Ep. 182: Chess Ratings and the Luck Factor
We like to think chess is pure skill, but at the amateur level, luck plays a bigger role than most players realize. In this episode, we break down how blunders, pairings, time pressure, and your oppon...
22 Mars 34min
Ep. 181: Why "Just Playing a Lot" is a Chess Improvement Myth
Many adult chess improvers start with the same plan: just play a lot of games and the rating will climb. At first, that actually works - until it doesn't. In this episode, we talk about why the "just ...
15 Mars 39min
Ep. 180: My Complete Switch to Lichess
This week, Neal discusses why he recently made a full switch to lichess.org for playing his online games and why the platform works better for his day-to-day chess routine. He still uses chesscom, but...
8 Mars 44min
Ep. 179: When to Sac a Piece in Amateur Chess Games
In this episode, we tackle one of the most tempting (and dangerous) questions in amateur chess: when should you sacrifice a piece? Instead of carelessly chasing "!!" moves, we break down when your sac...
1 Mars 44min
Ep. 178: The Most Dangerous Player in the Room: "Unrated"
In this episode, Neal confesses a hard truth: his most dreaded opponents aren't Masters - they're "unrated" and "lower-rated" opponents who absolutely do not play like their numbers suggest. We talk a...
22 Feb 36min
Ep. 177 (S11 Premiere): Your 2026 Chess Improvement Blueprint (Busy Adult Edition)
A new year means a fresh chance to improve, but only if you have a plan that actually fits your real life. In this Season 11 premiere, Neal dives into the Listener Mailbag and then shares a practical,...
15 Feb 45min
Ep. 176 (S10 Finale): Chess Improvement Mailbag Special
It's the Season 10 finale, so we're emptying the mailbag and tackling your chess improvement questions head-on, from study habits and rating plateaus to tournament nerves and adult time constraints. S...
14 Dec 202530min
