I Challenged "Russian Paul,” The Strongest Chess Hustler in NYC 

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The 2 other guys she already played are just sat watching her play the final boss

I played this guy in 2019 -- had the grace to compliment my play and switch into teaching mode. The best thing about playing ‘hustlers’ is the characters and stories you can get access to, if for whatever reason you build a connection. The energy they can give off is unique and their relationship with chess is a space of its own.

Paul is awesome. He is quite a character. Respect to you Ms.Botez for showing the game you didn’t win

That guy really did his best to get the cheapest looking chess setup he could find. Yellow pieces instead of white, random blue and black pieces for black, a badly worn and creased paper chess board. This guy really is a hustler

I love how the default face of these hustlers is *unimpressed"

Alternate title: I Reached The Final Boss Of The Hustlers Association

Just played Russian Paul twice. First game he blundered his Queen but I only had 18 seconds left and couldn’t convert in time and second game he blew me off the board. He’s definitely the strongest of the Union square guys

That was so damn good. The mid game defense from both of you was so strong and if either of you rushed you would’ve fallen. Absolutely great tricky annoyances he did too. lol

dude looks like he played his way out of the gulag.

These "chess hustlers" have an alternative competition going on at the same time - who can look more uninterested in what's going on. Hard to tell who's winning that one.

I love the OG in back eyeing the board knowing she's got a chance.

The happy dude singing in the background at 2:38 that’s the energy I’m looking for in life

That guy in the background be like: Avenge me Paul.

In Chess the final boss is always Russian.

Definitely intense!!!..thank you so much^_^..I learnt a lot from this game...kf2 on the 20th move would have been a great line to play♥️

This was a great and fun match to watch. I wish you posted more of these kinds of videos, and fewer fun social ones, since this was so instructive.

He looks like he thinks everyone he plays talks too much

So this is the 'Ru Paul' I've heard so much about.

I once knew a Russian named Paul in Washington Square Park, back in 1993-95. He played at the Marshall Chess Club for a time, but his results were mixed. The man I knew was thin, but similar in facial characteristics. It could be him, after more than 26 years.

One thing I like about Paul is that he's cool with his quick moves which gives pressure on any opponent, chess is about tricky play 🤗

Can we all just show appreciation for the virtual board so we can easily follow the moves they are making?

Russian Paul: By far the most likable Paul brother.

Took a break from my Krump training to watch this and then I hear in the background of this video “Church Call” by Big Rulez ! I had to pause to make sure but there was definitely krumpers performing or training nearby ! A sign to go back to labbing after this 🤣🤣🤣🤣

If I could keep up with how fast they move and how they set up Mate.. I'd watch more of these more often.. They are TOO good :)

After this win, he went to collect a due rent from Peter Parker.

Haha I just binged all of these and the only thing I know about is chess is that I have a cool glass set in my room 😛 Great content! 🔥

Hey great channel but you should put captions for your voices so we can hear ur talk back and fourth that would make it super awesome

A great display of humility when you the video where you're not victorious.

Props to her for showing a loss

Now I don't feel so bad for all the times I lost to this guy in Union Square.

I’m hooked ! You’re brilliant

Im old now and tha vid pops up again.. love you Botez... keep it up

Can't believe alex is doing more shittalk than the boss hustler

To face him again, you have to defeat his minions one more time.

e4 surprised me. Bxf4 then surprised me even more. Even though I didn't see a clear plan forward, with no options for a Botez gambit I figured a black win was inevitable. I underestimated the Russian winter.

our alex had him early, but lacked bloodlust for the immediate full court press. meanwhile he was patient and relentlessly focused.

I’ll never forget the last time I was in a chess tournament. I played 18 different opponents at the same time, while blindfolded. Lost every game!

Respect for uploading a loss. Most people care about self pride too much

I love watching this challenges

Great game. Thanks for posting.

I have no idea how many times I have played that man and can count my wins on zero hands.

I'm not a chess player, but know the basics, watched a good amount of chess videos... And to me this video have so much entertainment in it... It was a real showdown... Congrats

When both queens were out and she goes “ let’s see if your up for trading,is that okay.” And he basically declines by moving his knight but she starts the trade anyway. 😂😂 it’s like I was only asking to be polite I was still taking your queen 😂

When you become so good at chess people start calling you a "Russian".

I would love to see Hikaru disguised as an old man playing against them.

The guy in glasses looking "at the board" was a scene of its own.

I think a5 wins here at 02:10 If white moves the bishop off this diagonal, then Qd2 is mate. If h4, then Qxe5 and black has a discovered check with the Knight on e4.

You know it’s street chess when both sides have different shades of white and blue and black pieces 😂

i just hope this isn't the end of the chess hustler arc cause alex needs redemption

Intense game

Hi Alex, new to your channel (here's a like and sub btw), I think it would be interesting to see post game analysis of mistakes/book/strong moves. I know making videos is tedious, fun channel thank you!

Notice how the first two guys talked too much with her. That may have put them from their game. Unlike Russian Paul, who stayed quiet. Final Boss indeed. Lol

i would love to be as calm and focused like the guy, even after winning no excitement just casual.

Really good game and big thumb 👍 for sharing, a lot of peplo hate losing not even sharing it.

🔥🔥🔥

“You don’t look impressed” To be fair I’ve never seen an impressed russian

you know that's not his belly that's armor protecting us from his abs

Its fun to see the IM doing the 'trash talk" while Paul sits stoicly and just makes moves.... thats one thing I likea bout Paul. What is not so comfortable about him is that he beats me and still has three minutes left on his clock.

I love how the creepy dude in grey is so focused on the uhhhh...chess match....

If you do more of these in the future, I'd recommend adding subtitles on the video! It can be a little hard to hear the banter over the background noises and music sometimes, and the banter is what makes it so good.

really like how the other 2 hustlers that lost watching the battle too XD

Go girl

So cool to see

Alex: you’re very strong. Russian Paul’s face: me? I never play this game

He turned defense mode into attack very quickly.

"Maybe you don't have a killer instinct." 😁

Subscribed after watching you on Hustler Casino Live.

"You've got to stop playing the French Alex" - Magnus Carlsen

Always love seeing a good Union Square Park hustler video. My hometown.

wonderful sharing

good job. Very good in beginning.

Don't worry, you'll beat him at the Moscow Invitational

Definitely appreciate you posting a loss as well. Not every game is going to be a win - even at the Master level. I still have trouble accepting it despite being on a 10 game losing streak with a regular opponent of mine.

Amazing games Botez

Good game! I subbed after watching this one.

Well, if he is known as "Russian" Paul that explains why she couldn't beat him.

THIS is Entertaining!!

Springfield, Missouri. I have the creativity and enthusiasm to bring chess to life here, but my lack of chess talent is keeping me from completing my mission of injecting my love for chess into my hometown. If y’all could teach me how to be better QUICKLY, or just come and pump up the crowd yourself that would make myself and the chess gods very happy 😀.

2 vids in and I'm crushed by the loss. 😔

Appreciate your showing a game that you lost! Nice play by the both of you!

These chess hustlers have the greatest vibes

I have no idea how to play chess. Just enjoy watching you make masters think! Your beauty is overwhelming!

He even made a pawn move before he realized she blundered the rook.

I looked up the evaluation for this game move by move and at his first check she was at a -1 advantage, after a few moves he was +3 in advantage, but then at 8:05 the Rc3 move actually lost almost all of his advantage(+0.8) because she could have taken the pawn and he wouldn't have been able to attack with his pawn since it was pinned between the bottom rook and his king. But she moved her king so quickly after his rook move that she didn't see it and then his advantage went to +4.2 Her position got progressively worse and then the 8:30 move(Ng6) put him way ahead at a +7.2 and then of course her rook blunder at the end. It's really interesting to see that 2 highly skilled players still don't make the "perfect" move almost every time and that they are still prone to making mistakes even when they're in good position

I like how he was always "meh. I guess I'll move that one"

Bishop captures Knight @ 6:35 was when the game turned for Paul... perhaps King to f7 was a better move.

I love it that you post not only the winning games! Good game!

Nobody: Russian Paul at every move: 👀.. 🤷‍♂️ ..🤨 ..♟️🤏..😐

Love this channel! I used to eat chess pieces !

I used to hangout in most of the top spots for chess players in New York and I've seen Russian Paul many times.He's one of the strongest chess hustlers I've ever seen.

What a channel!!

"Russian Paul" continues to show class after all these years.

Respect for posting this. You dont lose you just learn.

great job

I've been watching a lot of chess videos lately never played chess before

Paul’s physical physical gestures tells me he has seen it all. He can beat a master player without sleeping for 3 nights. U young lady have class and smarts.

"Your teacher told you? Yeah" Alex was so confident then

Try Kaivopuisto Helsinki. There is a really nice spot with giant chess "boards"

GREAT!!! Cheers