John, it's important that you constantly know you do *not* in fact use the clock as a weapon, and that you and your opponent also missed mate in one at 22:36 😂
I was watching you on chess.com last night and I noticed that mate in one! I thought I was confused - I was fascinated to know whether you saw it or not.
I still remember his April Fools’ joke a few years back where he said he was going to start doing some personal fitness/beauty videos on his channel. So funny
You kept waiting for him to crack and he didn't. Just like you wait for his scandi positions to fall apart and they seem to hang together by duct tape and baling wire!
"I'm giving up the Scandi" If my Grandmother, who has been dead for a year, told me today that I inherited $1,000,000 from her, I would believe her WAY more than I believed that title. SCANDI NEVER DIES
John, if on April 1st you admitted you were an alien from planet Xanador we believed you instantly. But John, you are not Wick. You would never kill Scandi. She is your first love.
I support this idea - it’s important to try out new stuff that takes us out of our comfort zone (and probably a thinking ‘rut’ we’re unconsciously stuck in.) Besides, I’m sure that John will come back to the Scandinavian at some point. Then, to quote Terry Pratchett: (from the book, “A Hat Full of Sky”) “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” This quote was, itself, used by Simon Williams (a GM) in his book, “The Killer Dutch” by Everyman Chess (page 8.) So, John, have an exciting journey! 🤗
Of the three chess streamers I follow with some regularity, I think you're the most level headed and you don't get all whiney when you make a mistake. I think you need way more subs/views. Cheers and keep up the good work.
Another great session. I love your break-down of the games after you have finished them. Quick and instructive. About the Scandinavian... all things must come to end at some point, you're leaving a lot of broken hearts behind.
I had a really bad day today, and was kinda tipped over the edge after finding out a video game I bought yesterday for £50 went on sale today for £10. then I saw you'd uploaded a new video, which I always watch to try & calm my state of mind, then got sad over you abandoning the scandi... then I read the comments... then I got to the end of the video. and it really made me laugh, and I was so tickled I couldn't stop laughing. you cheered me up, sir, thank you.
At least the Scandi had you as its noble champion during its waning years, John. You truly gave it a proper send-off. And fear not; you'll learn to love an opening again 😉
John, in my opinion, the Sicilian four knights (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cd 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 (!?) is a rather underestimated opening for black. Of course, there is already a course on it on chessable, but this defense allows multiple interpretations. For instance, transpositions into the Shveshnikov are not dealt in the current chessable course. The Kalashnikov and the Lőwenthal Sicilians are also interesting and underestimated in my opinion and there are not video courses for them available on chessable as well. PS. So you have April 1st as "the fool's day" in USA as well. Good to know! :)
I wouldn't buy into the promises John makes at this time of year guys. I'm still waiting for johns fashion advice videos that he promised a couple of years ago
Sicilian is my suggestion. There are some really exciting lines with sacs etc. which you might know but I just feel it's very exciting and worth playing. Sveshnikov is a positional variation that Magnus plays a lot, sound and sometimes very aggressive with f5, many ways for white to go wrong. Oh nevermind, it's April 1st, you got me daaaaym that was good!!!!
You joke but back when John was still playing competitively a few years ago, he switched to the Sicilian mostly and had some nice results, achieving I believe his highest rating
John I love you. Your chess. Your demeanor. I'm only around 1600 rated at best but you make chess seem so simple. My best win was over an 1800 and It was just after watching your videos.. thanks. I'm not one to speak but I think you should and could become a grandmaster.. it's not that GM means everything. I just think you deserve it most out of all streamers/ RUclipsrs/ content makers whom are not GM . Your love for the game shines and I literally learn just from watching you. My current name is Gordon-Melrose on lichess if yous like to watch some of my slack and mediocre games..
John this is my first time looking at your channel. You’re a super great guy. I subbed and I am confused how I haven’t looked at your channel yet. Nice video!
I've been fooled! Although I saw this after April 1st, I still should have looked at the date. Well played indeed, sir. Looking forward to your next video!
Would you consider playing the king's pawn opening system with white and black, leading into the Italian Game or Guiocco Piano? Thank you! Another great video John, and I have been a big fan of you for a while.
