Watch How to Play Chess: Lessons from an International Master

2015
1 Season

How to Play Chess: Lessons from an International Master is a step-by-step guide to mastering the art of chess. Hosted by Jeremy Silman, an internationally renowned chess expert, the course is designed for players of all skill levels, from beginners who are just learning the basics to advanced players who want to refine their strategies and techniques.

The course consists of 24 lectures, each of which is approximately 30 minutes long. The lectures cover everything from the fundamentals of chess, such as how to set up the board and the basic movements of each piece, to more advanced topics, such as opening strategies, tactics, and endgame scenarios.

The course is divided into three main sections. The first section, which consists of the first six lectures, covers the basics of chess. Here, you will learn how to set up the board, how to move each of the pieces, and the basic rules of the game. You will also learn about concepts such as checkmate, stalemate, and draws.

The second section, which consists of lectures 7 through 18, focuses on tactics and strategies. Here, Silman teaches you how to identify and capitalize on weaknesses in your opponent's position, how to create threats, and how to defend against your opponent's attacks. You will also learn about common opening strategies, such as the Sicilian Defense and the Ruy Lopez, and how to use them to gain an advantage in the early stages of the game.

The final section, which consists of lectures 19 through 24, focuses on endgame scenarios. Here, you will learn about various types of endgames, such as pawn endgames, rook endgames, and queen endgames, and how to approach each one. Silman also teaches you how to calculate and evaluate different positions, and how to use this information to make informed decisions in the endgame.

Throughout the course, Silman uses a variety of teaching techniques to help you learn and retain the information. He uses diagrams and illustrations to illustrate key concepts, and he provides numerous examples and exercises to help you practice and apply what you have learned.

In addition to the lectures, the course also includes several supplemental materials to help you improve your skills. These include a downloadable PDF of the course guidebook, which contains a summary of the main points covered in each lecture, as well as additional exercises and puzzles to help you practice. The course also includes an online discussion forum, where you can interact with other students and ask the instructor questions.

Overall, How to Play Chess: Lessons from an International Master is an excellent course for anyone who wants to learn how to play chess or improve their skills. Silman's engaging teaching style and comprehensive approach make the course both informative and fun, and the supplemental materials provide ample opportunities for practice and application. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, this course is sure to help you take your game to the next level.

How to Play Chess: Lessons from an International Master is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between September 25, 2015 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection

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Seasons

24. Picking a Chess Hero

September 25, 2015

As you've seen throughout the course, the chess greats all have a unique approach to the game and a sense of style. Round out the course by studying four final champions-JosÌ© RaÌ¼l Capablanca, Vera Menchik, Bobby Fischer, and Hou Yifan-to analyze their style of play and begin thinking about your own favorite chess hero.

23. The Chess Amateur's Mind

September 25, 2015

See how amateur chess players tend to approach the game-giving away pieces too fast and neglecting to defend against enemy attacks. By studying several common amateur mistakes, you'll strengthen your own chess skills and get into the mindset of thinking through your opponent's best reply to every move.

22. Chess Psychology and the Known Unknown

September 25, 2015

Chess is riddled with psychological traps-particularly if you find yourself playing a superior opponent. Mr. Silman offers insight into several of these traps and helps you maintain your confidence, whether you're playing a peer on your level or one of the most sophisticated computers on the planet.

21. Chess Openings: The Right and Wrong Way

September 25, 2015

Many people believe openings are the most important part of the game, but as you'll learn in this lesson, this belief is wrong on many levels. Here, you'll encounter a few simple strategies for developing your pieces and getting to the middle of the game. Learn a few opening repertoires to get into the game rather than just memorizing a sequence of moves.

20. Triangulation and Two Critical Rook Endgames

September 25, 2015

Round out your study of endgames with an examination of triangulation, a key tactic for gaining the opposition in a king-versus-king standoff. Then turn to two common endgames: the Lucena Position and the Philidor Position. Mr. Silman offers several general rules for handling these situations.

19. Kings and Pawns in Next-Level Endgames

September 25, 2015

Continue your study of endgames, especially those involving the king and one or more pawns. Here you'll find out how to avoid-or create-stalemates and draws, as well as the critical techniques for getting pawns to the end of the board-or blocking those dangerous pawn movements.

18. Chess Endgames and the King's Magical Powers

September 25, 2015

While you must know tactics to be a formidable chess player, learning the strategy behind a successful endgame is crucial to bringing your skills to the next level. This first of three lessons on oft-neglected endgame strategy introduces you to the powers of the king. Mr. Silman shows you how to take control of the board.

17. Legendary Teachers Who Transformed Chess

September 25, 2015

Meet several key players who advanced the game from the Romantic to the Modern era. In addition to learning about the personalities of players such as AndrÌ© Philidor, Wilhelm Steinitz, Siegbert Tarrasch, and Aron Nimzowitsch, you'll study some of their most interesting games to get a feel for their style of play.

16. Using Chessboard Imbalances to Create Plans

September 25, 2015

This course has covered much ground, and in this lesson, you'll begin putting all the pieces together. Learn to read the board for imbalances, and then discover how to put those imbalances to work. A wealth of examples teaches you to understand "the body language of the board"-a skill that separates the amateurs from the players.

15. Chess Statics vs. Dynamics: An Eternal Battle

September 25, 2015

Much of chess boils down to the tension between static play versus dynamic play. Static play encompasses the long game of development and positional advantage, while dynamic play is all about tactics and aggressive attacks. Find out when to rely on each approach-and when you need to create a dynamic situation.

14. Closed and Open Positions on the Chessboard

September 25, 2015

One very important strategy in any game is to develop your pieces as quickly as possible. Once developed, open and closed board positions require very different strategic approaches. Study these differences and find out how to use your knights, bishops, or rooks for greatest success-and how best to get those pieces into play.

13. Positional Weaknesses and Targets in Chess

September 25, 2015

Continue your study of pawn movements by examining a number of potential weaknesses. Mr. Silman will help you notice and make use of vulnerabilities such as isolated pawns and doubled pawns. By sharpening your powers of observation, your chess game will take a giant leap forward.

12. Pawns: The Positional Soul of Chess

September 25, 2015

In this lesson, you'll find out why "pawns are the soul of chess." Train your eye to see the pawn structures of a game and their strategic implications. After honing your ability to read a position and see patterns, study a few strategies for making the most out of the pawns-including pawn chains, the passed pawn, the Grunfeld Defense, and more.

11. Open Files and the Positional Rook

September 25, 2015

So far the course has focused on tactics, but tactics are not the most important element of the game. Begin the first of several lessons on positional play and chess strategy, starting with the rooks. Learn why and how to create an open file and employ your rooks to best advantage. See examples of these mighty pieces at work.

10. Chess Heroes of the Romantic Age

September 25, 2015

Step back to an era of gaslights and chess cafes in old Europe. The €œromantic era of chess€ of the 18th and 19th century was filled with raucous characters who employed swashbuckling tactics to please a crowd. Meet three famous players-Joseph Henry Blackburne, Adolph Anderssen, and Baron Ignatz von Kolisch-and study their games.

9. A Cascade of Short, Brutal Chess Games!

September 25, 2015

Errors are common among players at all levels. We fall into traps, walk headfirst into an opponent's tactic, or simply miss a good move or hidden vulnerability. Review several ways a game can go wrong, from the quick "fool's mate" to many of the short, brutal takedowns from famous matches.

8. Legendary Attacking Greats of Chess

September 25, 2015

Famous chess players are some of the most fascinating figures in history. Pause from the tactics of the game to learn about four of the most famous players who ever lived: Paul Morphy, Alexander Alekhine, Mikhail Tal and Garry Kasparov. Examine several of their games to get a feel for their playing style.

7. Checkmate against a Castled King

September 25, 2015

Castling is an excellent strategy, but a castled king is not invincible. Explore some of the patterns that can be used to checkmate a castled king-particularly using square H7. Look at when to sacrifice a bishop, how to use your queen to go on the hunt, and how pieces must work in partnership for success.

6. Checkmate! Back-Rank, Smothered, and More

September 25, 2015

Delve into the world of €œpiece collaboration€ -using two or more pieces to win a checkmate. Mr. Silman shows you a number of classic mates that have delighted fans for generations. Not only are these mating patterns flashy and exciting, they will also give you a far deeper understanding of the game as a whole.

5. Chess Combinations and Kings in Check

September 25, 2015

Continue your study of patterns-this time with combination moves that require crafty calculations. Whether you're wondering when (and why) to sacrifice a piece, or you're looking to trap kings in tight corners, or you simply want to unleash a torrent of carnage on the board, the tactics from this lesson will help you become a more formidable player.

4. Must-Know Tactical Patterns in Chess

September 25, 2015

Build your arsenal of tactical skills by looking for winning patterns on the board. After covering three go-to punches-pins, skewers, and forks-Mr. Silman turns to decoys, double attacks, discovered attacks, and more. Armed with these patterns of play, you now have a major tactical advantage.

3. Castling, Checkmate, Chess Engines, Draws

September 25, 2015

Complete your review of the basics of chess-including how to castle, the difference between checkmate and stalemate, and the etiquette of play. Then shift your attention to the mythic side of the game and find out about simultaneous exhibitions, blindfolded play, and chess computers.

2. Secrets of the Pawns and Knights

September 25, 2015

Although humble, pawns are the most complex pieces on the chessboard. Meanwhile, the leaping knights are perhaps the strangest pieces. Learn how these two pieces move and what strategies to employ with them to control the board. Look at a few situations that test what you've learned.

1. The World of Chess

September 25, 2015

From kings and queens to ordinary workers, from family living rooms and local chess parlors to online gamers around the world, chess is a truly universal pastime. Discover the basics of the game, what each piece is worth and how it moves, and the mathematical notation that allows people to connect across social class, language barriers, and national boundaries.

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Where to Watch How to Play Chess: Lessons from an International Master

How to Play Chess: Lessons from an International Master is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch How to Play Chess: Lessons from an International Master on demand at Apple TV Channels, Amazon Prime, Amazon and Hoopla.