading to my bishop on a diagonal with a hasty queen and a rook winning me the rook (the player resigned a few moves later)

[stefanmayer]

Thank you for this chess series you've posted on YouTube. I've learned so much. This particular video is very good. I feel a little more "clued in" on what I'm supposed to achieve in the opening.

[TheDhork]

Defenitly the video I've learned the most with. Openning as always been a struggle for me, thanks.

[BorrisBackyardigan]

These vids are masterpieces. Straight to the point but you’re not rushing what so ever. Very informative, thanks

[rockyroemer]

Thank you, Jerry! I’ve been confused by the myriad names and structures of openings / defenses / gambits! These fundamental principals of openings and defenses are a wonderful and understandable foundation for me. 💪

[vimic]

This video really helped me to get past 600 elo going for 1000 now! Thanks so much