Gotham Chess Guide Part 2: 1200+ | Attacks, Endgames, & Blunders

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Hey everyone! This is Part 2 in a series called Gotham Guide, where I take on chess.com users in blitz games and discuss the range of mistakes and tactical themes. Today there were a lot of concepts covered, here are all the game links:
Game 1 vs. XeniyaB: www.chess.com/live/game/48460...
Game 2 vs. Stimmy68: www.chess.com/live/game/48460...
Game 3 vs. GeorgveuMicheal: www.chess.com/live/game/48460...
Game 4 vs. GreyKitty012345: www.chess.com/live/game/48461...
Game 5 vs. SSakhatska: www.chess.com/live/game/48461...
Game 6 vs. Lordadrian: www.chess.com/live/game/48461...
Game 7 vs. Dfguio: www.chess.com/live/game/48462...
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[@ArmenianDude88]

Legend says the bishop still has back pain from carrying that game

[@user-rw9no4vt7e]

Yes yes

[@jamesatherton6231]

I'm proud to be a bishop main.

[@euanab_ed]

it won 10 points of material and a checkmate, top bishop player here

[@BobfromSydney]

That hungry bishop is forever cursed to roam the g8-a2 diagonal, always eating but never satisfied.

[@txdang2009]

It was the MVP of the game

[@adityatiwari1726]

levy's 1200+opponents :blundering pawns, my 1200+opponents : seeing mate in 5 and amazing tactics

[@joejtkelly]

You’re opponents blunder pawns as well you just don’t see it and you let them have mate in 5

[@them214]

That's true sometimes

[@JavHos98]

@@joejtkelly emotional damage 🤣

[@victorchun]

@@joejtkelly you got the point😂

[@ChetannnSingh]

Because he play 3 min and u play 10 min game

[@hammurabitheawesome674]

Gotham: *Sees a player who hasn't blundered 3 times by turn 6* Gotham: "Is this guy a smurf?"

[@TheLunarMan]

Im like that aswell.

[@milonguerobill]

"Is this guy a smurf?" says the smurf. Good videos, I assume these guys get their rating points back.

[@xa-1274]

Bill Serve he’s a smurf that plays like the lower people lmao

[@GOLEM-yf4mx]

@@milonguerobill get their rating back? how doesnt it mess up the ranking if both players get points?

[@onliekdonkeykongg]

GOLEM if you’re level 600 playing an international master who is level 2600+ and you think you’re playing another level 600, you don’t think your points should be compensated?

[@pjrousche1600]

A 2400 IM playing on another account: "Hopefully it's a legitimate 1200"

[@Filchmeister]

I've watched so many climbing the rating ladder-type series, but your ability to explain fundamentals during blitz is pretty awesome. Keep up the great work.

[@cameronlynch8218]

I concur. Very good instructional videos, thanks Levy!

[@betht840]

Ikr? I subbed right after I saw 2min of the vid.

[@edmis90]

I know only this and John's :( Who else made such series? *I NEED TO KNOW!*

[@gopalmahesh7757]

Agree... keep it up...

[@marLamaDeo]

@@edmis90 Bit late but now Danial Naroditsky, Chessbrah, Chess Vibes and more

[@munibzain1966]

1000+ : What is chess? Also where did all of my pieces go. 1200+: I've learned my openings and I'm gaining control of the center, guess I'll blunder my rook now.

[@johnathanroth6205]

LMFAO you have no idea, that is that rating times 10,000

[@choojunwyng8028]

That probably goes up to 1500+ if i was guessing. I played a 1300 player on lichess and i was rated 700 on chessdotcom. I 2-0ed him all because he made many little mistakes in the middle game and end game that just snowballed. If he knew some opening trap he might have destroyed me, but i guess 500 elo difference isnt that much. I was also playing very well that day.

[@avinashrohit6593]

@@Cowtymsmiesznego so can we consider chess.com ratings to be the ideal ratings?

[@Cowtymsmiesznego]

@@avinashrohit6593 Why? What do you mean ideal?

[@avinashrohit6593]

@@Cowtymsmiesznego see, I just started playing chess during this lockdown and I'm interested in it. I don't really understand whether there's an official way of ratings or app ratings work aswell. I've heard something about elo ratings but I really don't know anything about them.

[@T1J]

yo this is the best chess tutorial series i've ever seen

[@kaizenonosu5757]

Shadr Sabirov What did he do?

[@joshual4513]

If you liked this I highly suggest John Bartholomew’s “Climbing the Rating Ladder” séries on KZbin

[@pauljackson9413]

I just watched a few of your videos the other day lol

[@Dan1elAndrade]

Yo T1J!!!! Nice to see you here dude

[@dimitridimitri6994]

@@kaizenonosu5757 he's a leftist youtuber, and Shadr here might not agree with his views.

[@lexguray]

as a dude who's struggling to climb past 1100, with just London known, I needed this A LOT. Thanks Levy

[@mohammadfahrurrozy8082]

Eyy same bro,london is fun

[@0bada905]

Try Englund and tennison gambits.. they're fun

[@Rhobyn]

It helps to find opening that suit your playstyle and don't have insane theory. I play the English and French. Carries you to midgame and from there it's just skill.

[@JAktorGamingDK]

How you doing now, Passed 1100?

[@sjegannath6295]

i am stuck in 1100 too and levy and Barthalomew's series, both help.

[@MrDizew]

The guy is literally having 6 seconds ticking while his opponent has 1m+ and he's super casually "Oh, that's actually a mate"

[@sjegannath6295]

ikr i used to panic, mouse slip and blunder the queen but trust me that's why once you reach a high level and play bullet, your mind settles for good at that range. Levy must have played hundreds if not thousands of bullet games. That's why he is so calm. I am practicing and gaining some calm but i too like you have a really really long way to go.

[@DevbratSharma]

I love this tutorial series

[@chetheflin7447]

Great teaching! Also, it makes me feel good that IM’s can make simple blunders, but dang, you see so much more than us humble under 1200’s. You make it look so easy.

[@samniemi]

I watched the first 20 some minutes with my 8 year old. I was happy that the only bad-ish word was hell. I was watching it on my phone and she was interested and joined me. feels like a big win.

[@julieannelovesbooks]

creating your own Beth Harmon type protégé are you?

[@des1lucifer]

@@julieannelovesbooks gotta train em young eh

[@gordo1191]

@@des1lucifer gotta train em young

[@gordo1191]

@@des1lucifer gotta train em young eh

[@ippibean]

I've been looking for videos meant to help people learn, and all the lesson videos out there are so hard to follow, I like learning by example, this is the best

[@sensorcato]

Check the "Climbing The Rating Ladder" and "Chess Fundamentals" series on KZbin by John Bartholomew.

[@tigerlikeswater]

@@sensorcato Bartholomew is a bit too 'white bread' for my liking - and it's dry white bread. GG has alot more chutzpah, humour and spark. May as well just do the chess.com instructionals as JB - I like to be entertained.

[@tckgkljgfl7958]

@@tigerlikeswater learning vs bring entertained

[@marLamaDeo]

@@tigerlikeswater John is a lot more instructional though, he has those natural teaching chops

[@Alchemistic88]

I'm in awe of this brilliance. I find it so hard to find these moves, and it seems so natural here

[@galonh3835]

He's an International Master (IM), rated around 2300. That's why it's so natural for him to find those moves!!!

[@dragonbane44]

Play 10,000 games and puzzles

[@mclol2920]

@@dragonbane44 I’ve played around 2200 games and it’s getting easier my puzzle rush survival record is 28 everything is posible with practice

[@mclol2920]

@@dragonbane44 current rating 1306

[@MonkeyDLuffy-dx6ow]

@@mclol2920 that's too low for 2000 matches

[@henrynewton8265]

15:11 holy shit I didn't expect to see the Jerome Gambit here LOL

[@cpgautam172]

some gms are hiding in this range it seems

[@ronitjalihal86]

ah yes the jerome gambit (sad noob noises)

[@DillPicklePatrick]

This isn’t the Jerome, he had the Jerome but he played e3 then the bishop sac which had no reason after e3 e6

[@cpgautam172]

@@DillPicklePatrick I guess u should call it delayed Jerome gambit

[@cpgautam172]

@@BeFourCM oh really? Oh god I was just joking around, but now I am scared, what am I learning in chess? I don't know how to play Sicilian but I am going to study Jerome delayed

[@hardlockvevo4302]

My man has 30 seconds left and is calmly explaining the opponents moves,I can feel my stress levels rising

[@miladindimov7471]

Levy's girlfriend: does something bad Levy: now how do I punish this

[@xa-1274]

By putting his rook in her open file

[@MichaelDavis-jr8yl]

X Æ A -12 lmao 😂

[@dragonbane44]

By doubling his pawns on her

[@ab2587]

@@xa-1274 wtf🤣🤣

[@lontongtepungroti2777]

goddamit

[@bearcarlson5766]

Gotham: Do we wanna trade queens? Not really. Also Gotham: But whatever *trades queens*

[@Kirisame312]

26:40 "Is this guy a smurf?" Says the 1200 rated IM LOL At least I have an excuse for losing to 800s in blitz now, it's all smurfs, all the way down

[@Glendragon]

He has a special account from chess.com that will give them the rating points back. While if you smurf with permission that they give for entertainment/educational purposes then you are just cheating

[@RahulSingh-zo7sm]

What's smurf?

[@Glendragon]

@@RahulSingh-zo7sm smurfing is a term that comes from video games where you make an account which is lower ranked than your main account. Its looked down upon if the reason you are doing this is to stomp on new players for fun.

[@tuatarian6591]

@@Glendragon It wasn't a smurf. Levy knows know for sure but that's a setup called the Black Lion, all the moves before the bishop sacrifice were theory

[@Glendragon]

@@tuatarian6591 nobody is discussing if his opponent is a smurf, we are discussing the fact that Levy is smurfing, and how its fine because its for educational purposes and not simply to feel like a god crushing noobs, and the fact that they will reimburst their lost rating points.

[@DeeCuts]

These tutorials are so valuable! Watching a combination of strategies being used in real games is so much better than 10 examples of an isolated concept. I've gone from 600 to 1300 since August 2019 thanks to videos like these! Thank you Levy.

[@emregeylani]

Great content Levy, you deserve more viewers. Good luck

[@young_dan_kee]

Hey I found you pretty recently. Been learning a ton from your videos and it’s drastically improved my play. I’m very appreciative for your detailed analysis and explanations for your ideas. Great content. Please keep it up!

[@garypeck2781]

Very awsome vid Levy. I learned a lot with your simple but effective approach. My favorite part is how your talking calming about the position with like 5 seconds left and then checkmate the guy like it was freaken on que. Love you man keep up the good work.

[@JasonLief33]

Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. Started about 6 months ago and notice I'm getting better and better with the tips you give! Amazing work!

[@Raidur7215]

You're an awesome teacher man. Super easy to follow and understand, without being too boring. Very very relevant information without drowning us in long lines we can't visualize. Thank you!

[@alepie4776]

Never thought there would be as good a series as John Bartholomew’s Climbing the Rating Ladder, but here we are! These videos are amazing

[@razin275]

Please re-do this whole series again this was amazing 😭😭

[@user-ix9jy1fl7l]

i can't believe this guy. he's so calm at 3.something seconds while explaining everything and still wins. i know he's a pro but still. i even get nervous even though i don't have any intention of winning (just to pass time).

[@PSOnoni]

I was just thinking the same thing. He is just calmly explaining everything like it ain't even blitz. Makes it so easy

[@LawrieAndCo]

Normally youtube is mostly just background noise that I occasionally tune into but I'm honestly glued. An hour just evapoured, great series.

[@chrisedward9161]

Thanks a lot for the tutorial! Just reached 1200 yesterday and saw this in my suggestions today. You’re a great teacher!

[@tukriko]

This dude just casually thinking about trades with 5sec on the clock blows my mind. I started playing two months ago and I found SO MANY useful things from this and other your videos. Thank you sir very much :) But TBH Im not sure is this totally fair to those 1200 players :D

[@shashwatgupta7309]

He said that they would get their ratings back

[@julieannelovesbooks]

I believe chess.com knows he has this account for the purpose of education, and therefore they don't get any deduction in their rating.

[@julieannelovesbooks]

@khalid Ismail I think it's actually against chess.com's terms you agree to to make a new account with a different rating than your main account. So it's unfair if you think you're playing against someone with your own rating but are actually playing against an IM. So it's better to restore their ratings.

[@Memomaha]

I was trying to find some videos about the thought process pros have during the game. These video series are just thing i was looking for. Thanks for the effort man.

[@TCS088]

Great video. I just learned two things I never heard before. Fantastic instruction. Love the way you give us your thought process while you play, even when running low on time.

[@jacksonhoneycutt]

I used to play a lot of chess when I was younger but I definitely didn't understand much theory at the time. This series has been super useful to help me think through some more difficult positions. Thank you!

[@danm8487]

Love these, I learn so much! Please keep making these!!!

[@roadcerebrus]

This is great stuff. Trying to improve my game and these videos are fantastic. Keep up the great work.

