Totally agree. As a beginner, I'm really working on taking the extra time to scan and not just playing what looks like a great move, and when I do that I win more. Obvious but he's correct. And I agree that this is probably the best course available; I also watch it over and over.
@@vichardy3504 What annoys me about these videos is i'm rated 1300, so only a little higher, and I go back through my games and people never made blunders. Then you watch youtube and he just takes advantage of mistakes. But in the games im playing there are none :'( Either way I'm just a bad player, but sometimes these videos have such obvious mistakes and I'm just so mad that these aren't my opponents
@@piercecooke9649 my theory is that top players like John play moves which make it easy for the opponent to blunder. Like at 33:52, his plan makes his opponent blunder the queen. At my level (~900), this isn't something I would've thought of and thus the opponent would've never even had the opportunity to blunder his queen. So while John makes it look easy, I think it's because of his prophylactic and tactical senses (+experience) that the opponents seemingly keep getting punished!
@@piercecooke9649 It makes sense. People will mostly make mistakes when they feel uncomfortable in a certain position. The exception is when you are a complete beginner and you make blunders every game. A strong titled player will just have an active position against lower rated people and will play better moves than 1 300 rated player. There are exceptions, but that is the essence.
If he were to be condescending like say Hikaru Narcissistic Hilary he would be a HYPOCRITE because all strong chess players were once had that level. Hey but that does not stop some of them. I watched a Hilary vid once where he expressed disdain that people commenting considered 2300 ish representative of a strong player.
Yes but his not being condescending it's done in the spirit of good humour like you dunce why you move there I know you are 600 elo but c'mon what were you thinking!!! I would say that NARCISSIST Hilary is truly arrogant and condescending
@@darrylkassle361 hikaru is a child with a big brain. i bet we was the bullie´s favorite meal at school and now hes fragilized ego still craves for revenge.
@@joseviu969 I never really was bullied at school but I had 'incidents' I was right into martial arts and my best friend happened to be the toughest kid or rather one of the toughest kids in his year level. However saying that I hate bullies. I don't like seeing another human unfairly physically attack another.
My primary reason for blundering is I sometimes exhibit "Diagonal Blindness" -- i.e. I don't sufficiently scan the board for threats along diagonals, especially when I'm in time trouble.
Yeah our brains are wired to think linearly. I especially suffer from this “Diagonal Blindness.” Our brains prefer the vertical and horizontal planes. It’s especially difficult to train your brain to see these types of moves. I’ve been playing 15/10 games after watching John’s tutorials and it’s helped make me more cognizant of these types of moves and also to not blunder myself by the same types of moves. 10/10 will watch again.
I just can't fucking believe how articulate you are. Whereas most teachers can only teach to certain levels, you're able to cater your lessons to all different walks of players. You're awesome! Are there any more fundamentals videos you're thinking of making? Or were those the main ones? Those helped me out so damn much. Thanks JB
+SaucyBat Thanks, SaucyBat! I very much appreciate the positive feedback :) My plan is to climb the rating ladder on a couple other sites, too (probably lichess next). Glad these videos are helping you.
What do you think? Climb the ladder on lichess next? A lot of people are saying the lichess crowd is too much for you John. I don't believe it, I think you can do it. You just have to believe in yourself.
JB, it's been 4 years since you started this series, but I cannot thank you enough for showing such respect and dedication to taking these low level games seriously. I was the guy who thought he was a chess god because he always beat his friends...then online play smacked me back into reality. I was unconsciously using SOME basic strategies and openings (I was a big fan of using the Karo Kan without even knowing what it was), but it's all surface level. You've given me such practical, simple, yet detailed information that I can see myself improving even in the games that I end up losing. From the bottom of my heart, my friend, thank you so much for these videos. I love your content!
Seems that we are walking the same path my friend, this is me now! I just watched this video again yesterday and something clicked finally. I've been watching videos constantly, trying to get past the 1000 point but with continued frustration as I just seem to get more mixed up, and go with my usual crazy openings that have only been good sometimes (Karo Kan was a main one). Blundering a piece was really no big deal to me as long as I hadn't lost my queen. This one got me focused on a normal opening, being much more careful about blundering, and understanding that once ahead material, go ahead and exchange queens and get to the endgame. 6 wins in a row last night and I'm at my all time high of 1042. So glad I found this gem and can't wait to learn more here. Wondering how your game is coming along? Good luck out there!
I'm amazed at how much control you have at these levels. I am at 500-something rating playing my level and struggle to get anything going. You just calmly sail through the game and break down opponents' moves.
G'day John. thanks for doing these and releasing no: 2 so quick! You have an amazing talent to teach and share your knowledge. Thanks again, totally appreciated.
Useful timestamps: 16:15 Trap against the King's Gambit 28:18 Move against Ruy Lopez taking the pawn on e5 35:50 tactic against queen taking pawn on e5 1:02:31 Game 6 Fried Liver Attack- Two Knights vs Giuoco Piano
I've watched a lot of great chess on UA-cam but for my level I think that you have been the best and most instructive so far! that's because the way you carefully and calmly walk through the logic of each move makes me realize that play of this level is totally possible for me. I just need to stay calm, and think through each move and not think that I have to crush my opponent with one single move or that they have a much more developed plan than me. I don't have to play brilliant, just slightly better than my opponent each move. I have a 1900 tactics rating, but only 1100 in quick chess bc I win a few, lose a few
I was talking to a friend just a week ago, badmouthing John for saying he is going to do something special, but instead he just posted less standard games. And then he comes up with this great series! I stand corrected.
I watched just a few of your climbing the rating ladder: up to 1000 games, and watched almost all of this video's games (i've yet to watch the last fifteen minutes) starting from yesterday night, and my rating from then has increased from around 1100 on Chess.com to now 1206. Your teaching is very clear and useful. Thank you so much, John!
HAHA fried liver i just watched the last one! I like how you mentioned that 6. d4 is technically stronger than 6. Nxf7. I never knew that, just followed the more common fried liver line.
Such a great video! It's like poetry in motion watching you analyse and breakdown your opponents (and so respectfully too). Really great stuff, thank you for making
John Bartholemew - I just want to say thanks! I've been watching your videos and in a few weeks jumped from 700 to almost 1100 and climbing. Once I cut out the blunders and played good solid chess as you stress I started winning much more... You should do an episode on keeping the emotions cool... It's important to respond calmly. When I'm in a crap mood I play terribly and it creates tons of negative emotions. When I get like that I watch your vids and I'm calm and enthusiastic again! So thank you!!
This series is going to be incredibly valuable. I love seeing others fail jk! But learning from other's mistakes is definitely less personally costly! This guy's a savage!
I have watch a lot of chess games but John fluid delivery doesn't distracts the actual game with great reasoning stragey throughout! Best on UA-cam so far IMO!
I love Ruy Lopez so much. I'm really glad that player got to show the Exchange Variation so you could show off the Qd4 move. That was one of the first openers I really studied and it's one of my favorite lines.
Your play and instruction is so clean and organized, so easy to follow. I really appreciate your ability to improvise your speech like this in such a clear way that stays engaging and friendly. Really superb job here.
Thanks for another fun and unique series John. I enjoy the longer videos and you have been amazingly successful at making games that end in sudden blunders still interesting and instructive. As for those early rook pawn advances you discourage, that fried liver at the end isn't going to help your case haha. For what it's worth I recall playing an early h3/h6 a lot when I was lower on *the chess ladder* and it was because the only offensive tactics I knew to go for (besides late game heavy piece batteries) were to pin a classically developed knight or land a knight fork on the 2nd/7th. I assumed it was similar for my opponents and took steps to prevent them doing it to me. Furthermore, when games almost always end via a piece blunder, doing something that can't blunder a piece (even at the cost of a poorer strategic position) can lead to some success. I remember hating the uncertainty of not knowing what to do after reaching a fully developed solid classical position, which made me go for tactical shots early instead. Fortunately after reading an article called "pushing pawns for piece play" I figured out how to proceed. Can't wait for the series to catch up to that and eventually to me :D
So only now have I discovered this series on your channel and I wanted to say that it is very instructive. Only after watching this video, I have already spotted some mustakes that I was constantly doing in my games and your explanation is exemplary. Thank you for making these phenomenally good videos for players like me!
fantastic series, really have been learning a lot. mostly to play simple straightforward and logical chess. as someone getting into the game and being swamped with conflicting ideas and opening strategies its great to see someone cut a clear path through the brush. subscribed and eagerly devouring your back catalogue!
At 4:17 I see this line: Bxe4 Nxe4 Qa5+ If white blocks with the knight, Qxg5 and black gained a pawn. If king moves, black can take the knight. If the bishop blocks, black pins the knight with Qe5 and the knight will be lost. If the queen blocks then knight is pinned again and lost. If either c3 or b4, the knight is pinned again and lost. However if the knight doesn't take the bishop and Qe2 pinning the bishop, Qe7 breaks the pin and adequately defend the bishop. Thus, I think that Bxe4 was good line.
I agree: these videos are great! I wish you'd taken more time as you're going up through the ranks: a longer video per rank bracket, or a few videos. I find these games very instructive, and seeing patterns emerge at the different levels--and especially how you respond--is extremely useful. How to punish opponents' mistakes, I think, is one of the best ways to increase our own levels.Thanks again for these great videos.
+tabootenente Thanks - glad you find this series useful! I'll be making more "Climbing the Rating Ladder" videos going forward where I'll revisit the respective rating levels. Stay tuned.
Really, really love these videos. My favorite series of yours by far. I'm ~1600-1700 so I'm really looking forward to the higher level versions of these. I would have killed to have these videos when I was the appropriate rating range! Also duplicate videos (of the same rating ranges) would be great too; the more material the better!
I just found this channel and this was the most informative Chess video I've watched in 12 months. I love how you explain the thinking behind your moves, rather than rattling off a branch of coded moves and expecting the audience to follow. Excited to go through all your vids - thanks!
I've always looked at this series you've made and ignored it, I thought it was just you having fun with lower players or climbing the rating with a new account, but it is very instructive and I am learning a lot, perhaps the tittle isn't the best or you should had something like very educational in it :) just a tip
I Hazecx yeah, I actually came to see him playing as a 1000 ranked account because I thought it’d be the most accurate way. Great video, though. I’m climbing the ladder myself!
These videos are so valuable for players like me trying to push up into and through these levels. I've tried to look at specific openings and learn what moves to play in each situation but I get so much more from a videos like this that goes through multiple games and comments on the openings as well as the fundamentals. Great video!
Thanks John! This series was the most helpful that I've ever found and was the #1 key to my exceeding 1000 rating. I make climbing the rating ladder videos for those under 500 rating on my channel and any support would be awesome!
I just watched a few of your videos in this series. They helped a lot! I've been crushing people, I have climbed 100 rating online (1200 to 1294), and I am on a win streak, all in a few days of playing. My openings are much better and the tip about playing with more time (5|5) helps me improve more compared to shorter time games (5|0 & 3|2). Thanks for the tips!
Wonderful video--incredibly informative and helpful! You give great explanations as to why you're doing what you're doing as well as great analysis of the opponents moves. Very constructive and insightful. Looking forward to watching the rest.
I've decided to give your videos a shot after I loved hearing your voice for the first time. I have no regrets. I love watching Mato Jelic's channel, but he doesn't explain every single move. This fills that gap and its perfect. Please don't stop doing these videos!
