Video Series on Principle of Two Weaknesses

This video series is specifically designed to target and improve an area that could always use "fine-tuning" at any chess player's level: technique. The ability to consistently convert upon your advantages (a.k.a. "win when you are winning") is arguably the most important skill in chess. Why?

As chess players, we can't always control the circumstances of a game in unclear, tactical, and complex battles. We may misunderstand a positional idea and never acheive an edge. We may blunder. Sometimes, our opponent might simply outplay us from the start-- never giving us a chance for an advantage of any kind. 

However, if we somehow do gain the upperhand in a game and perhaps even achieve a winning position -- regardless of the means used to do so -- executing that advantage, without fail, every time, is extremely important. Converting our advantages into a full point is the one thing we can control in chess.

With the "Principle of Two Weaknesses" videos, I have provided a series of practical examples where one side is trying to convert upon a clear (though sometimes small) advantage. The games used have all been randomly selected: some from my own personal library used when teaching my private students, while others were chosen from famous games of past chess champions. The entire video series is designed for players ranging from Intermediate-Advanced levels (1400-2200 USCF). Enjoy!

Not what you were looking for? Back to video guide.

Part 1 -- The first video presents two examples for practical study. Though these positions may offer obvious advantages to the black pieces, the plan to convert the game into a full point is far from clear. We are introduced to the basic "philosophy" behind finding a second weakness in our opponents camp. (Intermediate)

Part 2 -- The second video Here we learn that a pawn advantage is really no advantage at all if you think you've already won. Against tough defense, especially if your opponent has managed to setup a blockade -- finding a second weakness and applying "the principles" is no longer an option, but a necessity. (Intermediate)

Part 3 -- The third video Reviews a game from my personal library and highlights the importance of setting "long term" goals for your pieces. Without recognizing a goal position in which your pieces would easily facilitate a winning plan, it is hard to calculation the immediate tactics or make accurate decisions in the present. (Intermediate-Advanced)

Part 4 -- The fourth video Here we continue to instill a deep understanding of the fundamental ideas behind the theory of "principle of two weaknesses". The necessity of "building a bridge" in your calcultion and setting up your long term goal positions is hammered home. (Beginner-Advanced)

Part 5 -- The fifth video With the fifth video we are given more practical examples and tested in finding an accurate approach amidst tactical complications. We learn that the "second weakness" in your opponent's camp doesn't always have to be something concrete or positional: It can also be the initiative/attack on the enemy King. (Intermediate-Advanced)

Part 6 -- The "bonus" video With the final video we are given more complicated examples of the contrast between the bishop and the knight in chess. After being introduced to the idiosyncracies of this battle in the previous videos -- here we try to master the "triple step method" and understand its importance when evaluating this "dynamic piece difference" in any endgame. (Advanced)

This listing will be edited when any further modules are added! Also, please leave feedback about the series here, particularly if you have questions, as we do not check the comments sections of old videos very often.