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 two 5+5 blitz games against a player rated 1568 on Chess.com. Game 1: https://www.chess.com/live/game/3273989846?ref_id=1761842 Game 2: … [Read more...] about Undefended Pieces & Mutual Attacks | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. trufas (1568)

Playing the December 2018 Titled Tuesday Chess.com! 313 titled players competed in this 10 round, 3+2 blitz event. Follow along for the good, the bad, and the ugly in this always-tense event! Final standings: https://www.chess.com/tournament/live/-titled-tuesday-blitz-1016282?ref_id=1761842 Support the channel: https://streamlabs.com/johnbartholomew Follow me on Twitch: … [Read more...] about Titled Tuesday [December 2018]

Puzzle Rush: https://www.chess.com/puzzles/rush?ref_id=1761842 Puzzle Rush all-time leaderboard: https://www.chess.com/leaderboard/rush??ref_id=1761842 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 Puzzle Rush #3: Responsible Rushing

The Evans Gambit can lead to lively positions where White sacrifices a flank pawn to gain time. Here I pass up the active 7.Qb3 in favor of castling, but I soon regret my decision. Trades lead to a rook ending, and Black faces an important decision: should he enter a pawn ending? This decision can never be made lightly! Review this game: … [Read more...] about Simplifying to a Pawn Ending | Standard Chess #275 [Evans Gambit]

Puzzle Rush: https://www.chess.com/puzzles/rush?ref_id=1761842 Puzzle Rush all-time leaderboard: https://www.chess.com/leaderboard/rush?ref_id=1761842 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 Puzzle Rush #2: Hitting a PR!