Thank you so much for this. As a current 1200~ player on chess.com I found this extremely helpful. I think I am going to review the fundamental series.
The other videos like these I have found from other players are just not as instructive as these are. I am really learning a lot. I have saved this series to my list. Thanks!
Easily one of the most helpful chess videos I've watched. Because the thinking he's describing and criticizing...is exactly my thinking because I am right around this level. It's got me to win some tough games.
Don't usually comment on youtube but just wanted to say thanks for these videos, really well put together! Fundamental series was really well put together! Happy quarentine
I've came back to chess after 25 years of break... long story short, I had a teacher in elementary school that loved the game, that was participating in competitions and that taught me the basic stuff (I was idk.. 8 - 9 maybe) but soon after he left our school and I had nobody to play with anymore. Recently (it was around the time Sinquefield cup was going on) some random chess video came up as a suggestion on youtube and it didn't took long before I got completely hooked up again. I've made an account on chess.com also and in these 2 months I reached this stage of rating (¬1100 on rapid and blitz). I am aiming to improve my game and continuing to enlarge my knowledge about chess (I am following most major tournaments and I have enjoyed quite a lot of Yasser Seyrawan's & Ben Finegold's lectures, I just enjoy every second of every videos of these two) and tonight I have found your channel. Was a very instructive presentation (especially knowing I've made that type of blunders myself) and I'm gonna look more into your other videos. I'm sure I'll find more great content. I know it's old video of yours but it's new for me and I wanted to express my gratitude to you and everyone else who helps keeping this wonderful game alive. For years I thought that it's mostly dead and forgotten but it seems it was just me not looking in the right way.
Around 34:40 is the first time I’ve paused a video and seen the line that you had in mind! I’m quite proud of myself right now 😁 Thank you so much for making these videos ❤️
You're an outstanding teacher John! Incredible videos. I follow a lot of different masters and streamers on here but you're absolutely my favourite currently. I learn sooo much from all your vids. Thanks heaps!
another great video! Thanks so much for this and the fundamentals series. I've jumped from ~1300 to 1400 in tactics and ~1200 to 1300 in play thanks to your guidance
The one thing I've learned from John that's elevated my skill the most is that you *can* take your time. In about all of his videos he takes his time, and even wastes minutes of his time talking, but finds himself comfortably on top. I'm naturally a fast player, that's how I've always gotten the upper hand, but he's shown me that there are most certainly times to pause and think.
This is exactly what I am looking for. I am learning so much watching these live game analysis videos. It gives me an opportunity to validate what I think I know.
wish i could see this video earlier. its definetly improve my game and rating as well thank you john!!! you are one of the best chess mentor in the world. i hope u can get enough compensation sacrificing your time for us. thank you!!!
I've watched all of the climbing the rating ladder, every year since they have came out. I love these so much, great information. Everytime I pick up something new. John come back to chess soon!
Hi John, I don’t know if you will see this comment from such an old video, but after revisiting your foundations series and early climbing the rating ladder series, I can’t help but think there might be such thing as “Rating Inflation”. the level of play from 1000-1300 are pretty poor according to the early videos, with a lot of big early mistakes, blunders, coordination issues, etc. at my rating range of ~800-1,000 i encounter what I would consider very solid strong play, with perfect openings and solid development and strong initiatives, it’s rare that i get to take advantage of undefended pieces early in my games, and it seems like 100% of your videos your opponents make huge mistakes early on, is that just luck? or did 1300 rating used to suck?
I definitely agree! Since this video was made (8 years ago), chess players have gotten increasingly better through popularization of chess through streamers and UA-camrs like Gotham, Hikaru, Andrea, Dina, Anna, Daniel, and of course John and his awesome chess series. The Netflix show Queen’s Gambit also has helped put chess in the mainstream. So I think chess is much more accessible today than it was when this video was made. It’s much easier now to find helpful videos and get better at chess. 1000 rated player back then will probably easily lose to an 800 rated player now. Of course my opinions are just anecdotal haha 😅
Great series of videos. As a chess.com blitz player around 900 is the first set of videos done by a master i have found that is easy to follow and benefit from.
I got my IM title last month and before every tournament I play i watch all videos 1000-2000. Got $5000 last tournament for 3rd! When you first made these vids I was stuck at 1700 lacking tactics but really good at getting people in time pressure at 3+0.
Very helpful man. Just beginning with 30 min games. But i overthink way to much i believe because i always seem to be the one with less time. Great commentary
I have thought that this format, where you just describe what is happening while playing, would be super educational so it’s awesome to see someone doing it! Thanks
Funnily enough at 3:52 you can retake pawn with bishop and let knight recapture and follow up with Qa5+ to Qe5 to setup a pin on that knight followed by recapture, though it complicates the position more.
Thank you John for all of the amazing videos. I am grateful for you and the way you teach. My chess game has improved so much so again thanks brother. 1991 was a great year!
Bro 13:38 the static stuff on the screen made me jump! Thought my phone was fried 😂😂😂! Nice video man, im definitely binging this entire playlist, you explain things so well. This was exactly what I was looking for. Consider me a sub :)
35:42 "That trap with Knight takes D5, Knight Takes D5, Queen takes D5 Bishop E4 check is still there. So I'm going to give him one more opportunity for him to fall into it....." Right after he finished his speaking SNAP! XD
@@EIIlast2791 well, I'm above 1200 now playing 15+10 on chess.com. on lichess I'm 1500 at 10 min blitz. Still miss tactics despite reaching 1700 in puzzle ratings.
RidingOnLightning Hmm you're right. Looking at your line a bit further, Qe2, Qxe4, Bxf6 Qxe2 (check) Nxe2 Nxf6 and you are one pawn up in the exchange.
