Today my guest is GM Felix Blohberger, the chess champion of Austria. We discussed the dark side of professional chess: making a living with a 2500 rating, the two key areas you must analyze after tournaments, and a psychological trick that instantly boosts confidence. Felix reveals if you need a sports psychologist and how his workout routine enhances chess performance. Plus: blitz at the end!

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My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips

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Felix's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@febloh

Links to what's discussed in the podcast:

Maneuvering: The Art of Piece Play: https://amzn.to/4iLDHtc

Technique in Chess: https://amzn.to/3YZHWu2

Dvoretsky series: Training Manual Volume

Yusupov series: Tiger's Jump

My podcast with Kramnik that got me blocked by him: https://youtu.be/YKzes4eteb4?si=5nUg3RNqeHXnqANK

My podcast with Naroditsky: https://youtu.be/OKeb-WRMYpM?si=B3cfMHORtC6gEoMc

Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus

00:00 — Intro

00:54 — Chess pros struggle financially in Europe?

03:15 — Strategy to reach 2600

04:02 — How to make money from chess

06:56 — Europe will NEVER support chess players?

09:05 — Will Europe become the chess center?

10:55 — Recovering from painful losses

12:49 — TWO AREAS to analyze after tournaments

14:01 — Balancing CHESS with OTHER ACTIVITIES

15:34 — Is 2 hours daily enough to reach 2600?

16:16 — How do you spend your free time?

17:09 — What does a second do in the engine era?

21:26 — Felix has NO repertoire for White?!

23:08 — How many openings should a GM know?

25:42 — How to play as Black effectively

26:40 — Training routine

29:39 — Why calculation exercises are CRUCIAL

30:49 — How workout routine BOOSTS chess psychology

31:49 — UNEXPECTED question from subscriber

32:44 — Do you need a sports psychologist?

34:40 — THIS is what a sports psychologist says

36:50 — HACK to become more confident in chess

38:08 — Psychological barriers to winning

38:58 — How FAST can you reach 2600?

40:28 — Content creation and coaching: help or hindrance?

41:42 — Blitz against Felix

The DARK SIDE of chess | Felix Blohberger PODCAST

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My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 31 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

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263: The Workouts Come Second: Teaching Comes First