Perpetual Chess Podcast

This week’s guest is U.S. Chess Hall of Famer GM Maurice Ashley. Maurice will forever be known as the first African American to earn the Grandmaster title, yet he has gone on to build a varied and distinguished career across all facets of the game. He is a popular author and highly regarded Chessable creator, a teacher, an organizer, and a frequent commentator for major chess events, often from the St. Louis Chess Club. Maurice and I discussed: His perspective on chess improvement, as a rare late-starter who began tournament play at fourteen and still reached the Grandmaster level What we can learn from the ascent of GM Brewington Hardaway, who recently became the second African American GM at age fifteen The difference between being competitive and striving for excellence We also touched on the lessons Maurice learned from organizing the “Millionaire Chess” tournaments, his passion for salsa dancing and puzzle composition, and whether he has experienced any “pinch me” moments on his journey from “walking barefoot to school in Jamaica” to giving TED Talks and teaching chess to Will Smith. I have long looked forward to interviewing Maurice, and the conversation did not disappoint. 0:00- Check out Maurice’s popular and highly reviewed courses here: https://www.chessable.com/author/GMAshley/ 0:03- Maurice’s chess improvement advice- why people shouldn’t focus on doing things “quickly.”  Mentioned: New York Times article about the Raging Rooks https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/26/nyregion/harlem-teen-agers-checkmate-a-stereotype.html Maurice’s Chessable Q & A- https://www.chessable.com/discussion/thread/1187730/ask-maurice-ashley-anything-special-qa-/ Cover Stories with Chess Life Interview: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-sskej-f237dc?download=1 10:30- Maurice’s observations about young GM Brewington Hardaway, who recently became the 2nd ever African American GM, at age 15.  Mentioned: You can read Maurice’s article about GM Hardaway here: https://new.uschess.org/news/inside-story-long-time-coming 17:00- Patreon mailbag question: Maurice’s siblings are kickboxing and boxing champions. What did they do to cultivate such achievement?  20:00- Which chess player got GM Maurice Ashley into salsa dancing?  23:00- Patreon mailbag question: ‘What are Maurice’s reflections on the Millionare Chess tournaments that he founded?”  28:30- What is the vision for Maurice’s “Clutch Chess,”  which took place recently  at the St. Louis Chess Club?  32:00- Is commentating still Maurice’s favorite professional activity? 36:00- Maurice’s passion for designing chess puzzles and courses  Mentioned: The puzzle that (temporarily) stumped MVL is here: https://x.com/MauriceAshley/status/1609261621247086592?s=20 42:00- Has Maurice ever had a “pinch me” moment?  45:00- Maurice’s struggles after earning the GM title 49:00- The origins of Maurice’s communication skills  52:00- What does Maurice want his chess legacy to be?  54:00- Maurice’s next projects 59:00- Thanks to Maurice for joining me! Here is how to keep up with his many activities: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauriceashleychess/?hl=en Chessable: https://www.chessable.com/author/GMAshley/ X/Twitter:  https://x.com/MauriceAshley?lang=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Polish programmer and chess enthusiast Pawel Kacprzak joins me to share the story behind Chessvision.ai. Chessvision.ai is a helpful app and browser extension that can scan chess diagrams and connect them to related YouTube videos and chess books, and allows you to easily turn these positions into digital flashcards. We talk about how Pawel’s side project grew into a full-time business, what it takes to build tech tools for chess players, and what Pawel has planned next for his growing platform.Pawel also discusses his enthusiasm for following professional chess, and his own approach to chess improvement. I have become a big fan of Pawel’s product, and I enjoyed chatting with him.  Thanks to our sponsor ⁠Chessable.com⁠, check out their Black Friday sale here: ⁠https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/all/offer/?utm_source=chessable&utm_medium=shop_hero_banner&utm_campaign=enblackfriday2_2025⁠ 0:02- Pawel Kacprzak joins me! Mentioned: NM Han Schut’s video overviews of Chessvision.ai ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqwK8Q1NEjg⁠ 03:00 The Impact of Daniel Naroditsky 06:00  Pawel's Journey into Chess and Programming 10:30 Evolution of Chessvision.ai 17:00 ⁠Patreon mailbag question⁠: Can one use Chessvision.ai to scan diagrams from physical chess boards?  19:00 ⁠Patreon mailbag question⁠: What features will Pawel work on developing next? 23:00 Subscription Models and Accessibility 28:00 Community Engagement and Support 29:30- ⁠Patreon mailbag question⁠: Does Pawel consider himself an adult improver? 33:30 Chess Resources and Learning 35:30 Closing Thoughts and Advice Thanks to Pawel for joining me! Here is how to reach him, as well as how to find out more about Chessvision.ai: Email- Pawel at ⁠Chessvision.ai⁠ Twitter/X-  ⁠https://twitter.com/ChessvisionAI⁠ Discord-  ⁠https://discord.gg/zkcBPhWhme⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2025 FIDE World Cup has been as dramatic as ever. Top seeds like GM Gukesh D, Ian Nepomniatchtchi, and Anish Giri have been eliminated, but we still have some top 10 stalwarts remaining, as well as many surprise advancers to the Round of 32. Joining from Goa, FIDE Press Officer IM Michael Rahal helps break it all down. We discuss: Should we be surprised by the number of upsets? The performances of veterans like GM Peter Leko (still in) and GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (eliminated) Whether the reports of poor playing conditions in Goa are well-founded Key matchups to watch when play resumes tomorrow,  and who might clinch a FIDE Candidates spot Timestamps for topics discussed are below. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the World Cup 04:00-  IM Michael Rahal joins  06:32 Patreon mailbag question- Does the number of upsets suggest that the top players are protected?  Mentioned: Chessnumbers-data https://x.com/ChessNumbers/status/1986634183415111831?s=20 Peter Leko interview with Chessbase India- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Fh1lQBmGI&t=3s 09:00  Notable Matches 11:30 The Impact of Player Preparation and Conditions 15:30 Match Predictions and Player Insights 18:00 Reflections on Chess Legends and Their Influence 23:00 Reflections on Ivanchuk’s Press Conference  25:00 Reflections on Daniel Naroditsky 28:00 Tournament Conditions and Player Experiences Tweet from GM Neiksans: https://x.com/GMNeiksans/status/1986117054911684978?s=20 37:00 Upcoming FIDE Candidates in Cyprus 39:00- Breaking down the brackets https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1osncpq/world_cup_2025_pairings_for_final_32/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button 46:00 Rest Day Activities and Team Spirit 48:00- Thanks to IM Michael Rahal for joining me!  Here is how to keep up with him: X: https://x.com/Rahal_Michael Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelanthony.rahal/ FIDE YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@FIDE_chess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh off her third consecutive (and fourth overall) U.S. Women’s Championship title, I was honored to catch up with 22-year-old IM Carissa Yip. Carissa has taken a gap year from Stanford University and is immersed in a demanding schedule of training and competition. She’s had some excellent results this year and is now ranked #21 among women in the world. Despite her success, Carissa has also experienced the emotional ups and downs that every serious chess player can relate to. In our conversation, she discusses: Her personal recollections of GM Daniel Naroditsky, including how he once went out of his way to help her prepare during a major tournament. The helpful opening advice recently shared with her by her friend and coach, GM Awonder Liang. How she overcame sluggish starts to win both the 2025 U.S. Women’s Championship and the Cairns Cup. Carissa shared a mix of funny stories and thoughtful reflections on her training regimen, the gender gap in chess, and her advice for improvement. She even recommended a novel to read and touched on her passion for writing. I really enjoyed catching up with Carissa and am excited to see her bright future continue to unfold.  