EP 389-Solveig Friberg (The Rookie Redhead)- A Recent Adult Beginner on Getting to 1500 from Scratch and Finding Community and Audience


The Adult Improver Series of Perpetual Chess returns, as I am joined by Solveig Friberg, who streams on Twitch as “The Rookie Redhead.” Solveig is a relatively new chess player who discovered the game via a Norwegian national TV broadcast of one of Magnus Carlsen’s World Championship matches. A few years later, she has attained a rating of 1570 FIDE, built a large online audience, and published her first Chessable course (Breaking 1000)  as a Twitch streamer.  Shehas even had the opportunity to interview players like Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana. We begin our conversation by discussing the unique popularity of chess in Norway.   it is very popular as a spectator sport, but that has not translated into a thriving competitive chess scene. Why might that be? We also discuss Solveig’s own chess journey.  Solveig shares a lot of study recommendations and core beliefs based on her experience as a chess player and her professional background as an educator. Solveig is a particularly firm believer in the importance of finding a community and did not see her chess take off until she found online “chess people.” Solveig is an inspiration for anyone who is coming to chess as a working adult with a busy life. 

Click here to Download the Episode



Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com- in addition to Solveig’s course, be sure to check out GM Sam Shankland’s latest, and if you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the link below.

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



2:00- Solveig got into chess by watching coverage of the Magnus-Nepo match on national TV in Norway. What is the coverage like in Norway? What is the OTB scene like there? 

Mentioned: 

Solveig on Chess Journeys, Episode 91:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2rwxKkso2M2IPITLOEt4hc?si=86bec8cf1aa34f5d

Solveig on Sjakksnakk 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1c0FBix4q4OSvPdz6nbGSf?si=63cf7ec45f5f441d



9:00- How did Solveig find a chess community? 

To find the “chess people” on X, make an account, send a message and conclude it with the #chesspunks

https://x.com/hashtag/chesspunks?src=hashtag_click

To apply or suggest someone to be a guest on the Adult Improver Series, use this google form:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adult



17:00- How did Solveig’s professional background impact her approach to chess improvement? 



22:30- What was Solveig’s approach to studying chess? 



27:00- We discuss chess pub nights and the Good Knight Chess Pub in Oslo, Norway.



29:00- What would Solveig have done differently to improve at chess if she could start over?



32:00- Patreon mailbag question- “What are some common mistakes that beginners make, and how can they avoid them?”



36:00- Solveig’s resource recommendations

Mentioned:

Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel

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

Build Up Your Chess Series

https://www.chessable.com/the-fundamentals-1-build-up-your-chess/course/19145/

Chess Tactics from Scratch 

https://www.chessable.com/chess-tactics-from-scratch-understanding-chess-tactics/course/27821/

Also available as a book- https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Tactics-Scratch-Understanding/dp/1907982027




37:00- What was it like for Solveig to interview Hikaru Nakamura about gender issues in chess? 

Mentioned:

Watch the interview here:

https://x.com/RookieRedhead/status/1801228262170882212



46:30- What is the theme of Solveig’s Chessable course, Breaking 1000?



52:00- What are Solveig’s streaming goals? Does she ever stream in Norwegian?



55:00- Thanks to Solveig for joining me, Here is how to keep up with her:



Instagram:

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



X:

https://x.com/RookieRedhead



And her Chessable Course:

https://www.chessable.com/breaking-1000/course/237622/