Niemann's Chess Is Utterly Bizarre

Hans Niemann's Chess Is Utterly Bizarre. This is his round 7 game in the London Chess Classic against Mateusz Bartel. very strange chess from Niemann, missing fairly straight forward tactics for super GM chess players and with a lot of time on his clock!
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#niemann #hansniemman #chess #epicchess

[@rccc5806]

Great game, although aside Niemann's miss, he wasn't actually the one pushing forward, it was Bartel doing the crazy stuff.

[@epicchess2021]

Yeah true!

[@samuelhakansson6680]

So you did essentially use clickbait tactics here. Gonna block your channel now.

[@epicchess2021]

No I genuinely thought Niemann’s play was a bit bizarre, but as you wish, sorry to see you go!

[@michaelgrant2132]

​@@samuelhakansson6680your loss. This is one of the clearest and most informative chess channels out there. All killer no filler.

[@MislavIvkovic-sx8vd]

​@@epicchess2021this is like Nezmedinov vs Tall and Tall have to defende😂

[@Akronstudent]

It is nice to see MatiBar playing such a romantic chess. He is always more creative and extra motivated playing against famous opponents and this game is a prime example

[@leandrobaluyotjr5181]

True !

[@JS_Precision]

What a game by Bartel!! Beautiful chess, wild attacking, sacs and exchange sacs, relentless pressure! The eval bar said it was crazy to do it but people are not computers. Magnus also frequently is down on the eval bar and wins later.

[@marcellodelira5601]

A good prep by Bart. Took his chances and won👏🏼

[@johnwest7993]

Hans plays almost as weird as Stockfish.

[@shinyam75]

strange how that works

[@alexkt3400]

Just pick the second best move of the engine once or twice per game and you're set. Hard to prove and pays off over time. The weirdness of his games is that in all his mediocrity (for a GM anyway), he every now and then plays a kramnik procedure inducing move.

[@chrism3790]

Niemann keeps flip flopping between club and stockfish level play. 😂

[@epicchess2021]

Yeah lol

[@ivanviehoff6025]

I wouldn't characterise it like that. Weaker players make fairly frequent inaccuracies. But Niemann mostly plays well, but with occasional large blunders. It's quite different. Here, he showed excellent defensive judgment, while the other guy made a series of unsound attacking moves, until he blundered very badly, a move so easy that I found it watching the game live. It is unusual to see Niemann defending well against an attack, because normally he's the one making the attack. I hope he takes heart from the bit he did well. True, after the blunder, he played badly, losing too easily from a still defensible position. I would guess he realised he'd blundered, and lost the will to fight on.

[@TheSoulBlossom]

Yeah he plays top engine moves first and then not to be caught he goes for the 7th or 8th top move ​@@ivanviehoff6025

[@danutagalecka2497]

keeps flipping between club and stockfish play :)

[@floretionguru2977]

I thought you might have been exaggerating but that game really was one of the craziest I've ever seen. Great commentary!

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks very much!

[@ferventheat]

I'll say it, the weirdness speaks for itself

[@johanvanveen1940]

Nice to see your channel keeps growing. I have been watching since you had 200 viewers per video. You narrate very well and for a 2000 ELO player like myself the tempo of the analysis is just perfect. Keep it up

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks very much yeah it’s been a journey!

[@luisdelvalle4862]

Sometime you have access to stockfish sometimes you cannot bypass security.

[@leandrobaluyotjr5181]

Wonderful & amazing game ! Thank you & more success to your video/ podcast .

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot!

[@shakirjoseph9115]

At 9:44 when he said " and now this is where the game just turns insane", I was like.....that ship has sailed. Insanity prevailed in this game way before that moment...btw, that was a classic. Your explanation is very educational.

[@epicchess2021]

Haha Thanks very much

[@jessejordache1869]

The ghost of Tal whispered in Bartel's ear.

[@whatsmylogin]

I enjoyed this video as much as any other chess video I've seen. The game was a hardcore cliffhanger, and the commentary was majorly instructional and entertaining. Give everyone concerned a cigar.

[@epicchess2021]

Haha Thanks very much glad you enjoyed appreciate the comment!

[@HRaz100]

Fantastic creativity from both players!

[@12ollin47s]

It is always unfortunate when your butt batteries die and force you to perform a Rectotez Gambit

[@AgelessStones]

Exhilarating stuff, great commentary also very instructive bru

[@epicchess2021]

thanks a lot!

[@Doddster1983]

The lost bluetooth connection to his beads spoke for itself

[@mrevilducky]

Love your commentary You have it all to make it big in the chess commentary space And of course, another Hans classic 😅

[@tonyb9735]

In all fairness, I'd say this was a Bartel classic.

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks very much yeah it’s hard to take your eyes of his games right now!

[@davidgatheral792]

Excellent commentary of an exciting game. Thanks.

[@epicchess2021]

thanks very much!

[@paulbloemen7256]

I guess even the great Michail Tal would have been impressed.

[@barnyarkoudos3373]

I don't know how you do it but you make chess really entertaining while staying up-to-date with top players. Keep going, absolutely addicted to the channel.

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks very much glad to hear! Cheers for watching

[@mikemac1298]

This guy is totally not cheating. I mean, he told me himself...

[@azimjonxotamov8223]

His game speaks for itself

[@kareandersson]

I agree with Bartel that Niemann's play is likely normal in London.

[@sam-lz6pi]

incredible stuff, well done Mateusz!

[@inoderlulzer5163]

Thanks for keeping my subscription feed and my mind filled with with epic chess!

[@epicchess2021]

No worries glad you’re enjoying!

[@steelsteez6118]

this game was wild! Great video

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot !

[@SelectCircle]

- The DRAMA of a PAWN move! You could call an F1 race. - LOOK AT THAT!

[@Simon-xi8tb]

I was like "Aaaaaaaaahhh" when he showed that queen check.

[@Arctic_Dude]

Excellent analysis as usual.

[@epicchess2021]

thanks a lot!

[@michaelgrant2132]

Cool game. Good analysis as always. 👍

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks very much!

[@ethan073]

WILD attack and defense 👏

[@olafslartibartfast5248]

Very impressive tactics by Bartel and great defense by Niemann.

[@albertmcmullen2669]

Parhaps Hans lent his beads to his oppenent on this occasion.

[@TruthSurge]

11:25 what to do... bring right black rook over to d2 CHECK. queen takes rook takes CHECK AGAIN king has to move then black queen to g6 to protect the pawn to queen square but prob is that he'll advance anyway and queen takes queen, rook takes queen. Now white is ahead on pieces. It's hard to see into the future what if what if what if.

[@lonelysonofgod97]

Good vid as always, but I would like if there was a flower or something on the top shelf...

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks a lot and yeah I know I need to work on it lol

[@brianbailey3374]

James, Magnus wouldn't even allow these lines,variations.

[@jal2550]

Hans was literally in a completely Winning position....so devastating!

[@shmvon]

Bartel playing like Tal

[@todesque]

Bartal. 😂

[@Boiknoikchesshero]

That's a very wild game 😅

[@zelandakhniteblade5436]

A very misleading title. Hans' chess was completely normal, if somewhat error-prone. Bartel was doing the crazy stuff and congratulations to him for it. It is also a good indication that Hans' opponents are confident he is not cheating - you just don't go into lines like this against a strong computer.

[@henkdachief]

best comment

[@epicchess2021]

Fully get where you coming from but I disagree - one moment he pulls out a 2946 performance and the next he squanders a +10 advantage with 40 minutes on the clock… btw I am not suggesting he’s cheating, far from it, I never have, I just find his chess bizarre, very erratic

[@ChristopheDepret]

​@@epicchess2021bartel say hans was badly sick so bad he feel he had a advantage

[@dalriada]

It’s like watching the TCEC World Cup finals

[@lastonkalonda1480]

WEIRD STUFF FOR SURE those guys we're having fun I believe

[@marcellodelira5601]

Who's the daddy now, eh? A brilliant computer prep by Bartel! 👏🏼🎉

[@spirejfk7879]

Awesome game and Awesome Analysis!!

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks as always!

[@RazielDeTam]

Reminds me my barbarian attacks😅 hard to calculate, but there could be something

[@the-uglythe-ugly-and-the-u3825]

One of the biggest weakness from Hans is that he doesn't take the time to think in the most decisives moments, like when he was completely winning with +8 advantage and 30 Minutes to play the right move

[@JohnDuthie]

My head is spinning after that one. Hans has lost two games now after his insane performance in the Tournament of Peace. No chance he's winning any longer but I hope he can recover in the few games left. 2 games? I forget.

