They Thought I Was CHEATING… 

The best computer review I've gotten so far was 2200, in a 30 minute Rapid. I was over the moon, so I know how you feel Anna. Those milestones are incredible. Good job!

I saw one of your videos one day of you playing in the park and then another one featuring your mother and I became a fan of yours due to your style of play and your overall personality. I didn't play often because I'm not very good and other players would easily pick up on that or I'd just tell them, so they'd just toy with me and I'd lose in embarrassing fashion all the while having to hear little jabs and insults during the game. It just got to the point where I stopped playing because for me, it was about having a good time and not just crushing the person across from me. Then, I came across your videos and saw how nice you were, even during play, and it encouraged me to get back to the board. Thank you and your mother and your family for igniting the spark for me to start playing again! 👍🏽

Your stream worked its way into my feed - and subsequently, because of your enthusiasm and approach to sharing and educating your viewers I now have an appreciation of the game and culture of chess. Thank you. One vote and subscription added.

This, so much this. How often have I heard in competitive scenes, where a team is facing a much stronger opponent, that "there is no point", "they have no chance", etc. The truth is, those always picking from the lower shelves in fear of not being tall enough to reach the upper ones will never really know how tall they truly are and more importantly, how far they can stretch themselves. Your approach to the game and general personality is truly amazing and even though chess is not my cup of tea, I always find myself watching any of your videos i happen to stumble across because of how full it is with positivity. I loved the story and especially the ending of the story, as you demonstrate so well, that even if you "lose" in a competitive sport, it doesn't really matter as long as you gave it all you've got or more. You did and you have all right of feeling happy and proud of what you accomplished. More so, maybe, than you realize, given how rare this attitude is out there. :) Thanks for sharing the story with us.

It is refreshing and quite mature that you not only show your victories but also your defeats. We always learn by playing someone stronger than us. I love your delightful attitude and providing us a glimpse into how your chess mind works... All the best!!

I feel very happy for you for that extraordinary game you´ve played! I´m again new to chess as an adult, with some little experiences from my childhood, but you´re energy about the game got me into giving it a new try. Thank you for that!

Your happiness and enthusiasm Anna, it's always inspiring!

David vs Goliath, the Anna Cramling story.

The same thing as many people. By coincidence I found your video's and found them entertaining. Knowing NOTHING about chess but I kept watching. With you analyzing games I started to understand some things ( like castling etc..). So I started to play. On the computer because for me that was a great way to learn. With those coloured squares. And a few days ago we bought a board. And it turns out learning with the computer and watching your video's really helped. Online theres always a draw or a win and got a level up against the computer. And on the board I'm winning a lot. So you are a great advocate for chess !! I got from: eh chess is far to difficult for me to rather quickly learn the basics and start to play.

Listening to you go through this match? Was a LARGE improvement in your thinking process.... because you DID begin to let yourself play chess. It's not a question of IF you will unleash what many out here can already see, only when. I've no doubt your parents already know this, and are just having fun watching you work through it all- It IS very cool to be able to watch as it happens, because it pulls all of us in with you, lol. Your mind has a steel-trap aspect to it? That, with practice, you'll be able to learn how to keep the time aspect in a better position. It's not over-confidence? But it's similar- more excitement that your actually keeping up in a match such as this? And that's causing a bit of a blind-spot. But you'll get it, because as you said, you love playing in harder matches- That's how you develop that clearer vision. Excellent job! Really fun to watch. Oh, and yes, I already cast my vote- of course!

Nice Game, sometimes when we face someone who we think is out of our league, we know we're going to loose, so we loose all pressure and play better.

The one time I beat the Naroditsky bot, the analysis assessed my level in the game to be 2650... And I was 1700 at the time, and it took me almost an hour and 92 moves 😂😂😂

Anna, you played a great game going toe to toe against the GM. About time management, there's probably a fine line between feeling like you are playing too slow vs rushing. Once you find the happy medium, I bet your game will be that much better. You've inspired me to slow down and think more at critical moments in a game instead of rushing. Like I said, a fine line.

Two things that were good about this video. One is you tell me what is theory and I wish you would do more of that. And the other is I realize maybe mainline openings are mainline because they fight in the center where all your pieces have maximum activity.

I don't know how anyone can play chess vs her and concentrate, her smile is infectious!

Thank you for such a positive attitude. Since finding your channel, I've gotten the desire to try to get better at chess than just being a beginner.

I saw this on stream, it was awesome!! You and Eric Rosen, my favorites...both of you have the habit of thinking the time away. I think because I need to slow down and think more! 😂

Hello Anna ! 12:12 Black Queen on b5 is your better option ! Because White opponent cannot take your bishop without loose the game, and that forces white horse on b4. Then you can retake the control of game, and keep your bishop. If opponent do another choice, you go to win !!! 🧐

Is she cheating? She's getting crazy accuracy games lately - Kramnik

Poor Levy must have just had a heart attack - imagine if Anna reaches GM level ??? Wow

This will make many try to play or play better. So inspiring.

I have zero clue about chess but find your videos fascinating.

I learned how to play chess from you and you helped me a lot and I beat my brothers too

Great job. Only two suggestions. First, you may want to mention that you just connected your rooks. Also when your rook reached the seventh rank and advantages of that. Thanks, Brad

Just found you about 2 weeks prior to Iceland ,your a blast !! Great personality ! and your ahead of your age,its refreshing . Ive been playing sence 64 and its still a pleasure.Good luck to you!!

Hi Anna you really helped me get better at chess and your mom is very good too ❤ also when you play levy it’s very funny haha

the best estimated rating ive gotten was 2600, when i played against Stockfish 16. i was under 1100 at the time

The level of happiness, enthusiasm and being proud over your accomplishment is intoxicatingly infectious and makes you suuuuper sympathetic. Your personality is just great, please stay as you are :)

one time i drew against my older brother in monopoly

For me my best game was Last week Because in that game me and my opponent , we played 79 moves!!

AND SHE SACRIFICED...THE TIME!!!

It's funny really that in chess there are games which are so much more enjoyable to watch than others, I really enjoyed watching this one, thumbs up!

I think you forgot to retrieve the "variant filter" at 4:45 😂

Congrats on a great game. As for time management, all one needs to become a slow player is to have one time when an opponent nails you on a careless mistake where you forgot to guard a piece or you missed a fork. Perhaps when you were young and just starting you got surprised by a mistake? I know I have made enough mistakes by NOT thinking long enough.

Yeah, I saw this game the other day. It's very good but I have to admit I don't really understand it. Well, I've always had problems with ...e6 Sicilians. You did really well, and you know it.

Never played a game of chess in my life but love your videos. Down to earth personality and a genuine person.

Good for you. Keep working; you’re getting better. You made a key point though - do your best to play every game like you’re up against the very best. I know you know you should. I’m happy you’re having fun.

she nailed it in the intro - better competition really does bring out the best in us and it's so fundamentally important we not lose sight of that in pursuit of avoiding hurt feelings. sportsmanship matters too, of course, which often softens the sting of defeat when an opponent is especially gracious. but leaning into scenarios in which we face stronger competition in any aspect of life is really "it" when it comes to humanity and this chess match was a beautiful expression of that important truth.

That's why i don't like blitz chess. Its mostly who will make less mistakes and loose on time. Not why I like chess

I remember when You had 200,000 subs, and now almost 1 millon!! You are the Best!

Congratulations and Bravo 👏 Never allow yourself to be intimidated by anyone! You have learned that you can compete with the best players in the world. Stay focused and you will become one of them!

That GMs nickname is "Smirnoff" - so keep you feet on the ground please

Dear Ms. Cramling, "... every time I play someone that's stronger than me, I just play better". I made exactly the same experience what unfortunately means that I play quite bad games against "weak" opponents. Today in our team match I had a 778 DWZ opponent (equal to approx. 1000 ELO) and it was SO bad. I felt bad three quarters of the game... Well, analysis will be done tomorrow. In our low league very often feelings and reality differ. At least I won the game and the statistics now show 5 of 6 for me this season.

I could not vote for you because the website you listed was messed up. Whatever password I put in the repeat password column didn’t match. So my vote is for you but the website is rigged against you!!

It's so wonderful to see your passion for chess. I love it. I'm not a much of a chess player, but I do enjoy when I get the opportunity. Watching your passion is heartwarming. I bet your grandmaster parents are super proud.

My highest wasn't against a person but Sven, the 1400 bot 😅 But I got an in-game rating of 2050! (I was probably around 400 at the time).

It was fun following along, and seeing the moves you could have made. Great work!

hard work and rigorous self assessment are a potent combination. congrats on your hard earned success

Anna, congrats for getting nominated. You deserve to win it.

Thanks Anna, I did go to the STREAMERS AWARDS Page. There was no button or voters box…😢

That's great. Period. I won't say my usual criticism about time (and yeah, I get it about over-thinking is an addiction) because you were playing a great GM. Cheers.

I love your attitude. You are such an enthusiastic learner. I feel like at some point, we are just going to witness an absolute skyrocketing of your rating, abilities, and accomplishments, cause you're just working steadily forward!

So tough a loss! Your videos got me back into chess and I'm loving it! thank you, Ms Cramling!! You'll be GM 3k+ if you want to... it's in your DNA.

❇️ Actually I don't recommend this variation (Lüwanthel Variation) of Sicilian Defence. It is so inferior comparing with Najdorf 💜 or Dragon Variations ❤

Acabo de votarte, muchos éxitos en los streamer awards y felicitaciones por tu nuevo canal en español! Saludos desde Argentina!

My best game we remembering where the horsey parts can go. I love your walkthroughs and detailed explanations.. Thank You.

Congratulations Anna. You played good enough to win and held your own against a GM. He knows he was very lucky to win and could have lost. Keep pursuing your playing against tough opponents. It only makes you better. Hugs from Santa Barbara, CA. 🤗😘🌹👏

its funny you missed f5, its a very thematic move of the Shveshnikov. Anyway i'm psyched you played one of my fave openings, and very well too! Qa4 is wild! that's why i like this opening!

Anna - I'm not even into chess per sé. Watching you has been delightful! You're so wholesome! The joy you have from playing the game is delightful! I even tried watching the Queens gambit - first episode was a little hard to watch, but I'm going to give it another go and hopefully get hooked! Something that also has me hooked is your accent and voice! Haha - sorry - I'm really big on accents! But thankyou for sharing your joy of the game - it's contagious!

Good one! I played a Grand Master (from Europe) OTB in Auckland 2015 and got a very strong position. In fact as I was on board one (one fellow NZ player 'wondered who the GM was'...but I played the Rubinstein idea in the Symmetrical English. Now I think he chose one of the weaker plans (I think the best Idea for W is to get f4 in). As the game went on I saw the various threats and kept such a good position his time kept dropping to round 10 seconds, even less sometimes...there were increments....I couldn't offer a draw until move 30. What freaked me was looking at his clock times.... But then I made an inaccuracy and that led to a weaker or not so clearly won position for me. However in that tournament my plan was to get 50% which meant if I got more that was a bonus and I had practiced or imagined losing then drawing then winning and then thinking of the next game and so on. I didn't do an evaluation of my level during the game I knew I had played well....but of course in a match he would have won everytime overall....no illusions.

Your happiness and your smile are contagious 😊 happy for your game!!!

I can’t find that video but I was about to return there to mention mad-cow-disease like when the cows get angry 😅 Then, on a more serious note, I was going to add that it’s important to remember and to understand that first and foremost Chess is a game, and games are designed for the purpose of fun and enjoyment. So, don’t let emotions drive you off of the spirit you need to have to enjoy games. And do say to yourself that it is only a game (like the rest of us). My apologies for my cheeky comments 😊 What I’d like to get across is that there are mental health issues all across the board when it comes to sports and supporters - players could become depressed for different reasons but supporters can become depressed too. So, it’s something to be mindful of as you invite your viewers to support you.

You have the most expressive mouth ive ever seen in a person, it's the clearest point of your body language, it's facinating

Fantastic achievement despite the sad lost.Good for the confidence!!🎉

The day that you are able to consistently not be lower on time then your opponent, will be the day that you are a GREAT chess player. Luv u

I don’t even understand a 96% accuracy…. I have been playing for a solid few months, and watching all sorts of chess content, and even when I get a mate in 8-10 moves (against a weak bot) the highest I have seen my accuracy is 86% but its usually just under 70. even when I feel like I played a masterpiece of a game. I had a game where I took the queen with a discovered check took out both rooks with a promotion pawn combo and still didn’t get 1 brilliant move and like 76% accurate. and said I played like a 1200, so to get 96 and 3300 is unbelievable.

I’ve never played chess but find your videos intriguing. Your honesty and enthusiasm are captivating. Now I want someone to teach me how to play.

I am a casual player -- but the times I have spent a lot of time practicing -- I have found myself "in the zone" and surprise myself about how well I played -- I look back and think: "Was that me" -- but it was. Now, those days are rare but I enjoy them when the happen.

96 percent.. this is for sure very interesting

That’s always the case for all competitions. The underdog has so much more motivation to win and the favorite can’t really benefit even if they win. It must be rough being on top. You have little to gain and can’t really get excited over any matches.

How many of you thought that for sure she was talking about a win?? You lost Anna... hahah

I voted for you. I wrote a bigger comment about how you inspired my little one to play chess more and reignited my love for the game but it didn't show, and I was honestly annoyed. But you are my favorite person to watch everyday.

Incredible and fantastic, and you did it, Anna! Thank you very much for reviewing this game again: you did as well as you truly can be, this wasn't a once off, when you find the right moves. You're entitled to be so pleased with yourself! Let it continue with your next challenges.

Thinking is good, overthinking can cause problems.

Today is 2/9/2024 and strangely the link above doesn't take me to a place I can vote for you even though the awards aren't for 8 days and 43 minutes. What the heck!!??

I get u cus I was losing so much on time so I stuck to rapid 😅 never gonna be a blitz player

I remember Gotham Chess lost a similar game on time and it broke him. You lost on time and it inspired you. Wow your positive outlook on this situation is very inspiring.

Proud of you! I know you can became a better player in a minute, keep trust in you

Trying to vote for you, Anna...I'm not getting any Category No 4...just a home page about getting tickets for the show!

Anna representing all the ADHD chess players 😂😂

In Bridge a Chess level complexity card game at the highest level of play but played as partners many and I think playing and being crushed by better players great way to improve ones moves.

15:00 Anna, I would find a way to lose in this drawing position.

Okay Anna, just voted for you! Best of luck! :-)

Voted! Good luck!

3300 ! Well done Anna.

I was very happy to vote for you. I watch all the videos of yours that show up on my RU-vid feed.

Played in an online Tournament and used a way of locking my moves to enable checking but in that game I realized too late I didn't know how to 'unlock' that and it caused me to lose on time....But it is all fun and games. But managing the clock is one of the skills of chess.

I have (and still do) enjoyed your chess playing and your super exciting enthusiasm on your videos. I just voted for you and wish you all the best.

I didn't think watching chess on RU-vid was a thing, but somehow ended in this rabbit hole. It's quite fascinating, I enjoy it, despite not knowing a single thing about Chess.

Great Vid, but tbh, I am Just hyped for the next Tournament🤘 it was so much fun to follow you through the whole Tournament 🔥

"There's no way I can lose". Yep, been there.

levy never fails-wrong video

You do great when you don't beat yourself with the clock☺️👍

Hi Anna! I voted for you for best chess streamer! You're so great, I just wish your camera was still zoomed in to you like it used to be in your older videos. Now it mostly shows background and your beautiful face is so small during the games!

Hi @AnnaCramling, why is the d5 square the most important in the position? Can you explain that please? How do i know the most important square in any chess position?

I don’t play chess, but this channel is so entertaining.

Anna on .75 speed - how the middle aged beginner understands what the hell is going on

I know noting about chess but really enjoy watching your "Chess Journey". Thanks so much for sharing your experiences.

Hello Anna ! I'm a chess beginner. You made me discover that strategy is not my strength. So I watch your chess videos to learn. I love it because you are so positive even if you don't win. Phil. Peace.

You've got my vote! Great content