He genuinely seems like a great guy; he never fronted or talked down to her, and acknowledged her skills as soon as he recognized them. His banter was super enjoyable, he clearly was enjoying himself and she was too. Delightful interaction.

That's not a hustrler. That's a honest, hardworking S-tier player, facing a Grandmaster who held #1 amongst women.

Love how he admired her long before he knew that she is a GM and was even more thrilled to play against her when he found out. You can see his passion for this game and even while being brutally beaten he was just so excited to witness her talent. What a gentleman.

Big John is a legitimately high level player. He recognized what she was all about quickly though! Mom is a killer!

I’m not sure I’d label him as a hustler. He was gentlemanly. I’m sure he was honored on some level.

He lasted that long against a grandmaster? He too, is a beast.

I just love how mom is so mild and meek with her expressions, but vicious in her moves. She kills you with a smile.

That dude is a very strong player. Loses with respect and dignity. Hes as happy to lose to her than win to someone else. Great chess from both.

That’s Big John! He played with my girls almost every day we were in NYC - easily the one thing we miss most! He’s the most wonderful person to play! Sending tons of love from South Africa!!

"Oh she's a beast!" He sounded so pleasantly surprised. I bet that's the first time he's been properly challenged in years.

Shes the hustler in this situation. The daughter is so proud of her mom! That's excellent.

The guy was a good sport and when he realized how good she was, he was still game for another round. That's taking what life throws you in stride and enjoying the moment. This video brought me joy in the middle of a rough work day. 🙂

Once he knew he was outmatched, his entire persona changed into almost appreciation. Like we all know that guy would mop up 95 percent of the planet but here comes GM grandma and he doesn’t get mad but becomes almost happy. Fascinating to watch.

The fact that he gave her (a Grand Master) a very good second game speaks to his ability as a chess ♟️ player!

I love how he respects her game the entire time and never talks down to or belittles her. Game recognize game. Lots of respect here

Her daughter is beaming! She's so proud of mamma, I really enjoyed watching this, thanks!

Was expecting something totally different based on the title. What a nice dude. You can tell he just loves the game / isn't so overly concerned about winning or losing. Respect.

He's not a hustler, but a fellow professional. The gentleman was courteous, genuinely impressed and appreciative to play your mum. She even paused a few times, and played another game with him. Respect, on both sides.

Npc dialogue from Anna - “my mom taught me everything about chess”

This goes to show you that experience will get you far. Education is worthless if you don’t use it. He’s not a grandmaster but he’s so experienced that he’s hanging with her. Great interaction

He actually did really well and was a super humble and genuine dude. Ggs

The grandmaster and her daughter are the hustlers in this video.

between the music and their chill banter I could listen to this all day

He was quick to estimate her to 2300-2400, she might be ranked higher but still giving another player a 2300-2400 estmate after 1 game is a true sign of respect.

Honestly, kudos to that dude. He clearly is an talent himself, and i'm glad he can make some extra cash doing something he clearly enjoys.

Pia Cramling is a living part of the history of chess and the fact she's humble and gentle when she plays just makes her even more wholesome. God bless you and your mom!

Beautiful! The gentlemen showed a high level of respect, this was really nice to watch. Bravo to you both.

Let’s not forget to give this gentleman the respect he deserves for hanging with a grand master 😳

This dude is awesome. I’m not very good at chess but I’ve seen this man in many videos, so my first time in New York I looked for him and lo and behold, he was there with a free table! He played easy on me and even gave me hints along the way, making sure the game didn’t end too quick. This dude is awesome

Gotta just love Anna she knows she’s not perfect but has a great attitude about playing and is so proud of her mother for being so great. It’s really sweet to see.

That was an absolute joy to watch. I've never watched a match like this and know very little about chess but I found this to be enormously satisfying and entertaining. Good times and great sportmanship.

We can just give that man a big round of applause. He handled that so incredibly well, and with humor. He didn’t hesitate to go for another round with her either. Bravo to him. His little “Nope” and “ugh such a troublemaker” made me giggle. What a good spirited man he is.

The fact he can play a Grandmaster that well speaks to his ability.

The best thing about this video is how proud you are of her. That is just heartwarming. ❤

Mom is a BEAST!!! And she's also very sweet. I love the vibe between you and her.

This gentleman is a VERY strong player. It has obviously been quite a long time since he lost a game. & he is so lovely in the way he interacts with you and your (amazing) mom. This was a great video, one of the best of these I've seen 💛

The ability to see the board the way they both do is incredible, she's a move or two ahead at all times but he appreciates it as he tries to counter her. Pretty awesome video

What a gentleman! Loved this interaction. A talented, jovial player coming across a talented grandmaster.

I love how many people want to rematch her out of excitement after she wins. Thank you sharing these moments

He’s not a hustler he is an OG that gets paid for being good at chess. Respect to the skills of both

I am not an astute player of chess, however I am a big fan of sweet, kind, respectful, and lighthearted human interaction. This was a treat to watch. I knew this would be uplifting and inspiring from the moment GM mama said she would need her glasses and her opponent joked they used to call them “cheaters”. These three had a great instant rapport and I’m glad I clicked on the video. Thank you! Peace.

The human interaction between these two strangers was lovely to watch 🥰

That man also is very wholesome and a joy to watch!

It's amazing how this guy is probably better than 98% of players, and Pia still wipes him out. So many fast, accurate moves from both of them, but that GM vision takes it up a level.

What a nice guy. He really respected your mom and I could tell he was impressed. Your mom is very humble.

What a sweetheart he was! That was such a lovely interaction y'all had.

She's so sweet and humble

“that’s okay, i know you’re gonna hurt me”. he acknowledged defeat and continued to okay. helluva competitor. bet that brightened his day

When he asked for one more I knew he was having fun. This was wholesome to watch. I don’t understand chess AT ALL, but watching this was a little more like watching a conversation happen.

These two are just wholesome and adorable and I’m here for it

this was awesome. first time ever seeing grandmaster play in NYC union square. thank you for this

This man has been the punching bag for countless Union Square Park "Chess Hustler" videos, I hope he's well compenstated for his time as 5+ million views on UKposts is probably going to bring in more money than "Here's a 20 for your time!" will.

I love seeing how much this guy is enjoying the game even when losing. You can see he’s just a good sport and doesn’t lose much. When he does, he takes it like a gentleman and like he’s in a bit of awe. A true sportsman.

she is so proud and supportive of her mom this is just amazing. he was a great sport!

The ease with which he said "23, 24" just showed he'd already been thinking about it, and the cordial way they acknowledged each other was so wholesome.

Big John taught me to love and appreciate chess after we played a couple games a few years back. I’ll always remember him and respect him for that. Such a pleasure to watch him enjoy these games with this GM. Sending my love, John!

That man was extremely versed in this complex and strategic game. The man absolutely held his own given the fact that he’s facing a literal GM. Not sure labeling him as a “hustler” is really in good faith if I’m being honest. Dude was kind, respectful and acknowledged the obvious skill set of his opponent. I just personally feel like that gentleman deserves a bit more respect in the title than hustler. Maybe even acknowledge who he is on a personal level.

I really enjoyed this. The setting and background, the characters. Such a collision of cultures all wrapped up in a little game of chess.

The two seemed like such great spirits. I didn’t understand anything I was seeing but it was still fun to watch!

There is a hustler in this video, just it's her, not him.

Let's appreciate that he guessed her rating fairly well

Respect to this guy. He had no hesitation in believing she was GM. A sudden moment of "Oh so THAT'S why I got mopped so hard"

I know nothing about Chess and even less of an idea how this amazing video turned up, but wow.... Warmed the heart on a cold day. What a great group of people.

I love the cordiality of it all. That is the pureness of gamesmanship. I applaud both contenders.

He could play 50 games and win them all and not learn anything new, but losing twice to a Grand Master he would have learnt loads. This is why I always tell my kids you learn more by losing than winning, and if you lose, if at least you've learnt something it's all good.

My dad was a Julliard trained concert pianist so I understand the enjoyment and PRIDE Anna feels. One of my sister and my favorite things to do as kids was to drag dad into a top line piano store. We'd look around and dad would maybe just press a few keys and we'd wait for a salesman to come over. When they did they would usually sit down at a grand piano and show us how it sounded by playing some little diddy. Then dad knew his role was to ask if he could try and my sister and I would look at each other knowing what was coming and we'd just grin and wait. Dad would sit down and touch one or two keys, stop and adjust himself on the bench, and then he'd let it rip! We'd giggle at the salesman whose mouth was now on the floor and we'd wait for the people to start wandering in off the street or from other shops. Lord how I miss my dad.

Great sportsmanship from both. So nice to see!

Your mother is a great champion!!! Congratulations!! I started following your channel with great love!! I like chess very much!!!

Bro is the best. I played against him was I was 17 and he beat me 3 and tied once. He prides himself in teaching and it must have been a privilege for him to go to school for a change since he plays a lot of people who aren't really into chess.

Anna's mom is an amazing player and at the same time so humble and nice!

Love her humbleness ❤ he‘s amazing, too. Nice watch!

She is an obvious GM but this guy stood his ground hard against a GM. He's really good.

You can tell Anna is "in awe" of her mum, She's a force to be reckoned with!

Great video. Lots of respect on both sides of the board and it shows. Thank you for sharing.

These hustlers are amazing players. Always impressive. Even while losing he was quick to notice what was happening. I love the lifestyle and community feel too. Not a bad way to spend life if you have any skill.

The best and cutest part about this video is how proud the daughter clearly feels about her mom.

The best part about this was the awesome sportsmanship. He wanted to play again and she was willing to give him a chance. It was awesome

It is wonderful how you look at your amazing Mom with such love and admiration. 😊🙏🌹

Anna clearly loves her mom so much...very endearing. Wholesome. The world needs this.

This is one of the most respectful interactions I’ve seen in NYC recently

Anna is always so giddy watching people be amazed at Pia it's adorable

For being a “hustler,” he’s a really good sport! Loved watching them play!

she is so proud of her Mum I like to see this smile all the time

I don't even really play chess but this video caught me. Fascinating just to watch the interactions on a social level with two hyper-competitive but humble, wise and polite people.

May we appreciate such a noble opponent of Pia? He's so sweet and chill, spreads a ton of positive vibes. I'm glad I'm living on this planet, knowing that I live with great people like him, Pia and Anna.

One of the things I love the most about these videos--I feel as though I am the fourth person at the table. Everyone is seen in their natural habitat. Nothing forced or contrived. Cool people being fully themselves ♥️

When he starts singing "save me...". I love everything about this. He's no hustler. He's a great guy.

They were moving so fast, I couldn't keep up. I wouldn't want to face either of them in a dark chess alley. LOL. Well done to both.

I can't follow the game like I'm sure others can but I can still read the joy in their play and conversation. This was extremely fun to watch. Couple people at the top of their craft who just enjoy the game. No mean spirtedness, just a joy of competetion.

Wow that second match was amaziiinnnng 😍🥰 love to see two great players go at it

So wholesome just two strangers playing chess❤ makes the world a better place

She's extraordinarily sweet and humble for being one of the greatest female chess players in history and just an extraordinary player to boot.

Nobody got hustled just a friendly game between humans. I wish we all played more games and learn from each other

It's fun to see a GM play. I'm also impressed at how well the guy in the park played against her. Those guys really are fast, too. Good games!

Shes great..so is he...so awesome to watch!!!

It's wonderful to see how they respect each other while playing the game. No ill feelings or whatsoever.

This is precious and he’s a sweetheart of a man too ❤

In an age dominated by digital games. It is so wonderful to see people enjoying and promoting the quintessential strategy game. I hope this gains even more traction, the world needs this.

I imagine he figured out pretty quickly how good she was. He might “hustle” people, but he also has a genuine love for the game, cuz if he was just a hustler he woulda got upset and probably wouldn’t have wanted to play again

Im impressed at how he was was able to adjust and adapt from game to game. To pressure a GM is a sign of many reps and years of playing chess. This was impressive by both wise and skilled chess players