I Trained Like A Chess Grandmaster

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Want to get into chess? Check out everyone featured in the video:
Levy Rozman (Gotham Chess) ► / gothamchess
Anna Rudolf (Anna_Chess) ► / annarudolfchess
Anna Cramling ► / annacramling
Hikaru Nakamura (GMHikaru) ► / gmhikaru
Alexandra and Andrea Botez (BotezLive) ► / botezlive
Special thanks to Danny Rensch and Chess.com for making this episode possible!
TEAM MK:
Directed by Garrett Kennell ► / garrettkennell​
Edited by Silas Orteza ► www.silasorteza...
Director of Photography - Eric Lombart
Camera Operator - Nate Cornett
Assistant Editor - Madeline Puzzo ► / mtn_mads​
Castlemania Merch Designs - Derek Rudy ► www.derekrudy.com/

[@MichelleKhare]

OUR FIRST MERCH DROP IS HERE ➡ www.fanjoy.co/michellekhare

[@sai_full]

Shall we marry😳 ???????????????????????????????????

[@jliefn]

I love ur merch!!

[@kfp1200]

Next time do a challenge for training as a pianist?

[@kajuanweaver1607]

Love the video, you’ve become an amazing player in such a short time!

[@unakv9183]

PLEASE DO RYTMICH GYMNASTICS

[@GothamChess]

Thank you so much for reaching out early in 2021, I am so thrilled we got to start this journey and everything it became. Congratulations on a spectacular episode, cheers to us all hating chess together!

[@MichelleKhare]

So grateful to have met you on this adventure, Levy! This project evolved into something I couldn't have imagined. What an amazing year!!

[@DinaBelenkaya]

Please don’t hate it :)

[@legueu]

You were flexing so hard at the start of the video with the blindfold XD

[@danielachonen6352]

Gotham sub abandoned his game to give Michelle that 1000 ELO, best community in the world KEKW

[@danielsayre3385]

Respectfully WTF

[@AnnaRudolfChess]

The moment Castlemania was born! I'm so proud of your journey, Michelle, and it's been such a joy and honour guiding you! Cannot wait to see where else your challenges will take you, you're unstoppable!! 💙

[@theedisoniavideoproduction731]

Pog

[@MichelleKhare]

The true queen of Castlemania! Anna, I am in gratitude that the universe brought us together. I’m so grateful to you as a friend and coach. I couldn’t have done this without you. Now everybody go subscribe to Anna!!

[@MrSupernova111]

Hi Anna and blankies! The whole crew is in the comment section! :)

[@garrydimasa1964]

@@MichelleKhare As someone who occasionaly follow your streams, your perseverence against the odds truly deserve an admiration, Michelle. Proud of the 1000 ELO you've finally reached. Great job!

[@Diachron]

I learned of this journey from Anna's streams. Fantastic work (on both the chess and video). Michelle's work ethic is humbling, and Anna's wisdom as a chess/life coach is profound.

[@chess]

So many memories and such an incredible video: Huge props to the editors =) Amazing storytelling, Michelle!!! 🙌

[@MichelleKhare]

Thank you so much for your support and for having me in POGCHAMPS3!!!

[@legueu]

You know it's a good video when they teach the bongcloud.

[@George_vv]

A website on a website... What could be better?

[@hunterh7210]

Great Job Michelle 👏. You were great. 😁

[@starinthesky2907]

Lol Gotham shouldn't be here. You're an IM bruh stop clinging on to Hikaru wherever he goes 😂😂

[@adityagoel5746]

Hikaru: Its very hard to recover if you lose your queen Also Hikaru:REACHES 2600 DOING THE BOTEZ GAMBIT

[@illumin42]

i mean his statement is true in general + he's a good ass player

[@ItzMeZyfer]

Hikaru is literally the second best player behind magnus, and on top of that, he’s the highest rated blitz player with a rating exceeding stock fish on 3400. That rule doesn’t apply to him.

[@MozartAmadeus-fm5dd]

@@ItzMeZyferSecond best player, no Fabi is the second best player

[@ChessAndNotCheckers]

​@@MozartAmadeus-fm5ddNot at blitz

[@Master_King_JJ]

@@MozartAmadeus-fm5dd magnus on top , hikaru second,

[@LexieLimitless]

SO GOOD! Can't imagine how much patience was required during the training, filming AND editing of this video. You killed it Michelle!

[@MichelleKhare]

Thank you so much, Lexie !! :D

[@user-di3bi9fd8y]

Hi

[@LivingListed]

😍😍you two 🥰

[@handlemonium]

@@MichelleKhare Glad you started off playing the Queen's Gambit. 👍

[@MrSupernova111]

You too! Every youtuber I follow is here! Hi Lexie! haha

[@AnnaCramling]

Congrats Michelle on this video! You’re honestly one of the most hard-working and inspiring people I’ve ever met, it was so much fun coaching you! You’re amazing!! ❤️

[@Navaknown]

❤

[@thisisthemansworld8704]

Anna Cramling 😍

[@foryourspirit3995]

You really need to smile more Anna! 😁

[@antonyantony6343]

All the best for upcoming Olympiad chess games.

[@roxydzey]

why this comment got less attention from fans and no response from Michelle while all other people who helped her got the response? :D

[@SludgePit-e5w]

Levi: "I'll be your instructor" Levi: *Immediately flexes with blindfold*

[@classonbread5757]

IT'S LEVY NOT LEVI

[@Asterx5]

typical "LEVI"

[@LqwAbidingCitizen]

@@classonbread5757 LEVI!!

