The Chess Experience

013 There’s a small percentage of people who can inspire us to be better at chess. One of those rare folks is FM James Canty III. Few would bet money that a guy in his late 20s could go from National Master to Grandmaster. It’s almost never done.Why?Because, like us club players, he grapples with adult responsibilities that make improvement difficult: a full-time job, limited energy, and time.But James is a powerhouse of positivity, discipline, and a tireless work ethic.In this interview, James shares: The single biggest “non-chess” activity you should do to improve your chess.The demystifying truth about people who doubt your goals.The surprising reason James got to be rated 2200 USCF with very little endgame study.More From James Canty: YouTube ChannelTwitch ChannelChess CoursesTwitterInstagramWebsite---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

012  There are nitty-gritty ways to improve: like focusing on tactics or endgame study. But what about big picture improvement skills? For discussion on that, I brought National Master, James Altucher, who is also a successful author and entrepreneur…James has written several business & personal development books…Most relevant is Skip the Line, which teaches you how to improve at a skill faster than expected…Plus, on his podcast, The James Altucher Show, he talks with highly successful people about the lessons & strategies that helped them achieve so much…Including Garry Kasparov and Judit Polgar!My interview with James covers lessons he's learned from these experiences…Exciting lessons  in this episode:Why age is not holding you back from chess improvementHow to emotionally deal with losing in chessA must-know strategy for increasing your speed of improvementWhy your chess journey should be about more than getting better at the game itselfMore From James Altucher:Book: Skip the LinePodcast: The James Altucher ShowJames’ Website---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

011 We all know chess is for everyone. Yet there are dramatically fewer women and girls in chess. It’s an issue we ought to tackle head-on so we can make the game more welcoming to women and girls. Thankfully, this week’s guest doesn’t just wonder how to solve the problem…Ingrid Gayle, the owner of Girl Boss Chess (GBC), is taking action every day to make chess a better community.How?GBC’s primary mission is to bring more women into the game from the ground up: By giving young girls a safe space where they can learn chess in online classes from top women coaches. In addition, GBC offers private and group coaching to women.In This Week's Episode: What caused Ingrid to dedicate her life to a company focused on bringing chess to girls & women?  Why is it important that girls learn chess?Ways men can make the chess community more welcoming to girls & women. Reasons to be hopeful for the future of women & girls in chess. Resources from This Episode:The Girl Boss Chess WebsiteCoaching for WomenCoaching for Girls---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

010 Choosing an opening is both exciting and terribly confusing. A new opening is a thrill in chess. But it’s hard to know which opening is best for YOU.What factors should you consider? How long do you stick with an opening before trying something new?How many moves deep should you study? In this episode, I interview someone who I consider to be one of the best opening and all-around chess instructors out there…National Master Bryan Tillis.Bryan helps me answer all of the above questions and more. Where to find Bryan’s Work:All of Bryan’s Chessable coursesBryan’s YouTube ChannelBryan’s Book: Become a Chess ChampionPalm Beach Chess (coaching)---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

009  Does the chess community need to relax and have more fun with its game? Not long ago, "chess content" meant either a lesson to improve or an update on the latest elite tournaments. It was a very serious affair. Nothing wrong with that. But maybe chess players would like to have an experience that also includes some fun and humor?The past 5 years are proof they do with the boom in “chess entertainment.” And now there’s a new, up-and-comer in this scene: Lula Robs.A fellow adult improver with an ability to create highly creative and hilarious chess content (and a Grandmaster at memes)...Lula is rising fast in the chess world. Her Twitch and Twitter followings have seen exponential growth in the past year.She discusses with me why chess entertainment is a positive for the community, as well as her own journey and story.More From Lula: TwitchYouTubeTwitterInstagramDiscord---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

008 Thinking about your first OTB classical tournament? Or perhaps you still want some guidance for your 2nd or 3rd event? This episode will help you successfully navigate an OTB chess tournament. While you may still have to face down an adorable 7-year-old in battle…It WILL reduce the number of surprises you encounter and help calm your nerves. Inside you’ll find: What to do before, during, and after the tournament to have a smooth experience.The 2 often-overlooked truths that determine which section you should compete in.  5 incredibly simple ways to be fully prepared for your next tournament.A powerful cure to placing too much pressure on yourself.>> FREE DOWNLOAD: A Guide to OTB Tournaments<< (This is the guide I created & referenced in this episode.)---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

