Perpetual Chess Podcast Podcast Por Ben Johnson arte de portada

Perpetual Chess Podcast

Perpetual Chess Podcast

De: Ben Johnson
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Perpetual Chess features weekly conversations with the chess world's best players, trainers and accomplished amateurs about their careers, current projects, best practices and the latest in chess news. Learn more at PerpetualChessPod.com2023 Perpetual Chess LLC
Episodios
  • EP 476-Vlad Ghita: Is the Rating System Still Broken? A Data-Driven Investigation
    Mar 31 2026
    It has been over two years since FIDE implemented major changes to its rating system aimed at combating rating deflation. But are those changes actually working? My guest, Vlad Ghita, joins me to dig into the data. Vlad is a Romanian arbiter, instructor, and chess enthusiast with a master’s degree in physics. In his new e-book, The Rating Revolution, he takes a rigorous, data-driven look at how the global rating system is functioning—and where it may still be falling short. We discuss: What Vlad calls the “participation paradox” Which countries may be the most underrated How age impacts rating expectations Why some players feel stuck despite improving Is the US rating system functioning more effectively than FIDE? As discussed in the episode, many of these issues stem from structural imbalances in the rating pool—something Vlad illustrates through extensive analysis of nearly one million games . In our conversation (and in his book), Vlad not only identifies problems but also proposes thoughtful solutions. As a dedicated coach and adult improver himself, he also shares practical advice for chess improvement. ; 0:00- Intro Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com. Check out their FIDE Candidates Sale here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/all/offer/ Sign up for Chessable Pro here: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 0:02- Vlad’s joins the show, we being by diving into his chess background Mentioned: Michael Franco/NoseKnowsAll’s free Lichess materials- https://lichess.org/study/by/NoseKnowsAll 0:10- How Vlad’s curiosity about ratings was piqued around the pandemic, what he learned about ratings 0:11- What is the cause of FIDE rating deflation? Mentioned: Jeff Sonas, Dr. Mark Glickman 0:16-What is “the participation paradox?” 0:21- Is the US rating system working better than FIDE’s? 29:00- Should FIDE institute adjustable rating floors? 31:00- What solutions does Vlad propose to improve the rating system? 42:00- Chess improvement lessons from Vlad’s playing and training experience Mentioned: Chess Structures, How to Study Chess on Your Own, Chessbook 50:00- The pros and cons of working full time in chess 52:00- Thanks to Vlad for coming on the pod and writing an insightful book. Vlad has offered a discount to Perpetual Chess Listeners if you use the code “perpetual30” at checkout. Use the code “perpetual30” to get a discount on his e-book. https://vladchess.com/rating-revolution If you are interested in getting coaching from Vlad, you can reach him via his website: https://vladchess.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h y 2 m
  • Book Recap #38- Silman’s Chess Odyssey + Stories from a Former Student with Gaurav Datta
    Mar 24 2026
    The Perpetual Chess book discussion series Chess Books Recaptured returns with a personal, funny, and heartfelt episode. Gaurav Datta, a longtime student and close friend of IM Jeremy Silman, joins me to discuss Silman’s Chess Odyssey: Cracked Grandmaster Tales, Legendary Players, & Instructions and Musings. This memoir and collection of writing was Silman’s final work, and it beautifully captures his deep and enduring love for chess. As Gaurav shares, he was an ordinary club player who repeatedly emailed Silman until Jeremy reluctantly agreed to take him on as a student in the late 1990s. What began as lessons soon turned into a decades-long friendship. Jeremy did not care much about Gaurav’s rating, but he appreciated his sense of humor and his ability to tell interesting stories. Throughout the conversation, Gaurav interweaves touching and often hilarious personal memories with insights from the book, offering a glimpse into Silman’s life and teaching philosophy. I greatly enjoyed reading Silman’s Chess Odyssey, and hearing Gaurav’s stories added a whole new dimension to understanding one of chess’s most beloved teachers. 