Ep. 146: Better Tournaments, Better Chess: Creating Ideal Playing Conditions
This episode is a response to FM Nate Solon's excellent blog posts I Don't Like Chess Tournaments and What Would a Fun Chess Tournament Look Like? Neal reacts and shares his thoughts on weekend events...
30 Mar 202536min
Ep. 145: Correspondence Chess Success feat. NM Andy Ansel
In this conversation, Neal and return guest NM Andy Ansel dive into the world of correspondence chess, exploring its nuances, challenges, and Andy's pursuit of the International Master (IM) norm. They...
23 Mar 202546min
Ep. 144: Speed Chess Secrets: How 5-0 Blitz Can Supercharge Your Skills
5-0 blitz games can be an excellent chess improvement tool when used properly and judiciously. In this episode, we offer tips, tricks, and best practices. Referenced: Ep. 122: Online Blitz Chess and ...
16 Mar 202539min
Ep. 143: Formal Chess Study Plans: Essential or Overhyped?
This week we discuss whether highly structured study plans are practical for busy amateurs. Neal concludes by sharing his own plan (HINT: it's not complicated). Referenced: Ep. 61: Do Chess Training ...
9 Mar 202543min
Ep. 142: The Tactics vs. Imbalances Debate
This week's pod is a dedicated Listener Mailbag episode. We challenge some of the pushback that's out there about IM Jeremy Silman's system of imbalances and discuss some other topics as well. Referen...
2 Mar 202541min
Ep. 141: What Actually Wins Chess Tournaments (And What's Just Noise)
This week we dive into what separates winning amateur chess players from the rest - and what's often just noise and distraction. We break down the skills, habits, and strategies that lead to consisten...
23 Feb 202558min
Ep. 140: Chess Tournament Trickery & Shenanigans
You guys asked for more tournament stories, so this week Neal goes into full TD mode to discuss recent antics and shenanigans from the Long Island Chess Club. You can't make this stuff up! This is fol...
16 Feb 202559min
Ep. 139: The "Black Box" Method of Chess Improvement
This week we discuss a chess improvement philosophy based on the book Black Box Thinking: Why Most People Never Learn from Their Mistakes--But Some Do (Amazon) by Matthew Syed. We also cover some addi...
9 Feb 202527min
