Sharpening the Struggle in the Scandinavian | Standard Chess
It's TeamScandi time in this 15+15 Classical game! In recent years I've gravitated towards the 3...Qa5 variation, as it has undergone a reevaluation due to the system with ...Bc8-f5, ...e7-e6, ...Bf8-b4, and likely ...Nb8-c6 (as opposed to the more traditional ...c7-c6). In this game my opponent offers a straightforward exchange of the light-square bishops on move 6, and after some routine-looking trades, I find myself in a position to hit White when they are lagging slightly in development.
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Пікірлер: 88
John, you have been the dignified constant during this uprise of chess lately. Where most content creators rely on click bait and quick humor, you have always been about solid chess, being a dignified sportsman and a great teacher. Been following you for 4-5 years, and you have taught me a great deal. Thanks a lot!
@josephsmith4009
Жыл бұрын
I think it's funny that John's fans are often also so dignified and make only general references to other streamers when in reality we know that Levy is the chief offender.
@jakelabute5196
Жыл бұрын
@@josephsmith4009 I found Levy earlier when he was doing his 10 minute videos on openings, which were great. His other videos with analysis like John were great as well. I can't really blame him for the direction he went. He has an eccentric personality that works for the twitch audience, but I feel like the 'guess the elo' and other segments are for chess casuals, and like you said, click bait and made for views and entertainment and not really education. He's making a living doing it, so I'm happy for him, but it's definitely not my thing any more, and I can't say I learned anything in his new videos before I stopped watching. Whereas watching Jon I feel like I just had a lesson each time.
@Ohorrorohorror
Жыл бұрын
@@toooldforthis5733 what really bothers me in most chess channels heavy on the entertainment side are misleading headlines, a tendency to still play the bead joke and the use of "destroys", "crushes" and "annihilates" in the context of games ended with rooks and pawns. chess definitely is not that efficient in promoting general intelligence . Chess is like literally no more underrated and iconic. Not iconic at all. Nor underrated. Literally.
@josephsmith4009
Жыл бұрын
@@toooldforthis5733 I don't have any point in particular but just think it's funny that we beat around the bush when in reality most people are very concretely talking about Levy. Props to Levy and obviously he's found a lot of success so I have nothing against him.
@ssj4rit
Жыл бұрын
@@josephsmith4009 There’s no dignity in calling someone out (even vaguely) for being different from another type of streamer. It just seems childish, picky and “holier than thou”. The opposite of dignified.
John requesting Scandi from his burner accounts Thanks for the videos :)
@JohnBartholomewChess
Жыл бұрын
😂 Busted!
shoutout to Neverness in the observers chat!
I feel bad myself for not having written you a comment in ages, or probably ever… so here we go: you're one of my (few) idols in this world. Super happy to enjoy new material from you these last weeks, and longer games! :) Big hug & best vibes from Spain, Mr Bartholomew!
@JohnBartholomewChess
Жыл бұрын
Very high praise - thank you, Dani!! Appreciate you watching from Spain - cheers.
Always happy to see a John Bartholomew upload.
#Scandi woo woo woo! We all know this is the best response to e4. e4 players tremble and cry when they see it... they know the end is nigh!! Thanks John!!!
One of the best (if not THE best) streamers for beginners to strong intermediates to watch. Loads of instructive value. Good job, John!
Always happy to see the vids. No clickbait, wholesome personality, and overall good content. Keep it up :)
@JohnBartholomewChess
Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!! I'll keep it going! :)
I get so happy when I see John uploads a standard game. It is so comforting and educational. I hadn’t thought he was uploading until I checked his channel and see a whole host of new videos.
I learned the Scandi a few years ago watching you play 1minute games on stream. Fun to have a relaxed pace explanation and analysis to the patterns. Thanks JB!
Love this time control, I find it the right balance to be instructive with the right video length, Thanks a lot John!
@JohnBartholomewChess
26 күн бұрын
Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching.
Double bathtub formation (regular & reverse) at move 32 = win by force !
Great to see a Scandi in your reboot of the Standard Chess series, John. Keep them coming!
Love to see yet more standard! This upload schedule is amazing. Thanks for all your hard work with these! I wouldn’t mind seeing even more Scandi, but I am very interested in the Qd6 variation. Also some Grünfeld, or English, if we’re just throwing out suggestions
Every standard upload is a banger. Thank you so much John
Danya didn't have great things to say about the scandi, clearly you should play him in a first to 15 blitz match where you both play the scandi every game.
I thought there would be no upload today so this was a pleasant surprise later in the evening. Thanks! Good to see that Neverness is back too :)
Thank you for your hard work in your content creation John! My face always lights up when I open KZread and see a new video of yours up, and that has been happening ALOT lately!
Thanks so much John. Really appreciate the content.
My absolute favorite coffee break. Brilliant!
John, do you have a Skandi course on Chessable that features Qa5 as well as Qd8?
Scandinavian!!! Let’s goo! Thanks for this video John!! Your videos on the Scandinavian have won me a few OTB games!
@stanleym796
Жыл бұрын
Also, to answer your question about which lines, 3. Qd8 has been the most successful for me
Wow another great one.. Thanks John for helping us to understand chess at deeper levels..
Oh no! Not the Scandi again! It violates the principle of early Queen development so it shouldn't be allowed. Rather than plow through theory I avoid it by playing the KIA. Anyway thanks for another instructive standard game John. Cheers!
John Bartholomew making the world a better place one chess game at a time
Finegold in shambles
Friday morning with a new Minnesota Fins video, an excellent way to start the weekend. Thank you very much.
As a beginner I have gravitated towards easier to learn openings like the London system kind of just waiting until something grabs my attention and the Scandinavian certainly does. I'll have to go back and watch some of your content on it. Appreciate your hard work!
@hansgruber9093
Жыл бұрын
FYI as John says the Scandi isn't the best for beginners as bringing the queen out early goes against chess principles you want to learn when starting the game.
@goodblokefairly
Жыл бұрын
@@hansgruber9093 That's a fair point. Maybe something to look forward to then. Thanks for the heads up!
@nat-moody
Жыл бұрын
@@goodblokefairly on the other hand, it leads to pretty solid positions and pawn structures - which are good basis to learn from. I'd say go for it with the 3. Qd8 line
Hey John! I always love to see you play the Scandi! In years past, your vids and course inspired me to Scandi with Qd8; nowadays I play the modern.
I've played the Scandi for decades.... all variations from Qd8/Qa5/Qd6 and the Modern Var 2.... Nf6. I got tired of defending my opening preference to my longtime chess friends, so now I just tell them I play the "Accelerated Caro-Kann."
the icelandic gambit is my favorite scandi variation
LOVE the long-form content!
Always love watching your Scandinavian videos
I love the Scandi and I have played it a lot with great succes. My impression about the variations, I feel like the Qd6 line is super solid, if you want to play for a draw that one is really hard to crack, but I like a little bit more the Qa5 variation with this modern quick e6 followed by Bb4 idea, preserving the c6 square maybe for the knight. I think this variation is a littble bit more spicy and adds great winning chances for black, what usually happens is white doesn't play super precise and all of a sudden Im playing for a win with very nice pressure against white d4 pawn.
@JohnBartholomewChess
Жыл бұрын
Definitely agree with the majority of your assessment - thanks for your thoughts! It's interesting that you believe 3...Qd6 to be "super solid" - it's always seemed kinda chaotic to me 😄 Then again, I haven't played it much.
Always Glad to watch John
Is "I'm eager to see what happens in this game" the John euphemism for "I need to get this game the frick over with so I can get some sleep?"
Not that it matters, but on move 40 white could actually have taken the pawn on d5 with the rook! The idea is, if you take back with your rook, white has the VERY interesting move Ke5, and because your rooks aren't connected you'll have to give up one of them, so white gains wins one pawn. Only pointing it out because I thought the king forking the rooks and taking one of them is a VERY cool idea.
@JohnBartholomewChess
10 ай бұрын
That's a hilarious idea! Yup, it checks out. Wouldn't have saved the game, but definitely a cool and rare motif :)
I play the Scandi Modern variation. Have about a 56% win percentage because I watch all your videos.
Perfect timing to see this just when I got my breakfast ready :) What a great way to start my morning
It would be great if you did another Chessable course on QA5 or modern Scnadi
Every video I become more likely to start playing the Scandinavian
@JohnBartholomewChess
6 ай бұрын
Love it
Yes! More qa5 scandi!
The Scandinavian Gods are so powerful they say.
Can we see something on the modern scandi sometime on this channel as well? I think you dont like it as much but still could be a valuable lesson for us nf6 scandi players
3. Nf3 is my favourite Scandi variation. With white.
Hey John. I do play the scandi, just on your recommendation actually. I play the Caro as well and the middle game position you get from the Scandinavian is very similar to a bunch of Caro lines, the classical variation specifically where you have the open D file, the two pawns holding d5 and the light square bishop outside the chain. I’ve found it easy to play, I usually get a nice solid position out of the opening without any glaring weaknesses. You just have to watch the discoveries. Generally I play queen a5, it seems a little more active than qd8. Stock fish seems to recommend the qd6 lines though. I might have to try them out.
Hi John! Thanks for another instructive Scandì game. I play the Qd6 line and I would love to see some games with you playing that line if possible?
I played the 3.. Qd8 Scandi for the first year I played chess, but since branched out to the caro kann after feeling troubled by some lines. Would definitely take another look at it if a reliable Chessable course came out with Qa5!
Finally a Scandi 😍 Edit: i originally played the Qd6 Scandi, then i bought your chessable course at the time you started playing Qa5 and now i'm also play Qa5. But i like the Qd8 lines, i'm just afraid of the h3 line where white sacrifice the d pawn and gets tremendous compensation. Do you have an advice how to fix the line? I would love to see an update on your chessable course so i can play both lines. Edit 2: Hi Neverness
I wonder how John would handle the Reti - I really just aim for QID or anything else that is not QGD. Hope to see it someday :)
I always play scandi when possible, mostly Qa5 on move three ALWAYS followed by c6, feels like I might be getting in trouble with my queen without the escape route.
LET'S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ahh yes, some hot and fresh Scandi!
I'd really like to see more nimzo indians if you are taking recommendations. Great video as always!
What would have been your reaponse to Nh4 for at 4:00? Move Queen back to a4 followed by ...d6?
Hi John, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts it’s very instructive...got a question..at 45:40 u didn’t consider rook d to d6 is this a stupid move ? Tia
another very nice scandi
@JohnBartholomewChess
3 ай бұрын
Thank you 🤗
Interesting that the best move for black is 2....Qxd5 but I always have a problem when black played Nf6 .
Another Scandi! What a treat!
Neverneeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!
Great video!
Hey John, just wondering why I am seeing more provisional ratings lately. Do you know?
f6 may be handy in the scandi
I've never played the Scandinavian but I've sure had it thrown against me a lot of times.
white gave it away
Yesssssssssssss
Hi John! This is guys 😊
John is embarking on a second career as an anxiety exposure therapy content creator… I thought 15+15, this should be a relaxing watch. NO.
Cheaters.
Content is fire but comercials every 2 minutes is terrible.