1800 - Beginner To Master | Chess Speedrun

Themes

Each number is a game; it opens the move where he explains the idea. Open a theme to read what it is about.

Ask what the move just allowed
After every move, name what the position now allows that it did not a moment ago.
06 10 12 18 21 22 23
In trouble, decide what to save
Under pressure you cannot save everything. Decide what matters most and give up the rest.
21

A square can be a route rather than a destination
A square can be worth going to for where it leads next, not for what the piece does there.
11 17 21 23

A piece up, convert by improving
A piece ahead, finish developing rather than hunting for more material, and look for the trade that turns the advantage into a win.
03 11 16 20 21
Far ahead, a pawn is currency
When far ahead, a pawn is something to spend, for example on a trade that simplifies. Do not cling to every pawn.
19 21 22
A lead in development is cash, material is gold
Material and a mating attack win by themselves. Other advantages, like a lead in development, only count once you turn them into one of those.
21

Remove the defender
Before taking, ask what is holding the target together, and take that first.
01 02 09 11 12 15 18 21
Desperado: if a piece has to go, take something with it
If a piece is going to be lost anyway, take something with it on the way out.
19 21
Pin it, then attack what is pinned
To exploit a pin, attack the pinned piece, ideally with a pawn.
21 23