How to Combat the Bowdler Attack | Climbing the Rating Ladder vs. 1699

In this continuation of the "Climbing the Rating Ladder" series I take on players of various ratings levels while pointing out typical mistakes and spots for improvement along the way (possibly my own!? :)). Here I commentate a 10+5 game against a player rated 1699 on Chess.com. The Bowdler Attack (1.e4 c5 2.Bc4, or 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 followed by 3.Bc4) is often seen at amateur level, so Sicilian players should have several ideas in mind against it! Here, we investigate how Black can work up to ...d7-d5, ideally with knights developed to c6 and f6 and a pawn on a6 to prevent Bc4-b5. The center fork trick or luring the e-pawn forward to e5 are on the table with this setup; alternatively, Black may wish to forego ...d7-d5 entirely in favor of ...b7-b5 and play on the queenside.
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[@JohnBartholomewChess]

Game vs. Ding from four years ago in the PRO Chess League: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWqoeY2MgLx6bLM

[@lyingcat9022]

What happened there? Did the 1700 step away for a second and his 6 year old brother started playing his game?

[@stoutlager6325]

There are some players that pretty much play with one idea. Either it works or you defend it and they just stop playing (soft resign like this, disconnect, actually resign, spite run their clock to zero). I've had aggressive players resign equal positions just because their attack didn't succeed.

[@WhizzerdSupreme]

To be fair, in today's day and age a 6 year old is probably rated 1700 as well 😂

[@davidpeak6103]

I hope your vocal/health issues are improving. Keeping you in my prayers. Keep up the good work. Really enjoy your content. You and Yassir got me interested in learning chess. Both class acts and true gentlemen. Dave from Ohio.

[@trapperjohn7571]

Do you remember that you've played this opponent in the past? In your CtRL video titled "Wrestling with a Hippopotamus" you mention that you had previously started a game, but discarded the recording after your opponent hung the queen early on. That was in fact this same opponent. Interesting that he's twice lost against you by hanging his queen, although the first game looks more like a mouse slip and this one is a straight up implosion

[@goodspellr1057]

I agree that chessDC's evaluations of move accuracy have become harsher. It seems to be overly sensitive to small differences, especially when the position is close to equal. It gets especially confusing when the engine used in Game Review deems something an inaccuracy, but the engine used in the analysis says it's the best move. The qualitative evaluation shouldn't be changing like that when the only difference is the version or depth of Stockfish. I'm not exactly sure when it happened, but I started noticing it a few months ago. Around that same time I feel that the bots started getting harder. Of course, I should allow for the possibility that my reduced accuracy and increased perceived difficulty of the bots is a result of me getting worse at chess. But I'd rather not consider that.

[@goldenlion3184]

The best part of these rating climb videos, is that we watch how you deal with the. kinds of positions us (lower rated Lol) players see all the time. It's so common to see an inaccuracy, but not really know how to take advantage of the position. Thanks for continuing this series and showing us how to get an advantage!!

[@dcmayo]

I find this series to be the most instructive and enjoyable of all your series. Always a joy when a new one rolls around.

[@knishofdeath]

I play the accelerated/hyperaccelerated dragon and at 1500 on Lichess, all matter of Bc4 openings are the standard response. Almost never get the open or closed Sicilian. Helpful video, thanks! I am knish_of_death btw ;-)

[@cappbell9360]

My favorite series. Thanks for the content John

[@NowhereMan7]

So wholesome and friendly always. Never swearing or saying "um". No bad taste jokes. Should just going full Bob Ross and make a chess series of videos for people to relax to.

[@V61Sunda]

As someone who just started playing the sicilian, I face this all the time! Great video and would love to see you play the accelerated dragon in a vid sometime

[@emregeylani]

As a Sicilian player I can say that I see so many Bowdler Attack in Lichess up to 2100. Although engines say the game is almost equal, I find it much easier to play with black as if every black piece already has a good square to use.

[@David-kg7si]

THANK YOU SO MUCH BRO SO MANY PPL DO THIS AT 1800-2000 I PLAY G6 IN THE BOWDLER BUT E6 IS SO MUCH BETTER

[@johnhonai4601]

I have seen 1300s play much better than this 1600 in John's rating the climbing ladder videos

[@chowdhryaftab]

Every time you upload a video, you make my week. Dr. Bartholomew, the best chess proffessor

[@pedermr5491]

I like when you upload videos.

[@empireofthechangedayandnight]

By frequency Bowdler Attack (also 1-2 moves delayed) is annoying even for modest 1500s players, like mysel

[@RoboCrow1]

Wonder if the opponent was slightly tilted from losing the pawn in the opening and was just not feeling up to playing it out

[@averagebro413]

I've also encountered many bowdler attack at 1600-1900 range, i actually love when they play that against me(as a black). I can't say the same against gran prix attack or smith-morra. Playing against smith-morra is like a near death scenario.

[@tjfrresr7220]

Shoot me now!

[@chessgains8075]

Climbing the ladder and making gains!!

[@jaerik99]

That was quite the gambit by your opponent lmao

[@heavyhands1383]

Great to see these videos back (again)!

[@jamesmccabe3041]

Would you change your approach at all if white started with Nc3 before entering the bowdler?

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

Yes, 2.Nc3 can be tricky, as White can enter a Grand Prix Attack or Closed Sicilian. If they play 3.Bc4, you'd be good to resume the plans I discuss in this video, though.

[@johnmarcellino5034]

Consistently amazing content for DECADES. Thanks John :)

[@petermead8229]

John would you consider reminding us to like your videos in your intro / outro? 13k views and 491 likes, I'm sure 99.9% of your viewers 'like' what you're doing - I often forget to like and I think we'd all be eager to help your channel in any way we can due to the PHENOMENAL amount of help you provide everyone. I'm sure you don't want to run the risk of sounding like a 'youtuber' but I can safely say I watch your stuff precisely because I think you're so sensitive to being so utterly human, that you'll never risk becoming a super amped shouty youtuber person!!! Anyway regardless, as always, muchos gracias friend....I hadn't played for weeks, just been working and watching your videos, and played a few games at the weekend and found there was your voice in my head as I played and I did extremely well straight out the gates when normally I'd be rust af. Peace!!!!

[@adamh6094]

Yay!! Thanks for the Sicilian vid! I’m a lowly 1300 rapid, but only play c5 against e4. Why? When I was learning openings I heard that I shouldn’t, so I did anyway. My logic was that if everyone is told not to, not many folk will be able to combat it. Kahn/taimanov are my go tos. And yes, it absolutely often falls into a bowlder at my level. In saying that, I’ve got a 55% success with 1. E4 c5. Thanks again John. Hope the voice is doing well! Have a lovely day :)

[@ippimerawr]

Hey John, hope you are well buddy! Always love your content.

[@camt8804]

I get this opening so much as black.

[@moosemanuk]

Perfect timing John! Faced two of these in the past hour. Great content, one of the best teachers of chess

[@brieyonpoinsette7946]

It's soooo relaxing watching this guy.i falls asleep every night listening

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

😅 Hope you learn by audio osmosis at night, too!

[@gutschgutscher2609]

Pure frustration! Did he really expect to win against a highly experienced IM and chess coach ? A sore loser and spoil-sport! Well not every Indian chess player is the next Anand.

[@philhuntsman7588]

What just happened there?? 😭😭

[@brookelovett2847]

I’ve always been a fan of how professional your commentary and demeanor is. You are a breath of fresh air for chess youtube. I’ve learned so much from you! Thanks for posting regularly again, I’m hoping your vocal chords don’t give you anymore trouble.

[@katis999]

very nice game, John

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

Thank you!

[@zokisvasta]

I don't know why people play this as white. There is literally no other opening in which I never felt threatened like in this one. And it's extremely common, as you said.

[@scottpatrick8645]

Thanks for keeping them coming. You sound great!

[@John-g6x1h]

Can't help wondering if the Queen sacrifice was part of the "bathroom gambit".

[@henrikjohan856]

Thanks for still recording this series, they are great!

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

Thank you for continuing to watch! :)

[@littlezimty]

I've encountered this before. I call it self-destructing.

[@joseph1845]

such a treat at this time living in Europe

[@johnnyBird512]

Even after the opponent kamikazes all their pieces you let them walk away with a Rook and a shred of decency. Class act

[@NamasteBbooktube]

Use lichess, their computer analysis simpler and to the point.

[@ssj4rit]

11:02 “I’m gonna do what’s called a pro gamer move”

[@Victor-ji1rz]

Thank you john, truly one of the games of all time

[@danjeory3659]

Well that was unexpected! At lower levels, there's a lot of players who only play blitz and have never played anything else, so you'll encounter many who are frustrated and completely on tilt. Still, good to get a good strategy against the Bowdler, which is something I still find annoying hard to break down even though I keep hearing it's not a great opening for white.

[@Heroball299]

That was a weird game.

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

Agreed 😅

[@bbbrown3408]

1699 and every move crap more liike say 1100

[@johnmayer9811]

Strange way for the opponent to finish the game. But you can't help but think he would have continued playing that position against someone his own rating.

[@Suho1004]

Well, that took an unexpected turn! Still managed to learn something, as always, though. :D

[@anshluthra941]

I’m a regular Sicilian player around 1550 and as soon as I see Bc4, I play e6 instantly regardless of the position and it always works

[@mikecantreed]

Your opponent must’ve been rooting for Nepo

[@andrewcosta2760]

At this point, John is basically an upgraded version of the gigachad meme.

[@keithframnes677]

The opening every high-rated player just hand waves away as easy after ...e6 :)

[@slagorourke]

1600s don't implode when I play them. Most unfair!

[@ninjapandathethird6241]

I always feel like I have a good position against this line but I dont understand any middlegame plans to go for

[@Tietous]

Damn talk about rage quiting

[@murattuna3524]

Ah yes, playing the Italian against anything black throws.

[@Numbersofahn]

We love you John!

[@rumpelRAINS]

Go Johnathan!

[@andrewcosta2760]

Still the best natty chess player.

[@MrCaptainSpiff]

2:40 Finegold s favourite moves

[@esmaeilrostami955]

Thanks

[@Gribblefitz]

Whoohoo!

[@angosalvo5734]

Thanks John. Just an idea isn't better to play with a Smurf account so opponents wouldn't be intimidated by seeing your real rating?

[@pokemonfanrock1]

He has mentioned before that he doesn't like doing that. He wants people to know who they are playing against.

[@ChessJourneyman]

It definitely impacts your play.

[@basidhfareeth7757]

Good content john