EP 427- Key Chess Improvement Principles with GM Noël Studer: The Fallacy of Accuracy Scores, Leaky Roofs & Information Overload

GM Noël Studer is a two time Swiss National Champion turned blogger, course creator and chess trainer. Noël is also a regular guest on the podcast, and as an avid reader of his blog, I always have plenty of questions for him. This particular interview tackles questions like the following:

  • What has training for a marathon taught Noël about chess?

  • Do Grandmasters like Noël make it sound easier than it is to “fix blunders?” 

  • What are the traits of Noël’s most successful students? 

We also discuss an update to one of Noël’s courses, his next projects, and why we both are a bit disillusioned with professional chess. There is always a lot to learn from GM Studer! 


Click here to Download the Episode

Check out Noël’s updated course on studying chess the right way here (https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=bc4be0) Use the code perpetual20 to receive a 20% discount. By using that link, you'll also support Perpetual Chess.

https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=bc4be0




Noël’s prior appearances were on the podcast were Episodes 248, 312 and 374 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Dtd4jQXwwJkfwOegqrGad?si=11a29a76268249b8

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0asMZuJZhbp6EnNUyUvzo4?si=9cc4a0c08d7b48e8

https://open.spotify.com/episode/39O0qNPy5mCDxSf96byIES?si=7a1e8a1e12bc4102





01:00- Chess Lessons from training for a marathon

(From article From Thinking to Doing)

Dr. Nick Vasquez’s post, Too Many Choices:

https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/p/what-do-we-mean-improvement




13:00- Why does Noël call blundering “the leaking roof issue”?

The leaking roof issue



Steps method playlist from Chess Steps trainer NM Han Schut:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHJ-t45Y-c5SN7u7YSd-gj0vpyCgXv7lM



21:00- Do people overemphasize the importance of accuracy scores?

https://nextlevelchess.com/accuracy-score/



25:00- In his professional days, what was Noël’s approach to checking engines immediately after games? 



28:00- Why do CEO’s have a hard time improving at chess? 

https://nextlevelchess.com/study-chess-in-a-smarter-way/



35:00- Which posts of Noël’ got the most feedback? 



37:00- What is “the chess improvement equation?” 

https://nextlevelchess.com/improvement-score/



40:00- What other recent interests and daily practices has Noël implemented? 



42:00-  Noël’ discusses his relaunched course, The Simplified Chess Improvement System

https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=bc4be0



49::00- Noël’s next projects



52:00- Does Noël still follow professional chess closely? 



Thanks to Noël for coming on!

You can email him at Noël at nextlevelchess.blog



Check out his courses. Remember to use perpetual20 for 20% off on either course.

All in one beginner course (up to 1200 chesscom): https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/beginner-chess-mastery?ref=bc4be0 His re-launched improvement system (previously Next Level Training): https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=bc4be0




Subscribe to his newsletter here:

https://nextlevelchess.com/