In this 1.d4 game, Black comes blazing out of the gates with a popular reply online, 1...c5. Although I like 2.c3 as a practical option (inviting a transposition to an Exchange Slav after 2...cxd4 3.cxd4 d5), here I play the principled space-grabbing move, 2.d5. My opponent continues their blistering pace, and even sacrifices a piece within the first 10 moves! Against such … [Read more...] about Handling a Speedy, Aggressive player | Standard Chess #295
John Bartholomew
Dueling 3000+ rated GM Sam Sevian! | Using the Clock as a Weapon #45
Samuel Sevian is a 22 year-old American Grandmaster sporting a 2687 FIDE classical rating (world #47). He randomly accepted my 3+0 blitz seek on Chess.com, and I'm happy we got a little match going! 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 … [Read more...] about Dueling 3000+ rated GM Sam Sevian! | Using the Clock as a Weapon #45
Sharp play in the Wing Gambit | Standard Chess #294
Back after a long Standard Chess hiatus, I encounter an opponent who busts out the Wing Gambit, 1.e4 c5 2.b4!?. Though I decline the gambit, a tactical position soon ensues where my calculation left me wanting more. Weighty decisions in a heavy piece middlegame ensue! Review this game on lichess.org: https://lichess.org/fNluFHhKm1YZ Support the channel: … [Read more...] about Sharp play in the Wing Gambit | Standard Chess #294
Real-time Blitz Calculation
Happy New Year, everyone! I've been streaming some blitz chess recently, and this game features an interesting tactical situation on move 21 against a FM. In moderation, blitz can be useful for training your intuition and calculation, as well as practicing openings. Cheers! Review this game on Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/65910279833?tab=review Support … [Read more...] about Real-time Blitz Calculation
Silky Smooth Premoves | Using the Clock as a Weapon #44
Hey YouTube, it's been awhile! I've moved recently, and I've been streaming a fair amount. Hope everyone out there has been well. 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 … [Read more...] about Silky Smooth Premoves | Using the Clock as a Weapon #44
