EP 426- NM Oleksandr Prokhorov on Sustaining and Growing Ukrainian Chess during the War

Oleksandr Prokhorov is a Lviv, Ukraine-based chess organizer, trainer, FIDE arbiter and Twitch streamer. Ukraine has a rich chess history and has a vibrant grass roots scene in addition to famous natives such as Vasyl Ivanchuk, the Muzychuk sisters, and GM Ruslan Ponomariov. In recent years, I have marvelled at the persistent passion for chess in Ukraine  as I follow Facebook groups like the Love Chess Ukraine Facebook Group. Oleksandr and I discussed: 

• Is interest in Ukrainian chess as strong as ever despite the war?

• Is there still state funding for chess-related activities? 

• What challenges are presented by the fact that many of its top Ukrainian players are moving abroad in order to be able to compete internationally? 

We also discussed a few notable Ukrainians who have been on the front lines, Oleksandr's favorite books and content creators, and what Oleksandr and his colleagues are doing to help the next generation of Ukrainian players. Hearing about the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and their continued passion for chess inspires admiration and respect. Thanks to Oleksandr for sharing a few of their stories! 

Click here to Download the Episode

0:02- What is the amateur chess scene like in Ukraine?

Mentioned:

 Love Chess Ukraine Facebook Group

0:09- Is there still state support for chess during the war?

0:13- Does Oleksandr work full time in chess? How did he learn chess?

0:19- How has Ukrainian chess handled the exodus of many of its top players? 

0:26- Why does Oleksandr think Ukraine has produced so many top female players?

0:33- Okelsandr discusses the many chess players who are currently in combat, including GM Igor Kovalenko. 

Mentioned: GM Igor Kovalenko, GM Martin Kravtsiv

https://www.chess.com/news/view/ukrainian-grandmaster-given-courage-award-by-zelenskyy

0:39- - Okelsandr discusses Artem Sachuk, a former vice-president of chess in Ukraine who was killed in combat in 2023. 

https://www.chess.com/news/view/artem-sachuk-vp-ukrainian-chess-federation-killed-action

44:00- Oleksandr’s favorite chess book

Mentioned: My System

46:00- Oleksandr’s favorite YouTubers

Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen, Dina Belenkaya, Anna Cramling 

50:00- Thanks to Oleksandr for joining me. Here is how to reach him:

Facebook-

https://www.facebook.com/OleksanderProkhorov

Coaching-

https://lichess.org/coach/Prohorov_Olexandr123

Email- 

Prohorov at chessclub.lviv.ua

Love Chess Ukraine Facebook Group-

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2031039970525130

EP 425- IM Willy Hendriks: The Award-Winning Author on Nimzowitsch’s Ego, Tarrasch’s Tenets and what Their Rivalry Means for Modern Chess.

IM Willy Hendriks is an award-winning chess author, historian and chess trainer. He has just released his fourth book, The Philosopher and the Housewife:Tarrasch, Nimzowitsch and the Evolution of Chess. This book is the completion of a trilogy which casts a new light on chess history and looks at the evolution of chess ideas. Willy’s newest book focuses on the early 20th century, with a particular emphasis on Aron Nimzowitsch and Siegbert Tarrasch. We tackle questions such as:

• Was Aron Nimzowitsch the most pretentious chess player of them all? 

• What does Willy think of My System? 

• Have the stylistic differences between Tarrasch and Nimzowitsch been exaggerated?

• What can we learn about engines and modern chess through reading about these players? 

Our conversation is filled with fun stories and reflections about these players, along with the contributions of the third “main character,” Semion Alapin.   We also discuss Willy’s own competitive career and his potential next projects. It is always a pleasure to read Willy's work and to speak with him.   Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Click here to Download the Episode

Perpetual Chess Improvement Audiobook information- The links for where to order the Perpetual Chess Improvement audiobook are on this page. It is now available on all platform except for Audible/Amazon (hopefully coming soon):

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/book

0:02- Where did the title The Philosopher and the Housewife come from?

0:06- Willy tells a few stories to illustrate why he considers Aron Nimzowitsch to be “the most self-aggrandizing chess player of all-time.”

10:00- What were the chess stylistic differences of Nimzowitsch and Tarrasch?

Mentioned:

Modern Ideas in Chess by Richard Reti 

18:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What does Willy think of the book My System?” 

Mentioned: 

Book Recap #18- My System with IM Christof Sielecki 

Book Recap #37- My System (fast track edition) with GM Alex Fishbein 

Aron Nimzowitch: A Reappraisal by GM Raymond Keene

https://www.amazon.com/Aron-Nimzowitsch-Reappraisal-Raymond-Keene/dp/0713484381

23:00- Where does the third character in the book, Semyon Alapin fit in?

31:00- How are engines connected to the themes of Willy’s writing?

34:00- What is the “Trainer’s fallacy?” 

42:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What ideas does Willy have for upcoming books?” 

Mentioned: Kasparov’s My Great Predecessors, Mihail Marin’s Learn from the Legends 1 and 2

45:00- Does Willy follow modern chess and chess drama? Does he like freestyle chess?

48:00- What has Willy been reading?

Mentioned: Daniel Dennett

Tarrasch’s 300 Chess Games, the Works of Edward Lasker and Milan Vidmar, The Essential Sosonko, In Black and White 

52:00- Has Willy been competing OTB lately? 

54:00- Thanks as always to Willy for visiting the pod and for advancing our knowledge of chess history! 

