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The final episode of Season 3 of How to Chess is a rare solo pod, where Ben succinctly summarizes the key lessons about chess role models that were imparted by the How to Chess guests. As Ben notes, the guests have highlighted role models ranging from elite players to local players to renowned endgame specialists, and luckily we don't need to choose just one person to learn from in our chess studies.  In closing, Ben highlights a few of his own chess role models and the lessons that he learned from them. Thanks to all of the brilliant How to Chess Season 3 guests, be sure to check out their courses, and thanks to you all for listening!

Luciana Morales is a Peruvian Woman International Master with a resume full of impressive accomplishements! She has won the Pan-American Youth Championship no less than 3 times. She also won the Zonal Tournament 2.4 in São Paulo. The win qualified her for the 2004 Women's World Championship, making her the first Peruvian player to do so. And when she studied at the University of Texas - Brownsville, she helped the team outperform their seeding, and break into the final four of the 2008 Pan-American Team Championship. But, what does she have to say about role models in chess? Queens of the Chess Board: https://www.chessable.com/queens-of-the-chess-board/course/102010/ Luciana's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/LucianaM/ Luciana's socials: X: https://twitter.com/LucianaMorales Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Alex Astaneh is an Irish International Master, chess coach, and author. Astaneh's chess journey began at a young age, and he quickly found success on the Irish chess circuit. At the age of 11, he represented Ireland at the World Youth Championships, which got him hooked on the game. His successes continued, having won the Irish Championship on three separate occasions (2010, 2017, 2018) and has represented the Irish National Team four times at the Chess Olympiads (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018). In addition to a lauded chess playing career, Astaneh stands out as a world-class coach, including a stint as the official coach of the Irish junior team in the World Youth Championships 2010. As Alex explains, he learned from studying the typical legends like Fischer and Tal, but his Spanish coach, IM Roberto Paramos Dominguez taught him a ton about attacking and visualization. In our conversation Alex shares tons of helpful tips for improving calculation. My First Grünfeld Opening Repertoire: https://www.chessable.com/my-first-grunfeld-opening-repertoire/course/134696/ Alex's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/Astaneh/ Alex's socials: X: https://twitter.com/astanehchess Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexastaneh/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/astaneh/ Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Jorden van Foreest is a well accomplished Grandmaster from the Netherlands. Some of the highlights of his career includes winning the Dutch Championship in 2016, winning the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament in 2021, and serving as Magnus Carlsen's second in the 2021 World Championship. But what does he have to say about role models in chess? Lifetime Repertoires: Tarrasch Defense: https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-tarrasch-defense/course/128906/ Jorden's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/jordenvforeest/ Jorden's X: https://twitter.com/jordenvforeest Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Laura Smith is an American chess teacher and educator. She began learning the game at the fairly young age of 5, taught by her father. By the time she was 6, she was already enrolled in chess classes. Her accomplishments include becoming the highest-rated 13-year-old, male or female, in the US in 2002. She competed in the US Women's Chess Championship in 2006, earned a silver medal in the Girls Under 14 category in the Pan-American Championship, and earned a spot on the US Youth Chess Team for 8 consecutive years. Laura discusses what she has learned from female role models like Judit Polgar, Irina Krush and Jennifer Shahade.     Forcing Moves for Beginners: https://www.chessable.com/forcing-moves-for-beginners-/course/123996/ Laura's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/LauraSmith/ Laura's socials: X: https://twitter.com/lauraloveschess Instagram: instagram.com/lauraloveschess Twitch: twitch.com/shaunandlaura Email: lauraloveschess@gmail.com   Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Ono is an Adult Improver, chess blogger, chess podcaster and chess coach. Some say he is obsessed with chess. But, what does he have to say about role models in chess? Mastering Endgame Strategy: https://www.chessable.com/mastering-e... Arkell's Endings: https://www.chessable.com/arkells-end... Ono's socials: https://www.theonozone.com/ Youtube:   h / @theonozone   X: t / theonozone   Ono Another Chess Podcast - Episode 7 (Guest: Ben Johnson): https://www.theonozone.com/7

Alex Banzea is a Romanian International Master, growing Twitch streamer, YouTuber, chess coach, and acclaimed Chessable author. Since early age, Alex has received coaching of the highest level: Grandmaster Constantin Lupulescu, one of the most accomplished Romanian players ever. What does Alex has to say about role models in chess? The Caro-Kann: Simplified: https://www.chessable.com/the-caro-kann-simplified/course/171080/ Alex Banzea's London System: https://www.chessable.com/alex-banzeas-london-system/course/118788/ Alex's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/alexbanzea/ Alex's socials: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexBanzea Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexBanzea Ben's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

International Master Yuriy Krykun is a chess player, coach, and author. This rising star of the chess world has shined so bright that he’s gotten attention from beginners and grandmasters alike. But, what does he has to say about role models in chess? IM Yuriy Krykun's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/Yuri... Black is Back: Old Benoni: https://www.chessable.com/black-is-ba... Yuriy Krykun's socials: X: https://twitter.com/KrykunYuriy Ben's Socials: X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Ben Johnson talks role models in chess with gold-winning player/trainer/coach, GM Ivan Sokolov. Ivan Sokolov is a Grandmaster, author, coach, and formerly one of the top-ranked chess players in the world. Sokolov was the coach and captain of the gold-winning Uzbek team in the 2022 Olympiad. GM Ivan Sokolov's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/Ivan... Endgame Expertise: Rook Endgames https://www.chessable.com/endgame-exp... Ivan Sokolov's socials: X: https://twitter.com/GMSokolovIvan Ben's Socials: X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Just a quick announcement that Season 3 is finally here! The topic of this season is chess role models.

CM Vjekoslav "Vjeko" Nemec is a Chessable Author, a chess blogger and journalist, and a fierce blitz player with ratings over 2600 on both Lichess and Chess.com. In our conversation, Vjeko shares some tips for improving your blitz game, but also discusses the dark side of a love for blitz, as it can be addicting and sometimes causes him to wonder if he is using his chess time optimally. In our conversation we get some good reflections on improving your blitz game, putting it in its proper place in your life, and even on how to reorient in order to work on classical chess instead. Check out Vjeko's course, The Uncompromising Modern Defense, here: https://www.chessable.com/the-uncompromising-modern-defense/course/87112/

This week's guest on How to Chess is Chessable author and renowned trainer GM Johan Hellsten. He joins the podcast this week to share some tips about how to analyze one's one chess games. Johan touches on how to utilize engines, and the different types of mistakes he sees in his students games. Johan's landmark Mastering Chess books/ Chessable series is packed with instructive positions and is revered by other chess trainers and students alike. It is a particularly good choice for those rated in the 1400 to 2200 range. You can check out Johan's Chessable Courses (including links to free lessons) here: https://www.chessable.com/author/jhellsten2/