0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 0:02- Carissa joins the pod. She begins by sharing her recollections of GM Daniel Naroditsky  Mentioned: Zatonskih-Yip 2020 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2011266 0:05- Carissa had slow starts at both Cairns Cup and this US Champs- Why?  0:07- Carissa’s training regimen Mentioned: Killer Chess Training 0:09- Carissa’s Opening Approach Mentioned: GM Awonder Liang Check out Carissa’s US Championship Games here: https://lichess.org/study/etqoyX0E/QRi8cCdw 17:00- How to approach a new opening 19:00- Carissa’s approach to training games 22:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Would Carissa prefer a corporate career or to pursue chess professionally?”  24:30- Carissa retells the story of a funny bet between GM Awonder Liang and GM Sam Shankland Mentioned: February 2025 Chess Life Magazine https://new.uschess.org/magazine/feb-25-chess-life 28:00- Patreon mailbag question: “How can I overcome a slow start, as Carissa has done repeatedly?”  36:00- Carissa’s fiction recommendation: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan 38:00- Carissa’ passion for writing  40:00- How does Carissa describe the  e-sports experience of the recent USA vs. India match? l  48:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Why does Carissa think no female player subsequent to Judit has reached her level of dominance?”  54:00- Patreon mailbag question: “If Carissa could ask men in chess to do one thing differently, what would it be?”  57:00- Carissa discusses her friendship with rising American star, IM Alice Lee 59:00- Carissa’s upcoming tournaments 1:01- Carissa’ chess improvement advice! Thanks to Carissa for joining me again! Be sure to follow her on X and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carissayip/ https://x.com/carissayipchess?lang=en Image in thumbnail by Lennart Ootes for the St. Louis Chess Club https://www.flickr.com/photos/stlchessclub/54876804247/in/album-72177720329882462 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GM Andy Soltis is a U.S. Chess Hall of Famer, prolific author, and longtime Chess Life columnist who has left a lasting mark on American chess while balancing a decades-long career as an editor at the New York Post. His recent memoir, Deadline Grandmaster, retraces those parallel paths and shares remarkable stories such as playing a 16-year-old Vishy Anand, meeting Mikhail Tal, corresponding with Irving Chernev, and unknowingly crossing paths with Bobby Fischer. In our conversation, Andy revisits several of these moments and reflects on the challenges of chess improvement. We explore why players plateau, how to identify their own chess styles, and what today’s players can learn from history’s greats. Toward the end, Andy mulls his next project and discusses how chess publishing has evolved through the decades. It’s always a privilege to hear Andy’s stories, and I highly recommend Deadline Grandmaster for many more of them.  This episode was recorded on October 16, 2025  and thus does not discuss the tragic news of GM Daniel Naroditsky’s passing.  0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 0:00-  Perpetual Chess Improvement is finally available on Audible! https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Chess-Improvement-Practical-World-Class/dp/B0FHWWC2ZX/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0 0:02- GM Andy Soltis joins! He begins by sharing his thought on rating plateaus.  Mentioned: Note on FM Nate Solon’s unusual rating gains: https://substack.com/@zwischenzug/note/c-166416052?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1juy4 11:00- We discuss Andy’s excellent memoir Deadline Grandmaster- did Andy ever seriously consider becoming a chess professional? Mentioned:  14:00- How did Andy earn the Grandmaster title?  Mentioned: IM Norman Weinstein, IM Sal Matera, IM Jack Peters 16:00- Vishy Anand stories  Mentioned: More on Andy’s early encounter with Vishy in Calcutta here: https://en.chessbase.com/post/vishy-anand-a-passionate-portrait-part-three 20:00- Mikhail Tal stories 22:00- Patreon mailbag question: What is a good first book about Soviet Chess history?  Mentioned:  Soviet Chess: 1917-1991  by GM Andy Soltis  24:00- Andy’s recollections of the famed Lone Pine tournament 30:00- GM Walter Browne stories 35:00- Patreon mailbag questions: a) Why didn’t Alekhine play a rematch with Capablanca? b) Can Andy recommend an Alekhine biography? Mentioned: Alexander Alekhine- THe Russian Sphinx: Volume 1 The Real Paul Morphy  38:00- Patreon mailbag question: Are there any plans to do an updated edition on Andy’s  US Championship?  https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Chess-Championship-1845-1996/dp/0786402482/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DC5Q7FF5MKY6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IYZoPqWvJ0bdS3_2d3Qewg.tinoi7uw9EjPATAcLC1Pqdxp0hjkvFqcFvkoPdUzENc&dib_tag=se&keywords=soltis+us+championship&qid=1760732231&s=books&sprefix=soltis+us+championship%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-1 40:00- Bobby Fischer stories  Mentioned: GM Peter Biayasis, IM Anthony Saidy  42:00- Andy’s interactions with legendary author Irving Chernev, also mentioned Fred Reinfeld  50:00- What can we learn from figuring out our chess styles? Mentioned: Reveal Your Chess Style Reveal Your Chess Style: Soltis, Andrew: 9781849949965: Amazon.com: Books 57:00- The state of chess book publishing Mentioned: GM James Tarjan If you are interested in joining the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can find out more information here: Ben Johnson | creating Perpetual Chess Podcast | Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the chess world digests the devastating news of the passing of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, I found myself thinking back to our first interview in August of 2020 (Episode 191).  At the time, as chess boomed during the pandemic, Danya was ascending from promising young American player to chess commentating superstar. In the interview  Danya’s eloquence, empathy, and hilarious impersonations  were on full display. It is among the most listened-to Perpetual Chess episodes in the podcast's 9 year history. Danya's loss is immense and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and many fans. - Ben 00:00 – 03:15 Ben’s tribute and introduction following Danya’s passing (2025)  03:16 – 04:00 2020 Interview with Danya begins- Introduction to Danya’s chess background and early achievements 04:00 – 06:00 Danya on listening to Perpetual Chess and favorite episodes 06:00 – 10:00 Discussion of the Hikaru–Magnus finale and Armageddon tiebreaks 10:12 – 13:10 Early fascination with blitz and bullet chess; childhood training habits 13:10 – 16:00 Blitz addiction story and lessons from IM John Donaldson 16:00 – 21:40 Practical tips on blitz improvement — tactics, intuition, and time management 21:40 – 26:30 Deep dive into time management and “15-second rule” from Hikaru analysis 26:30 – 33:00 Stories of playing Magnus and Alireza online; Rebecca Harris account origin 33:00 – 36:15 Etiquette and