The Chess Cognition Podcast

Season 2 of the Chess Cognition Podcast comes to a close with this wrap-up episode. From cognitive science and chess psychology to positional mastery and historic match insights, we covered a wide range of powerful conversations with nine brilliant guests. As we prepare for Season 3 launching in August, I’d love to hear your feedback—what was your favorite episode, what topics do you want more of, and who should I invite next?Thank you for being part of your exciting journey.

Join cognitive scientist and chess candidate master Christopher Chabris as he dives into the cognitive challenges chess players face. He explains concepts like inattentional blindness and how they lead to missed opportunities on the board. Chabris offers practical strategies for enhancing decision-making, including a structured 'blunder check' approach. He also discusses cognitive biases, such as overconfidence and the sunk cost fallacy, which can cloud judgment. Explore how memory can distort perceptions and learn to improve your chess through better awareness and critical thinking.

In a captivating discussion, Grandmaster Jacob Aagaard, a celebrated chess author and 2007 British Chess Champion, dives into the art of chess exchanges and strategic thinking. He shares fascinating insights on evaluating piece trades, distinguishing between good and bad pieces, and the role of cognitive clarity in decision-making. Aagaard emphasizes the importance of focused practice and long-term engagement in mastering chess. The conversation also touches on parallels between strategic choices in chess and life, enriching listeners' understanding of both.

The game: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044387Spassky drew lessons from this loss in the same match: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1129672Spassky - Portisch (1977): https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1113732🔵 My Chessable Courses: https://chessable.com/drcan♟️ Find me on Chess.com: DrCanChess♟️ Find me on Lichess: cantosh🏆 2022 Chessable Community Author of the Year! https://www.chessable.com/blog/announcing-the-winners-of-the-2022-chessable-awards/🏆 2023 Chessable Best Tactics Course of the Year! https://www.chessable.com/fundamental-chess-calculation-skills/course/123333/🏆 2024 Chessable Author of the Year! https://www.chessable.com/blog/annoucing-the-winners-of-the-2024-chessable-awards/00:00 Intro04:17 Andras Joins07:03 Spanish Tabiya08:00 A Fun Story by Andras 16:30 Major Transformation of the Pawn Structure23:46 Identifying Key Plans and Strategies32:41 Don't Try This at Home39:11 Why Did Fischer Play Ne2?50:00 Discovering but Not Believing in the Winning Plan50:38 Good Bishops vs. Bad Bishops01:01:27 An Explosive Pawn Break01:05:53 How Super GMs Differ From Us Mortals01:38:04 SummaryIn this episode, IM Andras Toth and I dive deep into a fascinating game: Fischer vs Spassky, 1992. But this isn’t just a game analysis—it’s a full-blown Guess the Move training session. We pause at every move, think out loud, and try to step into the shoes of Spassky. Sometimes, our ideas align beautifully with the masters; other times, our egos are shattered by their brilliance. That’s the beauty of this exercise: it exposes your blind spots, forces you to calculate deeply, and helps you ask better “why” questions with every decision.Guess the Move is one of the most effective—and underrated—forms of chess training. Instead of passively watching, you're actively guessing, evaluating, and engaging with the position like you would in your own games. From positional maneuvers to wild tactical shots, this game had it all—and we felt every twist and turn. You’ll also hear the contrast between our thought processes, offering insight into how a Candidate Master and an International Master see the board.

FIDE Master Nate Solon, co-author of "Evaluate Like a Grandmaster," dives deep into the art of evaluating chess positions. He argues that king safety and piece activity often trump material count, challenging traditional views. With practical techniques and the KMAP framework—King safety, Material, Activity, and Pawn structure—Nate demonstrates how to navigate complex scenarios. He encourages listeners to think critically about each position, using real game examples to sharpen their strategic instincts and enhance their overall gameplay.

The Perpetual Chess Pod: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/Perpetual Chess Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetualchesspodcast9143Perpetual Chess Improvement: https://amzn.to/4i4JsmpPerpetual Chess Link-fest: https://benjohnson.substack.com/Ben's Chessable Course: https://www.chessable.com/identifying-critical-moments-in-chess/course/248353/00:00 Intro01:49 The Art of Guest Selection and Preparation09:39 Insights from Years of Podcasting Experience12:30 Memorable Conversations and Unique Stories16:08 The Chess Linkfest Newsletter19:06 Chess Scandals & Drama22:59 Writing 'Perpetual Chess Improvement' 27:56 Structured Learning in Chess30:33 Minimizing Blunders for Improvement33:30 Ben's Next Book Project38:33 His Recent OTB Tournament Experience51:08 Blitz Chess52:58 Ben's Chessable Course 'Identifying Critical Moments in Chess'In this episode, I’m thrilled to host Ben Johnson, the voice behind the Perpetual Chess Podcast and one of the most connected figures in the chess world. With over eight years of experience interviewing top players, coaches, and adult improvers, Ben has a unique perspective on what it takes to improve at chess. We dive deep into his journey as a podcaster, the art of selecting guests, and the lessons he’s distilled into his book, Perpetual Chess Improvement. Ben shares valuable insights that every chess enthusiast can learn from.We also explore the key themes from his book, including the importance of community, effective training methods, and how to sustain improvement as an adult. Ben's candid reflections on the state of chess content and his thoughtful approach to interviews make this conversation useful for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of chess improvement. Please check out his book and listen to his podcast for deep chess wisdom.

In this episode, I sat down with IM Alex Astaneh to explore the fundamentals of positional chess and discuss his Chessable course, "Positional Chess Patterns Manual." Alex's course is designed to help players internalize essential positional concepts through repeatable patterns. We analyzed instructive examples from Magnus Carlsen's games, particularly how he leverages color complexes, weak squares, and outposts to systematically dominate his opponents. Alex emphasized how pattern recognition and structured thinking allow strong players to find the right plans quickly, even in complex positions.Beyond strategy, we discussed how to train positional understanding more effectively, focusing on clarity in learning, board vision, and structured study techniques. I shared my approach to cleaning up positions for better learning outcomes, removing unnecessary distractions so students can focus on the core strategic ideas. Alex also highlighted the importance of reverse-engineering winning positions, especially in endgames, by identifying ideal setups and working backward to achieve them. This episode is packed with insights that can help you develop a deeper understanding of chess strategy.Alex's Chessable courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/Astaneh/Alex's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alexastanehIn My Chessable Courses: https://chessable.com/drcan00:00 Intro02:19 Why He Created "The Positional Chess Patterns Manual"15:03 The Difference Between Positional Chess and Strategic Play27:17 Power Outpost46:06 The Course Creation Process54:43 Carlsen's Blitz Games (Color Complex)01:15:40 How to Build Up the Knowledge (Weak Square)01:24:01 Pseudo Outpost01:25:42 How to Teach Beginners01:37:32 Power Outpost and Pseudo Outpost Combo01:46:45 Pseudo Outpost in the Classical Structure01:52:29 Exchange Sacrifice01:53:54 Schematic Thinking02:02:44 Outro & Future Plans

This episode was recorded on a truly special day for me—I’ve been honored as Chessable’s Author of the Year for 2024! It’s an incredible milestone, and I’m deeply grateful for all the support along the way.But this episode isn’t just about celebrating—I'm joined by the amazing WIM Luciana Morales, a highly accomplished chess player, educator, and Chessable author. We dive into her Chessable course "Queens of the Chess Board," which explores the lives and games of the first five Women’s World Champions, bringing to light some of chess history’s most fascinating and underappreciated players.Beyond her chess achievements, Luciana is a true multi-talent—she’s working on a children’s chess book, managing social media for Chessable and Chess.com, and has played a key role in various chess education projects, including the FIDE Chessable Academy with legendary trainers like Artur Yusupov. In this episode, we explore the styles of Women’s World Champions, discuss how chess connects generations, and even touch on her creative work on social media.By the end of the video, we show games of five World Champions to explore their chess styles. And a gem of a game from Luciana against an international master!Queens of the Chess Board: https://www.chessable.com/queens-of-the-chess-board/course/102010/Follow Luciana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsgambit/Follow Luciana on X: https://x.com/LucianaMoralesFollow Luciana on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/drcanchess.bsky.social00:00 Intro02:12 Background Story and Early Years08:49 The Making of 'Queens of the Chess Board'23:15 Her Upcoming Chess Book35:55 Fide Chessable Academy39:43 Chessable Classroom45:27 Social Media & The Art of Chess Memes56:14 Menchik - Sir George Thomas, 193201:03:50 Menchik - Price, 192701:08:43 Rudenko - Bruce, 194601:13:16 Bykova - Keller, 195201:19:46 Rubtsova - Vaisberg, 195101:25:12 Gaprindashvili - Beliavsky, 197701:33:36 Luciana's Masterpiece

00:00 Intro 12:03 Pressure 14:37 Alan Watts' Fantasy 17:53 Meditation 21:04 Playing the Position in Front of You 27:01 Toxic Self-Talk 30:24 Rating Anxiety 33:42 Confidence and Self-Efficacy 41:23 Handling Losses 45:21 Pain = Suffering x Resistance 52:35 Time Trouble 55:07 Giving up Control 58:00 Self-Adopted Identities 1:00:28 Beauty in Complexity 1:03:46 Preserving the Love for the Game 1:15:31 Pre-Game Rituals Benji Portheault, a seasoned performance coach with experience working with chess players of all levels, including super grandmasters, joined the podcast to discuss the mental aspects of chess. Throughout the conversation, he explored topics such as meditation, dealing with tilt, tournament preparation, and the psychology of chess success. Benji gave insights into how identity, confidence, and mindset play crucial roles in a player's performance. His approach combines modern psychology with meditation techniques to help players build resilience and manage the stress of competition effectively. A major focus of the discussion was on managing emotions during games, particularly in high-pressure situations. Benji explained the importance of developing self-awareness, identifying negative thought patterns, and learning how to reset mentally after mistakes. He introduced techniques such as open monitoring meditation and mental reframing to help players regain focus and prevent one mistake from snowballing into further blunders. He also emphasized the need for practical routines before and during games, including recognizing the feeling of playing well and recalling past successful experiences to build confidence. The conversation also touched on broader topics like rating anxiety, tournament nerves, and the importance of maintaining a love for the game. Benji encouraged players to cultivate a healthy relationship with chess, understanding that improvement requires embracing both wins and losses as learning experiences. He highlighted how professionals and amateurs alike struggle with the psychological challenges of competition, making mental training just as crucial as tactical and strategic preparation.

In this first episode of 2025, I’m joined by Ono, an experienced coach, blogger, and adult improver. Ono shares his journey from picking up chess during the Queen’s Gambit boom to becoming an active participant in the Dutch chess scene. We discuss his experiences with plateaus, rating anxiety, and the challenges of adult improvement, offering practical advice for players navigating similar struggles.This conversation highlights several key topics for chess enthusiasts, including Ono’s two-part approach to blunder-checking, his thoughts on building a sustainable repertoire, and how to transform knowledge into skill. We also delve into the psychological side of chess, exploring ways to manage frustration, embrace the learning process, and find meaning in the game.Whether you’re a beginner looking for guidance or an experienced player refining your approach, this episode provides thoughtful insights and actionable takeaways to help you on your chess journey. Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for future episodes featuring more voices from the chess community.01:21 Ono's Chess Journey04:42 The Blunder-Check08:57 The Pen Trick13:10 Adult Improvement: Struggles and Solutions19:25 Building an Opening Repertoire and the Value of Specialization23:15 Endgame Study30:44 Training Plans and Why We Train 39:22 Chess Psychology51:01 Coping with Losses56:44 Why is Chess so Captivating?