1. b4 is actually sound. Even Magnus Carlsen approves - it‘s also more commonly referred to as the Polish. The Orangutan just arose out of a curious story, that Tartakower talked to an Orangutan and insisted it told him to play 1.b4 in a tournament.
@@JohnBartholomewChess first up - thanks so much for responding on a 7 year old video. Also I want to say that you‘re one of only a handful of masters that have supreme pedagogical abilities and are willing to use them freely on the internets. Back to the animal openings: What is cool about the Orangutan I think, is that is sound while being incredibly rare. You can get your opponent out of theory asap or at the very least shock them at least :D I can see that it‘s not a real try for an advantage, thanks for pointing that out :)
@@fabian2111 +1 Ben is funny but with so many words per second I find John way clear and better for my beginner level. I can watch three 1+ hour videos from John without getting tired but can't finish one from Ben.
G'day John. thanks for doing these and releasing no: 2 so quick! You have an amazing talent to teach and share your knowledge. Thanks again, totally appreciated.
Love this stuff man. One of the best ways for me to learn fundamentals is like this. Also, I am laughing entirely too hard at the quick resign at 17 minutes in.
At 33:20, I was looking at Nd5. Is there something wrong with this, or were you just looking to complete development with Nc6? I've found these videos very helpful, I've brought up my rating 100+ points in the past few months, so thank you so much!
Thanks for these videos. Before I started watching, if you had asked me who was winning, I would have said "The person with more/better pieces on the board". Now I see how much more there is to the game, how reckless aggression in order to take material can put you in jeopardy pretty quickly, and I'm seeing the board better with each game.
What I've noticed is that at lower levels, players are more likely to be incredibly aggressive. When I was like 800, 900, 1000, I saw a lot of scholars mate attempts and when I was really low rated I'd even fall for them, but it was actually really good practice because now I know a lot of those silly little tricks that the players of that level like to play. I also noticed that aside from playing trick openings like that, they'll also go for what they see as instant material gain with little to no calculation, like with that Rui Lopez you played where they took the knight I think his plan was that he was going to win a pawn and I've seen that a lot in the lower brackets because the players are super aggressive and they feel like they have to be capturing and attacking constantly rather than being patient with the position. I think what some people struggle with is that they don't know how to set up a position where they can let the opponent work himself into a bad position with his aggression, and when I learned how to do that better is when I started improving.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
No matter how many blunders I make in a day, I rest easy knowing that I can always come back to these videos and be on the winning side.
Totally agree. As a beginner, I'm really working on taking the extra time to scan and not just playing what looks like a great move, and when I do that I win more. Obvious but he's correct. And I agree that this is probably the best course available; I also watch it over and over.
@@vichardy3504 What annoys me about these videos is i'm rated 1300, so only a little higher, and I go back through my games and people never made blunders. Then you watch youtube and he just takes advantage of mistakes. But in the games im playing there are none :'( Either way I'm just a bad player, but sometimes these videos have such obvious mistakes and I'm just so mad that these aren't my opponents
@@piercecooke9649 my theory is that top players like John play moves which make it easy for the opponent to blunder. Like at 33:52, his plan makes his opponent blunder the queen. At my level (~900), this isn't something I would've thought of and thus the opponent would've never even had the opportunity to blunder his queen. So while John makes it look easy, I think it's because of his prophylactic and tactical senses (+experience) that the opponents seemingly keep getting punished!
@@piercecooke9649 It makes sense. People will mostly make mistakes when they feel uncomfortable in a certain position. The exception is when you are a complete beginner and you make blunders every game. A strong titled player will just have an active position against lower rated people and will play better moves than 1 300 rated player. There are exceptions, but that is the essence.
Funny but true 😂
l appreciate how you play beginners without being condescending, and your explanations add so much clarity to the game. Thank you
agreed, GothamChess has a similar series and I find it hard to watch as he has a bit of an arrogant attitude when stomping newbies.
If he were to be condescending like say Hikaru Narcissistic Hilary he would be a HYPOCRITE because all strong chess players were once had that level. Hey but that does not stop some of them. I watched a Hilary vid once where he expressed disdain that people commenting considered 2300 ish representative of a strong player.
Yes but his not being condescending it's done in the spirit of good humour like you dunce why you move there I know you are 600 elo but c'mon what were you thinking!!!
I would say that NARCISSIST Hilary is truly arrogant and condescending
@@darrylkassle361 hikaru is a child with a big brain. i bet we was the bullie´s favorite meal at school and now hes fragilized ego still craves for revenge.
@@joseviu969 I never really was bullied at school but I had 'incidents' I was right into martial arts and my best friend happened to be the toughest kid or rather one of the toughest kids in his year level. However saying that I hate bullies. I don't like seeing another human unfairly physically attack another.
My primary reason for blundering is I sometimes exhibit "Diagonal Blindness" -- i.e. I don't sufficiently scan the board for threats along diagonals, especially when I'm in time trouble.
Mine is sometimes i like to throw a dude at a random spot and see if i can wriggle my way out
Yeah our brains are wired to think linearly. I especially suffer from this “Diagonal Blindness.” Our brains prefer the vertical and horizontal planes. It’s especially difficult to train your brain to see these types of moves. I’ve been playing 15/10 games after watching John’s tutorials and it’s helped make me more cognizant of these types of moves and also to not blunder myself by the same types of moves. 10/10 will watch again.
Chase Connor ? Nah fam i can see diagonally perfectly fine, you just need to consider diagonals in your planning
Chase Connor and play slower games until you develop full understanding
@@chaseconnor1959 That's a quite specious assertion about human brains preferring 90 degree angles as opposed to 45.
best chess series on youtube i've found. thanks
Awesome to hear. Cheers, Bill.
could watch 100s of those videos, great commentary
I agree
I love the confidence of playing the king's gambit against an IM! So helpful again, you make chess look so simple.
