Advertise on podcast: The Chess Cognition Podcast

0:00 Why Chess Puzzles Don't Always Transfer to Real Games 01:02 Solution Patterns vs. Tactical Triggers 2:19 Why Triggers Matter for Working Memory 3:04 Puzzle 1: Find the Trigger 4:05 Learning to Recognize Loose Pieces 6:15 Puzzle 2: Same Trigger, Different Position 8:25 Puzzle 3: Missed Chance in Carlsen - Kaymer 10:34 Why You Must Study Near Misses 10:59 The Greek Gift Sacrifice: When It Fails 12:49 The Greek Gift Sacrifice: When It Works 15:11 A Four-Step Method for Training Chess Tactics 16:18 The Most Important Question After Every Puzzle 17:11 Connecting Tactical Triggers to CLAMP Have you solved hundreds of chess puzzles but still find yourself missing tactics in your actual games? The problem may not be your calculation skills, but your ability to recognize tactical triggers. In this video, I explain why chess puzzle training doesn't always transfer to practical games and how learning to identify the underlying cues behind tactical patterns can improve your tactical awareness. Drawing on principles from cognitive science and learning psychology, we explore the difference between knowing a tactical solution and recognizing when you should start looking for one. Through instructive chess examples, including double attacks, deflections, loose pieces, and the famous Greek Gift sacrifice, I demonstrate how to extract generalizable patterns from tactical puzzles. You'll also learn why studying failed combinations and near misses is essential for developing accurate pattern recognition. Finally, I introduce a practical four-step approach to chess tactics training that can help you recognize opportunities, manage your attention, and apply what you learn to unfamiliar positions in your own games. The goal is not simply to solve more puzzles, but to learn more deeply from every puzzle you solve.

Prof. Ben Balas' blog: https://lichess.org/@/NDpatzer/blog Ben's Substack: https://benbalas.substack.com/?utm_source=sidestack.io&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=directory Follow Ben Balas on X: https://x.com/bjbalas https://www.ndsu.edu/centers/cvcn/labs/balas/people.php Calculating Sharpness in Chess: https://lichess.org/@/jk_182/blog/evaluating-sharpness-using-lc0s-wdl/EXZ3pRoy#:~:text=The%20basic%20idea%20behind%20the,winning%20and%20losing%20probability%20increase. The Psychology of Chess by Fernand Gobet: https://amzn.to/4flnp9y 00:00 Intro 01:38 Prof. Benjamin Balas' Chess History 04:23 The Limits of Our Visual System 06:45 Visual Crowding 09:23 Expert Eyes vs. Novice Eyes 13:35 Grouping the Familiar Chunks 17:16 Practical Tips for Better Blunder Checks 19:49 2D vs. 3D 24:13 Visual Span and Visual Attention 31:54 Research Project Ideas Involving Chess 34:11 Visual Imagery and Calculation 38:34 Group vs. Individual Problem-Solving (Chessable Grant) 40:01 Avoid the Blunder #1 43:01 Reshevsky's Blunder and Why He Committed It 47:29 Avoid the Blunder #2 50:50 Checklists to Reduce Blunders 58:48 Loose Piece + Alignment 1:02:30 Inhibition of Return 1:05:33 Brief Summary and Lessons In this fascinating discussion, we delve deep into the cognitive science behind chess blunders with Professor Benjamin Balas from North Dakota State University. As an expert in visual cognition, Ben sheds light on how our visual system, with all its strengths and limitations, plays a crucial role in our chess performance. We discuss how issues like visual crowding and peripheral vision contribute to common mistakes, especially for newer players. Ben also explains practical strategies for enhancing blunder-checking skills and shares insights on his ongoing research, offering invaluable tips that all players can apply. One of the key takeaways is understanding why certain blunders, like missing "sniper bishops," often occur due to our visual system's natural constraints. Ben dives into the concept of "visual crowding," where surrounding pieces make it harder to detect distant threats, and reveals how experts overcome this by developing rich chunks and patterns in memory. Together, we explore how checklist processes and deliberate board scanning can help mitigate these blind spots, making blunders less likely and visual processing more effective. Throughout our conversation, Ben also highlights groundbreaking research studies on chess expertise and visual cognition, detailing how experts use eye-tracking and attentional techniques to manage complex positions efficiently. From practical advice on blunder-check processes to a discussion of the psychological and visual nuances that define expert play, this conversation is packed with insights that every chess player will find enlightening.

Contact FM Tarik Selbes here: https://lichess.org/@/nuagesgris The article featuring Yagiz, Tarik, and Romanov: https://www.chess.com/news/view/12-year-old-erdogmus-breaks-polgars-historic-rating-record Tarik's chess history blog 'Cafe Chigorin': https://tinyurl.com/yp9hhmyz 00:00 Intro 02:23 Enters Tarik Selbes 05:42 The Puzzle Grind That Built Monster Calculation Skills 12:23 The Importance of Calculation in Chess 15:36 His Work with GM Evgeny Romanov 22:15 Positional Play and Dorfman's Influence 27:09 Showing Games: Static vs. Dynamic Play 30:49 Yagiz's Early Positional Mistakes 35:09 Erdogmus - Nitish 39:47 Shaik - Erdogmus 43:59 Excellent Calculation: Erdogmus - Sapenov, 2023 49:40 His Resiliency: Santiago - Erdogmus 51:42 Present Time: Erdogmus - Svidler, 2025 55:44 Strategic Maturity: Erdogmus - Vachier-Lagrave, 2025 59:51 Erigaisi - Erdogmus, 2026: The Exchange Sac That Shocked the Chess World 01:06:05 Does Yagiz Know Chess Classics and Old Masters? 01:09:35 Zurich 1953: Why You Should Read Old Books Skeptically 01:14: 36 Is Blitz Good For Your Chess? 01:21:25 Tarik Selbes’ IM Journey at 40 — Adult Improvement Tips 01:31:26 The Psychological Pressure of Being a “Future World Champion” 01:44:14 How to Define 'Talent' in Chess 01:53:54 Kids vs Adults 01:58:02 Opening Work 02:02:02 Tarik's Book Project on Max Euwe 02:04:23 The Rise of Turkish Chess In this special podcast episode, I’m joined by FIDE Master and longtime friend Tarik Selbes to break down the incredible rise of Turkish chess prodigy Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş — a player many believe has future World Champion potential. Even Magnus Carlsen has called him the strongest 14-year-old chess player ever, while Hikaru Nakamura has highlighted his extraordinary calculation skills. Tarik shares rare behind-the-scenes insights from training camps where he worked as translator for Russian coach Evgeny Romanov, revealing: • How Yağız built monster-level calculation through massive puzzle training • Why modern prodigies train differently from past generations • The key positional weaknesses he had, and how they were fixed • The balance between dynamic and static factors (Dorfman-style thinking) We also analyze instructive games against legends like Peter Svidler and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, showing how Yağız’s play has matured from pure tactical brilliance into world-class positional mastery. Beyond prodigy development, we dive into: Talent vs hard work Chess psychology and pressure at the highest level Why kids today train differently than adults who grew up on chess books How adult improvers can still make huge progress (Tarik’s IM norm journey at 40!) The rise of Turkish chess culture Tarik recently completed his final IM norm at age 40 and now needs to reach 2400 ELO to become an International Master. He is an inspiration for adult improvers. keywords chess, Yagiz Kaan, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Tarık Selbes, chess training, calculation, positional play, chess prodigy, chess improvement, strategic training, chess analysis, chess, chess strategy, chess psychology, chess talent, chess education, chess culture, chess improvement, chess prodigies, chess classics, chess learning, adult chess improvement,

