The Story of Perpetual Chess

Hi, 👋 Ben Johnson here- Thanks for checking out the Perpetual Chess website- Here’s the story of the pod…

I launched the Perpetual Chess Podcast in December of 2016 in order to address what was then I saw an extreme shortage of quality chess podcasts. I am a huge fan of the podcast medium, and I love chess. The lack of audio-only chess content frustrated me and made it hard for me, as a busy working parent, to consume chess content.

I wanted chess players, educators, authors and promoters to have a place to tell us their life stories, promote their books and reveal the secrets of chess mastery (and grand mastery). As a reasonably strong amateur (USCF National Master) I also wanted to help bridge the gap between professional chess and amateur fans. 

 In addition to interviews with chess professionals, in recent years the show has placed a greater emphasis on helping “Adult improvers”- adult chess players looking to improve their games. As we often discuss on the podcast, it is no easy task for a working adult to boost her chess skills!

Some six years after launching Perpetual Chess, I am floored by the kind words and generous reception that the podcast has received from the chess community! As of this writing, in May 2023, Perpetual Chess episodes have now been downloaded/streamed over 5 million times in over 100 different countries!  I have gotten to interview World Champions, YouTube superstars, and authors who are heroes of mine. I even do an periodic book review series where I am joined by a fellow chess bibliophile to discuss a worthwhile chess book. 

Perpetual Chess now has a vibrant Patreon community comprised of listeners who help support the show. As a token of my gratitude, these supporters receive advance notice of guests, shout outs on the pod, and access to ad-free podcasts and special events, like Grandmaster lectures. 

Perpetual Chess is also pleased to partner with our presenting chess education sponsor,  Chessable.com. As a chess player, I love using Chessable to improve my game, and it has been fun to watch the company grow and flourish over the past years. Perpetual Chess is also now honored to be a member of the fast growing, Sports Social Podcast network, and is the first chess podcast to join this network!  In 2021,  I even partnered with Chessable to launch a separate, adult improvement focused podcast, called How to Chess. Be sure to subscribe to How to Chess if you haven’t already!

During the lifetime of the podcast, Perpetual Chess has gone from a time consuming hobby to nearly a full time profession.  I am greatly indebted to everyone who has ever appeared on, supported, and listened to the podcast for helping me achieve this dream.  I have ambitions to improve and expand Perpetual Chess even more as the audience and support for the show continues to grow.

If you would like to see the complete list of Perpetual Chess guests (somewhat casually sorted by category), click here.

As for me, I grew up in Philadelphia, and I now live in Central New Jersey with my wife and 2 kids.   At the age of 18, I earned the title of USCF Master, but my chess skills pretty much peaked there.  I study chess and compete when I can, but I have lost or “lent out” some rating points in subsequent years (for now at least 😉). As you will often hear discussed on the podcast, kids are getting better at chess, faster than they ever have before. It's tough to keep up with them! As of this writing, in May 2023, I am planning to return to active competition as soon as I finish writing a book for New in Chess books.

Aside from my many years of working in chess, I have also been a professional poker player for seven years, I traded stocks independently for a while, and just after graduating from Pomona College, I even worked in an office job for two years.

I am always happy to hear from listeners, so feel free to drop me a line via email, holler at me on twitter,  listen to Perpetual Chess audio clips on Instagram , or join our Facebook group to discuss interviews and sometimes interact with the guests of the show.

And thus concludes my life story so far!  Thanks for your interest, and I hope you are enjoying the podcast- Ben