Goal: To learn openings in chess to avoid early game mistakes and gain an edge in matches
Source: Gotham Chess YouTube Video
What I Learned
Before this project, I knew some scattered things about chess, but I didn’t have a solid understanding of openings. Gotham Chess’s video broke down the essentials in a really digestible way, starting with the basics and building toward more theoretical ideas.
On the beginner level, the key takeaway was how to develop pieces properly. I learned that the central pawns should be moved early to control the board—something I had actually already been doing. However, I discovered that I was using my bishops before my knights, which is less effective. The advice to develop knights before bishops helped me rethink my move order, but ultimately, I don’t think the order between the two matters.
One concept that clicked for me was the importance of castling early to protect the king and then connecting the rooks. Before, I often castled without thinking much beyond defence, but now I understand how it helps position the rooks for stronger mid- and end-game control. The concept of activating every piece quickly became my guiding principle during games following this lesson.
At the intermediate level—which I’m just starting to explore—I was introduced to more specific openings, including the English Opening. I found it fascinating because, unlike many traditional openings, it doesn’t begin by moving a central pawn. This idea stood out since it flips the usual order of play and seems particularly effective when playing as white, where you can dictate the flow and force your opponent to respond.
The video left me with a useful question to explore later: Should I be preparing specific strategies against each possible opening? It opened the door for deeper study.
Did I Find Success?
Yes, I saw real improvement in my gameplay after applying what I learned. My games started to feel more structured from the beginning. One clear example of success came when I developed my knight early, and that led to a great tactical position. I was able to trap my opponent into a mistake and win a rook—something I doubt would’ve happened without proper piece development and positioning.
Also, castling early kept my king out of trouble in most games, and once I connected my rooks, I realized how powerful they can be when centralized. It gave me more control in the endgame and let me make more strategic trades and movements.
This felt like a huge step forward from how I used to play, where I often left one side of the board underdeveloped and paid the price later. Now I approach openings with a purpose.
What it was Like Learning From the Source
Gotham Chess is a solid source—Levy Rozman explains things clearly, and he’s engaging without being overwhelming. The beginner section of the video was really helpful because it offered timeless advice that applies no matter what variation or side you’re playing. It gave me a reliable structure for the first 10 moves of a game.
Once the lesson moved into intermediate content, it became more position-specific, which was a challenge. It gave me a glimpse into how deep chess can get, but also reminded me that I’m still learning the basics. Still, I appreciated that the video didn’t rush and gave space to understand why certain moves work.
Also, the comment section was unexpectedly useful. People were asking questions I had, and often someone had already answered them. It made the video feel more interactive.
https://youtube.com/shorts/lqOD_xM1XaE
Overall, this was a really productive learning experience, and I plan to continue studying more openings.
Source:
https://youtu.be/8IlJ3v8I4Z8?si=hg4gf2_izgl_CC-N