@Geelse_zot
After a previous article which stirred some controversy (I'm sure you know what I am referring to), I did not write this as a list of "best" or "great" youtubers. What I wanted to explore was examples of how chess content creators influenced opening choices. However, to your point, I am sure that the Alien Gambit has also risen in popularity, and there are many more creators and examples of this phenomenon. Thanks for your thoughts!
@ebk1976 said in #21:
> @Geelse_zot
> After a previous article which stirred some controversy (I'm sure you know what I am referring to), I did not write this as a list of "best" or "great" youtubers. What I wanted to explore was examples of how chess content creators influenced opening choices. However, to your point, I am sure that the Alien Gambit has also risen in popularity, and there are many more creators and examples of this phenomenon. Thanks for your thoughts!
Yes I know :)
Have you heard about the gamer streamer Tyler1? He was a complete beginner in the Pogchamps series on the other website and grinded himself up to 1900 rating in a couple months while exclusively playing the cow opening.
It seems to me that the 'hypermodern' revolt has succeeded for White but failed for Black at the highest levels. The 'meme' openings can work only if the 'meme-er' has greater insight into chess than her/his opponent! The Staffordshire gambit I have found to be enormously tricky - and as an amateur I don't have much free time to unravel its mysteries - Kudos to IM Eric Rosen! Super GM and World #1 Magnus Carlsen's 'Norwegian Rat' opening is also super tricky - does it require a pawn sacrifice to refute it??
AAARGH! Who will logic a struggling 1700+ (10 min + 5 second increment) player on the deeper principles of the chess opening?!
Conceptman. (Hoping to improve without blood, sweat and tears)!
Interesting for current trends, but pays no homage to the OG youtubers and the trends they set.
@wzdew said in #24:
> Interesting for current trends, but pays no homage to the OG youtubers and the trends they set.
Can you give an example please?
@Geelse_zot said in #25:
> Can you give an example please?
John Bartholomew popularized the Scandinavian on chess.com and lichess starting in 2014 or so. I mean, it's always had moderate popularity among lower ranked players, but when John started making content, I started seeing it much more frequently in my games. The popularity never really seemed to die out for it either.
Fascinating Article to read! Well done :)
@wzdew said in #26:
> John Bartholomew popularized the Scandinavian on chess.com and lichess starting in 2014 or so. I mean, it's always had moderate popularity among lower ranked players, but when John started making content, I started seeing it much more frequently in my games. The popularity never really seemed to die out for it either.
You are right I completely forgot about him.
I never believed playing the queen back to d8 in the Scandinavian would be a good move . I played it for a while after being inspired by his lessons.
@Geelse_zot
Yes, what Tyler1 managed to do is pretty incredible.
@Conceptman said in #23:
> Conceptman. (Hoping to improve without blood, sweat and tears)!
I don't know how that's gonna go for you! If you find a method, let me know!
@wzdew
Unfortunately, often the OGs are often forgotten. If I didn't hear him talk about it now, I wouldn't know that Christian Chirila was one of the first chess streamers along with Hikaru and the Chessbrahs, only it didn't work out as well and he stopped-and no one remembers that now.
@NoelStuder
Thank you so much!! It means a lot!