Hey guys, hope your holidays have been going better than mine! 😂 This is a Scandinavian game I played on my Twitch stream on Dec. 26, 2023. It features a main line of the 3...Qa5 variation that I'll be discussing in my course, 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bf5 6.Bc4 e6 7.Bd2 Bb4. My opponent tries a savvy move order with 10.Qe2 and an e-file pin facilitating11.d5, but Black can … [Read more...] about Happy Holidays – here’s an instructive Scandi game!
John Bartholomew
Breaching the Reversed Stonewall with …Nh6!? | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1781
In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 10+0 game against a player rated 1781 on Chess.com. The Reversed Stonewall - also known as the Stonewall Attack - is a sturdy system with a cadre of … [Read more...] about Breaching the Reversed Stonewall with …Nh6!? | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1781
Using the Exchange Slav as a Weapon | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2210
In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 10+0 game against a player rated 2210 on Chess.com. The Exchange Slav (1.d5 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5) is a line I've championed for several years on my … [Read more...] about Using the Exchange Slav as a Weapon | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2210
Running into DEEP Alapin Sicilian Prep | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2274
In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 10+5 game against a player rated 2274 on Chess.com. The Alapin Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.c3) is a phenomenal practical weapon I've often played and … [Read more...] about Running into DEEP Alapin Sicilian Prep | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2274
The Consequences of Backward Pawns | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2290
In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 10+0 game against a player rated 2290 on Chess.com. In a symmetric line Chess.com extravagantly labels the "Neo-Grünfeld Defense: Classical, Original, … [Read more...] about The Consequences of Backward Pawns | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2290
