Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Chess expert Nate Solon discusses the best ways to improve chess skills, including simplifying training, the popularity of three-minute chess, unexpected obstacles in tournaments, the importance of resilience and street smarts, and the creation of an online chess training community called the Chess Gym.

Chess Journeys podcast explores Neal Bruce's return to OTB chess success, program changes, and adult mastery possibilities. They discuss burnout, dream tournaments, and endgame book recommendations. The episode is filled with valuable insights for chess enthusiasts.

Chess Journeys podcast explores Anna's emphasis on OTB play, book recommendations like Polgar 5334, and strategies for increasing women's participation in chess

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with David. We focused a lot on his ability to carve out 20-30 hours a week for chess. He believes that most people can make a lot more time, if they are willing to make sacrifices. We also discussed the benefits of the Chess Dojo and direct coaching. David talked about his favorite resources including Tactics Time, Everybody’s First Chess Workbook, and Learn Chess The Right Way 3: Mastering Defensive Techniques. It was an inspiring conversation with someone who has changed their goals and approach to chess during plateaus that allowed them to keep enjoying the 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Chris. His journey has taken him from 800 to 1700 Chesscom in about 8 years. He got into chess by coaching kids as a beginner. He spent the next several years playing and working on tactics with the ultimate goal of not blundering! Chris provided a lot of tips on eliminating the dreaded blunder. Chris and I spent a lot of time talking about the value of coaching and how to choose 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   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this podcast, Will discusses his rapid chess improvement from 1000 to 2000, focusing on playing games for strategy, avoiding puzzle drills, and tactics in his openings. The episode highlights the fun and effectiveness of playing and analyzing games for rating points and improvement.

This week on Chess Journeys, we did something a little different. I turned the show over to I Jay Garrison and he interviewed me about my year in chess. It was a wild ride, dropping 200 points and then gaining them all back and more at the end of the year. We talked about my focus on turning knowledge into skill this year, the challenges of losing for months on end, and how great it feels to turn things around. I’ve vowed to continue not worry about ratings, but with 1800 on the horizon, it’s hard to resist. 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 Eric. He’s a father of a young child trying to carve out time for chess. We talked about his plan of about 1 hour of study per day. Eric said something shocking, he doesn’t do tactics. He did complete Everyone’s First Chess Workbook, but puzzles are not part of his daily training. Eric focuses mainly on playing rapid games. He did note a few books that helped his journey such as Silman’s Endgame Course and the Amateur's Mind. We spent quite a bit of time discussing the local club that he started and runs.  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 Forest, the 11 year old that has been dominating our local chess club of late. The goal of the episode is to figure out how children get so good at chess. Forest didn’t surprise me with his statement that he doesn’t read books, but I was surprised to hear that he doesn’t use many online resources either. Forest mostly takes lessons, plays tournaments, rapid games on chesscom, and has done a lot of tactics. He is currently working on slowing down and playing better positional chess. Hopefully, this episode will give us all some insight into how kids get better and what we can borrow from their process. 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 Cameron about his chess. He’s made a lot of progress from about 500 to 1250 Chesscom. We talked about the different steps in his journey from reading Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess to Gotham Chess’s Bootcamp to his most recently completed book the Amateur’s Mind. Cameron talked about his focus on playing longer rapid games and doing deep analysis of those games. He outlined a 3 phase process of analysis. Cameron also talked about topics such as OTB chess, coaching, and pits of despair. https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Chess-Improvement-Practical-World-Class/dp/9083336549/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=perpetual+chess+improvement&qid=1700009398&sr=8-1 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