

ChessMood Podcast
GM Avetik Grigoryan
Grandmaster Avetik Grigoryan, founder and head coach of ChessMood, interviews the elite performers of the world to uncover their mindset strategies that can help chess players. Among the guests are chess Grandmasters, successful entrepreneurs, investors, best-selling authors, elite athletes and anyone who is or has been to the top! You’ll discover the mindset strategies that superstars have used to achieve greatness in their field, and how they've developed the mental fortitude and resilience necessary to succeed at the highest level.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Untold Stories of Carlsen & Kramnik | GM Laurent Fressinet on ChessMood Podcast
From reaching a 2700 rating and being among the world’s top 20 players, to helping both Vladimir Kramnik and Magnus Carlsen in World Championship matches… From classic board preparation to modern engine work — our guest is GM Laurent Fressinet.In this honest conversation with GM Avetik, he opens up about:– Working with legends like Kramnik and Carlsen– The emotional and mental challenges of elite chess– Insightful stories from the World Championship matches– Why he stopped chasing 2700 and embraced coaching– The evolution of chess: Why modern chess is all about speed– Honest thoughts on Chess960, team leadership, and Magnus’ mindsetThis episode is full of behind-the-scenes moments and takeaways from someone who’s lived every phase of a chess career.-----------------------------------Get three free courses:https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principleshttps://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-gameshttps://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-gamesAt ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.Become a PRO Member to get:📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses🎙️ Live Streams🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum📁 PGN’s👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 9min
The Price I Paid for Ignoring the Truth | GM Levon Aronian on ChessMood Podcast
Grandmaster Levon Aronian, a former world number 2 and three-time Olympic champion from Armenia, shares his candid journey of self-discovery and growth. He discusses the heavy cost of ignoring personal truths that impeded his path to the World Championship. Levon delves into the significance of resilience, discipline, and self-awareness, highlighting how embracing both light and dark aspects of life fosters true growth. With humor and vulnerability, he reflects on the challenges faced on and off the chessboard, offering profound insights on authenticity and leadership.

Apr 12, 2025 • 1h 6min
The Joy Is in the Journey, Not the End | Rao Srikumar on ChessMood Podcast
In this special episode of the ChessMood Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Rao Srikumar — bestselling author, TED speaker, and former professor at some of the world’s top business schools. Known as the “FedEx guy” for delivering timeless wisdom in modern language, Dr. Rao has mentored thousands of elite entrepreneurs and thinkers. In this deep, honest, and often surprising conversation with GM Avetik, they explore: ✅ Emotional mastery in life and chess ✅ Letting go of anger and attachment ✅ The idea of destiny and control ✅ Why happiness isn't something you pursue ✅ And how chess mirrors the inner battles we all face A masterclass in self-discovery and emotional freedom — with some chess stories and laughs along the way.-----------------------------------Get three free courses:https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principleshttps://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-gameshttps://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-gamesAt ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.Become a PRO Member to get:📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses🎙️ Live Streams🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum📁 PGN’s👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Mar 29, 2025 • 57min
Enjoy Your Plateaus, Invest in the Process | GM Noel Studer on the ChessMood Podcast
Champions, our guest today is Grandmaster Noel Studer!After retiring from professional chess, he started NextLevelChess, where he shares his experience and insights to help others improve their game.Noel’s website https://nextlevelchess.com/Over 200 articles https://nextlevelchess.com/articles/His course on how to study chess https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system-----------------------------------Get three free courses:https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principleshttps://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-gameshttps://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-gamesAt ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.Become a PRO Member to get:📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses🎙️ Live Streams🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum📁 PGN’s👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Nov 22, 2024 • 49min
Inside the European Champion’s Mind | GM Aleksandar Indjic on ChessMood Podcast
Champions, our guest today is the European Champion 2024, Grandmaster Aleksandar Indjic.In this episode, we explore his approach to winning tournaments, managing setbacks, and using pressure as a tool for success. He also shares stories about his legendary coach GM Velimirovic, insights from working with Super Grandmaster Morozevich, and other fascinating experiences from his chess journey.There was a moment when he gave such brilliant advice that Avetik broke into applause. You’re going to enjoy this!-----------------------------------Get three free courses:https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principleshttps://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-gameshttps://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-gamesAt ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.Become a PRO Member to get:📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses🎙️ Live Streams🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum📁 PGN’s👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Oct 8, 2024 • 1h 5min
Beyond Chess Success and What Really Matters GM Georg Meier on ChessMood Podcast
GM Georg Meier has trained with the world’s best – Carlsen and Kasparov. The latter even predicted that GM Meier would break the 2700 elo barrier.He was living the dream of a professional chess player. But then, he left his chess ambitions behind to follow a new path. Why did he do it?In his chess career, what did he learn from his interactions with five world champions? What advice does he have for chess players?Find out in this episode as GM Georg Meier sits down with GM Avetik to share his journey.-----------------------------------Get three free courses:https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principleshttps://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-gameshttps://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-gamesAt ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.Become a PRO Member to get:📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses🎙️ Live Streams🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum📁 PGN’s👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Sep 3, 2024 • 1h 27min
Pursue Excitement for Lasting Happiness | Soulaima Gourani on ChessMood Podcast
Our guest is the inspiring Soulaima Gourani, who went from experiencing homelessness and dropping out of school to reaching a level where she would fly on private jets, receive numerous awards, including '40 under 40,' and Top 100 Women, and build successful businesses.In conversation with GM Avetik, she talks about building an excuseless mindset, the key to finding lasting happiness, goal setting, what she would do to reach her chess goal today, and much more.Check out Soulaima’s work here:Visit her website: https://soulaima.com/Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoulaimaGourani-----------------------------------Get three free courses:https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principleshttps://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-gameshttps://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-gamesAt ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.Become a PRO Member to get:📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses🎙️ Live Streams🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum📁 PGN’s👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Aug 13, 2024 • 54min
Think big and believe in yourself | Kevin Goh on ChessMood Podcast
When his father was diagnosed with cancer, GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming knew he had limited time to fulfill his dream of becoming a Grandmaster. Despite being the CFO of a major startup, Kevin pushed himself and earned his GM title! At 36!Then Kevin quit his comfortable job to become the CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation, determined to make Singapore a chess country. And now, the upcoming 2024 World Championship Match between Gukesh and Ding is being held there!How does Kevin set and achieve such ambitious goals? How does he push past limitations and think big?In this episode, GM Avetik interviews Kevin, who shares his remarkable journey, interesting stories, and powerful ideas that you can apply!-----------------------------------Get three free courses:https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principleshttps://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-gameshttps://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-gamesAt ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.Become a PRO Member to get:📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses🎙️ Live Streams🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum📁 PGN’s👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Mar 12, 2024 • 1h 14min
Mentally Strong Chess Players Don’t Do This | Amy Morin on ChessMood Podcast
Amy Morin, a renowned psychotherapist and the international bestselling author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do”, joins GM Avetik as a guest on this episode of the ChessMood podcast. They talk about the list of things mentally strong chess players don’t do, how to get over painful defeats and how chess players can master mental strength.Check out Amy’s work here:Visit her website: https://amymorinlcsw.com/Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyMorinLCSWWatch her inspiring TedX talk with over 23 million views: https://youtu.be/TFbv757kup4?si=H20ehd0bZ0fXGskcGet the book “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do”: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062358308-----------------------------------Get three free courses: https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principleshttps://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-gameshttps://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-gamesAt ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.Become a PRO Member to get:📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses🎙️ Live Streams🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum📁 PGN’s👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Jan 9, 2024 • 1h 17min
To succeed you have to love it | NM Ben Johnson on ChessMood Podcast
On Today's Episode, our guest is NM Ben Johnson, host of the famous Perpetual Chess podcast.Apart from chess improvement and his book about it, we discuss:- How he built the discipline to record a new episode every week for over seven years- What he did when his motivation waned- How he overcame his fears- and many other things that you’ll find helpful for your chess journey.Navigate to a particular section of the episode:0:00 Intro02:39 How Ben started the Perpetual Chess podcast05:48 Ben switching to poker09:55 How Ben keeps his discipline22:09 Competitiveness in chess and in life30:55 How to deal with nervousness47:39 “Perpetual Chess Improvement” book1:06:07 Ben learning Russian and living in St. PetersburgBen’s book: https://a.co/d/6ZxcIfHFollow Ben Johnson at:https://www.perpetualchesspod.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@perpetualchesspodcast9143https://open.spotify.com/show/5SzyXVaBZtM8CA6dtBQj7o?si=cca67f8271d146a0https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-chess-podcast/id1185023674_____________________________________________________Get three free courses:https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principleshttps://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-gameshttps://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-games