[@win_kay5306]

I just got into chess and I love your guides. You explain really well and in an entertaining way :)

[@VegetaIsBetterThanGoku]

Easy subscribe from me man. Your advice and knowledge combined with your simplified way of teaching is second to none. Keep up the good work, look forward to watching this channel.

[@slyceoflife2646]

that first guy was something else. I'm ~1300 rated and i've never seen anyone play like that

[@bv7226]

He makes it look like child's play

[@muhammedeminural3333]

The most useful tutorial series man, I love everything about this.

[@BigDaddyBeefBoy]

This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for. I need tutorials like this that speak to the psychology that takes place on this level. MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@samirkarki192]

I like the style of your videos. They are very informative and easy to follow. Keep them coming!

[@gauravbhagat2869]

I've learned so much from your videos,, thank you I'll do as much as I can to support you,, keep up the good work n loved the name Gotham guide

[@gameon109]

Thank you Levy, thank you so much. The most helpful chess video for me so far ! I watched both part 1 and now this. Keep up the good work man. Love you. From Bangladesh.

[@Keith-qq1ux]

Thanks for making this series. They’ve been helpful and entertaining. Keep it up!

[@robntaylor]

Really loving this series. I'm learning a lot! Thanks Levy..

[@olivercartea9524]

Loving your videos buddy! Thank you for posting them, really nice to see you play :)

[@etiennecaron4713]

GothamChess is a really good educator.. The way that he reacts to every moves of his opponent is really interesting because you immediatly know that he has so much experience and wisdom. He's like a composer of music reacting to the music of an other. Impressed by the good things and pointing out the mistakes as fast as a lightning. He explains well too. !

[@frenzicles]

You make it seem so easy and clear, the sign of a great player. Awesome vids.

[@rajeshbejgam4796]

Man I love this type of content. Keep them coming :). Just subbed!

[@lightstrider6497]

Dude you are a phenomenal teacher. I just recently subscribed... previously I had only seen you in videos interacting with hikaru and agadmator... and I had gotten a totally different feel for your personality. But after watching your instructional videos i honestly can't stop watching your content. You're obviously a great chess player but you are actually an EXCELLENT teacher as well!

[@rahulmistry5019]

this was by far the most entertaining chess video ever, specially due to your commentary and analysis :D

[@stormjuliussen1987]

I know you posted this video a long time, but i just wanted you to know it helped me out a tonn! My first game after this video i played my best game yet. Thank you!

[@JaCkuevara]

I love these strategical moves and thoughts that are explained for RektNoobs like me. When getting from M1..3 and tactical simple plays to understanding Strategy, I could imagine this can really help me! Awesome!

[@pikipxx]

Hey Levy, you are amazing! Really enjoy this guide, thanks :)

[@joaa5106]

I love your tutorial series, and you explain soo well!!

[@johannmoller8110]

Great video. Entertaining and informative, clear and concise. Keep it up!

[@jessylin4549]

Wow, I learned so much from this guide! Keep up the good work!

[@adityapandey2514]

very very helpful video cherrs gotham. your way to explain is very good and it feels like i am taking personal training. thank you very much.

[@kasurusak5168]

this is a masterpiece! Thank you so much for uploading!

[@sandrogiorkhelidze1359]

what i’ve learnt from playing at that level is its okay to blunder as long as it is not a one move blunder and then they just respond with a blunder

[@alfonsocantor1058]

One of my favorite commentator and chess educator! Superb content

[@saitejaithagoni1168]

Gotham i like the way you express tactics and it makes us learn. Your channel gonna groom ametures in solid players

[@mohammadaminarab2617]

Thanks Levi. I really find these guides useful.

[@summee4]

Really helpful video need more videos like this on openings explaining details.

[@pokefan12171996]

after watching this series I jumped from 1000 to 1160!! Road to 1200

[@stain5570]

What rating you are at now

[@pokefan12171996]

@@stain5570 currently i'm tilted playing around 1450, but i've reached a max rating of 1740 around last year!

[@reynardthefox9072]

i've just discovered you levy. thank you for the great content and great instruction. it's a breather from Eric Rosen's constant london. It was getting on my nerves

[@emregeylani]

Levy at 45:50 you said you don't want to exchange defenders of your King. But as i remember some masters suggest exchanging pieces when you feel stuck. Is there a basic method to distinguish these two?

[@GothamChess]

When your king is being attacked, it's important to trade off the CORRECT piece. Often times a queen trade or a rook trade (or even the correct bishop/knight trade) helps the defending side. You can also trade pieces when you are lacking space, yes, or trade pawns. But when defending against an attack, you usually need to reinforce your position with more pieces rather than trading.

