EP 357- Adult Improver Denis Markov on How a Calm and Consistent Approach has Elevated his Chess Game

Nate Shuman is a New York City-based high school student who founded an organization called Mindmates. Mindmates has already facilitated workshops for many of the top scholastic chess organizations in the New York City area. Nate has experienced the benefits of mindfulness first-hand, as it helped him get through a lengthy chess plateau that he felt threatened to sap the joy of chess from him. In our conversation, Nate shares a couple of basic mindfulness techniques that can help any tournament player, and he reflects on his own chess career, including a 7-year plateau while going from 2100 to 2200 USCF. You can find the timestamps for the topics discussed below.   0:00- Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsors, Chessable.com. Their new courses include Starting out with 1. D4 by GM Ben Finegold. And The Audacious Milner-Barry Gambit by NM Han Schut. You can also see a list of my recommended courses here:   You can check out some of my recommended courses here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/  0:02- Nate shares how he got into chess at one of the top chess programs in the U.S. The Dalton School. How is chess taught there?  Mentioned: WIM Beatriz Marinello, David MacEnulty, FM Gus Huston, NM Corey Evans, NM Yevgeny Feldman, GM Max Dlugy  13:00- What did Nate learn from experiencing a lengthy chess plateau at the 2100 level?  21:00- What is the vision behind Mindmates, Nate’s mindfulness-based organization, ?  Mentioned:  Episode 289 with Tony Ballard of The Gift of Chess Episode 155 with Elizabeth Spiegel  34:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What adjustments does Nate make for teaching younger kids?”  Mentioned: How to Chess Episode 12 with Dr. Benjamin Portheault  Dr. Benjamin Portheault’s course: https://mindfulness-for-the-tournament-player.teachable.com/p/mindfulness-for-the-tournament-player 38:00- Nate walks us through a couple of simple mindfulness exercises 46:00- Nate gives examples of affirmations chess players can use before games.  47:00- Nate discusses his future plans for MindMates.  You can learn more about Mindmates via their website: https://www.mindmates.org/ Email: Nate.Shuman at Mindmatesdot.org Follow @MindmatesChess on Instagram  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Juli 202359min

We are trying a new format here on Perpetual Chess and are featuring tournament trip reports from 3 different amateurs who recently competed in the National Open in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have long wanted to know more about what it is like to attend and compete in this venerable chess festival, and I lined up 3 guests to share their reflections on the tournament and the chess lessons that they learned. My 3 guests are: 1) NM Todd Bryant (aka StrongChess) joins the podcast to discuss his experience in the Under 2300 section. Todd is a Software Engineer for Chess.com, a chess dad, and a blitz and weight lifting enthusiast. 2) Lindsey Newhall joins to report on the Under 1300 section, the Women’s Open tournament, and a family reunion of sorts. Lindsey is a California-based chess player, chess teacher and tournament director. 3) Returning guest, Twitch streamer and chess teacher Cody Smith reports on the Under 1900 Section, and some Twitch streamer meetups. I hope you all enjoy this format, please let me know if you enjoy it and if it is something you would like to hear more of for big tournaments. Timestamps for guest appearances and info is below: 0:01- Intro to the pod Subscribe to my free newsletter here: https://benjohnson.substack.com/ Thanks to Chessable for the support, check out their latest courses: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 0:03- NM Todd Bryant “StrongChess” joins. 23:00- Lindsey Newhall joins the podcast. Lindsey was featured in Episode 58 of Chess Journeys 46:00- CL Smith rejoins the pod! CL Smith was in Episode 270 of Perpetual Chess Follow Cody on Twitch here: https://www.twitch.tv/clsmithxv If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Juni 20231h 12min

