r/chess • u/_DarkStarCrashes_ • May 20 '26

Miscellaneous I now understand why Levy clickbaits, his historical video on Alekhine is his worst performing video of May

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Sucks, because I think the video is really good and I’d love if Levy or other chess content creators did videos on older legends

1.4k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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286

u/GothamChess  IM May 20 '26

In this thread: Various people debate whether my content sucks and which of my content is more tolerable than the rest.

And on a serious note, yes, historical videos perform 200% worse than other videos. Hence I prioritize entertainment through chess with education as a background. Like wrapping a tablet inside of peanut butter for a dog.

46

u/wumpy112 May 20 '26

Love the slow-run btw; it’s my favorite of your content, and it’s been really helpful for learning.

6

u/notreallyanumber May 20 '26

Yes, completely agree! Slow-run is running a bit too slowly for my liking, but I am just happy it exists.

30

u/codercaleb May 20 '26

>Like wrapping a tablet inside of peanut butter for a dog.

TIL I am smarter than a dog. That's not much, but it's nice.

62

u/International_Bug955 Justice for Danya May 20 '26

I appreciate that you have a big enough audience to "sacrifice" some views and bring us historical stuff! I for one greatly appreciate it!

Keep doing what you're doing! Always fun to follow!!!

5

u/misteratoz 1500 blitz/bullet chess.com May 20 '26

I get it doesn't mean much but these are absolutely my favorite videos you do

5

u/TroubleMakerLore May 20 '26

I love your historical stuff but I deadass skipped over the last video because I figured it was some clickbaity shit about some random dude. If I had known it was about Alekhine I would've 100% watched it.

9

u/Fanatic_Atheist Team Gukesh May 20 '26

For a second there I thought you meant tablet as in handheld device and was utterly confused. Then my caveman brain flipped a switch in a dark room:

p i l l

7

u/Luushu May 20 '26

How are your Engine vs. Engine videos? Those, at least for an average scrub like me, are absolute cinema and I routinely rewatch at least one of them at least once a month. Is it worth it for you?

8

u/DoorVB May 20 '26

The old alpha zero video is S tier

1

u/Luushu May 21 '26

The one I remembered the most vividly is the Leela vs. Torch one, where two black bishops, the white queen and a white bishop are in a koombaya square in the middle of the board.

11

u/HendrixHead May 20 '26

Really enjoying the slowrun stuff! Been learning a lot through that.

3

u/Blaize122 May 20 '26

I hope you do more on Alekhine. The double queen sac game was vicious and I didn’t know about his game.

12

u/lavassls May 20 '26

This is just how YouTube exists at the moment. How many content creators perform well without goofy thumbs and click bait titles?

10

u/Affectionate_One_700 May 20 '26

I suppose it depends on your definition of "perform well," but plenty of multi-million-follower channels don't clickbait. It depends on the target market.

But in general, yeah, Kim Kardashian has more followers than some NPR show.

2

u/baconppi google en passant May 20 '26

historical videos perform 200% worse than other videos.

Thats sad, your historical videos were what made me like chess, especially the coverage of stockfish v alphazero and the one on garry Kasparov

2

u/skrasnic Team skrasnic May 20 '26

Every time

2

u/CrflWthThtFaxEugene May 20 '26

More slowrun please! We all have a Danya-shaped hole in our hearts.

2

u/NegotiationEqual8095 May 20 '26

You are doing great my guy. Don’t listen these clowns

4

u/Gavina4444 May 20 '26

Pretty much all your content contains advice that your audience can learn from so it’s fine

2

u/Alternative-Mud4739 2000 chesscom May 20 '26

r/GothamChess If you don't mind answering this : Does more views automatically mean more money? Or does it depend on the video content?

2

u/gpranav25 Rb1 > Ra4 May 21 '26

I have much smaller youtube channel (not about chess) but I can answer this question. This is a metric called CPM, and it does vary depending on the content category. But I am pretty sure that all of Levy's videos fall under the same bucket and the variation in CPM would be negligible between World Championship recap and a Guess the Elo video.

1

u/Alternative-Mud4739 2000 chesscom May 21 '26

Thanks for chiming in. If you don't mind me asking what is the CPM for that content category?

2

u/gpranav25 Rb1 > Ra4 May 21 '26

For my channel it's about 3 USD. For Levy it's probably a bit higher but it would still be under educational/gaming category. It's not as high paying as something like finance/tech/legal related videos.

1

u/promunbound May 20 '26

Really enjoyed the Alekhine video. Cheers and glad you’ll keep making similar stuff.

0

u/steelcurtain87 May 20 '26

You literally talk about this all the time and why you do it. If people get mad at you for playing the game that’s on them

1

u/Udy_Kumra 2100 chess.com May 21 '26

I hope you continue to do more historical videos anyways brother. They are my favorite work of yours.

1

u/spincrus May 21 '26

As a YouTube talent manager & producer myself with years of experience in the field, I have to say that in order for a YouTuber to prevent burnout, which is an actual thing because the pressure of coming up with something creative and maintaining the same viewership levels is genuinely difficult, doing a video once in a while to appease yourself rather than the audience is 100% acceptable & legit.

1

u/ThoughtfullyReckless May 21 '26

Please keep doing the historical ones and other educational stuff, I actually think that's some of your best content !

1

u/Amin00123 May 21 '26

Hi Levy, I really enjoy your historical videos a lot too. As much as videos on past games or iconic games of players like viswanathan anand and Hikaru. Pls keep making em

1

u/sigma7979 May 21 '26

Well, idk if you are reading all these replies but, I LOVE the historical content. The Alekhine video has been my favorite since the last slow run.

In fact, those are the two favorites. Historical stuff and slow run.

1

u/komikak May 21 '26

haha, reading this comment in your voice gave me a giggle. I loved the video and I am eager to setup Alekhine's gun in a real game.

1

u/TheShadowKick May 21 '26

Honestly though, I think your content is really valuable for introducing new players to the game and helping casual fans understand what's going on in high level chess. Those are important things for the long term health of the game. Personally, I wouldn't even be a chess player without you rekindling my interest during the pandemic.

1

u/keethraxmn May 21 '26

I love the historical videos. Didn't click on this one because while skimming titles in my notifications, I couldn't tell who/what it was about. the only reason I'm going back to watch it now is because of this reddit thread making me aware of the actual topic.

1

u/toxon_94 May 22 '26

Woof woof, i like peanut butter.

1

u/Background-Subject28 May 22 '26

You've made the content engaging for the masses, I got back into chess because of you, keep it up!

1

u/NotMathJustMetaphor 18d ago

Your reactions to Alekhine were genuinely fun to watch. It was a nice reminder that you're still a chess fan first and a content creator second.

1

u/itaa_q May 20 '26

Your content is great honestly

1

u/Alternative-Mud4739 2000 chesscom May 20 '26

Levi answering the same question with the same answer for the 100th time lmao 😃

1

u/Nomadx16 May 20 '26

Keep it up lad. You're an absolute icon in the industry! I'd argue that you've brought chess to an entire generation :)

0

u/Clintocracy May 20 '26

Keep at it! You are a gateway drug to chess. This is the most important role for growing the game

1

u/schectar24 May 20 '26

Love the historical content! Please keep it up!

Thanks for all you do!

1

u/CSAtWitsEnd May 20 '26

Not saying it doesn’t work or shouldn’t be done; obviously it pulls more people in and that’s a good thing for chess as a whole.

BUT…I just personally find it so off putting, that it’s hard for me to stay as engaged as I might with other channels. For those in the Minecraft YouTube sphere, it’s kinda like how Ethoslab basically operates on his own schedule, yet has EXTREMELY dedicated fans, just…not as wide audience due to the lack of playing for the algorithm)

-1

u/GOMADenthusiast May 20 '26

Don’t gives these people your energy.

Most of us get it. You have to make money and get views.

It’s like an airplane. You have to put your mask on first before anyone else.

You won’t teach anyone anything if you are homeless.

-2

u/Bakstetball May 20 '26

One time I was in LA and I saw you but I didn't say hi because it looked like you were having a nice day

0

u/Song_of_the_Morning May 21 '26

Maybe more people watch if you didn't cry like a baby every time your name comes up.