Chess Lesson # 52: the strategy masters live by

You are never going to look at the game of Chess the same way after this lesson! Become a more technical and strategic player with National Master Robert Ramirez. In this lesson we are going to take your game to the next level. It’s time to learn about Chess strategy. If we do this right, you will soon start experiencing what it feels like to defeat your opponent without them knowing why they lost. You will soon start experiencing what it feels like to win a game without any apparent material advantage or apparent checkmate threat.

If you have been following this Chess course, at this point you are one of two players: either you think of a knight and you think of a fork or you think of a knight and you think of a fork and also of outposts and how knights like to be in the center of the board. However, none of this is enough. Your Chess strategy needs a boost! We are going to start by analyzing one of my own games, which will allow us to get a strong foundation about Chess technique and Chess strategy. Then we will do three or four exercises taken from games of some of the best Chess players in history, which will allow you to practice and consolidate everything. Once we finish, you will know (1) how to identify an outpost, (2) how to create an outpost out of thin air when possible, (3) how to secure an outpost, (4) how to occupy an outpost and more importantly (5) what to do once you have your knight on that strategic position.

00:00 Intro
01:25 Lesson plan
03:05 Reviewing Coach Robert’s game (learning and implementing our 4-step Chess strategy
21:02 1st exercise from Smyslov’s game
28:30 2nd exercise to reinforce Chess strategy
34:08 3rd exercise from Botvinnik’s game (creating an outpost from thin air)

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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 battlefield.

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.