I was just thinking about the same thing a few days back, that JB should move on to another strong opening instead of the Scandi. As investors in the stock market say " Do not fall in love with your stocks " Or as Bruce Lee rightly said " We don't carry the boat with us after we have crossed the river "
Poor, poor John! Maybe he can find a nice Scandinavian girl to help fill the void. There's more ways than one to enjoy an active queen! I couldn't wait to see his post today.
What was the final straw or motivation behind changing your opening again? Is it because you're not happy with where you believe you should be at this stage in your game, or is it because you feel you've gone as far as the Scandi can take you? I'm Just curious is all.
@John:Nice April fool joke. If at all Scandi turns out to be weak after AI, I am sure John will find out ways to make it stronger but will never give up on it
Have you ever been friend with the French defense? Everyone says that i should dump it but i still play it since it's one of the few for which i have some theorical knowledge and i just still have fun playing it! (also wonder what other defense and / or opening i should study if i finally decide to study a bit) (just a random 1300 player here)
So sorry that you are leaving the Scandi behind. We all need to move forward at some point. Hopefully this will make up room for some of the promised content about fashion and dating advice, some people still remember :)
🤣🤣🤣 Bg7, Bf8, Bg7, Bf8 😂😂 Best April Fool's ever. Nice one. Oh, and it's a shame you're giving up the Scandi, but understandable. I can recommend 'Starting Out: The Sicilian' by John Emms. Good luck 😊
As a beginner, I don't think Scandi is a sound opening. That said, I've seen John rack up wins with it. So I wouldn't be one to ridicule the opening, the middle game positions I seen seem to be fine. But if the general consensus states that Scandi got a lot of holes, then I'm kinda glad John is leaving it behind as a step stone. I do not intend to play Scandi, and with John racking up wins, I can't learn how to beat it. Thus rendering less valuable knowledge for me when I watch this channel. In that sense it's beneficial for a beginner viewer even if it hurts John to move away from Scandi.
Hi John, last time I messaged you , I was asking about what to play with black and how to improve, I am playing 15|10 rapid games with only London and Caro Kann, I was 900 rapid then and now I am 1300 in Rapid , At this point what openings/gambits should I learn next? or what should I do to keep improving. And thanks a lot John. You were first chess channel I started watching and till date you are my fav besides GothamChess (Levy Rozman) amd ChessBrah(Eric Hansen), Please suggest me my next steps. My personal target is to reach 1600.
Hi Jhon thankyou for your content . Your play is entertaining to watch , when your time becomes low and you find a way to convert you are such an amazing chess player thankyou for sharing your talent with the world
I think scandi is more like John's Mjolnir. Lol, it will return whenever he needs. Yeah, this probably would look more emotional, and more funny, if by the end of the video John plays Auld Lang Syne (preferably sung by Home Free) and John is pouring beer on his cup.
And here I was hoping for an April Fools joke where John does a personality-180 and ruthlessly trashtalks his opponents like a frat bro. Maybe next year :( RIP Scandi
John, it's important that you constantly know you do *not* in fact use the clock as a weapon, and that you and your opponent also missed mate in one at 22:36 😂
It's blitz
I suppose turning the gun on yourself is "using" a weapon, technically speaking...
I was watching you on chess.com last night and I noticed that mate in one! I thought I was confused - I was fascinated to know whether you saw it or not.
17:08 you were losing this endgame but you won on time, is that not using the clock as a weapon?
Using the clock as a weapon is a loser's mentality, this is why you will never be world champion.
My wife said she's giving up the Scandinavian. She doesn't play chess, but I am Norwegian.
Underrated comment! :)
So good lol
John finally got out of an abusive relationship
ahahahaha love it!
For a moment I saw the title and was really excited... Then remembered it's April 1st. Sad!
"I'm not even going to touch the d pawn, it brings too many unpleasant memories"
I still remember his April Fools’ joke a few years back where he said he was going to start doing some personal fitness/beauty videos on his channel. So funny
Yeah, I believed that one that year for a bit, I was a little down until I read the comments... Gullable..
Anyone got a link to that video?
@@SilkyGSmooth Even his mom believed that one, so don't beat yourself up over it.
@@wegorz3 ruclips.net/video/_sPznOWSKCE/видео.html
@@cynthiathornton5762 Thanks!
