Perpetual Chess Podcast

0:00- Check out some of my favorite Chessable courses here:https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/Check out what’s new from Chessable here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/01:30- Ben goes over some programming notes and does a quick rundown of recent games05:30- GM Alex Lenderman joins the pod! We begin by discussing how to recover from difficult losses, a recurring theme in this match. Mentioned: Video of Ding and Rapport walking to the hotel elevator:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvtdAgLW1xo17:00- Openings- Will the unusual opening choices continue?Mentioned: Naroditsky-Lenderman 2023 17:00- Openings- Will the unusual opening choices continue?Mentioned: Naroditsky-Lenderman 2023 23:30- What openings might we see in Game 14? 25:00- Is one player a favorite if it goes to rapid tiebreak? Is it possible nervousness might subside for the players in a rapid tiebreak?29:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Does Alex have any advice for players who misevaluate positions and thus misplay positions as a result?” Mentioned: Analyzing the Chess Mind by Dr. Joel Sneed and GM Boris Gulko 37:00- What advice would Alex have given Nepo coming into today if he were on his team?46:00- Does Alex have trouble sleeping during tournaments? Might that be a factor again for Nepo? 53:00- Chess improvement talk- Why does Alex disagree with IM Andras Toth’s recent statement that he doesn’t believe anyone suffers from a problem of calculating too much? Mentioned: ChessDojo interview with GM Avetik Grigoryan:https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=JVfoM6kkaVw&t=83s1:01:00- Alex recommends a chess book!Mentioned: The Seven Deadly Chess Sins, also on Chessable, Book Recap #14 discussing The Seven Deadly Chess Sins1:07:00- Final thoughts on the match and goodbye! You can email Alex at:Alexlenderman33 at hotmail.comHere is his Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076504712336   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recorded in Washington Square in New York City on April 8, 2023. This week’s guest on Perpetual Chess is the CEO of Chessable, Geert van der Velde. As longtime listeners know, Geert is a former rock star, devoted chess improver, dad, and avid runner. We recorded on location from the “chess tables” at Washington Square Park on April 8, 2023, in NYC, where Geert was visiting. In our interview, we discussed Geert’s “visitor’s perspective” on the iconic chess tournaments in Reykjavik and Wijk an Zee, forthcoming Chessable courses, the many user interface upgrades that are coming for Chessable, and the impact of Chessable’s recent merger with Chess.com. We also discussed Geert’s own chess game. As a bonus, we were briefly visited by National Master Han Schut, Chessable Author, who was in New York playing a tournament. As always, links and topics of timestamps discussed can be found below. Geert's Prior Appearance- Episode 1610:00-Check out some of my favorite Chessable courses here:https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/0:02- Introduction: Geert’s recent travels to NYC, filming content with Gotham Chess 0:08- Geert shares a quick trip report on the Reykjavik Open, which he attended in a non-playing capacity. 14:30- Geert discusses the transition in the wake of the acquisition of Chessable by Chess.com 22:00- How will Chessable’s focus shift with multiple courses on all of the major openings now available? Mentioned: How to Chess Podcast, IM Alex Banzea, IM Christof Sielecki 27:00- Is there still room for non-titled community members to create Chessable courses? Mentioned: The Checkmate Patterns Manual 29:00- How does Geert respond to critics who say that Chessable opening courses are too voluminous? 33:00- What is Chessable 3.0? What upgrades is Chessable planning? Mentioned: Email Chessable at hello at Chessable.com 43:00- Geert’s own chess study and play: What was it like to play in an amateur section of Wijk an Zee? 48:00- Special guest, Chessable Author, and Chess Steps Trainer, NM Han Schut joins the interview!Mentioned: Benji Portheault’s Blog, Han’s Forthcoming Course is on The Milner Barry GambitIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are back with another "bonus pod" discussing the unpredictable and riveting World Championship Match between GM Ian Nepomniatchtchi and Ding Liren. After Round 9, Nepo clings to a one game lead as they head into a rest day Saturday. To discuss this eventful match, I am joined by return guest, the popular YouTuber, Twitch Streamer and Chessable Author, IM Andras Toth. Andras is especially insightful when it comes to helping amateur chess players, so I thought he was the perfect person to discuss all of the drama of the match, as well as what we can lessons we can learn for our own games. You can find timestamps of topics discussed below.0:00- Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsors, Chessable. Check out IM Andras' Toth's excellent courses here:https://www.chessable.com/author/ChesscoachAndras/Check out some of my favorite Chessable courses here:https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/CORRECTION- I mention "5 wins in a row" having taken place in the match a few times- it was actually only 4 wins in a row. My apologies. 2:00- Big picture - What has made this match so compelling?14:30- Patreon mailbag question- what does Andras think of the approach the players have taken to opening prep20- Patreon mailbag question why haven’t we seen a Sicilian or a Kings Indian Attack? 24- We discuss the “leaked prep” via anonymous Lichess accounts that were playing several opening lines that subsequently appeared in the match- More info here30- What are the chess improvement lessons to be taken from the match so far?1:04- Closing thoughts on the matchThanks to Andras for joining again, be sure to sub to his YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/c/ChessCoachAndras/videosIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s guest on Perpetual Chess is the ever popular Commentator, Streamer, YouTuber and traveling chess professional, WGM Dina Belenkaya.  Dina is a 4 time Women's champion of St. Petersburg, which is no small feat given her native city's rich chess legacy. These days, Dina is based in France, represents Israel internationally, and competes frequently in various locations. Dina joined me shortly after returning home from the Reykjavik Open, an annual open tournament which is always popular among professionals and amateurs alike. This year several streamers competed and streamed their games, including Dina, Alexandra Botez, Eric Rosen and Simon Williams. In our interview, Dina discusses her recent tournaments, her study regimen, and how she balances streaming, content creation and her competitive chess goals. We also discuss her “chess upbringing” including her study tips and learning methods,and her childhood interactions with GM Anish Giri who was an early chess student of her mother’s. You can find timestamps for all of the topics discussed below. This episode was recorded live on April 7 on Dina’s Twitch stream (before the World Championship started) 0:00- Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsor, Chessable.com. You can check out some of my favorite Chessable courses for different rating levels here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/ 02:00- Reykjavik Open- trip report. How did Dina decide to attend and compete along with other streamers such as Alexandra Botez, Eric Rose, Anna Cramling and Simon Williams? Mentioned: Charlotte Chess Center and Scholastic Academy, Johnson-Belenkaya, Belenkaya-Gajewski 2023, Dina’s YouTube 26:00- What has changed since Dina switched from representing Russia to Israel? 30:00- Who is Dina’s secret chess trainer? What advice does he give her?Mentioned: GM Brendan Jacobsen, The GM Ran Away From Me36:00- What will Dina do to work on her chess? Does Puzzle Rush help her calculation abilities? Mentioned: Puzzle Rush42:00- What was Dina’s chess upbringing like in the chess mecca of St. Petersburg?Mentioned: IM Andrey Praslov, Asya Kovalyova (Dina’s Mother), Anish Giri, Endgame Studies 101  50:00- Does Dina remember GM Anish Giri as a kid in St. Petersburg? 1:01:00- What are Dina’s 2023 Chess and Content plans? 1:05:00- Does Dina get nervous when playing OTB games on stream? 1:07:00- Dina trash talks my chess skills (mildly) 1:11:00- If DIna had children would she encourage them to play chess? 1:12:00- Does Dina have a favorite chess “destination” tournament?Mentioned: Reykjavik Open, Sunway Sitges Open 1:14:00- Thanks to Dina for joining the show!Check out her YouTube channel here:Dina’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/thebelenkayaDina’s Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/thebelenkayaInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/dinabelenkaya/?hl=enTwitter:https://twitter.com/DinaBelenkayaIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An ongoing World Championship match means more bonus coverage from Perpetual Chess! I am joined by FM Mike Klein from on-site in Astana, Kazakhstan. Mike and I chat about the surprising turns that have taken place in a match that has already seen 2 decisive results in 4 games, as GM Ding Liren looks to have overcome a rocky start. In addition to discussing the openings, Mike shares details about what the venue is like and how it compares to the other World Championships he has attended. You can find brief notes and timestamps below. Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsor, Chessable.com. You can check out some of my favorite Chessable courses for different rating levels here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/ Ding Liren course here:https://www.chessable.com/world-class-ding-liren-/course/164045/02:00- What is the venue like, are there lots of fans there? Which chess personalities are at the match? 10:00- Ding’s mindset- has he turned the tides in the match after a slow start? 18:00- We have seen a different opening in all 4 games, will we start to see some variety? 23:00- How does Astana compare to Dubai and the other World Championships Mike has attended? 28:00- Thanks to Mike Klein for joining me! Follow him on Twitter here:https://twitter.com/ChessMike?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Duncan, a 24 year old Army logistician and Psychology Graduate Student, shares his experiences of how chess brings together the military and different cultures. They discuss an internal tournament held on a military base, playing chess in Poland, and the value of enjoying chess rather than fixating on results.

This week we are excited to catch up with the most popular chess content creator in the world, IM Levy Rozman aka Gotham Chess. With a Chessable course launching, and a book coming soon, Levy took a break from his busy schedule to reflect on another year of explosive growth in his content. His YouTube channel recently passed 3 million subs, and Levy’s TikTok account went from 0 to 1 million+ followers in about 3 months! In our interview, Levy takes us behind the scenes of the work that goes into the growth, and speculates about what type of chess fans might be driving the latest surge in popularity. It has been almost 2 years since my last interview with Levy, so there are many other topics to catch up on, including the FIDE World Championship, his retirement from OTB chess, his DMs with Magnus Carlsen and much more. It is always entertaining and enlightening to hear Levy reflect on chess and on his success! Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 0:00- You can check out some of my favorite Chessable courses for different rating levels here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/ Sign up for the Perpetual Chess Linkfest- https://benjohnson.substack.com/Prior Levy appearances: Episode 180 Episode 2330:02: How much does Levy know about his audience? 0:08- What drives him to keep trying to grow his channel? 0:16:00- Does Levy think this recent growth is propelled by high school kids? 21:00- Does Levy still do his own editing? Who else helps him? 27:00- Has Levy interacted with Magnus one-on-one? 33:00- Levy’s thoughts on the Ding-Nepo World Championship40:00- How does Levy reflect on his abandoned pursuit of the GM title? 47:00- Patreon mailbag question: What is Levy’s advice to a parent who may be trying to encourage a scholastic player to stick with tournament chess? 56:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Does Levy still have opening novelties he keeps to himself?” 58:00- What lines does Levy recommend in his new Chessable course? What rating range does it target? 1:04:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What differentiates Levy’s course from other Chessable 1. E4 courses?” 1:07:00- How did Levy’s visit to YouTube headquarters come about? 1:12:00- Has Levy’s daily life in New York changed much since our 2021 interview? 1:13:00- Life as a dog dad 1:15:00- Levy discusses his upcoming book, How to Win at Chess. 1:17:00- Levy’s 2023 plans 1:19:00- Thanks again to Levy for catching up with us! You should check out his YouTube channel! If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the 2023 FIDE World Chess Championship less than 2 weeks away, we bring you a double episode dissecting the match between GM Ian Nepomniatchtchi and GM Ding Liren. Since we feature 2 knowledgeable guests, we also discuss topics ranging from chess improvement, to the Sicilian defense, to online rating deflation. First up is popular YouTuber, commentator, author and Chessable Author, GM Daniel King. Daniel has attended multiple World Championships and was able to provide helpful context on a match that many feel ambivalent about given the historical and geopolitical circumstances. Despite many valid reservations, Daniel points out that this is an extremely compelling chess matchup between the #2 and #3 players in the world. Daniel also discusses his new Chessable course, King’s Anti-Sicilians, recalls the first Kasparov-Karpov match that he attended, and shares some reflections on what his passion for guitar and bass has taught him about chess improvement. Guest #2 (1:22:00) is NM Matt Jensen, a statistician and the co-founder of the chess education site, Chessgoals.com. Matt gives us a look at the analytics of the match. Who do his mathematical projections favor? How likely is a tiebreak? Who would be favored in a tiebreak? Matt has also done extensive research on ratings comparisons across chess sites, and with Chessgoals, designs study plans for different level players, so we also talk some chess improvement and chess books. As always, timestamps for all of the topics discussed with both guests can be found below. 0:00- You can check out some of my favorite Chessable courses for different rating levels here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/ 01:00- Basic facts on the match including venue, time control, dates from Ben06:00- GM Daniel King joins the show. We begin by providing an overview of the Ding-Nepo match. 22:00- Should Nepo be allowed to play in a World Championship, given his past ties with the Russian government? Mentioned: Nepomniatchtchi Signed Open Letter to Putin by Peter Doggers 28:00-Patreon Mailbag Question: “What does Daniel think of the possibility of selecting Openings for the World Championship in order to limit draws”?39:00- How does Daniel compare the modern era to prior eras during which the highest rated player was not the undisputed champion, such as with Kasparov in the 1990s?44:00- The Carlsen-Niemann scandal Mentioned: Professor David Franklin on the Hans Niemann Lawsuit50:00- Daniel's recommendations against the Rossolimo and AlapinMentioned: Episode 315 with World Correspondence Champion, Dr. Jon Edwards, King’s Kalashnikov Sicilian 1:05:00- Daniel shares his memories of attending the 1985 Kasparov-Karpov World Championship match, and he talks about a memorable game he played against Mikhail Tal.Mentioned: GM Jon Tisdall, IM David Goodman, King-Tal 1985, How to Win at Chess by GM Daniel King 1:13:00- What has playing music taught Daniel about Chess Improvement? 1:21:00- Thanks, as always to GM Daniel King for joining me! Check out his Chessable courses here:https://www.chessable.com/author/DanielKing/Subscribe to Power Play Chess here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMBATpFb--uLNAODOVWvCTA1:22:00- NM Matt Jensen joins the show, and we dive into what his predictive model says about the Ding-Nepo match, including tiebreak scenarios1:36:00- Has Matt seen rating deflation on Lichess and Chess.com? Mentioned: Episode 249 with Dr. Mark Glickman, Chessgoals’ Rating Comparison Data here1:43:00- What does Matt’s research reveal about how best to study chess? 1:46:00- Patreon Mailbag Question: “Has Matt’s thinking on the best study plans evolved as he has worked with more students? 1:49:00- Matt’s favorite Chess BooksMentioned: Yusupov Build Up Your Chess Series, Reassess Your Chess by IM Jeremy Silman, Silman’s Endgame Course 1:53:00- Thanks to Matt for sharing his insights! Check out his study plans at Chessgoals.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

IM Willy Hendriks is a Netherlands based chess trainer, and an author of three books: Move First Think Later ( 2012 ECF Book of the Year), On the Origin of Good Moves, and his new book, Ink War: Romanticism vs. Modernity in Chess. Ink War is an entertaining and informative look at the first World Championship Match between Wilhelm Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort. As we discuss the two players had some common biographical traits, but were bitter rivals away from the board. Willy explains why the job of a chess professional was harder in those days, and shares some common misconceptions about the contributions that each player made to the advancement of chess. Since Willy is an accomplished player, trainer and improver, we also discuss Willy’s chess improvement philosophy, his own OTB game, and a few of his favorite chess books. Timestamps of topics discussed can be found below. 0:00- Thanks to our presenting Chess Education sponsor, Chessable! You can check out their new courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/Info on GM Daniel King’s upcoming March 24 Masterclass here: https://www.chessable.com/using-the-outpost-masterclass/course/156548/Episode 182 - IM Willy Hendriks’ Prior Appearance 3:00- How is Willy’s OTB game progressing?  06:30- Does Willy have an overall chess improvement philosophy? 16:30- What gave IM Hendriks the idea to write about the Steinitz-Zukertort Match? 21:00- Patreon Mailbag Question- What led to Zukertort’s 2nd half collapse in the match against Steinitz, and what is Zukertort’s chess legacy? 