Perpetual Chess Podcast

Just one day after the match's unforgettable conclusion, I am honored to be joined by lead Chess.com Commentator and popular YouTuber, GM Daniel Naroditsky. Danya takes us straight to the deciding moment of the match and then looks back to contextualize broader lessons from a battle that was closer than many expected. We tackle questions such as: Is it possible that Ding subconsciously was ok with losing this match? How uncharacteristic was Ding's blunder for a GM?  Did this match display more raw emotion than other recent World Championships? Is Magnus Carlsen's commentary impacting the chess discourse too much during a match? Following a detailed World Championship discussion, we touch on a few other topics, including the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, Danya's upcoming Chessable course, and his recent coaching reflections. It was quite a treat to hear Danya process this match in real-time just one day after its conclusion. Approximate timestamps of topics discussed are below.Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match, the new Woodpecker Method 2 course, among their many offerings. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro3:00 -Review game 14 of World Championship 13:00 -Danya’s commentary influences15:00 -Behind the scenes of Danya’s commentary18:00 -Overview of World Championship match22:00 -Ding’s struggles 29:00 -Looking ahead to the next World Championship31:30 -Emotions during the match34:00 -Thoughts on Gukesh36:30 -Takes on Magnus’ Take Take Take Recaps45:00 -Potential changes to WC format51:00 -Openings in the WC57:00 -What the audience can learn from the match1:01:30 -Final thoughts on WC/Danya’s embarrassing moment in commentary career1:10:00 -Listener questions, Danya’s future chessable course 1:14:00 -Danya's 2025 tournament plans1:17:00 -Kramnik accusations/thoughts on upcoming World Rapid and Blitz1:22:00 -Favorite memories being a part of Charlotte Chess Center1:26:00 -What happened to Danya's NY Times chess column?Thanks to Danya for joining me! Be sure to sub to his YouTube and Twitch channels: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP9CdeguNUI-_nBv_UXBhw https://www.twitch.tv/gmnaroditskyIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GM Jon Ludvig Hammer is 3-time Norwegian Champion, popular commentator and highly-reviewed Chessable author. Most recently, GM Hammer has been broadcasting the World Championship for the YouTube channel of Magnus Carlsen’s TakeTakeTake app. In our conversation, Jon Ludvig discussed the origins of the Taketaketake company, and of his relationship with it. He also discussed the challenges of announcing without an engine, and shared his opinions on the best ways to present chess. Jon Ludvig has done a lot of coaching of amateurs around Chess.com’s Pogchamps, and also shares some chess improvement advice based on that experience, and tells the story of how it helped him shape an opening repertoire which he currently shares in his new Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black. We also touched on cheating in chess, Chess960, and GM Hammer’s 2025 plans. I always enjoy hearing GM Hammer’s takes, and I think that you will as well. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. This episode was recorded on December 3, and does not discuss the current state of the FIDE World Championship. For updated coverage of the Ding-Gukesh match check out the bonus pods. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.In addition to GM Hammer’s course, be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro0:00- What is the origins of GM Hammer’s collaboration with Magnus’ new app, which is called TakeTakeTakeMentioned: Kaja Snare, WFM Dronning Maud, Sjakksnak Podcast with GM Hammer, the Magnus and Levy post-mortems we referenced are on the TakeTakeTake YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@TakeTakeTakeApp12:00- What are the chess broadcasts on TV like in Norway now that Magnus is semi-retired?19:00- Why does Hammer think that chess is so much more popular as a spectator rather than participatory activity? 26:00- What frustrates GM Hammer about recent chess discourse?Mentioned: Chess in Slums, Brooklyn Castle, GM Ian Nepomniatchtchi cheated as an experiment against Hans Niemann: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1gvwoc1/nepo_admits_to_using_stockfish_against_hans_in/ 38:00- Does GM Hammer do any coaching? 44:00- Is classical chess too slow? How is it presented on Norway television broadcasts? 52:00- How did Hammer discover his own Black setup for his Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black? Mentioned: Mr. Savage, BenjyFishy 1:02:00- GM Hammer’s upcoming plans and projectsIf 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

