Longer Games #18 Climbing the 2500 mountain... How to meet Irregular Openings

[@bobtaylor4829]

It's great hearing a GM's thoughts during a game. Thank you

[@mevansthechemist]

Simon, one quick thing about square notation...it would be helpful if your recording software enabled enlarging the mouse pointer size. Sometimes you’ll say “I want to move my knight here” and just very quickly hover over the square, making it difficult to see which square you’re referring to.

[@torrawel]

2000+ rated player here :) I have to say I find the longer time videos very instructive. No matter the rating of the opponent. As a matter of fact, 15mins may still be too short (see this very interesting game that had to go tactic due to low time). It would be interesting to see if it is possible to play a game with a classical time control. The reason why this game was so interesting by the way (even when I don't play the Dragon myself), was the reaction to a3 (the d5 idea), the Qd6/Qb8/Rd8/Rd7/a6 manoeuvre, the "mistake" of letting white's q-pawns advance too much, and the plan how to cope with that earlier "mistake" (the Bishop blockade at the light squares). Like I said, very instructive! Please continue posting!

[@bhanupratapsingh7986]

You teaches very well sir, Amazing.

[@theboognish720]

I really enjoy these longer games hearing your thoughts on the game in detail. Please keep this up! You've become one of my favorite players to watch.

[@seanm3189]

Simon is just such a nice guy. He genuinely enjoys teaching. He gets paid to play a game, but he isn't the least bit ungrateful. Cheers to you mate! Love the channel, love you!

[@Fuv77]

About naming squares - I prefer when you describe your move / calculations using square names instead of showing with your mouse pointer ("I move here, he moves there") as you sometimes does, because it does not require to stare at the screen looking for the pointer. Even if you say the squares very fast it is fine, because we can always rewind video a couple of seconds and visualize the moves at slower pace (I sometimes rewind even a few times to understand all your thought process in long lines). So keep going and we all will eventually grasp that grid layout perfectly ;)

[@saintsaens21]

Still the best at commenting live games. Talking at a relaxed pace, no silences, witty, bushy beard.

[@chessfan8673]

Thank you so much for playing the long games with commentary. Learned so much from you the last months.

[@garypatella3170]

Excellent video! I watch all of your videos, but this one is one of the most instructive.

[@Corkie0000]

Really enjoyed the first Monday Mountain session. Very instructive and enjoyable to see your unfiltered thoughts on how you had let your opponent back into the game!

[@alpulley4894]

Very much enjoy these climbing the ladder to 2500 series. It is a modern day version format of a couple of books that I enjoyed reading. If you like this type of stuff then get a copy of Chess Master vs Chess Amateur along with The Road to Chess Mastery both by Euwe. Strategy examined and demonstrated in a way that I feel is extremely beneficial.

[@CoeyinJapan]

can i just ask that you always say "strastegic", just never change no matter what anyone says, it gives me joy.

[@juanpaez2009]

Thank you for spending the time to explain your thoughts. Very much appreciated

[@Christian_Decroze]

Wow, Man ! This wasn't a Chess Game. It was a breathtaking Thriller. At the end, I was on the verge to get a heart attack :-)))

[@jimkyle8008]

Hi Simon, that was a well played and highly instructive game with great explanations. The only thing I would say is, when you are calculating a series of moves, and say things like, say, "Knight here", it's not always clear where "here" is. I would prefer it if you would always name the square for the avoidance of doubt (unless the moves are obvious, such as recaptures etc. In which case you can go "takes, takes, Bc4", for example). By the way, the arrows are very helpful.

[@jms4406]

It seems 1800s rated, myself included don't typically move a3 b4 for a flank gambit, as we typically haven't studied openings enough. As I've decided to study more positional play, and as simon has pointed out always having a plan for a move I have learned the futility of a lot of my old go to moves. I think this a3 move was probably just to avoid a pin or something in the future, I used to do this without considering the weakness it caused or the idea behind this early move. Anyway just my 2 cents.

[@bobi5202]

casper if you dont like the fact that he is playing a lower rated opponent go and check out when he played magnus carlsen's second two days ago ... if you dont like that check his video vs nakamura if you dont like that check his rivals vs finegold if you dont like that check his games against top dutsch, british, american grandmasters. stop complaining at every little thing his idea is that obviously most players watching are 1300-1900 rated so this is easier to understand at their level gosh some people will always find something to be unhappy about

[@angrylundy4862]

Uhh the salt is real whit this one

[@Zeddicus1976]

He's right. Btw, Irregular openings, I would anticipate he's either playing a weaker player or Richard Rapport ;)

[@michaelbauers8800]

He is not sandbagging either. His LP rating is somewhat low due to not having played a lot of games, and having played cheats.

[@vga1232]

Also the odds minimatch versus Komodo, which he won! :D

[@WrightClarkson]

Enjoy all your videos, my man. Keep it up!

[@AygnusMacGyverDDO]

Great video as always. A real nail biter for sure. Love this series a lot.

[@gavinthornton1591]

Enjoying the format and more regular content.

[@gavinthornton1591]

Least you got rid of the top knot ;) haha

[@jimkyle8008]

A fascinating game with great explanations of what you were thinking.

[@mubasharkhan8815]

simon, the Sicilian dragon game you played was amazing, really enjoyed following that, thanks

[@rittervsp]

Your videos are very instructive indeed. I try to think the way you think about my position, but often i fails due to lack of knowledge and tactical blindnes ) But anyway it gives me more deep feeling of chess. Thank you!

[@soupman55]

Simon, can you change your mouse pointer size so that we can see what square you are pointing to when you say, "I want to put my rook over here"?

[@donoranchess6671]

Simon, I love these videos, keep them coming mate......also, bought your dvds on the dutch, d4 and endgames....great stuff

[@shiffin_chippe]

A great game

[@RS-cz8kt]

Love your videos, very instructive! Gonna buy Killer Sicilian (or Killer Dutch, or both :) ) very soon.

[@samcatsam]

Great stuff Simon, what a game.

[@BamThwok76]

that was your best long play video Simon, thanks

[@martinsimpson5633]

Thanks Simon for another great video! A structured weekly format would be really good to see: Long Play Mondays, Tactic Tuesdays, Blitz Wednesdays, Thematic Thursdays... Oh and a day solely dedicated to Harry!!

[@tolveor]

blitz really sounds like a weekend activity, maybe friday. While you have "thoughtful Monday" maybe you can have "instinctive Friday".

[@stefangirstmair3304]

great idea with the schedule :) makes it even more professional :D

[@sofialexrush5646]

So great GM thanks a lot I learn English British accent from you beside chess I'm so happy to learn from you. very very tough game

[@richardsmith9615]

Would you consider doing a Simul exhibition at my Chess Club in Bournemouth, Simon?

[@aakashdalvi6556]

everyday a video !!!! great

[@YesPlease1]

Great vid! It's frustrating that you're still 500 points away from 2500 but I know some of that is due to a high number of cheaters in your first games. Hopefully that isn't a continuing situation and you really start to climb

[@Nashy119]

I had a random idea, what about looking back on what you were thinking when you made a mistake and seeing how you could have determined the best move better. Personally I can't tell it apart from random chance and hindsight.

[@rittervsp]

Great style Simon! )

[@malegupta8404]

magnus carlsen played as white againt erankeiv at world rapid and blitz touranmetn in saudi arabia sir simon great to know the refutaiion of it.

[@rudi5764]

Love your videos man!

[@ganbaresepp2361]

Thank you. Great Video again. Also nice explanations for fundamental ideas. For your problem with the email. Just open another mail account just related for chess requests and devide it in something like, Advice, Coaching, Shop, Finance, Fans, etc. And let it administer by one of your thrustworthy fans. Have a nice day.

[@dominiks5068]

I'm actually quite amazed that the engine gives the queen sac as almost equal, I thought it would be much worse lol. Awesome idea, simon. Still good you didn't play it though

[@ignaciosuarez9732]

Really instructive game.

[@HipHopAn0n]

With that beard Simon, you oughta try out for the new season of Game of Thrones! Love the videos mate, thanks for making them

[@donforce808]

u are awesome!!! Have supported you with buying 2 shrits and a sweatshirt BOOM

[@Rakkeyal]

Can I ask why you use chess.com over other sites like lichess? Is there a reason, or just picked one and stuck with it?

[@josketobben]

He occasionally does some work for chess.com.

[@angrylundy4862]

Money money money and rember to get some DVDS son !

[@ignaciosuarez9732]

anti-cheat in Lichess is a lot worse. Premium members risk their money by cheating in chess.com

[@valentijnraw]

Maybe on one day of the week you can teach us a theme? Like thematic sacrifices in certain positions.

[@fertedin]

Simon, is it possible to put the pgn of the game in the comments of the video? thanks! I love this section!

[@tlee7653]

Well done

[@lochvids108]

Loving the video

[@malegupta8404]

my thoght are rtunning like you simon sir you are the best

[@joederrett6619]

Cheers Simon great vid

[@Max-Everest]

improve the channel by creating charts/graphs which give the audience a visual impression of the evolution of your various ratings, you can even animate them...

[@gregainsborough9866]

Very nice game!

[@pauldemey8995]

nice video. thxs simon

[@jeffgriffiths5945]

nice video...at my level, every opening is irregular. :)

[@boceksiadam]

As a not so great player I love these explosive games. I can appreciate positional grinds as well, just less.

[@IVKrusherVI]

At the 19:37 mark when your opponent plays be7... Why didn't he play bd6? You would drop the exchange losing a rooke right? What am I missing here? Queen b6?

[@psychessdelia835]

Rook takes, knight takes, queen takes. Two pieces for the rook!

[@iboom1717]

Interesting game.

[@ArturTołłoczko]

Great game

[@michaelbufkin9072]

Tactics Thursday!!

[@pramanverma6209]

I like this video, but I didn't press the like button cuz I feel adding a gazillion miscellaneous videos to my liked vids list would be a bit pointless and pestering. Anyways, enjoyed the gr8 video! Here is my Thumbs up- 👍

[@Elsonoliveira716]

Simon do some blitz sessions.

[@IVKrusherVI]

Also at 29:34 why didn't your opponent play b5, axb5, then bxb5, skewering your queen and rooke?? Lol

[@TheChessViking]

Keith Madruga there is ...Qxc5 I think

[@IVKrusherVI]

Zibbit but then he takes Simon's rooke.

[@TheChessViking]

If b5 then ...Qxc5 immediately. Black doesn't have to take on b5.

[@NGEternal]

I love this guy cause he's super passionate about chess. People like ChessNetwork are cool, but come on how long can you listen to a monotone voice?

[@snuchi9582]

Another great video :) I think you should consider a Patreon to give you viewers a chance to say thank you. Cheers mate!

[@100nacional100]

Bravo

[@realways6173]

i´m not playing the dragon that´s for sure. I allways get that f3, g4, h4 shit

[@aimetruyens7908]

Hey Simon, it's #19

[@DucktailsBartendingBH]

Anakin, i have the higher ground

[@callmewisdom]

What happened to your over the top hairstyle?!

[@asherz3621]

What the actual hell was that intro?

[@calvinhori8615]

Should be #19, not #18.

[@timpriest593]

Simon you're looking more and more like someone at risk of hijacking a plane

[@timpriest593]

Oh, I would be thinking destructive thoughts if I went through what happened to you in America!

[@SuedeStonn]

Going by your criteria half the major league sports players would be in Guantanamo right now :l

[@Zeddicus1976]

I thought he is GM Hambleton.

[@d0ubtingThom4s]

Boooooooy was I getting worried you'd miss Nxe3

[@malegupta8404]

can you give mei online coaching sir thankyou

[@lucapalese8180]

Man you re strategic ideas are really good , but in the endgame you ve missed simple tactics like rook takes d2 in minute 44:13 that wins in the spot . Btw great job

[@lucapalese8180]

Lol didn t seen my king

[@lucapalese8180]

On minute 45 there s a forced mate with rook d1 and bishop d4

[@angrylundy4862]

A gm vs a 1800 i cant wait to se the result wtf

[@TheChessViking]

That's actually at times even more constructive because you get to see the ideas clearer oftentimes than in games against stronger players!

[@angrylundy4862]

Zibbit its like sparing whit a kid it some times is better so you can show your ideas thats why muhamed alis and tysons sparing partner was a kid at the age of 8 do you se how stupid it sunds ?

[@TheChessViking]

Casper Lund master vs amateur is interesting commentary in chess. Your comparison with boxing I don't understand.

[@TheChessViking]

Peace brother! Btw, check out the last two games I posted by Malinin, absolutely crazy slugfests (obviously not without risks, but you like a gamble eh)....I think this h4 line in the Benko might be right down your alley for a punt or two.....HARRY in the Benko!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6jOZZujo8esjLM and kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYiYZoGknqyJmrs

[@angrylundy4862]

To see a fake gm sell some DVDS!