Checkmate the Algorithm: Brilliant Chess Channels Flying Under the Radar

 

Much True wisdom lies not in the loudest voices,
 but in the quietest corners of the internet.

Hidden Gems
 Chess Channels You're Missing Out On

While the chess world on YouTube boasts some giants, there are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. These channels offer extensive content and high-quality lessons , but their subscriber count doesn't reflect the value they provide.

Here are 10 fantastic YouTube channels led by chess masters that deserve a wider audience

1. Bad Bishop Chess Channel - FM  Aleksandar Randjelovic - : 5k Subscribers

• English
• 97 Videos  (Active)
• 20+ Years as a Chess Teacher
• Video Playlists Cover Openings, Positional Chess and Tactics 

2. Palm Beach Chess - NM Bryan Tillis: 16k Subscribers

• English
• 1,100 Videos (Active)
• Instructor and Chessable Author
• Video Playlists Covering Everything from Openings to Endgames. Lot's of Lesson's from famous Master Games. 

3. Chess Thinking! with NM Dan Heisman: 8.4K Subscribers

• English
• 367 Videos (Active)
• Author of 13 Chess Books and Instructor for over 30 years
• Lessons on all types of topics
• Really Caters to the Beginner and Intermediate Player. But has Some advanced stuff as well.

4. U.S. Chess School]: 1.4K Subscribers

• English
• 237 Videos (Active)
• Most of these Videos are 1 to 1.5 Hour long Lessons
• Openings, Middlegame and Endgame Lessons (They cover it all)
• These Lessons are Given by Top Chess Instructors
  GM Johan Hellston - Author of Several Top Chess Books and Chessable Courses
  GM Jesse Kraai and IM Kostva Kavutskiy - Chess Dojo Instructors and Chessable Authors
  GM Sam Shankland - Book and Chessable Author+ Many other Top IM's and GM's
• I would say most of the stuff here falls into the Intermediate and Advanced Lessons.

5. Robert Plunkett's Chess Lab: 3.5K Subscribers

• English
• 382 Videos (Active)
• NM with over 20 Years of Chess Coaching
• Lot of Great Openings Playlists - Many Interesting easy to digest Lessons on many Chess topics

6. GM Max Illingworth: 2.6K Subscribers

• English
• 502 Videos (Active)
• Mostly 10-15 Min Videos Covering a Game w/ Analysis and a Lessons Learned on a certain topic from that game.

7. Molton - GM Moulthun Ly: 14.8K Subscribers

• English
• 222 Videos (Not- Active)
• 10-60 Min Videos
• Openings Videos w/ Many Game Analysis Videos
• From Beginner to Advanced Lessons

8. GM Irina Krush: 22.9K Subscribers

• English
• 49 Videos (Active)
• Many Videos on just a certain Chess Concept w/ some games Analyzed showing that concept.

9. GM Josh Friedel: 2.86K Subscribers

• English
• 34 Videos (Active)
• Chess Coach and Chessable Author
• 30 Min Video Lessons geared to Beginner and Intermediate Players. (Really nice Lessons)
•  "Don't let the subscriber count fool you - GM Josh Friedel's concise video lessons are pure chess gold!"

10. GM Talks - GM Sune Berg Hansen: 8k Subscribers

• English
• Building strong chess fundamentals, with a particular emphasis on Pawn structures like the Carlsbad and Queen's Gambit.
• Delivered by a highly decorated chess player (7-time National Champion and Danish National Team Coach), GM Sune Berg Hansen uses his enthusiasm and clear explanations to make even complex chess concepts accessible to viewers.
• 346 + Videos (Not much recent stuff but some amazing Lessons that are 2hr+ in length)
• Beginner, Intermediate, w/ some really Advanced Topics and Deep-Dives here as well
  
  

The world of chess learning on YouTube is vast!

Have you stumbled upon any other hidden gem channels offering fantastic chess lessons?

Share the links in the comments below! Whether it's a brilliant opening instructor or a master of endgame tactics, let's help each other expand our chess knowledge.

Unlock the Bishop Pair Advantage: Essential Chess Strategy

Demystifying the Bishop Pair:
The Power of the Dynamic Duo! 

Dominate the Open Game: The bishop pair thrives in open positions, controlling both light and dark squares.

Long-Range Powerhouses: ♝♝ maneuver freely across any color, creating threats and opportunities.

Unleash Dynamic Attacks: Their versatility allows for both sharp tactics and powerful positional pressure.

Master for All Levels: Whether a beginner or seasoned player, this guide empowers you to harness the bishop pair's potential.

Demystify and Conquer: Learn winning strategies and transform your understanding of this dynamic duo!

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Bishop Pair Articles

The Bishop Pair Games - 17 Games on Chessgames.com - Games in Valeri Beim's "Lessons in Chess Strategy", chapter 7 on the bishop pair.


How to use the Bishop pair (11 Key Concepts) - Article on ChessMood - Are you too quick to exchange your bishop pair, or struggling to unleash their full power? GM Gabuzyan shows 11 techniques to use to your advantage!

What to do with the Bishop Pair - Chessbase Article - Jan Markos shows what you should do to convert the advantage of having the pair of bishops into a winning position.

The Bishop Pair: 5 Things to Know - ChessWorld - WGM Raluca Sgircea, IM Renier Castellanos
Playing Against The Bishop Pair: 6 Rules to Remember - ChessWorld

The Art of the Two Bishops - GM Bryan Smith - The concept of the two-bishop advantage is explored, emphasizing how bishops can be more powerful when both are present on the board, complementing each other’s movements.

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Bishop Pair LiChess Studies

Sharpen your bishop pair skills with these interactive Lichess studies! Perfect for all skill levels, these studies offer a variety of learning experiences:

• Bishop pair - 3 Chapter Study -  Analyze famous games featuring the bishop pair in action.
  
  
• Chess strategy for club players: Bishop Pair - 13 Chapter Study - Combine exercises and annotated games to solidify your bishop pair understanding.
  
  
• Bishops | Slice through the opposition - (Real Nice, 19 Chapters): Dive deep with this in-depth interactive study exploring bishop pair concepts.
  
  
• Bishop Pair Endgames - 17 Chapter Study - Test your endgame technique in these famous games showcasing the bishop pair's power (no annotations).

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Bishop Pair Chess Video Lessons

Power of the Bishop Pair | Chess Middlegames - 19 min - Hanging Pawns

Winning with the Bishop Pair | Powerful Chess Strategy - 16 min - IM Asaf Givon - utilizes practical games by himself and Tigran Petrosian to showcase the two-bishops advantage.

The Bishop Pair Advantage | Powerful Chess Strategy - 19 Min -  IM Maximiliano Perez - elves into classic game examples demonstrating the bishop pair's power.

The Advantage of the Bishop Pair - 25 Min  IM Astaneh

Power of the Bishop Pair - Restricting the Opponents Mobility - 22 Min IM Astaneh - explores the bishop pair's edge, with a focus on restricting your opponent's mobility.

The Bishop Pair, with GM Ben Finegold - 45 Min - Emphasizing their ability to control both color complexes and work harmoniously. He illustrates this through various game examples

The Advantage of Two Bishops | Bishop Pair Strategy EXPLAINED - 7 Min - Coach kestony - This is one of the best strategy lessons I have learned to win more games and play comfortably. (New 5/29/24)

The Power of the Two Bishops - 11 Min - kingscrusher - Correspondence game analysis.

The Pair of Bishops | Chess lesson # 111 - 27 Min NM Robert Ramirez - This comprehensive lesson by NM Robert Ramirez explores the core concepts of bishop pair play, making it ideal for players of all levels seeking to solidify their understanding.

GM Sam Shankland

• Unfolding the Full Potential of the Bishop Pair | Positional Play - 17 Min -  The importance of the bishop pair and in which situations they can unfold their full potential.
• The ineffective Bishop Pair | Positional Play | GM Sam Shankland - 14 Min - take a look at a master game and will discuss when the bishop pair does not matter at all, because it was unable to become active.
• How the Bishop Pair can decide the Game - 16 Min - See how the potential of the bishops can be maximized.

Make Your Bishop Pair Stronger with a Simple Strategy - 6 Min GM Gabuzyan - Unlock a quick and effective strategy to boost your bishop pair's effectiveness.

The Bishop Pair Advantage | Grandmaster's Choice - 60 Min GM Joel Benjamin -GM Benjamin presents a historical journey of the bishop pair advantage, showcasing games from Steinitz to Kasparov.

GM Moun Le

This series features three short videos by GM Moulthun Le, exploring various aspects of mastering the bishop pair.

How to Master Your Bishop Pair #1 | Kramnik Does it Blindfolded - 7 Min
How to Master Your Bishop Pair #2 | Utilising Tactics | Wang Hao vs Caruana - 6 Min
How to Use Your Bishop Pair's Full Potential #3 | GM Moulthun Ly - 7 Min

Rook and Pawn Endgames - (Endgame Theory)

 

Rook and Pawn Endgame Resources

Since the most common Endgames are Rook and Pawn here are the links I have found to help one learn them.

Tarrasch Rule Wikipedia page - explaining the "rule" that rooks should be placed behind passed pawns with reasons, illustrations and exceptions.

Books (Free)

Internet Archive
Comprehensive Chess Endings - Volume 5: Rook Endings - 333 Pages PDF/Kindle

Basic Endgames - FREE Chessable Course  - Nice Section on Rook Endgames Here. (A Free 181 endgames in total)

Rook & Pawn Endgame ARTICLES

Rook vs Pawn Endgames: 8 Must-Know Concepts - GM Gabuzyan on Lichess Blog - discusses essential concepts for mastering Rook vs Pawn endgames in chess. These endgames are crucial due to their complexity and frequency in games. The article covers eight key concepts

Rook and Pawn Endgame Video Lessons

Rook Endgames - 6 Video Playlist -  80 Min - GM Sune Berg Hansen - Endgame Masterclass

 a) Fundamental Rook Endgames

•         Rook Endgames Crash Course - Rook & Pawn Endings - 24 Min NM Lopez - The video covers fundamental concepts, key positions, practical tips, and common mistakes to avoid. It's a must-watch for both beginners and intermediate players looking to improve their endgame skills.
  
  
•         Top Four Instructive Rook Endgames Everyone Should Know - 30 Min IM - Kavutskiy Chess Dojo - shares four essential rook endgames that every chess player should master. The video provides clear and instructive commentary on key positions and strategies, making complex concepts accessible to players of all levels. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their endgame skills in chess
  
  
•          GM Sam Shankland: Rook Endgames | U.S. Chess School 05.09.2022 - 49 Min -  in-depth lesson on rook endgames, focusing on key strategies and techniques. The video is part of the U.S. Chess School's training program for America's most promising junior players. Shankland's engaging teaching style and emphasis on the importance of thinking order make this video a valuable resource for improving endgame skills.
  
  
•   Rook and Pawn Endgames with GM Ben Finegold - 55 Min - St.Louis CC - discusses five different games related to rook and pawn endgames.
  
  
• Theoretical Rook Endings: Understanding 'Long Side' vs 'Short Side' - 10 Min - Im Andras Toth  -       In this video, we'll demystify the 'Long Side' vs 'Short Side' theory, equipping you with essential knowledge to conquer rook endgames like a seasoned master.

(GM Alex Ipatov  -  Rook Endgame Lessons)

•          Learn the Philidor Position | Fundamental Rook Endgames - 8 Min 
  
  
•          Learn the Lucena Position | Fundamental Rook Endgames - 5 Min
  
  
•          The Long Side/Short Side Principle in Rook Endgames - 12 Min 
  
  
•          Don't miss this important Rook Endgame Technique - 7 Min 
  
  
•          How the Skewer can decide your Rook Endgame - 8 Min 
  
  
•          Know your Rook Endgame Technique | Basic Rook Endings - 9 Min 
  
  
•          Improve your Endgame Play with this instructive Mastergame - 9 Min 
  
  
•          How to play the Rook Endgame with Doubled Pawns - 9 Min 
  
  
•          Forcing your Opponent to a draw with the Vancura Position 7 Min 
  
  
•          Remember the Cheron Position in Rook and Pawn Endgames 10 Min 
  
  
•          Important Cheron Positions in Rook and Pawn Endgames | - 13 Min
  
  
•          Attack both Flanks at the same Time! | Important Rook Endgame      Principles - 11 Min
  
  
•          Activate your King to win the Endgame - 4 Min - explains key principles for activating the king in rook endgames. The video emphasizes the importance of the king's role in endgames and provides practical examples to illustrate these concepts.
  
  
•          Bring your Rook behind the passed Pawn - 7 Min

   Robert Plunkets Lab    

•           How to win 90% of rook and pawn endgames - 12 Min -Robert Plunketts lab - explains practical strategies and techniques to master rook and pawn endgames. The video provides clear examples and tips to help viewers improve their endgame skills and avoid common mistakes. I
  
  
•          How to go active with your rook in rook and pawn endgames - 10 Min - Robert Plunketts lab - strategies for activating your rook in rook and pawn endgames. The video provides practical examples and tips to help viewers improve their endgame skills.
  
  
•           When to put your rook behind passed pawns - 10 Min - Robert Plunketts lab - explains the strategic importance of placing your rook behind passed pawns in chess endgames. He provides practical examples and insights to help viewers understand when and why this technique is effective.

        

 b) Other Rook Endgames 

• Capablanca’s Endgame Rule | Chess Endings - 22 Min NM Ramirez - explains Capablanca's endgame rule and its application in chess endings. The video provides practical examples and strategies to help players improve their endgame skills. 
  
  
• Rooks: Don't be a Tempo Behind - 58 Min GM Moridiabadi - St.Louis CC - complex rook endgames derived from real games. The video provides valuable insights and strategies for navigating these difficult positions.
  
  
• Akiba Rubinstein's Rook Endgames | Insane in the Endgame - 65 Min GM Dariusz - showcases notable rook endgames by Akiba Rubinstein. Rubinstein innovated several endgame concepts that have been endorsed by chess engines a century later.
  
  
• Rook Endgames - GM Josh Friedel 48 Min - St. Louis CC- He explains key concepts, such as "Building a Bridge," to help players understand and master rook endgames. The video is highly recommended for its clear explanations and valuable insights.
  
  
• Rook & Passed Pawn Endgames - 24 Min - St.Louis CC - explains how to effectively use your rook to support a passed pawn. The lecture covers key strategies and techniques to ensure your rook is optimally placed and not rendered ineffective. 
  
  
• Level Up Your Chess #5: Rook Endgames with GM Arturs Neiksans - 71 Min - GM Arturs Neiksans shares his insights on mastering rook endgames. The video covers essential strategies and techniques to improve your endgame skills. 
  
  
• Important Rook Endgames that No One Understands | Endgame Class - NM Caleb Denby - 57 min - St.Louis CC - inspired by Mark Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual, explains complex rook endgame concepts for intermediate players.
  
  
• More Important Rook Endgames that No One Understands | Endgame Class - NM Caleb Denby - 56 Min - St.Louis CC - continues his exploration of complex rook endgames. He delves into scenarios where the passed pawn is behind its own rook, providing valuable insights and strategies.
  
  
• Endgames: Rook themes - 63 Min - a lesson on various rook endgame themes for participants of the World Online School Chess Tournament. The video covers essential concepts and strategies to help players improve their understanding and execution of rook endgames.

