Check out my Chessable course “Counterblow: A Complete Fighting Repertoire for Beginners” here
This Chess endgame is one of the simplest, but at the same time, it is one of the most important ones you need to learn in your career. We already learned how to win positions where our opponent’s king is outside of the pawn’s square. In this class, national master Robert Ramirez teaches you how to win even if your opponent’s king is close by. There are two main concepts we have to understand: the opposition and the key squares.
01:45 The Opposition is taken when you move your king in a way that it faces your opponent’s king with only one square in between them. We can take frontal, lateral or diagonal opposition. Taking the opposition allows you to take control and consequently gain more space to help your pawn reach its promotion square.
06:38 The Key Squares are the three squares in front of the pawn with an intervening square. This concept allows you to know where your king has to be in order to be able to help the pawn promote and win the game.
07:50 The steps I keep in mind as I play this endgame are the following:
1) Keep my king ahead of my pawn right away with one rank in between them.
2) Take the opposition
3) Penetrate/gain space
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My Book Recommendations:
First tactics book:
Mixed tactics book:
Advanced tactics book:
Advanced tactics book (II):
Carlsen’s book (excellent):
Kramnik’s book (excellent):
Pirc Defense book:
Endgames book:
Learn how to play Chess the right way from beginner to master level. National Master Robert Ramirez will take you up the pyramid by following a proven Chess training program he has been improving and implementing for over 10 years.
Benefits of Playing Chess:
- Promotes brain growth
– Increases problem-solving skills
– It exercises both sides of the brain
– Raises your IQ
– Sparks your creativity
– Teaches planning and foresight
– Teaches patience and concentration
– Optimizes memory improvement
– Improves recovery from stroke or disability
– Helps treat ADHD
Chess is an intellectual battle where players are exposed to numerous mental processes such as analysis, attention to detail, synthesis, concentration, planning and foresight. Psychological factors are also present on and off the board; playing Chess stimulates our imagination and creativity. Every single move a player makes is the result of a deep analysis based on the elements presented on the battle field.
Chess in its essence teaches us psychological, sociological and even moral values. In a Chess game, both players start with the same amount of material and time. The fact that the white pieces move first is considered to be practically irrelevant —especially because a player typically plays one game as white and one game as black. Consequently, the final result of the battle solely depends on each player. It doesn’t matter if you win by taking advantage of your opponent’s mistakes or by simply avoiding mistakes yourself. Truth is that Chess is an extremely individual sport and our defeats can only be blamed on ourselves and no one else. And this, in the end, only benefits us because we learn to be and feel responsible for our actions and never come up with excuses to justify ourselves.
We also learn that when it comes to our victories on the board, our opponent’s mistakes play a more significant role than our own skills. Let’s not forget that a Chess game without any mistakes would be a draw. This way, Chess provides us with another valuable life lesson: be humble at all times.
About National Master Robert Ramirez:
With an outstanding background as a professional Chess player and over 8 years of teaching experience, Robert Ramirez brings both his passion and his expertise to the board, helping you believe & achieve!
Robert Ramirez was introduced to the fascinating world of Chess when he was 5 years old and has participated in prestigious tournaments such as the World Open Chess Tournament and the Pan American Intercollegiate Team Championships. Thanks to his performance, he has earned his National Master title from the United States Chess Federation.
We finally have a strong and well organized opening course for White and one for Black. With these and the FREE beginner to master level playlist from this YouTube channel, it’s all about consistency over an extended period of time 😎💪 ⬇Course on Black Opening (Counterblow) https://www.chessable.com/ramirezCourse on White Opening (First Strike) https://www.chessable.com/firststrikeFree Playlist (beginner to master level) https://rb.gy/hw61wtAll the Endgame Knowledge I have https://rb.gy/zels9yAll the Strategy Knowledge I have https://rb.gy/g1iqro
Super important to be able to do this quickly as well. Often when you get into a deep end game like this there's a good chance you are going to be low on time so you need to be able to do it without thinking too much.
In my chess app there is no option for drills in puzzles. Where is it currently?
Why u first move white in second method of gain space (first u move black)
nice one! that was very helpful. I have come so far
Thanks .. was a good class
Thanks..Nice lecture 👍
I rarely, if ever, comment on videos, but I want to say that I really appreciate your instruction. Very clear, great pace.