+leerobbo92 Thanks, leerobbo92 :)
+leerobbo92
I know right?
Then I go into a game and see an opening I've never seen before and I'm down a piece quickly.
I just can't fucking believe how articulate you are. Whereas most teachers can only teach to certain levels, you're able to cater your lessons to all different walks of players. You're awesome! Are there any more fundamentals videos you're thinking of making? Or were those the main ones? Those helped me out so damn much.
Thanks JB
+SaucyBat Thanks, SaucyBat! I very much appreciate the positive feedback :) My plan is to climb the rating ladder on a couple other sites, too (probably lichess next). Glad these videos are helping you.
What do you think? Climb the ladder on lichess next? A lot of people are saying the lichess crowd is too much for you John. I don't believe it, I think you can do it. You just have to believe in yourself.
@@JohnBartholomewChess
HI!
What's the best move if at 1:05:41 he takes with the pawn in stead of knight?
Thanks!
@@MusicPlaylistsChannel lol this is from 5 years ago dude😂
JB, it's been 4 years since you started this series, but I cannot thank you enough for showing such respect and dedication to taking these low level games seriously.
I was the guy who thought he was a chess god because he always beat his friends...then online play smacked me back into reality. I was unconsciously using SOME basic strategies and openings (I was a big fan of using the Karo Kan without even knowing what it was), but it's all surface level. You've given me such practical, simple, yet detailed information that I can see myself improving even in the games that I end up losing.
From the bottom of my heart, my friend, thank you so much for these videos. I love your content!
Seems that we are walking the same path my friend, this is me now! I just watched this video again yesterday and something clicked finally. I've been watching videos constantly, trying to get past the 1000 point but with continued frustration as I just seem to get more mixed up, and go with my usual crazy openings that have only been good sometimes (Karo Kan was a main one). Blundering a piece was really no big deal to me as long as I hadn't lost my queen. This one got me focused on a normal opening, being much more careful about blundering, and understanding that once ahead material, go ahead and exchange queens and get to the endgame. 6 wins in a row last night and I'm at my all time high of 1042. So glad I found this gem and can't wait to learn more here. Wondering how your game is coming along? Good luck out there!
Just found this series. 8 Years old and still great
Love it. Thanks dude!
I'm amazed at how much control you have at these levels. I am at 500-something rating playing my level and struggle to get anything going. You just calmly sail through the game and break down opponents' moves.
G'day John. thanks for doing these and releasing no: 2 so quick! You have an amazing talent to teach and share your knowledge. Thanks again, totally appreciated.
+Patrick Oliver Yes John Is Great !!
+Patrick Oliver Thanks for the support, Patrick! As always, thanks for watching :)
Patrick
It's impressive how you see see the checkmate in 1 immediately while I have to think about it for a second even after you pointed it out.
Pfffft. I have to stare at the board for a minute just to avoid a stalemate, when I have 3 queens on the board.
@@ashscott6068 One of us! One of us! Hahaha
If my comment started with "it's impressive how you..." it would take me as long to write the comment as the video is.
@@ashscott6068 why the fuck would you make 3 queens? You are asking to be stalemated
XamN late reply but sometimes when I’m up so much material I troll and make lots of rooks or queens.
Useful timestamps:
16:15 Trap against the King's Gambit
28:18 Move against Ruy Lopez taking the pawn on e5
35:50 tactic against queen taking pawn on e5
1:02:31 Game 6 Fried Liver Attack- Two Knights vs Giuoco Piano
32 days in and at 960 from 600. Yours vids have been a big part of that, thank you.
I've watched a lot of great chess on UA-cam but for my level I think that you have been the best and most instructive so far! that's because the way you carefully and calmly walk through the logic of each move makes me realize that play of this level is totally possible for me. I just need to stay calm, and think through each move and not think that I have to crush my opponent with one single move or that they have a much more developed plan than me. I don't have to play brilliant, just slightly better than my opponent each move. I have a 1900 tactics rating, but only 1100 in quick chess bc I win a few, lose a few
I was talking to a friend just a week ago, badmouthing John for saying he is going to do something special, but instead he just posted less standard games. And then he comes up with this great series! I stand corrected.
+Siderite Zackwehdex Heh :) Doing my best.
I watched just a few of your climbing the rating ladder: up to 1000 games, and watched almost all of this video's games (i've yet to watch the last fifteen minutes) starting from yesterday night, and my rating from then has increased from around 1100 on Chess.com to now 1206. Your teaching is very clear and useful. Thank you so much, John!
HAHA fried liver i just watched the last one! I like how you mentioned that 6. d4 is technically stronger than 6. Nxf7. I never knew that, just followed the more common fried liver line.
Such a great video! It's like poetry in motion watching you analyse and breakdown your opponents (and so respectfully too). Really great stuff, thank you for making
John Bartholemew - I just want to say thanks! I've been watching your videos and in a few weeks jumped from 700 to almost 1100 and climbing. Once I cut out the blunders and played good solid chess as you stress I started winning much more...
You should do an episode on keeping the emotions cool... It's important to respond calmly. When I'm in a crap mood I play terribly and it creates tons of negative emotions. When I get like that I watch your vids and I'm calm and enthusiastic again!
So thank you!!
What is your rating now?
This series is going to be incredibly valuable. I love seeing others fail jk! But learning from other's mistakes is definitely less personally costly! This guy's a savage!
This is the best channel in the world. John tells you a reason for all moves. Invaluable!
1 hour well spent! Awesome video you managed to keep me entertained till the end! Definetely helped me improve my game :D
I have watch a lot of chess games but John fluid delivery doesn't distracts the actual game with great reasoning stragey throughout! Best on UA-cam so far IMO!
I love Ruy Lopez so much. I'm really glad that player got to show the Exchange Variation so you could show off the Qd4 move. That was one of the first openers I really studied and it's one of my favorite lines.
Thanks, John! Your perspective of the board/continuations/psychology is very helpful.
+meta41 Thanks for watching, meta41!
Some other chess masters I know don’t play or explain well with fundamentals, but I deeply appreciate your analysis and balance of solid/trying play
Your play and instruction is so clean and organized, so easy to follow. I really appreciate your ability to improvise your speech like this in such a clear way that stays engaging and friendly. Really superb job here.
Thanks for another fun and unique series John. I enjoy the longer videos and you have been amazingly successful at making games that end in sudden blunders still interesting and instructive. As for those early rook pawn advances you discourage, that fried liver at the end isn't going to help your case haha.
For what it's worth I recall playing an early h3/h6 a lot when I was lower on *the chess ladder* and it was because the only offensive tactics I knew to go for (besides late game heavy piece batteries) were to pin a classically developed knight or land a knight fork on the 2nd/7th. I assumed it was similar for my opponents and took steps to prevent them doing it to me. Furthermore, when games almost always end via a piece blunder, doing something that can't blunder a piece (even at the cost of a poorer strategic position) can lead to some success.
I remember hating the uncertainty of not knowing what to do after reaching a fully developed solid classical position, which made me go for tactical shots early instead. Fortunately after reading an article called "pushing pawns for piece play" I figured out how to proceed. Can't wait for the series to catch up to that and eventually to me :D
So only now have I discovered this series on your channel and I wanted to say that it is very instructive. Only after watching this video, I have already spotted some mustakes that I was constantly doing in my games and your explanation is exemplary. Thank you for making these phenomenally good videos for players like me!
John, I watched this and then proceeded to play my most dominant game to date! Thanks for making these, I’m really enjoying them!
I can't emphasize how helpful your videos are. Thank you for your hard work and clear/insightful commentary.
fantastic series, really have been learning a lot. mostly to play simple straightforward and logical chess. as someone getting into the game and being swamped with conflicting ideas and opening strategies its great to see someone cut a clear path through the brush. subscribed and eagerly devouring your back catalogue!
These videos are almost nostalgic to me at this point lol learned so much from them back in the day
Just started and these are still invaluable in 2022. I'm sure I will also look back in a few years!
At 4:17 I see this line:
Bxe4 Nxe4 Qa5+
If white blocks with the knight, Qxg5 and black gained a pawn.
If king moves, black can take the knight.
If the bishop blocks, black pins the knight with Qe5 and the knight will be lost.
If the queen blocks then knight is pinned again and lost.
If either c3 or b4, the knight is pinned again and lost.
However if the knight doesn't take the bishop and Qe2 pinning the bishop, Qe7 breaks the pin and adequately defend the bishop.
Thus, I think that Bxe4 was good line.
I agree: these videos are great! I wish you'd taken more time as you're going up through the ranks: a longer video per rank bracket, or a few videos. I find these games very instructive, and seeing patterns emerge at the different levels--and especially how you respond--is extremely useful. How to punish opponents' mistakes, I think, is one of the best ways to increase our own levels.Thanks again for these great videos.
+tabootenente Thanks - glad you find this series useful! I'll be making more "Climbing the Rating Ladder" videos going forward where I'll revisit the respective rating levels. Stay tuned.
Really, really love these videos. My favorite series of yours by far. I'm ~1600-1700 so I'm really looking forward to the higher level versions of these. I would have killed to have these videos when I was the appropriate rating range! Also duplicate videos (of the same rating ranges) would be great too; the more material the better!
+davidkalekoable Great to know. I'll be approaching your rating level soon, so stay tuned!
1 hour of fins time, perfect Saturday night : ]
I should probably make some friends.
+red mudkip "You're never alone when you're watching a Fins video!" - Abraham Lincoln
Darren R This month I started to make chess the only thing I do on free time and I've improved a lot
thats good!
Darren R are your friends this interesting?
Have you gotten any friends yet?
I just found this channel and this was the most informative Chess video I've watched in 12 months. I love how you explain the thinking behind your moves, rather than rattling off a branch of coded moves and expecting the audience to follow. Excited to go through all your vids - thanks!
I've always looked at this series you've made and ignored it, I thought it was just you having fun with lower players or climbing the rating with a new account, but it is very instructive and I am learning a lot, perhaps the tittle isn't the best or you should had something like very educational in it :) just a tip
+I Hazecx Good point - I may want to tweak the title a bit. Glad you're learning from these videos, I Hazecx :)
+John Bartholomew Nice to see you read the comments and consider them, keep up the good work man!
+I Hazecx Thanks - will do!
I Hazecx yeah, I actually came to see him playing as a 1000 ranked account because I thought it’d be the most accurate way. Great video, though. I’m climbing the ladder myself!
I learnt a lot more watching these analysis than all other courses and books i have gone through.. Well done mate!
These videos are so valuable for players like me trying to push up into and through these levels. I've tried to look at specific openings and learn what moves to play in each situation but I get so much more from a videos like this that goes through multiple games and comments on the openings as well as the fundamentals. Great video!
Thanks John! This series was the most helpful that I've ever found and was the #1 key to my exceeding 1000 rating. I make climbing the rating ladder videos for those under 500 rating on my channel and any support would be awesome!
You're a great teacher!
+jacklikesjuggling :D Thanks!
Yes he is
John You are the best You are amazing !!! My rating improved only because of You
I just watched a few of your videos in this series. They helped a lot! I've been crushing people, I have climbed 100 rating online (1200 to 1294), and I am on a win streak, all in a few days of playing.
My openings are much better and the tip about playing with more time (5|5) helps me improve more compared to shorter time games (5|0 & 3|2). Thanks for the tips!