David Franklin is a constitutional law professor and practicing appellate lawyer. David also is a USCF expert and chess enthusiast who follows the chess world closely. In 2022, David came on Perpetual Chess to help explain the Hans Niemann lawsuit after it was filed. At the time he felt it was an uphill battle for Hans, which has proven to be the case given the lawsuit's dismissal. David rejoins the podcast to review the dismissal and to discuss what further recourse GM Hans Niemann might have, if any. You can hear David’s prior discussion of the lawsuit here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ciBvYBT6BD69w1TR3j1nJ?si=969ca9c1d61e4765 0:01- Brief addendum 0:02- Professor David Franklin joins the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Juni 202327min

This week we are re-joined by a legend of the game, 9 time Dutch champion and award winning author, GM Jan Timman. GM Timman has just released his latest book, Max Euwe’s Best Games, which puts the games of his fellow Dutch legend under a modern microscope. We discuss Jan’s personal relationship with Euwe, and Jan answers some questions about the World Champion’s legacy. Is it fair to say that Euwe only beat Alekhine in 1935 due to Alekhine’s drinking problem? What were Euwe’s best games? How did he develop his tactical flair? Why did he blunder more often than other elite players? We also discuss other news from the chess world, as GM Timman shares thoughts and stories on Magnus Carlsen, Hans Niemann, Garry Kasparov, and the state of Dutch chess. It is always an honor to speak with GM Jan Timman!  Please read on for timestamps of topics discussed. Prior GM Jan Timman appearances:  Episode 196 2021 Discussion of the Carlsen-Nepo match  0:02- GM Jan Timman shares his personal recollections of former World Champion Max Euwe, who Jan played in a simul as an 11 year old boy.  0:07- Jan took a trip for a chess training camp to the Soviet Union as a 19-year-old in 1970. What was that trip like? 10:00- Jan has described one of Max Euwe’s books as formative for him as a child, what does he remember about the “book with a blue cover?”  14:00- Does Jan consider quantitative analyses of players’ ability, such as that done by Chessmetrics to be useful?  Mentioned: Euwe-Pirc 1949, Boguljubow 15:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is the perception that Max Euwe was a weaker world champion an accurate one?  18:00- Is it true that Euwe beat Alekhine because Alekhine was drunk the entire match? 20:00- How does Jan think Euwe developed such a creative style, as evidenced in his games against Alekhine and Geller? Mentioned: Euwe-Alekhine 1934, Euwe-Geller 1953 21:45- GM Timman discusses the approaches to chess of Karpov, Kasparov and Tal.  23:00- Why did Euwe blunder so often? 26:30- What are Jan’s favorite games of Euwe’s?  Mentioned: Euwe-Geller 1953 Euwe-Pirc 1949 Euwe-Alekhine 1935 (Pearl of Zandvoort)  29:30- Jan discusses the Max Euwe center in Amsterdam.  Mentioned: More information on the center here: https://maxeuwe.nl/en/home-english/ 31:30- Jan shares his thoughts on the World Championship match.  35:00- What does Jan think of Magnus Carlsen’s slump? He also shares his thoughts on the World Championship cycle format.  Mentioned: Caruana-Nakamura Norway Chess 2023  41:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is there any facet of chess where Timman’s generation of GMs are better than modern GMs?  44:00- What would be the best way to study endgames today?  Mentioned: GM John Nunn’s Secrets of Rook Endings, Levinfish and Smyslov’s Rook Endings  48:00- Patreon mailbag question: Any chance GM Timman would do a 21st century update to The Art of Chess Analysis? 50:00- Patreon mailbag question: Does Jan have a good GM Ljubomir Ljubojević story?  51:00- Which players in the younger generation does Jan admire? Mentioned: GM D Gukesh, GM Hans Nieman 52:00- Jan’s thoughts on the Niemann-Carlsen controversy  Mentioned: 2023 Samford Fellowship Winners  56:00- Jan discusses his upcoming tournament plans.  58:00- Jan shares his memories of a television interview he did with Kasparov in 1997 as well as some of their games  Mentioned: Timman-Kasparov 1985 , Kasparov-Timman 1992 1:00:00- Does Jan ever look at his old games with engines?  Mentioned: Stockfish 14  1:04:00- Jan discusses the state of Dutch chess.  Mentioned: GM Anish Giri, IM Eline Roebers, GM Jorden van Foreest  1:06:00- Thanks to GM Timman for sharing his wisdom and stories, you can order his new book here:  From New in Chess: https://www.newinchess.com/max-euwe-best-chess-games Free Sample here:  https://www.newinchess.com/media/wysiwyg/product_pdf/9180.pdf You can also read it on Forward Chess:  https://forwardchess.com/product/max-euwes-best-games?section=New%20Arrival Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Juni 20231h 10min