psychology of elite bullet matches 36:15 – 38:10 What Danya works on to improve; paradox of bullet skill vs. classical weakness 38:10 – 40:10 Balancing streaming, teaching, and training during COVID 40:10 – 43:00 Untapped potential and thoughts on improvement as a 2600+ GM 43:00 – 45:30 The continuing value of classical chess in a fast-paced world 45:30 – 49:10 Teaching and streaming as dual passions; insights on Twitch culture 49:10 – 54:30 Streaming schedule, viewer expectations, and sustainability 54:30 – 56:30 The pressures and pitfalls of Twitch streaming; handling trolls 56:30 – 1:00:00 Patreon questions: notebooks, writing process, and early books 1:00:00 – 1:03:00 How Mastering Positional Chess came to be; influence of Russian literature 1:03:00 – 1:06:00 Formative chess books and lessons from Kasparov and Soviet literature 1:06:00 – 1:09:30 Advice for adult improvers: training priorities and tactical habits 1:09:30 – End Reflections on commentary, pedagogy, and love of teaching Photo in thumbnail via Charlotte Chess Center: https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/staff/gm-daniel-naroditsky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Adult Improver Series returns with a fascinating story that highlights the broad appeal of chess. Marcos Patricio Macedo is a Brasília-based forensic detective, dad, and chess enthusiast who rediscovered the game in 2018 and hasn’t stopped since. Chess has become a welcome escape from the pressures of his homicide-investigation work, and he’s helped build community both locally and among fellow officers. Marcos believes in the game’s value so deeply that he helped restore chess as an event in the World Police & Fire Games, an international gathering for first responders. In our conversation, he shares: What it took to bring chess back to the games How it was received and what might come next His mixed feelings about balancing chess with family, work, and improvement Lessons from coaches, online study, and his first major OTB tournament Marcos’ relatable story reveals both the rewards and the potential pitfalls of dedicating a lot of time to chess as a hobby.  Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ Try Chess.com (try for free): http://go.chess.com/Perpetual If you know a scholastic player who could use high quality online group lessons, be sure to check out Silver Knights Chess Academy..  chessacademy.com/online  Use coupon code- "pod"  to save 50% on the first month.  0:00- You can join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community here: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess⁠ 02:00- What got Marcos back into chess in 2018?  07:00- Similarities and differences between chess analysis and forensic analysis 10:00- Marcos’ approach to improving at chess Mentioned: GM Rafael Leitão, Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel, GM Daniel Naroditsky  15:00- Chess as a stress reliever for a first responder  20:00- Marcos tells the story of his successful advocacy to get chess included in the recent World Police & Fire Games  30:00- Why does Marcos think his interest in chess waned when he returned from the World Police & Fire Games ? Mentioned: Silman’s The Amateur’s Mind, Coach FM Juan Cruz Arias  40:00- Marcos’ previous OTB experiences 43:00- The chess scene in Brazil 44:00- Marcos’ next move  49:00- Closing thoughts Mentioned: EP 429 with Omar Mills https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2025/4/8/ep-429-omar-mills-chess-and-life-lessons-learned-from-not-improving-as-much-as-he-expected Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stjepan Tomić has built a sizable following through his beloved Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel, but good old-fashioned chess books remain his true passion. That passion has led to his ambitious new project, ChessReads.com, a free platform designed to help players of all levels find the right book for their needs through crowdsourced reviews. The project already features its own YouTube channel, Discord server, and a growing website filled with helpful writeups. To celebrate the site’s launch, Stjepan joined me for a wide-ranging conversation about the enduring value of chess literature. We answered listener questions about whether books are still as vital as ever, how Stjepan chooses what to read next, and we shared recommendations across nearly every rating band. Stjepan also updated us on his own chess improvement goals and upcoming tournaments. As a fellow chess bibliophile, I’m excited about the ChessReads project and enjoyed catching up with Stjepan. Timestamps for all topics and rating ranges are below, along with Amazon affiliate links to the books mentioned. If you know a scholastic player who could use high quality online group lessons, be sure to check out Silver Knights Chess Academy..  chessacademy.com/online  Use coupon code- "pod"  to save 50% on the first month.  Below are shortened show notes, for more complete show notes with links for all of the book recs, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19Io2RMjGWDpncNDRcUMOlNmYHKMvdxUP1TGmGJFtdB4/edit?tab=t.0 0:03- Stjepan joins the pod! What is the chessreads.com origin story?  Mentioned: Chessreads Discord- https://discord.gg/gbFZGDw4 0:07- Patreon mailbag question: 1) Are chessbooks useful/optimal as chess improvement tools in the modern digital era? 2) Are modern books and older classics equally useful? 19:00- Patreon mailbag question: Could Stjepan recommend a few books that can be read without a chessboard?  Mentioned: Perpetual Chess Improvement, Thinking Inside the Box  23:00- Patreon mailbag question: How does Stjepan select which chess book to read next?  25:00-  Patreon mailbag question: What recommendations does Stjepan have for books about thinking processes? 30:00- Book Recommendations by rating range, starting with under 1000 36:00- Recommendations for the 1000-1200 level 37:00- - Recommendations for the 1200-1400 level 41:00- Recommendations for the 1400-1600 level 45:00- Recommendations for the 1600-1800 level 49:00- Recommendations for the 1800-2000 level 52:00- Recommendations for the above 2000 level 1:01:00- Chess improvement update from Stjepan 1:06:00- Impromptu discussion- what makes some countries better at chess (and other competitive endeavors)  than others?  1:11:00-  Check out Stjepan’s interview with me about my book on the Chessreads channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plMpTaO3Z2Y Perpetual Chess Improvement is finally available on Audible! https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Chess-Improvement-Practical-World-Class/dp/B0FHWWC2ZX/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0 1:17:00- Thanks to Stjepan for joining me again, here is how to keep up with him and the ChessReads project.  Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HangingPawns Chessreads YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChessReadsCom Chessreads Discord- https://discord.gg/gbFZGDw4 Chessreads chessreads.com X x.com/chessreads Instagram instagram.com/chessreads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite an impressive chess résumé as one of the U.S.’s top women players, Tatev Abrahamyan has had moments when she questioned whether it was all worth it. After a prolonged slump, she not only considered giving up on ever earning the International Master title, but she nearly quit competitive chess altogether. Fortunately, Tatev persevered. Earlier this year, she unexpectedly finished second in the Woman’s American Cup, and then in August, she delivered a standout result that earned her the International Master title at age 37 — more than 10 years after achieving her final required norm!  Remarkably, Tatev’s performance was so strong that she also secured her first GM norm. In our conversation, Tatev reflects on: Why a timely vote of confidence from a mentor propelled her toward a $30,000 prize Opening advice and the enduring value of endgame studies What she has learned from this roller-coaster journey — and what she advises others facing slumps Tatev’s story is both candid and inspiring, and I look forward to following her next chapter at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Championship and beyond. 0:00- Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com: Check out Tatev’s courses here-  and if you sign up for Chessable Pro, be sure to use this link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 0:02- Late last year, after a slump, Tatev was “despondent” with her chess? Did she seriously consider quitting?  0:05- Once she didn’t quit, how did she prepare for the American Cup?  0:08- Tatev’s tournament routine and mindset Mentioned: IM Kostya Kavutskiy, GM Josh Friedel, Endgame Labaratory by GM Jacob Aagaard 0:11- Why does Tatev think her results turned around at the American Cup? Mentioned: GM Yasser Quesada Perez 0:15- Tatev’s next tournaments in Spain and Budapest  0:18- Tatev’s approach to openings 0:20- When did Tatev start to think that earning the IM title was becoming realistic?  0:24- Patreon mailbag question: Was there any change to Tatev’s mindset leading up to this breakthrough? Mentioned: You can check out Tatev’s games from the tournament here: https://www.chess.com/events/budapest-one-week-budapest-one-week-gm FM Mike Klein’s article about Tatev’s title: https://www.chess.com/news/view/abrahamyan-plays-best-tournament-of-career-earns-im-title-gm-norm 26:00- Meeting up with Judit after the tournament!  34:00- More reflections on Tatev’s tournament Mentioned: IM Kostya Kavutskiy’s blog post about analyzing with Ivanchuk https://hellokostya.substack.com/p/2025-spring-eurotrip 40:00- The US Women’s Championship  41:00- Tatev discusses her Chessable course and her fondness for endgame studies. Mentioned: Chess Studies: Solve to Evolve  https://www.chessable.com/chess-studies-solve-to-evolve/course/300770/ 49:00 Tatev’s next projects 51:00- Will Tatev pursue the GM title? Mentioned: Jeanne Sinquefeld prize for a woman earning the GM title  https://www.chess.com/news/view/jeanne-cairns-sinquefield-award-us-female-grandmasters Also mentioned: GM Felix Blohberger https://www.chess.com/news/view/being-a-chess-professional-in-europe-sucks-blohberger 55:00- Thanks to Tatev for joining us!  You can reach her via the Lichess coaches page: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FIDE Grand Swiss always seems to deliver drama, and this year’s edition was no exception. To help break it all down, I am joined by popular commentator, Chessable author, and host of the Power Play Chess YouTube channel, GM Daniel King. In our conversation, Daniel shares his takeaways on: • The common thread that fueled the successes of GMs Anish Giri and Matthias Blübaum • Standout performances from young stars like GMs Erdogmus, Mishra, and Woodward • Why the Women’s Grand Swiss produced fewer surprise qualifiers • A look ahead to the FIDE World Cup and the fight for the remaining Candidates spots We also touch on tournament formats, opening preparation, and Daniel’s current projects. This was a fascinating event to follow and an equally fun one to recap with GM King. Thanks to our sponsors, Silver Knights Chess Academy. If you know a scholastic player who could use high quality online group lessons, be sure to check them out.  chessacademy.com/online  Use coupon code- "pod"  to save 50% on the first month.  0:00- Intro 0:03- Whose play impressed Daniel? Mentioned: Pragganandhaa-Mishra 2025 https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/04/Praggnanandhaa_R-Mishra_Abhimanyu Keymer-Bluebahm 2025 https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/10/Keymer_Vincent-Bluebaum_Matthias IM Greg Shahade’s tweet- https://x.com/GregShahade/status/1967742931122724924  10:00- How will Bluebahm fare in the Candidates? 13:00-  Mentioned: Colin McGourty’s great tournament recap is here: https://www.chess.com/news/view/2025-fide-grand-swiss-13-conclusions#giri-1 15:00- Does the FIDE Grand Swiss format  make it too likely that non-elite players will qualify for the Candidates?  Mentioned: Peter Heine Nielsen’s Tweet https://x.com/PHChess/status/1967494651566588023 Leonard Barden’s column for The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/12/chess-erdogmus-14-wins-immortal-game-on-silk-road-as-grand-swiss-nears-climax 17:00- Daniel’’s thoughts on the new FIDE Women’s Candidates 20:00- Who would Daniel like to see earn one of the last Candidate spots?  Mentioned:  Chess Reddit post on players not yet in the Candidates: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1nig9bx/10_strong_players_but_only_3_available_slots/ Giri-Niemann 2025 https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/11/Giri_Anish-Niemann_Hans_Moke 25:00- Should there be a tiebreak playoff at the Grand Swiss?  Browne-Petrosian 1982 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1035512 29:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Should FIDE use a different pairing algorithm in order to limit color imbalances?” The two papers (via Dr. Benjamin Portheault) that describe the pairing system are here: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2112.10522  https://arxiv.org/pdf/2410.19333 32:00- Patreon mailbag question: “At what stage are players leaving their opening prep at the professional level?” 37:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Where can a player find good model games in the Kalashnikov Sicilian?”  Mentioned: Cuenca, Moisenko, SL Narayanyan, Maghsoodloo, Bulmaga  39:00- What is Daniel’s process for following tournaments and picking games to show on his channel? Mentioned: Mittai-Erdogmus 2025 https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/04/Aditya_Mittal-Erdogmus_Yagiz_Kaan 42:00- Daniel’s current projects: Join his Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/c/powerplaychess/posts 50:00- Check out Daniel’s book reviews on his channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhyM8toCZs_oHwQr_PTveXDkbnbq2Z4HO 53:00- Before we go, we make incorrect predictions of who will win the FIDE World Cup!!  56:00- Thanks as always to Daniel for joining me. Here is how to keep up with him: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMBATpFb--uLNAODOVWvCTA His Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/powerplaychess/ His Chessable Courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/DanielKing/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

North Carolina–based trainer and author Elshan Moradiabadi has won over 25 tournaments and was the 2001 National Champion of his native Iran. Despite his many accomplishments, Elshan is deeply reflective about the proper role chess should play in one’s life. While he has no regrets about the sacrifices he made, his experiences have given him valuable lessons to share, including: Why you should keep chess enjoyment as your North Star The importance of intuition, and the nine cues for evaluating a position  The tradeoffs that come with pursuing excellence How chess parenting has changed since his own youth We also touch on the professional chess landscape, and make a few predictions about the FIDE Grand Swiss (a tournament which is now over, but hadn’t started when we recorded on September 1). Whether you’re a chess hobbyist, parent, or coach, you’ll find plenty of wisdom and inspiration in this wide-ranging conversation. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 0:02- Welcome Elshan to the pod- we begin by discussing a poignant post Elshan wrote about what chess has given him, and what is has taken away: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EExhz3qbC/ Prior interview with Elshan, Episode 58-  https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2018/2/6/episode-58-gm-elshan-moradiabadi 0:09- Why Elshan has grown to love the English language as a non-native speaker  Mentioned: Cover Stories with Chess Life Episodes #44 and #48 https://new.uschess.org/news/cover-stories-chess-life-44-gm-elshan-moradiabadi https://new.uschess.org/news/cover-stories-chess-life-48-gm-elshan-moradiabadi 0:11- Elshan’s typical day of coaching 0:13- The challenge of improving chess intuition  Read more about Elshan’s 9 cues for evaluating a position here: https://gmelshan.com/how-to-master-chess-the-9-imbalances/ 19:00- Elshan’s approach to helping new students 27:00- Elshan’s reflections on his OTB chess game  30:00- Reflections on a poor performance in the 2022 US Championship  Mentioned: So-Moradiabadi 2022 https://www.chess.com/events/2022-us-chess-championship/11/So_Wesley-Moradiabadi_Elshan 33:00- Does Elshan follow top chess tournaments? Mentioned: Quantbox Chennai Invitational https://www.chess.com/events/info/2025-quantbox-chennai-grand-masters 37:00- Patreon mailbag question: What did Elshan like about the Chicken Chess Club Podcast (may it rest in peace)  Mentioned: GM Jan Gustafsson 39:00- Elshan’s plans for the rest of 2025 Mentioned: USA vs. India match in Dallas, Texas, October 2025 https://www.texaschesscenter.com/usa-vs-india?srsltid=AfmBOooUe_kOJfuugQMW1JtCezBWX7DPRYRK05I6w2LQ4Bzb6H9Pc9Lq 41:00- Elshan’s favorite players Mentioned: GM Mikhail Tal, Capablanca, Fischer, Positional Decision Making in Chess by GM Boris Gelfand  45:00- Elshan’s big picture chess advice Mentioned: Searching for Bobby Fischer  51:00- Last minute FIDE Grand Swiss predictions (this was recorded before it started)  55:00- Thanks so much to Elshan for joining me again! You can reach him via his website: https://gmelshan.com/contact/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As you may have heard, ⁠GM Hikaru Nakamura made a surprise appearance ⁠at the Louisiana State Championship, as part of fulfilling FIDE’s World Championship qualification criteria. In return, the players he encountered gained memories and stories they’ll never forget. In this multi-guest special episode, I speak with several of Hikaru’s opponents, as well as the tournament’s organizer, to hear their firsthand accounts: Senior Tournament Director Richard Campbell (13:00) – on why he and his team initially thought Hikaru’s registration was a prank, and how they realized it was real. 20-year-old college student Harry James (32:00) – on how being paired with Hikaru in Round 1 unexpectedly cured his hangover. Tulane graduate student Nahum Villamil Garces (47:30) – on the lifetime memories he made after facing Hikaru in Round 3. Five-time Louisiana State Champion FM Nick Matta (1:06:00) – on how he forced himself to play Hikaru with no fear, and how the opportunity to play him re-energized his passion for chess.  Baton Rouge-based NM Charles Campbell (1:34:00) – on the mixed feelings he had before his last-round showdown with Hikaru, as he vied for the state champion title. It was so much fun hearing the stories of our guests, and I was touched by the galvanizing effect Hikaru’s visit had on the Louisiana chess community Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 0:00-Introduction 8:00-  If you know a scholastic player looking for high-level interactive online instruction, check out the Silver Knights Chess Academy:  chessacademy.com/online Use code “pod” to save 50% on the first month  13:00- The first guest is Richard Campbell, the tournament organizer. How did he find out Hikaru was registered, did he think it was real? What did they do about security and cheat detection? Mentioned: NM Jude Acers  32:00- Harry James joins me, he is a 20 year old Tulane University student who was Hikaru’s first round opponent. It is not often a 1563 USCF player gets to play a super GM!  Mentioned: Watch Hikaru’s recaps of his games vs. Harry and Nahum here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJCsHU4NVh8 47:30- Nahum Villamil Garces, Hikaru’s 3rd round opponent, joins me. Nahum is graduate student at Tulane University who was playing his first tournament in the U.S. Mentioned: Gelfand-Nakamura 2010 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1567841 1:06:00- 5-time Louisiana State Champion FM Nick Matta joined me to reflect on an instructive loss, and to compare the experience of playing Hikaru to his clashes against IM Levy Rozman and GM Hans Niemann.  Mentioned: You can see Hikaru’s recaps of his games against FM Nick Matta and NM Charles Campbell here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLWuOczem3I&list=PL4KCWZ5Ti2H48YIUpaiTp6jTlwflBLFjI&index=4 You can see Nick’s game with Hikaru in this chess.com article  https://www.chess.com/news/view/nakamura-wins-louisiana-state-championship-candidates Also Mentioned:Thinking Inside the Box by GM Jacob Aagaard  You can reach FM Nick Matta via his Lichess coaches page: https://lichess.org/@/Candychessmaster 1:34:00- NM Charles Campbell joins the podcast to discuss lessons from his 7th round showdown with Hikaru, and the chess scenes in Nigeria (his native country) and Baton Rouge, Louisiana (where he lives).  You can also see his game in the chess.com recap, or on Hikaru’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLWuOczem3I&list=PL4KCWZ5Ti2H48YIUpaiTp6jTlwflBLFjI&index=4 You can reach Charles Campbell via Chess.com or Lichess https://www.chess.com/member/charlescandycampbell https://lichess.org/@/Candychessmaster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ChessDojo’s GM Jesse Kraai is always one of my favorite people to talk chess with, yet somehow it had been five years since his last visit to the pod. Jesse returned at a great time, having been both studying and competing actively, and recently achieving his goal of qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Senior Closed Championship. His recent over-the-board activity provided a springboard for us to discuss a wide range of topics, including: How he has learned to confront his fears in tough, “meat-grinder” weekend tournaments Why he believes weight training—and even certain health supplements—are important for older players, and may be the next frontier for professionals as well How the ChessDojo curriculum and philosophy have evolved in recent years I am also a big fan of Jesse’s book reviews on the ChessDojo YouTube channel, so I couldn’t let him go without sharing a few recommendations. We even closed the conversation by discussing Intermezzo, a recent novel by award-winning Irish writer Sally Rooney. I always admire Jesse’s dedication to improvement, and it’s a pleasure to hear his thoughtful perspectives on chess and beyond. Approximate timestamps of topics discussed are below. 0:02- Does Jesse ever find it hard to stay motivated to keep studying and reading chess books?  0:03- Reflections on Jesse’s recent tournaments 0:05- What are the keys to GM Alex Fishbein’s recent success?  0:09- What does Jesse do to work on his own chess? Mentioned: Jesse’s review of the book TurboCharge Your Tactics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLBMmqk8an0 Also Mentioned:  Perfect Your Chess https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Your-Chess-Ukrainian-Authors/dp/1915328063/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KXGHHH199SMQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XJTzNVQ4N6jtqAJlUh5KzvNBpaX4Cs6DkIe2E-15eIhEw6YsZYPA5HdNzRFsEzgzHHBYkJjSSdBddTS1PPcTP6iRXtOUrqULwf5Sc2JQUMHafGmhNIGcuYGQ8MyXxIkQhoxaHmbKuO0u94ls6vl8vhiehM-UnVvrZ17ce4FPjsd3ho3b08KJh-vPw89-SF0ccgo36HEXf7zwi__wKMmX8iO1_7DXOTHH5Pk9OgLrBUA.kPo0CC2fg8nMzpfrIKoCIvkTyNUwFvqAT7-k0iXzEmI&dib_tag=se&keywords=perfect+your+chess&qid=1756510333&sprefix=Perfect+Your+Chess%2Caps%2C267&sr=8-1 12:00- ChessDojo and Jesse’s fitness regimen Jesse’s IG post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMqT1jOuxcK/ Check out Dr. Nick Vasquez’s blog here: https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/p/clearing-the-fog 17:00- Are elite chess players likely taking cognitive supplements or other drugs to help their performances?  20:00- What have been the biggest lessons from co-founding the ChessDojo? 25:00- What has Jesse learned from reading the works of IM Willy Hendriks? 28:00- Patreon mailbag question: What non-chess books influenced Jesse’s philosophy of chess improvement? Mentioned: Mindset by Carol Dweck Deep Work by Cal Newport  30:00- Patreon mailbag question: Are books as effective as modern digital tools for chess improvement?  32:00- Does Jesse have set hours for studying chess? 36:00- The strengths and weaknesses of Jesse’s competitors in next year’s US Senior Closed Championship.  Mentioned: GM Larry Christiansen, GM Gregory Kaidanov, FM Doug Eckert  38:00- New developments in the dojo 42:00- Jesse’s rest of 2026 tournaments  44:00- We share our thoughts on the chess-adjacent novel Intermezzo by popular author Sally Rooney https://www.amazon.com/Intermezzo-Novel-Sally-Rooney/dp/0374602638 54:00- Parting book recs Mentioned: Polgar Chess Logical Chess Move by Move  58:00- Thanks to Jesse, for rejoining me! You can find him at the ChessDojo. (use code "ben" at checkout to save 10% https://www.chessdojo.club/signup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NM Max Farberov is a 27-year-old chess instructor, Chessable author, and online speed-chess specialist with a Chess.com blitz rating north of 2600. He joined me after a busy chess summer that included his first European open and one of his best OTB results to date: winning clear first in the Under-2300 section of the Washington International. As Max explains, this breakthrough came only after months of frustration and feeling that he had reached a plateau, making the success all the sweeter. In our conversation, Max and I discussed: Why he stays motivated to pursue tournament chess at an age when many slow down How he built an opening repertoire around the offbeat 1…d6 What he gains from following lesser-known professional tournaments Why speed chess is underrated as a tool for improvement Max’s passion for chess is infectious, and our conversation is full of helpful chess improvement advice. Timestamps are below. Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ Check out special offers for free trials and/or discounts from our partner websites including Chessmood, ChessDojo, and Chess.com, via the link below: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners 0:02- What led to Max’s recent tournament outcome, where he attained the best result of his life?  10:00- What keeps Max going when many players in their 20s stop playing tournaments?  12:00- The College Chess League 13:00- Congrats to IM-elect Tatev Abrahamyan  14:00- Was Max tempted to quit after earning the NM title?  20:00- What was it like for Max to play in his first international tournament?  Mentioned: More on the Vila de Sitges here: https://open.penyaescacscp.com/ 22:00- The dangers of overpreparing for an opponent  24:00- Max’s approach to openings  26:00- GMs and top engines don’t like openings like the Philidor and the Pirc due to the concession of space. Has this been an issue for Max in his games? 28:00- Does Max consider himself a speed chess specialist? How can one get better at speed chess? 33:00- How to combat the London 35:00- Back to speed chess advice- Max’s advice for clock management  38:00 Opening prep war stories  40:00- The benefits of following and playing through the games from  professional (non-elite) circuit tournaments.  43:00- Max’s friendship with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez  Mentioned: EP 409 with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/11/19/ep-409-gm-fidel-corrales-jimenez-a-tireless-tournament-circuit-grinder-on-overcoming-setbacks-managing-energy-the-risks-of-otb-cheating-amp-his-love-for-the-scotch-openingnbsp 46:00- How Max became a chess teacher and  advice for getting into chess teaching  49:00- Max’s next chess goals 50:00- Is Max a regimented chess-studier? 52:00- Max’s chess improvement hot takes and book recs  Mentioned:  Practical Chess Exercises Evaluate like a Grandmaster  Attack with Mikhail Tal  56:00- Thanks to Max for joining me!  Here is how to reach him: X: https://x.com/chessgainz?lang=en Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/member/chess_gainz If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Going Pro at 57: `GM Alex Fishbein on How New and Challenging Training Methods Fueled an Upset win at the US Senior Invitational  At 57 years old, Tennessee-based Grandmaster and Author, Alex Fishbein, has built an impressive chess résumé, with 12 state-championship titles across four states and multiple appearances in U.S. Championship events. But until recently, his chess had always been balanced with a demanding finance career. Last year, for the first time since age 24, Alex stepped away from Wall Street to devote himself fully to chess—an experiment that paid off quickly.  Through a rigorous and unconventional study routine—including his unique “post-postmortem” method—Alex pulled off a surprise victory at the 2025 U.S. Senior Invitational, despite entering as the second-lowest rated player. In our conversation, he reflects on: The training methods that fueled his breakthrough His advice for caring less about ratings The outsized role of age and stamina in senior chess Lessons learned from legends like Korchnoi and Keres Alex’s story shows the power of playing actively against all comers, staying curious, and embracing new challenges, and he provides inspiration for chess players of all levels. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ Check out special offers for free trials and/or discounts from our partner websites including Chessmood, ChessDojo, and Chess.com via the link below: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners 02:30- GM Fishbein joins the podcast! We begin by discussing his recent tournaments  Mentioned: Episode 291 with GM Alex Fishbein: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2022/8/9/ep-291-gm-alex-fishbein-on-maintaining-a-passion-for-chess-into-ones-50s-plus-great-korchnoi-and-tal-stories My System Fast Track Book Recap #37 with GM Alex Fishbein https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/6/21/book-recap-37-my-system-fast-track-edition-with-gm-alex-fishbeinnbsp Also mentioned: Dan Joelson, IM Stuart Rachels  08:00- What changes did Alex recently make to his training regimen? Mentioned: Interview with Nazi Paikidze and GM Yasser Seirawan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG156yEThSQ 15:00- Patreon mailbag question: How are Alex’s preparation methods different as a professional vs.as an amateur?  Mentioned: Solitaire Chess  More on Solitaire Chess from FM Nate Solon here: https://zwischenzug.substack.com/p/solitaire-chess 25:00- How and why did Alex begin to study the games and annotations of GM Paul Keres? 35:00- What was Alex’s approach to openings in the US Senior Closed? Did he try to surprise his opponents?  Mentioned: You can play through the games and openings mentioned from the tournament here: https://www.chess.com/events/2025-us-national=championships-seniors/01/Fishbein_Alexander-Novikov_Igor 38:00- What separates the strength of GM Vladimir Akopian from the rest of the field?  39:00- Why does GM Alex Fishbein think that the three youngest players were the ones to make the playoffs?  Mentioned: Chess is My Life by GM Viktor Korchnoi 40:00- Why ratings are a mirage for the Senior Closed 45:00- Alex’s advice for caring less about one’s rating Mentioned: Claud Bloodgood: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Bloodgood 53:00- Recent chess books Alex has read Mentioned: Think Like a Super GM by GM Michael Adams and Phillip Hurtado  55:00- Alex’s training tips for lower-rated players 1:00- Thanks to Alex for joining me again! You can reach him via email at: Afish at panix.com  If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

IM Greg Shahade was the very first guest of Perpetual Chess and has remained a frequent and insightful contributor  ever since. A former youth national champion, Greg has subsequently  been involved in the chess world in an array of capacities —founder of the US Chess School (which provides free training to top American juniors), creator of the now-defunct Pro Chess League, and a near-2800-rated blitz player on Chess.com who has maintained his level well into his 40s. A former poker pro, Greg has more recently become a trivia whiz to boot. But which is harder to improve at—trivia or chess? In this wide-ranging conversation, we catch up on Greg’s many interests, get his take on events like the E-Sports World Cup and Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas, and hear his thoughts on the  continued ascension of the next chess generation. It’s always a treat to hear Greg’s takes on the ever-evolving chess landscape. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 0:00- Will Greg learn GM Jan Gustafsson’s Chessable course? 0:05- Patreon mailbag question: Greg followed the E-sports World Cup (EWC) closely- what were his impressions of it?  0:09- Why Greg loves classical chess!  0:12- Back to the EWC 0:16- What did Greg think of the recent Freestyle tournament in Las Vegas?  21:00- The US Chess School- are kids good at chess? 30:00- The benefits of the daily chess format  36:00- Why did Greg decide to become good at trivia? Is it harder to improve at then chess? https://gregshahade.wordpress.com/2023/01/31/1-5-years-of-trivia-total-n00b-to-learnedleague-group-a/ 44:00- Patreon mailbag question: Greg seems like a happy and positive person- has that come easy to him or has he had to work at it? 47:00- Patreon mailbag question: Greg sings a song!(briefly)  48:00- As another friend of FM Donny Ariel’s, does Greg think he can make GM? Could Greg make GM?  53:00- Patreon mailbag question: Does Carlsen’s retirement from the World Championship title hurt his legacy as compared to Kasparov?  Mentioned: Kasparov-Polgar touch-move controversy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT9UhaUIBCY 1:01- Greg discusses his enthusiasm for the Chess.com daily chess league  https://www.chess.com/article/view/join-chess-league Thanks to Greg for joining me again! You can reach/keep up with him via Chess.com or via X: https://www.chess.com/member/gregshahade https://x.com/GregShahade Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nicholas Sloan is a Wisconsin-based Network Engineer, a dad of 4, and an extremely motivated chess improver. Usually. But after an incredible run of gaining 500+ rating points in two years, fueled by consistent hard work and a unique study approach, Nick hit a wall. He gave back 150 rating points, and lost his motivation to work hard on chess. That can happen when you are a family man who is working full-time,  studying for multiple hours a day, and creating chess content on top of that. Nick took time away to read some quality chess books, and to recalibrate his chess improvement plans. In our conversation Nick tells me:  Why, after reflection,  he has decided that the lofty goal of earning the National Master title is still worth pursuing.  How a few chess books opened his eyes to the work he still had to do  What he intends to do next As a longtime reader of Nick’s blog, I was excited to finally chat with him, and I look forward to following his continued success.  Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners 02:00- Nicholas joins the show- check out his rating graph here: https://www.uschess.org/datapage/ratings_graph.php?memid=12772484 05:00- What does Nick think contributed to his recent slump? 14:00- What effect did reading GM Jonathan Rowson’s books have on Nick? Mentioned: Book Recap #14: Seven Deadly Chess Sins https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins Book Recap #32: Chess for Zebras  https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins 20:00- More book recs! Mentioned: Road to Chess Improvement Chess Improvement: It’s All in the Mindset 22:00- How did Nick adjust to being an emotional player? 24:00- How has Nick changed his approach? Mentioned: Pump Up Your Rating  27:00- What thought process is Nick using over the board? Mentioned: GM Alexander Goldin  28:00- What did Nick learn from the book Rapid Chess Improvement ? Mentioned: CT-Art , Chessking App 32:00- How Nick avoids burnout Mentioned: Episode 173 with NM Philemon Thomas, GM Johan Hellsten’s Mastering Chess Strategy 35:00- Why does Nick focus on local club tournaments rather than big weekend ones? Mentioned: Episode 346 with NM Todd Bryant  40:00- Does Nick play a narrow or wide repertoire?  44:00- How many tournament games does Nick aim to play per year?  46:00- Nick’s approach to game analysis  50:00- Thanks to Nick for joining! Here is his linktree that provides many ways to keep up with him: https://linktr.ee/HighgroundChess If you would like to join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Check out special offers for free trials and/or discounts from our partner websites including Chessmood, ChessDojo, and Chess.com via the link below: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Balas is an MIT-educated professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, where his research focuses on visual recognition. He’s also a passionate chess player who blogs frequently about the intersection of science and chess. On his popular LiChess blog, Ben (aka NDPatzer) has explored topics like whether streakiness exists in chess, the science of blunders, and how confirmation bias influences decision-making over the board. In our conversation, we touch on all of these topics and also delve into Ben’s personal chess journey. He shares the scientific studies he believes every chess player should know about — and, as with his writing, I learned alot from chatting with Ben.  Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners 0:02- What got Ben back into chess during the pandemic after decades away? Mentioned: Ben’s interview with Dr. Can Kabadayi on the Chess Cognition podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrzblptGNjw 0:07- What experience got Ben thinking about whether momentum exists in chess? Mentioned:  https://lichess.org/@/NDpatzer/blog/science-of-chess-winning-streaks-losing-streaks-and-skill/K4NmnE6b Also mentioned, FM Nate Solon’s post: https://zwischenzug.substack.com/p/yes-theres-luck-in-chess The Hot Hand by Benjamin Cohen: https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Hand-Mystery-Science-Streaks/dp/0062820729 17:00- What is Dr. Balas' approach to chess improvement?  Mentioned:  100 Endgames You Must Know, The Woodpecker Method, Dr. Katie Wissman  19:00- What does Dr. Balas think of the Woodpecker Method as a study program? 21:00- 3 Scientific Studies Chess Players Should Know About, starting with “Chunking”  Mentioned: IM Fernand Gobet  24:00- Study #2- Stronger players are much better at avoiding confirmation bias  29:00- Dr. Balas has played two OTB tournaments since regaining an interest in chess a few years ago. How were these experiences?  31:00- Study #3- The importance of moving your eyes during a chess game!  Mentioned: Preventing Blunders in Chess by Dr. Can Kabadayi  https://www.chessable.com/preventing-blunders-in-chess/course/258968/ 35:00- Why are chess professionals scientifically studied so much more often than amateurs?  39:00- What is next for Ben’s chess? 42:00- If Dr. Balas received funding to do a  scientific study on chess, what would he research?  44:00- Dr. Balas’ closing chess improvement advice. Mentioned: Blindfold Chess https://www.amazon.com/Blindfold-Chess-Psychology-Techniques-Champions/dp/0786475269/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1FSJ92B6Q46H0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Rrt6OpihMGjYaHTqvOcHzb6-vZpowdj6xWtFMGFyA6gRhFRzSVmJdBCFgP7UkFD4FUNk4TmKhse2uqjgQ7ZXcuEf5znf67nC8ENj73IDNspElRzfCfxGNYTtHoUUnJTzb_2oecXU8NIk7B4ZJj1mIw.uelpnrMJtCfCmpe6iIa0qWyDhlE32PRwGmXsv5_MeBw&dib_tag=se&keywords=blindfold+chess&qid=1753302264&s=books&sprefix=blindfold+ches%2Cstripbooks%2C112&sr=1-4 Book Recap Podcast discussing Blindfold Chess: History, Psychology, Techniques, Champions, World Records, and Important Games https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2020/8/29/book-recap-talking-blindfold-chess-with-guest-co-host-jerry-wells 47:00- Thanks to Ben for joining, here is how to keep up with his work:  Lichess: https://lichess.org/@/NDpatzer/blog Substack: https://benbalas.substack.com/ And don’t forget to sub the Perpetual Chess Linkfest: https://benjohnson.substack.com/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Opening expert, Twitch streamer, former Team Magnus member, and longtime friend of the pod, GM Jan Gustafsson is back for another fun and far-reaching interview! We talk about the origins of his new Chessable course on the Austrian Defense, how his approach to repertoire building has evolved, and get his take on the recent Freestyle Chess drama in Vegas. Jan also reflects on the legacy of GM Boris Spassky, laments his struggles with memory and motivation, and mourns the end (for now) of FM Donny Ariel’s quest for online stardom. Per tradition, we also touch on non-chess subjects such as parenting, basketball, and TV shows and Jan’s appearance is as entertaining as ever.  Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners 0:02- Brief parenting discussion 0:04- How does Jan go about learning an opening? How did he choose the lines for a course on The Austrian attack? 0:11- The time Jan had to join the Chess.com anti-cheating Zoom call during Titled Tuesday 0:15- How was Jan’s most recent tournament, the Thailand Open?  0:18- What did Jan think of the first day of the Las Vegas Freestyle tournament?  0:19- What will Jan be doing at the E-Sports World Cup? (plus a little chess Bundesliga talk) Mentioned: GM Peter Heine Nielsen-Gustafsson 2025- https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2833767 22:00- Back to discussion of the freestyle tournament Mentioned: Clip of GM Hans Niemann celebrating Aronian’s upset of Carlsen https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1m1xeex/hans_claps_and_bows_down_to_levon_aronian/ 25:00- Should spectators at major chess events be allowed to bring phones? 28:00- Brief basketball talk- When will The Rights to Ricky Sanchez podcast have GM Jan Gustafsson on their podcast? 31:00- FIDE Women’s World Cup- Who is Jan rooting for? 32:00- Did Jan ever meet recently deceased Former World Champion Boris Spassky?  35:00- What happened to FM Donny Ariel’s quest for the grandmaster title? Mentioned: EP 421 with GM Jan Gustafsson and FM Donny Ariel https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2025/2/11/ep-421-gm-jan-gustafsson-and-fm-donny-ariel-discussion-can-a-mid-40s-working-dad-make-grandmaster-without-doing-any-worknbsp 43:00- I asked Chat GPT to come up with 20 questions for Jan Gustafsson. Jan answers about 18 of them! We discuss the nature of chess talent, what makes Magnus special, Jan’s favorite chess job, and more.  Mentioned: Jan and GM Peter Heine Nielsen’s Top 50 Players Series: https://www.chess.com/lessons/hall-of-fame-the-50-greatest-chess-players-of-all-time 1:07:00- Thanks as always to GM Jan Gustafsson for joining! Here is how to keep up with him: Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/janistantv Chessable courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/JanGustafsson/ If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 442- GM Johan Hellsten: Why Defending Is So Difficult — And How to Improve At It  GM Johan Hellsten returns to Perpetual Chess for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked yet essential chess skills: defense. Johan is the 2006 Swedish National Champion, and a renowned author and coach, best known for his Mastering Chess series. In this interview, he shares insights from his latest book and Chessable course, Mastering Chess Defense (also available in print,) reflecting on why defending is often harder than attacking, which players are best to study to improve your defensive play, and key concepts like “the lifeline.” Johan is a true professional, and always a pleasure to talk chess with. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners 0:00- We begin with an impromptu discussion of obscure chess opening names including the Austrian Defense, the Tartakower Caro Kann, The Fegatello Italian, and the Polerio Italian Defense 10:00- Why is it harder for people to spot defensive resources than tactics?  15:00- How did Johan find so many good defensive examples?  Check out Johan’s separate course on defense for Chessmood members: https://chessmood.com/course/chess-defense  21:00- Patreon mailbag question: “How should amateur players incorporate chess defense into their thinking processes?” 29:00- What is the definition of defense?  31:00- Did Johan ever meet legendary GM Miguel Najdorf?  Mentioned: El Viejo by GM Zenon Franco Najdorf X Najdorf by Liliana Najdorf  Kasparov vs. Najdorf Bugojno 1982 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1069983 36:00- If choosing between Kasparov, Karpov, Korchnoi, Spassky, whose games were the most instructive?  Mentioned: GM Emmanuel Berg Check out Johan’s Youtube videos about Petrosian and Ulf Andersson here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYAkeoP9TTs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDo--EPHnfc 42:00- More book recs from Johan! Mentioned: Timman’s Triumphs: https://www.amazon.com/Timmans-Triumphs-100-Best-Games/dp/9056919172 Speed Demon: https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Demon-Fascinating-Tragic-Vyzhmanavin/dp/9493257819 GM Judit Polgar’s Quality Chess Trilogy 46:00- What is the chess defensive resource that is sometimes referred to as “the lifeline?” Mentioned: GM Hellsten’s Chessmood article about it: https://chessmood.com/blog/lifeline-chess-tactic Or move 32 of this Korchnoi-Fisher 1962 Curaco game: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044560 49:00- What do the concepts of “Evolution and revolution” have to do with chess defense? Mentioned: GM Josif Dorfman’s “The Method” https://www.abebooks.com/Method-Chess-Dorfman-Iossif-Sarl-Game/31453994460/bd 52:00- More chess book talk! Mentioned: Boris Spassky’s Best Games  https://www.amazon.com/Boris-Spasskys-Best-Games-Rising/dp/1784832006 53:00- Check out the two defensive puzzles we discuss in this Lichess study: https://lichess.org/study/1AlpJ6gn/3b3ZdebD Spassky-Geller move 35- https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1049395 Carlsen-Duda 2025 is included and annotated by NM Anthony Levin for Chess.com here (as well as in the LiChess study): https://www.chess.com/news/view/2025-cct-chesscom-classic-playoffs-day-1 Thanks to Johan for joining me again, you can reach him via his Chess.com page: https://www.chess.com/member/jhellsten And check out his Chessable courses here: https://www.chessable.com/author/JohanHellsten/ And his books here If you would like to join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community for access to ad-free episodes and other perks,  you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices