Perpetual Chess Podcast

GM Noel Studer, 2-time Swiss National Champion, shares insights on chess improvement like diagnosing weaknesses, ideal chess trainers, limiting blunders, tactics improvement, and overcoming psychological pitfalls. He also discusses his new course for beginner players aiming for 1200 level.

This week on the podcast we delve into the topic of how to teach chess to kids who are new to the game. My guest, Carol Ann Caronia has been teaching curriculum and afterschool chess classes in Brooklyn, New York for decades. Her new book, Strategic Moves: Mind-Building Chess Exercises for Kids, shares all that she has learned from these experiences. The topics we cover include, differences she has noticed between teaching girls and teaching boys, managing after-school classes, and whether or not we should let new students/our kids win when we play them. Carol Ann has accumulated some amusing stories during  her time teaching, including a tale of two parents getting into a fight over their kids chess game. As we discuss, Carol Ann has worked closely with legendary teacher Bruce Pandolfini, and taught a 5 year-old Fabiano Caruana! If you are a chess parent, a teacher, or simply someone who would like to be able to teach a new player the game effectively, this is the episode for you. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 0:00- Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsor, Chessable.com. In addition to GM Friedel’s course, Endgame Labyrinths is now on Chessable.  If you use the link below to sign up for Perpetual Chess, it helps to support the pod! https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro0:01- What advice would Carol Ann give to those facilitating scholastic chess classes? 12:00- What recommendations would Carol Ann give for anyone teaching chess to a brand new player? Should we let the kids win? 15:00- Has Carol Ann noticed a difference in teaching chess to girls and teaching chess to boys? Mentioned: My 60 Memorable Games 20:00- What advice does she give to parents whose kids become tournament players? 23:00- Carol Ann discusses some of her star students, including a 5 year-old Fabiano Caruana Mentioned: Bruce Pandolfini, GM Robert Hess 27:00- How is it different teaching chess as part of a curriculum compared to after school classes or chess clubs? 28:30- Carol Ann shares a story of two parents getting in a fight over a game during parent visitation day. 32:00- In the age of devices, does Carol Ann notice any difference in the attention span of kids? Mentioned: Paul Morphy, Judit Polgar 34:00- Should “touch-move” be enforced with kids? 36:30- What can teachers and volunteers do to help make up for any shortcomings in the school systems?39:00- Has Carol Ann noticed any change in the popularity of chess in the wake of Queen’s Gambit? 40:30- What skills does Carol Ann think chess might help develop? 43:00- Carol Ann shares some closing recommendations for resources Mentioned:Jeff Coakley’s books, Everyone’s First Chess Workbook 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

This week we get to catch up with one of the original and most popular Perpetual Chess guests, GM Jan Gustafsson. Jan, of course, is a renowned opening theoretician, commentator and trainer, who has worked on GM Magnus Carlson’s World Championship team, and is currently the coach of the German National Team. Jan has recently released a highly anticipated Chessable course, Gustafsson’s  Aggressive 1. E4 (co-authored with CM Vjekoslav Nemec).  We discuss the lines Jan selected for this course, but also catch up on a wide variety of topics including life after Team Magnus, life after Chess24, life after the Chicken Chess Club podcast, chess cheating, the Bundesliga and the FIDE Candidates. It is always amusing and informative to chat with Jan, and this time is no exception! Timestamps of topics discussed can be found below. 0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com. Chessable has tons of new offerings in addition to GM Jan Gustafsson brand new course on 1. E4!  If you use the link below to sign up for Perpetual Chess, it helps to support the pod! https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro0:01- Welcome back Jan! Patreon mailbag question: “What chess generation does Jan identify with?”0:05- Jan recently competed in the renowned German Chess League, the Bundesliga. How were the games, and what was his schedule like? Mentioned: GM Viswanathan Anand, Nakamura, GM Vincent Keymer 9:30- How did Jan enjoy the Chess.com Team Challenge match, where he and Peter Svidler lost to a team with GM Robert Hess and GM Daniel Naroditsky You can watch the match replay here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pl3TNUTtqQ11;00- Will Jan be playing his aggressive 1. E4 repertoire in the Bundesliga? Was it challenging to work on this course as a lifelong 1. D4 player. 14:30- Why did Jan decide to focus on the Dubov Italian within his course? 20:00- Why did Jan pick the classical against the Pirc? 24:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Why did Jan make an aggressive repertoire rather than a “chicken” repertoire?” 27:00- Did Jan have a secret blitz account to try these lines? 28:15- Patreon mailbag question: “Why does Jan stream in German rather than English?” 30:00- What does Jan miss most from Chess24? 32:00- Will Jan do a banter blitz for Chess.com ? 33:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Whither the Chicken Chess Club Podcast?” 36:00- What are Jan’s thoughts about the upcoming FIDE Candidates?41:00- Is Jan still working with GM Anish Giri? 42:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What emotions did Jan feel when Magnus announced his stepping down from the World Championship cycle?” 46:00- What does Jan think of Chess960/Freestyle chess? 50:00- Jan’s 2024 calendar including coaching the German Olimpiad team. 57:00- Jan asks me for chess book recommendationsMentioned; Think Like a Super GM, In Black and White 59:00- Has Jan seen any good movies or TV shows lately? Mentioned: Mr and Mrs. Smith, Shogun, Blue Eyed Samarui, The Bear,  1:02:00- How are Magnus’ Carlsen’s Fantasy Basketball skills? 1:04:00- Has Jan seen GM Hans Niemann’s vlog? Mentioned: GM Hans Niemann’s YouTube 1:06:00- What does Jan think of all of the recent cheating accusations we have been hearing about? Mentioned: Episode 368 with Erik Allebest 1:10- Thanks to Jan for joining me again!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GM Josh Friedel covers common beginner and intermediate mistakes in chess, discusses Freestyle Chess, and gives advice on goal-setting. He shares insights from his Chessable course and talks about his OTB career, hobbies like cooking, tennis, and guitar.

GM Paul van der Sterren shares insights on his breakthrough in chess at age 37, mindfulness in chess, clashes with Polgar sisters, Korchnoi, and Tal. Transition from chess to meditation teaching. Challenges of adult chess improvement and enjoyment, exploring the impact of technology on chess focus, and the need for psychological resources in sports psychology literature for chess players. Delve into the parallels between cycling and chess, memorable games, and the impact of online chess on the game's popularity.