The Adult Improver Series returns with two insightful guests joining the podcast. WIM Natasha Regan is an author and actuary who among many other chess accomplishments recently became the British over 50 Women’s National Champion! Natasha recently collaborated on a Chessable course with Matthew Ball, who is a chess dad and dedicated improver who has made significant rating progress since returning to competitive chess in recent years. Natasha and Matthew shared lots of helpful chess study tips covering topics ranging from The Woodpecker Method, to the Chess Steps series, to whether one should alter their approach to a game against a younger opponent. We also discussed their fun and instructive new course, Zwischenzug: A Comprehensive Guide to Intermediate Moves. You can find timestamps for all of the topics discussed below.  0:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com!  Check out Natasha and Matthew’s new CHessable course here: : https://www.chessable.com/zwischenzug-a-comprehensive-guide-to-intermediate-moves/course/139623/ You can check out some of my recommended courses here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/  0:03- Matthew Ball and Natasha discuss their shared background as junior players, and how their paths recrossed in recent years.  7:30- Patreon mailbag question- Does Natasha have any different strategies when playing against kids as compared to adults?  17:00- Matthew came back into chess a few years back and his seen some rating gain. He discusses his training regimen.  Mentioned: Chess for Life, Chess Steps Books, Woodpecker Method  22:00- More on the Woodpecker Method  Mentioned: Pump Up Your Rating by GM Axel Smith, Book Recap #6 on the Woodpecker Method  23:00- How does Natasha tune up for a tournament?  26:00- Natasha discusses some similarities between Shogi and Chess.  Mentioned: Karolina Styczyńska of the Shogi Harbor Twitch Channel  32:00- Matthew shares a few more improvement recommendations.  35:00- Why did Natasha and Matthew decide to do a course on intermediate moves?  45:00- Natasha and Matthew discusses their approaches to openings  52:00- Do they work with coaches?  56:00- Natasha and Matt discuss their tournament and summer plans.  Thanks so much to Natasha and Matt for joining the show!  Check out their course here: https://www.chessable.com/zwischenzug-a-comprehensive-guide-to-intermediate-moves/course/139623/ If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Juni 20231h 3min

This week’s return guest is the always entertaining and informative, GM Ben Finegold. Ben is a popular Twitch Streamer and YouTuber who has just released his first Chessable course, Starting out with 1. D4. Ben is always among my favorites to interview because he offers a unique blend of entertaining stories, hot-takes on top level chess and improvement advice. This episode is no exception, as Ben discusses the status of his OTB retirement,  whether Magnus Carlsen’s best OTB days are behind him, the resurgence of Hikaru and Fabiano, and why doing a course on 1. D4 was an easy choice for him. You can find a full list of topics discussed below, as well as timestamps.  0:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com!  Get Ben’s new Course Starting out with 1.d4 here: https://www.chessable.com/course/156667 You can check out some of my recommended courses here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/  0:03- Patreon mailbag question: “Does Ben ever regret pursuing chess, or think that adult amateurs should not devote so much energy to it?” Mentioned: IM Stuart Rachels, GM Patrick Wolff, Stuart Leaf  0:08- Is Ben having any second thoughts about retiring from OTB chess?  Mentioned: The National Open  11:30- Patreon mailbag question: “What is Ben’s advice for amateurs who want to improve at chess?”  17:30- How does Ben think back on the four years he was covering lots of events for US Chess in Europe in the 1990s?  Mentioned: Chess Life Magazine Archive, Kasparov-Karpov 1991 22:00- Ben shares more memories from the 1988 World Chess Festival  Mentioned: Ray Stone, Fred Lindsay, GM Jonathan Speelman, GM Valery Salov, GM Vasyl Ivanchuk, Ivanchuk-Kasparov Linares 1991, Linares, Linares  30:00- Ben’s updated thoughts on the Magnus-Niemann controversy 33:00- Why did Ben decide to do a course on 1. D4 ?  42:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Does Ben have a refutation to Marc Esserman’s refutation of Finegold’s line in the Mayhem in the Morra book and Chessable course?” 47:00- We discuss Norway Chess and whether Ben is surprised by GM Fabiano’s Caruana’s resurgence.  48:00- Has Magnus peaked? Mentioned: GM Alex Fishbein, GM Dmitri Gurevich, GM Eric Lobron  50:00- How does Hikaru stay so strong?  52:00- Which junior has the best chance of being World Champion?  55:00- Ben’s wife Karen won a seat to the World Series of Poker Main Event! Will Ben go? Will he play poker?  57:00- Other summer plans  Mentioned: Episode 292: Adult Improver Interview with Karen Boyd  58:00- Thanks, as always,  to Ben for joining the pod! Here are the links to keep up with him.  Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/itsbenandkaren YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/c/GMBenjaminFinegold Chessable Course https://www.chessable.com/starting-out-with-1d4/course/156667/ Chessable Course and Master Class Bundle- https://www.chessable.com/starting-out-with-1-d4-queen-s-gambit-fundamentals-masterclass/course/182439/   If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Juni 20231h 1min

This week’s guest on Perpetual Chess is U.S. Chess Hall of Famer, IM James Sherwin. An 89-year-old New York City Native, Sherwin has played and met many chess legends. He knew Bobby Fischer from his teenage years. Jim did not pursue chess professionally and had a successful career as an attorney and a corporate executive, but he still managed to compete extensively and participated in 8 US Championships, often finishing near the top of the standings. Sherwin now lives in the London area, and as recently as three years ago, was still winning chess tournaments! After talking to him, I can see why he is still able to perform so well, because James’ memory of his games and encounters with Fischer, Petrosian, Tal, Reshevsky, and many others was truly dazzling. You can find timestamps for the topics discussed below.  0:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com! You can check out some of my recommended courses here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/ Check out what's new here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 0:03- Jim begins by discussing his childhood summers in Vermont, where he improved at chess by practicing against himself.  Mentioned: My System, Cambridge Springs 1904, Dr. Elliot Hearst  10:00- Jim discusses the Columbia University Chess Team, which won the intercollegiate championship. CORRECTION- When discussing the Columbia University chess team, Jim notes that he regrets not mentioning that Ralph Italie and Ed Sher also both performed substantial service for the team. 12:30- Did Jim ever consider becoming a chess professional?  15:00- Jim reminisces about a few tournaments including the World Junior Championship in Copenhagen in 1953 and Portoroz 1958, an Interzonal tournament, featuring Fischer, Tal and many others.  Mentioned: Boris Ivkov, Penrose, Reshevsky, Penrose  22:00- What are Jim’s first memories of Fischer?  Mentioned: Fischer-Sherwin 1958 32:00- Jim shares his recollections of Fischer-Spassky 1972, as well as his own games against Fischer.  Mentioned: Sherwin-Fischer Log Cabin Open 1957, Fischer-Sherwin 1957 37:00- What does Jim recall about his games with Tal and Petrosian?  40:30- Does Jim ever review his old games? Does he use an engine?  43:30- Jim’s Memories of the legendary tournament in Lone Pine 1976, featuring Petrosian and Smyslov.. How did his blitz battles with a young Yasser Seirawan go? 47:00- Did Jim know the well-known authors like Fred Reinfeld, Al Horowitz and Irving Chernev?  50:00- Jim discusses his time supporting American professional chess as head of the American Chess Foundation. Mentioned: GM Boris Gulko, GM Gata Kamsky, GM Judit Polgar, Allen Kaufman 57:00- How are Jim’s chess skills at age 89? How does he keep up with the game?  1:03:00- Jim recalls the only game in which he beat GM Andy Soltis, where Fischer joined the post mortem analysis.  1:09:00- What were Jim’s closest friendships in the chess world? Mentioned: IM Donald Byrne, GM Larry Evans, Dr. Edward Lasker, GM Arthur Bisguier, GM Edmar Mednis, Dr. Eliot Hearst   1:11:00- Which is Jim’s favorite of his games? Mentioned: Sherwin-Gligoric 1958 If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/donate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Juni 20231h 18min

