The Chess Angle

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

For this interview episode, Neal spoke with National Master Anthony Levin, a NY based chess player and the News Manager for chess.com. Anthony shared his insights on adult improvement and his own personal journey. Talking points include the following: Puzzle Rush vs. speed chess The mythical "phase out" of classical chess Anthony's role as News Manager for chess.com Chess improvement tips Endgame realities for amateur players Referenced: Shereshevsky's Endgame Strategy Smyslov's Endgame Virtuoso Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Perfect Your Chess Silman's Complete Endgame Course Pandolfini's Endgame Course  Article: NM Juan Sena Article: Is Classical Chess Being Phased Out? Links for NM Anthony Levin: Chess.com Twitter If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. Some of 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 YouTube Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

Live, over-the-board (OTB) tournament play is the ultimate in chess competition. It's fun, exciting, and aesthetically pleasing. However, rated chess events are not always unicorns and rainbows. There's a harsh reality to tournament play that is often omitted from the discourse on chess. Neal discusses some hard truths about tournaments, shares some of his own personal journey as a player and TD, and provides some tips and tricks along the way. Some of this episode's talking points include the following: Chess equipment Local clubs vs. major events Ratings & pairing systems Tips & tricks while playing Should you play speed chess between rounds? Things that will annoy the tournament director Rules you may not be familiar with but should know Openings and using a "forever" repertoire Scorekeeping Dealing with disruptive behavior Referenced: Tournament Announcement Terminology (Scroll down to "TOURNAMENT LIFE ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS") 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

This episode offers some direct and pragmatic ideas for club players when facing a higher-rated opponent. Talking points include the following: Why chess generally hates the underdog Why there's often more pressure on the higher-rated player Upsets happen quite often at the amateur level  Is creating complications the ONLY way to beat these players? (hint: no) An effective mindset approach that you probably haven't tried before Strategic draw offers to place pressure on your opponent Referenced:Chess for Tigers (Amazon) by Simon Webb 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 Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! 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 a thematic analysis of an amateur game featuring the Steiner Variation of the French Defense (1.e4 e6 2. c4!?). Some other common French sidelines are discussed as well. Additional talking points include the following: Queenside castling The Hedgehog formation Does it make sense to to "prep for an opponent" at the club level? Blind spots when analyzing Game Referenced: 1. e4 e6 2. c4!? b6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 Bxc3 5. dxc3 h6 6. Qd4 Qf6 7. e5 Qe7 8. Bf4 Bb7 9. Be2 Nc6 10. Qd3 O-O-O! 11. O-O-O g5 12. Bg3 Qf8 13. h4 g4 14. Nd4 h5 15. Rhg1 Qh6+ 16. Kb1 Nge7 17. f3 Nxd4 18. cxd4 Nf5 19. Be1 gxf3 20. Bxf3 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Rhg8 22. Bd2 Qf8 23. Rxg8 Qxg8 24. Bg5 Re8 25. d5 Qg6 26. Ka1 Ng7 27. Qc3 Qf5? 28. Bf6! Qg6 29. Qd4 Nf5 30. dxe6?? Nxd4 31. exd7+ Kxd7 32. Rxd4+ Kc6 33. a3 Qg1+ 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 Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! 

This episode covers so-called "club-level" time controls, such as G/90 and G/60. These usually include a time delay ranging from 5 - 30 seconds per move. Neal also shares his thoughts on speed chess as it relates to amateur players and improvement. In addition, some helpful resources that may be underutilized by many are discussed. Additional talking points include the following: The (imaginary) decline of slow time controls DAUT: Don't Analyze Unnecessary Tactics* Your puzzle rating or online rapid rating is not your real rating... Our inaugural Listener Mailbag segment Mentioned: Secrets of Practical Chess (Amazon) by John Nunn* Recommended Chess.com Lessons: Errata: The tactics lessons below (the last 3) are listed here in the correct order of difficulty. In the episode, I switched the order of the last two.  Now What?  Roots of Positional Understanding  Why Simon Loves the French Defense  The London System for the Busy Chess Player  Build Your Technique Chess Potpourri Pawn Endings: Beginner to Expert Rook and Other Endgames Introduction to Tactics Step Up In Tactics Intermediate Tactics 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 Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! 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.