An utterly unpredictable and entertaining World Championship match continues, and I am joined by popular YouTuber, Streamer, and Chessable Author, IM Andras Toth to discuss it. Andras has been regularly updating a free course on the program, and also had recently returned from visiting the match in Singapore. Andras provides a fun trip report, we discuss the many surprising aspects of the match, and we try to ascertain a few improvement takeaways for amateur players from this clash. Perpetual Chess will be back with one more look at this match after is conclusion. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com, you can check out Andras’ free course here:https://www.chessable.com/world-chess-championship-2024-ding-vs-gukesh/course/281790/If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tension continues to escalate at the 2024 FIDE World Championship, as the match is now tied after 9 rounds. In recent rounds, both players have missed opportunities at times and also defended well in an entertaining match. In a Perpetual Chess World Championship tradition, I am joined by Chess.com’s FM Mike Klein. With so much insightful match analysis available online, Mike and I focused on what it is like behind the scenes at the venue, what he observes about he moods of the competitors, and how this match compares with others that Mike has covered. As always, Mike shared some funny anecdotes drawn from his ringside seat. We will back with more coverage as the match continues to unfold. Watch Mike Klein’s (pre-match) interview with GM Ding Liren here:https://youtu.be/NkoWqaHpmGM?si=uS-Or_kAyb_FiO6RWatch his (pre-match) interview with Gukesh here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBYpdWX7m_QIf 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

The Adult Improver Series returns to spotlight the inspiring story of another amateur chess player. This week’s guest is Supraja Vadlamani. Supraja is an India-born, Uganda-based economist who learned to play chess just a few years ago. Her interest intensified during the pandemic, and through some unusual circumstances, Supraja got the opportunity to play in the Olympiad for Niger. Supraja has  made impressive chess progress in just a few years, reaching Chess.com blitz and rapid ratings of 1800 and 1750 respectively. In a short time, Supraja has improved her game immensely and crossed paths with the likes of GM Fabiano Caruana and IM Eric Rosen. She shares her unique chess story and hard-won improvement advice. Timestamps of topics discussed and links of resources referenced can be found below.You can check out a playlist of the Adult Improver interviews here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Uoqz2BoRt2IiTCeOfuky?si=c57bb7bdfcf24644If you would like to join or check out the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchesshttps://www.chessable.com/world-chess-championship-2024-ding-vs-gukesh/course/281790/Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Their new courses include  IM Andras Toth’s course about the World Championship is here. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro0:1:30- Supraja joins the podcast and shares her chess origins.Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen, WGM Tijana Mandura, GM Igor Smirnov, Chessmood.com, The Russo Gambit 13:00- What is Supraja’s approach to speed chess ? 16:00- Life in Uganda 19:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Is chess supported by the government in Niger?” 21:00- How is the chess scene in Uganda? 22:00- Supraja details her fierce chess rivalry with her boyfriend 23:00- Olympiad reflections and sightingsMentioned: GM Fabiano Caruana 30:00- Supraja’s tournament plans 37:00- How much time per week does Supraja study chess?39:00  Does she follow professional class? 41:00- Supraja’s favorite and least favorite aspects of chess42:00- Supraja’s  favorite openings Mentioned: Maia bots45:00- Supraja completes her IM Eric Rosen storyMentioned: Cameo.com 49:00- Supraja’s closing chess advice. If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 FIDE World Championship has been somewhat surprisingly tense and entertaining, and is tied after 6 games. I was privileged to be joined by two return guests to discuss the following:  Trainer, author and FIDE Press Officer, IM Michael Rahal (0:00) describes the venue in Singapore and provides behind the scenes details and perspective on the match. GM Jon Ludvig Hammer (35:00)  has been Commentating the Event for The TakeTakeTake YouTube Channel and therefore has analyzed every move as it occurs. He discusses the Openings, as well as whether he thinks Ding can continue to keep Gukesh on his heels. We hope to have more bonus coverage to come, and will definitely be following and covering the World Championship once it has concluded. If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GM Avetik Grigoryan is the founder and lead trainer of the education chess website Chessmood.com. I last interviewed Avetik in 2020, and his company has seen explosive growth since then. We discussed what Avetik has learned about growing a chess start-up, but also what he has learned about the challenges adults face in trying to improve at chess. Whereas previously Avetik thought the biggest obstacle was that people set unrealistic goals, now he sees a few bigger issues. We also talked about how artificial intelligence will impact chess improvement in the future and some of the tools Chessmood is working on to make improvement easier. As always, timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Their new courses include  Chessable- Gukesh’s Masterful Moves.If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=proTo sign up for a free month of Chessmood, use the following link:http://Chessmood.com/Ben 2:00- Avetik’s World Championship Thoughts Mentioned: GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming 5:30- Chess Improvement: Why did Avetik write that “Chess improvement has never been so easy, but never been so hard?” Mentioned: NM Robert Ramirez Avetik’s post regarding “Study, Practice, Fix” is here:https://chessmood.com/blog/how-to-get-better-at-chess24:00- Avetik discusses the AI-enabled chess study tools that Chessmood is launching soon41:00- What is it like to run a chess startup like Chessmood?45:00- Avetik’s (non-chess) book recommendations:Mentioned: Beyond Positive ThinkingThe Third DoorA New Earth51:30- What did Avetik observe about my play from reviewing my games? Mentioned: Chess for Life Thanks to Avetik, for joining me! To sign up for a free month of Chessmood, use the following link:http://Chessmood.com/Ben If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s guest, GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez is an accomplished trainer, player, Chessable author and one of the busiest players on the US tournament circuit. As such a frequent competitor, Fidel has had more than his share of successes (including winning the 2023 World Open!), but I have nonetheless often wondered how he finds the time and energy to play at a high level so frequently and consistently. Hearing Fidel’s fascinating life story helped me untangle the mystery. Fidel and I covered a ton of topics, including:  Why he quit his job as a computer programmer in 2023 to work full time in chess His long and winding path from Cuba to the United States  Attending Webster University with GM Wesley So, IM Eric Rosen and others  The most common mistakes he sees by his amateur students  How much he worries about OTB cheating as a frequent competitor for the top prizes His deep love for the Scotch Opening  This nearly 90-minute conversation flew by, and I am confident that you will enjoy it, as I did. Timestamps for topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=proThanksgiving Chessmood giveaway! To access a free one-month membership (starting November 20)  to Chessmood.com and check out their 500+ hours of GM lessons- just click this link:https://chessmood.com/ben0:02- Fidel has a family and a busy work schedule  but manages to play OTB quite frequently, how does he manage? Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen 10:00- Fidel tells the story of how he first got a Visa in the US. Mentioned: GM Susan Polgar 16:00- Why did Fidel quit his programming job to focus on chess in 2023? 27:00- Advice for getting over a tough loss. 30:00- As someone competing for top prizes, how worried is Fidel about OTB cheating? What about online cheating? 