Attacking the Pirc Defense with g & h-pawns | Standard Chess  

I'm probably one of the few who make time for these videos. I've even gone back in your catalog to watch old standard videos because it's my favorite series of yours. I get the deal with viewership, but I hope that you don't drop the standard format entirely and still do these occasionally because they're so instructive.

Dude I love your content man. I'm so glad you got back into making more videos. Legit you got me through some hard times in life watching your videos. I'm not even great at chess but watching and learning from you is one of my favorite things to relax. Keep Being awesome brother!

I think these longer games are a goldmine of instruction! It's true that they require a time commitment, but it's worth it

Glad to hear these are your favourite videos to make as they’re my favourite to watch. Keep them coming John!

This is my favourite content on the whole of RU-vid. Incredibly instructive and a great learning experience.

I'm a new subscriber and these videos brought me in. love the no stress and in depth thought process the longer time controls allows. has helped my game tremendously realising that even at your level a lot of thought goes into every move even near the opening

I find these videos incredibly informative and always appreciate when you cover an opening I don't see too often. I now have a few ideas for when I face the Pirc. Thanks John, you're the best chess instructor on RU-vid!

This is actually my favorite series as well. It might be time consuming, but the longer the vid/game, the more to learn from!

Thanks for making content that is less viewed John, I think the people that do enjoy it really appreciate it :)

Ahh, a cuppa coffee, and a new game from JB! Withholding development of the g Knight, b Knight on c3, then g4?! Starting to look like a Jobava London!! That a4 response is also very interesting, don't usually see you respond so briskly to a flank advance! Super interesting and lively game, thanks as always, John!!

Love the standard series John, I've honestly watched all of them

Love the more aggressive openings, John. I learn a lot about endgames from you, but I have to admit: I like seeing you attack with queens on the board

We appreciate all your video formats John! I personally take a couple of days to watch these standard games, dividing each into two sessions of half hour so I can devote full attention to them. So yes, I also watch the analysis part, don't you ever think to cut it off ;)

The standard series is the pinnacle of instructional chess content on RU-vid so please keep going. Also, more people that like the CTRL videos need to understand how similar the series are, the standard series being a bit more advanced but the difference is small as you also point out "basic" topics in these videos as well. Maybe you can try and explain that to your CTRL viewers in the next video.

Many chess educational content creators are diluting their brand by shifting to gimmicks, clickbaits, etc. So it's great to see that you're maintaining your approach that got us hooked to your videos in the first place. As for the popularity of the rating climbs, many lower rated players think that they need to watch games against their rating to learn how to beat it. Many also look for over night ways to get a better rating. Then there are those who can't watch a video longer than a few minutes. Lastly, there are those who just want to watch others own in chess or make silly content. While people targetting that type of audience will get more views and followers, I am thankful there are content creators like you who aim higher. These videos may be long, but they are well-paced and incredibly insightful. There is not a dull moment or filler content. We get to hop on your train of thought and enjoy every minute of the ride. The format is perfect, the length is exactly as needed for you to share everything you find noteworthy, and the game quality is ideal for us mortals to learn from. So keep up the great work and have no fear of scaring us away with longer videos.

I'm so so glad you're making youtube videos again, John. I know youre a busy guy but I missed watching your content.

Love the longer videos! I'd say that I would like to see even LONGER videos haha more content!

Please keep making the standard videos -I learn the most from listening to your thought processes

I love these longer videos, thank you

The standard videos are my favorites. More time to think, good quality chess, and they fit my lunch break well. But rating ladder videos are good too!

I like this longer games, hope you keep them coming :)

Thanks for another great video John!

I enjoy both CTRL and longer time controls. With more time, moves are planned better leading to higher quality moves and games.

These type of videos are my favorite if anyone was wondering

I feel the lower views are not because we don't like longer videos, but because we tend to go "Oh, I wanna see that but I'll come back to it later" then forget it. I'm pretty sure most of us watch 2-5h tournament videos all the time with no problem.

Rook D6 gigachad move, john. btw i don’t believe for a second that was decaf in your mug lol

The OG Standard Master

Hey John, this is guys

Cbum looks different here

Hey I would demand material and time odds against a stronger opponent.

15:00 John, stop wasting time when there's only one legal move you noob :-)

Despite these longer videos getting less views, these are your best, most informative and most interesting! Nothings gets my day started like watching a JB standard video :) Please don't stop making these!