You can get his books here:

https://www.newinchess.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Willy+Hendriks

You can also get a physical copy in the US from Chess4Less:

https://chess4less.com/products/the-philosopher-and-the-housewife-willy-hendriks

EP 424- GM Wojciech Moranda: Visualization, Pattern Recognition and the 5 Elements of Calculation

GM Wojciech Moranda is a high-level trainer, author and 2600+ rated player  who has worked with the Polish youth national team and IM Levy Rozman among many other students. I often recommend his books for ambitious advanced players, so I was excited to welcome him back to discuss his new Chessable Course, The Moranda Method: How to Calculate Like a Beast. In the course, and in our discussion, Wojciech lays out his core beliefs and fundamental framework for how to calculate in chess. His course is best-suited for 1800+ players, but Wojciech’s insights can help players at any level. In today’s conversation, we discuss common misconceptions about calculation, when one should stop calculating a variation, and then Wojciech lays out what he calls “the 5 elements of calculation.” Wojciech is extremely knowledgeable about chess, and it's always a pleasure to speak with him. 

Click here to Download the Episode

Check out our bonus video going through a calculation exercise on the Perpetual Chess YouTube page:

https://youtu.be/0gSdFDkeeWQ?si=nIiLcasyr_fVMMjv

0:00- What is the definition of calculation? 

0:03- What are some common misconceptions about calculation?

0:12- When should we stop calculating a sequence? What visualization advice can Wojciech give? 

Mentioned: Step 2 Thinking Ahead

23:00- We discuss Wojciech’s “5 Elements of Calculation,” starting with what he calls “vision and perceptivity.” 

49:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Was Wojciech influenced by the work of legendary trainer Josef Dorfman?”

56:00- What is a typical day like for Wojciech? Is he still playing actively? 

1:00:00- Thanks to Wojciech for joining me again, here are the links to keep up with his work or reach him:

Wojciech’s Books:

https://www.amazon.com/Books-Wojciech-Moranda/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AWojciech%2BMoranda

His Course:

https://www.chessable.com/calculate-like-a-beast-the-moranda-method/course/279827/

His coaches page:

https://lichess.org/coach/gmmoranda

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

EP 423- FM Nate Solon on The Right Way to Learn Openings, the Fundamental Flaw of Chess Puzzles and What He Is Working on and Planning for 2025.

FM Nate Solon is a data scientist, Chessable author, New in Chess Magazine columnist and the creator of the popular and insightful newsletter, Zwischenzug. Nate joined me shortly after we played in a tournament together to share his latest chess-improvement related thoughts and to reflect on recent lessons he has absorbed. We focused on a few themes in particular: 

• Why Nate thinks the challenge of learning new openings is often overstated, and the way in which he thinks chess openings “resemble poems.”

• How to avoid the trap of overemphasizing solving tactics in one’s training plan 

• Nate and I both discuss our experiences in the recent World Amateur Team tournament, and the ways in which the weekend tournament experience might be improved. 

There is always a lot to learn from Nate, and I am confident your chess can benefit from this conversation. Timestamps of discussion are below.

Click here to Download the Episode

Sub to Nate’s newsletter here:

https://zwischenzug.substack.com/

0:02- Nate’s comprehensive advice for learning openings, which focuses on learning by playing and utilizing spaced repetition 

17:00- Nate’s advice for using model games

22:00- Do people overemphasize tactical puzzles? How can we avoid this trap? 

Mentioned: New in Chess Magazine, My Chessable Course 

26:00- What is “gritty calculation”? 

The position Nate references can be seen here:

https://zwischenzug.substack.com/p/calculation-is-never-just-calculation

GM Josh Friedel’s calculation advice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvh7HsYMn-Q

36:00- Is the rating system finally reaching a stable state?

37:00- Nate and I discuss the World Amateur Team, a tournament in which we both recently played . 

45:00- Nate’s next tournaments and projects

55:00- Thanks to Nate for joining! Here are the links to keep up with him:

Newsletter:

https://zwischenzug.substack.com/

Chessable courses:

https://www.chessable.com/author/CheckRaiseMate/

His Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Evaluate-Like-Grandmaster-Eugene-Perelshteyn/dp/B0BHNF5CWB

Photo in thumbnail via Charlotte Chess Center:

https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/photos

EP 422- WGM Dina Belenkaya on Her Recent Tournies, Her Continued Social Media Growth, and the Vision Behind her New Chess School

WGM Dina Belenkaya is a Russian-born and schooled chess champion who is now based in Charlotte, North Carolina. In recent years,  Dina has built a massive Twitch, YouTube and Instagram following, while maintaining a busy competitive schedule. In this interview, we caught up with Dina's recent OTB results, including her impressions of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz in New York City. Dina discusses the challenges she is currently encountering in her game as well as her current chess goals. Dina and I also talked extensively about her newest chess project, Chess with Dina. It is a chess academy that emphasizes the social side of chess improvement, and it has seen a fast growth since it launched last year. Dina discussed the building blocks that newer players should focus on, based on her experience as a product of Russia’s legendary chess education infrastructure. Lastly, we touched a bit on Freestyle chess, as Dina discussed why she thinks it might be challenging for the chess variant to catch on with newer chess players. As always, timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Click here to Download the Episode

Photo in thumbnail from Dina’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEdUEivv8QT/?hl=en&img_index=1

0:02- What has changed for Dina in the past two years since I last interviewed her? 

Mentioned: Episode 326 with Dina Belenkaya

0:05- Dina has been playing OTB quite actively.  How is her game progressing? 

0:11- Dina’s impressions of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz 

Mentioned: You can review Dina’s game against WGM Atousa Pourkashyan here:

https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-world-rapid--blitz-championships-2024--blitz-women/round-11/JvQWXSPT/ugyly8Xl

You can watch Magnus’ recent interview here:

https://x.com/taketaketakeapp/status/1887126217091874871?s=46&t=7an2GBXWXIlgRTjDfRwIGw

25:00- Is Dina still working with a coach? 

27:00- Dina’s discusses the value of face-to-face moments and a recent training camp she hosted for her chess school. 

Mentioned:

More info about her school here:

https://www.skool.com/russianchessschool/about

42:00- What does Dina think of Freestyle chess? Do her students like it?

Mentioned: Dina’s blog:

https://www.dinabelenkaya.com/post/let-s-talk-fischer-random-  

0:55:00- Thanks to Dina for coming back on the pod! Here is how to to keep up with her:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dinabelenkaya/?hl=en

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@DinaBelenkaya/videos

Twitter/X:

https://x.com/messages/60494861-1366144904590671876

Twitch:

https://www.twitch.tv/dinabelenkaya

Blog:

https://www.dinabelenkaya.com/post/let-s-talk-fischer-random-chess

Chess School:

https://www.skool.com/russianchessschool/about

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

EP 421- GM Jan Gustafsson and FM Donny Ariel discussion: Can a mid-40s working dad make Grandmaster without doing any work?

This week’s podcast is a discussion among friends. FM Donny Ariel is an NYC based former scholastic champion who has attained 3 IM Norms. These days he is  a working dad, who has recently decided to pursue not only the IM title, but the Grandmaster title as well. (Donny is chronicling this journey on his YouTube channel, The Road to Chess Grandmaster).   GM Jan Gustafsson,  as many of you know, is a renowned commentator, Chessable author, trainer, and frequent guest on Perpetual Chess. Jan and I are skeptical that Donny can attain the grandmaster title given his other obligations, but Donny is adamant that we overstate the difficulty of chess improvement. In discussing Donny’s quest, we tackle such questions as: 

• Is a coach necessary in the digital age? 

• How important are openings at Donny’s level?

• How much improvement can one attain through changing your psychological approach rather than training? 

• What is Donny’s “wall of haters”? 

• What trait do those who have earned the GM title have in common, according to Jan? 

• If not earning the GM title, what might Donny’s true goal be? 

This was an entertaining conversation in which Jan actually gave more earnest chess improvement advice than he has in prior episodes. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Click here to Download the Episode

0:00- 

Subscribe to my chess newsletter!

https://benjohnson.substack.com/

Subscribe to FM Donny Ariel’s YouTube Channel!

https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess

0:02- What is Donny’s “Why?” Why is he pursuing the GM title? 

15:00- Does Jan think that Donny needs a coach? 

17:00- What is the “Wall of Haters?” 

22:00- Patreon mailbag question- “How is Donny approaching studying?” 

25:00- Jan’s opening advice to Donny

Mentioned: Reimagining 1. E4 

https://www.newinchess.com/reimagining-1-e4

42:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Does Donny wish that he started chess later in life?”

50:00- What would my advice be for Donny? What would Jan’s advice be? 

Mentioned: Ep 415 with GM-elect Mark Heimann 

1:00- Thanks to Donny and Jan for joining! Jan will probably ignore any messages you try to send him on social media, but you should buy his excellent Chessable courses. Below  is how you can reach Donny:

Chessable Jan Gustafsson

Donny X/Twitter-

https://x.com/RealDonnyAriel

Facebook-

https://www.facebook.com/donny.ariel

YouTube-

https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess

EP 420- Nikolaos Ntirlis- Opening & Engine Advice from a Top Theoretician, Author, and Correspondence Player

Nikolaos Ntirlis is a correspondence chess champion, and computer engineer who has become well known in the chess world for his vast opening expertise. Nikolaos is quite skilled at finding original opening ideas, and has grown popular through his books, and by highlighting new opening ideas on his Twitter/X account. The ideas Nikos suggests have often seen quick adoption by Grandmasters, and he has seen moves he highlighted subsequently appear in the games of Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Girl. In fact, GM Giri wrote the Foreword to Nicolaos’ newest book, the excellent  Reimagining 1. E4. The book offers new ideas for White across many defenses to 1. E4, and explains opening concepts clearly without bombarding you with opening theory. In our conversation, we discussed the origins of Nikolaos’ opening enthusiasm, how best to use engines, as well as which defenses to 1.e4 were most challenging to combat theoretically. Nikolaos is also an accomplished chess trainer who has worked with the national team of Denmark. In our conversation, he offered some helpful chess-improvement advice with a philosophical bent. Lastly, we discussed some of  Nicolaos’ other interests, including correspondence chess, chess books, and martial arts. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Click here to Download the Episode

0:02- What is the origin of Nikos’ popular Twitter threads, in which he suggests lines that have been used by GMs like Nakamura, Carlsen, and others?

Mentioned: Nikolaos’ X account here:

https://x.com/NikolaosNtirlis/status/1852645135487558104

10:00- Was there any defense against 1. E4 where it was particularly challenging to find fresh ideas?

14:30- What rating range is this book best suited for? 

16:00- Does Nikos agree that one should learn opening ideas, rather than openings? 

Mentioned: Nikos’ interview with Charlize van Zyl for Forward Chess:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyanVxu48lk

18:30- Patreon mailbag question: “What did Nikos discover about an original line that Niemann played against Kramnik?”

Mentioned Han Schut’s YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/hanschut

Read the Twitter thread in question:

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1841408942737420435.html

19:00- Who are Nikos’ favorite opening theoreticians? 

25:00- What is Nikos’ advice on the subject of  amateurs use of  engines? 

32:00- Are there any underappreciated openings? 

33:00- Nikos’ overall chess improvement advice

34:00- Where did Nikos’ love for openings start?

Mentioned: GM Efim Geller 

41:00-  Patreon mailbag question: “How can one still win a game in correspondence chess? “

48:00- What is Nikos’ advice for remembering openings? 

52:00- Does Nikos play any OTB? 

56:00- What are Nikos’ favorite books? 

Mentioned: IM Willy Hendriks, IM Tibor Karolyi’s Fischer Books 

1:00- Thanks to Nikos for joining me! You can check out his Quality Chess Books here: 

https://qualitychess.co.uk/products/coming_soon/24060/reimagining_1e4_by_nikolaos_ntirlis/

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchessQ

EP 419- Dr. Joel Sneed on Quitting, Unquitting & Tilting- Why Even an Accomplished Psychologist & Author Struggles to Manage his Relationship with Chess

Dr. Joel Sneed is a professor, a practicing clinical psychologist and a highly-regarded chess author. And despite a busy professional and family life, Joel has achieved the rare feat of reaching a  2000+ USCF after starting to play tournament chess in his 30s. But, like many of us, Joel struggles to moderate his relationship with chess. He has long held a goal of reaching USCF Master, and puts a lot of pressure on himself to make it happen quickly. This has led to a repetitive cycle of despondency and quitting, followed by resuming chess, with renewed hopes of tackling his goals. In our conversation, we speak candidly about how Joel can derive more enjoyment from chess, and about what he would advise himself if he were his own patient. Joel also touches on how to manage anxiety around tournament chess, our thoughts on IM Levy Rozman’s GM-title pursuit,  and the lessons Joel learned from working with legendary Grandmaster (and co-author, GM Boris Gulko.). This was a fascinating conversation that I think will resonate with many of you. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Click here to Download the Episode

0:02- What has been driving Joel’s repeated decisions to quit (then unquit) chess? 

Check out his USCF history here::

https://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlMain.php?13103922

0:13- Joel tells a story of a frustrating recent experience during which he struggled to remember an opening line. 

Mentioned: Episode 400  with NM Matt Gross, Episode 169 with Terry Chapman, Chess for Life by WIM Natash Regan and GM Matthew Sadler 

26:00 What is “acceptance commitment therapy?” 

Mentioned: Online value sorting tool:

https://meetingpointcounseling.com/tools/ACT-card-sort/

4 Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman 

35:00- How can Joel realign his goals to make chess more enjoyable? 

44:00- We discuss IM Levy Rozman’s GM title pursuit.

Mentioned: GM Arturs Nieksans, Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Life 

50:00- What did Joel learn from working with legendary GM Boris Gulko?

Mentioned: Lessons with a Grandmaster, GM Hans Niemann’s video for IM Levy Rozman

https://youtu.be/1p7rbQ723mQ?si=tok_0IZEBpsrLvtI

1:00:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What is Joel’s advice for dealing with pretournament anxiety?’ 

Mentioned: Episode 309 with Dr. Joel Sneed

1:09:00- Thanks to Dr. Sneed for joining me, you can check out his books with GM Boris Gulko here:

https://www.amazon.com/Books-Joel-Sneed/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AJoel%2BSneed

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

EP 418- Michael Franco (Adult Improver Series) on How He Got Acclimated to OTB Play, and Climbed to Nearly 2000 USCF.

The Perpetual Chess Adult Improver Series returns to welcome back a guest who has continued to make steady rating progress. When I last chatted with Michael Franco, in 2021 (Episode 247), he was 7 years into his chess journey. Michael had reached a LiChess rating of 2000, but he was struggling as he tried to translate his online skill into OTB skill. He found learning to play on a 3D set challenging, and encountered the same logistical and financial hurdles that tournament chess presents for many of us. Three years later, Michael has managed to transition successfully to tournament chess, and has gained chess strength as well. His USCF rating is now 1981. In my opinion, the primary reason for Michael’s continued success is likely his consistent daily dedication to the game. Michael manages to play online games or read chess books every day, and he is also active as a teacher and community member in the Chess Dojo discord. In our interview, Michael shares plenty of new recommendations and reflections on what skills were needed to gain the last couple hundred points of rating strength. He continues to exemplify the improvement that is possible for someone who takes a consistent, incremental approach. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Click here to Download the Episode

You can check out the Spotify Adult Improver Series Playlist here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Uoqz2BoRt2IiTCeOfuky?si=18917f0e0a634bc6

Or the website here:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adultimprover

0:02- Thanks to Patreon subs for helping to support Perpetual Chess.  You can join the community here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

0:04- We review Michael’s chess history from his prior interview, then discuss what a chess day is like for him now. 

Mentioned: Episode 247 with Michael Franco 

Check out Michael’s USCF rating history here:

https://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlMain.php?16928844

Check out FM Donny Ariel’s YouTube Channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess

0:15- How long did it take Michael to get used to OTB chess? What did he do to help acclimate?

0:17- What is Michael’s advice for players who feel like they don’t know what to do in the middlegame?

Mentioned: How to Reassess Your Chess 

0:23- How did Michael move up from 1800 to 2000 USCF in the last few years?

Mentioned: Pump Up Your Rating 

0:32- How many hours does Michael spend on chess?

0:37- More chess book recs!

Mentioned: Seven Deadly Chess Sins,  My 60 Memorable Games, TurboCharge Your Tactics, Mastering Chess Strategy, Techniques of Positional Play, Woodpecker Method 2

0:46- Michael’s favorite online resources

Mentioned: Daniel King’s Powerplay Chess, GM Daniel Naroditsky, IM Andras Toth, ChessNetwork, Dr. Can’s Chess Clinic 

0:49- Why will Michael be taking a break from OTB chess? Why doesn’t he like the “one game per week” format offered in Austin, Texas? 

55:00- Michael’s closing advice

57:00- Thanks to Michael for joining again! You can find him on Lichess or in the ChessDojo:

https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll

https://www.chessdojo.club/

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

EP 417- GM Alex Lenderman: A Player’s Perspective on the Twists, Turns and Controversies of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz.

35-year old GM Alex Lenderman was a World Youth Champion and has won the World Open among many other chess accomplishments, but he had never previously had the chance to play in the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz. Since it took place in his hometown this year, Alex looked at the opportunity to compete in it as “a once in a lifetime opportunity.”  But since Alex is no longer a professional player and has been losing rating points in recent years he worried about how he would perform. In this interview, Alex takes us behind the scenes of his preparation (or lack thereof), how he adjusted his mindset as an amateur player, what he thought of the venue, and how he dealt with the inevitable ups and downs of two exhausting tournaments. This particular story has a happy ending, as after a decent showing in the World Rapid, Alex performed even better in the World Blitz, beating GMs Sam Shankland, Le Quang Liem and others en route to shared 14th place! Not bad for “an adult decliner,” as Alex called himself. Of course, Alex also touched on some of the recent controversies in the chess world, and discussed how much players knew about sagas like “jeans gate,” as they unfolded. It was a real treat to hear a top player's perspective on this drama-filled tournament. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Click here to Download the Episode

Mentioned:

A LiChess study containing Alex’s games is here:

https://lichess.org/study/dcY6zUKo/5k02uMvC

And as always,  you can download all of the tournament’s games from Mark Crowther’s The Week in Chess:

https://theweekinchess.com/chessnews/events/world-rapid-blitz-championship-2024

0:02- GM Alex Lenderman joins! When did he know he would play these events? How did he prepare? 

0:06- Patreon mailbag questions: “What mindset did Alex take when playing higher-rated opponents like Nakamura and Abdusattorov? Is there any lesson amateur players might be able to take from this?”

Mentioned: Alex also shares his take on the key to a previous guest, GM-elect Mark Heimann’s, recent breakthrough.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-415-gm-elect-mark-heimann-on-his-unexpected-road/id1185023674?i=1000682215973

21:00- What were the conditions like for players? What was the atmosphere like in the waiting room in between rounds? 

24:00- We transition to discussing the World Blitz. 

41:00- How aware was Alex of controversies like “jeansgate” while playing in the tournament?

Mentioned: More information about Ivanchuk’s heartbreaking reaction to a tough loss vs. Naroditsky here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1hq2dfz/ivanchuk_crying_out_loud_after_he_lost_his_game/?rdt=54420

55:00- Why does Alex think accuracy scores aren’t a great benchmark for identifying possible cheaters? 

1:10:00- We return to the topic of the recent controversies around Magnus. 

Mentioned: Dojo Talks with GM Jon Ludwig Hammer:

https://youtu.be/XDhXhCqVQzM?si=lBvuieUlsOJ9WAdx

1:15:00- Thanks to Alex for joining me! You can reach him via email at:

AlexLenderman33 at hotmail dot com 

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

EP 416- IM Malcolm Pein: The Award-winning Journalist and Organizer on the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, and Why He Is Optimistic about Chess Despite Recent Stumbles

Photo by FM Mike Klein for Chess.com

IM Malcolm Pein is an institution in British chess who has played nearly every role imaginable in helping to grow the game. He is a former professional player who was the British Junior  Champion in 1977 , but these days is extremely busy as an organizer, journalist, author, store-owner,  and Captain of the England Olympiad team. After an eventful FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, I thought Malcolm would be a great person to chat with about the controversies, and about the general health of chess in 2025, both in Great Britain, and in the world generally. As the Founder and Organizer of the London Chess Classic, Malcolm regularly interacts with corporate sponsors and was able to contextualize the positive trajectory of chess despite recent negative headlines. We also touch on the business of selling chess books, Malcolm’s work at the grassroots level, and his thoughts on the passing of legendary GM Robert Hubner. I found this to be an informative and encouraging conversation, and think that you will as well. 

Click here to Download the Episode

You can read my article about the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz here, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter as well!

https://benjohnson.substack.com/p/10-observations-about-the-world-rapid

0:03- Malcolm shares his thoughts on the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz

Hans Niemann interview with IM Levy Rozman-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2fGrnTZNP4

33:00- Malcolm discusses the origins of The London Chess Classic, and the most recent edition  -

Mentioned: Malcolm’s 2022 Chessbase India interview with Chessbase India

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDjh-CVEu5Y

40:00- How did GM Nikita Vitugiov end up transferring and moving to the U.K. 

44:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is English chess in decline? 

47:00- What were the origins of Malcolm’s Chess in Schools and Communities program in London? 

53:00- Patreon mailbag question: What are some unexpected lessons Malcolm has learned through his organization’s community impact? 

56:00- What is the most common question Malcolm hears from potential chess sponsors? 

59:00- Patreon mailbag question: What changes does Malcolm foresee to chess in the next 10 years? 

1:01:00- We discuss the business of selling books in person, both at Malcolm’s shop in London, and at OTB tournaments.

Mentioned:

Chess4Less.com 

1:05:00- We discuss the work Malcolm has done consulting for television show’s, including Apple TV’s great show, Slow Horses. 

Mentioned: You can watch the scene Malcolm consulted on here:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8h17xz

1:09:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is it possible for an independent candidate to become FIDE President? 

1:13:00- Did Malcolm know the recently deceased GM Robert Hübner ?  

Thanks so Malcolm for an incredibly insightful interview, you can follow him on X here, or visit him at the next London Chess Classic!

https://x.com/telegraphchess?lang=en

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess

EP 415- GM-Elect Mark Heimann on his Unexpected Road From OTB-retired FM to 31 year-old GM in 3 years!

Photo in thumbnail via Charlotte Chess Center

31-year-old GM-elect Mark Heimann is an accomplished research scientist by day, and avid powerlifter, who has recently been making headlines in the U.S. chess scene during his work vacation time. In late 2024, Mark went on a stunning run where he earned GM norms in back-to-back tournaments in order to clinch the GM-title, less than 3 years removed from being an inactive FM. These experiences were highlighted by playing on the top boards in Charlotte and St. Louis, playing GM Fabiano Caruana twice, and even hearing his game dissected by GM Caruana on the C-Squared podcast. Mark joined me to explain what he thinks has led to this incredible chess breakthrough, and to answer a question that GM Anish Giri recently tweeted- “Who is Mark A. Heimann?” 

Click here to download the Episode

Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com! Their entire catalog is on sale through the end of the year!

https://www.chessable.com/courses/

0:02: GM-elect Mark Heimann joins the show! What spurred his chess comeback in 2022? 

Mentioned: Chess Reddit posts by Mark:

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1h92nh4/mark_heimann_becomes_gm_after_earning_3rd_gm_norm/

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1bzcmgf/my_first_grandmaster_norm_age_31/

0:08- Does Mark think there are any similarities between his recent surge, and Hikaru’s continued success in recent years? 

0:17- Mark on navigating the nerves, and the chess, of clashes with top players like Ivanchuk and Caruana. 

Mentioned:

Heimann-Caruana, Charlotte 2024

https://www.chess.com/events/2024-us-masters/09/Heimann_Mark-Caruana_Fabiano

0:24- Mark recalls an early game with Caruanap played when they were both top scholastic players. 

26:00- Why did Mark put chess on the backburner at age 18? 

34:00- What is Mark’s study routine? 

45:00- Mark discusses his passion for musical instruments and weight-lifting. 

52:00- What is next for Mark, chess-wise?

56:00- Mark discusses his A.I. research, including some discussion of chess ratings. 

1:05- Mark’s favorite chess books.

Mentioned: Chess for Zebras, Excelling at Technical Chess, Small Steps to Giant Improvement 

1:11:00-

Thanks to Mark for sharing his inspiring story, you can follow him on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/lastgoodcaesar/

If you like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

EP 414- Sunrise in the Bronx: David MacEnulty on Lessons Taught & Learned at an Inner-City Scholastic Chess Powerhouse

David MacEnulty is an award-winning author and chess teacher who coached for many years at CES 70 school in the Bronx. In this  public school in a disadvantaged school district, the chess program began with modest expectations, but went on to win many national championships. David’s new book, Sunrise in the Bronx: Chess and Life Lessons from the South Bronx to the White House, tells the story of the many kids whose lives were changed through chess. In our interview, David shares a few of his favorite stories, with plenty of lessons to impart for both parents and anyone else who wishes to introduce the younger generation to chess. After CES-70, David went on to head the chess program at the Dalton School, an elite private school. In the book, and in our conversation, David also reflects on the similarities and differences in coaching at such different schools. As a longtime friend of David’s, I was excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint me. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Click here to download the Episode

Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com! Their entire catalog is on sale through the end of the year!

https://www.chessable.com/courses/

0:02- How did David accidentally become a chess teacher in his 40s? What lessons did he learn?

22:00- Will there be an audiobook, will the book be on KIndle? 

24:00- What surprising skills did chess help kids develop? 

28:30- Patreon mailbag question- “Does David have any advice for motivating students to study chess at home?” 

Mentioned: Matthew Looks, Bruce Alberston 

35:40- Patreon mailbag question: “What is David’s advice for encouraging your kid to pursue tournament chess without ‘bulldozing them’?”

45:00- How did David and CES 70’s National Championship team get to meet President Bill Clinton? 

46:00- What are the crucial components of chess improvement? 

47:00- How does David spend his time in retirement? 

48:00- We discuss the value of extra-curriculars at school

50:00- Should kids get trophies  for just participating in tournaments? 

