You Must Know Your 1.e4 e5 Gambits | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1367

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[Arthas]

That player is underrated. Played REALLY well for a 1300. Ty for the video John! 😊

[goldenlion]

John once in 100 games: "There may not be a way back if I play that...."

Me: "That's how I play every single move!" 😂

[richterscales]

I was just listening to a podcast today and they mentioned that at GM level, 1…e5 leads to equality, but around club level you’re walking into someone’s favorite gambit. Great video!

[michaelf]

Wow this was the world's strongest 1300 player. Played actively throughout and obviously had a suspicious opening, but kept up some semblance of pressure against an IM for more than 20 moves? Impressive

[grizzlyv.]

You know, maybe it's because I have followed you since I was a teenager but your videos just always hit that spot for me. Love you John!

[robertgelblum]

First of all, your content/commentary as always was first-rate and very practical, especially concerning an opening that is very popular at the lower amateur levels. And kudos to your 1367 rated opponent, who really gave you a run for your money, and played way above their official rating. I thought for sure, John, that you were going to win easily once your queen and knight started closing in on your opponent's king, with his king-side pawns and dark squares seriously weakened. But unexpectedly White's position proved to be a tough nut to crack, having all kinds of surprisingly tough resources both for defence and counter-attack even.And all this happening while Black's clock was precariously ticking down to time-forfeit and oblivion. I was freaking out during the final seconds of the time scramble, inwardly cursing the risky and foolhardy decision to play without increment (kinda like a tight rope walker refusing to use a safety net down below!), when suddenly John got a last second reprieve and pulled off a quick checkmate out of nowhere! Be still, my beating heart, that's all the excitement I can take for a long while!

[Matematikervildtsjov]

These timepressure situations happens to me so much, even in 15+10. Against your opponent, who is lower rated than me, I'd never have found a win against 31. Kh3 with their resilience.

Btw, incredible game by your opponent!

[danjeory]

Shout out to the analysis posse. I was surpised you missed 25. Qxh4 and I was looking forward to you spotting it in the analysis, but you skipped right past it. I guess it was time pressure. After Kh3, I think I would have been inclined to bring my Queen back somewhere on the e-file and ask White what he's going to do, but it is definitely a strange position with no clear knockout blow.

[JoshuaKoh]

John made another comment about viewer drop off before analysis, so I’m just dropping my #AnalysisGang support down here.

Analysis and review is the main reason I watch these! The game just gives fuel for churning up the gold nuggets of learnings in the analysis.

[blindknitter]

These videos are perfect for improving patzers. Thankyou.

[Evilanious]

I was looking at your clock and I was very worried. And you kept just calmly narrating while I was shouting 'Move, move, move' at the screen.

[maz]

Another great video John, thanks! A request if you feel generous: I'm finding myself feeling unsure about where to develop the bishop in many openings. Knights have pretty easy to remember frameworks, but bishops don't. I often feel like I'm just arbitrarily developing a bishop, or just moving it to the second rank because I feel not as confident putting it anywhere else.

Maybe you can do a little commentary in a future video about the thought process around "why here and not somewhere else" when you develop a bishop? A video like this against a lower rated opponent might be the best place for something like that. Or feel free to tell me I'm overthinking it haha

Anyway, really appreciate your videos and instruction as always.

[mikepiper]

Stockfish: Of course it's a winning position; he's up two pawns! Just gonna...repeat the position once, for good measure. Just trust me here. [Looks around nervously.]

[mr.prometheus]

4:55 Right before you said it, I was thinking "hey this looks like a Petroff, only with no c-pawn"

[hammer]

i do like no increment. You get the best of both worlds, explaining lines in the beginning and a time scramble at the end

[johnstevenson]

Doesn't look like your opponent will be at that rating much longer. Well played by everybody.

[TheMosayat]

Man I love watching your videos. Because I can clearly follow your moves and plans. Not that easy with people like hikaru ot chessbrahs etc 😂 watching your videos is much better for my personal improvement

[GNAL]

Hey John, would love to see you play the Vienna as white in a future climbing the rating ladder episode 🤞

[alexf]

I've been playing the Scotch Gambit ever since Danya showed it during his first speedrun. Fun opening, and very playable positions even if black knows their stuff.

[walterbrownstone]

Lol I rarely find the most efficient way to checkmate. Interesting the engine grants you better accuracy by inefficient checkmate!