Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Chris. He’s a busy mechanic trying to balance his career, family, and chess improvement. He picked up the game in 2022, and has made a lot of progress towards his goals. We talked a lot about his approach to chess study. Chris focuses most of his time studying using books such as the Soviet Chess Primer and the Polgar mates book. Chris attributes much of his success to joining the Chess Dojo and working with a coach.  Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with GM Jesse Kraai. We discussed his chess career, starting at 12 and not making GM until well into adulthood. We spoke a lot about the challenges of improving as an older adult and the joy of senior tournaments. We discussed Jesse’s method of analyzing one’s own games. We also talked about the value of coaching and training programs like the Chess Dojo. Jesse's analysis notes: https://chessbase.in/news/How-to-analyze-your-own-games-by-Jesse-Kraai Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Jesse. He’s an avid adult improver who plays at the same club as me. We talked a lot about his rapid improvement journey from 1400 to nearly 1700. His journey included many bumps and rating drops. We talked about the books that had the most impact including Silman’s Reassess Your Chess, endgame work, and tactics study. Jesse also talked about taking breaks from the improvement side of chess when he starts to feel burnt out. These breaks help him come back even more excited to learn and improve. Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I am joined by GM Noel Studer. Noel examined my last 30 games and we discussed the state of my game. I think this is a great episode for anyone wondering how to examine their own game, especially in times of rating loss and turmoil. With Noel’s help we were able to abandon ideas like reworking my opening repertoire or diving deep into rook endgames. Instead, we came up with a plan focusing on doing tactics in a specific way. Be sure to check out Noel’s FREE ebook The Art of Chess Training: https://nextlevelchess.blog/   Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Joe Bruin. He’s a prolific streamer that I’ve run into at the last two OTB tournaments that I attended. We talked a lot about playing chess for fun without expressly trying to improve. Joe has seen massive rating gains at points in his life without studying. He mostly played and streamed a lot of chess. We discussed the joy of playing and socializing with chess without being obsessed with ratings and rating gain. It was a bit of a different conversation than usual, but Joe’s perspective has made me think differently about my own chess journey. Be sure to check out Joe’s stream at: https://www.twitch.tv/joebruin Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with the one and only GM Jacob Aagaard. We discussed a wide range of topics such as his chess career, coaching, and adult improvement. Most importantly I asked him if a 40 year old adult could achieve the NM title. We also talked about how adults should go about improving. He expanded on a variety of ideas such as going slow and building good habits. GM Aagaard dropped many valuable gems in this one.  Be sure to check out Killer Chess Training at: https://killerchesstraining.com/ Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, I spoke with Dawn. She’s a new chess player who picked up the game in her 60’s. We talked a lot about the challenges of having a low rating while still being excited to talk about chess. Dawn suggested a few books such as Everyone’s First Chess Workbook and Susan Polgar’s Learn Chess series. Dawn and I talked about how to analyze games, fears of going to a tournament, and the value of coaching. It was a lively and inspiring conversation. Be sure to check out Dawn’s blog at: https://chess.dawnlawson.net/ To get 25% off the first month of the Chess Dojo program, for the next two weeks, use the code DrScull at checkout. https://www.chessdojo.club/plans-pricing .  Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I talked to Michael, better known as Noseknowsall. He’s had a steady climb over 8 years of chess. We talked primarily about the books that helped him climb, the Chess Dojo, and other areas that helped his improvement. Michael credits much of his success to Jeremy Silman’s Reassess Your Chess. But Michael also recommends many other books such as Silman’s Complete Endgame Course and Strategic Chess Exercises by Bricard.  To get 25% off the first month of the Chess Dojo program, for the next two weeks, use the code DrScull at checkout. https://www.chessdojo.club/plans-pricing Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Elaynah. She’s a new but dedicated chess improver. She’s made rapid progress from about 400 - 1600 Chesscom rapid in around a year. She spoke about her journey including focusing on not blundering, endgames, tactics, and master games. We explored with detail her first tournament, the National Open in Las Vegas where she crushed the beginner sections. Elaynah also streams chess 5 days a week. Be sure to check her stream out at: https://www.twitch.tv/elaynah Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, the focus is on my year in chess and a recap of the National Open. Guest of the show Jay Garrison joined me and shared his wisdom on many of the subjects. We focused on tournament prep, tournament performance, who I met at the tournament, ratings dips, what I worked on this year, my goals for next year, and handling setbacks. Hopefully, you enjoy the show! Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49 Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.  Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys   If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices