In this episode, Neal confesses a hard truth: his most dreaded opponents aren't Masters - they're "unrated" and "lower-rated" opponents who absolutely do not play like their numbers suggest. We talk about underrated players, rating lag, adult improvers on the rise, and why underestimating your opponent is the fastest way to donate a point. If you've ever sat down thinking "this should be fine" and immediately regretted it, this one's for you.

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A new year means a fresh chance to improve, but only if you have a plan that actually fits your real life. In this Season 11 premiere, Neal dives into the Listener Mailbag and then shares a practical, no-nonsense framework for building a 2026 chess improvement plan that works for busy adult players. Whether you're aiming to gain rating points, play more confidently, or just stop spinning your wheels, this episode will help you start the year with purpose.

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It's the Season 10 finale, so we're emptying the mailbag and tackling your chess improvement questions head-on, from study habits and rating plateaus to tournament nerves and adult time constraints. Season 11 coming soon...

📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.

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• Buy Me a Coffee