Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, GM Jesse Kraai
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Jun 9, 2025 • 1h 5min

EP 154 | Is Chess an eSport?

The podcast dives into whether chess qualifies as an eSport, sparked by its inclusion in the Esports World Cup. The hosts debate ethical dilemmas surrounding sponsorships from controversial nations, like Saudi Arabia. They explore the changing dynamics between traditional chess and faster formats, alongside the implications for player demographics. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of chess in the context of political influences, raising important questions about the sport's future and its moral responsibilities.
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May 27, 2025 • 1h 23min

EP 153 | How To Improve Your Positional Play w/ GM Aagaard

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo 0:00 Intro 1:51 How to improve your positional play 6:05 Book recommendations  8:18 Recognizing weaknesses in positional play 12:22 How to work with a coach 15:48 Killer Chess Training Camp 20:15 How Aagaard learned positional play 24:12 Certainty of action vs. certainty of outcome 26:06 Working with Sam -Shankland 29:58 Improving specific aspects of positional play 31:52 Certainty of action vs. certainty of outcome  35:16 How much should adult improvers play classical? 39:35 Micro-pains 45:46 How Renier Castellanos made GM 50:11 What's the best process for reviewing your games? 56:10 Solving simple tactics vs. difficult problems 57:28 What is calculation 1:05:17 Simple tactics vs. difficult problems 1:11:56 The #1 rule of training 1:14:00 The cycle of improvement 1:19:08 Whats next for Killer Chess Training Check out GM Aagaard at https://killerchesstraining.com! Ready to join the Dojo? Use code DOJO to get 40% off your first month, valid until June 15 https://chessdojo.club Thumbnail photo: Eric Rosen Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
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May 15, 2025 • 55min

EP 152 | Visualization and Aphantasia

The discussion dives into the intriguing intersection of visualization and chess through the lens of aphantasia. Personal experiences reveal how players adapt their thought processes without the ability to visualize. The complexities of blindfold chess offer insights into memory techniques and the cognitive challenges involved. The conversation also touches on the differences between 2D and 3D perceptions and the unique struggles of blitz chess, emphasizing how individual cognitive styles impact gameplay strategies.
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21 snips
Apr 19, 2025 • 52min

EP 151 | Teaching Chess To Kids

Matan Prilletensky, the Executive Director of the National Scholastic Chess Foundation, shares his insights on teaching chess to kids. He discusses the balance between personal instruction and AI tools, emphasizing the importance of fostering passion over pressure. The conversation also delves into the evolving role of technology in chess education, the impact of screen time on focus and critical thinking, and the necessity of tournaments for motivation. Prilletensky's experiences highlight the importance of making chess accessible and enjoyable for young players.
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Apr 16, 2025 • 44min

EP 150 | DOJOVERSARY 5 - Origin Story

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai celebrate 5 years of ChessDojo with episode 150! ChessDojo's first video launched on March 14, 2020. The sensei talk about how the Dojo started, how it's evolved, and what's coming next in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. 0:00 Intro 0:30 Origin Story 23:39 What's Next For Dojo  Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/7Uq2f5JAWb Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips #chess #chesspodcast
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11 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 1min

EP 149 | The Chess Revolution w/ Peter Doggers

Peter Doggers, a seasoned chess journalist and author of 'The Chess Revolution,' dives into the significant shifts in chess today. He explores the interplay of technology and journalism, shedding light on the evolving landscape of chess media. Doggers discusses the decline of engagement on Twitter and the rise of alternatives like Reddit, while emphasizing the need for journalistic integrity amidst commercial pressures. He also reflects on the challenges traditional chess faces as online rapid formats surge, highlighting the future of the game.
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Apr 1, 2025 • 51min

EP 148 | State of Scholastic Chess with WFM Elizabeth Spiegel

WFM Elizabeth Spiegel, a seasoned chess coach in NYC public schools and featured in Brooklyn Castle, discusses the thriving world of scholastic chess. She shares insights on the increasing popularity among students, with impressive participation rates in tournaments. Elizabeth highlights the emotional and cognitive benefits of chess, especially in underprivileged communities, and the successful integration of chess into education systems. Additionally, she examines how modern resources are shaping the learning experience and fostering engagement among young players.
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14 snips
Mar 25, 2025 • 1h 6min

EP 147 | FIDE Ratings & The Stats of Cheating (ft. Dr. Kenneth Regan)

Dr. Kenneth Regan, a computer scientist specializing in chess cheating detection, dives into the fascinating world of FIDE ratings. He reveals how recent changes have led to inflated ratings, particularly for players under 2000. The conversation touches on the challenges of accurately measuring skill and detecting cheating, where statistical analysis plays a crucial role. Regan shares insights on discrepancies faced by players post-pandemic and discusses the critical need for reliable data in both online and over-the-board chess.
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19 snips
Mar 14, 2025 • 57min

EP 146 | Is Chess 99% Tactics?

The hosts dive into whether chess is really 99% tactics, unpacking its historical significance. They explore the crucial difference between tactics and strategy, highlighting how modern tools shape gameplay. Discussions on the evolution of chess strategy reveal the narrative aspect often overlooked in tactics. The balance between long-term positioning and immediate moves is emphasized, alongside the limitation of focusing solely on tactical puzzles for improvement. Personal insights offer a fresh perspective on how to approach chess learning holistically.
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Mar 7, 2025 • 57min

EP 145 | Does Freestyle Chess Have A Future?

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, and recent and ongoing issues between FIDE and Freestyle Chess in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo  Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club  Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo  Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop  Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo  Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip  Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club  Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo  Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD  Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo  Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo  Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com  TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips  #chess #chesstraining  Chapters: CHAPTERS 0:00 Freestlye Chess, FIDE, and Magnus 2:40 Do Fans Like Freestyle Chess? 8:36 Will Kids Get Into Freestyle Chess? 16:54 Looking at the Data 26:18 Magnus Carlsen and Freestyle Chess 54:40 Wrap-Up

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