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 1404 on Chess.com. Alekhine’s Defense (1.e4 Nf6) is a rare guest at top-level play, but it represents an interesting hypermodern strategy of enticing the enemy pawns forward, hoping to prove they’re overextended. At amateur level, many players will answer Alekhine’s Defense with 2.Nc3, as we see in this game, after which Black does well to play either 2…e5, 2…d5, or 2…d6. Should White’s e-pawn cross the demarcation line to e5, the first player must think seriously about how to support this pawn!
Review this game on Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/87348140635
Support the channel: https://streamlabs.com/johnbartholomew or via PayPal: https://t.co/VBFOLJHt2m
Follow me on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/johnbartholomew
Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fins0905
Add me as a friend on Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/member/fins0905?ref_id=1761842
My 100 Endgames You Must Know Course on Chessable: https://www.chessable.com/100-endgames-you-must-know/course/5193/?ref=jbrl
My London System (1.d4 and 2.Bf4) Course on Chessable: https://www.chessable.com/the-london-system-essential-theory/course/15820/?ref=jbrl
The Checkmate Patterns Manual (with CraftyRaf): https://www.chessable.com/the-checkmate-patterns-manual/course/17841/
My Scandinavian Course (1.e4 d5) on Chessable: https://www.chessable.com/book/im-john-bartholomews-scandinavian/79/?ref=jbrl
I offer private online chess lessons. Navigate to my “About” section, and then click on “For business inquiries” to reveal my email address.
Recommended chess books and equipment:
1950 Dubrovnik reproduction set (Bobby Fischer’s favorite!) on Chess Bazaar: https://www.chessbazaar.com/the-repro… You can use coupon code JOHN30 for 30% off!
Wood board: https://amzn.to/2H9iATl
Tune Your Chess Tactics Antenna: https://amzn.to/2xJ2auH
Amateur to IM: https://amzn.to/2Dph3IG
Life and Games of Mikhail Tal: https://amzn.to/2zq741X
;