I can only thank you for this videos. The most instructive that I found in UA-cam. Great job, man!
Wonderful video--incredibly informative and helpful! You give great explanations as to why you're doing what you're doing as well as great analysis of the opponents moves. Very constructive and insightful. Looking forward to watching the rest.
+Alex Wigley Thanks, Alex! Enjoy as you climb the ladder :)
I've decided to give your videos a shot after I loved hearing your voice for the first time. I have no regrets. I love watching Mato Jelic's channel, but he doesn't explain every single move. This fills that gap and its perfect. Please don't stop doing these videos!
Thank you so much for this. As a current 1200~ player on chess.com I found this extremely helpful. I think I am going to review the fundamental series.
+Andy Prentice Best of luck as you climb the ladder, Andy!
The other videos like these I have found from other players are just not as instructive as these are. I am really learning a lot. I have saved this series to my list. Thanks!
These series are awesome John i learnt so much from your videos
+Danny Phan Thanks for watching, Danny!
I love the questions you ask! Everything about this is very instructive and entertaining. Thank you :)
Easily one of the most helpful chess videos I've watched. Because the thinking he's describing and criticizing...is exactly my thinking because I am right around this level. It's got me to win some tough games.
Love to hear that, and very happy to assist!! Thanks for dropping a comment - best wishes as you climb the rating ladder :)
Another great video. I am really enjoying this series. You do a great job of commentating.
50:42 would Rxd2 be a good move here to force some trading while being up a pawn?
This style of video is the most helpful for me because of your move by move commentary. Thanks for doing these.
these videos - your commentary specifically are top notch
Don't usually comment on youtube but just wanted to say thanks for these videos, really well put together! Fundamental series was really well put together! Happy quarentine
I've came back to chess after 25 years of break... long story short, I had a teacher in elementary school that loved the game, that was participating in competitions and that taught me the basic stuff (I was idk.. 8 - 9 maybe) but soon after he left our school and I had nobody to play with anymore. Recently (it was around the time Sinquefield cup was going on) some random chess video came up as a suggestion on youtube and it didn't took long before I got completely hooked up again. I've made an account on chess.com also and in these 2 months I reached this stage of rating (¬1100 on rapid and blitz). I am aiming to improve my game and continuing to enlarge my knowledge about chess (I am following most major tournaments and I have enjoyed quite a lot of Yasser Seyrawan's & Ben Finegold's lectures, I just enjoy every second of every videos of these two) and tonight I have found your channel. Was a very instructive presentation (especially knowing I've made that type of blunders myself) and I'm gonna look more into your other videos. I'm sure I'll find more great content. I know it's old video of yours but it's new for me and I wanted to express my gratitude to you and everyone else who helps keeping this wonderful game alive. For years I thought that it's mostly dead and forgotten but it seems it was just me not looking in the right way.
Around 34:40 is the first time I’ve paused a video and seen the line that you had in mind! I’m quite proud of myself right now 😁
Thank you so much for making these videos ❤️
You're an outstanding teacher John! Incredible videos. I follow a lot of different masters and streamers on here but you're absolutely my favourite currently. I learn sooo much from all your vids. Thanks heaps!
another great video! Thanks so much for this and the fundamentals series. I've jumped from ~1300 to 1400 in tactics and ~1200 to 1300 in play thanks to your guidance
The one thing I've learned from John that's elevated my skill the most is that you *can* take your time. In about all of his videos he takes his time, and even wastes minutes of his time talking, but finds himself comfortably on top. I'm naturally a fast player, that's how I've always gotten the upper hand, but he's shown me that there are most certainly times to pause and think.
This is exactly what I am looking for. I am learning so much watching these live game analysis videos. It gives me an opportunity to validate what I think I know.
wish i could see this video earlier.
its definetly improve my game and rating as well
thank you john!!!
you are one of the best chess mentor in the world.
i hope u can get enough compensation sacrificing your time for us.
thank you!!!
I've watched all of the climbing the rating ladder, every year since they have came out. I love these so much, great information. Everytime I pick up something new. John come back to chess soon!
Hi John, I don’t know if you will see this comment from such an old video, but after revisiting your foundations series and early climbing the rating ladder series, I can’t help but think there might be such thing as “Rating Inflation”. the level of play from 1000-1300 are pretty poor according to the early videos, with a lot of big early mistakes, blunders, coordination issues, etc. at my rating range of ~800-1,000 i encounter what I would consider very solid strong play, with perfect openings and solid development and strong initiatives, it’s rare that i get to take advantage of undefended pieces early in my games, and it seems like 100% of your videos your opponents make huge mistakes early on, is that just luck? or did 1300 rating used to suck?
I definitely agree! Since this video was made (8 years ago), chess players have gotten increasingly better through popularization of chess through streamers and UA-camrs like Gotham, Hikaru, Andrea, Dina, Anna, Daniel, and of course John and his awesome chess series. The Netflix show Queen’s Gambit also has helped put chess in the mainstream. So I think chess is much more accessible today than it was when this video was made. It’s much easier now to find helpful videos and get better at chess. 1000 rated player back then will probably easily lose to an 800 rated player now. Of course my opinions are just anecdotal haha 😅
Great series of videos. As a chess.com blitz player around 900 is the first set of videos done by a master i have found that is easy to follow and benefit from.
I got my IM title last month and before every tournament I play i watch all videos 1000-2000. Got $5000 last tournament for 3rd! When you first made these vids I was stuck at 1700 lacking tactics but really good at getting people in time pressure at 3+0.
Very helpful man. Just beginning with 30 min games. But i overthink way to much i believe because i always seem to be the one with less time. Great commentary
I have thought that this format, where you just describe what is happening while playing, would be super educational so it’s awesome to see someone doing it! Thanks
Funnily enough at 3:52 you can retake pawn with bishop and let knight recapture and follow up with Qa5+ to Qe5 to setup a pin on that knight followed by recapture, though it complicates the position more.