Thank you sir!
Thank teacher
So if the black king was near our camp, we can't win the game. Am i right?
Very helpful. I've seen many people losing games by not knowing these concepts. Thank you
That's a really nice video, but in you outside of square example the king was actually inside the squares
This is by far the best chess course I've taken! Thank you very much for your dedication and effort.
Once I had this position my king was on a8 and my pawn was on a7 and the opponents king was moving back and forth on c7 and c8 and he stalemated me 🙁 I never thought this was possible as I thought I can only stalemate him not him stalemating me 🙁
Lesson 29 complete!! When I first tfaced this I just couldnt do it cuz I didn't know either of the concepts, well now I know and will win when I am faced with this again.
BTW some random dude I beat yesterday gave me a 1 month diamond membership of chess.com because I played beautifully. All credits to you coach 😇🤣…
The effort you have put in to create the play list is immense
This is an amazing resource for beginners like me! Thank you so much for all this hard work!!!
Binge watching your videos for 2 days
Hi, first of all, again I should thank you for this playlist. if it is possible, can you talk about the endgame when there is a black king (on g7 square) vs white king (on e6) and white pawn (on g3) and it is white's turn to move? I think it's more tricky and I couldn't find the set of moves which surely leads to checkmate.
p.s. I totally understand if it is not possible for you to respond, but I took my shot anyway.
thanks.
The best video series for chess, undoubtedly! Thank you very much for putting it all together in a wonderful and easy to learn way. 🙂
Sir , I just can’t stop watching ur videos. Can’t get better than this U r taking chess into another level👏
Thank you for the valuable lesson
Oh now i see so basically we don't have to take opposition in rook king vs king endgame, let enemy king have it. 😁👍
Didn't know the key squares. Very helpful. Back to lesson 65.
I got into a draw yesterday because my opponent didn't know this move and I took their pawn. They should watch these videos. 😁
Awesome
This has been incredible. I now understand the theory behind the moves which I really enjoy and have longed for. A bonus in understanding theory behind the moves is it makes it much easier to remember . You are the best. I am so happy I discovered your channel which I am officially addicted to.
Thats a good point, I never considered the key squares, just king opposition, I'll consider what pawn I think Is likely to be last from now on, and make sure my king is there
This channel is for players who don't want to read books.
I experienced this once, when I didn't know the strategy and my opponent escaped with a Stalemate. But now onwards I'll be Ready
I am learning thank u bro
Another great video, I am so pleased I found your channel. This has got to be the best free chess course on youtube.
Never thought that there was a strategy in the very endgame lol. But again thanks for this informative lesson sir
What a lesson! Thanks coach 👌
Very nice instruction and clear details
Terrific, Coach !!!! Thanks!!!
I didn't gave up …
16/10/21
2:04 PM
Such a precious basics and techniques, you give away generously.
Your such a great blessings to me and to all of us watching your course for free and from the bottom of my heart I just wanna say thank you, May God be the One to BLESS you more.
With all of your teachings through your videos I've learned a lot that I wish in my younger days someone taught me like you are doing. Thank you so much, Its better late than never. May God Bless You Always for caring and teaching others.😂😂😂😀😀😀
You are awesome
Very useful. Thank you
Fantastic Videos, Really awesome and so Informative. Thanks
Haven't had time to continue your lesson from 31 or 32 since many months due to my busy schedule…but its a ritual 2-3 times i have blundered opposition rule this year, that i come to this video….Shows that education is a repeating process. PS. Omicron may close down the offices…I am determined to catch up 100+ episodes by the 1st quarter of 2022
Thanks for making this series , love it
There are many more entertaining, higher production value chess channels than this one. But for rec level players (me) looking to up their game, there is no channel more clear and concise than this one.
This video was so needed by me. Thank you for a great lesson. One question though. I have trouble doing this when my pawn is far side of the board in the a or h files. I easily get stalemated against any skilled player or computer level.
Any tips for a file or h file pawn and king vs king?
Thanks a lot sir..Huge respect to you..
Your playlists are very informative and helpful. It's really nice that you have put all these gems for free.
Thank you