The Chess Cognition Podcast

Can Kabadayi
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Monthly

A deep dive into the world of chess through the lenses of cognitive science, psychology, and teaching. Join the leading players, coaches, and scholars as they explore the intricacies of chess and the mental processes that drive success on and off the board.

  1. 1d ago

    The Hidden Key to Chess Improvement: Prior Knowledge

    00:00 Why the Same Chess Lesson Produces Different Results01:27 Prior Knowledge: The Mental Hooks That Make Ideas Stick02:23 Chess Knowledge as a Network03:16 Chess Example: Why the Minority Attack Confuses Some Players04:34 Why Good Chess Advice Can Arrive Too Early06:00 How Multiple Contexts Create Flexible Knowledge07:06 Chess Example: Learning the Pin08:48 Spiral Learning: Revisiting Ideas at a Deeper Level09:46 Chess Example: Pawn Breaks Can Also Create Weaknesses10:15 Why Reviewing Basic Chess Concepts Still Matters11:27 How to Make Chess Lessons StickWhy do two chess students watch the same lesson, pay equal attention, and get completely different results? In this video, we explore how prior knowledge shapes chess improvement and why new ideas often fail to stick when they have nothing to connect to. Using insights from cognitive science and educational psychology, we examine how long-term memory, mental “hooks,” pattern recognition, and knowledge networks determine whether a chess lesson becomes usable over the board or quickly disappears.You will also learn why random chess advice can arrive too early, how multiple focused exposures create flexible understanding, and why spiral learning is more effective than studying a concept once and moving on. Whether you are an adult chess improver, coach, or course creator, this video offers practical ways to build stronger foundations, study chess concepts in the right sequence, and turn passive understanding into knowledge you can actually apply in your games.SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES: Nuthall, G. (2007). The Hidden Lives of Learners. NZCER Press.Chi, M. T. H., Feltovich, P. J., & Glaser, R. (1981). "Categorization and representation of physics problems by experts and novices." Cognitive Science, 5(2), 121-152.Schmidt, R. A., & Bjork, R. A. (1992). "New conceptualizations of practice: Common principles in three paradigms suggest new concepts for training." Psychological Science, 3(4), 207-217.Harden, R. M., & Stamper, N. (1999). "What is a spiral curriculum?" Medical Teacher, 21(2), 141-143.Dochy, F., Segers, M., & Buehl, M. M. (1999). "The relation between assessment practices and outcomes of studies: The case of research on prior knowledge." Review of Educational Research, 69(2), 145-186.Gobet, F. (2019). The psychology of chess. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315441887

    12 min

  2. Jun 23

    The Recognition Trap: Why Chess Study That Feels Easy Doesn’t Work

    00:00 Intro00:41 Recognition Trap02:16 Recognition vs. Retrieval04:05 Testing Effect/Retrieval Practice04:22 Generation Effect05:15 Why Most Chess Content Doesn’t Transfer05:37 Three Ways to Train for Real Improvement06:19 Generation Effect: Recreate Positions From Memory07:29 Testing Effect: Use Random Review and Flashcards08:02 Interleaving: Mix Up Themes08:44 Why Mixed Practice Builds Transfer09:43 Choose Retrieval Over RecognitionWhy do chess players binge-watch grandmaster lessons, feel like they understand everything, and then still blunder in their own games? In this video, we explore one of the biggest hidden traps in chess improvement: the recognition trap. This is the beginning of a new series on chess improvement, educational psychology, and cognitive science, where we will look at how people actually learn chess — and why many common training methods fail to produce real improvement.Through the lens of cognitive science, we explain the difference between simply recognizing good chess ideas and actually being able to retrieve and apply them under pressure. You’ll learn why passive chess study often creates the illusion of improvement, why clear explanations can fool your brain into thinking you have mastered a concept, and how principles like retrieval practice, the testing effect, the generation effect, desirable difficulties, interleaving, and discrimination learning can help you build real chess skill.We also cover three concrete ways to improve your chess training: recreating opening positions from memory, using random review and flashcards based on your own games, and mixing tactics, endgames, positional decisions, and defensive resources instead of relying on blocked practice. More videos in this series will follow, helping you study smarter, reduce blunders, escape rating plateaus, and turn chess knowledge into practical over-the-board skill.

    11 min

  3. Jun 16

    Why Your Adult Brain Is Actually BETTER at Chess (If You Train Right)

    00:00 Intro00:51 The Learning Illusion01:55 Prior Knowledge: Why Adults Need the "Why"03:03 Working Memory: Your Brain's Biggest Bottleneck04:24 Worked Examples vs. Discovery Learning06:27 Desirable Difficulty: Why Comfort Zones Kill Progress07:23 The Illusion of Transfer: Bridging the Gap Between Study and Play08:44 Metacognition and Targeted Training09:58 SummaryWhile children have real advantages like pattern absorption, unlimited time, and fearless play, adults possess a different set of strengths that are often overlooked. The key isn't to compete with kids on their terms, but to leverage how adult brains actually learn. Children are pattern machines who improve through massive exposure, but adults are optimization engines who excel at reasoning, reflection, and structured learning. Understanding this difference is the first step to unlocking your true potential.Adult brains work differently. They need meaning and context to build lasting memory, benefit enormously from worked examples over blind discovery, and improve fastest when cognitive load is reduced through structured training. While working memory declines with age, adults can compensate through superior metacognition: keeping blunder journals, identifying recurring mistakes, using checklists, and designing targeted practice. Research in educational psychology consistently shows that novice adult learners benefit more from studying worked examples than solving problems from scratch. The path to adult chess improvement isn't about volume—it's about architecture. Adults need compression, structure, and high-quality practice that bridges the gap between study and real games. By focusing on causal understanding, desirable difficulty, retrieval practice, and self-awareness, adult players can transform their supposed disadvantages into powerful advantages.

    11 min

  4. Apr 30

    FM Kamil Plichta - Building Openings That Create Early Pressure

    00:00 Intro04:02 Beating Magnus Carlsen in Blitz07:15 Feedback and Course Development09:11 How Kamil Found Chessable14:50 Winning Best Author Support Awards22:45 A Typical Day in Kamil's Life29:47 Typical Author Mistakes 37:39 Creating Problems for Both Sides43:46 Chessable's Evolution51:29 Kamil's New Course: 1.e4 LTR01:01:10 Grenke Chess and European Individual Championship01:19:38 Everybody is a Fighter These DaysThis podcast episode features FM Kamil Plichta, one of Chessable’s most recognizable opening authors, known for his tricky sidelines, practical repertoires, humor, and unusually strong course support. Kamil explains how his opening philosophy is built around creating early problems for the opponent, avoiding predictable main lines, and choosing positions where both sides may feel uncomfortable—but where he has more experience. He also shares how he became a Chessable author, how his course-making process evolved, why good explanations matter more than endless variations, and how he thinks about target audiences, quick starters, model games, and long-term course support.The conversation also explores Kamil’s return to over-the-board chess, including his recent tournaments, the challenges of modern preparation, rating deflation, defensive weaknesses he discovered in his own play, and his ambition to become an International Master. Along the way, he discusses beating Magnus Carlsen in blitz, the changing landscape of Chessable, why blitz can be useful for some players, and his new 1.e4 repertoire course against the Sicilian. This is a funny, honest, and practical conversation about openings, chess improvement, authorship, and the realities of competitive chess today.