Watching a standard game with an afternoon coffee, the dream combo

Never stop the Standard cadence my guy... I NEED my "Hour of Power" with Johan!

the standard series are my utmost favorite, I try to keep an hour or so for them during the day. I feel I can't really express how much I value them, how happy I got when they came back these months and with such regularity. I used to be an 1800 or so in my teens but abandoned the game, some time ago I came back, now in my forties, extremely rusty, and found your channel and it helped, god did it help. the format is unique among your material and even across all the other chess youtubers I know, who may play chess in real time but won't display so clearly and extensively their chess reasoning. you are not only an IM, you are the perfect teacher. I, now slower from aging, have nonetheless become better than I was in my youth, in great part because of all the systematic approach you use both in your playing and in your teaching, which ultimately are sides of the same process. of course, I won't ever get your keen sense for tactics, am too lazy to become so well-versed in openings like you, and my calculation power doesn't go much far, but I feel that I ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND all or most of your reasoning as you go along, a little like I did in school when I understood the math problem being solved by the teacher but couldn't solve it flawlessly by myself due to inexperience or personal fault. your standard series are just like that: I see and understand the process and the structure, can't reproduce it in its entirety but feel very satisfied that the game can open up to myself with the help of your very clear, very systematic and very extensive "reasoning aloud".

I wouldn’t worry about less views on these longer videos. You are capturing a more advanced audience or those interested in becoming more advanced. Thanks John!

The longer videos are so informative. Really appreciate you taking the time to explain your thought process during the games, and the analysis at the end as well. Such great content.

Standard videos are my favorite! Along with long blitz sessions and Titled Tuesday. The best is when you play relatively equal or stronger players. Cheers.

I wouldn't beat Magnus or any other GM in that position. +1 minor piece and a pawn isn't enough to overcome the skill deficit even with black's king cut off from the rest of the board. I would find a way to mess it up.

When john stops pronouncing Pirc 8 different ways every time it pops up - I'll stop watching all the way through the analysis.

Standard are really the best videos..real chess lovers really want this ..

Analysis gang unite! I got nothing but time John!

I live for the longer games John

What sets you apart as a chess educator in my mind is the precision of your language regarding the game. You help me give the proper names to common ideas and themes I come across on the board. Things like naming the A2-G7 diagonal, and stating the G7 bishop has no scope for example. Watching your commentary feels like watching a chess book to me. I appreciate you.

Standard games are the most instructive. Have replayed all of your RU-vid standards and have moved up the rating ladder. Has greatly increased my understanding of this magnificent game to hear and see your thought process play out. Appreciate your willingness to share the wisdom. Currently striving to reach 2200.

John, I understand about the view counts, but I wouldn’t put too much stock in them. A lot of randos will get a video recommended and watch some, but these longer ones are the bread and butter for your community. This series is the first thing I recommend to people looking for chess resources - the quality of content combined with the sheer volume is legendary. I know some chess personalities are chronically online *coughhikarucough*, excuse me, but watching someone play speed chess while the only explanation is just rattling off squares most of the time doesn’t really do it for me. This is the place to be, and these videos have made a tremendous difference to my game

The standard videos are the best. Keep em coming, and no could not beat MC with an extra piece unless it was the only piece on the board and I was up 8 pawns.

Hi John sorry in advance for the longer comment. I wanted to give you some feedback regarding these longer games. This is the best instructional content on RU-vid. I have seen all 300+ longer games on your channel over the years and have gained many valuable insights, there is no doubt that my game has improved thanks to these videos. Your bullet games are certainly entertaining but these longer games provide the most value for the amateur chess players wishing to improve… Thank you for doing this

I love these longer videos and recommend them all the time. I worked through a lot of the early part of the ICC Standard chess series when I was just getting back into chess. I like that you are making more now though - the production quality is higher, you've got some better tools on Lichess and I like having you on video. And I've gotten good enough I can get more out of these too.

Standard upload!! ❤️❤️

These are my favourite type of video. Keep doing them please! If you ever fancy a game I am ECF 2030. Lichess Rapid 2270.

Love the standard games, great time control, really afford the time to choose some interesting lines,. thx for the content

Thanks so much for this video series! I've been learning a ton and thoroughly enjoying this series the most of any you've done. Hope you're able to keep posting these regularly!

20:00 yes, the videos are longer, but I find these types of long-form videos far more instructive (especially for players at a higher level) than the shorter videos many other Chess RU-vidrs produce

Thanks for the video John, and thanks for your contributions to chessable and your continuous youtube content. I really appreciate that you decided to keep the queens on this game and I also like how you demonstrated how to use the g and h pawns to attack the fianchettoed bishop.

This is known as the Chinese variation if Be2 was followed by g4. Donner was the first GM beat by a Chinese player and this was the variation.

Glad these long videos are your favorite to make because they're my favorite to watch!

John am I going to have access to my Ichess courses or they just evaporating?

Really enjoy the longer games with plenty of time to comment.

I absolutely love that you are making standard chess videos again!

I think it's called the Minnesota Variation.

I'm on the second to last game, for the second time!! I've started hoping for more standard games because they are so educational

First!!

I think pawns should have two values. Defense value decreases as attacking power increases with forward motion. Would be scared as hell facing G and H rush from a 2400+

Count me as a viewer who prefers the 15-min games. I don't know the openings that well, so I cant always appreciate developments in a 3-min game or look ahead. If I want a shorter video view, I may skip the post-game analysis. With a satisfying hard-fought game, I'll watch a 50-min video no problem.

Thank you for these videos. A couple years ago, I vastly preferred the CTRL series, but I find that I like these Standard videos more and more as I improve. I'm personally struggling to make myself calculate more thoroughly and consider more lines or opponent responses when I play, and so it's very instructive to see you stay patient and work through different plans.

Same here, my most loved series. It's encouraging me to play more rapid. As you always say we should do. I don't watch those videos in one siting. It's usually a few minutes at a time before sleep. And the following day I return to the last position I remember. I re-watched the old videos so much time in the time you have been busy with other projects. Good to have you back John!

I actually prefer the longer format. It gives you more time to explain your thought process and gives me more time to absorb it. Maybe call it the Pirc-Alekhine system, just because it would be fun to hear people try to pronounce it.

I've played the Pirc (Perk) most of my adult life. If Pirc has a problem with the pronunciation with his opening, he can take it up with me. 😜

I've missed your content. I've learned so much from watching your videos over the last couple years, probable why I'm always low on time!

You say this time format is less watched...I happen to luv seeing games with this time control. And hearing your thoughts on potential moves and their strategy is what's must important to me. So more please...any thank you!

John: "I could probably beat Magnus in this position." *Frowns in IM Lawrence Trent*

very interesting game. I wondered if your opponent should have at least tried h6 early on to discourage your pawn advances and meet either h5 or g5 with g5 or h5 respectively...

I love all your videos but I particularly love the longer games with long videos, which I enjoy every second of.

The Standard videos are the best. I find it hard to understand why it gets fewer views. If you want to improve and learn then these Standard videos are the ones to watch. Not Blitz or Bullet streams where you learn nothing and are just wasting your time.

The Q to a5 idea targeting the pinned pawn is an idea common in the Czech pirc. NM Robert Ramirez has some great tutorials on this.

I play the Pirc a lot, but whenever I watch an IM or GM play against it, it looks like a really poor defence.

I like this format. I like to hear your thought processes during the game and afterwards too. I learned a lot. It’s a good learning format for me

Your longer time control videos are the best, your analysis is very instructive , thank you.

I prefer the longer videos! Thanks for doing them despite the lower view count

Maybe you could do an exclusive AMA on /r/AnarchyChess :)

Please John don't apologize to me for the long Vids apologize to my boss

isn't this guy lower rated than the guy in the last climbing the rating ladder :')

I saw Nh3 instantly and I’m only a 2000. Rawwwrg I’m so mad.

This is what black gets for playing the Pirc...

sucks you get fewer views for longer videos. i like longer videos more.

Thanks John, love the analysis on standard series.

I like and then watch :D thanks for sharing these cool videos

Ive been enjoying these and learning a lot from the longer format.

your standard videos are some of the best on youtube

Always excited to see a Pirc on the board

The averbakh variation of the kid.

It's not a time ask for me, it's just fun!

ah... i can put the brick away :>

Great stuff as always John

forced loss

Thanks for doing the standard videos. I love watching the longer form content :-)

Rrwarg! Not Ne2, Nh3 dang it!

Thanks for another great video, John. The longer time controls are the best!

Grateful for the consistent posts! Making 2023 very enjoyable. Thanks!