[@alirezaei1449]

The best lecturer, I have improved a lot by watching your videos. Thank you so much gotham guide🙏

[@Jitiy2012]

I came here from Eric's channel. Watching you with Hikaru and Antonio was enjoyable. I like to watch Eric play because it gives me ideas, but your videos are helping me to become a better player. It's just listening to you think out loud and evaluate. Thanks.

[@ethanyoung2001]

You're a god at Chess bro, thanks for the guide!

[@blindchocolateok9995]

best series i‘ve ever seen, thanks man

[@luckpoull]

Loving the series. Much love

[@samcatsam]

Super instructional Levy, so good

[@zerad3307]

Nice Video Levy!! Keep em coming

[@csquared2219]

After reading reassess your chess and watching your videos, my rating went from 800 to 1200 practically overnight. Great vids!

[@abubua8781]

Your videos are very instructive and entertaining ! Thanks

[@rtu7920]

Man this series is AWESOME!!

[@mr_mr]

Really like your narration style. Learning a lot here.

[@elijahgary29]

I love you videos! I'm a e4 player and I love the open game and tactical play! Could you give advice on play in the open game??!

[@MrSirchasen]

I'm always looking for chess instruction I can follow and learn from, I just found it. Many thanks.

[@josephbridges7667]

This is a very helpful video. I love this series

[@ZacharyChow15]

Thanks for this! You got a new viewer. Great train of thought analysis. Appreciate it a lot. Sometimes when I watch GMs it's fun, but their thought process is not relatable

[@jairaugusto7088]

Muito legal acompanhar seu raciocínio a cada movimento. Excelente canal! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@Porky10]

bro im watching you on the twitch your my favorite chess player

[@MrRandomnese]

On the twitch

[@pabbbb]

@@MrRandomnese i bet my mans says "on the line" too instead of online lol

[@daarisbaaris]

His first language is probably not english, so don't blast him for not having the best of grammer. I really don't understand what you accomplish through it, besides showing your ignorance.

[@tedsretardretardium6174]

you're*

[@M1guel7Dias]

He is an IM 2200+ playing against players really down graded compared to him...

[@williamseymourjones9430]

I like you man You’re friendly and personable Some chess guides take it way too seriously and get rude and dull But this is just good clear concise tuition in a pleasant tone. Thanks for the upload and thanks for helping me improve my game.

[@MadMonkeyMaster69]

Great series. It is helping to improve my play

[@junyan8134]

Watching your channel, and now i'm over 1200 after just a few weeks. Best toturial I believe in youtube.

[@sandmann6851]

You are amazing man. Thank you, keep doing

[@barryweaver8833]

Wow you make it look sooooo easy, great instruction!

[@moses4203]

super helpful maybe another one of this so we can study more games of each level

[@rajanandsingh3977]

I'm a subscriber now!!! Oh yes man!! You've done a great work

[@cfgauss71]

Hey Gotham...you're great. Subscribed!

[@danphan9487]

You are the best, thank you for making this series

[@alexmarlow7614]

Amazing series. Thankyou legend 🙏

[@datboycrim9836]

Just started playing chess last week and have been non stop doing puzzles and watching this legend of teacher. Only rated mid ~400s but can’t wait to get better and learn the game

[@denizgoodman]

whats your rating now? its been two years :D

[@Anoyzify]

Been watching you for a while but this video is where you got my subscription. THIS is what low rated players need to watch. There are very few resources for players on their 1100-1200, so after the principles you kind of get lost without knowing how to evolve. This is it. Thank you!

[@powerpug964]

I feel like if you watch anybody for a while you should subscribe.

[@smmehrab]

It was really helpful for me. Thank you so much.

[@dougveganparadisebuilder5808]

The second game was a player that followed GingerGM's Black Lion defense but lost the plot in the too early attack. He also mixed up the opening order but got the desired position. It's a risky attack and needs precise execution/adjustment which he didn't do and hence lost pretty quickly.

[@phantomtroubleshooter2793]

Ironically calling a 1200 possibly an illegitimate 1200

[@semsigratajs9505]

i understand where Levy gets the impression of cheat possibility there. At that moment I was thinking 20% cheats or more likely- 80% dude has learned his opening and will fall apart when he is out of prep.

[@jareldg.stream1742]

did you mean "unironically"?

[@Anon_581]

Levy: He's not blundering by move 3, he must be using an engine.

[@disabledchatzen5276]

@@jareldg.stream1742 It's ironic because it was not unironic.