    1h 27m

  5. Apr 24

    FM Niranjan Navalgund - How to Beat Stronger Players in Chess

    00:00 Intro04:38 Does this only apply to grandmasters?07:25 Quiet positions vs Chaos11:00 Play the pieces, not the player?16:50 Nothing to Lose Mentality23:15 The TRAP framework35:00 Cognitive Biases in Chess44:57 Mistakes to Avoid against Stronger Players54:42 The Impact of Chessable on TeachingIn this episode, I sit down with FIDE Master Niranjan Navalgund to explore a question that fascinates many ambitious players: how do you beat stronger opponents, especially grandmasters? We discuss the ideas behind his Chessable course How to Beat a Grandmaster, which focuses less on openings and theory and more on the practical and psychological realities of facing higher-rated players. Niranjan explains why this topic matters for everyone, not just those paired against titled players, because the same emotional patterns often show up whenever we face someone we perceive as “stronger.” We talk about pressure, authority bias, over-respect, risky overpressing, time trouble, and the need to stay objective instead of chasing perfect chess.The conversation also widens into coaching, learning, and chess culture. Niranjan shares the framework behind his course, including his TRAP model—Time trouble, Risky overpushes, Ambushes, and Psychology—and explains how stronger players can become vulnerable when they feel pressured to win. We connect this to broader ideas from cognitive science, practical tournament preparation, and even Indian philosophy, showing how mindset shapes performance before a single move is played. Along the way, we also discuss Chessable course design, how to teach adults without overwhelming them, and why good chess improvement depends not only on knowledge, but on learning how to think, prepare, and respond under pressure.

    1h 6m

  6. Mar 10

    GM Lars Schandorff - How the Chessable Author of the Year Creates His Courses 🎙️ [No Board Needed]

    Lars' Chessable Courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/LarsSchandorff/00:00 Intro01:00 How Lars Creates His Opening Courses07:31 The First Key Decision When Creating an Opening Course15:03 The Importance of Openings in Chess18:46 A Story About Rook Endgames21:43 Where to Stop in an Opening Course25:47 Chess as a Lifestyle: Freedom and Identity27:52 Can Beginners Benefit from His Courses?34:33 The Role of Engines in Modern Chess Preparation40:13 His Weekly Radio Show 'Nimzowitsch'45:19 The Cultural Significance of Chess in Literature50:46 Nimzowitsch's Influence55:32 Chess Improvement in Modern Times58:40 How GM Schandorff Coaches People1:03:29 Future Plans and CoursesIn this engaging interview, Danish chess author GM Lars Schandorff shares insights into his successful courses, the art of opening preparation, and the cultural significance of chess. Lars has recently become the Chessable Author of the Year 2025, and that is very inspiring.We discussed the following topics:Lars Schandorff's approach to creating accessible and deep chess coursesThe importance of opening repertoire and strategic choicesThe influence of Nimzowitsch on modern chess ideasThe role of technology and engines in chess preparationThe cultural and historical significance of chesskeywordsChess, Chess Courses, Opening Repertoire, Chess Strategy, Chess Culture, Chess History, Chessable, Nimzowitsch, Chess Improvement, Chess Tools, Lars Schandorff

    1h 8m

  7. Feb 20

    GM Aman Hambleton - His London System Course, Chessbrah, and Winning Habits 🎙️ [No Board Needed]

    00:00 Intro01:31 The Chessbrah Journey09:40 The Impact of the Chess Boom12:57 The Educational Value of the Channel18:33 Building Habits Series30:11 The Role of Blitz in Improvement36:08 Creating the London System Course40:48 Unique Aspects of his London Course45:59 Connecting Openings to Middlegame54:33 Conceptual Approach and Knowing Crucial Ideas58:09 Balancing Engine Lines and Practical Play01:03:36 Speed Chess Championship Live Commentary01:12:20 The Future of Chess Content CreationGrandmaster Aman Hambleton joins the podcast to unpack the real origin story of Chessbrah, from two Canadian juniors casually “streaming” to each other with one viewer, to building a long-running, community-first brand that’s now approaching 400K subscribers. He reflects on the 2020 chess boom (lockdown + Queen’s Gambit) as an accelerator, but emphasizes that Chessbrah’s durability comes from stickiness: entertainment that keeps people watching, and instruction embedded naturally in real games, blunders, and commentary.The conversation then shifts to Aman’s first Chessable opening course, the London System repertoire, covering why system openings are realistic for most improvers, how his London is differentiated, and why practical, human-centered choices sometimes beat “engine purity.” Finally, he discusses commentating elite speed chess events, the role of the evaluation bar for spectators, and the direction of chess content into the future.

    1h 21m

  8. Feb 13

    FM Tarık Selbes - How Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş Became the Strongest 14-Year-Old in Chess History

    Contact FM Tarik Selbes here: https://lichess.org/@/nuagesgrisTarik's chess history blog 'Cafe Chigorin': https://tinyurl.com/yp9hhmyz 00:00 Intro 02:23 Enters Tarik Selbes 05:42 The Puzzle Grind That Built Monster Calculation Skills 12:23 The Importance of Calculation in Chess 15:36 His Work with GM Evgeny Romanov 22:15 Positional Play and Dorfman's Influence 27:09 Showing Games: Static vs. Dynamic Play 30:49 Yagiz's Early Positional Mistakes 35:09 Erdogmus - Nitish 39:47 Shaik - Erdogmus 43:59 Excellent Calculation: Erdogmus - Sapenov, 2023 49:40 His Resiliency: Santiago - Erdogmus 51:42 Present Time: Erdogmus - Svidler, 2025 55:44 Strategic Maturity: Erdogmus - Vachier-Lagrave, 2025 59:51 Erigaisi - Erdogmus, 2026: The Exchange Sacrifice That Shocked the Chess World 01:06:05 Does Yagiz Know Chess Classics and Old Masters? 01:09:35 Zurich 1953: Why You Should Read Old Books Skeptically 01:14: 36 Is Blitz Good For Your Chess? 01:21:25 Tarik Selbes’ IM Journey at 40 — Adult Improvement Tips 01:31:26 The Psychological Pressure of Being a “Future World Champion” 01:44:14 How to Define 'Talent' in Chess 01:53:54 Kids vs Adults 01:58:02 Opening Work 02:02:02 Tarik's Book Project on Max Euwe 02:04:23 The Rise of Turkish Chess In this special podcast episode, I’m joined by FIDE Master and longtime friend Tarik Selbes to break down the incredible rise of Turkish chess prodigy Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş — a player many believe has future World Champion potential. Even Magnus Carlsen has called him the strongest 14-year-old chess player ever, while Hikaru Nakamura has highlighted his extraordinary calculation skills.Tarik shares rare behind-the-scenes insights from training camps where he worked as translator for Russian coach Evgeny Romanov, revealing: • How Yağız built monster-level calculation through massive puzzle training • Why modern prodigies train differently from past generations • The key positional weaknesses he had, and how they were fixed • The balance between dynamic and static factors (Dorfman-style thinking)We also analyze instructive games against legends like Peter Svidler and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, showing how Yağız’s play has matured from pure tactical brilliance into world-class positional mastery.Beyond prodigy development, we dive into:Talent vs hard work Chess psychology and pressure at the highest levelWhy kids today train differently than adults who grew up on chess booksHow adult improvers can still make huge progress (Tarik’s IM norm journey at 40!)The rise of Turkish chess culture Tarik recently completed his final IM norm at age 40 and now needs to reach 2400 ELO to become an International Master. He is an inspiration for adult improvers.keywordschess, Yagiz Kaan, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Tarık Selbes, chess training, calculation, positional play, chess prodigy, chess improvement, strategic training, chess analysis, chess, chess strategy, chess psychology, chess talent, chess education, chess culture, chess improvement, chess prodigies, chess classics, chess learning, adult chess improvement,

    2h 13m
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

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A deep dive into the world of chess through the lenses of cognitive science, psychology, and teaching. Join the leading players, coaches, and scholars as they explore the intricacies of chess and the mental processes that drive success on and off the board.

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