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 1357 on Chess.com. Alekhine's Defense (1.e4 Nf6) was a recent viewer request, and it can lead to quirky play: Black … [Read more...] about Enticing Pawns Forward with Alekhine’s Defense | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1357

I'm in for a challenge this game at a slightly faster time control (15+5) against a player rated 2508! White reacts to my Kan Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6) with an offbeat line I feel I've faced recently, 5.a3 Qc7 6.g3. Since White has created a "hook" on the kingside and the central situation is stable, I decide to launch my h-pawn with ...h5-h4. Following an … [Read more...] about Shoving my h-pawn in the Sicilian vs. 2500 | Standard Chess #301

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 1553 on Chess.com. Opting for GM Daniel Naroditsky's favorite King's Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 … [Read more...] about A KID for Danya! | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1553

Against a player rated 2070 in this 15+15 game, Black meets my Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) with the notoriously sound Berlin Defense (3...Nf6). Seeking to deviate from the Berlin endgame and usual variations, I respond with a rare defense of the e-pawn, 4.Qe2. Although I build an attractive pawn chain (c3+d4+e5 with the f-pawn joining later), the middlegame produces … [Read more...] about Ruy Lopez Rumble | Standard Chess #300

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 1424 on Chess.com. Working against my Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6), my opponent opts for a common, but not-so-challenging setup … [Read more...] about “Bad Marriage” in the Caro-Kann | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1410