Endgame Study: Saavedra Position - 4 min Video
Endgame Study: Philidor Position - 8 min Video

Checking Distance in Rook Endings - 11 min Video -  illustrates the concept of "Checking Distance" in rook endgames. The video also touches on the Lucena Position, providing valuable insights for mastering these endgames
2nd Rank Stalemate Trap in Rook Endings - 10 min Video -  elaborates on a specific, rare tactical theme that allows Black to draw a seemingly lost position. The video provides a detailed explanation of the 2nd rank stalemate trap in rook endgames.
Gregoriev's Combined Method - 11 Min Video (This method is applicable for c,d,e,f pawns that have not yet reached the 5th rank, where the defender's king is cut off at least 2 files and the defender's rook is defending via frontal attack. )

The Five Minute Rook Endgame Test - 12 Min  (His 5 Min at end explanations are worth the watch alone)

Understanding Rook Endgames 1) Piece Activity - 10 Min Video - explains the importance of piece activity in rook endgames.
Understanding Rook Endgames 2) Creating Weakness - 6 Min Video - explains how to create weaknesses in rook endgames. The video provides practical examples and strategies to help players improve their endgame skills.

Lucena and Philidor Positions

These are two of the most famous and important positions in Endgame Theory.
Here are the Wikipedia methods to each position and the knowledge behind each.
Lucena Position and Philidor Position

Here are the interactive trainers for each position as well so you can practice each.
Lucena Trainer
Philidor Trainer

Philidor Position Endgame Video Lesson - 35 min Video lesson By FIDE Master Dennis Monokroussos

Free Chess Endgame Studies - The Ultimate Guide

 

CHESS ENDGAME STUDY RESOURCES

In chess, a chess endgame study (often shortened to just "study") is a composed position, meaning it's not a situation that arose from an actual game. These positions are specifically crafted to showcase a particular endgame concept or winning technique.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:

• Composed Position: Unlike real games where the position evolves organically, endgame studies are deliberately created by a composer to highlight a specific idea.
• Endgame Focus: These studies typically focus on situations that arise in the later stages of the game, where there are only a few pieces remaining on the board.
• Learning Tool: The goal of an endgame study is not necessarily to represent a realistic situation, but rather to provide a puzzle-like scenario where you can practice and improve your endgame skills.
• Solving the Puzzle: The challenge in an endgame study is to find the correct sequence of moves that leads to checkmate or a draw (depending on the study's stipulation).

By solving endgame studies, you can develop your:

• Endgame Technique: Learn how to maneuver pieces efficiently in the endgame.
• Planning Skills: Practice calculating winning lines and strategic thinking in endgame scenarios.
• Pattern Recognition: Identify recurring tactical motifs and endgame winning ideas.

Endgame studies are valuable tools for players of all skill levels, offering a structured and engaging way to refine your endgame abilities.

Endgame study - Wikipedia Article 

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ENDGAME Study Websites

All about Chess Endgame Studies - Extensive Endgame Study Resource: Explore a vast collection of chess endgame studies for players of all levels. From basic tactics to advanced concepts, find the perfect study to challenge yourself. This might be the definitive site on the internet to go to if you're interested in any type of chess study.  (Way too much here for me to explain it just click the link and enjoy chess study heaven) 

Chess Endgame Study Composition Blog -  200+ Studies (All Broken down into motifs on right Menu)

Bishops Bounty Domination in the Endgame Page - A post with Videos and LiChess Studies on the Domination  theme in Endgame Studies.

Bishops Bounty Babson Task Page - A post with Videos, Articles And a Lichess Study about Babson Task Compositions.

           

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Books (Free)

INTERNET ARCHIVE
ENDGAME STUDY BOOKS

(PDF / Kindle / Zip / Torrent ) Books Of Chess Endgame Studies (Free Download)

Domination In 2,545 Endgame Studies by Ghenrikh M. Kasparyan - 544 Page

 Ian Shanahan A Generalized Definition Of ' Ideal [ Stale] Mate' by Ian Shanahan - 3 Page 