This week I am excited to be joined by chess YouTube star and popular Chessable author, NM Robert Ramirez. Robert has a unique story amongst master-level players, as he spent his early years in Cuba and began tournament chess at the relatively late age of 12. As one of the older kids in his chess class in Cuba, Robert felt like he had to “play catch up” from the beginning, and this perspective steered him toward less popular openings like the Pirc defense and the King’s Indian Defense. Robert continued his pursuit of chess when his family emigrated to the U.S. in 2016, and ultimately became a successful chess teacher. With less work and extra free time during the pandemic, Robert launched his YouTube channel. Robert’s channel took a while to catch on, but he now has over 120,000 YouTube subscribers. His Chessable course, which is based on his battle-tested repertoire, has drawn rave reviews. Robert showcases an ability to relate to people and a lucid teaching style that likely contributes to the success of everything that he does. It was a lot of fun hearing his story and his chess advice. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 0:00- Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsor, Chessable.com. In addition to NM Robert Ramirez’s course, be sure to check out new ones like FM Dalton Perrine’s The French Simplified.  If you use the link below to sign up for Perpeutal Chess it helps to support the pod! https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro0:01- We start with a tournament rundown. What has Robert learned since coming back to OTB a few years ago, and what was different about his approach in a successful recent tournament? Mentioned: Tournament crosstable here, 6000 Problems de Ajedrez, Lessons with a Grandmaster 15:00- What are the origins of Robert’s YouTube channel? Mentioned: Robert’s series with Omar, aka Chess von Doom 21:00- What are the secrets to the Pirc defense? Mentioned: 2 Adult Improvers and one Training Plan28:00- Does Robert need to switch his openings since he is known for the Pirc and King’s Indian Defense?30:00- Robert discusses his childhood in Cuba and what it was like coming to the U.S. at age 16 and resuming chess here?46:00- The differences between adults and kids in chess learning . Mentioned: Fallow123 on Chess.com 56:00- Robert’s closing chess improvement advice 58:00- Where do Robert’s skills as a presenter come from?Thanks to Robert for joining the show! Here is how to keep up with him: Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@NMRobertRamirezChessable:https://www.chessable.com/counterblow-a-complete-fighting-repertoire-for-beginners/course/199358/Twitter/x: https://twitter.com/NMRobertRamirez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recorded on January 31, 2024 Featuring guest co-host FM Nate Solon With talk of online cheating recently dominating chess conversations, Chess.com CEO and co-founder Erik Allebest joined me (and guest co-host FM Nate Solon) to discuss the issue at length. While Erik acknowledges that chess cheating is an existential threat to the game, the research of his Chess.com team suggests that people overestimate the frequency of online cheating occurrences. Erik also discussed Chess.com’s current and forthcoming anti-cheat measures, their policy regarding not naming suspected cheaters, and Erik’s thoughts on some recent headline-grabbing comments by GM Fabiano Caruana. We also covered a lot of topics unrelated to online cheating, including The Magnus-Hikaru match that fell through last year, the closures of Chess24 and the Pro Chess League, Chess.com’s relationship with FIDE, and Erik’s reflections on the Niemann-Carlsen story. As Erik discussed, there will still be a lot more information coming out about that story in a forthcoming Netflix documentary. I appreciated Erik’s willingness to speak so openly about so many issues and think that you will learn a lot from the conversation. 0:00- Be sure to check out Chessable’s new courses including GM Srinath Narayanan’s brand new course on the Classical Sicilian, and if you use this link to sign up for Chessable Pro, and/or make a Chessable purchase, it will help support Perpetual Chess. https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro0:01- Here are the links to subscribe to guest co-host FM Nate Solon’s blog and to check out his new learning cohort, The Chess Gym:https://thechessgym.com/https://zwischenzug.substack.com/0:03- Erik Allebest joins the podcast! We begin by discussing chess cheating. Mentioned: Erik’s first interview with Ilya Levitovhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZDRrWAx2Rk(there is a part 2 to that interview that was released after this podcast was recorded)NY Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/22/crosswords/chess-cheating-online-fide.html13:30- What does Erik think of GM Fabiano Caruana’s recent suggestions of widespread cheating during Titled Tuesday? Mentioned; Nate’s post called Beating Hikaruhttps://zwischenzug.substack.com/p/beating-hikaru27:00- More on cheating, including whether they have considered having players play from centralized locations and other issues. 31:00- What goes into their policy of not naming cheaters, might that policy be changed? 40:00- Has Chess.com had discussions with FIDE about sharing info about who has been banned from their site? 42;00- Would Chess.com consider being involved in a new chess governing body? Mentioned: Episode 364 with GM Patrick Wolff 49:00- What happened with the match between Magnus and Hikaru that fell through last year? Mentioned: The State of Chess.com 2023:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri3Z809CbS855:00- What will be the subject of a forthcoming Netflix chess documentary?Mentioned: GM Sam Sevian 57:00- What did the CHess.com team learn from the Niemann-Carlsen controversy? 1:01:00- Why was the Pro Chess League shut down? What about Chess24? 1:11:00- Was selling a partial stake of Chess.com to the private equity firm General Atlantic related to the Play Magnus acquisition? Mentioned: Isai Scheinberg, General Atlantic Announces Investment in Chess.com:https://www.generalatlantic.com/media-article/chess-com-announces-growth-investment-from-general-atlantic/1:20:00- Closing thoughts- what is Erik excited for in the coming year? Thanks to Erik for joining us, and to FM Nate Solon for co-hosting! If 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

Dr. Nick Vasquez, expert in learning and retaining information, joins the Perpetual Chess Podcast to discuss 'Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning'. They talk about studying chess using strategies like interleaving and varied practice. They also discuss resources for chess players at different skill levels, the power of growth mindset and memory techniques, and wrap up with future plans for the podcast.

Guest Julio Calcina, a chess and Mixed Martial Arts enthusiast, shares his transformative journey with chess, discussing how it taught him contemplation, patience, and personal growth. He delves into topics such as his time in prison, starting a podcast, the relationship between chess and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the positive impact of chess culture in prison.

GM Raven Sturt shares chess improvement insights, board visualization tips, and book recommendations. Discusses unique life journey from NYC to Paraguay. Highlights the Bird Opening as an underrated White weapon. Explores strategies, visualization, and age factors in chess mastery.