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
Ep. 138: "Hand Hovering" at Chess Tournaments, Why We Lose Games, & More
This week, Neal discusses the infamous "hand hover" at OTB events and other topics related to chess improvement and tournament strategy. Chapters: Intro & Listener Mailbag Thoughts on Chess Coaching ...
2 Feb 202532min
Ep. 137: Chess Improvement Over Age 50
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel. In this episode we discuss chess improvement and tournament strategies for players over 50 with some additional topics from our Listener Mailbag. Cha...
26 Jan 202532min
Ep. 136: The Truth About Rook and Pawn Endings
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel. First, Neal engages with listener feedback, discussing their chess improvement journeys and suggestions for future episodes. The conversation then tr...
19 Jan 202532min