What strong players say:
"Control the center"
"Knight on the rim is dim"
What strong players do:
1:39
Most obvious april fools joke i've seen today John 😂
Oh, but the delivery. Great games with great puns.
Lol he didn’t even say April fools. He just let it be.
I didnt even put it together...wonder what in the heck he was talking about
The joke is that he's serious. :/
i didn't realize it was a april fool joke right away, been watching this the next day lol
However, I am impressed that he kept it up with a straight face for so long.
You kept waiting for him to crack and he didn't. Just like you wait for his scandi positions to fall apart and they seem to hang together by duct tape and baling wire!
Greg Shahade gave this video a thumbs up!
I'm still waiting for the rebranding into a fashion channel John...
But giving up on #teamscandi? No shot
You get me every year, but not this time!
"this is how you get over your ex" 😂😂💀chess tactics that cure all emotional wounds
10:02
This video is really going to help me get through my recent break up! All I have to do is not play D5 and I’ll forget her soon enough.
Maybe you can play the Alekhine with 2...Ng8. It's not the scandi but at least you'll have a way be way behind in development by move 3. :P
"I'm giving up the Scandi"
If my Grandmother, who has been dead for a year, told me today that I inherited $1,000,000 from her, I would believe her WAY more than I believed that title.
SCANDI NEVER DIES
WHAT IS DEAD CAN NEVER DIE
@@JohnBartholomewChess BUT RISES AGAIN HARDER AND STRONGER!
@@JohnBartholomewChess scandi is not dead
IT'S DEADLY
haha
Nooooo not the team scandi! I refuse
@@WhiskeySour89 ....like other things.
That April fools joke totally got me, John likes those April fools jokes, I remember his April fools joke about the bong cloud being a strong opening.
The one he did with the chess.com founder was also pretty funny
John, if on April 1st you admitted you were an alien from planet Xanador we believed you instantly. But John, you are not Wick. You would never kill Scandi. She is your first love.
I support this idea - it’s important to try out new stuff that takes us out of our comfort zone (and probably a thinking ‘rut’ we’re unconsciously stuck in.) Besides, I’m sure that John will come back to the Scandinavian at some point. Then, to quote Terry Pratchett: (from the book, “A Hat Full of Sky”) “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” This quote was, itself, used by Simon Williams (a GM) in his book, “The Killer Dutch” by Everyman Chess (page 8.) So, John, have an exciting journey! 🤗
I love that you kept it up for so long
I'd been looking forward to this almost all day and you still had me for few seconds!
I won't lie, he totally got me, LOL.
Of the three chess streamers I follow with some regularity, I think you're the most level headed and you don't get all whiney when you make a mistake. I think you need way more subs/views. Cheers and keep up the good work.
It had to happen some day.. The heat from Trent Greg Danny Hess .. Every man has a breaking point..
"The world is facing a global pandemic."
Me: meh 😏
"JB gave up on the Scandi."
Me: Whaaaaaat?!! 😮
good values!
I have given up the Scandinavian several times, but I always start playing it again. It's an addiction.
Another great session. I love your break-down of the games after you have finished them. Quick and instructive. About the Scandinavian... all things must come to end at some point, you're leaving a lot of broken hearts behind.
I had a really bad day today, and was kinda tipped over the edge after finding out a video game I bought yesterday for £50 went on sale today for £10. then I saw you'd uploaded a new video, which I always watch to try & calm my state of mind, then got sad over you abandoning the scandi... then I read the comments... then I got to the end of the video. and it really made me laugh, and I was so tickled I couldn't stop laughing. you cheered me up, sir, thank you.
Thanku for reverting back to original board style.
It is very inspirational to see a strong player admitting their mistakes.
Tfw John blunders a mate in 1 and his opponent doesn't see it
At least the Scandi had you as its noble champion during its waning years, John. You truly gave it a proper send-off. And fear not; you'll learn to love an opening again 😉
My favorite tradition at the beginning of April is to see what John comes up with each year. Love this channel!
great video, john. one of my favorites you've ever uploaded. good luck on your opening endeavors
I appreciate how your game is adapting.
Haha,,, never commeted but..... too many unpleasant d5 memories...... you are officially my favorite person in the word!
