Beginning Chess Concepts by Professor Hikaru

A beginner tutorial from one of the best chess players. What else do you need

Hikaru is way too good with the arrows and stuff.

This wasn’t boring at all. Throughly enjoyed it. Please do more of these!

For those who are wondering how did GM Hikaru move his white pawn from E5 to F6 at 6:49? The answer is below and it's kind of long😅👇 SPOILER ALERT ⚠️ Answer - This move is called "en passant" in chess and can be only be done by using pawns. If you see the opponent moves the black pawn two squares forward from F7 to F5 on its first move. And the white pawn is at E5 currently. So as chess is like real battle, in this situation white pawn can force attack before the black pawn reaches F5. Therefore, the white pawn moves from E5 to F6. Basically it's an assumption that black has only moved one square instead of two where you cross attack. So now GM Hikaru is not obliged to do this move,he can move any other piece, but if he wants to do the en passant move he must do it within the next move otherwise this move cannot be played. Further, this move for white is only applicable if the opponent moves any of his black pawns for the FIRST TIME and has moved it TWO SQAURES FORWARD on it's first move, bypassing the cross attack of the white pawn. If you now understand this move, like my comment otherwise don't.

Wow imagine I just decided to play chess properly since I was a kid, and you have a GM just lowkey chilling and explaining their thoughts. Please keep these kinds of videos coming 🍝

This was really helpful Hikaru, most chess videos explain long lines that most of us scrubs never see on the board. I just play for fun. I don't want to study or be referred to as someone's 'student.' The concepts you explained make sense. What a nice relaxing video. Wish you the best!

Thank you for this. I hit 1400 online largely because of these videos of Hikaru stepping through what he’s looking for with every move.

This was really great and educational. I hope you continue to do a series like this man. Not only entertaining, but helpful with your narration.

I love this content. I've heard many chess principles but seeing them explained by none other than Hikaru himself is just so instructive & awesome, I can't thank my stars enough.

Really appreciate the explanations because GM Hikaru is so concrete! Been plagued by the usual generic “opening principles” riddled with exceptions like Swiss cheese. Grateful for this & would love to see more🙏

I love this type of content ! Super chill and we get more interactions with you. Thank you for your amazing work I love your videos !

“Did your barber know you are the one and only Hikaru Nakamura?” Hikaru: Yeah..because the barber is myself” 😂 Hikaru is effortlessly funny. Very instructive content btw. An hour well spent.

This is very nice and interesting. I love how you are chill and supportive when playing and explaining your thoughts.

this is so helpful PLEASE DO MORE of these videos for us beginners 😭

This is what I have been looking for! A GM playing the game and describing it while he does in simple terms. Thanks!!

Beginner theory masterclass, truly a professor of chess. This is where you can learn the ideas, stragegies, mentality and many higher level concepts. Which is the type of knowledge you simply can't get anywhere, especially presented professionally and in such a compact format. I think Hikaru could write a great book of chess concepts that assumes you know the rules and basics of the game that is easier to unpack and level up than most that exist. Likely built from the dynamic ideas created from videos like this. Unplanned content against random players brings about all sorts of creative and intersting aspects.

Arguably one of the best videos Hikaru has put out. There’s a lot of beginners concepts that are explained perfectly. As an older, newer player (Feb of this year), this has put a ton of theory into perspective.

I am a beginner and I've been very hesitant to play chess lately and I would have never thought I would ever watch a 1 hour video of chess but I have to say, I watched it and I enjoyed it and I would love to watch more of such content. THANKS

I like the combo of chill music, chess and soothing commentary

Thank you!!! Your explanations are really concise and accessible :)