This week’s guest is Author and Data Scientist, GM Vinay Bhat. Vinay was one of the top chess prodigies in modern US History. He amassed many scholastic titles and held the record of the youngest ever US National Master before Hikaru Nakamura broke his record. Despite Vinay’s extraordinary chess success, he always maintained many interests and put a particular emphasis on his school work, and then his career. Now 38 years of age, Vinay has written an excellent new book with Quality Chess, How I Became a Chess Grandmaster. Part memoir, part chess manual, in the book, Vinay reflects on his career, annotates memorable games, and takes a big picture look at the study choices and decisions he made over the years, including the tough decision to walk away from chess as a profession. Vinay places a particular emphasis on the few steep plateaus he faced in his development. In our conversation, Vinay reflects on his career and shares plenty of chess lessons and memorable anecdotes. A Bay Area native and resident, Vinay has gotten to know many people who will be familiar to Perpetual Chess listeners. Please read on for timestamps of topics discussed.  0:00- My Recommended Chessable Courses: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/ Check out ChessDojo’s 1.e4 Repertoire for White here: https://www.chessable.com/chessdojos-1e4-repertoire-for-white/course/150049/ 0:02- As Vinay reflects on his chess career, how does he reflect on his first real plateau, which occurred around 2200.  Mentioned: The Best I Saw in Chess by IM Stuart Rachels, GM Gregory Kaidanov, Episode 295 with GM Gregory Kaidanov  13:45- What is Vinay’s advice for when an opening change might be in order? Mentioned: Vinay’s Chessbase India interview with IM Sagar Shah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4IIiYe5Vb8 20:00- What conclusions does Vinay draw from reflecting on his whole chess career? Mentioned: Savely Polovets  24:00- How did Vinay utilize one page writeups in his opening prep? 28:00- Vinay shares his thoughts on various players he knows and has met, including GM Sam Shankland, GM Daniel Naroditsky, GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Eduard Gufeld, the RZA from Wutang Clan,  Mentioned: Joe Lonsdale Jr., Peter Thiel, The GZA, Josh Waitzkin  45:00- What were Vinay’s first impressions of Wesley So and Fabiano Caruana? 47:00- What was it like to live in the “chess house” with IM David Pruess and GM Jesse Kraai? 49:00- Vinay is an avid reader and discusses some of his favorites.  Mentioned: ChessDoJo video- The Best Chess Books , New York 1924, Life and Games of Mikhail Tal, How Not to Play Chess, The Books of Irving Chernev  57:00- What have Vinay’s interactions with GM Viswanathan Anand been like? What about Spassky, Kasparov and Karpov? 1:01:00- Patreon Mailbag Question: As a data scientist has Vinay discovered any useful statistical patterns in his play? 1:05:00- What does Vinay think of the acceleration of Chat GBT and similar products? Could it have a further impact on the chess world? 1:10:00- Vinay reflects on the difficult decision he made not to pursue professional chess.  1:15:00- Is there anything Vinay wishes he could have done differently? 1:18:00- Thanks so much to Vinay for joining the show! Here are the links for his excellent book: Check out the book here: Quality Chess https://www.qualitychess.co.uk/products/2/436/how_i_became_a_chess_grandmaster_by_vinay_bhat/ Free Excerpt of the Books: https://www.qualitychess.co.uk/ebooks/HowIbecameaChessGrandmaster-Excerpt.pdf Forward Chess https://forwardchess.com/product/how-i-became-a-chess-grandmaster?section= Vsbhat02 at gmail If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 Maj 20231h 24min