Thank you John for all of the amazing videos. I am grateful for you and the way you teach. My chess game has improved so much so again thanks brother. 1991 was a great year!
I was really amazed by how u did manage to counter the kings gambit in the second game as black , you truely help me understand chess .. Thanks a lot!
This is amazing. Very instructional, helpful, and generous of Mr.Bartholomew.
Bro 13:38 the static stuff on the screen made me jump! Thought my phone was fried 😂😂😂! Nice video man, im definitely binging this entire playlist, you explain things so well. This was exactly what I was looking for. Consider me a sub :)
you are far more helpful than anything else chess related i have seen on youtube
35:42 "That trap with Knight takes D5, Knight Takes D5, Queen takes D5 Bishop E4 check is still there. So I'm going to give him one more opportunity for him to fall into it....."
Right after he finished his speaking SNAP! XD
Your videos helped me get to 2000 thx john
A while since you made this video, but a big thanks for all of them, they're extremely helpful and appreciated.
I am really liking this series. I may be helping teach kids chess in GT (K through 12) soon and this is very helpful. Subbed.
I can't believe I'm still playing at this level.....
blahtoausername me too
What level are you playing at now?
@@EIIlast2791 well, I'm above 1200 now playing 15+10 on chess.com. on lichess I'm 1500 at 10 min blitz. Still miss tactics despite reaching 1700 in puzzle ratings.
blahtoausername ahhh so still progressing
@@EIIlast2791 very much so. Sometimes feels like baby steps, other times I surprise myself!
At 4:00, ...Bxe4 is actually the best move. After Nxe4 black can simply reply with ...Qe7 and if Qe2, ...Qxe4.
+RidingOnLightning Bishop d3 instead of Qe2
Joseph Victor If Bd3, black can play d5, right?
RidingOnLightning Hmm you're right.
Looking at your line a bit further, Qe2, Qxe4, Bxf6 Qxe2 (check) Nxe2 Nxf6 and you are one pawn up in the exchange.
Thank you John. You are doing a great service for us learning players. I enjoy your discussion and easy manner.
1. b4 is actually sound. Even Magnus Carlsen approves - it‘s also more commonly referred to as the Polish. The Orangutan just arose out of a curious story, that Tartakower talked to an Orangutan and insisted it told him to play 1.b4 in a tournament.
It's probably not worse for White, but it's not a serious try for an advantage, either (imo)
@@JohnBartholomewChess first up - thanks so much for responding on a 7 year old video. Also I want to say that you‘re one of only a handful of masters that have supreme pedagogical abilities and are willing to use them freely on the internets. Back to the animal openings: What is cool about the Orangutan I think, is that is sound while being incredibly rare. You can get your opponent out of theory asap or at the very least shock them at least :D I can see that it‘s not a real try for an advantage, thanks for pointing that out :)
The difference in knowledge I gain from your videos vs Ben finegold is infinite.
Who is better. John or Ben ?
@@madhavsanap6690 john
@@fabian2111 +1 Ben is funny but with so many words per second I find John way clear and better for my beginner level. I can watch three 1+ hour videos from John without getting tired but can't finish one from Ben.
Great series these. Come back to these a lot when i need refreshers. You’re the best chess UA-camr - much better then gotham - ;-)
Geox played an excellent game - didn't fall to the G2 chessmate that I personally didn't spot.
G'day John. thanks for doing these and releasing no: 2 so quick! You have an amazing talent to teach and share your knowledge. Thanks again, totally appreciated.
Pro Tip: Put the speed of the video on 75% or 80%. Almost brings his thought processes to human levels.
Excellent series I love every minute of it
Love this stuff man. One of the best ways for me to learn fundamentals is like this. Also, I am laughing entirely too hard at the quick resign at 17 minutes in.
Thanks so much. It's very helpful to get to see the ladder of ratings and the differences. I really appreciate what your doing!
John Your narration is very insightful and helpful - thank You very much - Your videos are the best learning tool
Great patient commentary John - love your teaching style.
Thank you for teaching us.
Absolutely love these videos. They are so instructional and relaxing.
Thank you for this series sir. God bless you.
At 33:20, I was looking at Nd5. Is there something wrong with this, or were you just looking to complete development with Nc6? I've found these videos very helpful, I've brought up my rating 100+ points in the past few months, so thank you so much!
Thanks for these videos. Before I started watching, if you had asked me who was winning, I would have said "The person with more/better pieces on the board". Now I see how much more there is to the game, how reckless aggression in order to take material can put you in jeopardy pretty quickly, and I'm seeing the board better with each game.
Rating up to over a 1000 from 800 in a month! Thanks for all the great instructive videos John, really appreciated.
What I've noticed is that at lower levels, players are more likely to be incredibly aggressive. When I was like 800, 900, 1000, I saw a lot of scholars mate attempts and when I was really low rated I'd even fall for them, but it was actually really good practice because now I know a lot of those silly little tricks that the players of that level like to play. I also noticed that aside from playing trick openings like that, they'll also go for what they see as instant material gain with little to no calculation, like with that Rui Lopez you played where they took the knight I think his plan was that he was going to win a pawn and I've seen that a lot in the lower brackets because the players are super aggressive and they feel like they have to be capturing and attacking constantly rather than being patient with the position. I think what some people struggle with is that they don't know how to set up a position where they can let the opponent work himself into a bad position with his aggression, and when I learned how to do that better is when I started improving.
Thanks John, I love your teaching style and these are so helpful :)
I REALLY LIKE how you explain what your opponent should do and why after you've made your move and are waiting for them to make their move. Thank you.