Perpetual Chess Podcast

1. Ep 507- GM Jan Gustafsson Previews Gukesh vs. Sindarov: Is the World Champion Being Underrated?

   10 de novembro de 20261 h 7 minA seguir

   The 2026 FIDE World Championship is just weeks away, so we rounded up a favorite guest to help preview it. GM Jan Gustafsson is a renowned opening theoretician, trainer, and Chessable author who served on …

   Notas do episódio

   The 2026 FIDE World Championship is just weeks away, so we rounded up a favorite guest to help preview it. GM Jan Gustafsson is a renowned opening theoretician, trainer, and Chessable author who served on Magnus Carlsen's World Championship preparation teams. Jan joined me to give his somewhat surprising assessment of the upcoming title match between GM Javokhir Sindarov and GM D Gukesh. We discuss how opening preparation has evolved, why World Championship matches tend to produce more draws than expected, and how Jan's match assessment compares with betting markets and Elo-based models.

   Jan has been busy, so we also discussed his role as captain of the 2026 German Olympiad team, which earned an outstanding third-place finish. Jan also previews his newest Chessable course, which draws on the opening repertoire of Germany's biggest chess star.

   Lastly, we touched on the Esports World Cup  and caught up on books, TV shows, and Jan's plans for the rest of 2026.

   Thanks to our sponsor Claude ai. Check it out at 

   Claude.ai/chess

   Mentioned in the podcast: 

   Ben’s FIDE World Championship Forecasting Model (Built with Claude) 

   https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/2026wcmodel 

   Donchenko-Gukesh game

   https://www.chess.com/events/2026-fide-chess-olympiad-open/09/Donchenko_Alexander-Gukesh_D

   Vokhidov-Svane 

   https://www.chess.com/events/2026-fide-chess-olympiad-open/08/Vokhidov_Shamsiddin-Svane_Rasmus

   FM Donny Ariel’s YOUTUBE Channel

   https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess

   Pop Culture Recs:

   Jan- The Invite (Film), The Knick (Show), Mobland (show) , Industry (Show),  Norm McDonald YouTube Clips

   Ben- How to Get Rich in American History (book), The Lowdown  (Show), Lupin (show)

   Jan’s Chessable courses-

   https://www.chessable.com/author/JanGustafsson/

   Ben’s Chessable course-

   https://www.chessable.com/author/Ben.Johnson/

   
   

   Photo in thumbnail via Schachbund’s Instagram:

   https://www.instagram.com/p/DdlJIYxubCc/?hl=en

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2. EP 506: FM Andrey Terekhov on Smyslov's Legacy and the Mysteries of Zurich 1953

   3 de novembro de 20261 h 12 minA seguir

   FM Andrey Terekhov is an award-winning author, dad, and software engineer. For the last decade or so, Andrey has been consumed with writing a detailed biography of the underappreciated World Champion, GM Vasily …

   Notas do episódio

   FM Andrey Terekhov is an award-winning author, dad, and software engineer. For the last decade or so, Andrey has been consumed with writing a detailed biography of the underappreciated World Champion, GM Vasily Smyslov. This week he joins me to discuss The Life and Games of Vasily Smyslov, Volume 2: The Challenger. The book goes beyond Smyslov's life and games, offering a fascinating look at Soviet chess history, including what may be the most famous chess tournament of all time. We discuss:

   • The enduring legacy of Zurich 1953. What makes this tournament so famous? What did Andrey discover about allegations of Soviet collusion and political interference?

   • How close did Smyslov get to giving up chess to pursue a career as an opera singer? What characterized his style as a chess player?

   • Andrey's incredibly detailed research process, including primary sources in multiple languages and a visit to Smyslov's former home in Moscow.

   Lastly, we discuss Andrey's own chess adventures and the chess scene in Paris and France, where Andrey now resides. I am so grateful to people like Andrey for devoting so much time to preserving chess history, and I greatly enjoyed his latest book and our conversation.

   
   

   • Kotov's famous queen sacrifice against Averbakh

   • Zurich 1953 by GM David Bronstein

   • Center Stage and Behind the Scenes by GM Yuri Averbakh

   • Achieving the Aim by GM Mikhail Botvinnik

   • Andrey's blog post about the 2026 French Championship

   • Paris Blitz Society

     
     

   • Andrey's Chess.com profile

   • The Life and Games of Vasily Smyslov on Forward Chess

   • Russell Enterprises — Smyslov biography

     Thanks to this week's sponsor:

     Check out Claude AI at claude.ai/chess

     
     

   
   

   
   

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3. EP 505- GM Melik Khachiyan on Building a Winning Team and Developing Chess Talent

   27 de outubro de 202657 minA seguir

   GM Melik Khachiyan is a California-based, award-winning chess trainer and the 2023 U.S. Senior Champion. Melik is also the captain of the U.S. Women's Olympiad team, so it was the perfect time to catch up with …

   Notas do episódio

   GM Melik Khachiyan is a California-based, award-winning chess trainer and the 2023 U.S. Senior Champion. Melik is also the captain of the U.S. Women's Olympiad team, so it was the perfect time to catch up with him following the team's fourth-place finish at the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. We discussed:

   • Melik's reflections on the Olympiad, including the difficult decisions and psychological challenges of captaining a national team. 

   • Why he is optimistic about the future of U.S. women's chess.

   • Stories from OTB encounters with GMs Nakamura, Kamsky and Mickey Adams

   Plus, for video viewers, Melik gives a quick tour of hsi new chess academy in Glendale, California. And, of course, Melik shares chess improvement advice for players of different ages and levels.

   🎙️ Timestamps:

   00:00 Intro and sponsor: Claude AI

   Check them out at Claude.ai/chess

   01:53 GM Melik Khachiyan joins the show

   02:38 Reflections on the U.S. Women's Olympiad performance

   05:32 Helping players bounce back from tough losses

   08:32 Why the U.S. women are now serious medal contenders

   11:39 Patreon mailbag question: How does Melik decide who plays and who sits?

   17:48 Catching up with chess legends at the Olympiad

   19:08 Illness at the Olympiad and the challenges of tournament scheduling

   23:49 Alice Lee and Carissa Yip's GM ambitions

   25:04 Playing in the Olympiad vs. captaining a team

   29:16 Melik's new chess academy in Glendale

   35:42 Fitness, competitive chess, and hopes of returning to the U.S. Senior Championship

   39:50 Memories of playing Hikaru Nakamura, Michael Adams, and Gata Kamsky

   Check out Melik’s games vs. Nakamura,  Adams and Kamsky here:

   https://lichess.org/study/DbVY7xXk/ZbZ9GiTw

   45:28 Learning from the world's best players

   48:05 Chess improvement advice for kids and adults

   50:00- Thanks to Melik for joining me again! You can reach him via his website:

   https://www.gmmelik.com/

   
   

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4. Ep 504- John Hartmann on the U.S. Championships, Chess Books, and the Future of Chess Technology

   20 de outubro de 20261 h 6 minA seguir

   John Hartmann is the award-winning editor of Chess Life magazine, a longtime book reviewer, and an expert on ChessBase, engines, and chess technology. He joined me shortly after a visit to St. Louis to discuss …

   Notas do episódio

   John Hartmann is the award-winning editor of Chess Life magazine, a longtime book reviewer, and an expert on ChessBase, engines, and chess technology. He joined me shortly after a visit to St. Louis to discuss the ongoing U.S. Chess Championships, the renovations to the St. Louis Chess Club, the latest in chess technology, and his new AI-assisted chess newsletter, First Look Chess. We touched on:

   • John's observations from the U.S. Chess Championships, including the tournament races, the atmosphere in the playing hall, and the impressive renovations to the St. Louis Chess Club.

   • The latest on Stockfish, the enduring value of ChessBase, and the many new chess apps, including ChessEver, ChessMonitor, and ChessCEO.

   • The vision behind John's daily chess newsletter, First Look Chess, and how AI has made such a project possible.

   As we always do when John visits the pod, we also discussed noteworthy chess books, including GM Alex Fishbein's Fighting Father Time, and the challenges of finding time to work on our own chess games. 

   Thanks to our sponsors, Claude.ai. 

   Check them out at Claude.ai/chess

   0:00 Intro and welcome back to John Hartmann

   1:30 John's visit to the U.S. Chess Championships

   Read John’s article here:

   https://new.uschess.org/news/club-notes-st-louis

   4:30 The new prize encouraging fighting chess

   6:00 Inside the renovated St. Louis Chess Club

   12:00 What it's like to watch the world's best players up close

   16:30 The Women's Championship, Alice Lee and Rachael Li

   19:30 The explosion of new chess apps

   25:00 Is ChessBase still essential?

   28:30 What's new with Stockfish?

   32:00 John's new project, First Look Chess

   37:30 How US Chess does and does not use AI in its chess coverage

   43:30 Covering chess news beyond the biggest headlines

   47:30 Finding time for tournament chess as a busy adult

   50:00 Chess books, Fighting Father Time, and new training tools

   54:30 Why John loves older chess books

   58:00 Boris Gelfand, chess literature, and how young players learn

   1:00:00- Thanks as always to John for sharing his expertise, you can check out and sub to First Look Chess here:

   https://firstlookchess.com/

   
   

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5. EP 503- GM Nikita Vitiugov on Chess Legends, Career Crossroads, and Team Nepo

   14 de outubro de 20261 h 6 minA seguir

   GM Nikita Vitiugov is a former Russian champion who reached a peak ranking of #15 in the world. He has represented both his native Russia and England at the Chess Olympiad and worked on the World Championship …

   Notas do episódio

   GM Nikita Vitiugov is a former Russian champion who reached a peak ranking of #15 in the world. He has represented both his native Russia and England at the Chess Olympiad and worked on the World Championship team of his boyhood rival, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. In his excellent new book, Chess Metamorphosis, he candidly reflects on his varied chess experiences.

   In our conversation, we discuss:

   • What he learned from working with players like Nepomniachtchi and Peter Svidler, and what he observed from seeing them up close.

   • How two unforgettable training camps with GM Viktor Korchnoi altered the trajectory of his career.

   • Why he has accepted that his best competitive years are behind him, and what that means for his future.

   • How professional chess has changed, and why he might not pursue a chess career if he were starting out today.

   We also discuss the candid, behind-the-scenes photos featured in Nikita's book, his passion for cooking and football, and much more. I loved reading Nikita's book, and it was an honor to hear more about it.

   0:00 Intro

   Thanks to our sponsor Claude AI. Check it out at Claude.ai/chess

   2:00 GM Nikita Vitiugov joins the show 

   3:00 Why Nikita wrote Chess Metamorphosis 

   6:30 Why Nikita suspects that his best competitive years are behind him

   10:00 How professional chess has changed 

   14:00 Growing up alongside Ian Nepomniachtchi 

   18:30 Training with the legendary Viktor Korchnoi

    23:30 Working with GM Peter Svidler 

   Mentioned: Svidler on being a practical player-

   https://open.spotify.com/episode/7gi9KryNqkNEPZzN3obeU6?si=a7e7505918ed441e

   27:00 What makes Nepomniachtchi and Svidler so talented?

   29:00 Behind the scenes of Team Nepo, including a funny story about a thermos

   35:30 Working with GM Peter Leko 

   38:30 Moving to England and adjusting to a new life

   41:00 Nikita's passions for cooking and football

   45:30 His transition to coaching and advice for aspiring professionals

   Thanks to GM VItiugov for joining me! You can order his book and find a free preview via the links below: 

   https://www.newinchess.com/chess-metamorphosis

   https://forwardchess.com/product/chess-metamorphosis?section=Products

   Photo in thumbnail by Etery Kublashvili  

   
   

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6. EP 502: GM Mauricio Flores Rios on Finding Lessons in Olympiad Games

   6 de outubro de 202654 minA seguir

   As a three-time Chess Olympian representing Chile, GM Mauricio Flores Rios, renowned author of Chess Structures, has fond memories of this timeless, biennial tournament. But these days, he is more interested in …

   Notas do episódio

   As a three-time Chess Olympian representing Chile, GM Mauricio Flores Rios, renowned author of Chess Structures, has fond memories of this timeless, biennial tournament. But these days, he is more interested in the instructive quality of the games than in the races for medals.

   In our conversation, Mauricio discusses some of the most instructive Olympiad games that he reviewed on his YouTube channel before we pivot to a broader conversation about the Olympiad, chess improvement, the challenges of interviewing chess prodigies, and the evolution of his chess startup, ChessMind AI.

   Before we say goodbye, Mauricio shares some improvement advice based on his interactions with countless amateur chess players. It’s always fun chatting with Mauricio!

   0:00 IntroThanks to our sponsors, Claude.ai/chessCheck out Claude-coded Chris Wainscott’s chess site: guessthemove.net3:30 Mauricio joins and reflects on playing in three Chess OlympiadsCheck out Mauricio’s confusing Olimpbase page here:https://www.olimpbase.org/players/l9dxlxdl.html9:00 How Mauricio finds the most instructive Olympiad games12:30 Favorite games and lessons from the eventCheck out Mauricio’s bullet win over GM Vincent Keymer here:https://lichess.org/sVl59MdM?pov=ChessMindAIThe most interesting game:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3SxghzYRB0&list=PLfOXGLq2wea8&index=13Mauricio’s annotations of Abdusattorov-Caruana:https://chessmind.ai/events/chess-olympiad-2026/game-of-the-day/round-9/Mauricio’s Erdogmus-Oro annotations:https://chessmind.ai/events/chess-olympiad-2026/game-of-the-day/round-10/16:00 What stands out about today’s chess prodigies?18:00 What Mauricio has learned from interviewing top young players22:30 Patreon mailbag question: How does Mauricio differentiate his YouTube channelin a crowded field? 

   25:30 The evolution of ChessMind AI and what users want most32:30 The challenges of building a chess startup in the AI era47:30 Mauricio’s chess improvement advice and YouTube plans

   Thanks to Mauricio for joining me! Here is how to keep up with him:

   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCafpDJknMf7fr1Wlw6jAEMQChessMind AI: https://chessmind.ai Email: mauricio.a.flores.math at gmail.com

   
   

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7. EP 501: Leah Brown: How an Adult Improver Went From Beginner to 1600+ in Under 2 Years

   29 de setembro de 202650 minA seguir

   The Adult Improver series returns to spotlight another guest who has benefited from chess and improved significantly at the game. Chess was recommended to Leah Brown as a healthier outlet for a mind that, in …

   Notas do episódio

   The Adult Improver series returns to spotlight another guest who has benefited from chess and improved significantly at the game. Chess was recommended to Leah Brown as a healthier outlet for a mind that, in Leah’s words, tends to “torture itself.” Leah began playing tournaments less than two years ago and already has a peak rating of over 1600 USCF. In our conversation, Leah shares the training approach that has helped propel these gains, including:

   • A lot of OTB chess with comprehensive review

   • A heavy reliance on books, particularly those by IM Jeremy Silman

   • A painful adjustment to 1. e4 openings that will hopefully provide long-term benefits

   Leah also highlights the importance of finding a friendly chess community in Massachusetts and shares the story of beating a GM in a simul. Tune in to hear the rest of this inspiring story.

   0:00- Intro

   Links Mentioned: 

   Perpetual Chess Patreon

   Spotify Adult Improver Playlist

   Website

   Form to be considered as an adult improver guest

   1:45 Meet Leah Brown

   2:39 How chess became a healthy outlet

   Mentioned: BIllerica Chess Club

   https://billericachess.42web.io/?i=3

   FM Sandro Safar

   https://lichess.org/coach/Sandro970

   The Real Paul Morphy by FM Charles Hertan

   5:08 Finding a welcoming OTB chess community

   7:11 Getting serious about improvement

   10:28 Jeremy Silman and learning through chess books

   15:28 What fueled Leah’s rapid rating gains?

   20:42 Lessons learned the hard way and switching to 1. e4

   31:38 Rating goals and the ambition to earn a title

   35:34 Advice for adult improvers

   37:09 The role chess plays in Leah’s life

   40:31 Beating a GM in a six-hour simul game 

   Mentioned: GM Nadia Kosintseva

   45:25 Closing Advice for Navigating the Chess Community

   
   

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8. EP 500: Jan Henric Buettner on FIDE, Freestyle Chess and the Game’s Untapped Potential

   18 de setembro de 202656 minA seguir

   Jan Henric Buettner is a German entrepreneur, co-founder of Freestyle Chess alongside Magnus Carlsen, and a candidate for FIDE President. In his business career he has worked in technology, venture capital and …

   Notas do episódio

   Jan Henric Buettner is a German entrepreneur, co-founder of Freestyle Chess alongside Magnus Carlsen, and a candidate for FIDE President. In his business career he has worked in technology, venture capital and hospitality. 

   In our interview, we discuss:

   • The logistical problems some participants encountered at the Olympiad and Jan’s own experience in Samarkand

   • Why Jan believes chess still has vast untapped potential

   • Whether Freestyle Chess can appeal to a wide audience

   • Whether an outsider can defeat FIDE’s establishment candidate

   • What Jan considers chess’s most undervalued commercial asset

   We also touch on lessons Jan has learned from his varied business career, the potential threats posed by AI, and why he believes chess is a great game to introduce to the next generation.

   🕒 Timestamps

   0:00 Intro and Episode 500 housekeeping

   This podcast is brought to you in part by Claude AI. You can try it out via the link below:

    claude.ai/chess3:53 Jan Henric Buettner joins the show4:40 Early logistical problems at the Chess Olympiad9:00 Jan’s business background and what drew him to chess13:40 Building Freestyle Chess and attracting sponsors16:34 Is Freestyle Chess accessible to traditional chess fans?20:25 Jan’s own chess experience22:01 FIDE elections, corruption allegations, and Jan’s chances24:06 Jan’s platform and plans for making FIDE financially independent28:55 Women in chess, cheating, and rating reform34:00 Chess.com’s dominance and the possibility of new competitors35:30 Turning chess players into chess spectators38:00 Why Jan believes the FIDE brand is undervalued39:47 Wadim Rosenstein, Timur Turlov, and the possibility of a split vote40:41 What Jan would do if he loses the election42:09 Could FIDE postpone the election?43:53 Jan’s concerns about AI, venture capital, and the future49:42 Why chess offers an antidote to technology overload

   Thanks to Jan for joining me! You can learn more about his campaign here:

   https://janhenricbuettner.com/

   
   

   
   

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9. EP 499- IM Thomas Willemze on Game Review, Openings & Training with Focus

   15 de setembro de 202652 minA seguir

   IM Thomas Willemze is a popular author, Chessable creator, and trainer who has worked with the Dutch National Youth Team, among countless other students. A data analyst by day, Thomas brings an analytical …

   Notas do episódio

   
   

   IM Thomas Willemze is a popular author, Chessable creator, and trainer who has worked with the Dutch National Youth Team, among countless other students. A data analyst by day, Thomas brings an analytical approach to thinking about the core components of chess improvement.

   In our conversation, we draw on Thomas's experiences as both a player and coach to tease out practical lessons for improving players. We discuss everything from game review and opening preparation to how to improve your focus while studying and playing. Thomas also shares some book recommendations, reflects on learning chess from the creators of the Steps Method while they were still developing it, and recounts what happened when, at age 40, he gave himself a year to seriously pursue his GM ambitions.

   Timestamps of topics discussed can be found below.

   Free perpetual Chess Discord:

   https://discord.gg/UpRTQfjQB

   Free Newsletter:

   https://benjohnson.substack.com/

   00:00 Introduction to the Interview with Thomas Willems

   Thanks to our sponsors, Claude AI, check them out at:

   Claude.AI/chess

   02:01 Introduction to IM Thomas Willemze

   04:07 The Intersection of Data Science and Chess

   07:09 Thomas’ Training and Coaching Philosophy

   09:55 The Chess Steps Method and Early Chess Education

   mentioned : Rob Brunia and IM Cor van Wijgerden

   15:36 Addressing Weaknesses and Improving Skills

   Mentioned: Fundamental Chess Endings, Dvoretsky’s books, GM Yury Averbakh’s books

   18:08 Common Pitfalls for Adult Players

   20:51 Patreon mailbag question:

   How can we improve our focus when playing games and studying? 

   23:55 Defensive Awareness and Identifying Threats

   27:00 Patreon mailbag question: Does Thomas see parallels between chess and football/soccer strategy?

   28:48 The Balance of Attack and Defense in Chess

   30:28 Effective Study Strategies for Ambitious Players

   32:07 Reviewing Games: Learning from Mistakes

   33:34 The Competitive Landscape of Modern Chess

   38:26 Preparing for Upcoming Tournaments

   40:05 Choosing an Opening Repertoire

   42:01 Current Projects and Future Endeavors

   44:08 Chess Content Recommendations and Personal Interests

   Mentioned: 100 Endgames You Must Know 

   50:00- Thanks to IM Willemze for joining me. You can reach him via his Chessable author’s page:

   https://www.chessable.com/author/Willemze/

   
   

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10. EP 498- IM David Vigorito on How to Improve as an Adult & Build a Better Opening Repertoire

    8 de setembro de 202656 minA seguir

    IM David Vigorito is a three-time state champion, renowned opening theoretician and trainer, and the author of many highly regarded books and Chessable courses. His latest course, 1. e4: The Gold Standard …

    Notas do episódio

    IM David Vigorito is a three-time state champion, renowned opening theoretician and trainer, and the author of many highly regarded books and Chessable courses. His latest course, 1. e4: The Gold Standard, offers an ambitious, principled repertoire against all of Black’s major responses.

    In our conversation, we discuss:

    • How David’s process for researching openings has changed as engines have grown increasingly powerful.

    • What adult improvers can learn from David’s own unusual chess journey and the huge rating gains he made in his late teens, 20s, and 30s.

    • Why players should sometimes deliberately play openings and positions that make them uncomfortable.

    • The challenges of finding opportunities to compete while balancing chess with work and family obligations.

    David also shares a funny story about the unexpected chain of events that followed our first interview in 2019, explains some of the ambitious choices in his new 1. e4 repertoire, and shares his strong opinions on Chess960 and some recent trends in professional chess.

    It’s always fun to catch up with David, and there is lots of practical chess advice in this one.

    0:00 Intro

    Thanks to our sponsor Claude.ai

    Check them out at Claude.ai/chess

    2:30 David’s new 1. e4 course and how engine-era opening research has changed

    6:55 Why David recommends ambitious, principled opening lines

    15:15 How much opening theory do amateur players actually need?

    20:40 Adult improvement: what helped David make huge rating gains

    26:00 The New England chess scene and David’s tournament schedule

    31:55 A funny story stemming from David’s first Perpetual Chess interview

    38:20 Improving by working on your weaknesses

    44:00 Following professional chess and David’s dislike of alternative scoring formats

    45:40 Why David has no interest in Chess960

    Vigorito-Aagaard 2025

    https://www.chesshere.com/master-games/1822045?fen=r1bqk2r%2Fpppp1ppp%2F2n2n2%2F1B2p3%2F1b2P3%2F2N2N2%2FPPPP1PPP%2FR1BQK2R+w+KQkq+-+6+5

    50:30 What’s next for David

    https://www.chessable.com/author/dvigorito/ 

    52:00- Thanks to David for joining me! Be sure to check out his courses on Chessable:

    https://www.chessable.com/author/dvigorito/

    If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

    https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

    
    

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11. EP 497- GM Valentin Dragnev on Improving Thought Processes, Building Chess Community and his Most Memorable OTB Moments

    1 de setembro de 20261 hA seguir

    GM Valentin Dragnev is a two-time Austrian national champion and former chess Olympian who has had memorable OTB encounters with GM Magnus Carlsen, Vasyl Ivanchuk, and many other top players. After achieving so …

    Notas do episódio

    GM Valentin Dragnev is a two-time Austrian national champion and former chess Olympian who has had memorable OTB encounters with GM Magnus Carlsen, Vasyl Ivanchuk, and many other top players. After achieving so much over the board, he has increasingly focused his attention on chess training and a community-focused website he co-founded, Chessivity.com. We discuss:

    • The story behind Valentin’s fast rise up the ranks after a relatively late start to tournament chess.

    • The struggles he has observed that adult students have in developing consistent thought processes.

    • The vision behind Chessivity, a website that aims to connect chess players and help them track and share their chess training.

    • Stories from Valentin’s chess career, including nearly beating Magnus Carlsen and cycling from Austria to Budapest to compete in the Chess Olympiad.

    This was a very insightful conversation with lots of good stories and practical chess advice.

    0:00- Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/CHESS. 

    03:05 GM Dragnev’s rise up the ranks

    Mentioned:

    The Art of Planning in Chess by GM Neal McDonald

    https://www.amazon.com/Art-Planning-Chess-Move/dp/071349025X

    12:14 Transitioning to Chess as a Career

    15:31 Advice for Parents and Young Players

    18:29 Coaching Adults vs. Kids

    21:52 The Importance of Thought Process in Chess

    26:53 The Birth of Chessivity

    30:32 Integrating Chessivity with User Accounts

    Follow Ben here:

    https://chessivity.com/profile/bennyficial1

    31:05 Future Features and User Feedback

    33:11 Valentin's Chess Career Highlights

    35:05 Playing Against Magnus Carlsen

    Check out the Sicilian game here:

    https://lichess.org/broadcast/european-team-championship-open/round-2/kLFgyBxS/QCqXtaGu

    38:39 Training and Preparation Strategies

    42:10 Working with Top Players

    44:46 Balancing Coaching and Competitive Play

    47:07 Misconceptions in Chess Improvement

    52:22 Valentin tells the story of cycling from Austria to Budapest before competing in the Olympiad

    56:03 Thanks to Valentin for joining!

    Find him on Chessivity:

    https://chessivity.com/profile/valentin

    Lichess coaches:

    https://lichess.org/coach/DrAgnevstein

    
    

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12. EP 496: Kyle Boddy on His Continued Journey from Sub-1000 to 1550 USCF

    25 de agosto de 20261 hA seguir

    The Adult Improver Series returns to welcome back an accomplished guest. Kyle Boddy is the founder of Driveline Baseball, an influential company that provides training and performance guidance for professional …

    Notas do episódio

    
    

    The Adult Improver Series returns to welcome back an accomplished guest. Kyle Boddy is the founder of Driveline Baseball, an influential company that provides training and performance guidance for professional and aspiring baseball players. Despite the demands of running a company and raising a family, Kyle values chess as a hobby and makes plenty of time for it.

    When I first interviewed Kyle in 2022, he was rated below 1000 USCF, but was working diligently and had a long-term hope of reaching USCF 2000. Four years later, he has stuck with it and made considerable progress, recently reaching a new peak of nearly 1550 USCF.

    In this follow-up, we discuss:

    • Why he still loves openings, and how studying them deeply has given him a competitive advantage against many higher-rated opponents.

    • How he combines old-school, analog training methods with sophisticated uses of AI and chess technology.

    • The parallels he sees between improving at physical pursuits like baseball and improving at chess.

    • The immense value he gains from being part of a vibrant chess community in the Pacific Northwest.

    It is inspiring to see Kyle’s continued dedication to chess, and I look forward to following his continued progress in the coming years.

    0:00- Intro

    Join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community:

    https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

    Join the free discord:

     https://discord.gg/hN3CJsbGn

    More on the Adult Improver Series:

    Spotify Playlist:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Uoqz2BoRt2IiTCeOfuky?si=8fda103624514126

    Website:

    https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adultimprover

    Check out our sponsor,  Claude Co-work at Claude.ai/chess

    04:22 Kyle Boddy joins

    06:05 What keeps Kyle playing and improving?

    07:36 Switching to 1.e4 and open games

    Mentioned: Anand-Nunn 1990

    https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1018185

    08:43 Why Kyle still loves studying openings

    10:45 How Kyle actually studies openings

    12:12 Studying games blindfolded

    16:00 How Kyle uses AI for chess

    18:19 Engines, Maia Chess and practical preparation

    20:34 Kyle’s tournament routine

    24:19 How he trains tactics

    26:48 Building a new opening repertoire

    29:42 Daily chess habits

    30:49 The importance of a chess community

    34:17 Tournament chess in Seattle and beyond

    35:20 Aging and adult chess improvement

    37:45 Kyle’s path toward 1800-2000

    40:11 Improving at endgames

    42:50 Understanding vs. memorizing openings

    44:35 The Joey Votto chess bet

    45:33 Chess’s popularity among pro athletes

    47:05 How much Kyle studies chess

    Can Adults Improve at Chess by NM Todd Bryant

    https://www.chess.com/article/view/can-adults-improve-at-chess

    50:22 Blogging, AI and hiding your prep

    52:53 Baseball vs. chess improvement

    55:46 Will Kyle still be playing at 50? 

    56:00- Thanks to Kyle for joining and sharing his inspiring progress- follow his blog here:

    https://www.kyleboddy.com/blog/

    
    

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13. EP 495- How Bill Goichberg Changed American Chess with FM Jon Jacobs

    18 de agosto de 20261 h 3 minA seguir

    With the recent news of his passing, this week we look at the remarkable and wide-ranging chess legacy of FM Bill Goichberg. Among many other distinctions, Bill was the founder of the Continental Chess …

    Notas do episódio

    
    

    With the recent news of his passing, this week we look at the remarkable and wide-ranging chess legacy of FM Bill Goichberg. Among many other distinctions, Bill was the founder of the Continental Chess Association and the creator of the U.S. National Scholastic Championships, and he left an indelible mark on the U.S. chess scene.

    My guest is chess journalist FM Jon Jacobs, who is working on an independent biography of Bill. Jon grew up in New York and got to know Bill personally as a top young scholastic player, with a young Bill Goichberg directing some of his formative tournaments in Brooklyn. Decades later, Bill sat down for 15 hours’ worth of interviews with Jon, which Jon has been crafting into a book.

    In our interview, we discuss Bill’s business legacy, chess accomplishments, family life, and much more. Bill changed the course of American chess, and I am grateful to Jon for joining me and fleshing out his life story.

    00:00 - Intro and remembering FM Bill Goichberg

    0:02- Maurice Ashley tweet regarding Goichberg-

    https://x.com/MauriceAshley?lang=en06:13 - Jon’s first memories of Bill08:14 - How Bill got started organizing tournaments14:16 - Growing chess in the pre-Fischer era18:21 - Bill’s proudest contributions to US chess22:54 - Continental Chess and its competitors24:39 - How big a business did CCA become?29:50 - Bill’s wife Brenda and their life together35:35 - Bill’s beginnings as a chess player39:48 - How strong was Bill as a player?44:07 - Did Bill ever work outside of chess?

    Mentioned: CCA and Domainvision.com

    https://www.chesstour.com/aboutcca.htm47:38 - The Continental Chess business model51:54 - Why Jon is writing Bill’s biography57:01 - Where to follow Jon’s work

    1:00:00- Thanks to Jon for coming on, you can follow his Facebook page here- 

    https://www.facebook.com/p/A-Pawn-Made-Flesh-61568668591626/

    If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

    https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

    
    

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14. EP 494- GM Jacob Aagaard on How to Improve Calculation & Learn From Your Mistakes

    11 de agosto de 20261 h 28 minA seguir

    GM Jacob Aagaard is an award-winning author, a renowned trainer who has worked with GMs Sam Shankland, Nodirbek Abdusattorov and many others, and the co-founder of Quality Chess. Despite all of his …

    Notas do episódio

    GM Jacob Aagaard is an award-winning author, a renowned trainer who has worked with GMs Sam Shankland, Nodirbek Abdusattorov and many others, and the co-founder of Quality Chess. Despite all of his accomplishments and the many demands on his time, Jacob retains his passion for chess books and chess improvement. He returns to the podcast to discuss:

    • How to actually improve at calculation, including why many club players should spend more time solving simple tactics rather than difficult calculation exercises

    • Some of the key concepts from his excellent new book, A Killer Guide to Attacking Chess

    • How to categorize the mistakes in your games without overcomplicating the process

    • Some of the forthcoming chess books he is most excited about

    Jacob also teases an exciting new project with GM Garry Kasparov and shares his thoughts on the Olympiad, the FIDE election, and the health of the chess publishing business, among many other topics.

    There is always so much to learn from Jacob, and I greatly appreciate his generosity with his time.

    This week’s podcast is brought to you by Chessiverse.com. Be sure to check out their many features, and use code “Perpetual30” to receive a 30% discount on premium offerings and IM John Bartholomew’s Scandinavian Course. 

    00:00 Introduction 

    0:02- GM Jacob Aagaard joins

    0:08- The Upcoming  Chess books Jacob is most excited about

    Naroditsky Memorial Box Set Quality Chess

    Chess Metamorphoss by GM Nikita Vitiugov

    Grandmaster Training Camp with GM Sam Shankland

    Unlock Your Chess Creativity by IM Richard Palliser 

    Winning Chess Tactics by GM Yasser Seirawan

    The Evans Gambit by IM Andrew Martin

    17:00 Jacob’s Writing Workflow and Challenges

    21:30 The Role of AI in Chess Writing

    30:00 Patreon mailbag question: How does Jacob’s new book compare to his Excelling at Chess Series? 

    33:00- Patreon mailbag question: How does Jacob recommend one improve at calculation?

    41:00 Patreon mailbag question: What is Jacob’s advice for how to categorize the mistakes you make when reviewing and trying to learn from your games?

    43:33 Categorizing Mistakes in Chess

    45:00 Recommended Chess Books for Improvement

    Mentioned:

    Attack with Mikhail Tal

    Alekhine’s Best Games

    Books by GM Larry Christiansen

    Life and Games of Mikhail Tal

    48:00 Working with GM Garry Kasparov on an updated The Great Predecessors Series 

    57:00  Patreon mailbag question: How is the chess publishing business doing? Does Jacob have any plans of streamlining the digital availability of the New in Chess Magazine archive? 

    01:10:00 Patreon mailbag question: Jacob’s thoughts on the Chess Olympiad, the FIDE election and Gukesh-Sindarov

    1:16:00- Patreon mailbag question: What is Jacob’s motivation for continuing to compete occasionally 

    01:17:00- What Jacob learns from being an adult improver at guitar 

    Mentioned: Jake Workman is Jacob’s guitar teacher 

    01:24:00-

    Thanks to Jacob for joining the show again! Here is how to keep up his work:

    Killer Chess Training

    https://killerchesstraining.com/

    Books

    https://www.newinchess.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?authors=Jacob+Aagaard+Madsen&q=%2A

    If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

    ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess⁠

    
    

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15. EP 493- GM Vasif Durarbayli: Why Every Serious Chess Player Needs a Coach

    4 de agosto de 20261 h 4 minA seguir

    GM Vasif Durarbayli is a former World Youth Champion and two-time champion of his native Azerbaijan. Now based in St. Louis after graduating from Webster University, Vasif has turned much of his attention to …

    Notas do episódio

    GM Vasif Durarbayli is a former World Youth Champion and two-time champion of his native Azerbaijan. Now based in St. Louis after graduating from Webster University, Vasif has turned much of his attention to ChessEver, an app designed to make following live chess easier.

    In our conversation we discuss:

    •• Why he believes every serious chess player needs a coach, and how not hiring one nearly derailed his own career.

    • Vasif's outstanding performance at the Naroditsky Memorial blitz, including a near-upset of Hikaru Nakamura.

    • An unforgettable over-the-board encounter with legendary GM Viktor Korchnoi.

    • How chess broadcasting can be improved, and his ambitious long-term vision for ChessEver.

    This was a really enjoyable conversation, and I recommend ChessEver to anyone who enjoys following top-level tournaments.

    00:00 - Intro

    01:16 - Insights from a top 10 finish at the Naroditsky Memorial blitz tournament

    Check out Vasif’s Naroditsky Memorial games here:

    The Nakamura game is game 13, 35. Rxa7! Was mate in 12. 

    https://lichess.org/study/UoNAiYdm/TehrviPk

    03:52 - Playing Korchnoi

    05:02 - Playing style: aggressive opening choices and psychological play

    06:45 - The influence of legendary players and their aura on Vasif

    09:16 - Off-the-board aspects of chess improvement and coaching advice

    12:37 - Strategies for handling lost positions and psychological tactics

    15:08 - The significance of coaching and Vasif’s past mistakes in self-improvement

    Vasif’s thoughts on Gukesh’s slump here:

    https://x.com/durarbayli/status/2079565216413556923

    24:52 - The power of strategic preparation stories from chess books

    Mentioned: The Random Book that Made me a Grandmaster

    https://durarbayli.com/a-random-book-made-me-a-grandmaster/

    The Method in Chess by Josif Dorfman

    https://www.amazon.com/Method-Chess-Iossif-Dorfman/dp/2957289024

    30:00- Why we should not emulate Sindarov’s study approach

    Mentioned: Fooled by Randomness

    39:06 - The journey from competitive chess to creating Chess Ever

    44:50 - The vision for Chess Ever: following games, broadcasting, and innovation

    53:41 - Monetization plans and future features of Chess Ever

    58:51 - How Chess Ever differs from other streaming and follow platforms

    61:47 - The future of chess broadcasting, AI commentary, and competition

    63:48 - Final thoughts and encouraging feedback from listenersResources:

    • Chess Ever App

    • Road to Mastery by Golovka

    • Static and Dynamic by Dorfman

    • Nasim Taleb - Fooled by Randomness

    Connect with Vasif Durabayi:

    • LinkedIn

    • Twitter

    • Website

    
    

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16. EP 492: Mr. Dodgy on Improving at Classical Chess + Chess Fam

    28 de julho de 20261 h 21 minA seguir

    ⁠Michael Duke (better known as Mr. Dodgy, or @chessproblem on X) is a Chessable author, the co-founder of Chessfam, and co-host of the Chicken Chess Club podcast. He has built a large online following through …

    Notas do episódio

    ⁠Michael Duke (better known as Mr. Dodgy, or @chessproblem on X) is a Chessable author, the co-founder of Chessfam, and co-host of the Chicken Chess Club podcast. He has built a large online following through his passion for chess and his sharp sense of humor. But aside from the jokes, Michael has become more serious about improving his own game.

    With a FIDE rating just shy of 2100, Michael was frustrated that he consistently performed much better in rapid than in classical chess. In order to change that, he sought out GM Alex Colovic for coaching after trying several instructors. He worked to address the biggest weaknesses in his game, including lazy calculation and overly ambitious opening choices. The work paid off as he defeated a grandmaster for the first time at age 38 and later held GM David Howell to a draw in a rapid game.

    In our conversation, Michael shares what he learned about improving as an adult, why his rapid results have always been better than his OTB results, and the practical changes that helped close the gap.

    We also discuss Chessfam, the ambitious new platform he co-founded to make finding and entering chess tournaments easier, as well as his observations from the recent European Chess Union Congress and the upcoming FIDE presidential election. (Please note this interview was recorded before Arkady Dvorkovich withdrew from the race.)

    As always, timestamps for all topics discussed are below.

    00:04 Introduction to Mr. Dodgy 

    02:51 Chess Improvement Deep Dive and Dodgy’s recent achievements 

    Mentioned: GM Alex Colovic’s Substack

    05:42 Lessons from Grandmaster Alex Colovic

    GM Alex Colovic- How to Become a Grandmaster

    https://www.quora.com/How-did-you-become-a-grandmaster/answer/Alex-Colovic?share=55b455d3&srid=hY2IT

    08:49 Strengths and Weaknesses in Rapid vs Classical Chess

    11:52 Opening Strategies and Learning Approaches

    GM Alex Colovic’s Suggestions for the Alapin-

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6K0YFRN20U

    14:38 Daily Practice and Calculation Work

    17:49 Patreon Mailbag Question: Can We Expect another Mr. Dodgy Chessable course? 

    20:33 Recommended Resources for Improvement

    Mentioned: Improve Your Chess Calculation by GM RB Ramesh, Think Like a Super GM by GM Michael Adams and Philip Hurtado, Perfect Your Chess by GM Volokitin and IM Grabinsky 

    25:20 Exploring Diverse Thinking in Chess

    26:15 Influential Players and Their Styles

    27:21 Dodgy's Grandmaster Victory Story

    30:19 Chess Party: A Unique Event Experience

    35:45 Introducing Chess Fam: A New Chess Platform

    Mentioned: Sligo International, Maia Chess Festival, Sitges International 

    39:55 The Business Model Behind Chess Fam

    43:54 Navigating New Skills in Chess Fam

    48:01 Getting Involved with Chess Fam

    48:26 The Need for Chess Tournament Reviews

    50:43 Creating a Welcoming Environment for New Players

    52:39 The Rise of Casual Chess Events

    54:07 Insights from the ECU Congress

    55:40 Understanding the Role of the ECU

    59:00 The Future of European Chess

    Mentioned: GM Peter Arnaudov from ModernChess.com, Business Meets Chess & Kids & GM Pontuss Carlsson

    01:05:07 FIDE Elections and the Importance of Term Limits

    Thanks to Mr. Dodgy for joining! Here are links to his stuff:

    X: https://x.com/ChessProblem

    Chessable-

    https://www.chessable.com/courses/s/dodgy/

    Chessfam-

    https://chessfam.com/

    
    

    Photo in thumbnail by David Llada

    
    

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17. EP 491: Lessons from the Naroditsky Memorial with FM Dalton Perrine, GM Eugene Perelshteyn and NM Mike Mahoney

    21 de julho de 20261 h 3 minA seguir

    By all accounts, the Naroditsky Memorial was a touching tribute to the legendary streamer, educator and grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. This week I welcome three guests to share their stories from the memorable …

    Notas do episódio

    By all accounts, the Naroditsky Memorial was a touching tribute to the legendary streamer, educator and grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. This week I welcome three guests to share their stories from the memorable event in Charlotte.

    Popular Chessable author and coach FM Dalton Perrine reflects on the lessons and memorable experiences of the tournament. Dalton also shares chess improvement insights from his excellent Chess Chatter newsletter and discusses Chessalyz, the AI-powered chess improvement platform he co-founded.

    Following Dalton, GM Eugene Perelshteyn and NM Mike Mahoney return to the podcast for an update on the "Chess Rocky" story. They discuss Mike's results after months of training for the event, along with unforgettable stories from the tournament, including their encounter with legendary GM Vasyl Ivanchuk.

    As always, I enjoyed hearing the stories and lessons from Dalton, Eugene and Mike, and I think listeners will find plenty to learn from their experiences.

    00:04 Introduction and Background

    01:01 The Narodzki Memorial Tournament Experience

    04:01 Learning from Danya's Speedruns

    Mentioned: Chessbase India- Naroditsky Memorial Coverage

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL2unSfeOdoM

    Chessbase India Interview with Danya’s Mother:

    Daniel Naroditsky's mother shares heartfelt message to the chess community

    06:53 Atmosphere and Community at the Tournament

    10:04 Performance and Reflections on Games

    13:01 Simplicity in Chess Improvement

    16:02 Chessalyze: The AI-Assisted Coaching Platform

    22:12 Future of Chessalyze and User Feedback

    27:57 Advice for Ambitious Club Players

    Mentioned:

    Survive and Thrive: How to Blunder Less and Defend Better

    https://www.chessable.com/survive-thrive-how-to-blunder-less-and-defend-better/course/80629/

    34:00- Upcoming Tournaments and Projects

    Thanks to Dalton for joining! Here is how to keep up with him:

    Chess Chatter Blog

    Chessalyz.ai

    DaltonPerrine.com

    38:00 GM Eugene Perelshteyn and NM Mike Mahoney join me

    Mentioned: Ivanchuk is here, GM Steven Zierk

    Sindarov-Woodward 2026

    https://www.chess.com/events/2026-naroditsky-memorial-masters-rapid/03/Sindarov_Javokhir-Woodward_Andy

    IM Sagar Shah-Mahoney 2026-

    https://lichess.org/study/IgNM0rNc/ZiaxROGi

    48:32 The Pressure of Competition: In-Person Challenges

    54:37 Reflections and Future Aspirations

    55:00- Thanks to Eugene and Mike for joining! You can keep up with Eugene via his Substack,

    https://eugeneperel.substack.com/

    If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

    https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

    
    

    
    

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18. EP 490- Bruce Pandolfini on 50 Years of Teaching Chess

    14 de julho de 20261 h 7 minA seguir

    Bruce Pandolfini is an American chess legend who has written many popular books, consulted on The Queen's Gambit and numerous other films and television projects featuring chess, and worked with countless …

    Notas do episódio

    Bruce Pandolfini is an American chess legend who has written many popular books, consulted on The Queen's Gambit and numerous other films and television projects featuring chess, and worked with countless future masters, including GM Fabiano Caruana and IM Josh Waitzkin.

    Bruce rejoined me to reflect on what he has learned from an incredibly varied career in chess, from helping cover the 1972 Fischer-Spassky World Championship for PBS to nearly fifty years as one of America's most influential chess teachers.

    In our conversation, Bruce discusses the nature of chess talent, what separates students who improve from those who don't, how technology has changed the way chess is taught, and shares memorable stories from his decades as a teacher, author, and film consultant.

    00:00 Introduction and Bruce's background

    00:23 Bruce's career highlights and teaching philosophy

    06:06 Traits of successful chess players

    09:10 Adults vs. kids in chess learning

    Mentioned: 

    Dream Moves by GM Miron Sher 

    19:28 Talent and hard work in chess

    Mentioned: Reveal Your Chess Style by GM Andy Soltis , 

    Deadline Grandmaster 

    24:00- Working on the movies Searching For Bobby Fischer, and Fresh 

    31:58 The health and future of chess

    40:15 Chess legends and historical stories

    45:00- Patreon mailbag question: Would Bruce consider revising and updating any of  his books?

    48:28 Bruce's involvement in media and films

    56:16 Reflections on chess evolution and technology

    Mentioned: Thinking Sideways, Dark Squares, Bobby Fischer’s Chess Queen, Rebel Queen,

    The Seventh Seal, From Russia with Love, Casablanca 

    01:03:14 Advice for chess enthusiasts and closing thoughts

    If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess you can do so here:

    https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

    
    

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19. EP 489- IM Rose Atwell on Discipline, Improvement, and Chess Psychology

    30 de junho de 20261 h 2 minA seguir

    17-year-old IM-elect Rose Atwell is one of the brightest young stars in American chess. She recently earned her International Master title, tied for first at the National High School Championship, and qualified …

    Notas do episódio

    17-year-old IM-elect Rose Atwell is one of the brightest young stars in American chess. She recently earned her International Master title, tied for first at the National High School Championship, and qualified for the U.S. Women's Olympiad team for the first time. Rose has also built a loyal following on social media by candidly chronicling her tournament experiences. She shares instructive positions and the lessons she learns from both her successes and setbacks.

    In our conversation we discuss:

    • Her approach to reviewing games and systematically addressing weaknesses

    • How she uses digital flashcards and "mixed tactics" to accelerate improvement

    • Why she believes homeschooling has benefited both her chess and her education

    • The chess advice she would give to her younger self

    Rose is an impressive player and a great ambassador for the game. I appreciate her taking the time to join me during a very busy tournament schedule.

    00:00 Introduction to Rose Atwell

    03:23 Lessons Learned From a Disappointing Recent Tournament

    06:24 Reviewing Games and Learning from Mistakes

    09:29 Training Routines and Adjustments

    12:33 Coaching Dynamics and Study Habits

    Mentioned:

    Rose Atwell interview with GM Mauricio Flores Rios

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w-JQbZUIRs

    “Class in Session” with WGM Sabina Foisor

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6YiEvust3k

    15:24 Digital Tools and Flashcards for Improvement

    18:23 Balancing Study and Physical Health

    21:23 Family Background and Support

    24:31 Competitive Mindset and Gender Dynamics in Chess

    Mentioned: Judit Polgar book trilogy

    https://forwardchess.com/product/judit-polgar-how-i-beat-fischers-record

    31:32 Upcoming Tournaments and Travel Plans

    33:58 Meeting Chess Heroes and Inspirations

    36:00 Balancing Chess and Education

    39:01 The Future of College and Chess

    39:52 Attributing Success and Overcoming Challenges

    42:04 Social Media and Sharing Chess Experiences

    43:57 Advice to Younger Self and Emotional Resilience

    46:05 The Importance of Identity Beyond Chess

    49:02 Reading and Maintaining Focus

    51:22 Chess Training and Future Goals

    57:00 Thanks to Rose for joining me! Here is how to keep up with her:

    X:

    https://x.com/atwell_rose?lang=en

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/roseatwellchess/?hl=en

    
    

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20. EP 488- GM R.B. Ramesh on Calculation, Confidence, and Coaching Champions

    23 de junho de 20261 h 13 minA seguir

    Renowned author and trainer GM R.B. Ramesh is one of the rare coaches who has worked extensively with the world's elite players while still providing practical advice for ambitious amateurs. Long respected as …

    Notas do episódio

    Renowned author and trainer GM R.B. Ramesh is one of the rare coaches who has worked extensively with the world's elite players while still providing practical advice for ambitious amateurs.

    Long respected as one of chess's leading trainers and authors, Ramesh has helped guide the development of stars such as GMs Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, and Aravindh Chithambaram. As his students continue to reach new heights, Ramesh remains committed to sharing lessons that can benefit players at every level. For that reason, it was exciting news when he recently announced the relaunch of his YouTube channel, where he plans to regularly share free instructional content.

    In our conversation, we discussed:

    • What he has learned from coaching elite players• When to focus on calculation versus pattern recognition• The risks of burnout for top young players

    We also discussed Ramesh's plans for future content, whether he has any new chess book recommendations, and how aspiring players can make the most of their limited study time.

    There is always so much to learn from GM R.B. Ramesh.

    Thanks to this week’s sponsors, Chessiverse.com. Use code “Perpetual30” to save 30% on premium offerings, and IM John Bartholomew’s Complete Scandinavian Course.

    0:00 Introduction

    2:10 GM Ramesh joins. Why is he relaunching his YouTube channel?

    4:50 What Ramesh has learned from coaching elite players like Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh Chithambaram

    7:45 Why young players focus too much on openings

    10:00 How strong players think: candidate moves, objectivity, and avoiding analytical bias

    13:30 Visualization, calculation, and why club players struggle to analyze deeply

    16:15 Common problems even elite players face: time trouble, concentration, and handling losses

    Check out Ramesh’s interview with Praggnandhaa here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU0J3ftM8BQ

    21:00 How coaches can help players overcome psychological obstacles

    27:00 Patreon mailbag question: Might players like Praggnandhaa and Gukesh be dealing with issues like burnout, and a lack of balance in their lives?

    Mentioned:

    https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/right-now-it-s-a-challenge-to-enjoy-chess-gukesh-101781022470045.html

    31:30 The dangers of playing too many tournaments

    35:15 Long-term burnout concerns for today's generation of prodigies

    37:20 Patreon mailbag question: What does Gukesh need to do to regain his best form?

    44:45 Does being World Champion create unique psychological pressure?

    48:45 Listener question: Pattern recognition vs. calculation

    51:00 Analysis vs. calculation: an important distinction

    54:10 How adults with only a few hours per week should spend their chess study time

    55:30 Future books, Chessable courses, and long-term projects

    57:30 What viewers can expect from Ramesh's YouTube channel

    1:00:30 Training camps, teaching philosophy, and adapting to students

    1:02:30 Why Ramesh stopped reading most chess books

    1:04:00 The psychological side of coaching and improvement

    1:06:30 Final advice for amateurs and aspiring professionals

    1:07:40 Outro

    Thanks to GM Ramesh for joining me again! Be sure to SUB to his YouTube channel here:

    https://www.youtube.com/@RameshRB

    
    

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21. EP 487- Matt Rathkey on Chess Improvement, Jazz Improvisation, and Learning How to Learn

    16 de junho de 20261 h 15 minA seguir

    Can a background as a professional jazz musician help you improve at chess? Matt Rathkey says “yes.”. Matt is this week's guest on The Adult Improver Series. Like many players, he fell back in love with chess …

    Notas do episódio

    Can a background as a professional jazz musician help you improve at chess? Matt Rathkey says “yes.”.

    Matt is this week's guest on The Adult Improver Series. Like many players, he fell back in love with chess during the COVID pandemic and soon found himself playing regularly, watching top-level broadcasts, and solving puzzles. Along the way, he drew upon lessons from years of studying music, particularly the role of pattern recognition, deliberate practice, and improvisation. After years of dedication, Matt has raised his Chess.com blitz rating from roughly 1200 to over 1900.

    Matt also has a fascinating day job. He is a learning designer on Duolingo's chess team, helping build what has quickly become one of the largest entry points into chess in the world. Launched last year, Duolingo Chess now has more than 7 million daily active users, most of whom are new to the game.

    Matt shares his improvement advice, discusses the parallels between jazz and chess, and reflects on what he has learned about the science of skill acquisition.

    This was a fun conversation, and it is encouraging to see so many new players discovering chess through Duolingo.

    00:00 Introduction

    Join the free Perpetual Chess Discord here:

    https://discord.gg/7KxjmaTW

    Sub to my free newsletter here:

    https://benjohnson.substack.com/

    Join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community here:

    https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

    02:00 Matt Rathkey joins

    04:10 The Return to Chess: A Pandemic Story

    07:04 Rediscovering Chess: The Queen's Gambit Effect

    10:08 Setting Goals: The Journey to 1500

    Matt’s USCF rating page:

    https://ratings.uschess.org/player/13412385

    13:09 Learning Through Observation: Active Engagement

    16:04 The Importance of Tactics in Chess

    18:48 Understanding Openings: Beyond Memorization

    21:41 Chess Culture and Personal Growth

    24:42 The Future of Chess: Duolingo's Chess Course

    34:56 Overcoming Chess Intimidation

    36:48 Duolingo Chess: Making Chess Accessible

    39:44 Engaging with Oscar: The Duolingo Chess Bot

    42:53 Learning Pathways in Duolingo Chess

    46:41 Designing Effective Chess Lessons

    51:08 Personalized Learning in Chess

    53:14 The Intersection of Music and Chess

    01:02:06 Advice for Chess Improvement

    01:08:24 The Journey of Continuous Improvement

    
    

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22. EP 486: James Black Jr. on Going from Scholastic Star to Chess Mentor

    9 de junho de 20261 h 1 minA seguir

    As a scholastic player, James Black Jr. was an All-American who won numerous national titles and trophies, both as an individual competitor and as part of the famed IS 318 chess program in Brooklyn, New York …

    Notas do episódio

    As a scholastic player, James Black Jr. was an All-American who won numerous national titles and trophies, both as an individual competitor and as part of the famed IS 318 chess program in Brooklyn, New York, as featured in the documentary Brooklyn Castle. Alongside FM Joshua Colas and IM Justus Williams, James became one of the youngest African-American National Masters in U.S. history.

    After stepping away from competitive chess for several years, James has recently returned to the game, both as a player and as a coach and mentor. In a full-circle moment, he is now teaching at the same school where he first made his name while also building his own organization, KnightShift.

    James joins me to discuss:

    • Why he came back to competitive chess, and his goals for the future • The "four pillars" he emphasizes when teaching young players • How chess training has changed since his rise in the early 2010s, and what he needs to do to catch up

    Plus, we discuss a unique chess book recommendation, his memories of Webster University, and his reaction to the news that its chess program is coming to an end.

    This was a fun conversation, and I am excited to see James's comeback unfold.

    00:00 Intro+ What brought James back to chess after an OTB hiatus

    Mentioned: Brooklyn Castle

    https://www.rescuedmedia.com/brooklyn-castle

    GM Alex Lenderman, GM-elect Liam Putnam

    Background info we mentioned:

    https://grokipedia.com/page/james_black_jr

    10:59 Teaching and Learning: Evolving Chess Education

    Watch James vs. Magnus in 2012 here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfbpC3dQWw

    17:16 Opening Strategies: Adapting to Modern Chess

    23:25 Inspiration from Legends: Shaping a Chess Career

    29:28 Beyond the Board: Life Lessons Through Chess

    34:36 Reflections on Growth: Embracing the Journey

    36:12 Impact of Mentorship in Chess

    38:48 Teaching Chess to Young Minds

    43:00- Favorite chess book!

    Mentioned: WNYC video featuring James as a kid:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiOVyiR5jUU

    Knight Moves by Charles Alexander-

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/126711532470?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&google_free_listing_action=view_item&srsltid=AfmBOopTKnSuidd7Eg5M3-xYtoYzP97-jcvhVtZSPv1S1T25hE9dzgcXGsU

    48:58 Experiences at Webster University

    Webster terminates chess program:

    https://www.chess.com/news/view/spice-chess-program-terminated

    53:49 Advice for Aspiring Chess Players

    Thanks to James for sharing his story!

    You can email him at

    JamesBlackChess at gmail dot com

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/knightshiftofficial_/

    
    

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23. EP 485: GM Simon Williams on Mistakes, Revival, and the Future of Chesspublishing

    2 de junho de 202658 minA seguir

    GM Simon Williams returns to Perpetual Chess for the first time in several years. Simon is one of chess's most recognizable personalities, known as the Ginger GM through his work as a streamer, commentator …

    Notas do episódio

    GM Simon Williams returns to Perpetual Chess for the first time in several years. Simon is one of chess's most recognizable personalities, known as the Ginger GM through his work as a streamer, commentator, author and Chessable creator. He is also an accomplished tournament player, having shared first in the 2010 London Chess Classic and finished second in the 2004 British Championship.

    Simon joined me for a wide-ranging conversation covering both chess and life. We discussed:

    • His candid reflections on becoming involved with a pension company that later collapsed, the mistakes he made, and how he has worked to move forward

    • His new role helping revitalize Chesspublishing.com, and why he believes its archive of opening analysis remains an underappreciated resource

    • How modern opening preparation has changed, and why Simon increasingly relies on offbeat ideas to avoid preparation battles

    • His love of creative, attacking chess and the memorable games he has played at the Reykjavik Open

    We also discussed the Stonewall Dutch, rising British star Bodhana Sivanandan, the losses of IM Adam Hunt and GM Jonathan Hawkins, and even Simon's thoughts on Las Vegas.

    As always, it was great catching up with Simon, and I am glad to see him creating chess content again.

    00:00 The 2026 Reykjavik Open and Simon’s flair for the dramatic chess game

    Check out Simon’s epic queen sacrifice in this article by NM Anthony Levin:

    https://www.chess.com/news/view/2023-reykjavik-open-williams-sacrifices-queen#:~:text=Williams%27%20Brilliancy,he%20played%20the%20interesting%205.

    04:45 How Simon has adapted his approach to openings in the engine age

    Mentioned: Simon’s game vs. Bodhana Sivanadan

    https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=3124933

    07:35 Playing Against Younger Opponents

    10:38 The State of British Chess

    13:32 Exploring the Stonewall Dutch

    Mentioned: Bronstein’s famous blunder-

    https://www.chess.com/blog/ThummimS/the-1951-world-chess-championship

    16:32 The Impact of Computer Analysis

    19:39 Experiences playing against legends at the 2025 European Club Cup

    22:26 Simon’s Involvement with Chess Publishing

    More background info here:

    https://www.chess.com/news/view/simon-williams-ordered-to-pay-back-900-000-to-pension-scheme

    26:30 Innovative Chess Solutions

    28:11 Lessons learned from working for a pension firm that went bankrupt.

    35:42 Navigating Financial Mistakes

    40:17 The Importance of Chess in Life

    44:48 Content Creation and Future Projects

    Keep an eye out for The Ginger and The Bear podcast!

    48:54 Remembering IM Adam Hunt and GM Jonathan Hawkins

    50:00- How to keep up with GM Simon Williams

    Suggestions for Chesspublishing.com

    https://www.chesspublishing.com/contact

    X:

    https://x.com/ginger_gm?lang=en

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/gingergm

    
    

    Disclosure: Some links in this description are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Perpetual Chess may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

    
    

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24. EP 484: Jordan Himelfarb on Interregnum and the Drama of the 2024 Candidates Cycle

    26 de maio de 202644 minA seguir

    Jordan Himelfarb is an award-winning editor for the Toronto Star and an avid games player who became fascinated by elite chess during the pandemic. That fascination eventually led to his excellent new book …

    Notas do episódio

    Jordan Himelfarb is an award-winning editor for the Toronto Star and an avid games player who became fascinated by elite chess during the pandemic. That fascination eventually led to his excellent new book, Interregnum : Inside the Grueling and Glamourous Battle to Become the Next King of Chess, a detailed and highly readable chronicle of the 2024 FIDE Candidates cycle.

    Jordan traveled to events including the World Cup, Grand Swiss, Candidates Tournament and World Championship match, gathering revealing first-hand reflections from many of the game’s top players along the way.

    We discuss:

    • Why the Candidates cycle makes for such compelling sports drama

    • The emotional and physical toll of professional chess

    • Which players and personal stories resonated with him most

    • Ding Liren, Fabiano Caruana, Gukesh and the shifting generational landscape in chess

    • The controversies, chaos and unforgettable moments of the 2024 cycle

    I recommend Jordan’s book to anyone looking for “bedtime chess reading”, and this was a really fun conversation.

    00:00 Project Origins, Jordan’s Chess and Games Background

    03:48 The Structure and Narrative of the Book

    07:01 Experiences at Major Chess Events

    09:54 Challenges and Insights in Reporting

    12:46 The Physical and Mental Toll of Chess

    15:58 Gender Dynamics in Chess

    19:00- Patreon mailbag question: Which Candidates’ story resonated with Jordan the most?

    22:16 The Weight of the Crown: Mental Health in Chess

    23:40 Compelling Stories of Chess Players

    25:30 The Agony and Ecstasy of Chess

    30:07 The Relentless Grind of Chess Tournaments

    31:09 Drama and Controversy in the Chess World

    36:20 Expectations and Surprises in the Candidates Cycle

    38:13 The Future of Young Chess Players

    39:54 Personal Reflections on Chess

    40:00- Thanks to Jordan for joining me, here is where to get the book:

    https://www.amazon.com/Interregnum-Inside-Grueling-Glamorous-Battle/dp/1639369910

    Audiobook:

    https://www.amazon.com/Interregnum-Inside-Grueling-Glamorous-Battle/dp/B0GCPR89VZ/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0

    
    

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25. EP 483- Paulo SantAnna: What Happens When a Retired Adult Treats Chess Like a Full-Time Job?

    19 de maio de 20261 h 9 minA seguir

    Paulo SantAnna is living the dream of many adult chess improvers. The retired software engineer has spent the past several years devoting serious time and energy to improving his game, and the results have been …

    Notas do episódio

    Paulo SantAnna is living the dream of many adult chess improvers. The retired software engineer has spent the past several years devoting serious time and energy to improving his game, and the results have been impressive. When Paulo rekindled his interest in tournament chess, his FIDE rating had fallen to a recent low of 1850. Through years of hard study, travel, disciplined training, and resilience, he recently reached a new high over 2100 FIDE in his mid-50s!

    We discuss:

    • The moment Paulo decided to get serious about improvement

    • The mistakes he made early in his comeback

    • How he structures his training

    • Study recommendations and practical advice for adult improvers

    • Physical fitness, tournament selection, and maintaining motivation

    I found Paulo’s story inspiring, and it offers hope for the rest of us, if we only could get rid of these pesky jobs.

    0:00 Intro

    More on the Adult Improver series here:

    https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adultimprover

    Thanks to those who keep the show running!

    Patreon

    Check out Chessiverse.com (discount code- ‘Perpetual30’)

    4:00 Paulo’s chess comeback story begins

    Check out Paulo’s FIDE history here:

    https://ratings.fide.com/profile/2027402

    6:00 Why his rating rebounded after moving to Europe

    8:00 Retirement, Spain trips, and dedicating serious time to chess

    11:00 Studying 35 hours a week

    13:00 The dangers of doing too much

    More about the Chessdojo here (use code “Ben” at checkout to save 10%) :

    https://www.chessdojo.club/signup

    17:00 Calculation training and daily routines

    20:00 Openings, Chessable streaks, and training structure

    23:00 Online blitz, model games, and coaching

    25:00 How much he studies versus other adult improvers

    27:00 Avoiding burnout and keeping motivation

    29:00 Brazilian chess streamers and coaches

    Paulo has worked with: GM Rafael Leitao, GM Andres Rodriguez,GM Diego Flores, GM Lenderman, GM Izoria, GM Eugene Perelshteyn,GM Raven Sturt, IM Jorge Bobadilla

    31:00 Working with top trainers like Eugene Perelshteyn and Axel Bachmann

    33:00 Blindfold training with GM Roven Vogel

    36:00 What mattered most for improvement

    38:00 Hiding online repertoires and preparation

    40:00 Sparring games and training partners

    41:00 His breakthrough tournaments

    42:00 Tournament prep philosophy

    46:00 Fitness, stamina, and nutrition for chess

    49:00 Chess scenes in New York and California

    52:00 Senior tournaments and future plans

    54:00 Favorite chess books and resources

    Mentioned: Postional Play by GM Jacob Aagaard, Endgame Strategy by Shereshevsky

    57:00 Advice for busy adult improvers

    58:00 Rating goals and pursuit of FM

    1:00:00 Why adults struggle to improve

    1:03:00 Final thoughts

    1:04:00- Thanks to Paulo for sharing his story! You can reach him at:

    psantann at gmail.dot.com

    
    

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26. EP 482- GM Ivan Sokolov on Talent, Training and Modern Chess

    12 de maio de 202654 minA seguir

    GM Ivan Sokolov is a former top-15 player who won major tournaments across multiple decades and became national champion of both Yugoslavia and the Netherlands. In classical chess, he scored memorable wins …

    Notas do episódio

    GM Ivan Sokolov is a former top-15 player who won major tournaments across multiple decades and became national champion of both Yugoslavia and the Netherlands. In classical chess, he scored memorable wins against Kasparov, Kramnik and Anand.

    In recent years, Ivan has become equally respected as a trainer and author. Most notably, he worked with the gold medal-winning Uzbek team at the 2022 Chess Olympiad, including GMs Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Given Sindarov’s recent success, Ivan reflects on how his game has evolved and why it was clear to him that Sindarov was both supremely talented and, at the time, somewhat unprofessional in his approach.

    Ivan recently released a new Chessable course, Self-Improvement for Advanced Players. We discuss chess improvement for professionals and amateurs alike, the proper role of a trainer in a player’s development, preparation in the Kasparov era versus today, and memories from his legendary career. This includes reflections on his close friendship with the late GM Jan Timman.

    It is always an honor to hear GM Sokolov’s stories and perspectives.

    00:00 Introduction to Ivan Sokolov

    Prior interview with GM Ivan Sokolov:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm2slrqqW7s&t=209s

    02:21 Insights on the Uzbek National Team

    Interview with Chessbase India

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnN00uNrBEQ&t=588s

    09:10 Assessing Grandmaster Sinderov's Potential

    12:57 The Importance of Chess History

    15:56 The Role of a Trainer

    19:28 Experiences Against Chess Legends

    22:09 Preparing for Kasparov vs. Modern Players

    28:18 The Future of Chess: Classical vs. Chess 960

    32:10 Insights from Ivan’s course.

    36:22 Memories of the 2012 World Open and other tournaments in the US

    Mentioned: Sokolov vs. Shirov 1999

    https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1010044

    40:05 Talent vs. Hard Work in Chess

    42:06 Remembering Grandmaster Yantum

    46:40 Current Projects and Future Plans

    50:00- Thanks to GM Sokolov for joining me! Here is how to keep up with him:

    X:

    https://x.com/GMSokolovIvan

    Chessable Courses:

    https://www.chessable.com/author/IvanSokolov/

    
    

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27. EP 481- IM Greg Shahade: Inside His Incredible Jeopardy Run

    5 de maio de 20261 h 21 minA seguir

    IM Greg Shahade has long been well known in the chess world as a three-time national scholastic champion and the founder of the Pro Chess League and the US Chess School. Recently, however, he reached a much …

    Notas do episódio

    IM Greg Shahade has long been well known in the chess world as a three-time national scholastic champion and the founder of the Pro Chess League and the US Chess School. Recently, however, he reached a much broader audience with an impressive run on the syndicated trivia show Jeopardy!.

    Greg amassed over $75,000 in winnings, dethroning 31-time champion Jamie Ding along the way. He joined me after what he described as “the craziest week of his life” to discuss:

    • The approach to adult learning that helped him go from trivia novice to Jeopardy! champion in just a few years

    • Behind-the-scenes insights from the recording process, plus his reflections on his controversial on-stage mannerisms

    • How his background in chess (and poker) shaped his strategy and decision-making under pressure

    There isn’t a ton of chess discussion in this episode, but Greg’s approach to learning and performance has clear applications across many domains.

    00:00 Introduction

    Check out our sponsors, Chessiverse.com , and you can use code Perpetual30 to save 30% on premium feature and/or IM John Bartholomew’s Complete Scandinavian Course.

    Chessiverse.com

    03:00- Greg Shahade joins the show, we begin by discussing adult learning and Greg’s late start to trivia.

    Mentioned: Learned League

    Thinking Sideways by Jennifer Shahade

    Ducksters

    07:43 Building Knowledge Structures

    10:03 The Role of Intense Study

    12:54 Flashcards and Review Techniques

    15:43 Betting Strategies on Jeopardy

    18:45 Reflections on the Jeopardy Experience

    You can review questions Greg faced here:

    https://www.j-archive.com/showseason.php?season=42

    25:00- Patreon mailbag question- Why does Greg know so little about current events? What is his approach to daily double hunting?

    30:44 Daily Double Strategies and Insights

    36:57 Patreon mailbag question- Why is Greg so expressive when playing Jeopardy?

    42:16 Physicality and Focus in Jeopardy

    49:25 Behind the Scenes of Jeopardy

    52:40 Facing the Champion: Mental Strategies

    55:11 The Weight of Anticipation: Media and Public Perception

    57:02 Navigating Fame: Love, Hate, and Public Reaction

    59:50 Preparing for the Tournament of Champions

    01:03:51 Chess and Jeopardy: Cross-Disciplinary Insights

    01:07:20 Reflections on Study Techniques and Memory

    01:11:20 Final Thoughts: The Game and Its Emotional Toll

    Thanks to Greg for joining me at a busy time. Follow him here:

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/gregshahade/?hl=en

    X:

    https://x.com/GregShahade

    
    

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28. EP 480- GM Eugene Perelshteyn & NM Mike Mahoney: Chess Rocky-Taking on Nakamura & Niemann at the Naroditsky Memorial

    28 de abril de 202653 minA seguir

    When I read on GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s blog that his amateur friend had signed up to compete against players like Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann in the Naroditsky Memorial, I knew I had to hear this story …

    Notas do episódio

    When I read on GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s blog that his amateur friend had signed up to compete against players like Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann in the Naroditsky Memorial, I knew I had to hear this story.

    That friend is NM Mike Mahoney. Mike is a pharmacist by day and a devoted online blitz player by night. For Mike, chess is usually a way to unwind, not something he takes too seriously. But he couldn’t pass up the chance to test himself in one of the strongest blitz tournaments the U.S. has ever seen.

    Eugene will be mentoring Mike and traveling with him to Charlotte, and they both joined me to discuss:

    • Why Mike decided to jump into such a stacked field

    • How Eugene is preparing him for the challenge

    • How Mike defines “success” in a tournament like this

    We also talk about Mike’s unconventional path to becoming a National Master, starting relatively late, as well as some great stories from the Boston blitz scene.

    I’m excited to follow how this unfolds, and Eugene and Mike will be back after the tournament for a trip report. In the meantime, you can follow Mike’s journey on Eugene’s blog.

    Be sure to check out the Perpetual Chess YouTube channel where Eugene goes over one of Mike’s model games against the Caro-Kann. (The video will be out later this week)

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcudElmRsQYTwULtd_gnFw

    00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Journey

    02:50 Mike's Decision to Compete in the Naroditsky Memorial

    05:41 Eugene's Support and Coaching Role

    08:41 Mike's Past Experiences with Top Players

    11:35 Analyzing Mike's Strengths and Weaknesses

    14:37 Training and Preparation for the Tournament

    17:31 Opening Strategies and Game Analysis

    Mentioned: The Hungarian Dragon

    The Dragodorf

    20:32 Eugene’s Philosophy on Gimmicky Openings

    23:21 Defining Success in the Tournament

    Mentioned: IM Marc Esserman

    27:04 Excitement in Facing Strong Opponents

    31:35 Setting Performance Goals as a Coach

    34:02 The Importance of Blitz Clock Management

    35:33 The Origin Story of a Late Chess Starter

    Mentioned: Ilya Koyfman

    36:39 Factors Contributing to Success in Chess

    39:16 The Value of Community in Chess

    40:56 The Evolution of Chess Accessibility

    43:25 The Importance of a Fun and Relaxed Approach

    43:37 Learning from Losses and Honest Reflection

    46:02 Stories about legendary

    GM Roman Dzindziashvilli and Bobby Fischer

    Mentioned: Dzindzi-Jansa move 25

    https://lichess.org/study/Th7i9fr2/kxMPOEjA

    49:00 Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors

    50:00- Thanks to Eugene and Mike for joining me!

    You can follow Mike’s training and progress on GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s blog.

    https://eugeneperel.substack.com/

    If you would like to help support Mike’s dream trip you can do so via this Go Fund Me:

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-chess-rocky-to-fight-supergms-in-charlotte?lid=nlkk8jxujhda&utm_source=product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TXN_User_Messaging_Thank_You_Option_A&utm_content=internal

    
    

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29. EP 479 – GM Rafael Leitão on Sindarov’s Historic Candidates Win, His Training Methods & What Comes Next

    20 de abril de 20261 h 2 minA seguir

    With the FIDE Candidates now in the rearview mirror, 7-time Brazilian Champion and Chess.com “Game of the Day” columnist GM Rafael Leitão joins me to help break it all down. We discuss: Sindarov’s incredible …

    Notas do episódio

    With the FIDE Candidates now in the rearview mirror, 7-time Brazilian Champion and Chess.com “Game of the Day” columnist GM Rafael Leitão joins me to help break it all down. We discuss:

    • Sindarov’s incredible performance and the training methods that helped him ascend to the top

    • Vaishali’s strong finish and her chances against Ju Wenjun

    • Rafael’s take on opening trends, and which players might be most disappointed with their performance

    GM Leitão also shares his thoughts on the Judit Polgar documentary on Netflix, along with his story of getting to play Judit.

    Thanks to Rafael for sharing his insights. I’m excited to see the two new World Championship challengers fight for the title later this year.

    00:00 Introduction to the Candidates Tournament

    02:04 Training Methods and Classical Chess Education

    Mentioned: IM Roman Vidonyik interview with Charlize van Zyl

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5TJMiHqiwc

    04:50 Expectations and Surprises in the Candidates

    07:43 Analysis of Player Performances

    10:56 Sindarov's Unique Play Style

    13:51 Reflections on Historical Performances

    16:54 Opening Trends in High-Level Chess

    19:52 The Future of Chess Openings

    30:09 Concurrent Tournaments: A New Perspective

    31:41 Vaishali's Resilience and Performance

    35:00 Sindarov vs. Gukesh: The Rising Stars

    Mentioned: Chess.com article touching on Sindarov’s trainer IM Roman Vidonyak

    https://www.chess.com/news/view/2026-fide-candidates-tournament-round-14

    Interviews with IM Roman Vidonyok:

    Chessbase India-

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6VDTVVXMZU&t=442s

    FIDE-

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5TJMiHqiwc&t=1s

    Chessbase article about the support Erdogmus receives:

    https://en.chessbase.com/post/a-billionaire-supports-chess-talents

    38:40 Ambitious Goals: The Future of Sindarov

    42:04 Support Systems in Chess: A Double-Edged Sword

    44:20 The Candidates Tournament: Format and Future

    48:01 Memorable Encounters: Rafael's Game with Judit Polgar

    Mentioned: Rafael’s YouTube video-

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKvQuSfNd6A

    50:20 Analyzing Chess.com’s “Game of the Day”: Rafael's Approach

    Mentioned: Praggnandhaa vs. Rapport 2025-

    https://www.chess.com/events/2025-uzchess-cup-masters/06/Praggnanandhaa_R-Rapport_Richard

    54:15 The Future of Chess: New Generations and Trends

    56:00- Thanks to GM Leitao for rejoining me! You can reach him via his website, and follow him via the following methods:

    Website:

    https://rafaelleitao.com/

    Youtube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCistQmaDouEpKROBZBkQQ9A

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/gmrafaelleitao/

    
    
    

    
    
    
    

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30. EP 478 – GM Ben Finegold on the Candidates, the Hans–Magnus Netflix Documentary, and TakeTakeTake’s Bold Business Move

    14 de abril de 202655 minA seguir

    It has been a busy time in the chess world, as dramas new and old bubble to the surface. GM Javokhir Sindarov is on the verge of winning the FIDE Candidates. A highly anticipated Netflix documentary has just …

    Notas do episódio

    It has been a busy time in the chess world, as dramas new and old bubble to the surface. GM Javokhir Sindarov is on the verge of winning the FIDE Candidates. A highly anticipated Netflix documentary has just been released about the Hans–Magnus controversy, and there is even some business intrigue, as an app co-founded by GM Magnus Carlsen is set to compete directly with Chess.com.

    Joining me to discuss it all is the popular and entertaining YouTuber and commentator, GM Ben Finegold. Questions answered include:

    • Is the early Kalshi market correct to make Sindarov a 66% favorite over Gukesh in a World Championship match?

    • Will the Netflix documentary change anyone’s mind about Chess.com, Magnus Carlsen, or Hans Niemann?

    • Is Magnus likely to be directly involved in Take Take Take’s new direction?

    We also discuss Ben’s recent health struggles, the state of his OTB game, and his upcoming plans. It’s always worthwhile to hear Ben’s unvarnished opinions!

    0:00 – Intro + GM Ben Finegold returns

    0:40 – FIDE Candidates Discussion (Sindarov’s dominance, Gukesh, Women’s section, format talk)

    7:30 – Netflix “Chessmates” Documentary (Niemann–Carlsen) (Impressions, cheating debate, Magnus/Chess.com dynamics, Hans’ future)

    Mentioned: Untold: Chess Mates

    31:00 – TakeTakeTake vs Chess.com + Chess Business Drama (Magnus, Lichess partnership, Hikaru’s reaction)

    Mentioned: Hikaru discusses the TakeTakeTake/LiChess partnership

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFdWHX8oHuE&t=1534s

    Theo Wait of Lichess interview with Chessbase India:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8nm-RPZzsM

    Poker scandal-

    https://www.reddit.com/r/HobbyDrama/comments/104pwwx/poker_the_infamous_j4_hand_that_nearly_tore_the/

    42:30 – Ben Finegold on His Chess + Future Plans (Retirement from OTB, health, streaming, poker, travel)

    Find Ben at the 2026 National Open:

    https://new.uschess.org/2026-national-open

    50:00- Thanks as always to Ben for coming on the podcast. Here is how to keep up with him:

    Twitch:

    https://www.twitch.tv/itsbenandkaren/videos?filter=highlights&sort=time

    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6EnFbK-P5q0zeaqI5yobKg

    X:

    https://x.com/ben_finegold

    
    

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Aqui estão os 40 episódios mais recentes de 597. Os mais antigos estão no feed do podcast.