The Chess Angle

Our episode features an engaging analysis of a chess game from the Long Island Chess Club. We dissect every plan, delving into the nuances of a Queen's pawn opening and strategies for preventing Black's e5 idea from White. We also unravel the mystery around the hyper-modern idea of striking in the center. In addition, we're sharing our insights on tackling higher-rated opponents, the significance of game review using an engine, and the importance of a positive mindset. Lastly, we touch upon chess's cognitive aspects, particularly decision fatigue and brain fog, and their impact on players. If you've ever found yourself overwhelmed by the mental energy needed to navigate a chess game, you're not alone. We share valuable advice on taking breaks, resetting your mind, and doing so without falling into time pressure. So, sit back, relax, and let us guide you on your quest to improve your chess skills. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - Mailbag: Starting a Chess Club 15:08 - Game Analysis Begins 26:07 - Mistake Frequency 27:03 - Decision Fatigue and Brain Fog 37:05 - Solutions for Decision Fatigue 40:30 - Production Notes 46:20 - Outro Referenced: Guide to a Successful Chess Club (US Chess Federation) Do You Suffer From Decision Fatigue? (NY Times article) Game Analyzed: 1. d4 d6 2. Bf4 g6 3. e3 Bg7 4. Nf3 Nd7 5. c3 e5 6. Bg3 Nh6 7. Be2 O-O 8. h3 e4 9. Nfd2 f5 10. h4 b6 11. Qb3+ Kh8 12. c4 Nf6 13. Bf4 Qe8 4. Nc3 Nhg4 15. Bg5 Bb7 16. Bxf6 Rxf6 17. Nd5 Bxd5 18. cxd5 Rf7 19. Qc2 Nf6 20.h5 g5 21. h6 Bf8 22. Bh5 Nxh5 23. Rxh5 Rf6 24. Rh2 Qf7 25. Qc6 Re8 26. O-O-O Rxh6 27. Rdh1 Rxh2 28. Rxh2 f4 29. g3 Re7 30. gxf4 gxf4 31. Qc4 Qf5 32. Kb1 Bg7 33. Qc6 h5 34. Qc1 Bf6 35. Qc6?? Bxd4! 36. Qa8+ Kh7 37. Qd8 Bf6 38. Qf8 Qg6 39. Rh1 Rg7 (no remaining score due to time pressure) 0-1 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. Our links: Website Twitter YouTube

Meet high school student and Candidate Master Jessica Hyatt, the highest-rated female African-American chess player, and National Master Tyrell Harriott, her coach and mentor. Be intrigued as the duo sheds light on Jessica's inspiring journey from her initial rating of USCF 350 in fifth grade to her current rating of USCF 2100, and her quest to achieve the title of National Master (USCF 2200). Advancing in chess is a long trek, but it's filled with numerous exciting turns, as Jessica recounts her experiences at recent tournaments and the time she won the prestigious Daniel Feinberg Success in Chess Award. We'll also learn about her recent victories against GMs Michael Rohde and Abhimanyu Mishra. Are you eager to gain insights into strategies for today's faster time controls? Well, Jessica has you covered. She shares her game plan, emphasizing the importance of mental toughness and strategic thinking. You'll be amazed by Tyrell's unique teaching style, which involves playing even the most disadvantageous positions and embracing the art of resilience. Listen to how he motivates his students using his own tournament experiences, pushing them to become stronger while enjoying the journey. It's all about focus, discipline, and determination. Join us for this engaging conversation with one of the rising stars in the chess world and learn what it truly takes to achieve your chess goals! Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:33 - Marshall Chess Club 06:31 - College Aspirations 08:27 - Discovering Jessica's Talent 10:27 - Beating Two GMs - Tyrell 12:54 - Beating Two GMs - Jessica 15:48 - Tyrell on Coaching & Improvement 19:12 - Jessica on Coaching & Improvement 25:05 - Jessica's Chess Beginnings 31:24 - Outro Links for Jessica Hyatt: Appearance on CBS News Jessica and Tyrell on Twitch Jessica's Win vs. GM Abhimanyu Mishra If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. Our links: Website Twitter YouTube

Tune in as we delve into the mind of a seasoned tournament player, Dan Levin. A regular at the Long Island Chess Club, Dan brings a unique perspective to this episode as he shares his experiences from the recent Eastern Class Championships in Connecticut, and the National Open in Vegas. Listen in as we uncover the reasons behind a peculiar resignation and a puzzling rating discrepancy in his games. Get ready for an in-depth exploration into the complexities of strategic moves as Dan shares his insights on how he navigated through different stages of the tournaments. Learn about the critical task of weighing the pros and cons of each move, understanding the opponent's style, and how to swiftly recover from a lost advantage. In this jam-packed episode, Dan walks us through some of his game highlights, revealing how he maneuvered his way to a clear winning advantage even after losing an initial lead. We also dissect his opponents' strategies and discuss how he countered them effectively. Join us on this epic journey through the intriguing world of OTB chess tournaments. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:12 - Game 1 - Queen's Gambit Exch. Var. 06:32 - Game 2 - QGD Tartakower Var. 10:16 - Game 3 - Trompowsky Attack 14:12 - Game 4 - Fast-Moving Opponents 21:31 - Game 5 - Blunders, Time Pressure, Playing "Up" 28:05 - Game 6 - Material Imbalances 31:35 - Game 7 - Caro-Kann 33:56 - Game 8 - Trompowsky Attack 38:22 - Game 9 - QGD 39:50 - Game 10 - Dutch Defense 44:12 - Game 11 - Playing Against Kids If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. Our links: Website Twitter YouTube

Have you ever wondered about the differences between playing chess online and over-the-board? How does it impact your strategies and even your enjoyment of the game? Welcome to the first solo episode of the fifth season of The Chess Angle. We're making our podcast experience more user-friendly by introducing chapter markers and experimenting with video versions of our interview episodes on YouTube. This week, Neal dives into the mailbag to answer your questions. In a light-hearted discussion, we compare online chess to the more traditional OTB format. We explore whether using a physical chessboard while playing online can help you practice for real-life tournaments, yet we also emphasize that nothing can truly replicate the thrill of a live game. Neal shares a personal strategy he uses when he's overlooked a crucial move in an OTB game. We even discuss the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) variation! Chapters: 00:00 - Intro. 00:35 - Opening Remarks/Video versions 05:34 - Listener Mailbag Intro. 07:01 - Online Chess with Physical Board 12:56 - OTB Time Controls 18:29 - Move-by-Move Books 24:40 - World Champ. Format Suggestions 28:18 - English Opening 32:50 - ICBM Variation 35:36 - Outro. Referenced: Logical Chess Move by Move (Amazon) Understanding Chess Move by Move (Amazon) The Amateur's Mind (Amazon) Everyman Chess: "Starting Out" series (publisher site) ICBM Variation (YouTube): 1. e4 d5 2. Nf3 dxe4 3. Ng5 Nf6 4. d3 exd3 5. Bxd3 h6?? 6. Nxf7! Kxf7 7. Bg6+ Kxg6 8. Qxd8 (the Queen is like a "missile" going across the board) 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. If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. Our links: Website Twitter YouTube

Get ready to sharpen your chess skills with National Master Jerald Times, a revered chess educator and CEO of Chess Across Borders. We'll traverse across the chessboard of Jerald's experiences, from his nostalgic moments playing chess on a Navy ship to his enlightening journey of teaching and transitioning to a more dynamic playing style. Ever wondered about the psychological transformation of chess players? Our conversation reveals the intriguing shift from reactionary to responsive play, emphasizing the importance of harnessing the power of desire and will to succeed. We'll also analyze the recent world championship match between Ding and Nepo, discussing the match format and its potential bias towards particular player styles. In addition, we'll touch upon the evolution of chess, from its romantic period to the modern era where it's viewed as a data game. Our chat provides a rare insight into the chess culture at Washington Square Park and the importance of tactical skills for adult improvers. Listen in for Jerald's sage advice that when it comes to improving tournament play, the battleground is indeed the learning ground. Tune in for an episode packed with chess strategies, experiences, and transformations. Chapters: 00:00 Intro. 03:52 Opening Preparation 07:11 Chess Eras & Evolutions 14:00 Learning Zone vs. Performance Zone 19:18 Ding/Nepo Recap & Championship Format 26:55 The Journey to Master & Chess as a Data Game 29:31 Washington Square Park stories 35:32 Ratings, Thinking Patterns, & Tactics 42:00 Lawsuit update 46:02 Chess Across Borders 51:54 Outro Referenced: Chess for Tigers (Amazon) Better Thinking, Better Chess (Amazon) Links for NM Jerald Times: Twitter Chess Across Borders 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. If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. Our links: Website Twitter YouTube

Are you ever too old to get better at chess? Join me as I sit down with National Master, top podcaster, successful entrepreneur, and best-selling author James Altucher, who is on a thrilling journey to regain a rating of 2200. Despite being in his 50s, James is determined to prove that age is just a number when it comes to mental capacity and improvement. From discussing strategies of the game to understanding the importance of physical and mental health, our conversation is full of insights that will leave you eager to push your own boundaries, no matter your age. James shares both the joys and challenges he's encountered as an adult player, including meeting and learning from top players like Magnus Carlson and Gary Kasparov. He also opens up about the memory techniques he learned from the World Memory Champion, and how these methods have significantly improved his game. The crux of our conversation centers around a question that has intrigued many chess players: Do adults "age out" of improvement? James takes us on a deep exploration of how raw calculation ability and memory start to decline in our 30s and 40s, but how wisdom improves with age, allowing us to recognize patterns and connect the dots between them. Tune in to our enlightening discussion to discover James' practical tips/strategies, and how he applies life lessons to the game he loves. Whether you're a chess enthusiast or just someone looking to challenge your own limitations, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. Chapters: 00:00 Intro. 00:36 Announcements 05:58 Thoughts On Playing Kids 08:06 James' Study Regimen 15:54 Taking Byes at Weekend Events 22:06 Chess Coaching 25:06 Chess Improvement and Memory 34:57 James' Professional Experience 40:18 Handling Losses and Tilt 43:25 The Third Door for Improvement 49:28 Outro Referenced: Skip the Line (Amazon) The Third Door (Amazon) Links for James Altucher: Website Twitter 📚Amazon Author Page📚 🎯 Become a Member: Patreon 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🔗 Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Patreon ♟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.

This week's episode is our Season 4 Finale. SEASON 5 COMING SOON! This is an updated version of the very first episode of this podcast, "Chess Openings and the Club Player." We cover: The main goal of the opening System and thematic openings Is there an advantage to having the white pieces? Should you play complicated, theoretical openings? The importance of a consistent opening repertoire Neal's personal opening choices Referenced (Amazon links): The London System in 12 Practical Lessons Win With the London System Play the London System Starting Out: The French Starting Out: The Nimzo-Indian Starting Out: The Queen's Indian Master the Hedgehog Structure (article) 🎯 Support the Show: Patreon 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: Website Twitter YouTube Patreon Buy Me a Coffee ♟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.

We cover: Touch move Trapped pieces Does playing through Master games really help? Is a knight on the rim always dim? Should you move the same piece twice? Speculative vs. combinational sacrifices "Shuffling" moves Initiative vs. development Referenced: Winning Chess Tactics (Amazon) Introduction to Tactics (chess.com) Step Up In Tactics (chess.com) Game Analyzed: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 Bf5 4. c4 c6 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. c5 Qxb3 7. axb3 Nbd7 8. Nc3 e6 9. h3 Be7 10. b4 O-O 11. Be2 b5 12. Nf3 a6 13. O-O Ra7 14. Ra2 Rfa8 15. Rfa1 h6 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. Bxe5 Nd7 18. Bg3 Bd8 19. Bd6 Nf6 20. Ra3 Ne4 21. Nxe4 Bxe4 22. Kf1 a5 23. bxa5 Rxa5 24. Rxa5 Rxa5 25. Rxa5 Bxa5 26. f3 Bc2 27. Kf2 Bd2 28. Bf1 Ba4 29. Bc7 Kf8 30. Ke2 Bb4 31. Kf2 Ke8 32. Bd3 Kd7 33. Bb6 g6 34. Ke2 Kc8 35. g4 f5 36. h4 h5 37. gxh5 gxh5 38. e4 Kd7 39. exf5 exf5 40. Bxf5+ Ke7 41. Bg6 Bb3 42. Bxh5 Bc4+ 43. Kf2 Bd2 44. Bg6 Bc1 45. Bc7 Bxb2 46. Be5 Bc1 47. f4 b4 48. h5 1-0 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com The Amazon and 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.

National Master Nick Panico returns to the podcast for our first "coffee talk" episode. These episodes will feature a guest and include the full conversation, including the pre/post interview segments that are typically off-air. Essentially, we'll press "record," let it run, and publish the whole thing. We covered a variety of topics for amateur players of all levels. If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

Neal plays a round of Puzzle Rush during the episode! For most of us, "life happens," and lengthy chess study sessions are not possible on a consistent basis. Neal recently created a simple, condensed study routine that can be used intermittently when life gets busy. This allows your chess abilities to stay sharp during those times. The basic idea is a daily study plan of about 15-30 minutes (as your schedule allows) consisting of one 5-minute Puzzle Rush, followed by one other short segment of chess study (e.g., book, online course, reviewing your games, etc.). Referenced: Chess.com: Puzzle Rush Article: Are You Addicted to Puzzle Rush? If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com