He’s the best, the truth hurts
Is Ben Finegold as big a jerk as he seems in his videos?
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Well, I think Ben is really unpopular among actually experienced chess players. He is an awkward, smelly, socially bizarre guy who forces in unfunny jokes to try to cover up his own awkwardness. I really think he makes chess players look bad, out of shape, unfunny, and weird. From reading the other comments here, I think I am not the only one who feels this way.
Frankly terrible! Rawwwr
... and you're not.
nor am I.
and, do to certain licensing restrictions, at times neither is he.
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Acquired taste. I was put off at first and then noticed how well Finegold's approach seemed to engage his very young audience.
What a heap of crap. There's nothing wrong with Ben Finegold. If you like his videos--watch them. If you don't like them--don't watch them. Amazing how many anonymous tough guys--and gals--we run across on the internet!
Botvinnik4Ever wrote:
Well, I think Ben is really unpopular among actually experienced chess players. He is an awkward, smelly, socially bizarre guy who forces in unfunny jokes to try to cover up his own awkwardness. I really think he makes chess players look bad, out of shape, unfunny, and weird. From reading the other comments here, I think I am not the only one who feels this way.
Why should we give any credence to an anonymous internet troll?
Apr 1, 2019
0
#491
Finegold is funny. Learn to laugh. His humor is unorthodox but if it bothers you then ignore the jokes and pay attention to the points he's making or just don't watch him. No one is making you.
But he does say some stuff pretty funny (like every 100th try)....which, sadly, helps to reinforce him.
Ben is a great lecturer and a funny guy who doesn't take anyone or anything too serious. I love watching his video's and I wish I lived in the USA so I could attend his lectures.
Apr 4, 2019
0
#494
Like him or not, he's influential and memorable. I'd like to beat him, so I could see him cry like a grandmaster.
Apr 4, 2019
0
#495
I don't see him as a jerk at all. Funny guy. And a lot of times his audience is kids, and he has a good way with them.
Very funny, intelligent sense of humor, misunderstood by some i guess.
I also thought he was a bit offputting at first, but his humor helps me learn chess. If you watch enough of his videos, you'll find classes where the same people go, and theres an obvious rapport in the class. I dont think hes being an ass, just his sense of humor
I think that's just his sense of humor. I know some people like that, you would think they are jerks until you get to know them and you realize that they are just trying to be friendly
One thing I don't like about Ben's videos is sometimes he will rattle off squares too quickly to follow ... "why is this bad? D3-NF4-bishop takes, etc..."
I find tutorial videos by John Bartholomew or Dereque Kelly easier to learn from because when they are going over moves they do it just a pace slower than Ben and draw the little green arrows as they are talking. I like little green arrows- they help my brain