Best Chess YouTube Channels for Beginners
Learn chess for free with these entertaining and educational channels.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: Video content is a wonderful supplement to serious study, but do not let it replace your own thinking. Watch a lesson, then pause the video and try the next position yourself before the instructor reveals the answer. Passive watching builds entertainment, not skill.
Why YouTube Is Great for Learning Chess
YouTube has democratized chess education. World-class players and teachers share their knowledge for free, often with engaging production quality. For beginners, this means access to instruction that would have cost hundreds of dollars in private lessons just a decade ago.
The visual nature of video is particularly helpful for chess. You can see the board, hear the reasoning behind each move, and watch the instructor's thought process unfold in real time. This is something books cannot replicate.
Top Channels for Beginners
- Daniel Naroditsky (Danya) - GM Naroditsky's speedrun series is legendary. He plays rated games at every level, explaining his thought process on every single move. Watching him narrate decisions at your rating level is one of the most effective free learning tools available.
- GothamChess (Levy Rozman) - Levy combines entertainment with education. His opening guides and rating climb recaps are excellent for beginners. His energy keeps you engaged, and his breakdowns of common mistakes are immediately applicable.
- ChessNetwork (Jerry) - Jerry's calm and methodical style is perfect if you prefer a slower, more analytical approach. His instructional series on fundamentals are thorough and easy to follow.
- Hanging Pawns (Stjepan Tomic) - If you want structured opening repertoire guides with deep explanations of plans and ideas, Hanging Pawns is outstanding. Stjepan covers openings in multi-part series that rival paid courses.
How to Learn Effectively from Videos
Treat chess videos like interactive lessons, not background entertainment. Keep a board open - physical or digital - and pause frequently to think about the position before the instructor explains.
Take notes on key ideas. After watching a video on a specific topic, play a few games focusing on that theme. Then re-watch the video. You will notice details you missed the first time.
Avoid the trap of watching hours of content without playing. The ratio should be roughly one hour of study for every two to three hours of play. Knowledge without practice fades quickly.
Common Questions
Can I learn chess entirely from YouTube?
You can learn a great deal, but combining video with books, puzzles, and game analysis will produce faster results. Video is best as one part of a broader study plan.
Should I watch content above my level?
Occasionally watching advanced content is fine for inspiration, but focus most of your time on material matched to your current skill. You will absorb more and stay motivated.
Professor Archer says: The best chess channels make you feel like you are sitting across from a friend who happens to be very good at chess. Find a teacher whose style clicks with you, and stick with their content long enough to absorb their way of thinking.
Quick Quiz
What is the most effective way to learn from chess YouTube videos?
- Watch on 2x speed to cover more material - Speed watching means you skip the thinking process. Chess learning requires time to process positions.
- Pause and think about positions before the instructor explains (Correct) - Correct. Active engagement - pausing, predicting, and thinking - turns passive watching into genuine learning.
- Watch while doing other tasks as background content - Background viewing provides entertainment but very little actual chess improvement. Focus is essential.
- Only watch grandmaster-level games - Grandmaster games can be inspiring, but content matched to your level teaches you ideas you can actually use in your games.