
31 episodes

How To Chess Ben Johnson
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- Leisure
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4.9 • 96 Ratings
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A Weekly, Rapid-Fire Chess Podcast Devoted to Helping You Improve Your Game. Hosted by Ben Johnson, brought to you by Chessable.com
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CM Vjekoslav Nemec- How to Improve Your Speed Chess Game
CM Vjekoslav "Vjeko" Nemec is a Chessable Author, a chess blogger and journalist, and a fierce blitz player with ratings over 2600 on both Lichess and Chess.com. In our conversation, Vjeko shares some tips for improving your blitz game, but also discusses the dark side of a love for blitz, as it can be addicting and sometimes causes him to wonder if he is using his chess time optimally. In our conversation we get some good reflections on improving your blitz game, putting it in its proper place in your life, and even on how to reorient in order to work on classical chess instead.
Check out Vjeko's course, The Uncompromising Modern Defense, here:
https://www.chessable.com/the-uncompromising-modern-defense/course/87112/ -
GM Johan Hellsten- How to Analyze Your Own Chess Games
This week's guest on How to Chess is Chessable author and renowned trainer GM Johan Hellsten. He joins the podcast this week to share some tips about how to analyze one's one chess games. Johan touches on how to utilize engines, and the different types of mistakes he sees in his students games. Johan's landmark Mastering Chess books/ Chessable series is packed with instructive positions and is revered by other chess trainers and students alike. It is a particularly good choice for those rated in the 1400 to 2200 range.
You can check out Johan's Chessable Courses (including links to free lessons) here:
https://www.chessable.com/author/jhellsten2/ -
NM Bryan Tillis- How to Remember Opening Sequences
NM Bryan Tillis is a popular Chessable Author, an accredited FIDE trainer, and the founder of the Florida based chess academy, Palm Beach Chess. In our conversation, Bryan shares some practical tips to help adult chess players remember their openings. Bryan discusses the concept of "memory markers" and shares a few other tips that can help us make the most of our limited opening study time.
You can find links to Chessable courses referenced below:
Bryan's Chessable Courses:
https://www.chessable.com/author/Bryan_Tillis/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_17331070731&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjw6fyXBhBgEiwAhhiZspYMi_MyeUl6WHKZN3RpRgIpGJ1URpTn28w3dgxzqCTGnR-oR7oxgxoCqJQQAvD_BwE
FM Kamil Plichta's Anti-Anti Sicilians:
https://www.chessable.com/anti-anti-sicilians/course/42393/
Memory markers -
GM Sahaj Grover- How to Approach Studying the Endgame
GM Sahaj Grover is an Indian born, South Africa based chess trainer and Chessable Author. He amassed many youth titles, and was the 2017 and 2018 South African Open Champion. Sahaj is also the co-author (with FM Daniel Barrish) of Timeless Technique: Strategic Endgames, a great practical guide to endgames for intermediate and advanced players. In our conversation, Sahaj shares some tips for blending the study of "practical" endgames and "technical" endgames and discusses his own endgame education. He also tells the story of what he learned from a memorable Pro Chess League game against GM Magnus Carlsen!
You can check out Sahaj's Chessable Courses here:
https://www.chessable.com/author/sahajgrover/
Check out 100 Endgames You Must Know (another course we discussed) Here:
100 Endgames You Must Know - MoveTrainer® Course - Chessable -
Omar Mills- Lessons Learned from My First OTB Chess Tournament
Omar Mills is a Florida based Product Manager at Disney parks by day, and a recently converted chess die-hard by night. As a follow up to Neal Bruce’s suggestions before one’s first chess tournament (in Episode 4), I thought it would be fun to hear from a player after he had played his first tournament. Omar has quickly built a loyal Twitter following due to his evident passion for chess, so he was the perfect person to share some lessons that he learned. When it comes to tournament chess, there is no substitute for experience! Please tune in for all the lessons that Omar has learned in the early days of a chess obsession.
Be sure to follow Omar on Twitter and Instagram:
https://twitter.com/ChessVonDoom?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
https://www.instagram.com/ChessVonDoom/
Recommended Chessable Courses for Your 2nd Tournament:
Everyone’s First Chess Workbook by FM Peter Giannatos
Chess Principles Reloaded by IM Andras Toth
Learn Chess the Right Way, Find Winning Moves by GM Susan Polgar -
Cognitive Scientist and USCF Master Dr. Christopher Chabris on the Importance of Having "Chess Culture"
Dr. Christopher Chabris is a renowned cognitive scientist and the best-selling co-author of the book The Invisible Gorilla. In this conversation, Chris discusses what it means to have "chess culture" and how one can go about acquiring it.
Check out Dr. Chabris' website here:
http://www.chabris.com/
In addition to the books we discussed, here are a few Chessable courses I would recommend to help you learn more chess culture:
1) Kasparov's Great Predecessor Series
2) Yasser's Chess Duels
3) The Best Chess Moves of All Time by Alex Belsley and GM Simon Williams
Customer Reviews
Excellent and informative
Great podcast. Interesting guests and Ben has a knack for keeping the conversation on point and helpful. I am an ‘adult improver’ and this podcast never condescends to my level—rather, these very high-level elite players, as well as Ben himself—focus on enjoyment of the game are very inclusive and unpretentious. Also—it really comes through that Ben is passionate about chess, as am I, and it shows in his enthusiasm and regard for both his guest and his audience. Thanks for all the hard work, Ben!
Another great chess podcast
Great idea for a podcast. Focused information that offers practical chess input. Nice format and look forward to future episodes.
Great addition!
I have just recently found the perpetual chess podcast and gotten back to the game as an adult improver. This new podcast in its first two episodes has been outstanding and high yield. A great additional tool for on the go improvement and great topics. Keep it up Ben!