37:00- What are the biggest challenges Fidel sees in his under 1800 students?40:00- Recommended chess booksMentioned: Can You Be a Positional Chess Genius? , Magnus Carlsen: Endgame Virtuoso, Improve Your Chess Calculation by GM Ramesh50:00- Has Fidel ever played with the Cuban legend, GM Leiner Dominguez?52:00- How did Fidel and his sister, WIM Zenia Corrales Jimenez get into chess? Mentioned: IM Joaquin Carlos Diaz 1:05:00- Fidel discusses his time at Webster University with stars like GM Wesley So, Ray Robson and Le Quang Liem. 1:10:00- What was it like to play GM Judit Polgar in the World Cup?1:13:00- We discuss Fidel’s experience with the Scotch OpeningMentioned:Mayhem in the Scotch: https://www.chessable.com/mayhem-in-the-scotch/course/259795/If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is World Championship season again! The FIDE World championship takes place from November 25 to December 13, in Singapore. As you probably know, GM Ding Liren will be defending his title against 18 year old wunderkind, GM Gukesh D. This is a unique matchup which features a fast-rising top 5 challenger, and a slumping World Champion who has fallen out of the top 20. Joining me to discuss it are three separate guests in the following order: Top trainer, author, and Ding Liren biographer, GM Davorin Kuljasevic shares his match thoughts. How does Ding’s recent play differ from that of “peak Ding?”   Author of From Boy to Man to Challenger: The Fiercest Battles of Gukesh D ,  IM Cyrus Lakdawala on why he thinks Gukesh has a chance to be an all-time great.  Statistician, and co-founder of Chessgoals.com, NM Matt Jensen on the betting markets, the likelihood of a tiebreak, and one key statistical factor that favors Gukesh.  Chatting about the World Championship always gets me excited for the match, and this year is no exception. Timestamps for guests and topics discussed is below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro0:00- Intro- Intro and Match facts 0:06- GM Davorin Kuljasevic joins to discuss GM Ding Liren, as well as his general thoughts on the match. 0:12- What openings might we expect? Which seconds might he be working with? Mentioned: GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s Tweet:https://x.com/EugenePerel/status/1850321592678555941World Championship bettings odds here:https://sports.bwin.com/en/sports/events/fide-world-championship-2024-1572498723:00- Thanks to GM Kuljasevic for joining me, you can get his book on GM Ding Liren here25:00- IM Cyrus Lakdawala joins to discuss GM D GukeshMentioned: From Boy to Man to Challenger: The Fiercest Battles of Gukesh D 35:00- Cyrus’ match predictions39:00- Gukesh opening predictions49:00- Cyrus’ upcoming projects 51:00- Statistician and NM Matt Jensen of Chessgoals.com joins to give a statistical preview to the match.58:00- What is the expected draw rate for this match? What are the odds of a tiebreak? 1:08:00- What is new with Matt’s website Chessgoals?Check out the Chcessgoals ourses here, Use the code Ben2024 to save 30%: https://courses.chessgoals.com/collections/Check out their podcast  “No Pawn Intended” on the Chessgoals YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ChessGoalsIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GM Ben Finegold is back to share his thoughts on all of the recent crazy chess news. The popular commentator, YouTuber, and Chessable author and I discuss the controversies and highlights of the US Championships, as well as the most recent cheating accusations leveled by GM Vladimir Kramnik. Do these accusations have more merit than other recent ones? We also discuss OTB cheating, as Ben draws some comparisions to cheating episodes in the game of Bridge. Lastly, we discuss why the Nimzo-Indian is a favorite opening of Ben’s and Ben shares a few of his favorite stories related to chess and gambling. As always, timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com. Check out Ben’s course, Starting Out: Nimzo-Indian.  If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=proMentioned: GMs Daniel Naroditsky and Vladimir Kramnik on the Levitov channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFwfC6Y1SAQDanya on C-Squared https://youtu.be/RGiDosCed48?si=94GZd6Dx2TiD3wal19:00- The Shevchenko story and OTB cheating. 23:00- How does cheating in bridge compare to chess? Is it easier to improve at bridge than chess? 27:00- Patreon mailbag question- What is worse, OTB cheating or the fear of OTB cheating?30:45- We discuss the GM Christopher Yoo story and the stress of OTB chess. 39:00- Ben discusses the Nimzo-Indian and other favorite openings from childhoodMentioned: Starting out: The Nimzo Indianhttps://www.chessable.com/starting-out-nimzo-indian-defense/course/258506/Tal-Botvinnik 1960 47:00- Patreon mailbag question: How you can acquire skills rather than knowledge from watching videos? 49:00- Ben shares a few stories about gambling on blitz and bullet chess. Mentioned: GM Kirill Georgiev 58:00- Ben’s World Championship thoughts If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices