The Chess Angle2 Jul 2023

Ep. 71 (S5 Premiere): A Journey to Chess Mastery feat. NM James Altucher

Are you ever too old to get better at chess? Join me as I sit down with National Master, top podcaster, successful entrepreneur, and best-selling author James Altucher, who is on a thrilling journey to regain a rating of 2200. Despite being in his 50s, James is determined to prove that age is just a number when it comes to mental capacity and improvement.

From discussing strategies of the game to understanding the importance of physical and mental health, our conversation is full of insights that will leave you eager to push your own boundaries, no matter your age. James shares both the joys and challenges he's encountered as an adult player, including meeting and learning from top players like Magnus Carlson and Gary Kasparov. He also opens up about the memory techniques he learned from the World Memory Champion, and how these methods have significantly improved his game.

The crux of our conversation centers around a question that has intrigued many chess players: Do adults "age out" of improvement? James takes us on a deep exploration of how raw calculation ability and memory start to decline in our 30s and 40s, but how wisdom improves with age, allowing us to recognize patterns and connect the dots between them. Tune in to our enlightening discussion to discover James' practical tips/strategies, and how he applies life lessons to the game he loves. Whether you're a chess enthusiast or just someone looking to challenge your own limitations, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro.
00:36 Announcements
05:58 Thoughts On Playing Kids
08:06 James' Study Regimen
15:54 Taking Byes at Weekend Events
22:06 Chess Coaching
25:06 Chess Improvement and Memory
34:57 James' Professional Experience
40:18 Handling Losses and Tilt
43:25 The Third Door for Improvement
49:28 Outro

Referenced:

Skip the Line (Amazon)
The Third Door (Amazon)

Links for James Altucher:

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