[@epicchess2021]

Yeah must be 2 because 10 players and that was round 7

[@DaaimShabazz]

He plays too much. You cannot maintain this form with no rest.

[@stewiegriffin6503]

if Niemann is such genius , how come he lost +10 advantage with 40 minutes on the clock. He was playing the end game on his own, and you could see how bad he is.

[@robmcewen4621]

This game is a great example of how/why many many games between grandmasters - likely ended in a resignation PREMATURELY! For many of these games, one mistake that could radically change the game - isn't always very easy to see and not mistakenly do. Resigning prematurely can sometimes take away the opponent's opportunity to make such a mistake, and this game demonstrates what could have happened instead... in many of those premature resignations!

[@grahamf695]

Fantastic game!

[@koin799]

first time I hear of Bartel, but doing such moves against the world champion candidate and seeing it trough takes huge balls. Definitely will follow him

[@hdmotivated]

So hans plays at a 2900 level just a week ago and in another week hes back to playing 2600.. interesting

[@gmsi7d371]

yes but nobody so far can explain how he manages to cheat in plain sight . how is ti possible ?

[@henkdachief]

yes very interesting

[@hdmotivated]

@gmsi7d371 biggest mystery in chess

[@epicchess2021]

Yeah that was my point with title. I personally am not suggesting cheating, just erratic, bizarre

[@greekstreek370]

Niemann: *makes great move* Everyone: This proves he’s cheating! Niemann: *makes bad move* Everyone: This proves he was cheating! Niemann: *Makes normal move* Everyone: This proves he has been cheating!

[@nvnnyz]

bro cant win

[@RandomGuyOnYoutube601]

well... yeah. But he brought it on himself by cheating.

[@declaredjeans7555]

It may be annoying, but this is the result of his admitted cheating, so people won't trust him for at least some time.

[@defrigge]

No cheat should be claimed without proof. We first should look for other explanations, why Niemann plays Super GM chess in a tournament with nearly nonexistent anti-cheating measures (Crostia) and blunders away many moves of +5-7 advantage in atournament with more professional control. Like claiming to be the new Fischer is so exhausting….

[@henkdachief]

@@declaredjeans7555 in meaningless online games, even fabiano said online ratings are meaningless

[@brettford946]

Crazy game

[@waynegreen8455]

04:40 Cha cha slide reference was great!!!!

[@epicchess2021]

Haha thanks

[@werners5191]

Niemann is such a charming fellow. 😅

[@daviddurbin7682]

Great fight

[@iraklitos20022003]

Nice game!!!

[@michaelmassaro4375]

Too bad for Hans he didn’t find that Qh6+ move might’ve changed the outcome I thought he did a good job fending off the oncoming pawns in the beginning I’ve had games like that where opponent sends all the pawns they can to complicate matters thanks for the game enjoy your day

[@sushinfudoshin8991]

Poor Niemann, having a brain fart in a winning position is hard. Kudos GM Martel for playing so brilliantly.

[@letsgobrandon4601]

I had a dream last night that Hans was teaching me chess while visiting a common relative for thanksgiving (we do not share a common relative in case that was unclear)

[@SelectCircle]

Did you learn anything?

[@letsgobrandon4601]

@@SelectCircle I was asking him how he thinks about the game and the moves, and he was describing a system in which each square has several values such as how many pieces attack it from each side, how many could attack it within one move, two moves, etc. And then he did some math with that

[@SelectCircle]

@@letsgobrandon4601 Wow! Very productive dream.

[@mentoritori9943]

😂😂where there are always problems hans is always involved

[@wallysullivan9315]

I think he feels like the only way to get everyone to shut up is to deliver another crazy performance in a setting with better anti cheat measures. So he is under a little mental pressure I guess. I dont personally think he's cheating, but the scrutiny is 100% warranted so I think he just needs to accept that and grow thicker skin like Hikaru.

[@mkNf-uk8py]

It's not bizarre, it's just very tactical.

[@jlolson53]

Maybe Hans' computer is on the blink??

[@afc358]

Still can't bring myself to trust him. He reminds me of Boris Johnson.

[@gamelovergold]

Opponent risky play made hans niemman game play wrong but it was hans not defending properly

[@sorenzollamas]

Hmm, not the second coming of Fischer I guess...

[@anderslarsen4412]

Not exactly sure why, but I've gone from "not really being a fan of your videos" to thinking you're one of the best chess commentators on youtube. Your enthusiasm for the games you choose to cover is contagious. Thanks for doing these. Cheers.

[@colins1358]

Such a good channel.

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks very much! I’ve been working a lot on the delivery to make it more engaging etc so I dunno maybe helps. Glad you enjoying anyway appreciate the feedback

[@pukulu]

Niemann had a +10 on stockfish and lost.

[@carpzero1]

Love seeing Niemann lose entirely because of his ridiculous lawsuit.

[@n1te]

Embarrassing for the stockfish team..

[@shannonculbertson8259]

Ask him to play a game without his Chip

[@primeobjective5469]

The neurotoxins speak for themselves.

[@InfiniteQuest86]

I'm glad top players are playing like this instead of the usual drawish stuff.

[@DieFlabbergast]

"Black reveals their hand." "THEIR hand"! No, no! Black reveals his hand. Mateusz Bartel is a guy, a bloke.

[@remainconfident1]

COLD-BUM

[@jaybingham3711]

So what was his highest lead? 7? That would be a good end of year recap video for 2023…highest leads blown. There’s gotta be a few dozen implosions worth gawking at. Even if it’s ten, that be worth checking out.

[@epicchess2021]

Yeah altho I might struggle digging all the games out is the thing

[@brianbailey3374]

Magnus was spot on.

[@jeffersonthomas1269]

Chess speaks ....gg

[@kevinwellwrought2024]

Niemann’s skill is developing more and more everyday

[@ejsampana426]

crazy for them to turn on the radio wave jammer at the crucial moment

[@youngc570]

Nucking futs!

[@reamartin6458]

Good trait, We need more creativity, bot chess is the biggest boor…go Hans!

[@user9675]

why does hans always have a facial expression that indicates something is up his wazoo?

[@RS-np2bk]

Very good commentary but I think after you finish the game you should talk for another few of minutes about Niemann or the tournament or some other aspect of the game. Viewers who don't want to hear it can turn it off but lots of us want to hear some more from you.

[@epicchess2021]

Thanks very much I’ll bear in mind, mainly I don’t waffle too much cuz everyone disappears once I say game is over!

[@djamshidmodarres247]

Oönly foör Bigginers Müve = it means Move!🤣🤣🤣✌✊

[@JS_Precision]

Interesting...

[@user-ii6xg1sj2k]

...good old chess...no Berlin & no London system...

[@alekob.3791]

Title is a bit misleading. Bartel was the one playing crazy romantic attacking chess, Niemann's chess felt pretty mediocre here and focused mostly on responding to black... I get that it seems absurd how Niemann misses somewhat obvious critical tactics, but maybe the video should be titled "Insane game" to address both of these aspects. By the title of the video I thought Hans would end up winding until the very ending moments

[@epicchess2021]

Sorry yeah I was more trying to reference how one minute he’s incredible and next minute making huge blunders

[@jamesblue8332]

The constant sidelines you went into made this impossible to follow.

[@epicchess2021]

Apologies!

[@adrianvermeule7929]

When Niemann goes wrong, it’s usually because he moves the correct piece but to the wrong square … as though he’s sure of which piece to move, but not where … just saying.

[@lks178]

What an absolutely stupid comment.

[@LuizGamingYT]

yeah! #TeamMatibar

[@henrik3141]

When the battery of your device gives up...

[@stopover1238]

Incredible how black saved the game😂😂

[@DanielGarcia-si5rv]

Interesting 🤔

[@user43597]

stockfish doesn't play weirdly what are u talking about 🤔🤔🤔

[@bowrudder899]

Niemann's chess utterly bizarre? It was Bartel who was doing the crazy stuff. Too bad Hans missed the win.

[@mrdraw2087]

Fortune favors the brave. Couldn't Niemann save the game by playing 2. e7 after 1...Qd6 in the endgame, ditching a pawn to paralyze black's queen after 2...Qxe7 3.d6 Qd7? Without pawns it's a theoretical draw, with pawns it may not be as simple, but at least white has an extra h-pawn to distract black's king.

[@Agirmetal]

Crazy crazy game.. Btw Magnus Crazy Carlsen would win with his knight rook and a couple of pawns in the end

[@jevitigre]

If it were a blitz or maybe a rapid game sure Carlsen would convert but i doubt it in classic

[@Agirmetal]

@@jevitigre Yes yes in blitz and rapid

[@guypmiller]

wow!