EP 162 | Underdog Story: How GM Fishbein Became the U.S. Senior Chess Champion

GM Alexander Fishbein shares how he won the 2025 U.S. Senior Championship by relying on stamina, heavy tournament practice, and deep training methods such as solitary chess and analyzing old annotated games. This Talks also highlights generational contrasts in chess culture, from preparation styles to the evolving rules on draw offers.

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo

Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop

Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip

Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips

0:15 – Introduction
2:34 – Becoming a Real Contender
6:00 – Finding an Edge Against More Talented Rivals
8:13 – Taking Time Off Work to Chase Chess Goals
10:52 – Training Stamina & Playing 100 Games a Year
18:20 – Why Rating Doesn’t Matter
21:11 – Core Training: Annotating Games & Using Engines
36:33 – Solitaire Chess & Personalized Training
51:06 – The “Post-Postmortem” Method (Old Book Analysis)
59:39 – Final Insights