Chess problems [microform] by Stubbs, C. F. (Charles F.), 1853-1907 - 122 Page

Ian Shanahan Chess Problems By Ian Shanahan ( 2018) by Ian Shanahan - 225 Page

Chess Problems for Solving by John Rice  -36 Page

Chess problems made easy by Thomas Taverner - 101 page

121 Chess Problems - J. W. Abbott (1887) by Umair Mirza - 49 Page

Canadian Chess Problems - Dr. Ryall & J. Henderson (1998) by Umair Mirza - 63 page

700 Chess Problems- Mrs. W. J. Baird (1902) by Umair Mirza - 290 Page


Other Places w/ Free Books

Chess Endgame Composition Studies Blog -  Links to close to 30 Composition Books in Russian

Problem Books ( 27 Books) - all in public Domain (PDF) (From British Chess Problem Society)

Page of links to Famous Composers - PDF's of many of their Endgame Studies 

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LICHESS STUDIES

Head over to Lichess and test your endgame skills with these interactive studies!

• Beautiful Studies - 64 Interactive Chess Studies
  
  
• Beautiful Chess Studies (2) - 39 Interactive Endgame Studies

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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ENDGAME STUDY Video Lessons

Playlists

1. Endgame studies - ( 9 Video Playlist ) - GM Daniel King
2. Endgame Studies - (6 Video Playlist)  (Each video is about a specific) Endgame Theme
3. Endgame Studies - (50 Video Playlist) - Each is a 3 min or so video about a study.

Endgame Study Videos

Endgame Studies for Beginners - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 2013.03.07 - 51 Min -  presents a strategic ideas class for beginner/intermediate level players
Beautiful Chess Endgame Studies | Prepare Like A Pro - GM Varuzhan Akobian - 51 Min - These compositions are beautiful like a sunset or a flower, but difficult and never-before-seen on this channel! (New 5/29/24)

Vladimir Kramnik: Chess endgame studies give joy and happiness - 30 Min -  Vladimir takes a close look at the study by Yuri Bazlov that won 2nd prize, and at the amazing joint study by world-class composers Minski and Nielsen which won 7th prize. This study was special as it was inspired by a spectacular game won by one of the biggest talents of today, Daniil Dubov, against Rasmus Svane

Jan Timman shows mind blowing endgame studies at Politiken Cup 2015 - 1hr 30 Min -  Shows his own original compositions as well as some brilliant studies by Steffen Slumstrup.

IM Kostya Kavutskiy: Endgame Studies | U.S. Chess School 7.02.2021 - 35 Min

Imaginative Compositions | Endgame Exclam!! - GM Elshan Moradiabadi - 42 Min - presents several endgame studies, proving that endgames are anything but boring. Calculate and find the best possible moves.

Endgame Studies and Ideas | Advanced Player Class - WGM Anna Sharevich - 47 Min - analyzes more endgame ideas and positions at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.

Composed Endgame Studies - WGM Jennifer Shahade - 2015.01.27 - 31 Min - shows a few practical studies in the Endgame Class. All of the positions include rooks and pawns.

FM Dennis Monokroussos - An introduction to endgame studies - 51 Min - The video showcases five studies, highlighting the importance of accuracy and imagination in finding unique solutions, as routine methods won’t suffice.

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Chess Endgame Study Databases

Arves.org - Endgame Study Database - over 25,000 studies (By Country, Author, Awards, Year)

ARVES is an international association of chessplayers who are interested in endgame studies.

 

• Endgame studies, or just studies, are composed chess positions for which the aim of the solver is,
  
  
• to find the unique way for one side (usually White) to win or draw, as stipulated, against any moves the other side plays.
  
  
• Good studies contain some artistic element of surprise, paradox, geometry or depth.

The Goal of ARVES.

The association has made its goal to encourage the composing, solving and replaying of chess endgame studies and the development of chess endgame theory, especially in The Netherlands and Flanders.

The association tries to reach this goal by:

• a. organizing meetings with lectures,
  
  
• b. organizing composition- and solving contests,
  
  
• c. having a magazine where original studies can be published,
  
  
• d. archiving and popularizing the chess endgame studies.
  
  
• e. having a website that serves all the previous items to help reaching them.