Live Sessions Rule

The video lessons on this site have improved dramatically in recent months, and they are the main reason I got a diamond membership.  In particular, the "Live Sessions" series, in which the author of the video plays a live game (usually 15 minutes per player) against an anonymous opponent of similar rating, are exceptionally exciting and instructive.   

As far as I am aware, Charles Galofre was the first to make a live sessions video, and Danny Rensch has since made some great ones too.  I think Pruess might also have one.  I encouarage all other GMs and IMs who make videos on this site to start making live sessions videos, if it suits your teaching style.  The reason these are so effective is that we are given a chance to see how a master thinks in the heat of battle.  There is no time for fancy lectures or analysis.  You see, it's really unfair that IMs and GMs spend so much time lecturing us when they are at leisure, free to analyze a position without the pressure of a ticking clock.  The gulf between the Olympian perspectives they enjoy while outside of the game, and the actual situations in which chess learners have to apply their knowledge, is simply too wide.  By assuming the role of teacher and competitor at the same time, the wisdom that chess masters have to offer becomes more accessible, more concrete, and more digestible.  Furthermore, it is said that people do their best thinking as chess players "over the board," when a loss or victory is at stake.  That's another reason why live sessions are a great teaching tool.

If the master happens to be a chatterbox like Danny, all the better, because he is able to vocalize a significant fraction of the thoughts that are racing through his mind as he ponders each stage of the game.  I can only imagine how hard it is to think and teach at the same time, but Danny and Charles have shown us that it can be done.  

So please keep the live sessions coming, o masters of chess.com.