Gotham Chess Guide Part 3: 1400+ | Opening Mistakes & Middlegames

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Hey everyone! This is Part 3 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. bharatgh18: www.chess.com/live/game/48506...
Game 2 vs. ultrapippone: www.chess.com/live/game/48506...
Game 3 vs. Sumsrdi: www.chess.com/live/game/48506...
Game 4 vs. DmitriyGlukhov: www.chess.com/live/game/48506...
Game 5 vs. PogO5Head: www.chess.com/live/game/48507...
Game 6 vs. ilyabim: www.chess.com/live/game/48508...
Game 7 vs. dzejara: www.chess.com/live/game/48508...
Game 8 vs. strouchy8: www.chess.com/live/game/48509...
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[@theccft]

Dude you’re so condescending throughout the entire video, eg 35:42

[@GothamChess]

nah

[@nichtschleichi2786]

Absolutely Wrong

[@Jarib79]

@@GothamChess a little more compassion and respect for others would be good for your own psyche. Good video and thanks for the instruction.

[@deathbombs]

@@Jarib79 he seems fine to me. ❄

[@Jarib79]

@@deathbombs I think you're probably right:)

[@SGTX]

28:54 "I am going to play a trick on him and pretend like that is a blunder" *Blunders* "Oh, wait, that is a blunder! What am I doing?"" This was too good, never change Levy

[@tobias5740]

Very relatable

[@kyleangelocastro9460]

@Teja Koripalli blundering

[@JamesLintonwriter]

That's like me when I play

[@caiquemarue7]

7:25 "I shoul play Queen g4, suggestion of the live stream chat, that is a very good move. It is the only move that blunders a Queen in two different ways, so that is a pretty nice find" lol

[@btorres5x]

my favorite part of the view lol

[@vantiendungnguyen9443]

I thought I heard wrong what Levy said

[@pinkmann8399]

AND

[@FoxenPiano]

"GG sir" "Okay that was not a good game by my opponent"

[@Bunnymafia8150]

I think people just kinda forgot what gg actually means if that makes sense? It’s more of a professional courtesy instead of saying it was a good game

[@obremon2000]

ill just add that in many popular online games like lol for example, gg lost its original meaning and is mostly used as "game is over now"

[@BlobFlop]

riley jackson, yeah i play a lot of minecraft and i often use gf instead of gg

[@koifish528]

@@BlobFlop girlfriend

[@timon753]

@@obremon2000 unless it's said after the game tho, then it's like a courtesy thing like the person above you said

[@er4din903]

29:00 pretended to blunder a pawn so well he actually blundered it. My god, what an actor.

[@ojasdighe991]

The streamsniper trap

[@akshaygulabrao372]

3:07 "obviously being up a pawn is good, but being 2500 is probably better"

[@ham9444]

Yeah he sometimes gets carried away and brags about beating people 1000 rating points lower than him

[@shadowsbane171091]

@@ham9444 humans with same brains......

[@lred1383]

@@shadowsbane171091 Not necessarily. I know for a fact that most people are not capable of reaching 2500. Hell, i don't even think most can get to 2000, and 2000 players are just food for people like Levy. There's stuff like memory, intelligence (processing speed), SHITLOADS of learning for which most don't have the time, etc.

[@coleschemistrychannel4172]

@@lred1383 I think anyone could probably reach 2500 if they put in the lifetime of practice that levy has

[@jeltehoekstra2952]

@@coleschemistrychannel4172 he’s played for 18 years of something?

[@willanderson1983]

This series is incredible. You're one of the best teachers that I've seen. So fluid. You stay on theme. This channel will blow up.

[@colwellalec]

I hope so, I really like Levy and his teaching style as well. I discovered him from Hikaru's channel though where he was blundering 4 player chess, but he's obviously very good

[@orchidquack]

Alec Colwell same!

[@advaitpatil7245]

Bro sagar saah proud student🔥

[@advaitpatil7245]

Bro sagar saah proud student🔥

[@orchidquack]

@ATUL V CHANDRAN thank you, and a merry christmas to you as well

[@dmythica]

I'll let you into a secret of us 1400's, we have no idea about openings, so strange moves are normal.

[@verp4779]

dmythica yeah, 100 percent can confirm. We are like ooo that brings a piece out. Just no theory and some fundamentals

[@XoIoRouge]

I think that's the worst part about how I play chess. I'm at like.. 500 I think. And I have two openings that I really enjoy and one that I do to counter lower player moves... And these are like, actual openings. But around move 10, I just start blundering all my pieces. Q_Q I came onto Chess.com thinking I know generally more than most people because I know my openings are solid but it turns out, I am very blind to the actual tactical approach of the game. But Levy's vids are definitely helping.

