Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, GM Jesse Kraai

4.6 (56)
GAMES
UPDATED WEEKLY

The official podcast of ChessDojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, & GM Jesse Kraai). Most episodes are streamed live to twitch.tv/chessdojolive.

FEB 25

EP 144 | Online vs. OTB Chess

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss the differences and pros vs cons between Online Chess and Over the Board (OTB) Chess in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips #chess #chesstraining Chapters: 0:00 Online vs OTB Chess15:50 Anecdotes25:21 Using Boards for Online Chess29:17 Blitz Chess32:08 Thinking Online vs OTB42:37 Being Too Online46:09 Discrepancies Between Online and OTB Chess

59 min
FEB 21

EP 143 | Who Will Qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates?

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss who will qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates cycle in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips #chess #chesstraining Chapters:0:00 Who Will Qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Cycle?1:12 FIDE Candidate Cycle Rating Spot Changes8:50 FIDE Cycle Results14:37 Points and Tie-Breaks18:11 Jesse's List19:20 Top 6 from the 2024 FIDE Circuit31:44 This Coming Year in Chess

38 min
FEB 12

EP 142 | Kostya's Heresy

The sensei debate Kostya’s controversial claim that all major chess tournaments should switch to rapid, exploring its potential impact on classical chess, player improvement, tournament structure, and fan engagement, ultimately leaving Jesse and David unconvinced. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips #chess #chesstraining Chapters:00:00 – Introduction – Discussion on Kostya’s controversial quote about switching major tournaments to rapid.01:16 – Context of the Quote – Explanation that it was a short Q&A answer, not a detailed proposal.03:18 – Future of Classical Chess – Kostya argues that classical chess may become obsolete over time.04:06 – Online Growth vs. OTB Decline – Discussion on why rapid and Blitz are growing online but not in classical tournaments.06:06 – Opening Preparation Issues – Classical chess demands extensive opening prep, making it less enjoyable for some players.10:25 – Classical for Beginners, Rapid for Pros? – Kostya suggests longer time controls are useful for improvement but not ideal for elite events.12:07 – Rapid Chess Popularity – Historical attempts to promote rapid chess and why it hasn’t taken over.22:49 – World Championship & Classical Chess – Arguments for why classical chess remains the gold standard for top-level competition.30:55 – Quality of Games in Different Formats – Whether faster time controls lead to better or worse chess quality.41:23 – Closing Thoughts – Debate recap with Jesse and David still unconvinced by Kostya’s stance on rapid chess.

42 min
FEB 6

EP 141 | The Psychology of Goals w/ Dr. Joel Sneed

Dr. Joel Sneed, a psychologist and dedicated adult chess improver, discusses the challenges of learning chess later in life, his struggles with perfectionism and obsession over openings, and how psychological techniques like ACT and CBT can help manage chess-related anxiety. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips #chess #chesstraining Chapters:00:00 – Introduction to Dojo Talks; guest Dr. Joel Sneed's background in psychology and chess.00:38 – Discussion on Sneed’s chess journey, starting late and reaching a 2000+ rating.01:54 – Sneed’s transition from Freudian psychoanalysis to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and ACT therapy.03:49 – Adapting to new technology as an older adult and learning struggles.05:57 – Comparison between changes in psychology and changes in chess over time.13:54 – Sneed’s crisis moment: forgetting opening prep in a Blitz game and quitting chess.17:11 – The frustration of learning but failing to apply knowledge in real games.33:15 – Dealing with an "action crisis"—considering quitting chess and reevaluating goals.53:16 – Focusing on process-oriented goals instead of rating-based goals.1:16:35 – Sneed’s new goal: playing more tournament games and prioritizing enjoyment over rating.

1h 18m
JAN 31

EP 140 | Should There Be A SuperGM Title

The sensei debate whether FIDE should introduce an official Super-GM title, discussing its potential requirements, the impact of rating inflation, and how chess titles should evolve to reflect modern competitive standards. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips #chess #chesstraining

46 min
JAN 23

EP 139 | Who Decides The World Championship? ft. GM Jacob Aagaard

The sensei are joined by GM Jacok Aagaard to discuss who decides the world championship. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips #chess #chesstraining Chapters [00:00] - Introduction[01:06] - Historical Tradition[02:19] - 1990s Split Era[04:54] - Kasparov vs. FIDE[07:49] - Counting World Champions[15:37] - Importance of Qualification[28:46] - Reunification Match (2006)[36:28] - Critique of Recent Cycles[45:22] - Who is a World Champion?[56:01] - Modern Challenges in Defining Champions[1:08:22] - Expiration of Lineage[1:37:07] - Ding Liren and Nepomniachtchi Match Issues[1:55:26] - Freestyle Chess World Championship[2:00:05] - Conclusion