[@thesupersisters6415]

It is levy. Not levi

[@LqwAbidingCitizen]

@@thesupersisters6415 cap

[@engin3er]

Ok but HOW in the WORLD did you get Levy AND Hikaru in one video

[@letsdomath1750]

Money and social media connections. 🤔🤷‍♂️

[@Arodrim]

I think they are all in the same media company, botez as well

[@contextinvideos]

chess is not like big movie actors. it also helps that hikaru and levy are chess personalities

[@NotSoUselessFacts]

They do stuff together lots

[@MistPlayzYT]

It Was Uploaded 2 Years Ago Man

[@tamannasharma4855]

Everytime I see Michelle cry, my heart just breaks. Why does this woman undermine herself so much?! You are absolutely amazing Michelle. Amazing! People, like me, genuinely would love to be in a place like yours where you take a challenge, not just go through with it always but conquer it everytime! And here I struggle with just taking the first step. You are amazing Michelle. Thank you for literally blessing our lives.

[@aliceinwonderlust]

Literally said everything ive ever wanted to say

[@NahlaAnwer]

Exactly what I wanted to say!

[@LetticeTravels]

TBH every time I see Michelle cry I think she's faking it. Like there has to be a narrative arc. There has to be a low moment which she can then turn around.

[@LetticeTravels]

Don't get me wrong I love her channel but I think every story has to have a low point otherwise why would people watch.

[@NahlaAnwer]

@@LetticeTravels I mean there has to be a storyline with ups and downs for it to be engaging of course, but I think it's still real, just the magic of editing I guess.

[@halfaheartbongobongo]

The way this challenge ended up was honestly so inspiring. Michelle isn't the first person to do a challenge along the lines of "can I master Chess in X weeks." But the reality of Chess is that it's a hard game. A really hard game. The more you learn about Chess the more you realize how impossible it is to really master it in any short amount of time. Major props to Michelle for reaching that point, but not giving up on the challenge, still wanting to become a better Chess player than she started off and fighting to reach that 1000 ELO milestone. Great video - I would love to see Michelle run it back in a future PogChamps to try to win consolation or even make it to winner's bracket. But regardless of whether she keeps on with Chess or not, this is an achievement that I hope stays with her forever.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

Chess is easy if you're only thinking two moves in advance.

[@renx81]

She should easily be able to make it to the winners bracket at the level of play she's reached at this point, unless she gets really unlucky with the grouping again.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

@@HenryLobber It's mentally easy to think 2-3 moves in advance. If you have chess friends that are just as weak then you could have fun winning and losing.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

@@HenryLobber Chess at the very advanced level is boring cause the 1st 20 moves are memorized.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

@@HenryLobber Can one with a average I.Q become a very good chess player?

[@JohnDulleckA]

Without a doubt, that was the best “Challenge Accepted “ video I’ve seen so far. I followed you through just about every training video before Pogchamps 3 and then watched all of your games during the tournament. Your commentary in this video was perfect, and showcased your journey very very well. Kudos!

[@ladontrellquint4648]

Fantastic journey by Michelle. My only advice would've been to steamroll through some Jeremy Silman books, some Seirawan books, and the Kislik book Applying Logic in Chess, to have a thought process to follow. Really quick books can save a lot of time in the long run, but Michelle was doing this alone, so she couldn't have known.

[@itsofficialyou7014]

Yeah, one of my favourites too, and yes I'm rewatching it 🌹✌️🌼!

[@ananvaypant6076]

​@@ladontrellquint4648 too late to reply ig- I appreciate her efforts but doesnt almost everyone has to do it alone?

[@PujaSingh-cd6qy]

girl. the chess plateau is real. as a under 14 player who has only like 380 rating and started playing barely a month ago after a hiatus, it gets you sooo agitated and frustrated that you cant even think about practise and just become desperate. to anybody who is going through this. Practise will help. like a LOT, Stay strong!

[@ianwu7287]

Any improvement?

[@PujaSingh-cd6qy]

@@ianwu7287 I try! but its so tiring, i dont have time yet, maybe in vacations. I play irl games and I'm excellent around my age group but LITERALLY ZERO TIME

[@arnavnandan]

I am also under 14 but 1800 rating. Practice makes all the difference

[@Phymacss]

Have you improved? :)

[@analogblues]

This is the BEST chess documentary I've ever seen in my life. It has humor, excitement, tension, and a clear love for the game. Michelle - you are such an inspiration. You fought and hustled your way to a 1000 rating. I was cheering you on every step of the way. I knew you could do it. Please always stay with chess and its community for life. You're AMAZING! #castlemania

[@MichelleKhare]

Thank you for this kind review, Daniel!! We are so grateful you're a part of our community!!

[@gasslighterr]

Have you only seen 1 chess documentary?

[@engigames]

​@@gasslighterr shut up

[@BotezLive]

INCREDIBLY DONE ❤️

[@h-fz2184]

Hello

[@MichelleKhare]

My queens!!! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be in this video. 💗 SO grateful to have gotten to learn from you.

[@dev_peace_soul]

Omg I watched you thousands time with samay raina 😁🙏🏻 Love from india 🇮🇳♥

[@nukiesduke6868]

Of course the below average fame obsessed chess girls hopped on the video. LOL. May actually want to feature some actual good female players and not painfully average ones that are just known for their looks.

[@youtubedude3527]

@@MichelleKhare u are amazing and can do literally anything so I We know u are set for life, never stop posting

[@OMGFantasy]

That levy guy is super well spoken, he should start a KZbin channel on chess or something

[@oramasol5610]

When you realized he already did

[@xaifer2485]

@@oramasol5610 .....thats the joke

[@bohanwithb1546]

@@oramasol5610 that's the joke

[@rartros717]

Lol

[@ianbutterfield3671]

It’s Levi

[@marshmellowheadgamer1228]

"it's not about who makes the first blunder, it's about who makes the last blunder" i'm keeping that as a motivational quote

[@kelseydangerous]

you inspire me so much!! I’m so proud of you!!!

