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 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

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 2140 on Chess.com. The King's Indian Attack (1.Nf3, 2.g3, and 3.Bg2) is a popular system where White typically castles … [Read more...] about Blunting the King’s Indian Attack | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 2140

Inspired by the Semi-Averbakh System against the King's Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 0-0 6.Bg5), I deploy my bishops to e2 and e3 against my opponent's Pirc Defense (1.e4 d6) in this 15+15 game. This approach allows for a potentially dangerous attack against Black's king with my g and h-pawns, and Black must be quick to create counterplay or risk … [Read more...] about Attacking the Pirc Defense with g & h-pawns | Standard Chess #306