John, in my opinion, the Sicilian four knights (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cd 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 (!?) is a rather underestimated opening for black. Of course, there is already a course on it on chessable, but this defense allows multiple interpretations. For instance, transpositions into the Shveshnikov are not dealt in the current chessable course. The Kalashnikov and the Lőwenthal Sicilians are also interesting and underestimated in my opinion and there are not video courses for them available on chessable as well.
PS. So you have April 1st as "the fool's day" in USA as well. Good to know! :)
John abandoning the Scandi ... and Earth would probably start spinning the other way around! 😁
Lol John, 2710, "strong player here, 2707" 😂
You had me for a solid 10 minutes John, not going to lie. Well played!
That was the most instructive and educational April Fools joke I've ever seen. Great games.
22:39 you both missed mate in 1 lol
LOL
That's what happens when you give up the Scandi
#madeyoulook
IM demonstrates his keen sense of danger and calendars
Was looking for this in comments lol
Excellent April Fool's video. Also the Bongcloud Lifetime Repertoire released on Chessable has really improved my game.
I wouldn't buy into the promises John makes at this time of year guys. I'm still waiting for johns fashion advice videos that he promised a couple of years ago
Sicilian is my suggestion. There are some really exciting lines with sacs etc. which you might know but I just feel it's very exciting and worth playing. Sveshnikov is a positional variation that Magnus plays a lot, sound and sometimes very aggressive with f5, many ways for white to go wrong. Oh nevermind, it's April 1st, you got me daaaaym that was good!!!!
4,5/5 is a great score, giving up the scandi improved your skill...
You joke but back when John was still playing competitively a few years ago, he switched to the Sicilian mostly and had some nice results, achieving I believe his highest rating
John I love you. Your chess. Your demeanor. I'm only around 1600 rated at best but you make chess seem so simple. My best win was over an 1800 and It was just after watching your videos.. thanks. I'm not one to speak but I think you should and could become a grandmaster.. it's not that GM means everything. I just think you deserve it most out of all streamers/ RUclipsrs/ content makers whom are not GM . Your love for the game shines and I literally learn just from watching you. My current name is Gordon-Melrose on lichess if yous like to watch some of my slack and mediocre games..
Hah hah John! Clock as a weapon!! Good one! You had me going there for a bit!!!
18:20 oscar deserved acting right here. I nearly cried there ;D
“This is how you get over your ex” lol. Love it. You’re the best John!
John this is my first time looking at your channel. You’re a super great guy. I subbed and I am confused how I haven’t looked at your channel yet. Nice video!
I've been fooled! Although I saw this after April 1st, I still should have looked at the date. Well played indeed, sir. Looking forward to your next video!
Giving up the Scandi for the Bongcloud.... I see what today is, you can’t fool me.
My favorite response to 1.e4 is Alekhine's Nf6. Maybe you too will enjoy one of the most provocative openings out there
love when this series pops up on my feed. Stay well John!
Your ability to keep a straight face for an entire video is impressive.
"Kinda auto muscle memory" - what I say every time I blunder.
John, you really had me going for about 30 seconds there. I had to rewind to make sure I was hearing correctly! Well done and great video!
Nothing comes close the Magnus 100 endgames April fools video. That is pure comedy
i liked the one where he told everyone that his channel was going to switch from Chess content to reviewing beauty products or something similar.
Would you consider playing the king's pawn opening system with white and black, leading into the Italian Game or Guiocco Piano? Thank you! Another great video John, and I have been a big fan of you for a while.
I was just thinking about the same thing a few days back, that JB should move on to another strong opening instead of the Scandi.
As investors in the stock market say " Do not fall in love with your stocks "
Or as Bruce Lee rightly said " We don't carry the boat with us after we have crossed the river "
Lmao, you had me going for way too long
So excited for the coaching! 💖
The fact of how much you went on and on about the Scandi gave it away.
Poor, poor John! Maybe he can find a nice Scandinavian girl to help fill the void. There's more ways than one to enjoy an active queen! I couldn't wait to see his post today.
What was the final straw or motivation behind changing your opening again? Is it because you're not happy with where you believe you should be at this stage in your game, or is it because you feel you've gone as far as the Scandi can take you? I'm Just curious is all.
Game 4 is an absolute heartbreaking game. It made me so sad for John's opponent, which I cried.
@John:Nice April fool joke. If at all Scandi turns out to be weak after AI, I am sure John will find out ways to make it stronger but will never give up on it
the hand slap after playing d5 😂
Ahhh you totally got me! Here I was thinking you were tearing up haha.
Have you ever been friend with the French defense? Everyone says that i should dump it but i still play it since it's one of the few for which i have some theorical knowledge and i just still have fun playing it! (also wonder what other defense and / or opening i should study if i finally decide to study a bit) (just a random 1300 player here)
Man I'm an idiot for falling for this (even for 2 mintues) haha
So sorry that you are leaving the Scandi behind. We all need to move forward at some point. Hopefully this will make up room for some of the promised content about fashion and dating advice, some people still remember :)
Hmm forgot it was April 1st. You got me there John!
The only way John's giving up the Scandi is if he gives up Chess altogether
Thank you and Happy Easter
white missed mate in 1 on h7; bit of a blind spot. Anyway good luck John! Love watching your videos. Keep well
Well, I gave up the French Defence so giving up the Scandi is a no brainer. I'm back to my faithful Caro-Kann. John, I suggest the Caro-Kann.
🤣🤣🤣 Bg7, Bf8, Bg7, Bf8 😂😂 Best April Fool's ever. Nice one. Oh, and it's a shame you're giving up the Scandi, but understandable. I can recommend 'Starting Out: The Sicilian' by John Emms. Good luck 😊
As a beginner, I don't think Scandi is a sound opening. That said, I've seen John rack up wins with it. So I wouldn't be one to ridicule the opening, the middle game positions I seen seem to be fine.
But if the general consensus states that Scandi got a lot of holes, then I'm kinda glad John is leaving it behind as a step stone.
I do not intend to play Scandi, and with John racking up wins, I can't learn how to beat it. Thus rendering less valuable knowledge for me when I watch this channel. In that sense it's beneficial for a beginner viewer even if it hurts John to move away from Scandi.
''Oh I actually played pawn d5...'' that was hilarious
Damn, you had me for solid 3 minutes, then i realised i got fooled. Still looking forward to these dating advice videos :D
Hi John, last time I messaged you , I was asking about what to play with black and how to improve, I am playing 15|10 rapid games with only London and Caro Kann, I was 900 rapid then and now I am 1300 in Rapid , At this point what openings/gambits should I learn next? or what should I do to keep improving. And thanks a lot John. You were first chess channel I started watching and till date you are my fav besides GothamChess (Levy Rozman) amd ChessBrah(Eric Hansen), Please suggest me my next steps. My personal target is to reach 1600.
I hear that I.M. John is taking up the bongcloud
Hi Jhon thankyou for your content . Your play is entertaining to watch , when your time becomes low and you find a way to convert you are such an amazing chess player thankyou for sharing your talent with the world
Fellas so wholesome that changing chess openings is a big move in his life lol
I didn't know it was april until I saw the title of this video.
I think scandi is more like John's Mjolnir. Lol, it will return whenever he needs.
Yeah, this probably would look more emotional, and more funny, if by the end of the video John plays Auld Lang Syne (preferably sung by Home Free) and John is pouring beer on his cup.
I've been waiting a year for this .. hope its good
Always love the content John
Thanks for your viewership and support! :)
All my days blend together. It took me way too long to get the joke. But the earnest somber tone was well played.
John please don't give up the Scandi. We all know it's your favorite. WTH is happening today? This is insane.
April Fools hahahahah
I was going to say maybe this will inspire me to give up the french but then I remembered what day it was.
Long live sub optimal openings 🙃
I hope one day someone loves me as much as John loved the Scandi.
This is poetry.
So I'm in the people who believed this until your next video came out group, lol good work John.
Play the Nimzovich defense 1.e4 Nc6 and Black knight tango 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 Nc6 , very good results on internet chess with strong opposition .
After finding a good tactic: "This is how you get over your ex" 😂
And here I was hoping for an April Fools joke where John does a personality-180 and ruthlessly trashtalks his opponents like a frat bro. Maybe next year :( RIP Scandi
You're better than The Scandi opening sir...don't fret...
Hah, we all knew it was April fools and still we listened intensely, waiting with anticipation for the next line. Kudos.
Since it is April 1st I will remain skeptical of your announcement!
Using the clock as a liability! hahahaah kidding John ;-) Argentinian fan here, love the content!