007 Are you studying chess like crazy but not improving? You may be missing a critical component to your potential chess improvement: A well-developed thought process.Sure, this topic may lack the allure of studying the Sicilian Dragon or becoming a tactical wizard who shreds your opponents in minutes. But as my guest, NM Dan Heisman, says, “Chess is a thinking game.”So, you must - at some point - focus on your thought process, or you’ll limit your development as a chess player. Dan is the ultimate coach for adult improvers and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on the show. He’s written over a dozen chess books, has a popular YouTube channel with over 200 videos, and is well-recognized in the chess world as one of the premier coaches for amateurs.Here, you’ll learn:The most common mistakes players under 1500 USCF make in their thought process - and how to fix them. 2 questions to almost always ask when it’s your move and you’re out of book.How do you choose among different candidate moves? Resources Referenced In This EpisodeBOOK: A Guide to Chess Improvement - Dan HeismanBOOK: The Improving Chess Thinker - Dan HeismanVIDEO: Thought Process Playlist - Dan HeismanVIDEO: Basic Material Playlist - Dan HeismanARTICLES: Dan Heisman’s Article Library on Chess.comMore Resources From Dan HeismanDan’s WebsiteDan’s YouTube ChannelDan Heisman TV on Chess.com---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

006 One of the hardest parts of being an adult improver is making the most of your limited (and energy-drained?) free time for chess. To help me dive into this subject and reach a few solutions for this problem, I talk with NM Laura Smith, who brings a refreshing positive energy and enthusiasm to our discussion of chess.Born and raised in Queens, New York, she now lives in Brooklyn. Laura is an elementary school teacher who also coaches chess at both the scholastic and adult levels.Laura has also recently led the adult beginner classes for the US Chess Women program.A few ideas you'll find in this episode: Why you should do fewer puzzles online, not more.Do you really need to dive deep into endgames?A unique approach to delving into strategy.Want To Save Using the Steps Method? Go to Chess Steps and use her affiliate code, "LauraLovesChess" and get 10% offYou can also find Laura streaming live with her husband on their Twitch Channel.---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

005 In 2020, the chess world was gifted an extraordinary film.  Yet not nearly enough of us saw it.  The pandemic blunted its theater release. So, it never received the attention it deserved. That movie is Critical Thinking, starring John Leguizamo, who also directed the movie.The film is about the true story of a high school chess teacher who leads the first inner-city school to win a US National Chess Championship, and uses the game to teach them life lessons.In this episode, I chat with the film's creator and Executive Producer, Carla Berkowitz. We discuss:The amazing story of how it took 20 years for the film to get made.Behind-the-scenes of recreating realistic chess for a Hollywood film.The profound life lessons of chess.How chess serves as a refuge for those struggling in life.Will there be a "sequel" to this film?NOTE: There are no spoilers in the interview, so you can enjoy it without seeing the film. But you’ll get even more out of our discussion if you see it first. So, to that end...Rent or Watch the Film Here:AmazonHuluYouTubeStarz---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

004 What makes chess improvement so difficult? Crafting a study plan you're confident will work has to be high on the list. In this episode, I dive into what makes a great study plan for any rating level with IM Andras Toth.Plus, he busts some harmful myths.Andras is a renowned coach to adults with a blunt, no-nonsense approach to teaching that's refreshing.He has a highly regarded YouTube channel, plus he's the author of many great courses on Chessable.In this episode, you'll learn:The real reason engine analysis is of limited help to your chess improvement (no matter what your amateur rating is.)Why it's so important to work with a coach if you want to see long-term progress. The vital importance of studying annotated games.A critical, overlooked component to studying tactics that's rarely considered in most people's study plans.Supplemental Content: "How to Master Calculation? What Difference Can a Coach Make?" - Andras recommends this video to further some of the ideas he talked about in this podcast episode, especially the difference of having a coach.More From Andras:YouTube Andra's Chessable CoursesTwitch Resources in this EpisodeBOOK: Best Lessons of a Chess CoachBOOK: How to Beat Your Dad At ChessVIDEO: Andras's YouTube Amateur Mind Series---------How You Can Support the Pod:Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: Submitting questions to guestsA shout-out of your name on the podVote on future topics/guests Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the showDM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodesClick here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.Or you can…>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)