[@victorkaranja2837]

Speak for yourself,,

[@novafx3744]

@@XoIoRouge Doing lots of puzzles and tactic practice on Lichess.org has raised my elo from 400 to 700 in a few days.

[@vela7447]

This isn’t true for everyone. I am at 1400 but know several dozen openings to 5 moves. I’m stuck here because really stupid mistakes 😭

[@black_squall]

Thing about 1400-1500's is sometimes they do one thing at a much higher level than their rating. Maybe they are good at endgames, or maybe they are tricky.

[@adamkhabazian3249]

or maybe they're IM pretending to be 1400

[@mraves3081]

HAHAHAHA WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

[@mraves3081]

how i found you out of the entire youtube million videos??

[@black_squall]

@@mraves3081 Loool

[@RedBloodAura]

I'm a lot better at endgames vs anything else

[@sosio1329]

18:48 besides that, this is the best move, I just want to mention, this isn't forced checkmate after f6 exf6, there is Bh2+ so after Kxh2, black can trade queens with Qxc5, avoiding the mate

[@MrTheMr101]

wow, nice find man

[@Turnyourtruth42]

Puts back down a piece but yeah it works.

[@coltonbradley9293]

The "if I play F6 Ben Finegold has a siezure" was hilarious.

[@lelo6208]

Can someone explain this joke to me

[@treenutperson4978]

@@lelo6208 Ben Finegold is a chess GM who does chess videos. In a lot of his videos he insults people who play f6 because it weakens the king's defence.

[@lelo6208]

@@treenutperson4978 thanks!

[@AquaticSkipper]

@@lelo6208 he doesn't insult people who play it AT ALL. He even plays it sometimes. He just references a lot that "never play f6" is one of his rules that he teaches to his hundreds of students. It's a solid rule

[@Bunnymafia8150]

@@AquaticSkipper yeah you’re right, he’s an asshole in other ways

[@melwinsvalin509]

The depth of your analysis is helping for personal improvement. Keep up The work

[@jakeshumway9487]

35:42 made me feel really shitty when my dad told me last week that my moves were creative he is 1300 elo above me

[@herbertcharlesbrown1949]

I like this a lot. You explain your moves and the mistakes of the opponent deeper than other streams, which helps a lot. You are an awesome teacher.

[@w00gedyb00gedy]

28:55 plays a move to trick opponent, ends up only tricking himself. Pretty much all my chess games in a nutshell 😞

[@allosaurustheking2327]

This should be a meme

[@PeterSodhi]

That moment at 8:41 was genius and so instructional it was incredible...wow

[@leoratzlaff]

Watching the video: Yeah, I can do it Playing: ~Loses 4 games in a row at rating 1200~

[@adamsasso1]

Leonardo Ratzlaff ha exactly!

[@cpgautam172]

i make so few blunders while playing classical, and i learn a lot too, try that.

[@lalfada9637]

Cp Gautam i don't think classical help a lot to avoid blunder. Puzzle seems more efective to do that.

[@cpgautam172]

@@lalfada9637 that's good too, but never just guess the puzzles, try solving every one of them to the fullest.

[@UnrealEngineTutorials]

bro I lose 4 games in a row at 700 xD

[@burchds84]

31:12 well, PogO5Head is 1816 rated in bullet, so 1400 Blitz rating was probably understated significantly. Also, the account was created on Apr 24, 2020. Probably an experienced player trolling lower rated players and crushing them. Has a 60% win record in Bullet and 60% win record in Blitz. My guess is that this player's rating hasn't peaked.

[@Olibaby12]

@Nospotic while that is true, it was not the point of the comment. Why did you comment then with something completely unrelated?

[@Olibaby12]

@Nospotic yeah you're right, I'm sorry. I was not in a good place earlier and my comment comes off as mean. Now after taking a run I reread what I wrote and agree with you. Sorry again

[@prakasavigraha6104]

@burchds84 This explained a lot actually. I though he was playing way better than and 1400 rated player. I agree with your prediction too. Thanks for sharing the insights.

[@DeathEaterLink]

Probably not trolling as much as raising his rating? How exactly are you supposed to go from 1400 --> 1800 without crushing some 1500s along the way?

[@legrandliseurtri7495]

That could be. Recently I started playing blitz games again, I went from 1230 to 1350 and only lost two games, most of them were way below my current skills.

