I love the fact that Chess Hustlers are even a thing. It's always really nice to see her connect with all kinds of people through pure love of the game.

Totally agree you play your craft and socialise with players and give them the respect they deserve . Don’t understand chess but it is fascinating and love the social vibe of it on YouTube !!

@TheAtticradio the real fascinating thing is Anna's body

@Entelektüel Yolculuk shhh we don't notice these things ;) lol

@zachary sherry yohohohohoh, I see

they arent. its just a clickbait title.

My favorite moments in all of these videos are when the hustlers realize she's for real and their confidence is suddenly shaken.

They know who she is, All these Chess Hustlers know whose who.

Paul is great he's full of a vast amount of knowledge as well. I remember watching him play back in the 80's

I as well played Paul, back around 2004. I paid him for a lesson. I think he is a master, or greater, from either Russia or close. A nice gentlemen, I enjoyed his company.

@john copehe is a good guy he taught me about that song OLord wouldn't you buy a Mercedes Benz my friends all have porches I must make amends

Yeah, as far as I'm aware he first showed up around 83 - 84. Last time I was around and saw him was 07. Glad he's still kicking.

@Rick Wme too is us a Washington Square park attraction for sure

@joshua tift that's a Janis Joplin song, fyi. Mercedes Benz. " I'd like to do a song of great social and political import It goes like this Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends So, oh, Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV? Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me I wait for delivery each day until three So, oh, Lord, won't you buy me a color TV? Oh, Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town? I'm counting on you Lord, please don't let me down Prove that you love me and buy the next round Oh, Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town? Everybody Oh, Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends So, oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? That's it "

Paul is awesome and indeed a very very strong player. Anna, thank you so much for this content, you rock!

Sporting conversations between two unlikely people is up there as one of the most wholesome human things you’ll ever see.

That's one of the hardest aspects of chess: You can get a winning game and then destroy it all in one mistake: such as Qd7. Thanks, Anna, for giving us this lesson. And this one: Your tactics and attack in Game 2 were brilliant.

You are always winning till you make a mistake. That mistake might come on your first couple moves or your last.

His mistake at the end of the 2nd game was even more atrocious. Too much talking from both players is what caused both of them to blunder.

…..that second game knocked him into a cocked hat, what a brilliant attack. Both knights threatening pinning his queen, he got discombobulated, didn’t seem to even notice her rook off to the right. He won 2-1 but she looked the better player

@Great Value Man Isnet it stange....Its all about winning on the board i sent it? Its the points. The Glori. The cash. The fame. Butt ho cares anymore about THE ART OF CHESS? Its typical for USA players and then some to foregett what chess realy is.

I know minus nothing about chess. YouTube sent Anna in my direction. Her great enthusiasm has wiped the dust off what seemed a dull and boring game. I have since watch others but others just dont have Anna's joy. The people she meets are so interesting. She brings out their character.

What I love, more seeing than the chess, are the strange characters hustling in NYC. So many unique personalities and lots of good humour. The _"A little bird told me"_ cracked me up. This must be why parrots are not allowed in tournament venues. XD

Great games with strong players, thanks for sharing (and hey, we all blunder)! Playing in this kind of environment makes chess feel fun and alive, unlike many of the more sterile tournament settings.

It's a pleasure to watch you playing chess with allways all that joy!

This guy is very good player and what i liked about his game is his rather strategic rather than materialistic approach!! Anna you also gave him a hell of time to ponder, kudos to both of you! Respect and love

It's nice to have the evaluation bar. He was killing you in game two but blundered at 17:02 with pawn b2... So he was right when he said "admit it, I had an easy game"

dont know why he didnt take her knight , was like merci or a hussler fishing her in

I love the NYC videos. NYC is full of amazing players. The queen blunder reaction was so funny.

And his response with a Simpsons Nelson's "HA HA!" 😂

Agh! I played (and managed a draw) against him today! Can't believe I missed this. Would've loved to see you play him Anna, I'm a big fan.

Man I don't play chess but the reverence amazing chest players have in their eyes is honestly so heartwarming. These people are exuding passion and love, bonding over this game that is a large part of their lives.

I like the idea that they just take a table, chairs, a chessboard, and just go set up in public to play total strangers and everybody gets along fine. It might actually be a little heaven on earth

Looks like pretty girl lost to the old chess master from the park😳

Chest players, eh?

The 9:34-10:00 was one of my favorite chess sequences I've ever seen. Fantastic and joyful, as chess should be.

indeed, great stuff

Of all the games you've posted so far this one (the first) was my favorite. Especially I like how you judged the actual danger to the k-side to be minor. However, he's a strong player so that's life.

This is a good one but there is one (1) recently where she played a kid eating a pizza. One (1) for the ages.

@goutvols103 Yes, I saw that one. She won a pawn with a clever discovered check, and had a clearly better, even winning game until she dropped her bishop to a discovered check.

Always happy to see younger people hanging out with the old ones. Thanks, Anna.

this is soooo pleasant

just found and now LOVE watching your videos Anna! you have a great personality, always smiling and laughing and are SO GOOD! this is the first i have seen you lose/ making me want to start playing chess !

So happy to see you laugh at Qd7 in Game 3! Almost every chess player should see that - that is the right way to lose. Thank you...

This is much more interesting than tournaments, tournaments have a cold atmosphere and players are like robots, they should have tournament categories in this format, the "talking allowed" format lol

No xd

Absolutely! I had lost pretty much all interest in chess before I discovered the Botez sisters, and then this channel. Chess is very boring to watch, even if you're really into chess, so a "trash talk" category could capitalize on the audience these YouTube chess personalities are bringing to the game.

- At the end of the first game, RP found wonderful moves, although you played very well also. - Rxf8 in the second game was fine and gave you the beginning of the win. - In the third game, I never saw RP so destroyed before you did this _fantastic_ Botez gambit...

you would've almost expected alex to teleport and come right out from under the table to bite anna's arm

@lebigbentheory I got a dumb question. I haven't paid any attention to Chess in years, but I just yesterday discovered the wacky videos of Anna and the Botez sisters. Here's my question: Does "Botez gambit" mean "blundering your queen"? Cuz if so, that's hilarious.

@UTU49 It does. It also has multiple variations - Botez gambit accepted, (less popular) Botez gambit declined, and (last but not least) Botez gambit declined: Botez countergambit

They should allow talking at regular chess tournaments...would be more interesting.

@J Yee No

addicted to this channel. Good chess, nice banter, nice giggles

MARAVILHOSA!!! 😂 SENSACIONAL!!!

Russian Paul is a beast. I have played him, and I learned a lot, but for me he is untouchable.

In game 2, from 16:49 I had the Stockfish engine play itself to see what would happen. Its first move as black was Nxe3. White then moves Qh3, allowing black to snarf white's knight with Rxe4. It's all downhill for white after that and black wins in 29 moves.

Killing with a smile :) Go Anna! So gracious, so clever, -and always so much fun to watch 👏👏👏🤜🏼🤛

He was winning the second game too, until bishop c8 at 15:42, d5 would have been a much better move. And in the end of the second game at 17:34, the best move was to close with rook e7, he still would have won. But maybe he was low on time.

Thanks to Anna, Nemsko, Alex and Andrea, Russian Paul is becoming a YouTube star also, isn't he ?

Paul was well known for years... saw him 8+ years ago. Haven't seen him chain smoking online recently... he has always done it 10+ times I see him in person, usually late Aug.

Watching chess icons meet as gladiators with smiles and humour.

A blundered queen happens, but WOW, Anna's defense and counter attack in that second game was in pure "Magnus" style...Impressive...very, indeed! Just found you Anna and I'm duly impressed with your game play; especially your quick tactical insight....bravo! :)

He just made a overzealous blunder trying to push the pawn for promotion. They both talk too much to concentrate.

My favourite chess set was done like the battle of waterloo ,there was Napoleon and Wellington as the kings they really looked like the pictures we see in the books, amazing to make that from a picture.

Russian Paul recently gave Hikaru a run for his money . He needs his own Youtube Channel. I'd love to see more of his games and thoughts about strategy.

Just think how many Anna could beat, if she wasn't reading texts as she's playing the game ! lol

Possible also that reading texts actually help her focus. Some people can overthink things.

i jumped out of my seat when she dropped her queen. sick game all the way up to that point. weve all been there. such great players here though.

Makes me happy to know that even players at this level can blunder a queen lol

Anna's mom has a chess record for longest piece immobility: In Pia Cramling - Landenbergue, Biel 1991, 56.Rh7+ was White's first Rook move.

What does this mean in words a rookie can understand?

Her mom moved her right side rook from h1 to h7.

@VladTheImpaler And that rook had to wait 55 turns (or 110 counting each player) to be moved the first time. That's the record for any piece waiting to move the first time in any recorded game.

Just to clarify. Anna's mother is Pia Cramling, Swedish GM (not a particularly strong one, but miles ahead of her daughter). Taken right from memory, she used to be the strongest, then second/third strongest female player behind Judith Polgar and Susan Polgar. Pia became GM while it was propperly hard to achieve that. Not that its easy, today... But we have tons of GMs compaired with in the early 90s.

I just started playing again after around fifteen years and held my own against a very good player. I knew when I made mistakes and I knew when the game was over with around twelve moves left. Dude got me, I was on the defensive against a better player. I still want to play him more, like right now.

Good match Anna, Russian Paul is a strong player. Good second game. Great tactics. In the last game you had a completly winning position but sadly came Qd7. Do not look so much your cell phone . You loose concentration. Keep going Anna!.

Which makes me question whether that really was a blunder, or her injecting some humanity into the video.

@Andy Grace I doubt that. I really think it's a blunder. The reaction afterwards is hard to fake. A Knight on f8 is pretty unnatural and Qd7 is a logical move in those kind of positions.

@Andy Grace its not a blunder .its botez gambit.😕🥲

Teaching & learning. Doesnt matter who wins. Well sorta. It would be nice to here the banter between you and the victims

Anna, you have won me over with your wit and charm. ...and skill, of course. ...subscribed.

I love playing these guys even if I lose 9 out of 10 games lol

I bet you a dollar the old hustler hasn't been put to the test like you just did in both games in a long long time great game!!

She is such a great player.

It's nice to see a nice woman full of smile. I don't play chess myself, sometimes checkers, but I like your energy. Regards.

Perfect ending to that last game. Left him on a high note. lol

you can see Paul really loves a good game :) . especially at the end. fun :) .

I love chess and your channel because I've been playing since I was ten and growing up it was hard to find people that like to play I'm glad I found your channel 😁 Anna you have a new fan and your mother too 🙏👍👏✌️

The chess...the youthful exuberance...the beautiful smile...it's an all around good show.

Aún está soñando con el regalo de la última partida... Se le han llenado los ojos de alegría.

I love these videos, and it's mostly not about the chess. The social dynamics ae fascinating. One thing though... anyone know what Anna's phone is doing? Looks like some kind of streamed content, like chat, which she reads periodically.

It is his lifeblood and Anna let him keep his gig. Well done, your grace is inspiring.

she had checkmate with bishop covered by queen untill 19:40 on time counter video she didnt even see it but we all miss some but that was

Anna wouldn't it be interesting to see your Mom play 3 games with Russian Paul? I'd pay to see that happen :)

In the first game after you got his rook there seemed to be good opportunity to sweep his pieces.

oh wow it's Russian Paul! I had forgotten his name but I've played him and he is a beast. I didn't get close

Whatever you do, please NEVER stop smiling :)

The man standing behind the Hustler is such a gentleman, even fixed the guy's hat so it fits him perfectly, meanwhile also took attention to the game. 10:30

Hahaha u see that too

haha didn't catch that

I was wondering who would have this sort of humor, no one in the U.S. Of course, a Hungarian. Hello, fellow! :-)

@Almasy Sephirot i know what you going for, buddy, don't be a racist, please

I just can't stop watching your videos ever since i discovered them today. 😍 You are lovely

Anna is the real queen of chess! Love your content.

I thought it was Judit

@Goyon Man He probably doesn't know that Anna's mom is a higher-ranked player.

@John Swain Lol

Chess is so fun! No matter who wins- if you play, you play

Being a chess enthusiast and a player as well, it is but normal to lose in a game as no one even in a line up of super grandmasters regain superiority by not losing

a big bright smile and a brain full of intelligence. what more can you ask? gotta love anna.

Nice to see You playing this guy! You don`t need to become very close friends to enjoy his beautiful chess knight tattoo, it`s right on his upper body!:)) I spent a lot of time in Washington Square in late 80-s - early 90-s, and I think we were good friends. Looks like he didn`t changed a lot! When see him again, say hello from Alex, the Russian from st. Petersburg, he remember me, I am sure. Visited this place occasionally 7-15 years ago and it looks like there was no real chess life there... Great if things are changed!

Just finished watching game 2. Paused it to comment. Game 3 let's go... exciting play.

That queen sacrifice on d7 was brilliant. I couldn't even find the continuation.

Una buena historia, debe tener un villano carismatico, y una heroína interesante.

Sorprendente el juego de RP. Mis felicitaciones!

Awesome second game, Anna. He’s tough, I’ve been playing him for years.

I beat that guy all the time

@Bob Sapp in ring?

​@Bob Sapp 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@Bob Sapp in a dreams

With each video I wonder how many moves ahead she must be thinking? Nice video

So adorable. I wish I knew how to play it looks like fun.

I have a friend whose husband is a "chess in the park" player. It drives him crazy when his opponent takes all the time on the clock as he wants to make lighting moves. Once they figure it out they use it to their advantage.

Well done Anna!!

That last 20 seconds of the first game was a masters class of the end game with pons.

pawns

Interesting to see that they start really fast, and the game slows down as it progresses.

10:10 --> 2nd game 18:09 --> 3rd game

This gent Mitch came up to Woodstock N.Y. in the mid 70s. He played in the parks in NYC all the time. I wasn't great, but I wasn't bad. I probably played about thirty games with him and could never beat him, not even a draw. He went back to NYC. I always wondered what happened to him? I haven't played in probably 25 years now. No one to play with and computers are just a bore.

You never have an attitude like he did when your king is under attack like that, violent game winning moves are in the air. lol He is full of himself for one of the only times I saw anna get a little bit upset in the third game.

In his 1st game he was two moves away from making her lose a rook. Anytime someone has a power monopoly sacrifice your knight to break up a double rook power play

i would just let her win like i would have a choice

I had some doubts with tank before this but I don’t see anyone beating him at 135 only person that prob would have a good chance if tank comes prepared like this is Haney

Ella tan tierna y ese hombre tan duro casi la hace llorar 😢😊

I like how Russian Paul is playing multicolored deck of pieces like it is Magic The Gathering game.

My goodness!!!! I can’t lie I’m utterly captivated with this beautiful intelligent young lady. Obviously she’s aesthetically pleasing to an extreme level but to have that coupled with such a brilliant intellect…..good for her ! I stumbled upon one of her videos and I’ve been impressed enough that I subscribed and can’t quit watching these videos. These hustlers who operate in the parks in big cities especially New York City can’t be considered weak players by any measure and in some cases certain people like her competitors( chess hustlers) make a living to some degree beating others who are unsuspecting of just how good they are so to see her reverse that role upon them is hilarious. I was entertained anyway.

Calm down

22:25 funny, I just watched your 400 rating video, were you said: Just wait for the opponent, he will make a mistake and take advantage :D

i see no comments about first game 4:20 white can force check mate in many different variations after Ne7+ (check). The set up is magical. Instead he made that awful pawn move. I run the setup against engine 3200 rated and there is no escape. So, Ne7+, king has to move to h8, then queen attack bishop f5 and opens next move for white bishop to be placed behind queen at e4. If black bishop takes f6 pawn its over. He has to retreat and take the b pawn. Then f pawn takes g7 and white wins with his other bishop sacrifise. One of the many sequences. Kxg7 , Be4, Rh8, be6+, KxBh6, Qf4+, Kg7, Nf5, Kf8, Qh6+, Ke8, Bc6+ (another sacrifise), bxBc6, Re1+, Be5 blocks, RxBe5, Kd7, Qd6, Rc8, Qc6+, Kb8, Re7, and next move Qb7 checkmate.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that follows the philosophy of 'I am winning and must therefore blunder.'

Tell you what, I'll bet Fischer and Spassky didn't jibber jabber like this during their encounters 😂😂

Two different guys. He played like a hustler in the first game. Played like me in the second!

Any player with Russian anywhere in his name is by default hard even if they aren't all that good due to the fear that Russian and chess is pro player and if nothing else has a psychological edge against you. Or anyone that mentions chess gambit or slang of any kind.

I didnt understand why she stopped advancing her pawns which could clearly have given her at least one piece.

She is certainly a breath of fresh air

You found Russian Paul. Wow,she blundered Queen and was winning that game. Russian Paul is Strong. Great first game Russian Paul 👏

how strong is he like 2200 blitz or something they seem to be the same level

The apprentice schools the master.

I'd say Anna and Paul are about the same strength in blitz, around 2000 blitz FIDE Elo. And it looks like Paul is very displeased about not winning convincingly as he probably thought he would. Perhaps Paul wasn't informed that she is a woman master who still active at FIDE tournaments. Perhaps he thought she was just a pretty girl or class B player or something. I might be wrong.

Almost won both games. Hats off. It's just the hustler feeling more comfortable.

Why do we insult the street players by calling them "hustlers"? Hustlers are scammers. These guys are chess experts, 2000 elo minimum, they just don't play in tournaments. Why don't we call Anna a hustler when she pretends to have never played chess but really is an expert? By definition, that's a hustler.

@Cedric Hunt According to google: Who is a hustle person? an enterprising person determined to succeed; go-getter. Why do you get offended? They are called hustlers in chess. Next we should get offended by someone being called a GOAT? :D :D

@Bence Bujdosó dude, that’s google’s definition lol. I’m telling you that a hustler isn’t the most positive term in the real world. I’m sure they’d prefer to be called chess experts than chess hustlers.

@Cedric Hunt so YOUR definition is biased.. That's ok. :D lol

@Bence Bujdosó dude, I’m from the streets. The fact that you even had to Google hustler lets me know you’re not from here. As a man that’s been in hoods, I can tell you that a hustler isn’t the best term to be called in regards to a skill. I dare you to go a basketball gym in one of the hoods of America and call one of the good guys a basketball hustler, and watch what happens to you lol

Es muy fuerte este oponente Ana!!!

Smart, pretty, balanced ego, great sense of humor - SHE'S SUPER-WOMAN!

cringe

Haha...I never knew I would fall in love with a Swedish chess player!!!😏