2 hr
JAN 22

EP 138 | Top 5 Chess Authors

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy rank the top five greatest chess authors of all time in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips #chess #chesstraining CHAPTERS0:00 Ranking The 5 Greatest Chess Authors of All Time3:45 Categories of Chess Authors6:08 Jesse's No. 5 Pick7:05 David's No. 5 Pick11:24 Kostya's No. 5 Pick12:47 Kostya's No. 4 Pick13:50 David's No. 4 Pick15:39 Jesse's No. 4 Pick17:17 Jesse's No. 3 Pick18:07 David's No. 3 Pick20:55 Kostya's No. 3 Pick23:43 Greatest Course Makers Episode?25:55 Kostya's No. 2 Pick28:04 David's No. 2 Pick29:34 Jesse's No. 2 Pick31:19 Jesse's No. 1 Pick34:03 David's No. 1 Pick38:04 Kostya's No. 1 Pick 41:01 ChessDojo's Greatest 5 Chess Authors of All Time43:15 Magnus Carlsen's Output47:21 Follow ChessDojo

48 min
JAN 15

EP 137 | Should Beginners Study Openings w/ GM Hammer

GM Jon Ludvig Hammer joins the sensei on this Dojo Talks to discuss whether beginners should study openings, and if so, how much? Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips #chess #chesstraining 00:01 – Introduction and welcome to GM Hammer; discussion about his new Chessable course.01:33 – Overview of the debate: Should beginners study openings?02:21 – Hammer’s argument for teaching openings to beginners for motivation and familiarity.03:35 – Defining "beginner" and the target audience for Hammer's course (800–1300 Chess.com rapid rating).05:00 – Differences in chess ratings across platforms (Chess.com vs. Lichess) and their relevance to the debate.07:28 – Hammer explains the importance of enjoying chess and using openings as a "cheat code" for improvement.09:05 – When Hammer believes opening study is most beneficial (during stagnation or motivation slumps).14:15 – Jesse’s perspective: Most mistakes at lower levels occur in the middle or endgame, not in the opening.15:55 – Importance of board vision and avoiding hanging pieces for beginners.18:31 – Risks of opening study: Memorization without understanding and neglecting principles.21:42 – Hammer’s course design: Emphasis on plans, common moves, and practical advice tailored for lower-rated players.28:17 – Clarifying misconceptions about opening study in the Chess Dojo training system.34:49 – Motivation and its role in chess improvement at all levels.45:16 – Hammer on the purpose of his course: Surviving the opening to focus on other aspects of chess.50:44 – Discussion on Chessable’s business decisions, including paywalling "Short and Sweet" courses.1:02:37 – Closing thoughts: Balancing opening study with broader chess skills and finding what motivates individual players.

1h 12m

See All (100)

4.6

out of 5

56 Ratings

Awesome chess convos

12/16/2024

Dg din

Really interesting discussions! Thanks
Silman

09/27/2023

cocodojo

I enjoyed your last show. I was thinking maybe a book can be made with all his articles. I always wanted to learn chess. It wasn’t queen gambit, but the book The immortal game that started my deeper interest, and your podcast pushed of course.
The wheat and the chaff

12/05/2023

Down in P-town

Most of the time, I’m annoyed with the hosts because they seem to constantly and purposefully misunderstand each other’s points and talk in circles, which frustrates me as a listener. Feels like they’re arguing to win a point rather than trying to understand the other person’s position and perhaps come to a mutual understanding. And Jesse’s and David’s insistence that only OTB classical chess is real chess definitely has a “get off my lawn” vibe. But if you can get through that, there are some great nuggets.
WELCOME TO THE DOJO

05/20/2023

a_dumb_ox

WELCOME TO THE DOJO? CHESS DOJO IS GOOD IF YOU LIKE CHESS AND LIKE CHESS OR EVEN IF YOU LIKE CHESS. HUMANS WHO LIKE CHESS SHOULD LISTEN TO IT IF THEY LIKE CHESS 5/5 STARS. :D

The official podcast of ChessDojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, & GM Jesse Kraai). Most episodes are streamed live to twitch.tv/chessdojolive.

Creator

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, GM Jesse Kraai
Years Active

2021 - 2025
Episodes

100
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

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Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

EP 144 | Online vs. OTB Chess

EP 143 | Who Will Qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates?

EP 142 | Kostya's Heresy

EP 141 | The Psychology of Goals w/ Dr. Joel Sneed

EP 140 | Should There Be A SuperGM Title

EP 139 | Who Decides The World Championship? ft. GM Jacob Aagaard

EP 138 | Top 5 Chess Authors

EP 137 | Should Beginners Study Openings w/ GM Hammer

Awesome chess convos

Silman

The wheat and the chaff

WELCOME TO THE DOJO

About

Information

You Might Also Like

Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

Episodes

EP 144 | Online vs. OTB Chess

EP 143 | Who Will Qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates?

EP 142 | Kostya's Heresy

EP 141 | The Psychology of Goals w/ Dr. Joel Sneed

EP 140 | Should There Be A SuperGM Title

EP 139 | Who Decides The World Championship? ft. GM Jacob Aagaard

EP 138 | Top 5 Chess Authors

EP 137 | Should Beginners Study Openings w/ GM Hammer

Ratings & Reviews

Awesome chess convos

Silman

The wheat and the chaff

WELCOME TO THE DOJO

About

Information

You Might Also Like