EP 437- Coach Jay Stallings and NM Adam Weissbarth talk Chess Teaching, Chess in the Movies and The Challenges and Rewards of Running a Chess Business

GM Alex Fishbein has been one of the top players in the US for decades and remains a frequent competitor on the American chess circuit. He is a four-time US Championship participant and is the Tennessee state champion. Alex is also a chess writer. His most recent book, The French Exchange Comes to Life, is a uniquely presented and instructive guide to a somewhat misunderstood opening. Alex also has a successful career away from the board. He works as a Director in Fixed Income at TD Securities. In our conversation, we discuss Alex’s storied OTB career. Born in the USSR, Alex has learned from many Soviet-era legends and tells memorable stories about Mikhail Tal and Viktor Korchnoi. Alex also shares tips for staying sharp into one’s 50s and discusses how chess learning has changed. Alex’s dad and son are chess masters as well, so he has had a close-up-view of the evolution of chess learning. This was a really fun conversation.   Notes and timestamps on topics discussed can be found below. 0:00- We begin with a trip report on the Norway Open, which Alex and his son attended and in which they competed. They also witnessed the Norway Invitational featuring Magnus Carlsen, Maxime Vachier Lagrave and many other elite players.  08:30- What advice would Alex give to people frustrated by playing lots of underrated players?  Mentioned: GM Patrick Wolff  15:00- Patreon mailbag question: In the increasingly competitive tournament chess climate, what  kinds of goals does Alex set for himself these days?  Mentioned: GM Dmitri Gurevich  19:00- Which older player did Fishbein consider a role model? Alex goes into great detail about a unique and instructive way that he likes to study great players.  28:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. If you are a pro member be sure to check out NM Bryan Tillis’ Olympiad Course: https://www.chessable.com/blog/chess-olympiad-2022/ 29:00- What were Alex’s interactions with Korchnoi like? 34:00- Alex tells some great stories from his chess origins in St. Petersburg. He studied under legendary trainer, Vladimir Zak.  Mentioned: Russian Silhouettes by GM Genna Sosonko  44:00- What did Alex learn from legendary trainer, IM Mark Dvoretsky?  47:00- Tal stories!  54:00-  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 56:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What was it like to play Kasparov in a simul as a teen, as chronicled in the documentary American Gambit?”  More on the documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qChazvEx_IA https://en.chessbase.com/post/american-gambit-kasparov-vs-us-juniors Fishbein-Kasparov 1988 1:00:00- Alex discusses his career in finance and his decision not to pursue a career in chess.  1:08:00- Alex’s career advice for stronger young chess players.  1:10:00- Alex wrote a great book about the French Exchange, what do people misunderstand about this opening?  1:15:00- How have opening approaches changed over the years? How does Alex’s college- age son prepare?  1:18:00- Alex discusses his column for American Chess Magazine and on the updated versions of the Dvoretsky Endgame Manual with GM Karsten Muller.  1:25:00- Alex shares his thoughts on the Magnus Carlsen news.  1:29:00- Thanks to Alex for a fascinating interview! Here is his contact info: http://www.gmalexfishbein.com/ Or email afish at panix.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

9 Elo 20221h 33min

I have been enjoying the ongoing Chess Olympiad so much that I wanted to hear first hand from some people on the scene about what its like to be there. I am joined by 2 separate guests to give their impressions from Chennai. GM Axel Bachmann is the first board for Paraguay, a former top 100 player in the world, and a 6 time chess Olimpian. Axel discusses the early notable results, the conditions of the venue, and noteworthy results early in the tournament. Following Axel, I am joined by Michael Duke aka Mr. Dodgy of Chessable. Dodgy discusses the chess fever in India, his role as a coach for the Jersey women's team, and shares a few observations from the fabled Bermuda party. 0:00- Intro Mentioned:  Chessbase India YouTube Channel Chess.com YouTube Channel  Gotham Chess Channel  NM Bryan Tillis’ Chessable Olympiad Course Aimchess.com (use code Perpetual30 to save 30% if you subscribe)  6:00- GM Axel Bachmann joins me from Chennai after round 5. Axel discusses what has struck him about India, how this compares to other Olimpiads, and his and Paraguay’s early results.  31:00- The famous Mr. Dodgy aka Michael Duke of Chessable joins to give the fan’s/coaches perspective of the Olimpiad.  Video- Chessbase India: The complete venue tour of the Chess Olympiad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Elo 20221h

This week I talk with a top Dutch trainer, chess player, opening theoretician and prolific author, IM Jeroen Bosch. Jeroen is well known for his 14-volume New in Chess series, Secrets of Opening Surprises, and he has recently released a highly instructive new book called How to Out Prepare Your Opponent. The book discusses all aspects of how one should approach the opening, with topics ranging from how to select a repertoire, which openings to play, to GM Magnus Carlsen's unique approach to the opening. Jeroen joined me shortly before heading to the Olympiad as the trainer for the Dutch Women’s Team, so we also talked about how he planned to approach helping the team prepare for such a prestigious event. Lastly, we also discuss Jeroen’s career highlights. As a player, Jeroen has competed in several Dutch National Championships and has beaten 2 players who have been in the top 10 in the World!  Please read on for lots more details and timestamps of topics.  0:00- IM Bosch shares his thoughts about Magnus Carlsen’s decision not to defend his World Championship title, which segues into what we can learn from Magnus Carlsen’s approach to openings.  11:00- Any early opening predictions for a Ding vs. Nepomniatchtchi match? 13:00- 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 16:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Does Jeroen recommend that club players utilize a narrow or a broad opening repertoire?”  28:00- Patreon mailbag question: “How would Jeroen advise a club player to select a repertoire?”  32:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Is there an ideal repertoire for an older club player?” Mentioned: GM Peter Svidler on the How to Chess Podcast (Episode 14) 44:00-Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Be sure to check out what is new including NM Bryan Tillis’ Olimpiad course for Pro Members, as well as their other great new courses.  46:00- Jeroen discusses the opening approach of WIM Lisa Schuut, who utilized a very professional approach to openings.  Mentioned: GM Vladimir Chuchelov  48:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Can Jeroen suggest how to train openings beyond just applying opening principles? Could he recommend a few Black openings for club players?”   56:00- Jeroen’s closing advice on openingsv advice: Actively ask yourself questions when studying openings!  1:00:00- What are Jeroen’s favorite OTB memories? Timman-Bosch 2001, Ljubojevic-Bosch 2006  1:06:00- Jeroen is coaching the Dutch women’s team in the Olympiad.Olimpiad. What are their goals?  Thanks to Jeroen for joining the show!  You can check out a free sample of How To Out-prepare Your Opponent here: https://www.newinchess.com/how-to-out-prepare-your-opponent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Elo 20221h 12min

Chess Books Recaptured is back for another review and discussion of a chess book. This month, I am joined by Steve Wollkind, to discuss the excellent book and Chessable course Chess Tactics from Scratch. The title might make you think it is for beginners, but it is actually an intermediate-level book which aims to break down the core elements of various tactics. The book was written by an accomplished adult chess learner, and Steve believes that this is evident in the clear explanations of basic tactics. The book is differentiated by an incredible selection of illustrative positions, making it a great choice for chess students and teachers alike. To learn more about the book please tune in. You can find timestamps of topics discussed and links below.  To apply to be a guest-co host on Chess Books Recaptured please submit an email via this link: Interested in Guest co-hosting Chess Books ReCaptured? — The Perpetual Chess Podcast 0:00- Steve discusses his background and why he suggested the book/Chessable course, Chess Tactics from Scratch.  10:00- Chess Tactics from Scratch is available on Chessable, in book form, and on Forward Chess  13:30- 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 14:30- We discuss the history behind the 2 editions of the book,which was originally called Understanding Chess Tactics.  22:00- We share a few quotes in which the author breaks down tactical concepts like the pin and  “The Reloader” 29:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Be sure to check out what is new, including NM Bryan Tillis’ Olimpiad course for Pro Members, as well as their other great new courses.  31:00- We share a few favorites quotes and explanations from the book.  Mentioned: The Inner Game of Chess by GM Andy Soltis  42:00- Do we have any quibbles with this book?  Mentioned: Thinking Inside the Box, GM Boris Gelfand’s Books, Chessable’s The Checkmate Patterns Manual 53:00- Thanks so much to Steve for suggesting a great book and helping out. I will be making a donation to The Gift of Chess on his behalf.  Follow Steve on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/stevewollkind And on his chess accounts here: Steve’s Chess.com Steve’s Lichess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Heinä 20221h 1min

This week on Perpetual Chess, Tony Ballard, who is serving a 294-month prison sentence for attempted murder, tells the remarkable story of how chess has changed his life. Tony joined me via phone from a minimum security rehabilitation facility in Wichita, Kansas, where he currently lives. As you will hear Tony discuss, he had a difficult upbringing, and made some very regrettable choices in his early years, but while in prison, a love for chess took hold, and Tony credits the game as a transformative tool in his life. Tony is now working with a non-profit called The Gift of Chess. Their goal is to promote chess as a learning tool both within the prison system, and outside of it. Tony is taking online university classes and hopes to work in youth outreach when he is fully released from prison in 2025. This is a truly inspiring story of the many ways that chess can impact one’s life! Please read on for timestamps and links referenced.  0:00- We discuss Tony’s background, especially as it relates to chess.  3:00- Tony discusses his difficult early childhood, and the events that led to his receiving a 294 month prison sentence. Mentioned: Tony’s Zoom lecture for the non-profit organization, The Gift of Chess, Linktree for more info about The Gift of Chess non-profit, Russell Makofsky of the Impact Coaching Network  14:00- 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- Tony describes his passion for chess, which blossomed once Tony was in prison.  23:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Is Tony able to play chess online within his minimum security facility?”  27:00- How is chess perceived in prison? What would it take to grow chess in prisons?  35:00- What are Tony’s favorite openings? What’s his chess style?  38:00- What chess books did Tony read? Mentioned: Chess by Laszlo Polgar  40:00- 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 41:00- Tony discusses why he has been working on his endgames.  https://linktr.ee/thegiftofchess 44:00- What are Tony’s chess plans, and what plans does he have for his life after his full release from prison? His release could happen by 2025?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 Heinä 202257min

With a FIDE election coming up on August 7, I am extending the invitation for FIDE Presidential Candidates to share their stories and their reasons to run for FIDE President. Brief timestamps and more information below. 1:00- Why is Andrii running for FIDE President?  9:30- What would Andrii look to accomplish as FIDE President?  15:00- What does Andrii think of Magnus Carlsen’s suggestions of format changes?  21:30- Would Andrii keep his day job if elected?  25:00- Has Andrii heard stories of impropriety in prior FIDE elections? 28:00- Andrii discusses his love for the Yugoslav line of the King’s Indian and his favorite chess memories.  List of voting countries and delegates here- https://congress.fide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/List-of-FIDE-Member-Federations-having-voting-powers_7-June-2022.pdf More info about Andrii’s candidacy on the Baryshpolets-Nielsen campaign website here: https://fightforchess.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Heinä 202238min

GM Magnus Carlsen has officially announced that he will not defend his World Championship title, and we are joined by tireless Chess24 reporter, Tarjei Svensen to get the inside scoop on this decision and to begin to assess the implications. Thanks to Tarjei for joining on short notice!  0:00- Why didn’t the news surprise Tarjei?  Mentioned: Tarjei’s July 18 Chess24 article , The Magnus Effect Podcast  9:00- How was the news received in Norway? 14:00- What was the reaction of other top players? Including GM Ding Liren, who Tarjei spoke with today? 18:00- Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com and Aimchess.com, if you sign up for Aimchess.com, use the code “Perpetual30” or this link to save 30%.  19:00- Is China a likely host for a Nepo-Ding match?  21:00- What really happened in Magnus meeting with FIDE in Madrid?  24:00- Would it have made a difference to Magnus if Hikaru had come in 2nd in the Candidates?  27:00- How likely would Magnus be to return if the format changed?  30:00- What else do we have to look forward to as chess fans? 33:00- Thanks so much to Tarjei for joining us! Be sure to follow him on Twitter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Heinä 202237min

This week’s Perpetual Chess is the 2nd in a series, a special edition, oral history of the 2012 World Championship, brought to you courtesy of GM Peter Heine Nielsen. Peter, of course, is an accomplished Grandmaster and a renowned opening theoretician who has worked as a trainer for 8 World Championship match winners, first with GM Viswanathan Anand, and in recent years with GM Magnus Carlsen. For this podcast, Peter takes us behind team Anand’s mindset and preparation, as they helped Vishy prepare to defend his title against GM Boris Gelfand in May of 2012. This continues a series, as Peter discussed Anand’s 2010 match with GM Veselin Topalov in Episode 177. For a chess history enthusiast like myself it is such a treat to get a blow by blow account of a World Championship match from someone who had a prominent role in the match and a ringside seat. Please read on for timestamps, links to topics referenced can be found on the podcast webpage.  You can review any of the games from the match discussed here:  https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chesscollection?cid=1025310 03:30- Since we are discussing events of 10 years ago, I thought we should ask: Does Peter think that he has a good memory?  11:00- We begin by discussing the 2012 pre match training camp, in Bad Soden, Germany in January of 2012. Peter convened with Anand and fellow team members, GMs Radoslaw Wotjasek, Surya Ganguly, and GM Rustam Kasimzdhanov.  21:00- How did the team feel about Gelfand as an opponent for Vishy?  32:30- 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/ 33:30- Does Peter get more nervous as a competitor or a trainer? 36:30- Peter describes the background and mindset once the team arrived in Moscow for the match, in May of 2012.  41:00- What was the team’s method for testing Vishy’s memory on opening lines? What about for Magnus in more recent years?  46:30- The match begins, and Gelfand springs a surprise by playing the Grunfeld defense! (The game ends in a draw) How did the team feel?  50:00- The match takes shape, with 5 more draws before a victory. What was the mood after 6 games? 56:00- 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 57:00- Gelfand strikes first! What was the mood after Game 7?  1:02:00- Patreon mailbag question: Did the team change match approaches after Game 7?  1:06:00- Anand strikes back! How did the team mood alter when Vishy won Game 8? 1:10:00- Anand tried the Nimzo-Indian for the first time in Game 9. How did it go?  1:15:00- Has Peter discussed the World Championship match with Gelfand in recent years? 1:20:00- Peter discusses Game 10  1:22:00- Despite two more draws, Peter shares why he felt the mood started to shift during games 11 and 12.  1:28:00- How did the team feel heading into the rapid playoffs?  1:34:00- Do opening surprises have added value in a faster time control?  1:35:00- What went right for Vishy to prevail in the Rapid playoffs? 1:39:00- After winnig the match did they feel euphoria more or relief?  1:41:00- Since Gelfand was sort of on home turf, were they worried about any Russian subterfuge?  1:44:00- Are non-team members who provide opening advice generally compensated for their assistance?  1:46:00- Did it bother the team that Kasparov was rumored to have offered to help Gelfand.?  1:48:00- How does Peter look back on the match 10 years later? Thanks to Peter for joining the podcast. Links you need below: The Chicken Chess Club on Apple Podcasts https://twitter.com/PHChess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Heinä 20221h 51min