Hot Board Games How-Tos
How To: Transpose into a king's Indian attack in opening chess
Here is a match with a Reti Opening transposing to a King's Indian Attack. See how to do it, and see why to do it.
How To: Use the Scandinavian defense in chess openings
This is a look at the book lines for the Scandinavian Defense played by Black, exploring variations, and also including a grandmaster game between Karpov and Larsen for illustration.
How To: Perform the Benoni defense in a chess opening
An opening strategy used by Black to have a strong attack against White queen/pawn openings. The Benoni Defence and variations have been used by the likes of Bobby Fischer and Kasparov, to name a few. Learn it!
How To: Use your rooks to win in the chess endgame
This video shows a chess game that includes a good rook/king endgame battle, along with a king/pawn walk for promotion. See the moves, and learn yourself.
How To: Use the Alekhine defense in chess openings
Here, we explore the Alekhine's Defense, played by Black in countering the king's pawn opening, one of the most common openings used by White in online and over-the-board play.
How To: Win the chess endgame with a queen sacrifice
This match involves a queen sacrifice to promote, along with a queen/king checkmate. See how it's done, and listen to a great commentary to learn from.
How To: Play a live three minute chess blitz game
In these videos, you can see how 3 minute chess blitz games are for the greats, because if you're a beginner, you spend too much time analyzing the moves, when they should come almost as second nature. See some common follies in rushed games, and see some good defenses, here and there.
How To: Use a queen and bishop rook attack in chess
This debriefed game uses a queen/bishop castle attack. See hot to do it, or not do it. Just watch if you're a beginner, because who better to learn from than a beginner.
How To: Get better at chess, by losing
In this game, Black loses in 17 moves. Watch and listen to the debrief of the game, to see how to win or lose gracefully.
How To: Not make simple chess mistakes
This game shows the importance of not making simple mistakes - it's something that every new chess player struggles with, including you. So, see them, and avoid them.
How To: Use the Veresov attack in chess openings
This is an introduction to the Veresov Attack 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3. It features a game in which Matt crushes a reasonably strong guest who only makes 2 very natural looking errors (...O-O and ...c4). Try it out for yourself.
How To: Use a gambit in the English four knights chess opening
In this video, Matt explores a gambit line for Black in the Four Knight's English: 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Nd4!?
How To: Play reponses to the Stonewall attack in chess
Matt covers some lines with a black ...Bg4. He found the first game with analysis on the Kenilworth Chess Club site. Most of the analysis he gave for this game is taken verbatim, but he does mention a couple side variations that you should be curious about. So watch!
How To: Use a mainline Stonewall defense move in chess
This video features 6...Qc7 in the mainline of the Stonewall, a good move since after the obvious 7.Ngf3, White turns out worse in all lines. Matt suggests an alternate development of pieces including Nh3 and Qf3.
How To: Use the mainline Stonewall defense in chess
The move order 1.d4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.Bd3 e6 4.Nd2 c5 5.c3 Bd6 is very annoying because it discourages the key move f2-f4. Instead, White should play a different opening. He can enter a reversed Meran Defense with 6.dxc5, or a Colle System with 6.Ngf3.
How To: Use the Teichmann defense in a Stonewall chess attack
We look this time at 1.d4 d5 2.e3 e6 3.Bd3 Nc6, a move order I am calling the Teichmann Defense, after the player who first used it. It seems like a little-explored and reasonable approach against the Stonewall. So pay attention.
How To: Use the Horowitz defense in the Stonewall chess attack
This is a discussion of a tricky line against the Stonewall, the Horowitz Defense (2...Nf6 3.Bd3 Nc6). White allows Black to spend three moves capturing the light squared Bishop and bringing White's pawn from c2 to d3, preventing a ...Ne4 invasion. This makes for very dynamic play.
How To: Use the Baltic defense in a Stonewall attack in chess
In these two videos, Matt discusses 1.d4 d5 2.e3 Bf5, preventing White's Stonewall setup by beating White to the d3-h7 diagonal. The only way White can play for an advantage is to play 3.c4 with the goal of an early attack on b7. Some of these positions can also be reached via the Slav Defense.
How To: Use the Stonewall attack in chess
In this series, Matt will examine the Stonewall Attack for White and display defenses which he thinks are challenging and/or interesting. Here's a prototypical Stonewall game where everything goes right for White.
How To: Play your rook versus three pawns in a chess endgame
This ending gives White three pawns against a rook, and one is about to queen... or is it? Watch and find out! See how to do it yourself.
How To: Use an anti-king's Indian attack in opening chess
This video demonstrate a system against the King's Indian Attack. Enjoy! And don't get too good, because if we ever play, I don't want to lose.
How To: Play Tarrasch's trap in the Steinitz chess defense
This is a discussion of a trap in the Ruy Lopez, Steinitz Defense. This is an important trap to know, because it shows what happens if Black tries to hold the center in the Steinitz.
How To: Play a live chess blitz game
These are seven videos of different live blitz games to show you some proper moves for fast play. In the first game, as a homage to Krakkaskak, the Polar Bear system, 1.f4, is tried, ending up in unfamiliar territory, but winning on time in an easily one rook ending.
How To: Play the four knights game in chess
This is a discussion of Black's chances with the Fork Trick in the Four Knights Game... How to remove your opponent's advantage when he plays 4.Bc4! Kill your opponent, but not literally, you dope.
How To: Use a trap in the Torre attack in chess openings
This is a trap in the Torre Attack (1.d4 2.Nf3 3.Bg5). It's a favorite in opening traps, so watch and learn. You'll need it someday.
How To: Use Lasker's trap in chess openings
This is a discussion of Lasker's Trap, which shows up in the Albin counter-gambit to the Queen's gambit.
How To: Play with winning chess middle game strategies
Here is a lesson on the middle game strategies that you can deploy to win the chess endgame. Watch and see how this guy can do it, and how you can do it, too.
How To: Play the Najdorf chess opening move
Since I'm rated 2020, I don't pretend to be as knowledgeable as Kasparov, but I made this video with my own comments on the Najdorf. So, watch and learn.
How To: Use the Giuoco piano in your chess openings
After using the kings-knight opening, you can learn the Giuoco Piano, so you're not the weakling your opponent always thinks you are.
How To: Use the Rice gambit in your chess opening
Here, you'll see the Rice Gambit, and how to use it in your opening chess strategy, so one day, just maybe, you'll be able to win.
How To: Use the French defense in chess openings
See how to operate the French defense and Caro-Kahn defense in your opening chess game.
How To: Win with only your pawns in your chess endgame
See here the different ways you can win your chess game with only pawns and kings left to suffer.
How To: Play backgammon with the doubling cube
Knowing how to use the backgammon doubling cube is very important; make sure you use it right. If you don't, well, you can figure it out.
How To: End the game of backgammon
Ending the game of backgammon right can determine who wins the game. You want to win, don't you? Yeah, of course you do. So watch!
How To: Play backgammon with a blot
The backgammon game has many pieces and parts. Learn what each piece is and how you play with it, and find out what a blot is. Yes, a blot.
How To: Play backgammon from the beginning
Watch and learn how to play the game of backgammon from the start of the game. Just watch, will ya?
How To: Make a gaming board for Warhammmer
This new video shows you step-by-step on how to make a Warhammer gaming board. Stop by your local hardware store and pick up a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood. They usually come on 8'x4' sections, so you may need them to cut the sheet in half.
How To: Make textured paint for Warhammer
This new video shows you step-by-step, how to make textured paint. Choose any color you like, add either sand or styrofoam bits. That's it! It's as simple as that.
How To: Make a gaming board for Warhammmer easily
Hey war-gamers. This video teaches you the step-by-step process to make a Warhammer gaming board. You just need plywood, glue, and sand.
How To: Make rust effects for Warhammer
This Warhammer tutorial teaches you how to make realistic looking rust effects using cardboard and acrylic paint.