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Ep. 58: Gambit Openings, Students Cheating During Lessons, Bishop & Knight Mate, Sandbagging, Time Controls, Improvement & More feat. NM Nick Panico
26 februari 2023 · 1 uur 35 min
This week I spoke with National Master Nick Panico. Nick is a fellow educator with a background in science and has also been active as a storm chaser. Nick shared his vast experience from the amateur chess scene and our conversation went in a lot of interesting directions. Some of our talking points include the following: Lees meer
Tips for improvers
The amateur tournament scene
Should you play gambit openings?
Cheating & sandbagging
Bishop & knight mate
Nick's journey to NM
Online vs. OTB chess
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses!
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Ep. 57 (S4 Premiere): GM Alex Lenderman on Adult Improvement, Chess Cheating & More
19 februari 2023 · 58 min
To kick off Season 4, Neal spoke with Grandmaster Alex Lenderman. Alex resides in Brooklyn, NY where he was a member of the famous chess team at Edward R. Murrrow HS that won multiple national high school titles. This was depicted in the 2007 book The Kings of New York (retitled Game of Kings) by Michael Weinreb (Amazon). Alex was the winner of the 2021 US Open and is active as a chess coach for both children and adults. Some of this episode's talking points include the following: Lees meer
Why many adults have difficulty improving
Chess psychology
The chess cheating epidemic
Alex's experience playing at local clubs
Teaching chess
Links for GM Alex Lenderman:
Email
Chess.com
Facebook
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses!
The Amazon link above is an affiliate link which earns us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
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Ep. 56 (S3 Finale): Active Pieces feat. NY Chess Legend IM Jay Bonin, the "Iron Man of Chess"
22 januari 2023 · 40 min
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! Lees meer
This week's episode is our Season 3 Finale and features International Master Jay Bonin, a legend of the New York chess scene. He is one of the most active tournament players ever, having amassed an estimated 30K - 40K rated OTB games, sometimes playing over 700 games in one year. As such, he is known as the "Iron Man of Chess." Neal spoke with Jay recently via phone where he shared his experiences and knowledge. The basis of this conversation is his 2016 book, Active Pieces (Amazon) which discusses Jay's approach to chess with explanatory prose and annotated games. Some of the talking points in this episode include the following:
Why Jay feels draw offers are best made when capturing a piece
The influence of Bobby Fischer
Winning with the "rope-a-dope" method
Jay's strong friendship with fellow NY chess legend Asa Hoffmann
The "Bonin-Kann" opening (1...c6, 2...a6!?, holding back ...d5, which often throws the opponent off balance)
Thoughts on mate with the bishop and knight
Playing Queenless middlegames
His win against chess giant GM Samuel Reshevsky
How Jay adapts his style and openings for specific opponents
Links for IM Jay Bonin:
Active Pieces (Amazon)
Facebook
Chess.com: Boninknights
Mentioned:
Bellon - Bonin (2008) 1/2-1/2
Season 4 of The Chess Angle coming soon!
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
The Amazon links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
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Ep. 55: WFM Maaike Keetman on the Nimzo-Indian, Grinding Out Wins, Attacking Play, Openings, & More
15 januari 2023 · 50 min
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! Lees meer
This week's episode features WFM Maaike Keetman. We covered a number of important topics for adult improvers and amateur players. Maaike is the VP of Content for Chessable and is active with the ChessQueens Foundation which promotes the game of chess for women and girls in the Netherlands. Her Chessable course, The Fierce Nimzo-Indian, is designed for amateur players and is highly recommended. Some of our talking points include the following:
Inducing errors from your opponent
Why the Catalan may be the most dangerous opening at the amateur level
The Nimzo-Indian defense for improvers
Why most amateur games are decided by tactics
Maaike's success despite little endgame study
How Tal influenced Maaike's style
Maaike's quest for the WIM title
Grinding out wins in even positions
How improvers should approach openings
Links for WFM Maaike Keetman:
The Fierce Nimzo-Indian (Chessable Course)
Maaike on Twitter: @MaaikeKeetmanOur links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 54: Avoid This Common Pawn Blunder & Other Practical Tournament Tips
8 januari 2023 · 48 min
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! Lees meer
This episode offers some practical advice and insight for improvers and emerging tournament players. Some of the talking points include:
How many games a year do you need to play to increase your OTB rating?
Should you get up from the board during your game?
How tournament pairing rules often make increasing your rating difficult
A common pawn blunder to avoid
Book study vs. digital/online study
Mentioned:
The Amateur's Mind by IM Jeremy Silman (Amazon)Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
The Amazon link above is an affiliate link which earns us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
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Ep. 53: NM Robert Guevara on Why He Declines All Draw Offers
18 december 2022 · 1 uur 12 min
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! Lees meer
Offering or accepting a draw is often a critical decision in a chess game and is the subject of much discussion and debate. Our guest this week, National Master Robert Guevara, is a tenacious player who declines virtually every draw offer thrown his way. He explains his reasoning for doing so, and it's not because of an obsession with winning. His thought process is highly instructive. We covered some other areas including:
The dangers of perfectionism
Achieving NM despite not entering the tournament scene until age 25
Draw offer stories from actual OTB games
Dealing with time pressure
Persistence and the fighting spirit
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 52: Chess Improvement and Academia feat. Stephen Wefer, Ph.D.
11 december 2022 · 1 uur 11 min
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! Lees meer
This episode is dedicated to all of the school teachers out there. Our guest this week, Dr. Stephen Wefer, is an adult improver (USCF 1691), HS science teacher, and Long Island Chess Club regular. He has also worked as an adjunct professor. We spoke about academia, chess improvement, tournaments, and a lot more. Some of our talking points include the following:
Applying an academic mindset to chess improvement
Stephen's tips for balancing work, family, and chess study/play
Chess openings philosophy
Rating goals
Facing underrated opponents
Playing speculative sacrifices
Is there a limit to one's chess improvement past age 45?
Links for Dr. Stephen Wefer:
YouTube channel: Cool Chess Stuff with Stephen
E-mail: shwefer@gmail.com
Instagram: @bio_explained, @coolchessstuff
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 51: Non-Resigners, Faulty Queen Trades, the Jobava London, & More
4 december 2022 · 34 min
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses!
In this solo episode, Neal shares some thoughts on a number of topics related to tournament chess. Talking points include: Lees meerNon-resigning in overwhelmingly worse positions with no time-pressure issues
Queen trade blunders
Are online ratings legit or a sham?
The Jobava London System (1. d4 2. Nc3 3. Bf4)
Resources for the Jobava London:
The Jobava London System by GM Simon Williams (Amazon paperback)
The Jobava London System by GM Simon Williams (Chessable course)
Ginger GM Simon Williams' YouTube Page
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 50: Becoming a Chess Master feat. NM Nick Figorito
20 november 2022 · 1 uur 3 min
Nick Figorito is a member of the Long Island Chess Club who recently earned the title of National Master (USCF 2200). In this episode, Nick shares his journey to Master, busts some common chess improvement myths, and offers some additional insight. Nick can be reached at nfigorito@ymail.com. Some of our talking points include: Lees meer
Is there a "formula" or systematic study plan to achieve a Master rating?
Can anyone make Master?
Nick's surprising viewpoint on opening theory
Why he hates the Najdorf Sicilian
Chess improvement while working full-time
Nick's belief that simply "not blundering" may boost your rating more than any other strategic or tactical approach
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 49: Chess Openings Masterclass feat. FM Carsten Hansen
13 november 2022 · 1 uur 14 min
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! Lees meer
Fide Master Carsten Hansen is a prolific writer who has authored an astounding 46 chess books and is a #1 best selling author on Amazon. Recently published books include The Anti-Alapin Gambit and The Chess Wizardry of Wotawa, co-authored with Cyrus Lakdawala. Carsten is also an active chess coach and trainer. In addition, he is working to achieve an IM title, and does all this while holding down a full-time day job, so his work ethic is quite impressive. In this episode, Carsten offers some outstanding insight on the opening phase of the game for amateur players. Some of our talking points include:
Carsten's quest to achieve an IM title
How club players should approach openings
How to beat higher-rated opponents
Should you play gambits?
A full assessment of Neal's opening repertoire
Theory vs. themes
Dealing with nerves and avoiding time pressure
Carsten's chess coaching philosophy
The one glaring weakness with many opening courses
Links for FM Carsten Hansen:
Website
Amazon Author Page
Twitter
Chessable
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 48: The Nimzo & Queen's Indian Defenses: A Complete System Against 1. d4
6 november 2022 · 47 min
This episode is a primer on the Nimzo & Queen's Indian Defenses for adult improvers and club-level players. These two openings can be used as a complete system against 1. d4. Fighting for control of the e4-square is a major theme. Lines discussed include the following: Lees meer
NIMZO-INDIAN:
Rubenstein Variation with 4...b6: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 5. Bd3 Bb7 (5. Nge2 Ne4!) 6. Nf3 Ne4!
Classical Variation with 4...0-0: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 0-0 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4! 7. Qc2 f5
Leningrad Variation: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bh4 c5 6. d5 d6
Samisch Variation with 4. a3: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Bxc3 5. bxc3 and Black can begin an attack on the weak c4-pawn (...Nc6-a5, ...b6, ...Ba6, etc.)
QUEEN'S INDIAN:
Main Line: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. g3 Bb7 5. Bg2 Be7 6. 0-0 0-0 7. Nc3 Ne4! 8. Qc2 Nxc3 9. Qxc3 (9. Ng5?? Nxe2! 10. Qxe2 Bxg2 11. Qh5 h6 -+) c5 (9...Be4 is also good in the main line)
Petrosian System with 4. a3: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5! (stopping 6. d5 by White)
Errata: When discussing odds & ends, I mentioned that you can sometimes trick your opponent into playing the French Defense after 1. d4 e6! 2. e4 d5. I said 2. ...e5 by mistake (though I suspect most of you knew what I meant).
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
Starting Out: The Nimzo-Indian (Amazon)
Starting Out: The Queen's Indian (Amazon)
The Fierce Nimzo-Indian by WFM Maaike Keetman (Chessable)
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
The Amazon links above are affiliate links, which earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
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Ep. 47: The Chess Cheating Crisis: Implications for the Amateur Player feat. CM Brian Karen
30 oktober 2022 · 1 uur 18 min
Candidate Master and renowned chess educator Brian Karen returns to the podcast to discuss the chess cheating crisis as it relates to the amateur player, among other topics. Some of our talking points include: Lees meer
How the prevalence of chess cheating is affecting amateur events
Why the Carlsen/Niemann controversy has become irritating & tiresome
Are cheat detection algorithms legitimate?
Chess coaching philosophies
Why do many players drop out of tournaments after losing just one game?
Are large cash prizes hurting the Royal Game?
Is bullet chess harmful or helpful?
Is solving extremely difficult chess puzzles really beneficial?
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses!♟
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 46: The Dangers of Playing Too Literally
23 oktober 2022 · 24 min
Neal discusses the dangers of playing chess too literally or "inside the box." Sometimes deviating from conventional chess principles is a smart play. Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses!♟
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 45: The Truth About Chess Engines for Club Players
16 oktober 2022 · 26 min
Analyzing your tournament games with a computer program such as Fritz or Stockfish is perhaps the most important component of any improvement plan. However, using a chess engine can sometimes be confusing at the amateur level. In this episode, we review some tips on how club players can use an engine effectively to improve. Some of our talking points include: Lees meer
Why +/= or =/+ is really the same as =
Identifying inflection points in your game
A technique to avoid repeating a mistake in future tournament games
Avoiding the mindset of "I don't need to review the game - I know where I went wrong"
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 44: "Waiting" Moves, Chess Podcasts, & Other Musings
9 oktober 2022 · 46 min
💻Be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube channel!💻 We have preview clips for select episodes and are gradually adding content. Please join our community! Lees meer
This season's first solo episode is divided into two main segments with some additional subtopics thrown in. First, Neal argues that "waiting" moves or "passive" moves can sometimes be very effective and possibly the best choice in certain situations. Next, he shares his thoughts on the chess podcasting space.
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 43: Are Electronic Notation Devices Legit? feat. Joey Troy, Creator of ChessNoteR
2 oktober 2022 · 1 uur 15 min
💻Be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube channel!💻 We have preview clips for select episodes and are gradually adding content. Please join our community! Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses!♟
Electronic Notation Devices (ENDs) offer a convenient way for players to keep score during chess tournaments. No more messy scoresheets or missing moves. ENDs, however, have their detractors, with some worried that players can cheat by sideloading a chess engine. We explore this in detail and show that these concerns are overblown. My guest this week is Joey Troy, creator of ChessNoteR, the only END available for purchase at the time of this recording. Joey gives us the full scoop on electronic notation.
We also reached out to the Continental Chess Association about their decision to not allow ChessNoteR devices, even though they're USCF certified. Find out how they responded, and hear Joey's reaction...
Joey is offering all Chess Angle listeners a 10% discount on ChessNoteR devices (all are USCF certified) through 11/1/22. Use the promo code CHESSANGLE on the ChessNoteR site below.
Links Referenced in this Episode:
ChessNoteR.com - Homepage
ChessNoteR.com - Store
ChessNoteR.com - Info for TDs
USCF Certified ENDs
Disclosure: The Chess Angle was provided with a ChessNoteR unit at no cost. We stand by our recommendations and only endorse products we believe in and have used personally.
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 42: Playing in Tournaments With a Full-Time Job feat. Dan Levin (USCF 1724)
25 september 2022 · 1 uur 6 min
💻Be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube channel!💻 We have preview clips for select episodes and are gradually adding content. Please join our community! Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses!♟
We've all heard of players who study several hours a day. Nice work if you can get it, but that's not viable for most adult improvers who have responsibilities and commitments outside of chess. My guest this week is Dan Levin, a Long Island Chess Club regular and New York attorney. We discussed what it's like being a tournament player while adulting, among other topics. Some of our talking points include:
A thematic analysis of two of our games played at the club
Why do some 800-rated opponents play like they're 1800?
The Caro-Kann opening: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5
Major events vs. local clubs - Which is better?
How Dan got to play former world champion Boris Spassky
Rating swings
Internet & speed chess
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 41 (S3 Premiere): IM Justus Williams on Chess Improvement, Brooklyn Castle & More
18 september 2022 · 49 min
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. Check out their courses today!♟ Lees meer
For this Season 3 Premier, Neal spoke with IM Justus Williams. Justus is featured prominently in the 2012 chess documentary Brooklyn Castle, which chronicles the famous chess team from Intermediate School 318 in Brooklyn, NY. At age 12, he was the youngest African American to achieve the NM title. Currently, Justus runs Black Squares Chess, which brings the game to kids in underserved communities. Some of the talking points from this episode include:
Justus's quest for the GM title
Behind the scenes info from Brooklyn Castle & the IS 318 experience
A technique to improve tournament results when facing critical positions
Why Justus prefers chess study using physical books over computers
How playing in Washington Square Park helped his development
Is it possible to get a good slice of pizza outside of NY?🍕
Links for IM Justus Williams:
Brooklyn Castle (YouTube - stream entire film)
Brooklyn Castle (Amazon - DVD)
Black Squares Chess/DreamBuilders4Equity
Black Squares Chess main site
Justus's appearance on CBS This Morning
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 40 (S2 Finale): Tournament Strategy feat. GM John Emms
31 juli 2022 · 1 uur 28 min
🎤Follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. Check out their courses today!♟
Grandmaster John Emms is a distinguished chess professional. He is one of the UK's top players, as well as a prolific writer, educator, and chess coach. The bulk of our conversation focused on his amazing (and highly recommended) book, The Survival Guide to Competitive Chess (Amazon). Club players and adult improvers of all levels should find our discussion highly beneficial. John reviews several topics from the book and offers practical strategies for tournament play at the amateur level.
Some of our talking points include:
The CEM (check every move) method
Avoiding high risk/low reward tactics
Bluffing & The Poker Face
Converting winning positions
Draw offers & "draw by reputation"
Choosing an opening repertoire
Clock control & time management
Long think, wrong think
Internet & blitz chess
John's Twitter page: @GMJohnEmms
📚Visit John's Amazon.com Author Page for a full list of titles📚
Selected works by GM John Emms:
The Survival Guide to Rook Endings
The Ultimate Chess Puzzle Book
Starting Out: The Queen's Indian
Starting Out: The Sicilian
Easy Guide to the Nimzo-Indian
Discovering Chess Openings : Building a repertoire from basic principles
More Simple Chess: Moving on from the Basic Principles
This episode is our Season 2 Finale. Season 3 begins September 2022. The Amazon links above are affiliate links, which earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
Our links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Support the Show
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
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Ep. 39: Endgame Tips for Improvers
24 juli 2022 · 43 min
🎤Follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. Check out their courses today!♟
This episode is a discussion of common endgame ideas, themes, and mistakes at the club level.
Mentioned: Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (Amazon)
Recommended Resources:
Silman's Complete Endgame Course by Jeremy Silman (Amazon)
Pandolfini's Endgame Course by Bruce Pandolfini (Amazon)The Amazon links above are affiliate links, which earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
Our links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 38: Why Your Rating Is Not Increasing
17 juli 2022 · 47 min
🎤Follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. Check out their courses today!♟
This episode explores possible reasons why your rating is not increasing. It may have little to do with study time or knowledge of chess theory.
Our links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 37: The London System for Club Players
10 juli 2022 · 50 min
🎤Follow us on Twitter (X): @TheChessAngle Lees meer
The London System has become one of the most popular openings for White. While it's a staple at amateur events, many top players use it as well, including GMs Magnus Carlsen, Gata Kamsky, Simon Williams, and Anish Giri. The London System is easy to learn, yet very sound and solid. It can lead to slow positional play or dynamic attacking play. The London can be used as a complete opening repertoire for White or as an occasional surprise against an unsuspecting opponent. Regardless, Black can easily get crushed if he's not careful or plays on autopilot. Some of this episode's talking points include the following:
"System" openings defined
What exactly is the London System?
Why the London is so effective at the amateur level
Addressing criticism of the London System
Basic themes and concepts
Comments on the recommended resources below
Recommended Resources:
The London System in 12 Practical Lessons by Oscar De Prado (Amazon)
The London System for the Busy Chess Player by GM Simon Williams (chess.com)
Tips & Tricks of the London System by GM Aman Hambleton (chess.com)
The Agile London System by GM Alfonso Romero & FM Oscar De Prado (chessable)
The Jobava London System by GM Simon Williams (chessable)
While I currently recommend the recent De Prado book above as your starting point (as far as physical books), you should be aware of the seminal text Win With the London System by Johnsen & Kovacevic (Amazon), which contains both illustrative games and an in-depth analytical section.
The resources above include affiliate links, which earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
Our links:
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Facebook
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Ep. 36: The French Defense for Club Players
3 juli 2022 · 1 uur 8 min
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. Check out their courses today!♟
The French Defense (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5) is one of the most respected openings for Black, and is particularly effective at the amateur level. This is recommended as a complete repertoire against 1. e4. Some of this episode's talking points include:
Why amateurs should avoid the Sicilian defense (1...c5) and open games (1. e4 e5)
Why the French Defense is so effective at the club level
Three variations that will cover 95% of your games versus 1. e4
Some additional thoughts about confidence and patience
Recommended Resources:
Starting Out: The French by Byron Jacobs (Amazon)
Why Simon Loves the French Defense by GM Simon Williams (chess.com)
Master the French Defense by NM Bryan Tillis & GM Alex Lenderman (Chessable)
The resources above include affiliate links, which earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
Our links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 35: Chess Improvement While Parenting feat. Jay Kleinman (USCF 1915)
26 juni 2022 · 51 min
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. Check out their courses today!♟
This week I spoke with my friend Jay Kleinman, a fellow chess amateur and social worker in NY. Jay recounted some fascinating experiences from the amateur tournament scene, and an overriding theme in our conversation was how becoming a parent changes the narrative of adult improvement. Some of our talking point include:
The unfortunate decline of OTB post-mortem analysis
The dangers of mimicking super-GMs
How Jay almost gave a lesson to the late William Lombardy (Fischer's coach)
Jay's encounters with some now-famous GMs ("I knew them when...")
Chess improvement beyond parenting
Opening choices
Our links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 34: Confidence at the Chessboard (Game Analysis #3)
19 juni 2022 · 23 min
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Check out their courses today!♟
Happy Father's Day to all the chess dads out there! In this episode, I will discuss the chess thought process through the lens of two of my recent OTB games. Some of the talking points include:
Confidence against higher-rated opponents
Trusting your analysis
Playing experience vs. studying
A suggested tip for the opening phase
Our links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 33: Annoying & Distracting Chess Behaviors
12 juni 2022 · 39 min
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle Lees meer
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Neal is currently enjoying the course entitled The Agile London System, based on the book of the same name.♟
We've all been there: the opponent who won't sit still or who keeps adjusting every piece. Distracting behavior at the chess board can be so infuriating that it adversely affects your results. In this episode, we discuss many of these behaviors and offer some solutions (hint: SAY SOMETHING to your opponent or call the TD over). Some of the behaviors mentioned include:
repeated draw offers
incessant fidgeting
"acknowledgers" and "sighers"
tapping
hand hovering
Our links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 32: Winning With Off-Book Ideas feat. Jarrod Tavares (USCF 2000)
5 juni 2022 · 51 min
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle Lees meer
For this interview episode, I spoke with USCF Expert Jarrod Tavares. Jarrod is an amateur/club player who has achieved tournament success with an unconventional, anti-book style. Amateur players and adult improvers of all levels should find this conversation enlightening and provocative. Some of our talking points include:
Should the London System be banned from chess?😉
Endgame theory and the amateur player
Making unconventional moves to get into your opponent's head
The importance of confidence
The psychology of draw offers
Our links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 31: The Benefits of Speed Chess feat. NM Tyrell Harriott
29 mei 2022 · 44 min
🎤NEW Twitter page for the podcast: @TheChessAngle 🎤Be sure to follow us! Lees meer
While some favor slower time controls, blitz & rapid games are more popular than ever, mainly due to the explosion of online chess. Can speed chess actually help you in slow games and improve your chess overall? National Master Tyrell Harriott believes it can. Tyrell is very active in the New York chess scene and runs the Kings of Queens Chess Club. He also streams on his YouTube channel. Tyrell shared some great insight on the benefits of speed chess, as well as his approach to playing and his thought process. Some of our talking points include:
Chess in the parks of New York City
The importance of time delay/increments
Mindset & attitude
Using a consistent opening repertoire
How quick time controls can help you improve
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 30: Dubious Study Plans, The Comparison Game, & More
22 mei 2022 · 48 min
Are you constantly comparing your chess progress to that of others? Are four, five, or six-hour-a-day study plans effective for amateur players? I offer opinions on these topics and more. The segments in this episode include: Lees meer
The "tournament hall" vs. the "study hall"
Handling decision fatigue from all the available study material
The essential areas of focus for beginners
OTB vs. online strategy
The comparison game
Talent vs. hard work
Is studying several hours a day actually necessary at the amateur/club level?
Mentioned: The Amateur's Mind (Amazon)
The link above is an affiliate link, which earns us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you
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Ep. 29: "The Seven Deadly Chess Sins" (advanced chess psychology)
15 mei 2022 · 39 min
This episode is a book review/discussion of the acclaimed text The Seven Deadly Chess Sins (Amazon) by Jonathan Rowson. This is a follow up to Episode 16 which discussed Chess for Tigers (Amazon) by Simon Webb. I believe these two outstanding books are probably the only resources you need for chess psychology at the amateur and club level. Chess for Tigers is an excellent primer, while The Seven Deadly Chess Sins is more advanced. The seven chess sins include the following: Lees meer
Thinking (erroneously)
Blinking
Wanting
Materialism
Egoism
Perfectionism
Looseness
All links above are affiliate links, which earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
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Ep. 28: Avoiding Mistakes feat. GM Romain Edouard
8 mei 2022 · 1 uur
Grandmaster Romain Edouard joins the podcast this week to explain how players of all levels can minimize mistakes in their games. Be sure to check out Romain's chess.com lesson on this subject (affiliate link), as well as his chessable course on facing the English opening (1.c4). I caught up with Romain during his current visit to the US for his stint as GM in Residence for the St. Louis Chess Club. Lees meer
Romain's books discussed in this episode:
The Chess Manual of Avoidable Mistakes
Chess Calculation Training (bundle)
My Magic Years with Topalov
As mentioned, Romain is offering Chess Angle listeners a discount on all books from his website, thinkerspublishing.com. Use the code ROMAIN15 to receive 15% off all books from the site. This discount does not apply to sale items or bundles.
Affiliate links earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 27: Facing Unusual Openings (Game Analysis #2)
1 mei 2022 · 26 min
This is the second episode in our Game Analysis Series where I thematically discuss one or more of my OTB games. Some of the concepts from this episode include: Lees meer
Positional ideas vs. tactics
Adults vs. kids
Unconventional openings
Thoughtless one-move attacks
As mentioned in this episode, please follow us on Twitter and comment on our pinned post about your rating goal for 12/31/22.
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Ep. 26: Learning & Improving feat. FM Roger LaFlair
24 april 2022 · 43 min
For this interview episode, I spoke with Fide Master Roger LaFlair. Roger teaches high school chemistry and chess at a private school here on Long Island in NY. He also has an active roster of private chess students. Roger can be reached at rlaflair@gmail.com. We touched on a variety of topics regarding tournament play and chess improvement. Some of our talking points include: Lees meer
The dangers of "me chess"
Awareness of your opponent's ideas
Avoiding impulsivity & impatience
The London System for club/amateur players
Chess education
Our links:
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 25: Chess Club Stories
17 april 2022 · 32 min
This episode details some of my experiences as a club player and tournament director in three parts: Lees meer
Why I started the Long Island Chess Club
What it's like directing and playing in the same tournament
Some funny stories from the club
Our links:
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Ep. 24: Higher & Lower-Rated Opponents (Game Analysis #1)
10 april 2022 · 38 min
This is the first episode for our new Game Analysis Series. I will thematically break down one or more of my OTB games, covering a variety of chess concepts and ideas for the amateur and club player. Some of the themes from this episode include: Lees meer
Why you shouldn't fear higher-rated opponents
How to play against lower-rated opponents
How to handle draw offers
The French Defense advance variation
Our links:
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 23: The Chess Cheating Epidemic & More: Talking with FM Alex King
3 april 2022 · 51 min
**Note: Alex King earned the FM title after this was recorded. The episode title has been updated but the original show notes are below. Lees meer
This week I spoke with National Master Alex King who resides in Memphis, Tennessee. Alex is an active tournament player, teacher, and writer. His 6-part article series for Chess Life magazine on the Tarrasch Defense begins with the March 2022 issue. Alex is also an accomplished musician, and he composed and performed all the music in this episode. Some of our talking points include:
Chess improvement tips for amateurs
The prevalence of chess cheating
The relationship between music and chess
Alex's links & info:
Marshall Spectator article
chess.com: AlexanderKing
lichess: OjaiJoao
E-mail: snarkusmusic@gmail.comOur links:
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Ep. 22: Playing vs. Studying feat. Candidate Master Brian Karen
27 maart 2022 · 49 min
I spoke with Candidate Master and renowned chess educator Brian Karen. He is one of the most active teachers in the country. Some of our talking points include: Lees meer
Tournament players vs. hobbyists
A rating system based on norms, rather than individual games
Studying chess
Does preparing for a specific opponent actually make a difference at the club level?
Links referenced in this episode:
Chess Book Collectors FB Group
Fide World Chess Championship FB Group
The Seven Deadly Chess Sins (affiliate link)
Chess for Tigers (affiliate link)
Brian's email: briankaren@usa.netOur links:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 21 (S2 Premiere) : Amateur Chess Myths
13 maart 2022 · 33 min
Arguably, certain "theoretical advantages" often have less significance at the amateur level. For example, material imbalances such as "having the two bishops" or "being up the Exchange" are often overrated when non-titled players face off.
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com Lees meer -
Ep. 20 (S1 Finale): Talking with National Master Tim Mirabile
20 februari 2022 · 59 min
For the podcast's first interview format, I spoke with National Master Tim Mirabile. This is our uncut, unedited conversation. Below, Tim shared a list of some favorite books and a link to an article about the growth mindset: Lees meer
Bobby Fischer – My 60 Memorable Games
Robert Burger – The Chess of Bobby Fischer
Alexander Kotov – Think Like a Grandmaster, Play Like a Grandmaster
Andrew Soltis – The Art of Defense in Chess
Vladimir Vukovic – The Art of Attack in Chess
John Nunn & Peter Griffiths – Secrets of Grandmaster Play
Alex Dunne – How to Become a Candidate Master
Mauricio Flores Ríos – Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide
Reuben Fine – Basic Chess Endings
Jonathan Speelman – Analyzing the Endgame
Eduard Gufeld – Exploiting Small Advantages
Mark Dvoretsky & Artur Yusupov – Original 5 book series (Training for the Tournament Player, Opening Preparation, Technique for the Tournament Player, Positional Play, Attack and Defense)
Chess Informant, Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, Encyclopedia of Chess Middlegames: Combinations, Encyclopedia of Chess Endings (somewhat obsoleted by database, training software, tablebases)
Growth Mindset article
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Ep. 19: Do Chess Puzzles Really Help?
6 februari 2022 · 29 min
For many players, chess study is a grey area. It's not just WHAT to study but HOW. We believe Practical Chess Exercises is one of the best puzzle books for amateur players. For online instructional content, we recommend chess.com. These are affiliate links which support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
Our links:
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com Lees meer -
Ep. 18: Thematic Amateur Chess Mistakes
23 januari 2022 · 25 min
Certain chess mistakes appear in amateur games with unwavering consistency. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com (affiliate link).
Our links:
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 17: Sneaky Chess Tricks, Swindles, & Head Games
9 januari 2022 · 25 min
Some chess players use gamesmanship to beat their opponent.
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Ep. 16: "Chess for Tigers" by Simon Webb (the best chess psychology primer)
26 december 2021 · 23 min
In this episode, I discuss the modern classic "Chess for Tigers" by Simon Webb, which I believe is the best primer on chess psychology for amateur players. It is linked below along with the chess clock I mentioned. These are affiliate links which help support this podcast at no additional cost to you. Lees meer
Chess for Tigers
LEAP Chess Clock
Our links:
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Ep. 15: When It's Your Turn to Move
12 december 2021 · 30 min
A discussion of the thought process before making a move. This episode is for amateur players of all levels. Lees meer
For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com (affiliate link).
Our links:
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 14: Boosting Your Chess Rating in the Modern Era
28 november 2021 · 24 min
Is the amateur chess scene more competitive than ever before? We take a look at that, and poker somehow makes its way into the discussion. Below are links to the books mentioned in this episode. These are Amazon affiliate links which help support this podcast at no additional cost to you. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com (affiliate link). Lees meer
The Biggest Bluff
Outliers
The Amateur's Mind
Our links:
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Ep. 13: Your Opponent's Rating & "Pushy" Chess Parent Anecdotes
15 november 2021 · 22 min
In this two-part episode, I discuss the psychology of your opponent's rating, and then share some incidents I witnessed involving chess parents. Lees meer
For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com (affiliate link).
Our links:
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com -
Ep. 12: Chess Improvement Hacks for Busy People
31 oktober 2021 · 14 min
Note: There is an updated version of this episode: Ep. 109: Chess Improvement Shortcuts for the Busy Adult Improver. Lees meer
I share some time-saving tips & tricks for busy individuals with limited study time. Check out ChessBase for their fantastic online chess suite as mentioned in this episode.
🎯 Support the Show:
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Buy Me a Coffee
📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
🔗 Our links:
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Buy Me a Coffee
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Ep. 11: What Chess Players Do When Losing a Game
18 oktober 2021 · 16 min
I discuss how players react when losing a game or facing a worse position. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com. Lees meer
If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
Our links:
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
The Chess.com links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
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Ep. 10: When "Internet Players" Join In-Person Tournaments
26 september 2021 · 14 min
A discussion of what happens when "internet players" join live events. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com . Lees meer
If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
Our links:
Website
Twitter
YouTube
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E-mail: info@thechessangle.com
The Chess.com links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
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Ep. 9: Podcast Update Announcement 9-12-21
12 september 2021 · 3 min
A brief update of the podcast. Thank you for listening!