The Perpetual Chess Pod: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/ Perpetual Chess Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetualchesspodcast Perpetual Chess Improvement: https://amzn.to/4i4Jsmp Perpetual Chess Link-fest: https://benjohnson.substack.com/ Ben's Chessable Course: https://www.chessable.com/identifying-critical-moments-in-chess/course/248353/ 00:00 Intro 01:49 The Art of Guest Selection and Preparation 09:39 Insights from Years of Podcasting Experience 12:30 Memorable Conversations and Unique Stories 16:08 The Chess Linkfest Newsletter 19:06 Chess Scandals & Drama 22:59 Writing 'Perpetual Chess Improvement' 27:56 Structured Learning in Chess 30:33 Minimizing Blunders for Improvement 33:30 Ben's Next Book Project 38:33 His Recent OTB Tournament Experience 51:08 Blitz Chess 52:58 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.

Robert's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/nmrobertramirez Robert on the Perpetual Chess Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od16FlwGl5U Robert's Chessable courses: https://www.chessable.com/counterblow-a-complete-fighting-repertoire-for-beginners/course/199358/ https://www.chessable.com/first-strike-the-fighting-stonewall-attack-for-beginners/course/241908/ Fernand Gobet and Jensen's article on chess improvement: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267259137_Training_in_chess_A_scientific_approach 00:00 Introduction 02:58 System Openings 06:18 Are They More Suitable for Adults? 08:43 Balancing the Downsides of System Openings 13:18 Prof. IM Fernand Gobet's Take on Openings 14:58 Opening Traps and Human Psychology 18:48 Are System Openings Easily Targeted? 23:28 Middlegame Plans/Toolbox 31:16 How to Create an Opening Course on System Openings 35:30 Working With Adults and Kids 44:07 Benefits of Learning Chess Later in Life 47:02 Productive Failure 48:12 Robert's Coaching Philosophy 59:36 Future In this video, I had the pleasure of hosting National Master Robert Ramirez, a renowned Chessable author, YouTuber, and educator. We delve into various chess topics, starting with Robert’s unique journey in the chess world, from his humble beginnings to becoming a well-respected coach. We also discussed the advantages of system openings, such as the King’s Indian/Pirc Defense and the Reverse Stonewall. Robert shares his insights on why system openings can be particularly useful not only for busy adult learners but also for kids, cutting down on preparation time and allowing more focus on chess fundamentals. Our conversation shifted towards cognitive science, highlighting the role of chunking and pattern recognition in chess improvement. Robert shared his thoughts on how system openings foster familiarity with recurring structures, aiding long-term retention of key chess ideas. We explored the differences between teaching kids and adults. Robert emphasized that consistent practice, especially in tactical exercises and real games, is essential for meaningful progress, regardless of age. Lastly, we discussed Robert’s approach to teaching and the importance of productive failure in chess learning. He shared how he tracks his students' progress and uses setbacks as opportunities for growth. We wrapped up with a look into Robert’s upcoming projects, including a new Chessable course on strategy, and reflected on the rewarding aspects of coaching and teaching chess. Whether you're an adult improver, a competitive player, or simply passionate about chess, this conversation offers valuable insights into the learning process and the tools necessary for success.

Solveig's Excellent Chessable Course 'Breaking 1000': https://www.chessable.com/breaking-1000/course/237622/ Solveig's Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/rookieredhead Find Solveig on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rookie_redhead/?hl=en Find Solveig on X: https://x.com/RookieRedhead 00:00 Intro 01:38 How Solveig Rediscovered the Game 07:40 Chessable Course: Breaking 1000 13:57 Misconceptions Around Chess Improvement 20:42 Productive Failure: Why Reflection and Feedback Are Crucial 27:52 Social Aspect of Chess Learning 32:14 Advantages of Group Lessons 38:54 Solveig's Upcoming Course on Cultivating Courage Over the Board 47:28 What Makes Chess So Fascinating? 52:00 How Chess Teaches Us About Ourselves In this exciting episode, I sit down with Solveig Friberg, also known as Rookie Redhead, a rising chess star from Norway who started playing chess in 2022 and has already made impressive strides, reaching a FIDE rating of 1570! But Solveig is more than just a chess enthusiast—she's a professional educator. She shares her unique insights into education and psychology, blending them with her chess journey. Whether you're an adult improver, a chess learner, or a coach, this conversation will offer valuable lessons about learning chess, overcoming barriers, and enhancing your educational approach. Solveig shares her fascinating story of falling in love with chess after watching the World Chess Championship on Norwegian TV and realizing the game's incredible depth. From setting a New Year's resolution to learn chess to working with coaches, playing in tournaments, and crafting her popular Chessable course, "Breaking 1000," Solveig opens up about the dedication and mindset it takes to improve. We also discuss the social side of chess learning, group dynamics, and how these pedagogical principles can boost anyone’s chess progress, especially for adult learners navigating rating anxiety and psychological barriers. Solveig also gives a sneak peek at her upcoming Chessable course on cultivating courage over the board! Tune in to hear Solveig’s approach to mindset, embracing failure as a learning tool, and the importance of reflection in the improvement process. It’s an enlightening conversation for anyone interested in chess education, psychology, and the mindset behind improving at the game.

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/LucianaMorales Follow Luciana on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/drcanchess.bsky.social 'Imagination in Chess' was written by Paata Gaprindashvili: https://amzn.to/42PVFqb 'Chess Queens' by Jennifer Shahade: https://www.amazon.se/-/en/Jennifer-Shahade/dp/1399701371 00:00 Intro 02:12 Background Story and Early Years 08:49 The Making of 'Queens of the Chess Board' 23:15 Her Upcoming Chess Book 35:55 Fide Chessable Academy 39:43 Chessable Classroom 45:27 Social Media & The Art of Chess Memes 56:14 Menchik - Sir George Thomas, 1932 01:03:50 Menchik - Price, 1927 01:08:43 Rudenko - Bruce, 1946 01:13:16 Bykova - Keller, 1952 01:19:46 Rubtsova - Vaisberg, 1951 01:25:12 Gaprindashvili - Beliavsky, 1977 01:33:36 Luciana's Masterpiece 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!

Nick's substack 'Chess in Small Doses': https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/ The Perpetual Chess Episode on 'Make it Stick': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpcgQpppDOQ https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/p/play-first-study-later?source=queue https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/p/coming-soon https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/p/making-it-stick Here is the game Nick was referring to with c4-c5 giving away the d5-outpost: https://lichess.org/wGOkHFpi/black 00:00 Intro 02:58 Visualization Training/Step 2 Thinking Ahead 11:14 Information Overload and Finding Relevancy 14:24 Direct Instruction vs. Productive Failure 21:48 Craft Learning vs. Academic Learning 24:14 Science Behind Chess Improvement 31:38 Visualization Drills 41:01 Positional Chunks and Patterns 47:22 Evidence-Based Learning Approaches 55:31 Testing Nick: Position 1 01:01:51 Testing Nick: Position 2 In this podcast episode, I am hosting Nick Vasquez, a medical doctor, adult chess improver, and author of the insightful blog Chess in Small Doses. Nick has been featured on the Perpetual Chess Podcast and brings a unique perspective to chess learning through cognitive science. We'll be diving deep into topics such as working memory, visualization, and how these concepts can help adult chess players unlock their potential. Nick shares his personal journey in chess, including how he started taking the game seriously in 2020, progressing from a 1650 chess.com rating to an impressive 1913 in classical games on lichess. Along the way, Nick overcame plateaus by embracing visualization exercises that significantly boosted his performance. In our discussion, he explains how targeted visualization training can be a game-changer, especially for adult players who often struggle with seeing ahead on the board, and why this approach is key to building stronger chess habits. We also explore evidence-based learning methods, discussing the balance between direct instruction and productive failure. Nick’s experience highlights the importance of making chess learning personal and relevant, emphasizing that true growth often comes from hands-on experimentation and learning from mistakes. Whether you're an adult chess improver or a coach, this episode offers valuable insights into the science of learning and practical strategies for breaking through barriers in your chess journey.

Sam's Training Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E1r69Q46gZX02mE5hYPjdVw4VXdz0KfjrTjvLdf3z3s/edit?tab=t.0 Sam's chesscom profile: https://www.chess.com/member/eyecandewit In this podcast episode, I’m joined by my own student Sam, who moved from 700 to 2000+ Chess.com Rapid (peaking near 2100) in around 3.5 years. Sam tells the full story and shares the study routine that helped him reach 2000. If you’re an adult improver chasing a rating goal, this conversation is a reality check and a roadmap. We get very practical: Sam explains his study plan, why he keeps openings simple (plans over memorization), how he uses targeted training to fix weaknesses (rook endgames were a big one), and how he studies strategy without getting lost in engine “best moves.” We also talk about the weekly group lesson format, how coaching helps identify high-impact leaks you can’t easily spot yourself, and why Sam believes structure beats “random grinding.” The real gem is Sam’s routine: clear start/stop cues, a pregame process goal (instead of Elo goals), and a postgame method that reduces tilt. If you struggle with rating anxiety, inconsistent performance, or not knowing what to study next, this episode is for you. Download Sam’s study guide (linked below) and try it, then tell us what changed. Keywords: adult chess improver, chess improvement, how to reach 2000 elo, chess.com rapid, chess study plan, chess routine, rating anxiety, blunder check, endgame training, rook endgames, chess coaching, process goals, chess habits 00:00 Introduction to Sam's Chess Journey 03:49 Impact of Group Lessons 11:12 Detailed Study Guide Breakdown 13:26 Behavioral Cues: Entry Cue and Exit Cue 17:51 Opening Study 24:42 Opening Strategies and Pawn Structures 27:33 Middlegame Study 31:48 Endgame Study 36:09 Grandmaster Thinking 42:25 Tactics Study 45:22 Setting Process Goals 52:00 Square Breathing and Meditation 54:41 Focus and Emotional Control During Games 59:16 Jumping 250 ELO in Three Months 01:02:14 Post-Game Reflection and Analysis 01:06:06 Learning from Mistakes 01:14:12 Why Chess?

Aman's London Course: https://www.chessable.com/aman-hambletons-london-system/course/353577/ Chessbrah: https://www.youtube.com/c/chessbrah 00:00 Intro 01:31 The Chessbrah Journey 09:40 The Impact of the Chess Boom 12:57 The Educational Value of the Channel 18:33 Building Habits Series 30:11 The Role of Blitz in Improvement 36:08 Creating the London System Course 40:48 Unique Aspects of his London Course 45:59 Connecting Openings to Middlegame 54:33 Conceptual Approach and Knowing Crucial Ideas 58:09 Balancing Engine Lines and Practical Play 01:03:36 Speed Chess Championship Live Commentary 01:12:20 The Future of Chess Content Creation Grandmaster Aman Hambleton joins the podcast to unpack the real origin story of Chessbrah, from two Canadian juniors casually “streaming” to each other with one viewer, to building a long-running, community-first brand that’s now approaching 400K subscribers. He reflects on the 2020 chess boom (lockdown + Queen’s Gambit) as an accelerator, but emphasizes that Chessbrah’s durability comes from stickiness: entertainment that keeps people watching, and instruction embedded naturally in real games, blunders, and commentary. The conversation then shifts to Aman’s first Chessable opening course, the London System repertoire, covering why system openings are realistic for most improvers, how his London is differentiated, and why practical, human-centered choices sometimes beat “engine purity.” Finally, he discusses commentating elite speed chess events, the role of the evaluation bar for spectators, and the direction of chess content into the future.

Surya's Chessable Page: https://www.chessable.com/author/suryaganguly/ Surya's 1. e4 Repertoire Part 1: https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-suryas-1e4-part-1/course/353840/ Surya's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Suryachess ProChess Training: https://prochesstraining.com/ GM Ganguly on the Perpetual Chess Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLy5B3n5aOQ 00:00 Intro 02:29 Understanding vs. Memorization 09:13 Opening Advantage is Not Everything 11:19 How Surya Structures His Opening Courses 18:30 Explaining Strange Looking Moves in the Najdorf 22:27 Lessons From Team Anand 25:20 Stories From Training Indian Top Players 34:22 System Openings vs. Mainlines 48:40 His YouTube Journey 53:01 Pro Chess Training 56:15 WHY We Play Chess In this episode, I’m honored to welcome Surya Ganguly, one of India’s most respected grandmasters and opening theoreticians. A former child prodigy, six-time Indian Champion, Asian Champion, and former world #55 with a peak rating of 2676, Surya was also a key member of Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship team—achieving a remarkable 100% score as part of the preparation squad. Many chess fans also know Surya from his deep, principled work as a coach and author, including his latest Chessable course: Lifetime Repertoire: 1.e4 – Part 1 vs the Sicilian. Instead of repeating questions from his excellent appearances on the Perpetual Chess Podcast, this conversation goes deeper into how openings should be learned and taught. We explore understanding vs memorization, the importance of asking why in opening study, integrity and consistency in building a repertoire, system openings versus main lines, and how Surya adapts his teaching from 1400-rated players to elite stars like R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi. keywords: chess openings, Surya Ganguly, chess education, Chessable, opening preparation, chess strategy, memorization vs understanding, chess courses, chess training, creativity in chess, Anand

Kamil's 1. e4 course: https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-plichtas-1e4-part-1-sicilians/course/383069/ Two games Kamil mentioned: https://lichess.org/broadcast/european-individual-chess-championship-2026--boards-127-186/round-6/tOTpwfDr/7Z18O2ET https://lichess.org/broadcast/european-individual-chess-championship-2026--boards-1-66/round-4/NxEg1ofB/nHwDXHB6 00:00 Intro 04:02 Beating Magnus Carlsen in Blitz 07:15 Feedback and Course Development 09:11 How Kamil Found Chessable 14:50 Winning Best Author Support Awards 22:45 A Typical Day in Kamil's Life 29:47 Typical Author Mistakes 37:39 Creating Problems for Both Sides 43:46 Chessable's Evolution 51:29 Kamil's New Course: 1.e4 LTR 01:01:10 Grenke Chess and European Individual Championship 01:19:38 Everybody is a Fighter These Days This podcast episode features FM Kamil Plichta, one of Chessable’s most recognizable opening authors, known for his tricky sidelines, practical repertoires, humor, and unusually strong course support. Kamil explains how his opening philosophy is built around creating early problems for the opponent, avoiding predictable main lines, and choosing positions where both sides may feel uncomfortable—but where he has more experience. He also shares how he became a Chessable author, how his course-making process evolved, why good explanations matter more than endless variations, and how he thinks about target audiences, quick starters, model games, and long-term course support. The conversation also explores Kamil’s return to over-the-board chess, including his recent tournaments, the challenges of modern preparation, rating deflation, defensive weaknesses he discovered in his own play, and his ambition to become an International Master. Along the way, he discusses beating Magnus Carlsen in blitz, the changing landscape of Chessable, why blitz can be useful for some players, and his new 1.e4 repertoire course against the Sicilian. This is a funny, honest, and practical conversation about openings, chess improvement, authorship, and the realities of competitive chess today.

Lars' Chessable Courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/LarsSchandorff/ 00:00 Intro 01:00 How Lars Creates His Opening Courses 07:31 The First Key Decision When Creating an Opening Course 15:03 The Importance of Openings in Chess 18:46 A Story About Rook Endgames 21:43 Where to Stop in an Opening Course 25:47 Chess as a Lifestyle: Freedom and Identity 27:52 Can Beginners Benefit from His Courses? 34:33 The Role of Engines in Modern Chess Preparation 40:13 His Weekly Radio Show 'Nimzowitsch' 45:19 The Cultural Significance of Chess in Literature 50:46 Nimzowitsch's Influence 55:32 Chess Improvement in Modern Times 58:40 How GM Schandorff Coaches People 1:03:29 Future Plans and Courses In this engaging interview, Danish chess author GM Lars Schandorff shares insights into his successful courses, the art of opening preparation, and the cultural significance of chess. Lars has recently become the Chessable Author of the Year 2025, and that is very inspiring. We discussed the following topics: Lars Schandorff's approach to creating accessible and deep chess courses The importance of opening repertoire and strategic choices The influence of Nimzowitsch on modern chess ideas The role of technology and engines in chess preparation The cultural and historical significance of chess keywords Chess, Chess Courses, Opening Repertoire, Chess Strategy, Chess Culture, Chess History, Chessable, Nimzowitsch, Chess Improvement, Chess Tools, Lars Schandorff

Kamryn's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCYUOoqtGaRgUeUta134aUyw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ9gkF840Vk&t=1s Kamryn's Chessable course: https://www.chessable.com/50-essential-chess-concepts-an-improvers-blueprint/course/233222/ Kamryn's Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/kamrynheidi https://bsky.app/profile/kamrynheidi.bsky.social https://kamrynheidichess.substack.com/ 00:00 Intro 01:54 The Chess Bug and the Very Short Summary of the Journey to 2000 ELO 08:57 The Thought Process 10:47 Blunder-Check 15:16 'Why Am I Losing?' Document 23:07 How Blitz Helped 26:00 Study Advice for 0-1500 ELO 29:16 Study Advice for 1500 - 2000 ELO 37:18 Her Chessable Course 41:40 Her New Openings 44:47 Final Advice for Beginners 45:40 Final Advice for Intermediate Players 46:34 The Weekly Training Schedule In this special year-end episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Kamryn Helman, an extraordinary adult improver who achieved a chesscom rapid rating of 2000 in just two years, starting from absolute zero. Kamryn shared her inspirational journey, which began in 2021 after watching The Queen’s Gambit. Despite balancing her undergraduate studies and later a full-time job, she devoted around 20 hours per week to chess and made remarkable progress. Kamryn's disciplined approach combined playing, tactical exercises, and joining a chess club, where she set goals to compete with stronger players. Her story is a testament to how dedication and a structured approach can yield extraordinary results in a short time. During our conversation, Kamryn offered valuable insights into her improvement methods. She talked about her "Why I Am Losing" document, a weekly habit of analyzing losses to identify patterns and guide her studies. We also discussed her thought process, including a mental checklist to avoid blunders, and the critical role of breaks in consolidating knowledge. Kamryn's ability to stay intentional and disciplined about her chess journey is both inspiring and instructional for players at all levels. Toward the end, we explored her educational contributions to the chess community, including her Chessable course, 50 Essential Chess Concepts: An Improver's Blueprint. She shared the challenges of designing clean, instructive puzzles that minimize cognitive overload and maximize learning. Kamryn's passion for chess and commitment to improvement was evident throughout our discussion, leaving me—and hopefully you—with fresh ideas and inspiration to tackle our own chess journeys. I’m thrilled to see what Kamryn accomplishes next and I look forward to another conversation as her chess story unfolds.

Benji's website: https://mindcreaser.com/ Benji's substack: https://mindcreaser.substack.com/ Benji's course 'Mindfulness for the Tournament Player': https://mindfulness-for-the-tournament-player.teachable.com/ Follow Benji: https://bsky.app/profile/benjiportheault.bsky.social His piece on discipline: https://mindcreaser.substack.com/p/discipline Under the Surface: https://amzn.to/4hnw7EU Life and Games of Mikhail Tal: https://amzn.to/42r4c2O The Seven Deadly Chess Sins: https://amzn.to/4joJzu3 Think Like a Super-GM: https://amzn.to/3E59kPU Benji later recommended the books by Wojciech Moranda. 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.