Standard Chess #22: DAG87001 vs. IM Bartholomew (Reti Opening)

Hedgehog and Maroczy Bind players take note! In this contest I offer to enter a double-fianchetto hedgehog, but my opponents declines by adopting a Hedheog setup himself! Much of the play centers around the efficacy of the "sacrifice" ...Nc6-d4 and the effect this move has on the tense middlegame position.

[@devvanbutler2758]

john, i think that buy you doing commentary it really makes it harder for you to play. i love your commentary. makes the game fun. also, i think it take's alot of self discipline to do commentary and keep your mind on the game. is this some what of an exercise? doing commentary and playing chess?also, does is improve you chess in OTB games?

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

Hey, Devvan! Yes, it's definitely challenging to do commentary and play at the same time. It's significantly harder in bullet/blitz than it is in standard, I've found. Being a chess teacher helps, however, because I'm so used to verbalizing my thought processes. Not sure if this helps my OTB game...probably not much, if at all!

[@jasperhalsey8574]

Wow. great game with some nice tactics. 17…Nd4! what a move. I also liked 18…Bh6!

[@malegupta8404]

thx forhte lecture and vieos john sir on icc you are the bbest bst

[@circleviii1801]

Cool win against a very passive opponent

[@JohnBartholomewChess]

+Ryan Foster Man, this game seems like ages ago. Thanks, Ryan!

[@chess-intuition]

Decent opponent

[@andrewssportsden9396]

Its easy to get plugged up playing the Reti from my expierence

[@RoyalFlush168]

Find it very annoying to play people avoiding all exchanges. What would be good way to play against that

[@michaeldelaney8945]

If they're just avoiding all exchanges you're likely to be able to gain a big space advantage and cramp them like John did in the game