Hello hello! This week we are delving behind the scenes of my learning, because while I could probably become better just by playing constantly, it is often exciting and more informative to watch much better people play. This week we are reviewing the handful of content creators that I have been viewing both for fun, and to improve. For each of the three creators I will recommend a favorite video of mine if you are intrigued and wish to check them out for yourself!
Eric Rosen is an American International Master (ranked roughly 3379th in the world) who uploads a ton of content to YouTube and streams on Twitch. The reason I enjoy Eric’s content is that he is constantly learning. This player has tens of thousands of games under his belt, but in each video he exudes curiosity for his opponents moves, and takes each loss excitedly as a learning opportunity. Alongside this Eric has many in-depth videos explaining fun traps which make the game more exciting! My recommended video to exemplify the above is Eric using the Stafford Gambit (which I have not been able to pull off yet) against a Grand Master. The opponent (ficorrales) also displayed the same curiosity that brings me to Eric’s videos in the first place!
Agadmator (Antonio Radić) is a Croatian content creator. While not a Grand Master himself (ranked roughly 38493rd in the world so still amazing), Agadamator content is focused on analysis and the storys of typically higher ranked players. His channel reviews historic games of chess, explaining complex moves very plainly for the common folk like myself. Alongside the amazing analysis, Agadamator makes sure to describe the history of the match, the environent the players found themselves in, the town the tournament took place in, and any other details that really capture the entire story. Obviously video does not exist of these games, so he recreates them in an online setting, so having that backstory really helps imagine the psychological factors of the game. For my recommendation, his analyse of a match between Woody Harrelson (the actor) and Garry Kasparov (a world renowned chess master). This video highlights his storytelling alongside astute analysis.
I have only just started watching Daniel, an American Grand Master (ranked roughly 168th in the world!!!) and chess author, but his content has helped me improve immensely. Particularily because he has a series where he has been teaching moistcr1tikal (an albeit crass person, so if you’re not a fan of flippant vulgarity then steer clear), who is a beginner ranked similarly to myself, how to play chess! Obviously I could learn plenty just from watching Naroditsky play, but 90% of the things he’s had to teach or correct for Cr1tikal have been things I’ve needed to know or mistakes I’ve been making because were at the same point in our chess journeys. Basically I am treating these videos as personalized lessons from one of the best chess players in the world that I can sneak into and use for myself! My recommendation of course would be the first video of these lessons.
I have decided not to add a Check Check Check in this week as I have already overloaded the blog with video content, but I have improved slightly and am sitting at 950 rating! If I can break 1000 before the end of this project I will be simply ecstatic, and if I do not that’s ok too, as long as I’m learning!
Keep your peace of mind and mind for pieces, and I’ll see you next week!
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