Chess course from beginner to master level | Learn how to play Chess the right way - The Most Underrated Skill in Chess: Focal Squares Explained

Most players think about tactics. Strong players think about coordination. In this video, I break down one of the most powerful — and rarely explained — concepts in chess: focal squares (also known as focal points). This is the square your pieces have in common… the point where they “coincide” and work together as a team. I originally learned this concept in Spanish as “el punto de coincidencia de las piezas”, and after years of searching for the right English term, I found it: focal square. In this lesson, you’ll see: 10 clear examples of focal squares in action Positions from my own games Examples from games of Judit Polgár How focal squares guide your plans How to use them during practical play A Puzzle Storm session reinforcing the concept in real time If you’ve ever felt like your pieces aren’t working together, this video will change the way you see the board. 0:00 Introduction 0:29 Preview of Puzzle Storm 0:46 What Is a Focal Square? 1:15 Exercise #1 2:10 Exercise #2 – Judit Polgár vs. Lars Bo Hansen 3:52 Exercise #3 4:46 Exercise #4 5:43 Exercise #5 7:04 Exercise #6 – Richard Réti vs. Savielly Tartakower 7:57 Exercise #7 – Boris Gulko 9:10 Exercise #8 10:13 Exercise #9 11:13 Exercise #10 12:47 Puzzle Storm on Lichess Let me know in the comments if this concept is new to you — and your rating.