088 Like many chess subjects, knowing what to study for strategy is a bit murky. Especially if you’re a semi-confused club player like myself. So, who better to chat with about this topic than an author who has written three books on the subject? Welcome today’s guest: IM Thomas Willemze.

Over the past six years, Thomas has published three popular books and several courses on the subject of strategy, all specifically aimed at the club player.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why it’s helpful to study both master and amateur games to improve your strategy knowledge.
• Why Thomas chose less common strategy ideas for his foundational book on the subject (like exchanging pieces and utilizing your rooks.)
• The benefits of studying the games of the most recent world champions.

More From Thomas:

• Thomas’ Chessable Courses
• Thomas’ Books (Amazon Link)

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087 Rarely have I publicly reflected on my experiences from running this podcast. Or what I’ve learned from talking to so many titled players, coaches, and commentators. But it’s been a little over two years since the show’s launch. And it has recently crossed 250K downloads (woohoo!)

To top it off, we’ve delivered eighty guest interviews and counting.

So, I figured a little reflection was due.

In this episode, I share insights on the improvement, insights on the chess community, and a few “behind-the-scenes” thoughts from years of being a chess podcast host.

I also dive into:

• My five most personally meaningful episodes.
• Why I believe the chess community is better than most other skill/hobby communities.
• Why this podcast has only just begun.

My membership relaunch is just weeks away! Sign up for the waitlist here to be notified.

Links to Other Episodes Cited:

• NM Bruce Pandolfini
• Rochelle Ballantine
• GM Irina Krush
• IM Eric Rosen
• WGM Jennifer Shahade

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Quick update: No full episode this week. But we'll return on 4/16/24.

Wanna tell me how your chess journey is going? Or have any feedback for the podcast?

You can send me a message here.

Also, I asked my Twitter followers what their answer would be to my frequently asked pod question below. Send me your answer and I may read it on next week's solo pod!

"If a chess genie existed and could grant you one chess wish, what would you wish for?"

Send your answer through my website or reply to this Twitter post.

086 She’s a rock star of chess accomlishments. WIM Natasha Regan has represented England in two chess Olympiads. She’s co-authored two award-winning chess books with GM Matthew Sadler. And, in recent years, Natasha has co-created three Chessable courses on strategy.

Even outside of chess, Natasha impresses.

She earned a degree in mathematics from Cambridge University, has had a career as a professional actuary, and is an accomplished Go player.

In this episode, we cover:

• Three strategies to fight back against the effects of aging on your chess.
• Why counterattacking is often better (and smarter) than pure defense.
• How learning to recognize intermediate moves can help you become an overall better chess player.

More From Natasha:

Her Chessable Courses:

• Zwishensuzg: A Comprehensive Guide to Intermediate Moves
• Learn to Counterattack: Essential Guide to Active Defense
• Game Changer

Her Books:

• Game Changer
• Chess For Life
• Natasha’s Twitter

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085 GM Noël Studer is a fountain of superb chess advice. Many folks loved his first appearance on the show (Ep. 67.) And that’s why he’s here a second time! It’s rare and special to have a Grandmaster working hard to help club players improve their game.

And, now, he even helps beginners.

A former Swiss chess champion and the youngest GM ever from Switzerland...

Noël has just released a comprehensive course to help beginner players (links are below.)

In this episode, we discuss:

• Three strategies to make your chess study experience more fun.
• Help your beginner friends and family improve by understanding what will help them get better results (and which resources they should avoid.)
• Two beginner-level concepts that even Grandmaster Noël didn’t know until he created his course.
• If you want consistent improvement, you MUST separate these two types of chess activities.

More From Noël:

• Course: Beginner Chess Mastery
• Course: Next Level Training
• Website
• Blog
• Twitter

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084 Hungary has a rich history of producing chess stars. Even at the adult improver level, you have the impressive accomplishments of our guest, Kincső Toth.

She’s already reached 1900 FIDE and is gunning for the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title - which requires a 2100 rating plus norms.

And she does this all while earning her computer engineering degree in Budapest.

Kincső infuses even more chess into her life by moderating online events for Chess.com and running a Twitch channel with thousands of followers.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What she changed in her chess to leap 250 FIDE rating points in just one year.
• Are amateurs qualified to coach chess?
• Will she pursue a full-time career in chess if she earns the WFM title?

More From Kincső:

• Twitter
• Instagram
• Twitch
• TikTok

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The life of a chess player is often emotional. There can be huge wins and the joy of learning, but also painful losses and sluggish improvement. Helping me gain new insights into how to address these challenges is clinical psychologist and co-host of the ChessFeels podcast, Julia Rios.

Julia combines her professional knowledge with her chess experience to offer some brilliant insights into “chess psychology.”

In this episode, we discuss:

• Does chess offer more emotional challenges than other endeavors?
• Should you not care about your rating?
• Does the expectation to improve hinder our enjoyment of chess?
• Bonus: A chess genie offers Julia one wish but she insists on getting three.

More From Julia:

• ChessFeels Podcast
• ChessFeels Twitter
• Julia’s Twitter

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082 Many adult improvers ask this question at least once: Should I get a chess coach? This episode is designed to help you figure out what to look for in a coach and how to maximize the experience.

Helping me discuss this topic is IM Yuriy Krykun.

Yuriy is a well-known course creator with Chessable, and a superb coach who’s helped countless students.

In this episode, we cover:

• What are some of the qualities you should look for in a chess coach?
• Do you need to work towards a specific goal with your coach?
• Does it matter which title your coach has? (NM, FM, IM, etc.)
• What if you’re not improving after working with a coach?
• What are some of the traits of Yuriy’s most successful students?

More From Yuriy:

• Yuriy’s Chessable Courses
• Yuriy’s Website (including contact form for coaching)
• Yuriy’s Twitter
• Yuriy’s Coaching Page

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