The Greatest Chess Player You Never Heard Of

So glad Gotham started covering legendary chess players again

Let's appreciate that our favorite chess youtuber listened to the fans and made several old school educational content videos in a row. I totally love it, keep it coming.

As someone who seriously digs chess, I gotta say, the way you've highlighted Rashid's story is totally epic. These tales about the lesser-known but totally rad figures in chess make the game that much cooler.

Nezhmetdinov is my favorite chess player, along with Tal. I absolutely love that he was Tal's second when Tal won the world champion title, and that Tal said that one of his losses to Nezhmetdinov was the happiest day of his life. If your goal is to spread the word of unknown legends of chess's past, may I suggest Akiba Rubenstein next, Levy?

''Your pieces aren't pieces anymore, they're figurines''- coolest chess insult ever

Massive respect for making a video about this gentleman in the age of pretty clickbaity and nonsensical fun videos, he deserves it and I'm glad you made this

i think we can all agree we want more chess videos like this. educational about the history of chess while making it entertaining and fun

The Takeaway here is not only the great chess but the great analysis in entertainment… what a great way to make this even more compelling than it already was!! Excellent job

When I first started playing chess in 2018, I binge watched Agadmator’s videos. I liked Nezhmetdinov’s games so much that I watched a three part documentary about him. I believe it is still on YouTube. His lifetime score against Tal was positive, and the games he won against him were beautiful. His life wasn’t easy, nor was his chess career. Yet the art he created still remains with us. Thank you for acknowledging him Levy.

Levy's storytelling skills are literally INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pls do the deep dive about Korchnoi. these history series are such a gem

That game vs Tal was absolutely bonkers. Had to pause it numerous times to follow all of the complications even after you explained it xD. So many wonderful tactics, thanks for this video

This is prime Levy content. Five stars. Educational and inspirational. I'm not a fan of "THE ROOK" but who cares. As a weak player I love those moments when I look at a board and see literally nothing -- no plan, no pattern, nothing. And then the commentator reveals the ideas in play, shows the dominoes falling, and I'm like ohhh. And the effect gets magnified by insights into the player's life. From humble beginnings to the greatest player never to become a grandmaster. Thanks for this, and yeah, I noticed your line about the most famous IM ever. Well done.

Gotta respect Levy for bringing back these historic videos despite not doing as well in the past. I'm here for it

Yo wtf this guy was insane. Even the computer eval bar is like this guy is nuts. Out of all the games you've shown on the channel, Rashid is the player that seems like he plays the tactics the computer plays. Absolutely insane player.

I cried when I found out he dedicated that game to his son. That's so... I don't even know, perfect? Thank you, Levy, for sharing his story.

It's so amazing that he had to undergo so many trials and tribulations during his life and that he was also a fierce attacking player. He fought back at life and his opponents in chess. Also respect to levy for listening to his watchers and making more historical chess videos

I found Agadmator some 7 years ago, I found you a few years later through him (well, through YouTube recommendations). As a chess rookie and history teacher in one I LOVE those history videos. I watched his take on this greatest player without the GM title (ofc, with you close second ;) and now I watch your take on it. I will keep eating those history videos like cookies. Both channels, all the time. My favourite history delve of yours is the World chess championship with Korchnoi - such exquisite drama. Maybe the history videos do not do as well as THE ROOK or Magnus, but for my part, I love them and hope you will make many more in the future.

I've seen these games before. But the way you presented them with such an incredible history behind them, it made it so much better.

Thanks for making this. I'm loving these deep dives on historical chess. Really enjoyed the games and the stories that surround them. Mixing historical storytelling with brilliant chess players/games/moments is awesome. There's also something about the old school pre engine chess that I love. I'm also a big fan of prodigy content/updates. Where are they now for any less known or out of the news players, like the Ding video. Honestly, I know Tal but don't think I've heard his story just his reputation.

The fact that Tal tipped his Gangster hat to this man is more prestigious than a GM title.