EP 286- Adult Improver Dr. Nicholas Vasquez on How and Why he Finally Got Serious about Chess Improvement

On this month’s Adult Improver Edition of Perpetual Chess I am joined by Dr. Nicholas Vasquez. Dr. Vazquez is a dad and emergency physician who finds chess a welcome escape from a very stressful job. Despite the fact that chess is escapism for him, Dr. Vasquez has recently decided to get serious about chess improvement. He started working with a coach (NM Han Schut), playing tournaments, and working on puzzles from Chess Steps and Chessbase. Nicholas has learned a lot of lessons, and seen significant progress, raising his Chess.Com rapid rating from about 1350 to 1650 over the last couple of years. Dr. Vasquez shared lots of great insights in our interview, and I am confident that you will find this interview helpful and entertaining. You can find more information on all of the topics referenced, as well as timestamps below. 0:00- Be sure to subscribe to How To Chess on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-chess/id1572917817 0:02- After some time away, what event re-interested Nick in chess? Mentioned: The Chess Steps Method, Episode 142 with Han Schut, Episode 274 with Adult Improver Paul Hedrick, Episode 167 with IM Jop Delemarre, Step 2 Thinking Ahead 09:00- With a hectic life, does Nick ever struggle with finding motivation for chess study? 15:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. You can find IM Andras Toth’s new course, IM Irina Bulmaga’s, as well as so many others, here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/ 16:00- When Nick plays training games, does he use a chess set or a screen? 20:00- Nick shares the training regimen that his coach, Han Schut has devised for him. 25:00- Nick shares what he is learning from competing in the LiChess4545 league. Mentioned: GM Jesse Kraai’s video “An Easy System Against the French” 28:00- What does Han’s trainer consider to be the key pillars of his success? What does it mean to “orient” oneself to a chess position? 32:00- What is Nick’s approach to openings? 34:00- What do Han and Nick prefer Chessbase tactics? 38:00- Which book helped Nick the most? Mentioned: The Improving Chess Thinker by NM Dan Heisman, Think Like a Super GM by GM Michael Adams and Philip Hurtado 41:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free, and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. Or use this link for the same discount: https://aimchess.com/try?ref=benjohnson12 42:00- A few features to be aware of on Chesskid.com: Summer Clubhouse : https://www.chesskid.com/learn/articles/summer-chess-clubhouse You can check out FunMaster Mike’s videos either on Chesskid itself or on YouTube for kids. If you decide to sign your kid or your student(s) up for Chesskid, be sure to use this link to save 30% on a Chesskid Membership https://www.chesskid.com/membership/promo/perpetual 46:00- Was Nick surprised by the intensity of OTB chess? 54:00- Nick discusses the importance of feeling part of a community. Mentioned: ChessDoJo discord 57:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Is there stuff Nick needs to work on outside of doing the Steps Method?” 1:05:00- Thanks so much to Dr. Vazquez for joining the show. You can play/reach him on Lichess here: https://lichess.org/@/nvasquez Or Chess.com here: https://www.chess.com/member/nfv1972 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices