I've hit rook bottom... (Chess)

I'm playing on Chess.com -- these aren't sponsored videos but the site seems pretty cool.
Chess has been having a resurgence in popularity this year so I have finally acquiesced to semi-popular demand and started to play a bit. First, let's hone our skills and get a little more warmed up and then let's conquer chess dot com one board gamer at a time.
If you enjoyed the video, please consider hitting the Like button. It helps me out a lot!
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Follow me on Twitter: / northernlionlp
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About this game:
the horse moves like an L

[@PXdro1]

the grob opening is probably the best response from fate for his opening study

[@Northernlion]

wanna make god laugh? tell him your plans

[@andreaszetterlund6218]

@@Northernlion more like wanna make grob laugh 🤷‍♂️

[@liamspires2349]

Grob was drunk when he played that he thought he was playing birds opening.

[@Mark13512]

37:33 I respect the fact that NL knows the number 1 rule of chess, which is that if you're offered an en passant capture you have to take it to show that you know the rule, no matter the situation.

[@0HollowTubes0]

Then if it's a trap you have an excuse to protect the veil of intelligence you have cultivated beforehand, it's just proper etiquette

[@user-qz1ms3mv1h]

It's true - there was nothing else he could do, dude

[@Pravinoz]

You've hit rock bottom? Dan: Then it's a fair fight

[@jamesatherton6231]

Our battle will be legendary!

[@vincentkoci1907]

As this video continued I was reminded of this time I watched people walking over a patch of ice from my apartment window. Some would fall, and then the more determined they became to stand, the more helplessly they would flail. But much like those poor pedestrians, I watched with the amusement not of a critic or a caitiff, but as someone who had fallen himself just minutes before.

[@jenm1]

this needs a woody Allen remake

[@PadreKastoro]

He who lives by the Grob will perish by the Grob.

[@Ketsuekisan]

"Bullet's the only way we're getting out of this." I'm pretty sure Bullet is how you got INTO this.

[@Elleander1]

You might laugh, but even opening study is a 10/10 content.

[@notrab13]

This egg’s comedic timing is so pogged that immediately after studying opening responses to e4, the cosmos match him against an opponent who plays the Grob! Truly beautiful entropy in action.

[@tejshah6083]

Oh yes, opening research. This is going to be the poggest thing ever.

[@rmatt53]

I'M LEARNING.

[@LightningRaven42]

Narrator: It wasn't.

[@tannerlarson276]

Seems to me Egg needs to study Grobbs opening

[@berkin4820]

Casually commenting while waitng for NL to realize he's pinned.

[@miguel7888]

He finally faced the strongest enemy, the grob opening.

[@normalmighty]

I'm just sad he missed the rare opportunity for the borg defense

[@NickMaovich]

Should I mention bongcloud or you gonna take your words back?

[@rudiausbuddeln7573]

Rock Bottom is ALWAYS the place where you actually improve

[@Northernlion]

This isn't rock bottom though, it's rook bottom :(

[@rudiausbuddeln7573]

It‘s actually wholesome how proud you are of that joke xD

[@zenthwolf7370]

I once found out the bottom value for Elo ratings is 100. My number is now higher, but I did not, in fact, improve.

[@rudiausbuddeln7573]

@@zenthwolf7370 I suggest you start with learning where the pieces go =D

[@npmnpm9573]

Love this arc in NL’s chess series when every video ends with bullet games so he can regain his sanity

[@packfan9234]

"Bullet is the only way we're getting outa this" It's the exact opposite of how to get out of it. Play longer games, slow down and see the board more, have time to consider what the opponent is doing, have time to think about line variations, have time to come up with plans.

[@drvofoka7033]

Nl my man, you should hit up Eric Rosen for "unconventional openings". Feel like it'd fit you more than levy's style.

[@TheDarrenPR]

Damn that grob opening really does have a 100% win rate.

[@tannerlarson276]

I love this comment, thanks for the laugh!

[@samuellawson1425]

"We need to get a little less weird with it" Who is this man, and what has he done with The Egg™?

[@wanemoreletsplays9401]

Time to get Dan to give you one of his speeches

[@TheInverseGentleman]

"let's spend some time learning the book responses to openings" or... OR we could get *weird* with it

[@ThatRaisinTho]

As a man who has a 33 chapter lichess study on the grob, a grob expert, I am appalled at the way this man (the first opponent) plays it.

[@tongpoo8985]

Link? I need it

[@ThatRaisinTho]

@@tongpoo8985 just search “Grob” in lichess studies on lichess, it’ll show up. Not a ton of grob studies out there. It’ll be by me, ThatRaisinTho

[@Dexirock]

As hilarious as this was, I really hope we get some longer time games soon, I feel like even 10 minutes is getting too short for commentary + trying to do something smart and different and not blunder

[@normalmighty]

Yeah, I feel like 15 minutes would suit him pretty well

[@enbyennui]

NL: Performs slightly below like 1400 Elo NL: "You're watching the collapse of a man's psyche"

[@zrolo6329]

this is what i was hoping to see! some sweet opening exploration. poggy

[@user-m8k9d]

37:35 Me: finally he's gonna win 37:37 Also Me: Oh no 37:39 NL: resigns

[@ninjack11]

NL every move "i'm losing my mind"

[@matthewgolub2272]

That bullet chess trap he fell for... I love it so much

[@TurtleMansion]

next episode needs to be a 30 minute match to reset your chess chakra

[@KyleWarnUs]

I will say that this chess series is the reason that I'm into chess. That being said I'm a horrible 500-600 elo player, so I'm not out here beating eggman.

[@TheSarcasticKing99]

Rock bottom was my favorite spongebob episode

[@ajmx3973]

Love these PogMaster descent into madness series

[@FawndLee]

honestly pogged for some opening study

[@oivindification]

LOOL 7:56 opening research for 7min just to be hit with the weirdest opening ever. His face is glorious

[@Cooleatack]

“...and maybe even say, dare I suggest, get a little less weird with it” BLASPHEMY

[@Yuggy]

haha the grob opening was hilarious

[@MrLukeKK]

NL became incredibly Italian when he was lamenting his movement of the bishop preventing the fork

[@davidrobins1021]

Sorry, but 37:38 was hilarious. Seriously though, this happens to all of us; I go through phases where it feels like I can't win a game for love nor money, but then a week later, I can't stop winning. Bullet is a recipe for tilt though; one reason why I gave it up altogether. Consider playing with increment time controls, say 15+10 or even 10+10, and take your time.

[@thecheesiestbiscuit]

NL needs to stream some chess against viewers to get that confidence built back up. I'd play him and lose horrendously, bring it on, brother.

[@vincentradix8257]

At 20 minutes I think queen f4+ and you're a pawn up

[@mattu10599]

Really jazzed about this video! Happy to see you learning!

[@losbeatles13]

You got dis nl, gotta keep at it. Everyone reaches this point in chess. Need to take a couple days and get back at it.

[@KNIGHTMAREMANIAC]

It makes me happy to know that players better than me also go on similarly precipitous losing streaks.

[@JimKretschmer]

Hey NL just echoing what a couple others have said, I'd love to see even longer games, gives you more time to think out moves while commentating, and could lead to some epic stories. Loving the series anyway and can't wait for you to pog your way out of this funk.

[@kodokushi6015]

You might want to consider studying the opening database for all games, and not just the master games, because master games often go very differently compared to the games in the beginner/intermediate level. For example, you'll probably never run into a 1500 player who plays the Najdorf because it's such a highly theoretical line. You're a lot more likely to go against the Sicilian Dragon for instance, which is a more straight-foward variation. And remember: when studying openings, the most important thing is to understand WHY the moves are played, not just WHAT moves are played!

[@zaaxi7424]

I think lots of people play the Najdorf just because its the computers best move but I get your point, the Dragon seems to be suggested most for beginners

[@Agathokakological17]

Hey, really enjoyed the opening analysis at the start! Also, for what it's worth, I think it's useful to see how you address and work through a mild slump. Losses certainly don't detract from the video quality or experience. Keep going and good luck!

[@Ketsuekisan]

Every time I see the Grob opening in an NL video, all of think of is the legend grobzoula, from the ancient days of the NLSS.

[@Batman-bh6vw]

We're truly in the poggest of KZbin timelines

[@violetstarsign]

Ruy Lopez is actually a highly theoretical opening with lots of nasty traps, so I would suggest doing whatever you can to never face that one.

[@brokenzipper7125]

Brushing up on some openings? Let's go!

[@Kiteon]

Keep hanging in there

[@hamyncheese]

This is like the "100 days of Disappointment" back in the losing days of Slay The Spire!

[@neilsvedberg]

Don't be too hard on yourself... you've been rising in ELO so it's only natural that you'll start playing harder opponents. Excited to see where this series goes.

[@Mantosasto]

Whenever someone mentions the Grob opening I cannot not picture Gorb from HK playing it.

[@robinvik1]

When you are just chilling, playing your favorite video game and suddenly run into a scripted encounter with the final boss: *THE GROB*

[@andrewhughes459]

I think you should just focus on one opening for white and one for black that are setup based, like the London for white and the King's Indian for black.

[@justinwhite2725]

Castling kingside ... to the Grob. Bold. Guarenteed that's a blunder.

[@tunamuffinsand4770]

I've got bad news for you.

[@whorcares123]

Next video: "Learning the Grob opening with Levy"

[@HalidYusein]

I just like watching good matches. No matter if you win or not.

[@austoful]

legit opening study pogs me off my gourd, it makes the process of learning more interesting.

[@Summanus91]

Im saying donka for every move i make now. lol

[@jvcmarc]

when using the explorer don't look at just the master games, GM's play some crazy stuff that no regular chess player would play they also play a lot for draws, and play very consistent and equal positions, and that's boring try using the explorer instead to study some gambit lines, like the queens gambit or the stafford. or some other openings like the catalan or king indians

[@TheMurcielago66]

The queens gambit isnt even a real gambit as there's never really a way for black to actually hold on to the pawn on c4 without massively overextending his pawn structure and falling behind in tempo, in addition to that the queens gambit (declined) is a timeless classic opening at all levels.

[@jvcmarc]

@@TheMurcielago66 honestly, I don't know that many gambits, and the queens gambit was the only one that came to mind when I was writing the comment do you have any suggestions for gambits for white?

[@gazza9260]

SIMON.... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. *Cries of laughs*

[@HH-mf8qz]

This is an amazing series!!

[@jocheng.7689]

I play Go myself, and know this kind of mental state very well: You know you are better than this, and try and try even harder, but instead of getting better, it gets worse. You are now trying to force it, when you arent in the right state of mind. When you are on a losing streak, remove yourself from the game. Do something different, allow yourself to regenerate and than continiue. The thing that chess (or Go for that matter) hasnt in the rulebook is the mental side of things...just beeing sharp and knowing the moves is not everything. Yes for a streamer that does sound counterintuitive, but on the other hand, you cant deny it.

[@WernerWerman]

the descent of the egg

[@TheOddKris]

Rook, rook, rook, rook, roook, roook!! - Dan Gheesling

[@Spike-kg5rd]

I'd be interested in seeing NL doing a silent game and then talking through his thinking during the analysis. I wonder how much of an impact NL commentating has on his ability to play well

[@VirtualGnome]

After a decade I'd imagine he's more than used to thinking out loud

[@kasob4001]

No where to go but up! Bring back Grob time!

[@gmansplit]

The most pogged possible collab would be NL x Hikaru. I love Levy, don't get me wrong, but Hikaru + Ryab would just be the best.

[@mdw2402]

love to see the opening prep at the beginning of the video. 1600 here we come!

[@william14able]

MORE CHESS EGG 33:59

[@patrickedwards2078]

This video was cathartic

[@lucasnadamas9317]

35:25 Why does this kill me so much?

[@Socrates...]

get another 3 hour lesson with Levy

[@DontTootMyHorns]

I think no lessons will alleviate leaving queens hanging. You just don't do that lol

[@colinpaton3304]

Opening research is extremely pogged

[@VerbalLearning]

This is what tilt looks like. Egg please be careful.

[@chessgoalsyt]

Still enjoying your videos, even when you lose, keep it up NL :)

[@JoeMiyagi]

Glorious descent into madness

[@midonik4818]

I feel you man, at the other hand, I was waiting for you to reach the chess burn out like a do every time a move a 100 points in ranking.

[@tracyh5751]

when you're blundering in bullet chess... leave bullet chess and practice more.

[@theworldeatswithyou]

please don't cancel this series

[@andu1337]

The last 10 minutes of this video is probably the most entertaining chess content I've seen (after the scholar's mate by moistcritical on xqc)

[@MrCODEmaster00]

7:51 is when Chess begins

[@panic-a-la-mode]

I honestly think the problem is Egg's giant new monitor. It's like watching a movie in the front row, you miss some of the action.

[@HCGxreaver]

I'm very happy to see some more chess!

[@TheTrueEvilSpud]

I’m embarrassed by how much I laughed at the title

[@Gorm169]

Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Grob The Weird? I thought not. It’s not a story the GMs would tell you.

[@parthdatar9359]

When NL didn't even try to pin the queen to the King with the bishop by advancing a pawn. I was shouting.

[@kintreveis1019]

You can do it! I dropped 300 in the course of weekend cause I just kept getting more and more upset with myself. it helps me to repeat the mantra of things to look out for while I play checkmates, checks, captures, hanging pieces.

[@rmatt53]

Knowledge is power and NL is DBZ charging up.

[@xmarni0x]

premoves are pretty good in bullet time scrambles

[@auail5594]

I love watching a man in free fall, tbh

[@asaelurena94]

Omg this is the greatest episode of chess i have ever seen dude!

[@ZeroVisitor]

It's a common thing to become worse when learning new stuff. It's like, if you want to fix your jumpshot by changing it completely, you will miss the most of your shots at the start. Think Lonzo Ball :D

[@quinnalexander3825]

"Is it possible my chess series is so good that everybody got really good at chess as a result?" Not only is it possible, but it may in fact also be Poggable

[@DaviniaHill]

Super GMs spend an hour reaching agreed draws, if you play the most popular moves then you'll end up playing the Berlin defence all day.

[@infernorider123]

The grob did him leading to brainular destruction. Recover soon egg father.

[@FamousPotato515]

Is this what we've amounted to NL? Chess puns? Alright, I'm in.

[@ChileanIggy]

I say punch THROUGH the bottom and GET WEIRDER!!!

[@davidrees191]

I doubt you could even imagine it; that which commanded the board, giving chess its fullest brilliance. The NL wins. Oh, NL wins! Shattered, by someone, or something. Don't tell me you don't see it. Look up at the elo! It burns.

[@lostdestroyer8400]

northernlion