Is Ben Finegold as big a jerk as he seems in his videos?

Seirawan bothered me for the same reason, but I decided that's how he normally talks and behaves and after that I found it more tolerable.

Yes sir, Ben is a better lecturer than Yasser. 

Comparing Ben and Yasser is risky.

Finegold makes the most entertaining videos. Yes he can be a jerk, but he is obviously not serious.

I don't think he was ridiculing or mocking the audience. I think humor is a great way to engage an audience or class to get them to lighten up and make learning fun. Personally, I find Ben Finegold's videos the most appealing for this reason.

FINEGOLD SUCKS!!

Even I could beat that idiot in a game of chess.

Does his videos helps you to increase your rating?

If yes he and other such video guys rocks.

I met him at a tournament here in Atlanta.  Like a lot of our chess heroes, in reality, he is a chubby obsessive nerd.  He looked like he had just rolled out of bed, and it was 7:00 pm on a Friday night.  His shirt had a hole in it, and his corduroy pants and sandals combo didn't impress.  (He did have a woman who appeared to be his chess groupie.)  He tries too hard to be funny on the videos, but let him be the Negan of his world because he has a hard time fitting into the real world with the rest of us. 

There are a few things that are true about Ben Finegold.  The original post was asking if he was a jerk or it was just his personality for videos.  He is a great chess player as any legit GM is.  He has produced a son that is a good chess player as well.  I know because I played him in St. Louis a few years back... and this was my introduction to Ben Finegold.

I was in a particular trollish phase of my chess career playing moves that were not ideal as white.  I played the Grob and 1.a4 in that tournament.  Not just against his son Spencer, but against 3 different experts.  Anyways I had used the computer over the past few months preparing so I know what to do in those lines, and while they are not 'great' lines for white... White can get away with 1.a4 (not so much g4 if the person knows what they are doing).

Anyways my coin landed on 1.a4 against Spencer Finegold and we started the round.  His dad circled the playing hall checking up on the start of the game.  He didn't say anything and was very normal chess dad despite the fact he is a GM and all.  The problem came about move 24-30 area... I am not sure how many moves but it was well into the game.  

I had played the exact same line against our local IM and lost at my own club.  So I had ran it through the computer and knew exactly how to defend the position.  Problem was when I defended it correctly and Spencer ended up in a drawish looking position his dad took him to the side of the playing hall... and he started yelling at his kid in the middle of the chess tournament!  It was unbelievable to me in the middle of the game!  

Now he didn't share any moves or how to play during the game.  But he tore into his son about how he should never allow someone that played the way I did to get a good game against him and spent what seemed like 5 minutes berating his son.  

After our game concluded with a draw Spencer disappeared and I did not see his father anywhere either afterwards (but it was late at night).  I can honestly say it was incredibly rude as a spectator of the event, and something I thanked my lucky stars that my dad would wait until we were in private to voice any concerns he had.  Airing dirty laundry in public really is not cool.

So from my perspective... he has raised a pretty successful chess player as a son (he was an expert at the time and now I think he is close if not a master).  But he lacks general manners and he does come across as being a complete jerk.  

Anyways, that's just my experience with him.  Take it for what it is worth.  Basically a few passing moments in the middle of a chess tournament.

I like BF....(as there's certainly a whole lot to like  ).

Didn't his wife manage to play the US Championship as a 1600 player?

But didn't you say, you like "Girl Power"?

Naaah Ben Finegold ain't no jerk! He's so entertaining and hilarious, like basically a stand-up comedian for the chess community 👌
Although the OP lives in a different country (I would assume from the flag) so maybe it's kind of a cultural thing - I have no idea what kind of humor is popular in other countries, but maybe Finegold's jokes are the type that are most appreciated by people who live in the U.S.

He is funny .

Finegolds videos are nice and entertaining. As far as chastising your child in the middle of a tournament. Its nice to push for excellence. There is a time and place for everything. For being a GM he seems a little lacking in judgement as far as when to make the moves. You could simply wait, take your son home, and then tell him he did well and show him how he could have done better!

Hmm, some of these posts have falsehoods.

i don't have any sandals, I've never owned sandals. I also do not have courdoroy pants. You, sir, are banned from our chess center unless you apologize and make a sizable donation. Also, maybe get less stupid!?

Another story that I spoke to my son during a game is also not true (as well as berating him

for his chess play). You guys have vivid imaginations.

But seriously, are you guys getting stupider, or just louder?

GM Ben Finegold

By the way, good thread. Lots of responses.. keep it going! Come to the Super Nationals and I will insult you in person, and give you an autograph.

Bring your checkbook and/or your mommy's checkbook!

GM Ben Finegold 

I could beat an 1800 player with his endgame tips.

I learned a lot from his videos!

I just read every post. I prefer the mean ones. My favorite was the guy who said he had advanced degrees in teaching (lol!).

The dark side is strong with many of you, let the hate flow through you. Good. Good!

keep up the posts!

lol

GM Ben Finegold, the Howard Cosell of chess (he was the most loved and hated sportscaster).