0:00 Intro + overview of Silman’s Chess Odyssey Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com. Check out IM Jeremy SIlman’s vast catalog of courses here: https://www.chessable.com/author/Jeremy_Silman/5:48 Guest intro: Gaurav Datta (long-time student & friend of Jeremy Silman) 7:00 How Gaurav discovered Silman, early struggles, and first meeting12:30 What lessons with Silman were really like (stories, life, chess) 18:20 Chess as art: Silman’s core philosophy22:40 Training methods: studying master games & subtle ideas Mentioned: IM Erik Kislik, NM Steve Brandwein 28:00 Gambling struggles, life setbacks, and returning to chess 33:00 Silman’s personality: stories, Japan, boxing & unique interests 38:40 Final years, illness, and completing his last book Mentioned: Autobiography of a Goat 51:30 Key lessons: play for beauty, not rating + lasting impact 1:15:00- Thanks so much to Gaurav for sharing his amazing stories! Here is how you can reach him: Email- gdatta at gmail.com Chess.com- https://www.chess.com/member/olddirtypatzer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h y 22 m
  • EP 476- GM Jan Gustafsson previews the 2026 FIDE Candidates
    Mar 17 2026
    The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament is almost here, and GM Jan Gustafsson joins the podcast to break down the entire field. As a leading opening theoretician who has worked on GM Magnus Carlsen’s World Championship team, Jan brings unique insight into this high-stakes event. Jan will be on site in Cyprus providing commentary alongside his longtime friend GM Peter Svidler. In this episode we go player by player discussing the contenders’ chances, from rising stars like Praggnanandhaa and Javokhir Sindarov to established veterans like Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura. Jan shares insights on preparation, momentum, and who is most likely to win the Candidates and earn the right to challenge for the World Championship. We also discuss the Women’s Candidates Tournament, pop culture, and Jan’s latest projects. Episode Recorded on March 11, 2016 0:00 Intro – Candidates preview with GM Jan Gustafsson You can buy tickets to the Chess in the Schools Poker/Chess Fundraiser here: https://secure.givelively.org/event/chess-in-the-schools-inc/chess-in-the-schools-3rd-annual-charity-poker-tournament Check out Jan’s Chessable courses here: Be sure to check out Chessiverse.com, and use code “Perpetual30” for a discount on premium features and IM John Bartholomew’s course. 5:16 Jan Gustafsson joins the show 6:36 Patreon mailbag question: Strategy for the Candidates tournament 12:55 Matthias Bluebaum preview Mentioned: Kalshi FIDE Candidate’s Odds: https://kalshi.com/markets/kxchesscandidates/chess-candidates-champion/kxchesscandidates-26 17:18 Andrey Esipenko preview 22:39 Praggnanandhaa preview 26:35 Javokhir Sindarov preview 31:20 Anish Giri preview 33:52 Wei Yi preview 39:00 Fabiano Caruana preview 44:42 Hikaru Nakamura preview 49:57 Predictions for the winner 52:40 Women’s Candidates preview 57:00- Patreon mailbag question: What would Jan like to keep as is in the chess world, and what would he like to see changed? 1:00:05 Closing thoughts, tv shows, nonsense. Mentioned: Jeselnik book club: https://anthonyjeselnik.com/the-jeselnik-book-club 1:06:00- Thanks to Jan for joining! Be sure to tune in to the FIDE YouTube channel for his Candidates coverage, sub to Janistan TV on Twitch, and check out his Chessable courses here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h y 16 m
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Best Chess Podcast out there! I enjoy listening in the car on Audible! Ken Kansas City Chess Club

Great content!

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Great podcast! I love listening to interviews with my favorite players. Absolutely wonderful! Ben Johnson is a great host.

Amazing!!

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Same as above. You can listen without YouTube commercials. good luck on your journey in chess

Very good listen about adult chess improving

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this podcast is very informative with great interviews. It also has book recommendations that are helpful.

great content

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I love that adult learners are also featured in this podcast. It’s inspirational to hear about other people my age who are picking up chess for the first time or dusting off the old skills. And of course the IM and GM guests are amazing, too! Lots of humorous stories from pros and learners alike.

Inspirational and funny

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