John your videos are excellent. Love it when you tell us patzers what you plan (and often your opponent) on doing as you're in or coming out of the opening and transitioning into middle game. Also many many many thanks for just starting the videos right away and not force us to watch a silly introduction at first like some people have. You and Christof rock. Thanks to both of you.
that was one of the best games I've seen yet, you explained everything so well. i really liked that Nd4 idea to just clog the lines to your king. thats really the essence of your play style in a lot of games, rather than just an onslaught of aggression you like to slowly extinguish counter play and find the defensive resources until they just get burned out or blunder it away. its so enjoyable to watch and learn from, thank you so much for all you do
I have a tournament next month. can u share how u prepare for your tournaments. should I go through the opening stuff or enhance my middle game skills?
+Prateek Wadhwa That depends very much on your level and strengths/weaknesses. Generally before tournaments it makes sense to review your openings and try to plug any holes. Practicing your calculation is also a good idea.
I always feel like in Sicilian positions that are more positional then dynamic, for example Kan, Taimonov, and closed Sicilian positions that white just has an solid edge that's difficult to whittle away as long as white plays solid. More dynamic and attacking positions like the Najdorf or Sveshnikov I feel offer stronger chances as the game is more unbalanced. Your thoughts? Also I was curious about the best list for 15 min time control.
+Josh Landgraf The Najdorf, Sveshnikov, and Dragon are some of the sharpest in the Sicilian complex, yes. They also have the most theory since they tend to be more forcing. The Kan and Taimanov also have a fair amount of theory, though they're more flexible and can be more positional, yes. Here's a useful link that shows the best players on ICC for all time controls: staff.cs.utu.fi/~juhkivij/chess/icc_best_en.shtml
In the line that black sacrifices a knight for initiative, what does it get in exchange? There is a battery with the Queen and the black bishop but you still have your black bishop, so isn't that enough? Maybe because white king is not very safe? If you hadn't seen the engines evaluation would you have also said that it would be an equal position? If so, then why? Sorry too many questions. I liked the analysis in this one more than the game itself haha. Thanks for sharing!
+martín That's a very difficult sacrifice to assess. Black gets open lines (especially the diagonals) and active pieces as compensation, whereas White's pieces are a bit clumsy. Had this been played I would have been skeptical of Black's compensation, but I also would have understood that I have to do defend accurately.
I have just ordered the book "Amateur to IM". I remember you recommending it to beginners once, John, but for someone like me (estimated somewhere between 90-100 ECF for now), just how much good do you reckon it will do?
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
John your videos are excellent. Love it when you tell us patzers what you plan (and often your opponent) on doing as you're in or coming out of the opening and transitioning into middle game.
Also many many many thanks for just starting the videos right away and not force us to watch a silly introduction at first like some people have. You and Christof rock. Thanks to both of you.
that was one of the best games I've seen yet, you explained everything so well. i really liked that Nd4 idea to just clog the lines to your king. thats really the essence of your play style in a lot of games, rather than just an onslaught of aggression you like to slowly extinguish counter play and find the defensive resources until they just get burned out or blunder it away. its so enjoyable to watch and learn from, thank you so much for all you do
+Taimonov Definitely. I often like to squeeze my opponents and drain their resources before going in for the skill. Glad you liked this one!
Nice game John. It’s great to see my favorite Hedgehog Defense. Keep up the good work!
+Riley Friedenberg Thanks, Riley!
As a 1.e4 player, I face the Hedgehog quite often. Thanks for sharing these common ideas both sides can implement, this was very valuable.
+フィッシャー00769 Sure thing - thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video, John!
+Steinar Lima Thanks for watching, Steinar!
Could anyone please tell me what did John said at minute mark 14:45?
"Seems to me Black is kind of blughasus dah shinutsi"
"Seems to me black is kind of burning their bridges here"
+martín "Seems to me black is king of burning their bridges here", I think...
Oh nice expression! Thank you both!
+martín Hungi and Kevin are correct :)
Thank you John. You are always kind.
I love Taimanov lines - and hate facing Maroczys. This a3, b4 plan looks really good for white - Hmmm. Gonna have to work on that a bit.
At 10:55 why not knight takes b6? Am I missing something?
I have a tournament next month. can u share how u prepare for your tournaments. should I go through the opening stuff or enhance my middle game skills?
+Prateek Wadhwa That depends very much on your level and strengths/weaknesses. Generally before tournaments it makes sense to review your openings and try to plug any holes. Practicing your calculation is also a good idea.
I always feel like in Sicilian positions that are more positional then dynamic, for example Kan, Taimonov, and closed Sicilian positions that white just has an solid edge that's difficult to whittle away as long as white plays solid. More dynamic and attacking positions like the Najdorf or Sveshnikov I feel offer stronger chances as the game is more unbalanced. Your thoughts? Also I was curious about the best list for 15 min time control.
+Josh Landgraf The Najdorf, Sveshnikov, and Dragon are some of the sharpest in the Sicilian complex, yes. They also have the most theory since they tend to be more forcing. The Kan and Taimanov also have a fair amount of theory, though they're more flexible and can be more positional, yes.
Here's a useful link that shows the best players on ICC for all time controls: staff.cs.utu.fi/~juhkivij/chess/icc_best_en.shtml
In the line that black sacrifices a knight for initiative, what does it get in exchange? There is a battery with the Queen and the black bishop but you still have your black bishop, so isn't that enough? Maybe because white king is not very safe? If you hadn't seen the engines evaluation would you have also said that it would be an equal position? If so, then why?
Sorry too many questions. I liked the analysis in this one more than the game itself haha. Thanks for sharing!
+martín That's a very difficult sacrifice to assess. Black gets open lines (especially the diagonals) and active pieces as compensation, whereas White's pieces are a bit clumsy. Had this been played I would have been skeptical of Black's compensation, but I also would have understood that I have to do defend accurately.
I have just ordered the book "Amateur to IM". I remember you recommending it to beginners once, John, but for someone like me (estimated somewhere between 90-100 ECF for now), just how much good do you reckon it will do?
+Jake Corbett You can absolutely learn a lot from this book.
Can we see a smith morra gambit sometime soon???
+TheStimuli I'll try! I've played it once or twice (search my channel for "Smith-Morra Gambit").
John, you post awesome vids, but if I see another sicilian I'm going to have to defenestrate myself
+Nick Black Ha, thanks - but if I play 1.e4 I don't have much of a choice in the matter ;)
sweet sir
Draw? Hilarious!!!
+scottdpt12 maybe missed the resign button or they have a warped sense of humor lol
haha draw?