52:00- Thanks to David for joining me! Sunrise in the Bronx is available from Amazon, New in Chess, and many major booksellers.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Bronx-Chess-Lessons-South/dp/9083434907

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Bonus Pod- FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Preview featuring IM Eric Rosen and FM Alisa Melekhina

In the chess world, the holiday season means its almost time for one of the most entertaining tournaments of the year- The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championship. This year’s championship events are star-studded affairs featuring GM Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and a litany of big-name challengers. For the first time, this event will be taking place in New York CIty, and I will be attending the event and subsequently covering it here on Perpetual Chess. Joining me to discuss the tournament are two wildcard participants.

Click here to download the Episode

• First up (9:00)  is the ever-popular Youtuber and Twitch streamer, IM Eric Rosen. Among other topics, IM Eric Rosen shares how he got the opportunity to play in the tournament, discusses whether he feels any apprehension about potentially tangling with so many world-class players, and discusses how he prepares for such an event. Eric joined me just after returning from the World Championship in Singapire, so he also reflects on that experience as well.

• Following Eric, I am joined by FM Alisa Melekhina (35:00) . Alisa was one of the top players her age as a scholastic player, and is now a litigation partner at an NYC-based law firm. Alisa explains why she couldn’t resist the opportunity to participate in the Women’s Rapid Championship despite a busy professional life. Alisa co-founded the New York City Corporate Chess League and she also shares the background on that thriving endeavor. 

As always, I enjoyed chatting with Eric and Alisa, and look forward to watching them compete in this marquee event. 

EP 413- GM Daniel Naroditsky Looks Back at Gukesh's Rise, Ding's Disappointment & the Heightened Emotions of the 2024 World Championship

Just one day after the match's unforgettable conclusion, I am honored to be joined by lead Chess.com Commentator and popular YouTuber, GM Daniel Naroditsky. Danya takes us straight to the deciding moment of the match and then looks back to contextualize broader lessons from a battle that was closer than many expected. We tackle questions such as:

• Is it possible that Ding subconsciously was ok with losing this match?

• How uncharacteristic was Ding's blunder for a GM?

•  Did this match display more raw emotion than other recent World Championships?

• Is Magnus Carlsen's commentary impacting the chess discourse too much during a match?

Following a detailed World Championship discussion, we touch on a few other topics, including the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, Danya's upcoming Chessable course, and his recent coaching reflections. It was quite a treat to hear Danya process this match in real-time just one day after its conclusion. Approximate timestamps of topics discussed are below.

Click here to Download the Episode

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match, the new Woodpecker Method 2 course, among their many offerings. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

3:00 -Review game 14 of World Championship

13:00 -Danya’s commentary influences

15:00 -Behind the scenes of Danya’s commentary

18:00 -Overview of World Championship match

22:00 -Ding’s struggles

29:00 -Looking ahead to the next World Championship

31:30 -Emotions during the match

34:00 -Thoughts on Gukesh

36:30 -Takes on Magnus’ Take Take Take Recaps

45:00 -Potential changes to WC format

51:00 -Openings in the WC

57:00 -What the audience can learn from the match

1:01:30 -Final thoughts on WC/Danya’s embarrassing moment in commentary career

1:10:00 -Listener questions, Danya’s future chessable course

1:14:00 -Danya's 2025 tournament plans

1:17:00 -Kramnik accusations/thoughts on upcoming World Rapid and Blitz

1:22:00 -Favorite memories being a part of Charlotte Chess Center

1:26:00 -What happened to Danya's NY Times chess column?

Thanks to Danya for joining me! Be sure to sub to his YouTube and Twitch channels:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP9CdeguNUI-_nBv_UXBhw

https://www.twitch.tv/gmnaroditsky

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

EP 412- GM Jon Ludvig Hammer on Broadcasting the World Championship, How Chess is Covered in Norway, & His Pet Opening System

GM Jon Ludvig Hammer is 3-time Norwegian Champion, popular commentator and highly-reviewed Chessable author. Most recently, GM Hammer has been broadcasting the World Championship for the YouTube channel of Magnus Carlsen’s TakeTakeTake app. In our conversation, Jon Ludvig discussed the origins of the Taketaketake company, and of his relationship with it. He also discussed the challenges of announcing without an engine, and shared his opinions on the best ways to present chess. Jon Ludvig has done a lot of coaching of amateurs around Chess.com’s Pogchamps, and also shares some chess improvement advice based on that experience.  He tells the story of how it helped him shape an opening repertoire which he currently shares in his new Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black. We also touched on cheating in chess, Chess960, and GM Hammer’s 2025 plans. I always enjoy hearing GM Hammer’s takes, and I think that you will as well. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

This episode was recorded on December 3, and does not discuss the current state of the FIDE World Championship. For updated coverage of the Ding-Gukesh match check out the bonus pods. 

Click here to Download the Episode

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.In addition to GM Hammer’s course, be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

0:00- What is the origin of GM Hammer’s collaboration with Magnus’ new app, which is called TakeTakeTake

Mentioned: Kaja Snare, WFM Dronning Maud, Sjakksnak Podcast with GM Hammer.  The Magnus and Levy post-mortems we referenced are on the TakeTakeTake YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@TakeTakeTakeApp

12:00- What is the status of  the chess broadcasts on TV in Norway, now that Magnus is semi-retired?

19:00- Why does Hammer think that chess is so much more popular as a spectator sport rather than a participatory activity? 

26:00- What frustrates GM Hammer about recent chess discourse?

Mentioned: Chess in Slums, Brooklyn Castle, GM Ian Nepomniatchtchi cheated as an experiment against Hans Niemann: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1gvwoc1/nepo_admits_to_using_stockfish_against_hans_in/

38:00- Does GM Hammer do any coaching? 

44:00- Is classical chess too slow? How is it presented on Norwegian television broadcasts? 

52:00- How did Hammer discover his own Black setup for his Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black? 

Mentioned: Mr. Savage, BenjyFishy 

1:02:00- GM Hammer’s upcoming plans and projects

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess

Bonus Pod- Ding-Gukesh in the Homestretch. Post-round 12 Analysis, Stories and Chess Improvement Takeaways with IM Andras Toth

An utterly unpredictable and entertaining World Championship match continues, and I am joined by popular YouTuber, Streamer, and Chessable Author, IM Andras Toth to discuss it. Andras has been regularly updating a free course on the program, and also had recently returned from visiting the match in Singapore. Andras provides a fun trip report, we discuss the many surprising aspects of the match, and we try to ascertain a few improvement takeaways for amateur players from this clash. Perpetual Chess will be back with one more look at this match after is conclusion. 

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com, you can check out Andras’ free course here:

https://www.chessable.com/world-chess-championship-2024-ding-vs-gukesh/course/281790/

Click here to Download the Episode

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

patreon.com/perpetualchess

Bonus pod- Tension escalates, as Ding-Gukesh remains tied after 9 rounds. Chess.com’s FM Mike Klein shares behind-the-scenes stories from Singapore.

Tension continues to escalate at the 2024 FIDE World Championship, as the match is now tied after 9 rounds. In recent rounds, both players have missed opportunities at times and also defended well in an entertaining match. In a Perpetual Chess World Championship tradition, I am joined by Chess.com’s FM Mike Klein. With so much insightful match analysis available online, Mike and I focused on what it is like behind the scenes at the venue, what he observes about he moods of the competitors, and how this match compares with others that Mike has covered. As always, Mike shared some funny anecdotes drawn from his ringside seat. We will back with more coverage as the match continues to unfold. 

Click here to download the Episode

Watch Mike Klein’s (pre-match) interview with GM Ding Liren here:

https://youtu.be/NkoWqaHpmGM?si=uS-Or_kAyb_FiO6R

Watch his (pre-match) interview with Gukesh here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBYpdWX7m_Q

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess

EP 411- Adult Improver Supraja Vadlamani on How She Went from Chess Noob to Olympiad Participant in Just a Few Years.

The Adult Improver Series returns to spotlight the inspiring story of another amateur chess player. This week’s guest is Supraja Vadlamani. Supraja is an India-born, Uganda-based economist who learned to play chess just a few years ago. Her interest intensified during the pandemic, and through some unusual circumstances, Supraja got the opportunity to play in the Olympiad for Niger. Supraja has  made impressive chess progress in just a few years, reaching Chess.com blitz and rapid ratings of 1800 and 1750 respectively. In a short time, Supraja has improved her game immensely and crossed paths with the likes of GM Fabiano Caruana and IM Eric Rosen. She shares her unique chess story and hard-won improvement advice. Timestamps of topics discussed and links of resources referenced can be found below.

Click here to Download the Episode

You can check out a playlist of the Adult Improver interviews here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Uoqz2BoRt2IiTCeOfuky?si=c57bb7bdfcf24644

If you would like to join or check out the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

https://www.chessable.com/world-chess-championship-2024-ding-vs-gukesh/course/281790/

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Their new courses include  IM Andras Toth’s course about the World Championship is here. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

0:1:30- Supraja joins the podcast and shares her chess origins.

Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen, WGM Tijana Mandura, GM Igor Smirnov, Chessmood.com, The Russo Gambit 

13:00- What is Supraja’s approach to speed chess ? 

16:00- Life in Uganda 

19:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Is chess supported by the government in Niger?” 

21:00- How is the chess scene in Uganda? 

22:00- Supraja details her fierce chess rivalry with her boyfriend 

23:00- Olympiad reflections and sightings

Mentioned: GM Fabiano Caruana 

30:00- Supraja’s tournament plans 

37:00- How much time per week does Supraja study chess?

39:00  Does she follow professional class? 

41:00- Supraja’s favorite and least favorite aspects of chess

42:00- Supraja’s  favorite openings 

Mentioned: Maia bots

45:00- Supraja completes her IM Eric Rosen story

Mentioned: Cameo.com 

49:00- Supraja’s closing chess advice. 

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Bonus Pod- The World Championship is Deadlocked through 6 Games. IM Michael Rahal joins from Singapore & GM Jon Ludvig Hammer on the Match’s Surprising Trajectory

The 2024 FIDE World Championship has been somewhat surprisingly tense and entertaining, and is tied after 6 games. I was privileged to be joined by two return guests to discuss the following: 
Trainer, author and FIDE Press Officer, IM Michael Rahal (0:00) describes the venue in Singapore and provides behind the scenes details and perspective on the match.
GM Jon Ludvig Hammer (35:00)  has been Commentating the Event for The TakeTakeTake YouTube Channel and therefore has analyzed every move as it occurs. He discusses the Openings, as well as whether he thinks Ding can continue to keep Gukesh on his heels.

We hope to have more bonus coverage to come, and will definitely be following and covering the World Championship once it has concluded.
If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:
https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Click here to Download the Episode