IM Kåre Kristensen (right) takes on GM Nigel Short
What is the likelihood that a fully employed dad in his mid 40s could bring his rating from 2200 FIDE up to 2400 and earn the title of International Master at the age of 54? I didn’t know the answer to this question, but this week’s guest, IM Kåre Kristensen actually did it! Kåre was at such a low point in his chess in 2008 that he considered quitting. But instead he stuck with it and became one of the relatively rare folks to earn the IM title past the age of 50! How did he do it? What did he study? How hard did he work on chess? What does he do away from the chessboard? You can hear Kåre’s inspiring story in this week’s Perpetual Chess. Please read on for more details and timestamps.
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0:00- We discuss the impact of the coronavirus in Denmark, as well as a bit about Kåre’s professional and family background.
8:00- Chess talk time! IM Kristensen shares his “chess origin story,” and traces some of the ups and downs of his career, culminating in his earning the IM title at the age of 54!
24:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable. They have just released what may be their most exciting course to date, The Magnus Touch! Check it out here:
25:00- Kåre answers a few questions from The Perpetual Chess Patreon Mailbag relating to his experiences with the effects of aging on one’s chess game, and whether he has made any age-related changes to his game. .
Mentioned: GM Jens Kristensen, FIDE Title Application Webpage
43:00- Kåre shares the chess improvement methods that have been most effective for him, and gives a few universal tips.
Mentioned: Tactics Trainer Endgame App. GM Mikhail Botvinnik
57:00- Now that we know what Kåre studied, it’s time to find out how much he studied to keep improving!
Mentioned: The Anand Files by FM Michiel Abeln, The Slav Defense, Grandmaster Chess Move by Move by GM John Nunn
1:05:00- Jaydeep Chakrabarty writes in to ask Kåre for advice about building an opening repertoire. Read more about Jaydeep’s new Digital Chess Board, named Rolling Pawn, here:
https://chessbase.in/news/The-Rolling-Pawn-Making-Digital-Chess-board-affordable
Mentioned: My 60 Most Memorable Games
1:14:00- Another question from the Patreon mailbag: if Kåre could restart his chess career from scratch, how would he approach his studies?
Mentioned: Bent Larsen’s Best Games , IM Christof Sielecki,
1:23:00- Kåre tells a story from a long-ago tournament where he sat near a young Vishy Anand and took notice of his play.
Mentioned: Anand-DeFirmian 1986
1:30:00- Thanks so much to IM Kristensen for joining the show and sharing his experiences and advice. You can keep up with him as follows:
Email him here:
Reach on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/karehove.kristensen