John Bartholomew

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 1965 on Chess.com. When Black adopts the Pirc Defense (1.e4 d6), it can be me tempting for White to quickly advance … [Read more...] about Timing e4-e5 against the Pirc Defense | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1965

My goals in this series are to 1) stay even or ahead of my opponents on the clock, and 2) trust my decision-making. Follow along as I try to avoid perfectionist tendencies and apply pressure with the ultimate equalizer in competitive chess: the clock! #Chess #BlitzChess #ClockAsAWeapon Support the channel: https://streamlabs.com/johnbartholomew or via PayPal: … [Read more...] about Time Waits for No One | Using the Clock as a Weapon #47

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 1808 on Chess.com. In the 3...Qa5 variation of the Scandinavian Defense, Black has two principle setups involving … [Read more...] about Technique in the 3…Qa5 Scandinavian | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1808

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 2008 on Chess.com. In a game that starts life as a Nimzo-Larsen Attack (1.b3) and evolves into the Hippopotamus Defense … [Read more...] about Wrestling with a Hippopotamus | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2008

Against the "pure" Dutch Defense (1.d4 f5), I've always believed White has many tempting, off-beating move two options: 2.e4, 2.Nc3, 2.Bg5, and the line I play here: 2.h3 followed by 3.g4!?. Although slightly dubious, this is a gambit I've played successfully over-the-board, and it contains a certain logic in trying to incinerate Black's airy Dutch kingside formation. My … [Read more...] about The Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit | Standard Chess #307