[@Asswipes123]

Hello checkmark

[@yaqort3052]

@@Asswipes123 not funny

[@Asswipes123]

@@yaqort3052 yeah genuinely don’t know why I commented this sorry

[@m7mdisenm866]

@@Asswipes123 hey incase you're still feeling bad I'm just here to tell you, you don't have to feel bad

[@Asswipes123]

@@m7mdisenm866 I mean honestly it was 8 months ago I think I’m fine 😂

[@Orimthekeyacolite]

I'm officially addicted to rewatching this shit over and over. I think Michelle really put her finger on the main problem with chess: because it's so much tied to our perception of intelligence, not being good enough makes you feel dumb and embarrassed rather than just treating it as another skill to learn. Once you get over this barrier in your head, it becomes fun

[@aldhairmedico9408]

Apparently, that's my case now... Hope my wife accept my suggestion

[@maxkho00]

@@aldhairmedico9408 I have the opposite "problem". I am really good at chess (for the amount of time that I've been playing), but my tested IQ is nothing out of the ordinary, and now I don't know what to make of it.

[@choreomaniac]

That’s why I quit when I was a kid. There is no excuse for bad luck or anything. You lose because you aren’t as food at chess.

[@justsomeclipsforya91]

@@maxkho00 You just have to learn to apply your mental acuity to other things.

[@maxkho00]

@@justsomeclipsforya91 Oh, I do, no doubt. I usually pick things up very fast and am skilled in a large range of activities. Pretty much the only area in which my "mental acuity" is a limiting factor is IQ tests.

[@MathematicPony]

What an INCREDIBLE video. Chess is so incredibly ancient, and knowing how genius some people are at it from a very young age has always made chess feel inaccessible. But you have once again proven that achieving proficiency is within grasp if you put in the work! You don't have to be a grandmaster to reach a level of play that is enjoyable and interesting and sophisticated. Incredible video.

[@allizbest]

I think that's why I love these. It proves that somebody doesn't HAVE to ready be gifted to be good at something!

[@7rollface]

In one stream Anna Rudolf and Levi Rozman said that 1000-1200 is probably the most enjoyable point for chess. You understand enough to know what’s going on and what you’re doing, and there’s plenty for you to still learn, but it hasn’t yet got to the point where your study is more and more dominated by rote memorisation.

[@Orcahhh]

@@parimtm stfu as you said, chess is a sport, a leisure activity, and I do whatever tf I want in my free time

[@Buggolious]

@@parimtm so every sport in the world is just useless to you huh

[@parimtm]

@@Orcahhh waste of space.... I see

[@fashidox]

As a recent chess starter, it's so refreshing to see someone else crying over this board game. I put so much pressure on myself because I know I'm smart and capable, but I just wasn't seeing results, but I was expecting way too many results in the first few weeks. Chess takes time and when you give it that time, then those results show. Amazing watch.

[@piggytje]

8:40 I love the way she is teaching, so positive and trying also to take the same vibe as michelle while giving commentary on how she plays but in a way that she doesn't feel dumb

[@lunaponta594]

SAME. i was also impressed at the way she handled things. i wish one day i can teach that well

[@arneshpal7702]

No

[@THE__BLUE]

Different b/w teacher and friend

[@Max-js7zr]

Your grandkids would think you are the grandmaster at lying about all the things you've done, if you didn't have this youtube channel as evidence. You've lived a full life and you're still young. Love the videos

[@yasminmartinez]

the grandmaster at LYING FJDKF IM DEAD

[@jdklein033]

Yes, the story of grandma hitting 1k elo would just be too crazy to be believable.

[@kiraop6633]

Levy in this vid: Omg she played the best move , she has great potentials Levy in his vids: Bullshit move, 69 blunder and 420 felonies, must be 10 elo

[@twincherry4958]

🙃

[@EmmanuelLee1691]

😅

[@Meimei-m8r]

Bruh

[@SultanAbdussalam]

Dat true, sometimes I watch him and I'm like "Eureka", then he goes on to destroy the mobe😅

[@testchannel955]

❤❤❤❤Mr beast 😂😂😂😂😺😂😺

[@crazyjgamer4726]

The utter shock and sheer terror on your face when levy put on the blindfold was priceless. Shows how skilled he really is.

[@denisgamesbg9963]

I love how Hikaru is just sitting there like a god of chess

[@aaaa-ym3ky]

like the VIP's in squid game

[@leusmaximusx]

@@aaaa-ym3ky whats a stupid squid game ?

[@Jason-cl6yp]

@@leusmaximusx Splatoon

[@Shadow-nv1px]

@@aaaa-ym3ky bruh😂

[@josh8837]

He’s sitting like everyone else lmao

[@Dark3nedVoid]

Hikaru looked so badass on his throne honestly

[@frostbite1994]

Fr fr

[@marlennijaradze4443]

69 likes🌚

[@JustAgreenBoy6969]

True

[@abhishekshukla1346]

🤣🤣hikaru like a final boss of the game

[@zpond3212]

@Blaze magnus is the secret impossible boss

[@keithgoddard4192]

For what it's worth.... learning Chess is an incredibly humbling experience for just about every person on the planet. It's also one of those things where pretty much the ONLY way to consistently grow and improve is to get whipped, so that you learn from your mistakes. You did amazingly well, and I sincerely hope you continue playing and learning chess. Once you get over the fear of losing (or reacting negatively to losing), it is a lot of fun and very rewarding.

[@user-ic6nm4ol4r]

Lol that's why I love the game. I lose a game and Im like "wow I hate this.... im gonna play another match"

[@Jess-TheMess]

@@user-ic6nm4ol4r deadass

[@dabbasw31]

Yep. In chess even a mediocre player can easily wipe every beginner. The learning curve is very steep. :o If you want to become better you constantly have to face defeat - because the slightest mistake will cost you the game. If you want to become even better you will experience games where you do not make a single clear mistake altogether - but still lose, because the opponent still made better "correct" moves. :)

[@robertwilson3866]

I am actually very confident at chess but in reality am quite bad.

[@Thelaretus]

@@robertwilson3866 Same. I'm like 500 and behave like an expert LUL.

