John Bartholomew

As BM Andrew Fabbro relates in his seminal 2010 work "Winning with the Bongcloud," "If you play 1.e4, be prepared for the Bongcloud. If you play 1...e5, expect it." In this game played against a Twitch viewer on Mar. 31, 2019, I try my hand at this old Bobby Fischer hobby-horse. However, my opponent soon reveals that he may have an even deeper understanding with the nuances of … [Read more...] about Like a Thunderclap | IM Bartholomew vs. Chessfool17 (Bongcloud Countergambit)

Previewing GM Mauricio Flores's acclaimed work on pawn structures and plans, now available as a Chessable course: https://www.chessable.com/chess-structures-a-grandmaster-guide/course/14540/?ref=jbrl Watch my 2015 review of Chess Structures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jOmS45fXE0 Support the channel: https://streamlabs.com/johnbartholomew Follow me on Twitch: … [Read more...] about Chess Structures – A Grandmaster Guide

In this series debut, I play 10 blitz games (3+0) on Chess.com. My goals are to 1) stay even or ahead of my opponents on the clock, 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! Support the channel: https://streamlabs.com/johnbartholomew Follow me on Twitch: … [Read more...] about A Flying Start | Using the Clock as a Weapon #1

Showcasing Chessable user AlanB's wonderful free course, Knights on the Attack: https://www.chessable.com/knights-on-the-attack/course/16475/?ref=jbrl Support the channel: https://streamlabs.com/johnbartholomew Follow me on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/johnbartholomew Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fins0905 Check out my Scandinavian Repertoire (1.e4 d5) on … [Read more...] about Knights on the Attack | Free Chessable Course by AlanB

This was a 10+2 game I played for the Minnesota Blizzard in the Mar. 12, 2019 PRO Chess League Battle Royale. My opponent was USCF National Master Vinesh Ravuri (USCF: 2277, FIDE: 2116). I obtained no objective advantage out of the opening, but with 13...Bg4/15...Bc8?! and especially the kingside-weakening 16...h6, Black affords me attacking opportunities. Despite this, … [Read more...] about Torre Attacking | IM Bartholomew vs. NM Vinesh Ravuri