Since our first interview in June of 2019, IM Cyrus Lakdawala has increased the number of books he has authored to 50! Cyrus’ newest published book is Rewire Your Chess Brain: Endgame Studies and Mating Problems to Enhance Your Tactical Abilities . I have been excited for this book because endgame studies have frequently been mentioned by guests as an effective way to improve one’s visualization abilities and pattern recognition. The book did not disappoint me! It is filled with creative, diabolical and often difficult chess problems that can stump you for hours or days. We also discuss Cyrus’ recent award-winning book In the Zone: The Greatest Winning Streaks in Chess History. In the book, Cyrus deconstructs the magic of chess hot streaks and reveals who he thinks had the most impressive tournament performance of all time. For those interested in chess improvement, this interview is packed with useful advice. Cyrus shares his advice for how to tackle difficult chess problems, and reveals a simple formula for how one should allocate one’s chess study time. Please read on for lots more details and timestamps.
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0:00- We begin by discussing his newest, the excellent book of endgame studies and difficult mate problems, Rewire Your Chess Brain.
Mentioned: Episode 129 With Cyrus Lakdawala:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-chess-podcast/id1185023674?i=1000440582141
Chess Endgame Studies and Compositions Facebook Group-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/544412592978833
Also Mentioned: GM Max Illingworth, Jonathan Fry, GM Nigel Short, GM Alexei Shirov, Joseph William Abbott
“It’s not the solving that matters, it’s the combination of straining to solve… mixed with seeing an original pattern in the solution, and you are adding to your internal database a new pattern.”
13:15- This episode is brought to you in part by Chesskid.com. If you sign your child up for a Gold level Membership, you can use promo code “HOMEFUN” for a 10% discount, and if you are interested in bulk discounts on chess club memberships, you can email sales@chesskid.com
14:15- Cyrus answers a Patreon mailbag question relating to the proper way to tackle chess endgame studies. As Cyrus explains, the key is to strain for the answer.
Mentioned: Reti-Alekhine 1925, Satanick Mukhuty, Steven Dowd
25:15- What are some common themes you might come across in chess studies?
The Blathy 1962 endgame study we discuss can be found here:
28:30- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Whether you are interested in openings, endgames, or chess history, Chessable has plenty of books and courses to help you learn and retain the information you learn using its MoveTrainer technology.
https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/
29:30- We talk some chess improvement, as Cyrus answers another question from the Patreon mailbag- What aspects of studying chess are overrated and underrated?
35:30- In the wake of the recent Pro Chess League cheating scandal, we discuss the issue of cheating in chess a bit. Background on the cheating scandal here: https://www.chess.com/news/view/saint-louis-arch-bishops-2020-pro-chess-champions
Mentioned: GM Tigran L. Petrosian, GM Wesley So, GM Miguel Quinteros
43:15- Another recent book of Cyrus’ In the Zone: The Greatest Winning Streaks in Chess History, just won an award for Best Instructional Book from the Chess Journalists of America. What can we learn from studying the winning streaks of the greats?
Mentioned: Paulsen, Morphy, GM Fabiano Caruana, GM Veslin Topalov, GM Levon Aronian, GM Magnus Carlsen. GM Bobby Fischer, GM Bent Larsen, GM Mark Taimanov, GM Alexander Alekhine
58:30- One more supporter question for Cyrus: Who would he pick as the best opening, middlegame, and endgames specialists in chess history?
Mentioned: GMs Kasparov, Korchnoi, Karpov, Carlsen, Alekhine
1:00:30- Thanks to Cyrus for rejoining the show!
You can buy his books here: https://www.amazon.com/Zone-Greatest-Winning-Streaks-History/dp/905691877X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=K2M59FKPTJUD&dchild=1&keywords=cyrus+lakdawala+chess+books&qid=1602458255&s=books&sprefix=cyrus%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1
Join the Facebook Chess Endgame Studies and Compositions Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/544412592978833
And contact Cyrus here: https://www.facebook.com/cyrus.lakdawala