[@maloreally]

Okay, so I know this is an old video, but I just watched it because I am learning to play chess, and this video was actually so helpful to me. I really struggle with wanting to be good at things quickly, and getting extremely frustrated and self-critical when I don't feel like I am progressing rapidly enough (and a lot of my perceptions of what would be good enough are dramatically skewed and unrealistic). Watching how you struggled and hit that same "I HATE CHESS *DOUBLE BIRD*" moment that I definitely get to was really great! And knowing it took you eight months to break 1000 really gave me a more realistic idea of how long it might take me to improve (heck it could take longer than eight months). Instead of thinking I should be better in one month, I feel less heartbroken by each loss knowing this. So anyway, your 2 year old journey helped this random person feel reinvigorated by the chess learning process. Also, super belated congrats! :D

[@prince_zko]

congrats to you too for understanding that! yes, play good takes time. and being good at chess takes even more time! so, til it comes, just enjoy your games sis ;)

[@maloreally]

@@prince_zko thank you! I will definitely be spending more time enjoying the ride. 😊

[@Melanie-ww4yk]

Watching Michelle break down over her fear of not being smart enough is really an eye-opener about perspective. She's an ivy league graduate, who has interned and worked at some of the most sought-after companies for employment in the US and has her own KZbin channel with millions of followers, etc. It's crazy how with all the success she has had in her life so far, she still feels inadequate to her peers/goals. Her honesty/vulnerability is so important, though: I feel like a lot of people struggle with the same self-doubts, no matter how successful they are.

[@niklaswetz1300]

This Just Shows how everybody has His own strenghts

[@baruchspinoza4541]

It took her 1 year to reach 1000 elo, that may be why she has fears of not being smart enough... :/

[@xJoeKing]

Nothing in this video is real. Michelle is a professional actor and storyteller. This video was created to maximize your engagement.

[@FlowerPower-cf2fp]

@Marcel Quach Rewatch the video from 29 mins.

[@ZachAgape]

very true

[@kalli-ope]

"The more memes in chess, the better - because that way we can piss off everybody who is gatekeeping it." - That was the moment this episode won me over. Chess is an absolutely amazing feat of mind when you play it beautifully, and it is hard enough as it is, so gatekeeping is really nothing more than a d*ckmove at that point. Well done for keeping the joy alive.

[@jimai808]

I love that magnus, arguably the greatest chess player of all time, used the bong cloud in an actual tournament and hikaru played the bong cloud accepted in response. You just know the old elitists were malding.

[@hiimdarius]

@@jimai808 they mad

[@laughinggoat9343]

@@jimai808 they tied it with the bongcloud in a tournament by threefold repetition.. legends

[@Morphysince94]

who are these idiots who are gatekeeping chess?? 🤣🤣 The most useless thing in the world!! Never heard about anyone gatekeeping any games which exists in this world 😅, gatekeeping whaaaat?

[@sweertay5563]

what does gatekeeping mean?

[@icringealotnowadays973]

When people say "you can be anything you want" they're talking about this woman istg😭😭

[@dianamusa]

😂😂

[@carolinemurdock3038]

Fr fr

[@kierstynsaoirse]

Why are they talking about her Instagram?

[@sisidiam1096]

Barbie in real life

[@reddd-77]

It took her 8 months just to get to 1000 lol

[@t.c.4321]

That Levi guy seems like a nice chap who is also really good at chess, he should start his own KZbin channel.

[@buggybugs906]

He’s the biggest chess KZbinr rn

[@Tmrx.Watches]

Ba dum tss

[@baoishii]

he should probably name it gothamchess, just seem fitting

[@averagelizard2489]

He should also probably start a series called "Guess the Elo" where his viewers submit their games that Levi analyzes abd then guesses their Elo.

[@twincherry4958]

​@buggybugs906 what's the channel

[@ChrisVillain]

MICHELLE!!!!! NOT ME CRYING WHEN U HIT 1000 🙌🏻😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ IM SO PROUD OF U FRIEND!!!! YOU’RE FEARLESS!!!!!!

[@drakefong1619]

The last game that Michelle played that’s literally the grand example of “it doesn’t matter how you got there” at the end of the day she got her goal. A win is a win

[@KevDoes]

Good on you for sticking through! This was such a fun video to watch, and I really enjoyed how you went deeper and discussed what "being bad" at chess made you feel - it's something we have probably all felt

[@T1J]

why did a chess video make me cry

[@justabeardedguythatisahero9848]

you are here too ??

[@Money4Nothing]

I'm not crying, you're crying.

[@Dasel22]

This is gods burner account

[@i_n_c_r_y_p_t_o]

i know right

[@FICFriendsInCompany]

Its enough to make a grown man cry, and its okay❤️

[@actuallyfungi1384]

I'm currently in a bit of an obsession with chess and this is the most inspiring thing I could have watched. The editing was amazing and I'm so glad to have followed along with your journey

[@nairm]

I feel the exact same!

[@lunaponta594]

same. youtube is doing things with me. ALL MY RECOMMENDEDS ARE CHESS HELP ME

[@lunaponta594]

@indp. iv P O S I T I O N ! ? look at you using chess vocabulary out of a sudden!! at least yours makes sense, i'm caching myself saying "losing material" on situations the phrase just doesnt work, help me.

[@thatNPC1]

sameee omg

[@101pingking8]

Same!

[@katyanderson1413]

32:06 i straight up like almost cried. she's so hyped for michelle 😭

[@hollyray4884]

this might be my favorite episode in the series. i still don't understand how to play chess, but i was gripped by the complexity and your resilience

[@jesuslovesyou2616]

Jesus Christ died for your sins please repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand 17283

[@kaumudimahajan7739]

it feels like years that i've spent waiting for this

[@MichelleKhare]

Me too

[@nikkicole54321]

“Its been 84 yrs. 😹”

[@nomekop777]

I love that you got hikaru in this almost mystical throne room thing, ready to dispense his wisdom

[@danielvanommeren3968]

Dispenser Of Wisdom dispens your wisdom.

[@twincherry4958]

Hikaru?

[@reachthezora1912]

@@twincherry4958Nakamura Hikaru

[@MadaxeMunkeee]

Also he never actually trains her or anything, he just speaks from on high 😂

[@charleevelasquez3632]

I love how real Michelle is, It doesn't feel like iI' watching a KZbinr it feels like I'm watching a friend, it was comforting when she talked about her feelings during the match, she's overall a great KZbinr and super fun, ik that this is a old video but I love to see all your growth, Keep growing Michelle

[@Multitaskingrightnow]

I am so proud of you Michelle for sticking with it and getting the 1.000 ELO. You worked so hard for this. You did great sweetie!!!

[@trisin4k]

omg i literally ADORE anna rudolf's energy and style of teaching

[@clarab.7680]

right? her cheering michelle on at the end was so adorable

[@peterpupe8352]

Yeah, anna is too nice for this world. Shes the best

[@Antondmt1]

Hikaru introduces himself in a position like he’s a king of the chess kingdom haha

[@speeddemon2901]

Someone call magnus ...🤣🤣

[@brendanpolk6038]

Yeah isnt he 2nd blitz in the world?

[@TheMrBonzz]

@@brendanpolk6038 he's still the number 1 blitz player in the world.

[@ofiraviv8458]

@@TheMrBonzz no he's not, he lost about 16 points on his last tourny which made him #2 after Carlsen

[@adrianbanhao7977]

@@ofiraviv8458 lol because of drawing in st louis he lost points

[@roxydragon77]

A year ago I started playing chess after watching this video and today I hit that 1000 elo mark. Thank you Michelle 💜

[@retro_sounds]

I don't know if I'm getting old or what, but I cried like a baby when she won that last game. This is better storytelling than most of Netflix.

[@canaltunan8620]

im 25 male. i cried.

[@alexandertimpson3221]

The true queens gambit

[@walterwhite5916]

bro she was handed the win💀

[@sable4539]

@@walterwhite5916 💀💀

[@Chloilas]

Spoiler alert. Was just browsing comments during initial ads lol

[@InfinityRift7]

Levy playing blindfolded was HILARIOUS to watch, especially when you factor in the reaction Michelle had.

[@ckobo84]

Him saying chess players aren't intelligent ...makes me think he has no clue how intelligent the average person is

[@HighlyCruciferous]

Playing blindfolded is nothing special. Weak flex. He should have played with a large material handicap instead.

[@Thomas-xb9nh]

​@@ckobo84that was not what he was saying, he is saying that you do not have to be intelligent to play chess

[@larry1816]

​@@HighlyCruciferousHow bro felt after saying it was a "weak flex": ✨ 💪🗿

[@eliasvonbrille]

I am glad that Levy is clearing up this IQ chess myth. Maybe there is a slight difference at the absolute highest lvl (not enough to be particularly impressive and probably not causal) but on let's say expert to master lvl it makes literally no difference whatsoever. I can guarantee you that. My trainer was mentally handicapped (2200 rated) and always completely bear my ass just to give one example. He simply knows the game better than me.

[@bryanjacobs9680]

First of all, as someone that has played chess for close to 20 years (on and off), I am impressed with the results that Michelle made in a short time. Chess is a game that you have to play for months at the very least to become good at. It takes time to recognize patterns and then feel comfortable enough playing against someone else that has also been playing for a while. You did great Michelle :)

[@upisntdownsilly]

bruh she spent several months and got to a level that would be unrated for fide rating

[@miamiedits]

I know I spent a few days practicing but I got frustrated that all of my friends were better than me so I quit but I’m looking to get better now

[@bryanjacobs9680]

@@upisntdownsilly I mean, we are talking about someone that has never played before. It's like someone picking up a brand new instrument and trying to play with a Jazz band in a few months. Chess is one of those things that you need to just play for a while to get decent at.

[@upisntdownsilly]

@@bryanjacobs9680 i know, but my point is that her improvement is abit slow, like on average a young child would be able to get a rating in like 1-2 years if theyre more dedicated and thats without the apparent multiple hours she spent every day, even other pogchamps competitors who barely had any teaching sessions off camera did better

[@favlam1408]

@@upisntdownsilly to be fair, a young child is a perfect time to learn anything new. As you get older, you'll lose your learning ability.

[@adminintern1]

This was heart warming. Your other challenge videos are one thing, but an odyssey like this is so much more! Its something else. Well done Michelle, you courage in sticking with this in the face of self-doubt and failure is inspiring.

[@jackjax7921]

3:00 Hikaru looks like a Yakuza boss but when he streams feels like your childhood best friend you havent seen in a long time.😂

[@cubicinfinity2]

That's really true.

[@solymar5411]

Except he's not

[@Ryan-hf4pe]

he didn’t care

[@br00talcabbage64]

Awesome! What a switch from the more physically and emotionally demanding challenges you’ve done! Mental challenge! How rad!

[@Nick-ov4cc]

Hikaru lookin like a chess villain 😂😂

[@zpond3212]

He is

[@Rami-bi9xj]

fr lol

[@ramanahveljeyaseelan5406]

I'm always considered the person who people don't like cheering for in competitions- Hikaru

[@kieranl]

Bros the chess final boss

[@LSam01]

@@zpond3212 That's Niemman.

[@letsdomath1750]

I love and admire your persistence, Michelle! You have an indefatigable spirit, and its inspiring to watch you surmount obstacles, both external and internal. 😄

[@pizzaguy6006]

i like how everyone is helping michelle and hikaru is just siting down on a grand-looking chair with 2 dim lights commentating on everything. dude is like the boss, like the master of all grandmasters.

[@Replis]

He is the boss though.

[@rydes1662]

@@Replis It's a throne lol

[@nilsdula7693]

The master of grandmasters is Carlsen lol

[@shehabgamal8640]

@@nilsdula7693 Magnus is better i guess but they are pretty much on the same level, grandmasters among grandmasters.

[@odomisan]

That was the backseat the chat put him on

[@laurendegelia964]

Levy: I’m going to wear a blindfold Michelle: 👁👄👁

[@dinospumoni5611]

32:17 I love how excited Anna is, like she's watching her own daughter.

[@ilovecheesecakee]

Anna was literally the most supportive person each time. I hope we can all find our own Anna in our life. She truly is such an encouraging, sincere and committed coach. We love Anna so much.

[@burnicebrown9272]

Right!! Castlemania

[@arneshpal7702]

No

[@medusa7690]

She’s definitely gonna be using castle mania

[@HarveyCone]

That was a truly beautiful video. It told a story from start to finish and kept me captivated the whole time. i was actually sad that it ended. It was a true story of drive and discipline, and will to accomplish what you set your mind too. Congratulations on completing your chess journey!

[@r.l.6937]

I LOVE how sincere and driven Michelle is in every single video, but this one had another level of dedication. Loved it.

[@winfried3208]

I have never seen Levy that well-behaved

[@LoveyoDance]

And that man still cursed Levy is the man!

[@ultraslay7635]

Lol Same

[@Warren_The_Metamorphing_Camel]

yes i like to see that side of him more

[@arneshpal7702]

Ackerman

[@Warren_The_Metamorphing_Camel]

@@arneshpal7702 ackerman? what does it mean?

[@caramelcoffees]

Anna and her "It's Castlemania!!" had me at the edge of my seat cheering. Lovely to have someone so supportive and excited for you in your corner

[@brianthespyro]

I want to say that seeing her learn how to play chess inspired me to play chess, I'm still not the best but over the time I've gotten better

[@grantdillon3420]

You captured quite accurately what goes on behind-the-scenes in chess, and helped to dispel this myth that, "oh it's just those brilliant people that breeze through chess learning that are the good players." You've captured that everyone has tears and frustration and has to fight through the disappointments and the sense of inadequacy to actually make it in the world of chess.

[@blackpaperclip7682]

I remember when i was 9 competitive chess match in Ukraine and i lost like 3 games and only won one of the games and then i cried and then i won every single one from there

[@gcollins1992]

Michelle, this is amazing. What I loved most about it, aside from the "never give up" moment of choosing to stick with it until 1000, was how thoroughly you represented the game. The stigma behind it, its newfound growth, how complicated it can be, how silly you can feel because it is depicted in media as a sign of intelligence, but everyone starts out a beginner, even how incredibly frustrating it is to "plateau" and yet still truly WANT to be better... all of those aspects were spotlighted in a way I don't think I've seen before. Thank you, and congratulations!

[@jout738]

What you mean thoroughly present the chess game. She was not presenting the game. She was herself playing it trying to get better it, while she just beginner, that had not much experience, so of course the profesionals with years of exprience straight of get rekted her, but atleast she got few wins against some other noobs she can be happy about.

[@n0visual541]

@@jout738 chess is about climbing the ladder.

[@aok2075]

Crazy inspiring. She literally went from "I know how the pieces move" to 1000.

[@mono1813]

Which is pretty normal considering the 8 months deduction tbf. Nothing crazy.

[@reddd-77]

@@mono1813 yea, she took 8 months to get to 1000 lmao.

[@reddd-77]

It took her 8 months lmao

[@MrTrollo2]

to be fair, I was rather surprised by how little progress this was. I know people who I'd consider average in such kind of things that got further with less afford...

[@reddd-77]

@@MrTrollo2 exactly, she had direct coaching and advice from masters and it seems like she consistently put in hours of practice a day for at least a month. Even then it took her 8 months just to get to 1000. I suspect that this is because she made getting better at chess Alot more complicated and difficult than it really is. She was writing down pages of notes and she really was "training like a grandmaster", but you can't do that when you're a sub 1000 player. All she needed to do to surpass 1000 was play dozens of puzzles and games everyday and she would probably be around 1500 by now. I feel like she mightve had this notion that there are secret methods to "get good" at chess quick or smth when in reality all you need to do to improve is play consistently, look at KZbin videos and learn from your mistakes. In the end, I think all of the first hand coaching she received actually mightve stunted her development because she was learning to run before she could even walk. It's just a theory though and I've never actually watched any of her 1 on 1 coaching sessions so I could be completely wrong. It's either this or she's just that bad at chess which I highly doubt.

[@brofenix]

You did great in your training and performance in the tournament, Michelle :) The end of the video did seem like you struggling to accept you didn't meet your expectations for yourself, and I hope you didn't beat yourself up too much.

[@Toshineko]

As a chess player myself, I cannot help but relate to you, Michelle. There were times where I hated losing and hanging my pieces, especially my queen. I got so frustrated that I got a feeling that the game was unfair or rigged against me because my rating hasn't been improving much, and even with puzzles, I got frustrated with them sometimes. But this video really inspired me, because of the fact that when it comes to chess, you have to deal with loss and learn how to learn from your mistakes, and eventually, you will come to a point where you can overcome a rating plateau. So I just want to say thank you for this video, Michelle. :)

[@andresgonzalez887]

"I got so frustrated that I got a feeling that the game was unfair or rigged" well whites do have a slight advantage

[@badomen7199]

What is your rating?

[@pizzaguy6006]

imagine how stressful must it be to play chess when an international master and a grandmaster is spectating your game

[@Selah_Szari]

Love it even know there are many female chess players I have always felt like I cant play chess. Professionally even know it haven't been somthing I have wanted to do I just haven't felt like somthing as a women I can do and as a women I am self conscious about my self so I dont feel comfortable. This has helped me alot. Thank you

[@MichelleKhare]

YOU CAN DO IT!!

[@Selah_Szari]

@@MichelleKhare Thank you so much!

[@nathanielpotter7621]

Seeing this video reminded me of my own journey in chess improvement many years ago; your storytelling captures the ups and downs of winning, losing, and 'tilting' in a way that any level of player could relate to. Truly, a compelling story and maybe you'll push beyond 1000!

[@issyschulz5509]

so well done and produced. i wasnt going to watch it because it was chess but im so glad i trusted your amazing content it was so interesting and amazing entertainment for someone who like yoy said in the beginning, only knows the basic moves of chess. not my thing but one of my favourite videos youve done. love you michelle

[@MichelleKhare]

Thanks for giving this vid a shot :) so happy you enjoyed it!

[@minecraftmasters2718]

At 6:32 I literally cried for Levy's soul...this journey was amazing

[@Rick12341]

I have commented

[@LateLater1]

I also have commented

[@hindustanimapper]

Even I commented lol

[@HaveYouSeenConnorJohn]

Do you know the song at the end?

[@greenonionsalad]

@@HaveYouSeenConnorJohn clair de lune

[@aimmuno]

Can we have a moment to also mention how excellent this video is edited ? The story boards , interviewing scenes , animation , the footage inserted between dialogues. Everything just flows in a magnificent manner , thumbs up to those editors ! I'm so happy to see all my favorite chess influencers help making this video possible too ! This is a really well - made video. I'm certain that this will help boost the chess community for sure!

[@cubermason8594]

1:50 Just saw the checkmate. Gotham Chess put the bishop to c5 because if he put the bishop to c5 (Bc5), then he will put the queen to f2 and it will be checkmate if she didn’t move the pieces surrounding her king.(Qf2#) The queen was protected by the bishop at c5.

[@tc16169]

23:07 😂 As someone who doesn't play much chess, this is precisely my thought process at this point in the game, when it feels like every opponent piece is protected and moving any and every one of your pieces would result in another piece not being protected anymore. So damn relatable 😁

[@seancarterx]

This is the most wholesome thing ever. I remember hitting 1000 too after a long 900 plateau and it felt soooo good. Now nearing 1400 and still feel the same exact things you do. Keep at it and thank you for such an inspiring video 😊

[@ujwallamichhane1820]

what was your roadmap to get out of 1000 to 1400? i am hardstuck in 1000 :(

[@foxygamerxdyt7356]

@@ujwallamichhane1820 I'm not 1400, I'm 1200 but doing puzzles got me out of 1000 in like a week, i can't afford to buy a membership, so I have 3 accounts to do 9 puzzles daily, 3 puzzle rush (survival) and 3 puzzle battles, i try to play 3 daily games and analyse the 3 of them whether I win or lose, Also watching GothamChess helped me a lot. Hope it helps!

[@mphenomenal]

yo.. I reached 1500 and immediately got curbstomped back to 1400.. its wild out here

[@8461529]

I reached 2100 cc blitz and kinda got stuck, but I am 2150 rn and have a good opportunity to go for 2200

[@1stcwp]

It took me over 1 year playing to get to 1000 rating. And maybe 3 months since that still haven't cracked 1100 😭😭

[@enzoazarraga5839]

Hikaru's entrance was awesome with the Chair looking like a throne, and the violins in the background with him saying he's the number 1 in the world was so perfect

[@Sofiasdaydreams]

I’m cackling 😂 it was perfect

[@twincherry4958]

Is he that good?

[@enzoazarraga5839]

@@twincherry4958 He is not only good, He is a Titan this guy went up against me without his queen and his rooks and I lost dearly and I'm a very good chess player in my city

[@sloganreadersloganreader6736]

@@twincherry4958Hikaru Nakamura is rated third globally I believe. If you want to see just how good he is, I think this video shows a good example: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2auY55jf66Epdk&pp=ygUjaGlrYXJ1IGRyYXdpbmcgYXJyb3dzIGZvciA0IG1pbnV0ZXM%3D Even Levy Rozman, an International Master is temporarily dumbfounded by his thought process.

[@mattiguess8094]

​@@twincherry4958yes

[@noidph]

Hi Michelle! This is the 2nd video I've watched from your channel. (Just watched the Secret Service one -- so fun!-- and subscribed.:)) I admire your dedication to your craft and to improving yourself. This video is A+ in its storytelling. Greetings from a fellow chess player from the Philippines! (Haven't played in decades though hehe.) Can't believe I missed this video during the pandemic. :) Keep up the great work! Will binge on the rest of your vids.😊🙏❤👏

[@soshiangel90]

This one was so mentally taxing I couldn't even *watch* it all in one day let alone imagine what you went through for 8 MONTHS. I'm so proud of you for sticking with it and hitting your goal! You really are proof positive that anyone can do anything if they have the drive and the support.

[@ASMRChess]

This is some of the best and most inspirational chess content I've ever seen! Michelle you are amazing!

[@jsomebadmemeh833]

Don’t worry you got some nice content too :)

[@cheeze5875]

Waiting for the day you get your all important checkmark

[@lemonstrangler]

samee

[@DemoTrucking]

From Pawn to Queen: Journal/Notebook 200 pages to write in by Adriane Williams

[@infinitediscovery3735]

you might love this chess content even more :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoXLg2psmcmirNE

[@pasttenseroyalty]

Seeing the moment when you kept going after the challenge was over is SO inspiring!! I watched in real time on Instagram and Twitch how hard you worked at getting that 1000 ELO and how much it meant to you to finally get there. Thank you for taking this on and sharing the journey with us!!

[@pasttenseroyalty]

Also this video made me cry multiple times, thank you for the amazing storytelling in this video!!

[@samuelallred2058]

This was so exciting and well made! I remember reaching the 1000 mark a few years back and feeling that same elation. You’re awesome, thanks for sharing this chess journey.

[@scottwoodrum6777]

This is so awesome! I spent so much time during quarantine watching everyone in this video and your chess journey. I’m so impressed how well put together this video is and how much it captures in 30 minutes

[@MHonari]

This chess journey was my introduction to Michelle's work, and God, she's such an amazing person! Every time I saw her on Twitch playing chess after PogChamps, it made me smile and inspired me.

[@g.3521]

Hikaru looking like the final boss of chess

[@ganymedecyrus_]

lol 😂

[@HedgeHogMan650]

well he is

[@mintchevvv1834]

@@HedgeHogMan650Magnus

[@schofer1556]

​@@mintchevvv1834 Nah, this is kinda like Messi and Ronaldo in soccer, you may like one more but both are very good at chess and I'm sure that next generations of chess players will grow up knowing about both of them

[@bruckeundkeinzweck]

Magnus is clearly better tho

[@moniquejavier5114]

michelle, Never give up ok. you went through so many challenges. YOU ARE AMAZING.

[@willlarsen8025]

levy is just the best dude, he stayed up late decoding her game and giving her advice

[@killo0ophobia]

He loves chess of course he would do that, not to downplay him it’s just something I would expect from Levy 🎉 good man

[@aminechnnoufi5606]

Hikaru : michelle is improving Also Hikaru : I literally don’t Khare

[@bernardobila4336]

😂😂

[@ashleygard203]

*care

[@vladivascanu108]

@@ashleygard203 he spelled it like that sarcastically

[@NaNa-pv6cg]

@@ashleygard203 its a pun

[@explodedgaming4019]

@@NaNa-pv6cg ya

[@Design_Nerd]

This video is literally a definition of passion! Huuuuge props to Michelle for hard work and not giving up!

[@nickkosmachev1646]

hey great video and great job bringing in all these professional players CONGRATS on reaching the 1000

[@CareyFan]

I started out being very skeptical as I watched this. Just another chess video, right? But I could feel Michelle's genuine highs...and genuine lows, too. It felt very real, because it WAS real. Congratulations on your achievement. I felt like you achieved a grandmaster title, and it was fun to watch your journey.

[@MichelleKhare]

Thanks for giving our video a shot :)

[@tckgkljgfl7958]

Im really thankful the music in the video told me exactly how i am supposed to feel every step of the way, too. That way i didnt have to make up my mind about chess at all, too. Twas all there!

[@michaelk8637]

I agree. This video was actually significantly better than I imagined. Huge props to Michelle.

[@jout738]

What is so impressive about noticing Michelles genuine lows ans highs. Michelle as beginner who does not have much experience or know how to play chess well lost of course to all profesionals, but still was not worst one there with few people being even worse, than her, so she can be happy about that.

[@allthingsfun2044]

Grandmaster title 🤣 the disrespect, the audacity!

[@chessgains8075]

4:00 Naka explaining the Bong Cloud with a straight face and in such a serious way is too funny XD

[@Nora4real]

Lol yup XD

[@yassinwaleedissa1142]

This is why he is here

[@robinsonwinnie5330]

Wild to see those early training videos! Honestly, I don't think most people can appreciate the amount of work this took, or the amount of growth from day one to day *mumblemumble*. Such a fun journey! CASTLEMANIA!!!

[@danlw212]

I only recently started watching your channel, thanks to Jet Lag. I have watched you go through Marine boot camp; police, fire and paramedic training; standing in the middle of the Globe of Death (?) on day 1 at the circus; climb up an 85 foot rock, only to prove to yourself that you could; learn to sing and dance in front of an audience just to be able to put together an 8 minute video (awesome, btw). For some reason I got more emotional at the end of this one. You didn’t put yourself in harm’s way like most of the others, but you were still able to control your emotions even when you thought they were going to get the best of you.

[@KhiTurner]

_Thank you for showing everyone how hard it is to get to a 1000 rating! Now I'm on track to 2000, congrats to all chess players developing and learning!_

[@medhanshkaushik383]

It takes an average of roughly 4 months to get to 1000 from 600 . In the gotham discord server I usually saw this trend.

[@adrianrocha49]

Some of these players are prodigies, she is not one of them and neither am I. I started playing when I was a teenager and now at the age of 30, I am barely at 1500. The fact that she did that in eight months, shows that she was very dedicated, props.

[@aClownBaby-]

@@medhanshkaushik383 there’s people stuck at 980 for months and months and months

[@tlanimass952]

@@aClownBaby- Maybe they just don't practice/play enough and take breaks? Or don't solve puzzles/opening? I think any random person who can operate a computer can reach 1000 elo in chess with enough practice, it doesn't require any special intelligence or skills really.

[@TSH425]

@@tlanimass952 I agree but it is still a great accomplishment that 1000 rating my be around average but it feels so good the rush u get from having it is insane

[@neaituppi7306]

The blindfold is a thing they do. I seen a grandmaster play someone blindfolded, where the other person was actually a highly experienced chess player. When I would watch him play, he would beat people easily. But when he played the grandmaster, it looked like he didn't even know what he was doing. It is funny how the perception changes.

[@dreamer7770]

Timur Gareyev holds the word record for most blindfold chess games played simultaneously. He played 48, with a winrateof 80%.

[@maximussaktish]

Levy actually beat a chessmaster while blindfolded once

[@dreamer7770]

@@maximussaktish It'll be news if he hasn't done that.

[@adrianrocha49]

Chess is very humbling. It is one of the games that you cannot shortcut your way through. You can cheat with a computer, but if you genuinely want to improve by playing it yourself, it can be very grueling. Levy made HS video earlier this week called "chess is pain" and never has there been a more accurate title for a chess video or description of chess in general.

[@emrecankarabacak]

Hey Michelle, this is the first time I'm hearing of you, and that's probably on me, but what an amazing accomplishment. Chess is a really tough game. All of us who played it know it for a fact. Chess will destroy your soul and any confidence you may have in yourself. But it also gives you the only purest form of enjoyment you can get out of a game. The beauty of chess is even if you don't know any openings, any traps, you can still succeed. And playing a near perfect game of chess cannot be matched by anything else. You can always keep improving and keep learning new stuff in chess, but you don't have to. In the end, chess is not about winning and losing. Chess is about willpower. Learn from blunders and defeats, and accept wins with grace. And you have shown your willpower, that's all that matters. Now you have been bitten by the bug like all of us. You can always stop playing chess, but chess will never leave you for the rest of your life. Good luck.

[@natasdabsi1138]

Loveee your comment, whats your username on the chess app

[@omdeole]

After watching this i feel like i just watched an amazing movie Also at the start she tells levy that the bishop is better at 6:32 and naw watch her at 33:04 planing.... Truly amazing...

[@avivit98]

During this video with you I realized a few things about myself: 1. You're amazing, the way you face a challenge is not simple at all it's crazy to me. 2. You gave me motivation to try to play chess myself. 3. I discovered a way to deal with difficult moments. Thank you. Thanks.