[@praneethb8037]

When I was rated 1000 I used to look up to the 1400s and wish that I could play like them. Now that I have reached 1400 I know I am still a fool who is quicker and sees tactics slightly better than lower-rated players but still have 0 opening theory knowledge and make blunders quite often.

[@austino99]

Exact boat I'm in bro lol, down to the rating. Perfect practice makes perfect : D!

[@LordMarr2]

This is too accurate. I'm right there too 😂

[@christophedickey3361]

I know what you are talking about. I am moving between 2000 amd 2400 rating in puzzle and 1500 and 1650 in blitz. But the game i lose is mostly because of my opening. I believe if this guy make opening repertoir on video i will reach rank of master or at least expert (reaching 2000 in blitz)

[@lexxon11]

You and IM Eric Rosen are the best teachers on youtube, energetic and clear. btw a shout out to Ginger GM William

[@michir6279]

Naroditsky is op

[@lynxerax7011]

john bartholomew!

[@ranomacc9473]

So this guy makes a mating net and gets chess points, but when I do it I go to jail?

[@XkztyIpKtHrwmNxlKhPy]

I got into this channel for the short instructional videos as they were just the right amount of information I could absorb at my level. Now these guides with commentary are being extremely useful. Watching someone with experience go with the flow instead of memorizing thousands of stockfishy moves is a great way to learn. Thanks for the great content.

[@notdvck5602]

the way you narrate and make it an entire battle is unmatched, it's incredible and not only easy to follow but an entire masterpiece of war

[@DavidJohnson-gv7eo]

Thank you, Levy. I'm really enjoying these games as you talk through the action. Feels very instructive--now I just need to see my own play incorporate the lessons from your observations.

[@notdream2848]

I swear when i play 1400s they are so much better

[@optionalroux4347]

lol when i play 1400s i can see their mistakes but i dont know how to punish them

[@joetucker971]

How have I only just found your channel? Brilliant video, so much explanation over every move and possible opponents moves, dont mind me while I binge watch all your videos now :)

[@thomasswoodward]

I've watched a whole lot of KZbin chess commentary. Often in a kind of "daze" of shallow visual learning. This has to be some of the most instructive, succinctly explained chess content for this rating range that I've ever seen. Bravo.

[@Toggik]

One more great Guide video! This was really good. Thanks

[@SatishKumar4919]

You are just making this game look so easy. Thank you brother for all the insights and keep up the good work.

[@kasurusak5168]

This guy is so so so so so good at positional understanding. i hope another instructional video is comin from u soon thank you so much for sharing

[@btorres5x]

Soooo instructional, yet fun and entertaining. Keep it up !!

[@squadronleaderneel8324]

I have really really loved this series so far, Sir! And, I have still got more left on my platter. Thank you!

[@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

[@Altus2001]

More like this please! Very helpful and many teachable moments :)

[@a1pha0ps42]

lmao 43:13 “If i play f6, ben finegold has a seizure somewhere...”

[@davidtw1791]

This is very educational. In my opinion, it is one of the best ways to get a better understanding of strategics. Especially because you explain amateur mistakes. For me (1500-1700) this is much better than videos in which GM games are analysed.

[@hardc00re10]

Wow a new favourite check series, this is really good. The fact that you are not blitzing moves makes it so I can think for myself too, really educational. Well done! Really like 1400 to

[@thomasrowley6643]

Many thanks for this video. It was both very entertaining and educational!

[@predpalina]

Nice work. I like this actual tutorial training rather than those analyzing DEEP GM game moves. This helps a lot for beginner players. Thanks man!

[@cheflev9884]

The last game with the scandi morphing into the French was the most “get REKT” chess game I have ever seen, plus you did it live for teaching purposes. It was glorious

[@adamkhabazian3249]

you're one of the better players as far as youtubers go, and you do a good job explaining things. good job

[@btorres5x]

35:13 "this, this is not how chess works" hahaha...im beginning to LOVE this man's content.

[@weareanonymas]

This is the best and most fun series on your channel! More like this!

[@Matthew.P.]

Thank you so much. You have helped me improve my game. I Appreciate what you do in these series of videos.

[@thomasgallois1162]

Really like this type of videos ! Instructive and enjoyable !

[@cindyli9956]

i could hear the !! in levy's voice when he found queen c5 LMAO

[@Drawfill]

I legit gained 100 rating points since i started watching you.

