The Chess Angle

This week's guest is Australian Grandmaster Max Illingworth. Max is a coach, author, and blogger who has lots of experience working with adult chess improvers and a sincere interest in helping them get better. His chess.com blog is instruction rich and formed the basis of our conversation. Max shared his thoughts on why many adult players have trouble improving, including the erroneous thought processes and approaches that hinder progress. As a reminder, you can become a Patreon member of The Chess Angle. For just $2 a month, you can support the show while receiving a few perks including access to a members-only blog, Neal's personal episode notes/outlines, priority consideration for questions/topic suggestions, and early access to select episodes. If you're interested in a single donation, we also have a Buy Me a Coffee page, where you can buy us a "virtual" coffee as a one-off contribution. We appreciate your support of the pod! Links for GM Max Illingworth: Chess.com Blog Twitter/X YouTube Dismantling the Sicilian (Amazon) Coaching inquiries: Email illingworthchess@gmail.com or DM at https://m.me/max.illingworth.16 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube Patreon Buy Me a Coffee

Welcome to Season 7! As a reminder, you can become a Patreon member of The Chess Angle. For just $2 a month, you can support the show while receiving a few perks including access to a members-only blog, Neal's personal episode notes/outlines, priority consideration for questions/topic suggestions, and early access to select episodes. If you're interested in a single donation, we also have a Buy Me a Coffee page, where you can buy us a "virtual" coffee as a one-off contribution. We appreciate your support of the pod! This week, we discuss how to "Marie Kondo" your chess study plan if you're rated about 800-1200 and you're looking to break the 1400 barrier. You don't need to buy 100 chess books, 25 courses, and join seven different online training programs. A streamlined collection of chess study materials covering each phase and theme of the game combined with lots of OTB experience is probably all you need for quite some time. In this episode, we cover: Why playing is just as crucial as studying How much study material do you need? How often should you study? Using chess study materials appropriately What NOT to study Putting it all together Referenced: Ep. 99: How to Approach Chess Study as a Beginner or Advanced Beginner The Amateur's Mind Chess for Tigers Starting Out: The Caro-Kann Winning Chess Strategies Pandolfini's Endgame Course Silman's Complete Endgame Course How to Study Chess on Your Own Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual Introduction to Tactics Endings, Openings, A Taste of the Middle 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube Patreon Buy Me a Coffee ♟Some of the 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 season finale dives into the top ten blunders that cause amateur players to lose chess games. Discover the pitfalls of rushing decisions, neglecting piece development, and mismanaging time. Learn why overcomplicating positions can lead to disaster and why some players stumble against lower-rated opponents. The conversation balances serious analysis with a touch of humor, ensuring every player can reflect on their game and improve in upcoming matches.

This week's guest, Tim Just, is a major figure in tournament directing and chess administration. He is a National TD, editor of the 5th-7th editions of the US Chess Rulebook, author, and columnist. When it comes to directing amateur chess tournaments, he's done it all and seen it all. In this episode, Tim shares a number of wild and entertaining anecdotes from the amateur chess scene. You can't make this stuff up! Links for Tim Just: My Opponent is Eating a Doughnut Just Law Rules | US Chess.org ("Just the Rules" column) A Guide to Scholastic Chess 🎯 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 (X) YouTube ♟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.♟

Nick Visel is a dedicated club player with a long term goal of achieving the title of National Master. He is well known in the adult improver community and is very popular on Twitter/X. You may be interested in subscribing to Nick's Substack where he shares book reviews, analysis of his OTB tournament games, and more. This week, Nick joined Neal for a candid conversation about chess improvement, the ups and downs of playing at the club level, and how the amateur chess scene has changed over the years. We cover: Is online blitz helpful or hurtful? Openings The psychology of facing lower and higher-rated players Ratings & improvement Study plans Tactics vs. positional play And more... Links for Nick Visel: Twitter/X Substack New York 1924 Review 🎯 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 (X) YouTube

In this jam-packed episode, return guest Grandmaster Daniel Gormally discusses the upcoming 2024 Candidates Chess Tournament: the players, controversies, history, and more. The winner of this event will challenge Ding Liren for the title of World Chess Champion. The Candidates begins on 4/3/24 in Toronto, Canada. Links for the Candidates Tournament: Chess.com Article FIDE Article Links for GM Daniel Gormally: Ep. 96: GM Daniel Gormally on Adult Chess Improvement, the Cheating Epidemic, & More Mating the Castled King (Amazon) Pandemic Shark: A Journey Through the World of Chess Improvement (Amazon) Play Chess Like the Pros (Amazon) Sharp Middlegames (Chessable) Facebook Twitter (X) 🎯 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 (X) YouTube

Welcome to our 100th episode! Be sure to check out our new and improved website. Same address, updated look. This week, we explore five universal responses for Black. These can be played against any first move by White. In this episode: Listener Mailbag 1…g6 (Modern Defense) Hippopotamus Defense 1…e6 1…b6 1…Nc6 Referenced: 10 Black "Opening Systems" (ThePawnSlayer chess.com blog) The Amateur's Mind Winning Chess Strategies Simple Chess 🎯 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 (X) YouTube

Navigating chess improvement can feel overwhelming for beginners and advanced beginners. The discussion emphasizes key strategies and resources to boost your game, from mastering essential king and pawn endgames to understanding practical play. Recommended readings include classics like 'Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess' and essential online lessons that help build foundational skills. Personal experiences highlight the importance of regular play and targeted study, ensuring you develop a chess repertoire that suits your unique style.

The host delves into the connection between music and chess, exploring how similar memory techniques play a role in both arts. He addresses the emotional toll of tournament losses, offering strategies for recovering and moving forward. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining a flexible mindset and adapting strategies when facing different opponents. Listeners also learn about common pitfalls in chess thinking, emphasizing the value of focusing on actual moves instead of rigid principles. It's all about enhancing your chess psychology!

This week's guest is National Master Daniel Lowinger, a high school Chinese teacher who cut his teeth playing chess on the New York scene. Dan offers some thoughtful and philosophical ideas about amateur chess improvement, titles, being honest with oneself, and much more. Chapters: (00:00) - Intro (03:48) - Dan's Beginnings (06:24) - Thoughts on Chess Titles (23:44) - Honesty with Oneself (29:43) - Adult Improvement (44:18) - 3...Qd8 Scandinavian Defense (55:29) - Opening Originals: Strong Sidelines for Club Cats (58:37) - Outro Links for NM Daniel Lowinger: The 3...Qd8 Scandinavian: Simple and Strong Opening Originals: Strong Sidelines for Club Cats Facebook 🎯 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 (X) YouTube