I'm Quitting Chess.

Thank you, Everybody.

[Goryus]

The toxic, loud, and annoying minority is just that - a minority. Take the time you need, and feel free to ignore them. In the meantime, the rest of will be here waiting for your return <3

[artcamp]

You don't owe anything to any body. Do what makes you happy. I've been loving your Risk videos

[GambitMan]

Jonathan, you are an absolute legend. Your opening innovations have been incredible, and have left an awesome indelible mark on the body of chess theory. You are literally the inspiration for my channel. I hope that I — and many others that you have motivated with your inspired play and ideas — can carry on what you have started.

While I am sad to see a man I respect so much dissociate from the chess community, I am even more happy for this man that I admire to be pursuing his passions and what brings him joy.

I wish you all the best Jonathan, the original Gambit Man. Reach out to me any time. Thank you so much for everything. We appreciate you.

[nikiyen]

Wow, this is the first "I'm quitting chess" video I've ever seen that isn't clickbait

[hornetgamer]

Going back to the early days of St Louis Lectures, right through to present day, what has always made you stand out relative to your peers is the extent to which you clearly enjoy what you do. You were as popular as the IMs and GMs in those lectures, perhaps even more so, because that passion shone through. The same is showing with Risk and I'm sure it will continue to be the case with whatever decisions you make moving forwards. Keep following what you enjoy.

[emilio_vl]

You don't owe us anything, the videos on your main channel will forever be a gem. Guess it's time to learn Risk!

[Sadiquecat]

Frankly, GG on the balls of steel to be this open, and "vulnerable" for such a wide audience. You're a champ and have my respect !

[brigidwell]

Long time lurker, I learned so much from your videos on the MacCutcheon, Steinitz blueprint, Guimard, Najdorf. Your opening instructions have been super high level, and I’m sure many IM and GM would agree. Thanks a ton. Most YouTube channels I watch either quit or change topics, and it’s better to do that than burn out. Do what you gotta do, and great job on all your high quality videos.

[xaptive]

This is tragic. I'm pretty sure you're my favorite chess player. But I completely understand. I hope it all works out for you. I'll stay subscribed to both channels for a while because I'd be too scared to miss future chess videos. Thank you for all the content over the years!

[alchemy]

I came for the chess, now im staying for the risk. wholesome people playing strategy games are simply great, and you have my full support for choosing the games you enjoy.

[dtcpmtr]

You have helped me so much! Slav, Dutch defenses theory... Gambits... Thank you!
Enjoy your life!

[tristancole]

Hey man, 10 years of chess coaching is a wonderful contribution to the kids of this world (and the adults too!). Thank you!!!

[amazonrocks]

I went from 800 to 1400 elo in a few months. Now I'm quitting because I don't see any point in playing. Chess does absolutely nothing for me and I will always lose to someone stronger. If I make it to 1800 elo what's the point? I could literally be doing anything else with a direct benefit on my life whether it's playing tennis, cooking, coding my own game, making my own website, etc etc etc. Chess does absolutely fuck all for me and the losses hurt more than dopamine rush from winning. Fuck this game and goodbye.

[TheAssOfBalaam]

Your existing library of opening videos stand on their own, and are something to be proud of. I enjoy the Vampire Vhicken channel videos quite a bit because you are a likeable person (as an online persona). I don't enjoy other chess or gaming streamers nearly as much as your videos because they don't have your personality. Keep producing content and I'll continue to watch it!

[bensmith]

Jonathan, first of all, I watch all of your risk videos. Because of you i started playing chess learning with my son. I've been playing chess now for several months and my online rating is 1500 (so intermediate?) anyway. Thanks for all the content you create. You're still influencing people to love chess.

[A]

man, i really looked forward to your gambit videos every day. they brought me a lot of comfort and joy to watch. i've been going through a turbulent time lately in my life and i always seem to find that your videos help me feel better. you're a great content creator and i'm sorry i won't be seeing more chess from you for now. i think i might get it in some sense; i tend to get very fatigued by chess as well, burned out on it. in any case, all the best going forward! it's a shame that people have been toxic in comments to you. there's simply no justification for that. you're clearly a good person and don't deserve that. do what you enjoy mate <3

[grim_blazer]

You just don’t want to make a video on my funny English lines!






That said I really love all of your videos man, I wish you the best in all your endeavors and I really hope that you can return to chess when you’re feeling better about it. You’re one of the guys who really got me into chess and pushed me to actually study and get better, I started watching you when I was 500 and had no opening knowledge to speak of and now I’m in the 1600s and making my own opening system from scratch (with help from computers). I really love your videos and I’ll obviously keep coming for all the second channel stuff and the streams like normal, you have been a huge inspiration for me and I really hope that you can make it through whatever chess funk you’re in currently in.

[jorgecardenas]

Thank you Jonathan, I wish you all the best for your future. I am 71 years old and I have made many changes that have made me happier and it is worth taking the risk to do new things. I have learnt a lot from you.

Many greetings from Chile.

[jar]

I think I understand what you’re going through. I’ve been a drummer for 45 years. In the early days I played professionally and taught. At some point after playing about 20 years I just quit. This is when I started to play chess seriously (my risk I guess. ) after a long while I realised that drums was who I was and I couldn’t do anything about that. I came back but decided I was going to keep the inner child and only play the stuff I love. I took on a normal job and just practiced my heart out. When I started playing with other players again it was only for the love.
Find your inner child again after a good rest. That’s my take x hope you find your way back.

[antoniosmusic]

You got this do whatever inspires you we will still be watching! ❤