[@sriracha9729]

stop lying

[@Drawfill]

@@sriracha9729 im not lmao 100 points in a whole month aint that much tbh

[@ramilmansueto5737]

@@sriracha9729 I went from 1000-1500 in less than 2 weeks. Simply, because I watched tons of tutorials and studied masters in lichess TV. Also, my puzzle Rating is 1800+

[@sriracha9729]

@@ramilmansueto5737 The real question is can you stay there, I went from 1000 to 1400 over a weekend when I was hyped up. Now, I am 1200 :(

[@bjtheamazing6550]

Sharath Pujar you probably only got there because at the begenning you gain lots of rating points

[@2kchezz]

Thank you Levy!!! Really simple and instructive, I like this kind of videos about chess) 👍 keep doin💪

[@mukutin]

amazing content. amaxng ideas.. i really appreciate the way you communicate your ideas, many chess youtubers constantly keep saying e4, bishop e5, etc.. and its very difficult for me to follow them as am new to chess..but i can understand you very well, you show those lines all the time.. love your channel :)

[@thorstenclaff5532]

Thank you so much for this series!!!

[@liljackypaper]

You definitely have the most watchable chess videos on KZbin. Most other channels content, even when really helpful/informative.. Is hard to get through.

[@rahulmistry5019]

this was educational AND fun xD cant stop watching this series.

[@AtEboli]

Really gained a lot from this, being a 1500 strength player myself. It's amazingly helpful to get inside the mind of a 2500 player to see how they are thinking, esp. how they formulate a plan and find weaknesses. Thank you. For those complaining about a condescending attitude, a bit of trash talking is part of any competitive sport, get over it.

[@dkpandey1996]

This series is awesome! Keep going!

[@evansballot]

Good stuff and actually helpful. Thanks

[@mattchess356]

Really enjoying this series - hope you do it again at some point :P

[@jasonxjia84]

man, ive learn so much by just watching one of your video... Thanks. Lot more to learn !

[@dymoster]

19:30 Wooooow, I’m 2400 at tactics, but even I didn’t have that move in mind, fantastic! I’m really amazed you found that

[@jonben9939]

Wow this is incredible. So glad I came across your channel buddy!

[@TheKawww]

Great content! Thanks Levy!

[@danielduranloosli]

I like this old version of Levy. Even though the content is less explicitly educational, he is less critical of opponents, which is nicer of him as a character (making fun of people is funnier, I know). He also has a small enough audience to be able to respond to chat questions during the video, which I find cool. Not doing weird stuff with his voice nor screaming catchphrases to call people's attention and bait engagement is also more respectable than the current situation (2024).

[@mikoshino]

quite educational and also entertaining, thank you for that & keep it up pls :)

[@akshaysvnit91]

Great game levy.. Lots of things to learn

[@jessponce844]

Thanks for the free lesson in Chess. If I had this kind of lesson when I was in college, I am pretty sure I will be a Master at least...whew! You are indeed and EXCELLENT TEACHER LEVY!!!

[@worldedit8784]

damn I found this really helpful, thanks man

[@carledisonsampaga6545]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, very helpful. Please do more contents like this. :)

[@beginnerplayschess4263]

Min 19 advanced move was great, thanks for the great video and analysis.. honestly the first 10 min analysis was not great but through third game fire was on

[@CarlNewTron]

Finally ready for this video…only took 9 months

[@Simeon-Lev]

Wow, this video is poetry in action. 13/10 amazing

[@AbCat4]

I gave it a solid 5/7. :)

[@skidaddle5401]

Love this series so much

[@SirMannyAngel]

The Botez Gambit … a true work of art. A masterpiece by Strouchy8. One doesn’t experience till one has performed the Botez Gambit. Strouchy8 KNOWS his chess.

[@mordredhcrotmg1599]

1. Rule of +2 = Want to attack enemy king ? Want 2 more attackers than defenders . 47:29 2. When enemy piece pinned = Look at taking . Add an attacker and it's difficult to defend it. 47:50 3. At 50:30 why not Qa5 . Only play legit play for enemy is Qxa5. 4. When you lose your light/dark square bishop then make your pawns go on light/dark squares . Otherwise your dark/light bishop is trapped . Like swiss cheese x D ! 50:45 Try English, Caro Kaan, maybe Stonewall (not in vid)

[@darrin.jahnel]

This guy is amazing. Somehow, he makes this so interesting. He’s a brilliant teacher and is pretty funny.

[@Jo_Zh]

Best series! I learn a lot.

[@davedavidson9936]

So this guy makes a mating net and gets chess points, but when I do it I go to jail?

[@joejitsu034]

Haha Nice 👍

[@user-rw9no4vt7e]

I- R/CursedComments

[@bfmvshinigami]

nice video bro, you were looking really happy in this one :)

[@ashdinbharucha]

amazing instruction, thank you.

[@thibautcaenen2528]

Great video, thanks!!!

[@rummykhan]

great learning experience, thanks

[@Daniel_0.0]

8:50 "resigning here would have been pretty, pretty good" lol

[@dunnokki]

That one dude who played black against the English was so solid. Some of the opponents played incredibly bad though, I don't know how they even got to 1400-1500.

[@lucasdelhove1568]

I'm 1300 and I'd kick there ass but that other guy would rip me apart.

[@txdang2009]

yeah, that guy was crazy good

[@petergriffin5781]

great video.. keep up the good work

[@burchds84]

52:30 possibly, alcohol was involved

[@ChristianSoschner]

Excellent content

[@JYGamerDad]

Perfect! I’m 1400 in blitz so excited to watch

[@prokillromford]

Great video, especially when combined with your 2 courses, the e4 for white, and e6 b6 for black, which I recently bought for $80. I'm struggling with Blitz (I just panic too much with the time), but I'm feeling confident that if I can absorb enough of your 2 courses with this series of videos (they explain in great detail, how to calmly respond, and hopefully get an early advantage, and keep in front with the time), I should be able to get my blitz rating up significantly as this year progresses, from my current 1100 area ( :( ), up toward to 1300, 1400 etc.... to who knows 2000 in the future would be my dream !

[@verp4779]

Matt Garwood I’m 1400 and 2000 is my dream too. Although I’m not that good, I might be able to help you with ur time problems. If you and ur opponent are both low in time, try to check him or restrict his king movement ( if it’s his only piece). Instead of trying to make good moves, just slow ur opponent down. Of course u don’t want to get mated but if ur premoving and slowing ur opponent down, u should be doing good :)

[@legrandliseurtri7495]

Getting to 2000 requires more than watching a couple videos lol.

[@antoniobling]

Great lesson man 👏👏👏

[@Aetherius88]

13:46 Sometimes when I analyze my games in early positions like these pushing the pawn and expanding is the best move in seemingly similar positions to this, but here it doesn't work and you punish it. Could you give me some advice on how to distinguish between when it's a good idea to push and expand vs when it's an inaccuracy? Thanks a lot!

[@josealejandroleonsanchez7170]

this series is sooo good

[@shawn-dsz]

Learning alot form your videos

[@proneostrich8036]

You’re a Great teacher levy

[@omkarkelkar4942]

What you say, exchanged light sq bishop. So replacing with pawns on white. This was a lesson for me to win a game. Keep sharing like this

[@Hugo-xj2mj]

Great content

[@rsmolkin]

Hey, glad I found your channel and learning a lot, gonna try to watch everything from the beginning lol. But one stupid question, what tool do you use that allows you to draw all those arrows on the chess board and move back and forth between positions while actually playing a game?

[@winstonrooseveltarchiboldg4786]

Good video!!!

[@mgmama]

This is the best chess video series. My rating was 1300+ but after watching these videos for a while, now my rating is 1500+

[@myersjr]

duuuuude that checkmate at 40:36 is so sexy. loving your videos man, they're really helping me improve, especially "checks, captures, attacks". I've been having loads of fun with openings and getting to crushing positions but been really struggling to convert those to wins. Cheers!

[@ams_designer_18]

HI Levi, I am the 1st one in this video bharatgh18, thank you so much for the video . I stumbled upon it accidentally , but been your fan since few months. I usually dont focus in the opening, and make premoves , so that blunder was part of this.

[@vitusthomas5776]

Yeah, blunders usually come from not focussing...

[@ignocios]

Dude, I'd put you up there with Ben, Yas, Hikaru and Svidler as people i REALLY enjoy listening to their in-game analysis

[@cforage89]

At 47:09 you mentioned those thinking pawn move to F5. One thing I noticed that wasn't mentioned was how you'd drop your rook or blunder your queen in that position. Pawn F6 to F5. White moves knight D4 to E6 forking the rook and queen. The bishop is attacking that rook but you can't take it due to the discover check from white's queen. From this position the only options are to 1.) block with the rook, but knight takes queen, 2.) block with queen, knight takes rook or 3.) king moves out of check and knight takes queen.

[@noahmiller6377]

Yet another good video by a legend