28:00- Why does Willy think that the writings of Lasker, Euwe and Reti led to a misinterpretation of chess history? Mentioned: Masters of the Chessboard, Lasker’s Manual of Chess 33:00- Where does the title The Ink War come from?41:00- Did the famous game, Grimshaw-Steinitz actually occur or was it made up?Mentioned: Grimshaw-Steinitzhttps://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=171860446:00- Patreon Mailbag Question- Does Willy know what his next book project will be? 50:00- What Chess Books were influential for Willy? Tarrasch’s 300 Games, Nunn’s Secrets of Practical Chess, Pawn Power in Chess, Kotov’s Think Like a Grandmaster 53:00- Does Willy have favorite players or personal favorite games? 57:00- Patreon Mailbag Question- When Willy evaluates a position does he consciously count material? Mentioned: Move First Think Later1:04:00- As someone who has just written about the first World Championship, what does Willy think of the potential phasing out of the Classical World Championship tradition?Mentioned: Episode 319 with Dr. Howard BurtonThanks to IM Hendriks for joining us! Links for his books are here:New in Chess: https://www.newinchess.com/the-ink-warFree Sample Here- https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9134.pdfMove First Think LaterOn the Origin of Good Moves If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here:Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Perpetual Chess we catch up with GM Cristian Chirila. A former Romanian youth champion, GM Chirila is now based in Missouri and has many roles in the chess world including commentator for the Grand Chess Tour, coach of the St. Louis University Chess Team, and co-host, with GM Fabiano Caruana, of the C-Squared podcast. On C Squared, GM’s Chirila and Caruana are often joined by prominent guests to discuss top-level chess news. The podcast is highlighted by its excellent production and has quickly found a large audience. In our interview, we discuss the origins of and future plans for C Squared. We also touch on World Championships, past and present, Cristian’s OTB game and lots more. We also briefly talk about the sexual assault allegations against GM Alejandro Ramirez although, to hear Cristian and Fabiano’s full thoughts, one should listen to the latest episode of C Squared. The notes to topics discussed can be found below. Episode recorded February 28, 20230:00- Brief addendum regarding the allegations against GM Alejandro Ramirez (Recorded March 9, 2023)04:00- Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsor, Chessable.com! Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/#!/new05:00- Cristian joins! What lessons has Cristian learned from launching the C Squared Podcast? Mentioned: Episode 47 with GM Cristian Chirila  15:00- Patreon mailbag question:” Do Chirila and Caruana have a long-term vision for C Squared?” Ben Johnson | creating Perpetual Chess Podcast | Patreon18:00- Is Cristian surprised by how forthcoming Fabiano has been on the podcast? 20:00- Patreon mailbag question: Does Cristian worry that professionally collaborating with Fabiano could impact their friendship? 24:00- Cristian discusses C-Squared’s plans for the World Championship and his own thoughts on the Ding-Nepo match29:00- Cristian discusses his experience of working as one of Fabiano’s seconds during the World Championship match. 34:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Were there moments in the 2018 World Championship where Cristian thought Fabiano would take the lead in the match?” 41:00- What was your day-to-day life like as a second during the match in London? 46:00- Patreon mailbag question:” Does Cristian think we will continue to see Rapid and Blitz elevated over classical chess?” 51:00- Cristian discusses his recent OTB tournament and upcoming plans. 57:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What is Cristian’s role as head coach of the University of Missouri?” 1:03:00- We discuss the allegations against GM Alejandro Ramirez (recorded February 28) 1:08:00- Cristian discusses his upcoming tournament plans Thanks to Cristian for joining the show! You can subscribe to C-Squared here:https://www.youtube.com/@csqpodIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here:Ben Johnson | creating Perpetual Chess Podcast | Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices