Mastering Chess Strategy Vol. 2 focuses on understanding the game of chess, the interaction, and harmony between the pieces. First, it covers the basics, then introduces the important strategic concepts that will improve your chess game. You'll learn how to make decisions, which is essential in a real game.

Mastering Chess Strategy Vol.2 - Take your piece play to the next level!

Which pieces are good, which are bad, and what can you do about it? Master this principle with this video course!

The course poses the following exciting questions, among others:

• Which pieces are strong, which are weak?
• And what can you do to improve your weakest piece?
• Which pieces should you exchange?
• What are your opponent’s weaknesses?

You'll learn to identify and activate weak pieces. You'll also discover when it makes sense to exchange pieces and when it's better to combine your forces. You'll immerse yourself in the world of strategic brilliance, where you'll not only guarantee your king's safety, but also master the art of passive piece management. Numerous questions and exercises will take your strategic thinking to a new level and firmly anchor what you've learned in your memory:

Here is a free example

The practical example games are the absolute highlight! Here, strategic understanding and concrete calculations merge into a highly successful video course. A particularly brilliant example is the video "Improve Your Worst Piece," which shows the game Piket versus Van Beerle (try it yourself on the board below or  watch the free video  plus intro).  

This clearly demonstrates how a seemingly weak piece becomes a decisive advantage.

I've used this lesson successfully in training with my students. It emphasizes the importance of stepping back from the board and looking at the bigger picture, rather than focusing exclusively on forced variations.

The supreme discipline

In episode 2, the focus is on improving piece play and general concepts, while in part 3, the ultimate discipline awaits you! Here, you'll learn how to combine strategic motifs with concrete calculations. A must-read for any chess player who doesn't shy away from a challenge! An outstanding example is the game between Tiviakov and Millet, where the key is to identify weaknesses and launch targeted attacks.

Mastering Chess Strategy Vol.3 - Exploit your opponent’s weaknesses!

Whether it’s a weak pawn, a vulnerable king, or poor piece coordination, this course will teach you how to pinpoint the critical targets, prioritise your attack, and execute a clear, effective plan.
Building on the lessons from the previous volumes, Volume 3 shifts the focus to one of the most essential skills in chess: identifying and attacking your opponent’s weaknesses. Whether it’s a weak pawn, a vulnerable king, or poor piece coordination, this course will teach you how to pinpoint the critical targets, prioritise your attack, and execute a clear, effective plan. But strategy alone isn’t enough — you’ll also need tactical awareness!
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: Attack Weaknesses

This shows how important it is not only to find the best move, but also to keep an eye on the entire game. Pawn on a6 is a strong move, as Tiviakov has recognized the weakness on a7 and can now focus all his energy there.

Another highlight of the course is the way Ris bridges the gap between abstract strategy and concrete calculation. Many strategy exercises neglect the tactical component, even though the two are inextricably linked. The interactive exercises and carefully selected tasks ensure that you don't just passively consume the material, but actively learn—and have fun doing so.

The best part: despite the high demands, the practical relevance is always maintained. The lessons are clearly structured, allowing you to set individual priorities and work specifically on your weaknesses. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, everyone will get their money's worth here and can fundamentally improve their strategic understanding, deepening and expanding their knowledge.

Here is a free example  

More free examples from the courses are available in the shop; simply click on the banner for the course you want.

Conclusion

Mastering Chess Strategy Vols. 1 to 3 is a well-thought-out and practical course series that not only teaches you sound strategic concepts but also encourages you to actively integrate them into your play. The excellently selected example games and interactive exercises make the course a true asset for both ambitious recreational players and experienced club players who want to take their middlegame to a new level. Anyone looking to combine their strategic understanding with the necessary amount of practice should not miss this course.

Basics of Chess Strategy Vol.1

In this video course you are making your first steps in mastering strategic concepts. Focus will be on Pawns and Rooks in this first volume.

From my personal perspective and experience, as a player around 2200 Elo, I can wholeheartedly recommend the course. Whether for self-study or as training material.

Other products by Robert Ris as author

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