Please note that this podcast was finished and about to be uploaded when I heard about the terrible and tragic news that Daniel Naroditsky has died. I think he was one of the best writers and commentators of our time, extremely funny, a great teacher of concepts, and full of knowledge and wisdom. I feel grateful that I could work with him for a bit and wish I could have known him more. My condolences to the family whom I wish strength in this very difficult times.

The second episode discusses:

• The new Total Chess World Championship Tour to be organized by Norway Chess and approved by FIDE and the early reactions to it
• The situation at the U.S. Championships after round 7
• Ukraine and Poland winning the European Team Championship
• The revival of CHESS, the musical, premiered on Broadway
• The 2025 Chess.com Speed Chess Championship got underway
• Gukesh Dommaraju is in the 40 under 40 list of the Economic Times
• The famous 16th game of the 1985 Karpov-Kasparov match was played 40 years ago this week

Sources:

• Vidit Gujrathi video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j5RNwCpXFTU
• Carlsen interview by TakeTakeTake: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlX_xcVEMY4
• Irina Bulmaga's blog: https://irinabulmaga.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-grand-batumi-experience.html
• Chess, the musical: https://www.instagram.com/chessbway/?hl=en
• Speed Chess Championship broadcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@chess/streams

Thanks for listening and please spread the word that this podcast exists! :-)

Also, check out my book The Chess Revolution at https://peterdoggers.com/book/