Ep 278- GM Jan Gustafsson- The Popular Chess24 Commentator discusses the World Championships, Chess Openings, The State of his Chess Game, and his new Chess Podcast

GM Jan Gustafsson is a popular and entertaining commentator for Chess24.com, a noted opening theoretician, a Chessable author, and 3 time member of GM Magnus Carlsen’s World Championship preparation team. Jan returned to Perpetual Chess for the fifth time to discuss chess news and the World Championship cycle, catch us up on the state of his chess game and to discuss what else he has been up to. Jan’s new projects include the launch of his own chess podcast, Chicken Chess Club,, where he and his friends, GM Laurent Fressinet and Peter Heine Nielsen give a light hearted rundown of the latest chess news. You can find timestamps and relevant links below:

Click here to Download the Episode

0:00- We briefly discuss the origins of Jan’s new podcast, The Chicken Chess Club. 

Mentioned: Chicken Chess Club, GM Laurent Fressinet, GM Peter Hiene Nielsen 


5:30- Jan’s thoughts on the 2022 FIDE Candidates tournament, and whether Magnus will defend his title 

Mentioned:  Inside Team Magnus (behind Chess24 Paywall use promo code #Janistan), Episode 276 with GM Michael Adams, The Anand Files, From London to Elista 


12:30-  When did Jan find out he would be on Magnus Carlsen’s 2022 World Championship Preparation Team? 


17:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What does Jan think of IM Lawrence Trent’s new courses on 1… b6 and 1. Nc3. ?”


19:00- Patreon mailbag question:  “What is the stupidest opening idea that works?” 


20:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you by Chessable.com. Check out their latest offerings here: New Chess Courses Online - For All Levels - Chessable.com


21:00- Jan plays in the elite German chess league called The Bundesliga. He discusses how his recent games have gone and the state of his chess game. 

Mentioned: IM Greg Shahade 


32:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What is Jan’s advice for creating an opening repertoire?”


37:00- What is Jan trying to improve at?

Jan’s Twitch Channel, KugelBuch Twitch Channel 


42:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess collects and analyzes your games and gives you actionable tips based on the data it gathers. If you choose to subscribe to Aimchess, please use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. 


44:00- Any plans for more weekly features on The Chicken Chess Club podcast

Mentioned: Jeselnik and Rosenthal Vanity Project, GM Alireza Firouzja 


49:00- How is Jan’s daughter’s chess game? 


51:00- More Team Magnus and World Championship talk! What was the celebration like when Magnus defended his crown? 

Mentioned:  Inside Team Magnus, GM Danill Dubov, GM Jorden van Foreest 


59:00- Will Jan do another Chessable course? 


1:01:00- Jan reveals his plans for the 2022 Chess Olympiad? 


1:03:00- What TV/series/moves has Jan been watching?

Mentioned: Coda, Fleabag, Barry, White Lotus, Atlanta, Succession, See, Reacher, Louis C.K., Daniel Simonsen


1:08:00- Thanks to Jan for joining us! Be sure to subscribe to/rate/review the Chicken Chess Club.

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here.