Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Ben Johnson, host of the Perpetual Chess Podcast. We talked about his recent chess journey, his thoughts on consistent play, and his new Chessable Course, Identifying Critical Moments. I also provide a brief tournament report from the Southern California Open, where I went 1-5. We briefly discussed the games and discussed the challenges of dealing with poor tournament performances. Ben’s Chessable Course: https://www.chessable.com/identifying-critical-moments-in-chess/course/248353/ Ben’s book: Perpetual Chess Improvement https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Chess-Improvement-Practical-World-Class/dp/9083336549/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CbNXmcWHTM5XaWynIZL_VpkfiIpgEtDTW0chUZOmlzs1CjhS6OnQdReo9qy3p7MrSw6_X4iWVe3VctfsAloFV8tvNz0zuEa8AAxBlhTTK9akzwkXfkI7RG7yAtR_pdA2zjAbsV6ntOZCA0docgYMCynMsGN3hKfaAVx_K8UHUUhtnC3gQL42k6qv_i6YkN4e-4YOSXNRw8Qbi1GwvDuSFjLWOYgATMfZoEQqFeLE8tDxuVcmHzO-3JhGSt9Om7aaYymLfCpnKGvDTUGKxkx4qKn0s4kgtQleKDWiNHxFR1I.uSvFthLq1pY4JBfCN0xieSGm1ar-Gy69u2KF7bKqqYw&dib_tag=se&keywords=perpetual+chess&qid=1726111308&sr=8-1 Use this link and the code Scull20 for 20% off of your Chessbook purchases at https://chessbook.com/chessjourneys 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.

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Jan. He’s an adult improver with a career and horses to care for. He makes time for chess on his own time. We discussed his improvement approach which includes spending however much time he feels like spending with chess, studying with the Chess Dojo, and getting coaching through his Youtube channel: Chess Under Fire. Talking with Jan about chess improvement felt so free and fun.  Chess Under Fire Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChessUnderFireALearningJourney Use this link and the code Scull20 for 20% off of your Chessbook purchases at https://chessbook.com/chessjourneys 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.

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Evan. He’s a returning guest that is pursuing master. Evan shared how his own improvement process has changed in the last 2 years, and provided a lot of advice for chess improvers. He outlined a system for examining critical position, extolled the virtues of Johnathan Rowson’s books, praised endgame studies, highlighted the value of tactics training, and suggested less time with openings. We also explored handling emotions, especially while losing. He talked about his method of fully accepting a loss and then starting over with a new goal during lost positions. This one is full of actionable improvement advice. Use this link and the code Scull20 for 20% off of your Chessbook purchases at https://chessbook.com/chessjourneys 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.

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Nicholas. He’s a busy family man who gained 500 rating points in the last two years. We talked a lot about his main strategy of cycling tactics. He tried the 7 circles / woodpecker method many times during his life. But in the last 2 years, he has finished it twice. Both times resulted in large rating gains. He also talked about changing his openings to allow for more improvement, endgame work, and examining his games to find out where he is going wrong. Pump Up Your Rating helped him format an improvement program, and he has followed it with great success! Use this link and the code Scull20 for 20% off of your Chessbook purchases at https://chessbook.com/chessjourneys 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.

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Marc. He’s an adult improver trying to juggle life and chess. We had a great conversation about chess improvement. This included his suggestion of emulating a player, less opening theory, and listening to how better players process chess. Marc also explained his theory that our ratings are not a measure of our knowledge and overall skill. Rather ratings are a measure of our worst moves and ability to compete effectively. We also discussed letting go of rating and improvement goals. Marc claims that chess can be enjoyed by playing the game you love!  Check out Marc’s Youtube and Instgram accounts: https://www.instagram.com/htxchess/ and  https://www.youtube.com/@htxchess Use this link and the code Scull20 for 20% off of your Chessbook purchases at https://chessbook.com/chessjourneys 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.

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Paul. He’s a lawyer with a family trying to juggle his life and chess improvement. We talked about his approach to improvement which has included opening work, tactics, Silman’s endgame course, and rapid games. Lately, Paul has started a new project, examining classic games. He uses a new approach that he calls Common Law chess. Hiis approach starts by quickly playing through the game and then working backwards to understand the story of the game. It’s an intriguing approach that he outlines in his substack: thinkinglikeachessplayer. Paul’s Substack: https://thinkinglikeachessplayer.substack.com/  Use this link and the code Scull20 for 20% off of your Chessbook purchases at https://chessbook.com/chessjourneys 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.

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Julio. He’s a middle school math teacher, adult improver, and newly minted senior. We talked about his massive ratings gains over the last 2 years, nearly 700 points. In fact, Julio gained 400 points in the last month!! We discussed his training regime, success at the senior open, and the chess program that he runs at his school.  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.

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Hooman. He’s a medical student that got into chess as a stress reliever. Hooman has seen massive rating gains in a short period. We talked about his improvement journey which is mostly instructional videos, playing a lot of rapid games, and some Chessable work. He talked about playing for the university team, chess in schools charity work, and his improvement journey. 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.

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Joe. We talked a lot about his years long struggle to break through the beginner levels of chess. He felt frustrated by his lack of progress. We talked about his 5 step plan for improvement that has resulted in a lot of ratings success. His process focused on filing holes, learning basic chess strategy, basic endgames, and improving his tactics. Zen mode on Lichess and faith in doing the work were key components to his success. 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.

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with John. He’s a 47 year old pastor trying to juggle life, family, and chess improvement. He spoke about his journey and resources that he found most useful. John highlighted Chess Tactics from Scratch and the Polgar mates book as two helpful resources. We also discussed a variety of topics such as agism in chess, the Chess Dojo, OTB vs. online chess, and chess coaching. 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.