Chess Videos, Lessons, & Chess Lectures

FM FunMasterMike Jun 13, 2018 49803 Views 10 min

There are no guarantees in life, but there is in chess! FunMasterMike promises you'll win some chess games just by memorizing these common opening mistakes. Watch and learn six different tricks in 10 minutes!

Advanced Opening Principles: Part 1

FM FunMasterMike Dec 4, 2017 45744 Views 8 min

What happens when one side focuses on development while the other side forgets? It's a comedy for the first side but a tragedy for the other! Watch this and other advanced opening ideas -- maybe you can also win some quick points!

Quick Mates and Traps

FM FunMasterMike Apr 16, 2016 51536 Views 9 min

Want to be able to win a chess game in a few moves? More important, do you want to avoid losing quickly? This is the lesson for you. FM Mike Klein shows you some quick traps and mates to look for in your games.

The French Defense

IM Daniel Rensch Aug 12, 2015 33914 Views 9 min

The French Defense might not look special, but there is lots of fun in this opening. Join IM Daniel Rensch as he shows you the three main ways White can choose to play. Remember the rule of the pawn spear and you just might get to see some dancing monkeys.

The Scotch Game: 4 Knights

IM Daniel Rensch Aug 5, 2015 39214 Views 11 min

Do you want to play an exciting and strong opening? Sure, we all do. IM Danny Rensch shows you a fun and easy opening to play, The Scotch 4 Knights. Learn how the Scotch game can help you immediately challenge the center and complete your development.

The Sicilian

IM Daniel Rensch Jul 29, 2015 41992 Views 11 min

If you play 1. e4, you'd better learn one of the most popular and aggressive ways Black can respond: the Sicilian Defense. IM Danny Rensch gives you an easy-to-digest overview of the opening, categorizing each variation's basic ideas. Stick around for a bonus lesson on what not to do in this common opening.

Opening Traps: More Scholar's Mate!

David Petty 1 Jul 4, 2015 21572 Views 12 min

Last time, ChessKid coach David Petty introduced you to scholar's mate, and showed you how to stop it when White plays his bishop out first. But what do you do when White aggressively moves his queen on move two? Never worry. Coach Petty has the answer you need to stop this crude threat. Learn all about how to defend against these common checkmating attempts.

Opening Traps: The Scholar's Mate!

David Petty 1 Jun 27, 2015 29612 Views 7 min

It's the oldest chess trick in the book - but that doesn't mean you don't have to know how to stop it! ChessKid coach David Petty shows you the scholar's mate, which is by far the most common mating attack in the chess beginner's arsenal. Learn how to defend against this rudimentary threat, and explore the related themes of weak squares on f7 and f2.

The Chess Piece Who Swallowed A Fly: Bonus!

IM Daniel Rensch Jun 13, 2015 30631 Views 8 min

Are you ready for a bonus video on the chess piece who swallowed a fly? IM Daniel Rensch is back with another look at how your own pieces can block in your chess army - but this time with a twist. Learn when it is OK to "swallow a fly" (in chess, not real life!) when it achieves a greater goal on the 64 squares.

The Italian Game

IM Daniel Rensch Jun 6, 2015 42669 Views 10 min

IM Daniel Rensch teaches you one of the most fun beginner and intermediate openings, the Italian. Learn the tips and tricks you need to win on both sides of this classic opening. Watch to the end to find out how IM Rensch recommends you play against the smelly Fried Liver Attack.

The Ruy Lopez

IM Daniel Rensch May 30, 2015 40174 Views 8 min

What are the best chess ideas for students to learn? IM Daniel Rensch compiles the 10 most essential opening concepts for beginning players. Top on the list? The logical Ruy Lopez, a powerful opening played at the highest levels of chess that also packs tremendous teaching value in each one of its moves. Don't let chess stress take you to Crazytown. Watch and enjoy this fun video.

More First Moves

FM FunMasterMike Apr 15, 2015 26660 Views 6 min

FM Mike Klein told you the goals of the opening, but how do you get there? The answer is development. Learn how to bring your pieces out in the correct order and to the correct squares in this important lesson. Find out what happens if you try to be a hero too early with the queen, a common mistake in the opening.

First Moves

FM FunMasterMike Apr 11, 2015 37717 Views 6 min

Every chess game begins with the opening - but what moves should you play? FM Mike Klein shows you the fundamentals behind the ideas of good openings, so you know why to play them, not just how. Learn how important controlling the center is in a chess game, and apply that lesson to your choice of first moves.

Stop Copying Me Again!

Jonathan Corbblah 3 Feb 28, 2015 28690 Views 9 min

The Four Knights Opening is extremely popular, especially in youth chess. But what should you do if your opponent keeps copying your moves in this opening? Learn how to take advantage of some tricky positions if your opponent won't stop mirroring your moves! Don't forget to take the ChessKid lesson on openings in the related links.

The Chess Piece Who Swallowed A Fly -- Part 2

IM Daniel Rensch Feb 4, 2015 18171 Views 4 min

Queens aren't the only pieces that can block in their teammates. Bishops can be the ones swallowing flies, too, as IM Daniel Rensch explains with an old song. You don't want to treat your bishop like an oversized pawn, do you? Watch this video to find out where not to put your piece. Don't forget to take the ChessKid lesson on openings in the related links!

Stop Copying Me!

Jonathan Corbblah 3 Jan 31, 2015 31353 Views 6 min

Do you get annoyed when your opponent copies your moves? You don't have to! Just use these simple tricks to make your opponents wish they never even dreamed of copying you. Don't forget to take the ChessKid lesson on openings in the related links.

The Chess Piece Who Swallowed a Fly -- Part 1

IM Daniel Rensch Jan 6, 2015 13559 Views 6 min

What happens when a chess piece swallows a fly? IM Daniel Rensch shows you how players make this common beginner's mistake. The error of blocking your own pieces creates a cascade of more blockages, reminding IM Rensch of the famous children's song about an old lady who swallowed a fly. Stick around for IM Rensch's spoken-word chess rendition of the classic Burl Ives song. Don't forget to take the ChessKid lesson on openings in the related links!

You've Snuck One By Me For The Last Time!

Jonathan Corbblah 3 Jan 3, 2015 17479 Views 4 min

How do you deal with one of the sneakiest opening traps White can play? Coach Mousetrap shows you how to handle it no matter what White does. Learn how sometimes the best way to answer a fork is with a fork of your own! Don't forget to take the ChessKid lesson on openings in the related links.

How To Play The Fried Liver Attack

David Petty 1 Dec 30, 2014 35617 Views 10 min

What do you get when you combine delicious breakfast food with one of the most feared openings of the 1800s? The Fried Liver Attack, of course! In this introductory video, find out what the Fried Liver Attack is and how it can spell grisly doom for the unprepared black player without precise defense.

Don't Stop Being Sneaky! Here's Another Opening Trap!

Jonathan Corbblah 3 Nov 29, 2014 20305 Views 3 min

If you like fun traps in common openings, you don't want to miss this video. Mousetrap shows you a sneaky trap you can use if your opponent gets greedy in one of the most popular openings, the Queen's Gambit Accepted. Learn how to make Black pay if he foolishly tries to keep his extra pawn. Don't forget to take our ChessKid lesson on opening principles in the related links.