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The scary thing about Gotham is it doesn’t matter how many times you beat him but if you ever lose to him once you end up on his KZfaq videos.

Hikaru once said “Levi won’t become a GM bc he plays to not lose against GMs”. Hiding your opponents might actually be the BIGGEST thing you need

Did anyone else notice how happy Levy seems? Like at 27:40, he's just smiling, built some confidence in himself. I'm so happy to see it, good for you mate.

he will put a paperbag on his opponent in his next in-person tournament

imagine when Levy actually becomes a GM, the level of insanity in that video's title alone will be beyond our comprehension

"An extension that makes you better at the game... very very interesting" Vladimir Kramnik

I think the idea of hiding your opponents if you struggle with anxiety is actually a genius move. It will only strengthen you when psychologically when you see who you're beating. This sprint to GM already feeling different than the ones before. Things happening, there's an energy to it

“Once I’m in, I never get out” *gets out in the next move*

Gotham can become a GM… but a GM can never become Gotham

Gotham never fails to clickbait us with a stare and 15 exclamations.

Well, he removed his weakness to much stronger player, he always gets nervous, a natural human instinct, he removed that entirely so I think he’ll become a GM soon.

I love seeing how you can literally feel his passion for the game. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Hey Levy, just wanted to let you know that your GM journey has been pretty inspirational to me outside of chess. Despite what others have been saying about your chances of making it, you continue to push on, and I seriously appreciate that. Thank you for being you.

Absolutely loved Levy's smirk when he said he won 7 out of 9, that's what we're all here for

All jokes aside that first game was beautiful, even more impressive that he found those moves in a blitz game.

For future reference, the original title was: "I BECAME A WGM!!!!"

I remember Levy talking about his travel expenses when doing his tournaments. Now that his net worth has gone up a bunch, at least the burden of the travel expenses will be less. Hopefully he can overcome that thing he was talking about when his body goes cold from the pressure and anxiety. I remember his friend Eric Rosen commenting on how Levy's ELO went up 200 points after quitting over the board tournaments, so hopefully those 200 points will transfer over to Levy's run at GM again. We are rooting for you Levy!!!!!

The emotions you've shared with us previously about the self doubt and everything else with the journey to becoming a GM are so relatable, at least to me. I am genuinely happy to see you back at it, and I'm rooting for you Levy.

It’s so encouraging and wholesome watching Levi making progress towards achieving his dream.

The perk of being your own biggest enemy is that your biggest obstacle is under your control

Hiding the opponent' name is a smart idea. When I start a game, I often have to remind me:" I don't play a ranking, I play a position. So do your best."

I, along with many others I'm sure, would LOVE to see all of the training content. Just don't make it such a priority that it hinders the amount of time you get to train. We'll all still be here for every video you want to put out! :)

Wow I am totally following this series of Yours and I love to see the new spirit here, hiding opponents IDs in order to cope with the very reasonable screw-ups when up front against potentially stronger opponents. Beating 3 GMs clearly proofs that You are on the right track, outlining your shortcomings in these games is the way to get there!!! Keep it up! :)

Hey Levy, I’ve wanted to throw something out there about the mental aspect of this whole thing. I’m your age and I’m launching a business in a couple of weeks around some products I’ve invented. I know you know how hard and stressful it is. There’s a never ending list of things to do and I have no control over the outcome. The only way I get through my 70 hour work weeks is adopting an attitude that the only thing that matters is how much fun I have while I’m doing what I have to do. And I can’t help but think this attitude might be helpful for you. You’re a GM level player when you don’t stress about it. I know this is unsolicited advice, but maybe, just for one tournament, try adopting the attitude that the only thing that matters is how much fun you have playing chess. I mean, it worked for Hikaru, he did it in the candidates and he was half a point off of winning

i feel like therapist or psychologist could help greatly along this great journey

Fantastic video Levy It’s such a privilege that you share your games and GM quest with us. Absolutely yes, please give us behind the scenes content - puzzles and training etc. I had given up chess years ago until I discovered your content. Once upon a time a I was a mediocre 18 year old club level player who had spent all my time getting to be mediocre. Life emerged as a better option so I completely gave up playing. Back then apart from maybe Kasparov and maybe Nigel Short even top 10 GMs struggled to make more than a teacher. I never missed it once until I stumbled on your videos just after Covid. Then I missed it. Your content is very important not just for you but many of us. It exposes a higher truth: it takes enormous courage to take on a quest in life that is beset by numerous and sometimes insurmountable challenges. That is why the ghouls and haters follow you so closely too. They never had this courage, perseverance and talent to work endlessly on a dream. So instead of routing for you they sneer and make nasty comments.

I would def pay for Patreon or Chessly+ if long-format training content and other road-to-GM material is available there!

alternate title: IM LEVY! IM LEVY!!!!!!! All jokes aside this series is fire

Levy casually beating 3 GMs like the norm itself is cake to him

26:00 I can very much relate to this. I've learned that because of my nerves, it's extremely unlikely I'd ever be able to perform at the highest level in any game. I just make beginner mistakes after pulling off the gaming equivalent of a masterpiece because I crumble under the pressure. Not every time, but often enough I'd never make it in the big leagues. Some of the best players have nerves of steel and it's very much a massive benefit.

I started following in 2020 during covid and been watching him since, and i can honestly say that this is the most excited ive been about the channel yet!! Good luck levy, we’re all rooting for you

cannot wait Levy saying the roooook !!!!!! in the world championship.Levy i wish u become GM one day

GM Levy before GTA 6 is crazy

Mann this series is so much interesting like what i should express to u how much i love it pls show us the other side of this series like puzzles book reading we would love to see that and also i am chasing the 2000 rating 1200 in rapid and 1050+ in blitz love to see u levy back in beast mod lets go guys 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Hey Levi -- loving this series! The chess is great, but it's the head space positivity that's really hooking me! I'm someone who finds it so easy to be my own worst critic, and it's super inspiring to watch you rise above that - you learn from them, but don't let them drag you down or take over! Keep it up and I'll be cheering you on all the way!

I feel like Gotham will actually get GM some day...

Levy is strong enough to be a GM but as he said he gets worried and backtracks against higher level opponents and once he lets go of that he could easily be a high level GM maybe even a super GM. I am rooting for you Levy

I love the idea of masking ur opponent, shows how actually levy can really go far and be on the same level as strong players. Huge faith in you, sending encouragement

I love this series. I’m very impressed that you’re willing face your failure and pursue GM. I wish you the best and will be rooting for you the whole way

Am I the only person who noticed How much Levy has Matured from all the way from 2020 =D

CONGRATS!! Wish you success at that tough road

Good games, we're proud of you, Levy

Behind the scenes of this series would be very cool to see, not to mention inspiring!

Dude you just seem so happy when making this videos. One can already see your mindset is changing and your commitment on overcoming your mental barriers and fears. You have the level, knowledge and hability already. Full support!

Levy once you control your nerves perfectly you may even become world champion 🏆 not just GM

Dude, that 1st game really was GM quality… on the right track! 👏😎 Great TT run & glad to see the anonymity thing might be a useful confidence building tool

Truly inspirational. Glad I'm here for the ride. Been training for a cycling event RAGBRAI and I think of Levy in those tough moments on many occasions when my legs and lungs want to give up. Keep it up

He’ll become a GM one day. Keep going, Benji.

Hiding the opponent's name is the greatest idea you could have ever had, truly. Go get that GM title

Love this series and I wiuld definitely be happy to see all the things behind the scenes you mentioned at the end

I'm glad these videos are doing well because I really hope he keeps the series up

GM Gotham goes crazy

It's a pity that defeating a GM doesn't make you a GM. (A GM that loses loses its GM status and transfers it to you)😢 Funny, but sad

Yeah, I want as much GM training content as possible. Loving this series!

Great Video Levi!!!! This is a perfect example on how to improve. In your previous videos you were honest with yourself and identified that your nerves were a huge issue, so you blocked the players names. You also identified that your time management needed lots of work and these videos show a massive improvement. Last your coach identified that your openings were great but you tend to play over complicated and complex moves for no reason, so you simplified and played good, solid chess. Keep going!

So proud of you for finally making it Levy!

Always great to see how he clings to the dream of being a GM, just like he does to his hair line

The first game is just beautiful to watch everything is so natural and it is inspiring it gives that feeling "I can play like that too it's so easy"! It's like federer playing tennis at the peak of his career ahaha

I just overall love being able to watch your journey to GM again. Any content of you trying to get better and having competitive matches against good players. I am here for the ride, whether you can make it(I think you have it in you!) or not.

Gotham really on that "The boy who cried wolf" mind set.

Levy is going for a GM title,this man can't be stopped 🔥🔥🔥🗣️🗣️🗣️🤫

I love watching your videos, as unbenificial as it is to just listen to you talk and not study I still find my self just wanting to listen to a video. Please don’t quit being you, appreciate you’re time making this content! Congrats becoming GM btw lol

Yes to all the road to GM content - training, travel, behind the scenes, etc.

Gotham you need to start using positive affirmations even during the game. Stop saying “this is where I mess up” or “my anxiety kicks in”. You’re literally telling yourself to do those things. Try a simple positive affirmation like “I see and play great moves” or whatever, anything that is simple and positive. When you catch yourself saying something negative immediately replace it with your positive affirmation. You got this!

We believe in you levy❤

This series is amazing. Not only is it very instructing and fun to watch, it is also a nice feeling seeing my favorite youtuber's steps towards professionalism, I can't really describe it. Keep up the good work Levy. 5 million people are cheering for you!

I am honestly happy for you, man. Go for gm.

AND HE SACRIFICED THE ROOKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

Gotham can become a GM… but a GM can never become Gotham!

Keep working levy, this challenge is so inspiring and I would like nothing more than seeing you succeed.

So excited when I see another episode in this series! Thanks for keeping us updated on your progress.

The only GM you could ever be is Grand Mother

Yo Gotham I find these videos very instructive and entertaining! Please keep doing them and also take us through your training like your puzzles and books and other stuff

take us through the entire process Levy. the vlogs, books, training, puzzles. looking forward to it

Yes!! would love to see the puzzles, training breakdown, all of it. Bring us back to the educational roots of the channel

Yes share your training! It's inspiring to see the growth!

I think seeing your training methods, how you learn and talking us through how to study certain topics, ... would definitely be interesting. I'm on the grind myself, trying to really learn the game and it's subtleties. Would definitely motivate and perhaps give me ideas of where to focus, how to learn, ...

My favorite chess channel on YT by far. Thanks for everything you do Levy. Glad to see this series, will stay tuned.

It's super interesting to me watching someone of your level have almost imposter syndrome in the way you play. You are obviously really bloody good at the game and even your coach is like you know openings you get into great positions even against people "better" than you and then you panic, overthink it and collapse. And game 3 in this video is a grate example of you nearly beating yourself, you don't have enough confidence in yourself. I know you have identified these things you have spoken about your anxiety for a while especially in over the board play, but these games could help you have the realisation that you are actually good, you just need to trust yourself and believe in yourself. I hope you succeed dude, I would love it if the GM Levi was no longer a bait - also I just want to say your coach is really awesome I think he's hit the nail on the head with some of the stuff he identified - love the series, love your book. Keep going dude many of us are routing for you!

Love the road to GM content! Keep up the hard work

Dude Levy, hell yeah!! I knew this was gonna happen! You’re an absolute inspiration I can’t wait to watch the GM gotham video

Fully support the different content styles suggested at the end!! Looking forward to it.

im loving this series, keep it up buddy

So good to see you improving so much in such a short time. Very inspiring to players who are also trying to reach the next milestone in their chess career like myself. Keep pushing for that title, man. You'll get it for sure at this rate.

I'm totally down to hear about your journey.

I really love that you found your motivation back (I don't have the full details so I hope it's genuine), It's really smart to embed it with your youtube journey, I usually don't watch all your videos, but I will defenetly follow this series rooting for you and your ego :) I think if people do like me, even if you make less content to train, your channel shouldn't take a hit. I wish you don't burnout or feel too much pressure because of the public nature of your journey. Take care of yourself before anything else! Edit: Now that I have watched the first episode of the series, I repeat what I said before X2! Ahah

Definitely Elevating! Keep it up Gotham! We’re all rooting for you.

I enjoy watching you calculate puzzles and your game analysis. I would also be interested in seeing some vlogging just to see how it would turn out ❤

Loving this series! Not going to watch this entire Ep, only because I watched these games on the GothamGames channel, looking forward to the next episode

very proud of your performance Levy! I've been enjoying this series a lot, you got this :)

Hey Levy. Love this series and your personal review of your own games. I'm wondering if it would help you to log your emotions next to your moves in over the board play (some kind of shorthand maybe?). This was my second thought...My first was if would help to log your emotions/thoughts before you analyzed the games. My thinking is it might help pinpoint/patternize the anxiety you feel in the games...Love the idea of hiding your opponents!

great video! i really enjoy the series and hope to see alot more of this soon!

Keep up the grind bro, I love this series and especialy your own insights and tactics!

Rooting for you. Persistence and practice is key to everything. Keep up the effort and becoming a GM will be a guarantee.

Love to see the progress Levy! Keep at it man. You’ll get there!

Levy, I love you man. Been watching off and on for years and I have to say that something in you has changed. You're better than you've ever been and I believe you can make GM! You're better than most of them, at the end of the day you only have to beat yourself. Get a mental game coach, your chess is already there. Good luck man, our whole family loves you and we're pulling for you with all our hearts.

Keep going Levy! I think you can get GM really soon, and I am rooting for you!

Really enjoy this series, keep it up!

Very strong work, Levi! 💪🏻 I for one learn a ton from seeing how you are trying to learn yourself. Seeing what the kinds of things you are thinking is enlightening for me. Thanks for all this content!