

Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast
IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, GM Jesse Kraai
The official podcast of ChessDojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, & GM Jesse Kraai). Most episodes are streamed live to twitch.tv/chessdojo.
Interested in improving your chess? Welcome to the Dojo! A structured plan to hold yourself accountable to and a group to do it with. - https://chessdojo.club
Follow ChessDojo here:
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojolive
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chess_dojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chess_dojo/
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com/
Interested in improving your chess? Welcome to the Dojo! A structured plan to hold yourself accountable to and a group to do it with. - https://chessdojo.club
Follow ChessDojo here:
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojolive
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chess_dojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chess_dojo/
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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


