John Bartholomew Joins Chessiverse as Co-Founder

May 23, 2025
TL;DR

IM John Bartholomew, Chessable co-founder, joins Chessiverse to shape the future of AI chess training with smart bots and expert courses.

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John Bartholomew Joins Chessiverse as Co-Founder

Chessiverse Welcomes IM John Bartholomew as Co-Founder

Chessiverse is thrilled to announce that International Master John Bartholomew, co-founder of Chessable, has officially joined as co-founder. This partnership marks a major step forward in Chessiverse's mission to redefine online chess training by combining state-of-the-art AI, immersive bot gameplay, and expert human instruction.


Who Is John Bartholomew?

John Bartholomew is an International Master, world-renowned chess educator, and one of the most respected figures in modern online chess. He is best known as the co-founder of Chessable, the platform that changed how chess players study and retain knowledge through spaced repetition and interactive learning.

Through his popular YouTube channel and instructional content, John has introduced hundreds of thousands of players to structured, engaging chess education. His "Climbing the Rating Ladder" and "Chess Fundamentals" series remain some of the most-watched chess instructional content on the internet. His ability to explain complex ideas in simple, practical terms has earned him a loyal following among beginners and advanced players alike.


What John Bartholomew's Involvement Means for Chessiverse

Bringing on a visionary like John Bartholomew reflects Chessiverse's commitment to building the most effective chess training platform available. His involvement will shape several key areas of the platform's development.


New Courses and Educational Content

John's proven track record with Chessable and his clear, practical teaching style will bring fresh innovations to Chessiverse's educational ecosystem. Rather than reworking existing content, he will create original learning tools that reflect his unique approach to chess improvement. Players can look forward to:

  • Brand-new video courses and interactive lessons built around practical concepts and real-game application
  • Original training paths for beginners to advanced players, personally designed by John to address the most common improvement challenges
  • Educational experiences directly tied to Chessiverse's intelligent AI bots, blending theory with hands-on practice in a way no other platform offers

These courses will complement the existing bot training system, giving players a complete learning pathway from concept to practice. Explore how our bots already provide targeted training by learning about how Chessiverse bots are created.


Smarter Bots That Teach Like Coaches

With John's guidance, Chessiverse will develop training bots that not only play like humans but teach like experienced coaches. This means:

  • Bots that explain key mistakes and suggest improvements during and after games, turning every session into a learning opportunity
  • Style-based bots that mirror famous players and teaching approaches, allowing students to experience different schools of chess thought
  • Gradual difficulty levels that help players build confidence before facing tougher challenges

This coach-like bot experience builds on Chessiverse's existing PersonaPlay system, where each bot already has a distinct personality. John's input will make these personalities even more educationally valuable.


Enhanced Credibility and Community Growth

As the co-founder of Chessable, John Bartholomew brings unparalleled trust and legitimacy to the Chessiverse platform. His decision to co-found Chessiverse signals a serious commitment to innovation and player growth. This partnership will:

  • Attract a broader audience of learners and professionals who trust John's judgment and teaching quality
  • Strengthen partnerships with chess clubs, schools, and national federations looking for modern training tools
  • Inspire confidence among players seeking a reliable, expert-backed path to improvement

A Shared Vision for the Future of Chess Learning

John's track record of building scalable, learner-first platforms ensures that Chessiverse will grow responsibly and intelligently. Together with the existing team, he will:

  • Guide the platform's educational direction to ensure every feature serves genuine improvement
  • Integrate new, user-friendly learning models that keep players engaged and motivated
  • Foster a global community around bot-based learning and creative chess training

The combination of John's chess education expertise and Chessiverse's AI technology creates a partnership uniquely positioned to define the next era of online chess training.


A Message from John Bartholomew

"As someone who helped build Chessable from the ground up, I'm incredibly excited about the potential of Chessiverse. This platform uniquely combines the power of AI with the soul of human chess learning. I can't wait to help shape its future and bring smarter, more personal training tools to players around the world."


What This Means for Chessiverse Players

John Bartholomew joining Chessiverse as co-founder is more than a partnership. It is a promise to players who want to learn smarter, play stronger, and grow faster. With his vision, experience, and passion for teaching, Chessiverse is ready to lead the next generation of chess improvement.

Whether you are a beginner looking for your first structured training plan or an experienced player pushing toward your next rating milestone, the combination of John's expertise and Chessiverse's AI-driven bot platform will provide tools and experiences that no other chess platform offers.

Ready to experience the platform that John Bartholomew chose to co-found? Play chess against computer opponents with real personality and discover a new approach to chess training.


Join the Conversation

Want to learn more about what is coming? Join our Discord community and ask IM John Bartholomew your questions about Chessiverse, chess improvement, and what is next for the platform.


Frequently Asked Questions

What will change for current Chessiverse users?

Current users will benefit from new courses, improved bot behavior, and additional training features as John's contributions roll out. All existing features and bots will remain available. The changes are additive, meaning the platform will only get better and more comprehensive over time.

Will John Bartholomew create courses exclusively for Chessiverse?

Yes. John will develop original courses and training content specifically for Chessiverse. These courses will be designed to work alongside the bot training system, so players can learn a concept and immediately practice it against a relevant bot.

How is Chessiverse different from Chessable?

Chessable focuses on opening repertoire study through spaced repetition. Chessiverse focuses on practical play improvement through AI-powered chess bots with distinct personalities and playing styles. With John's involvement, Chessiverse will add structured educational content that bridges the gap between studying theory and applying it in real games. Learn more about how Chessiverse ratings work to understand the bot training system.

When will the new features and courses be available?

Development is already underway. Follow Chessiverse on social media and join the Discord community for announcements about new course releases, bot updates, and feature launches as they become available.

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