I believe, I heard it from GM Aman Humbleton (Chessbrah), paraphrasing now: "If you are facing an attack, don't be afraid, you can think that computer would've found some incredible defensing moves in your situation". Not the exact words, but the point is there. This idea alone have improved my defense by a lot.

Defense is actually my strong suit, I think. And I attribute it to exercises I was doing when I was playing Shogi actively. I didn't really know analysis engines existed, and so I analyzed games myself by saving games at a critical position and then playing them out against the engine over and over in different variations. I'd save it in situations that seem entirely hopeless, and try my best to defend it, searching for any possible way to survive. This exercise seems kind of futile with engines existing, except there's a difference between thoroughly learning a process and being given the answer that process produces. Brute-force learning a math equation will give you a better understanding than a basic explanation and the final answer. Doing the process yourself teaches you to think the way you need to in order to apply it better in the future in similar situations. I'd very much recommend that people try this with Chess. Play a game up to a certain critical moment, perhaps entering the middlegame, save it at that moment and then play it out to the end over and over using different ideas. Save while you're in a bad position and try your hardest to fight out of it. And don't rely on the engine for analysis during this too much.

@elephantheart9988

2 ай бұрын

I also think doing this affects your mindset in these situations. It'll make you motivated to find a way out rather than feeling hopeless when you're in a bad position or down material.

Hi coach, bought your amateurs mind course! I also picked up How To Reasses your Chess. I think these book will get me to 1800-1900 FIDE in the upcoming 1-2 years.

@ChessCoachAndras

2 ай бұрын

Enjoy both!

You're right about the fact that it's really hard to find games where there has been a great defense to an attack. Keres - Smyslov from Zurich 1953 is one of the few famous examples of this where White seems like he's just gonna mate Black but Smyslov found that great defense with the queen and bishop on the long diagonal.

I really like this concept of underrated skills and talking about how we can improve as defenders and as overall players since defense isn't engrained in many of our minds

I can definitely still improve my defensive skills, but I don't easily give up. I don't believe in the "never resign" mantra, but I do believe most chess players resign too easily. I improve my defensive skills a lot by playing on in bad positions and every now and then I'll get counterplay and save the game to a draw, or occasionally even a win!

My connection with chess got weak some 2 years ago, and very glad to see in the mean time our lovely channel has grown to 35k.

Great video! I find defense more difficult because I feel I need to find all the threats; as attacker I only need one way to blow my opponent out. Fabi-Nepo from the candidates comes to mind; by now way a perfect defense; but if it's good enough against Fabi I take it.

I can’t remember theory I studied two days ago, much less 25 years ago.

Thanks!!!!! Nice example!!!!!

Incredible defense? Gotta be Geller - Euwe, 1953! If only d5!! was found!

I'm all for other videos on defense! Do you have specific recommandations to work on improving this aspect in one's game for intermediary players? Thanks coach!

Defense is definitely an underestimated and underrepresented skill! Same with "umbrella pawns". Any recommendations for books/courses on defense?

Great video Andras, instructive as always! Given the incredibly complex nature of chess, humans inevitably use heuristics and psychology in order to attack, plan, and defend. Given that checkmates occur overwhelmingly from attacks, we fear attacks more. If the opponent plays an excellent defensive move, the attacker does not automatically lose, they can still keep attacking... but if an attacker plays an excellent attacking move, this often correlates to "game over". I know this is obvious and I think we will never escape our human limitations, but an important aspect of improving is to be aware and push against them. Again, great video and idea!

Thanks!

5:34 instead of Qxg5 can just play Rf7+ Qh7#

If you were starting as a beginner to intermediate level what would you start learning first in order up to advanced level?

@cnydo

2 ай бұрын

Tactic

@kesetokaiba

2 ай бұрын

Endgames; I'd learn basic theoretical endgames and common checkmate patterns well. Doing puzzles for tactics/pattern recognition is a close second for my advice though.

16:00 I'm not sure but would Re7 work better than Qe7? The Queen maintains defense of f6 and we retain the ability to block on the h-file.

TIL a new word: perpie :D What is the Chessable course on defense that you recommend?

Would you go for this attack again now you know your opponents defense?

@ChessCoachAndras

2 ай бұрын

100 %!! the attack was perfectly justified, and in fact crushing, until I botched it!

hello coach andras which books would you recommend for improving defence?

Would like to see the rest of the game @ 18:50

16:39 "scary" is not an evaluation. you said once

Are there books that focus on defensive puzzles? When I search chess defense I mostly find opening books.

Thanks coach, perfect as always!

First 😎