Chess Fundamentals is a free YouTube series produced by International Master John Bartholomew, covering the core principles every chess player needs to understand — from basic piece activity and pawn structure to fundamental endgames and tactical patterns. The series is widely recommended as the starting point for players who want to develop a genuine understanding of chess rather than just memorizing openings.

Bartholomew's teaching style is clear, calm, and focused on principles rather than memorization. Each video is self-contained yet builds on earlier lessons, making the series suitable as a structured curriculum for beginners or as a reference for intermediate players who want to fill gaps in their foundational knowledge.

The playlist is free on YouTube. John Bartholomew also runs the Chesswebsite YouTube channel with hundreds of additional instructional videos, game analyses, and the popular "Chess Fundamentals" and "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series.