Perpetual Chess Podcast

Ben Johnson
  • 4.8 (613)
  • HOBBIES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Perpetual Chess features weekly conversations with the chess world's best players, trainers and accomplished amateurs about their careers, current projects, best practices and the latest in chess news. Learn more at PerpetualChessPod.com

  1. 1D AGO

    EP 481- IM Greg Shahade: Inside His Incredible Jeopardy Run 

    IM Greg Shahade has long been well known in the chess world as a three-time national scholastic champion and the founder of the Pro Chess League and the US Chess School. Recently, however, he reached a much broader audience with an impressive run on the syndicated trivia show Jeopardy!. Greg amassed over $75,000 in winnings, dethroning 31-time champion Jamie Ding along the way. He joined me after what he described as “the craziest week of his life” to discuss: The approach to adult learning that helped him go from trivia novice to Jeopardy! champion in just a few years Behind-the-scenes insights from the recording process, plus his reflections on his controversial on-stage mannerisms How his background in chess (and poker) shaped his strategy and decision-making under pressure There isn’t a ton of chess discussion in this episode, but Greg’s approach to learning and performance has clear applications across many domains. 00:00 Introduction  Check out our sponsors, Chessiverse.com , and you can use code Perpetual30 to save 30% on premium feature and/or IM John Bartholomew’s Complete Scandinavian Course.  Chessiverse.com 03:00- Greg Shahade joins the show, we begin by discussing adult learning and Greg’s late start to trivia.  Mentioned: Learned League  Thinking Sideways by Jennifer Shahade  Ducksters  07:43 Building Knowledge Structures 10:03 The Role of Intense Study 12:54 Flashcards and Review Techniques 15:43 Betting Strategies on Jeopardy 18:45 Reflections on the Jeopardy Experience You can review questions Greg faced here: https://www.j-archive.com/showseason.php?season=42 25:00-  Patreon mailbag question- Why does Greg know so little about current events? What is his approach to daily double hunting? 30:44 Daily Double Strategies and Insights 36:57 Patreon mailbag question- Why is Greg so expressive when playing Jeopardy? 42:16 Physicality and Focus in Jeopardy 49:25 Behind the Scenes of Jeopardy 52:40 Facing the Champion: Mental Strategies 55:11 The Weight of Anticipation: Media and Public Perception 57:02 Navigating Fame: Love, Hate, and Public Reaction 59:50 Preparing for the Tournament of Champions 01:03:51 Chess and Jeopardy: Cross-Disciplinary Insights 01:07:20 Reflections on Study Techniques and Memory 01:11:20 Final Thoughts: The Game and Its Emotional Toll Thanks to Greg for joining me at a busy time. Follow him here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregshahade/?hl=en X:  https://x.com/GregShahade Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 21m

  2. APR 28

    EP 480-  GM Eugene Perelshteyn & NM Mike Mahoney: Chess Rocky-Taking on Nakamura & Niemann at the Naroditsky Memorial

    When I read on GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s blog that his amateur friend had signed up to compete against players like Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann in the Naroditsky Memorial, I knew I had to hear this story. That friend is NM Mike Mahoney. Mike is a pharmacist by day and a devoted online blitz player by night. For Mike, chess is usually a way to unwind, not something he takes too seriously. But he couldn’t pass up the chance to test himself in one of the strongest blitz tournaments the U.S. has ever seen.  Eugene will be mentoring Mike and traveling with him to Charlotte, and they both joined me to discuss: Why Mike decided to jump into such a stacked field How Eugene is preparing him for the challenge How Mike defines “success” in a tournament like this We also talk about Mike’s unconventional path to becoming a National Master, starting relatively late, as well as some great stories from the Boston blitz scene. I’m excited to follow how this unfolds, and Eugene and Mike will be back after the tournament for a trip report. In the meantime, you can follow Mike’s journey on Eugene’s blog.  Be sure to check out the Perpetual Chess YouTube channel where Eugene goes over one of Mike’s model games against the Caro-Kann. (The video will be out later this week)  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcudElmRsQYTwULtd_gnFw 00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Journey 02:50 Mike's Decision to Compete in the Naroditsky Memorial 05:41 Eugene's Support and Coaching Role 08:41 Mike's Past Experiences with Top Players 11:35 Analyzing Mike's Strengths and Weaknesses 14:37 Training and Preparation for the Tournament 17:31 Opening Strategies and Game Analysis Mentioned: The Hungarian Dragon  The Dragodorf 20:32 Eugene’s Philosophy on Gimmicky Openings 23:21 Defining Success in the Tournament Mentioned: IM Marc Esserman 27:04 Excitement in Facing Strong Opponents 31:35 Setting Performance Goals as a Coach 34:02 The Importance of Blitz Clock Management 35:33 The Origin Story of a Late Chess Starter Mentioned: Ilya Koyfman  36:39 Factors Contributing to Success in Chess 39:16 The Value of Community in Chess 40:56 The Evolution of Chess Accessibility 43:25 The Importance of a Fun and Relaxed Approach 43:37 Learning from Losses and Honest Reflection 46:02 Stories about legendary  GM Roman Dzindziashvilli and Bobby Fischer  Mentioned: Dzindzi-Jansa move 25 https://lichess.org/study/Th7i9fr2/kxMPOEjA 49:00 Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors 50:00- Thanks to Eugene and Mike for joining me! You can follow Mike’s training and progress on GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s blog.  https://eugeneperel.substack.com/ If you would like to help support Mike’s dream trip you can do so via this Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-chess-rocky-to-fight-supergms-in-charlotte?lid=nlkk8jxujhda&utm_source=product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TXN_User_Messaging_Thank_You_Option_A&utm_content=internal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    53 min

  3. APR 20

    EP 479 – GM Rafael Leitão on Sindarov’s Historic Candidates Win, His Training Methods & What Comes Next 

    With the FIDE Candidates now in the rearview mirror, 7-time Brazilian Champion and Chess.com “Game of the Day” columnist GM Rafael Leitão joins me to help break it all down. We discuss: Sindarov’s incredible performance and the training methods that helped him ascend to the top Vaishali’s strong finish and her chances against Ju Wenjun Rafael’s take on opening trends, and which players might be most disappointed with their performance GM Leitão also shares his thoughts on the Judit Polgar documentary on Netflix, along with his story of getting to play Judit. Thanks to Rafael for sharing his insights. I’m excited to see the two new World Championship challengers fight for the title later this year. 00:00 Introduction to the Candidates Tournament 02:04 Training Methods and Classical Chess Education Mentioned: IM Roman Vidonyik interview with Charlize van Zyl  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5TJMiHqiwc 04:50 Expectations and Surprises in the Candidates 07:43 Analysis of Player Performances 10:56 Sindarov's Unique Play Style 13:51 Reflections on Historical Performances 16:54 Opening Trends in High-Level Chess 19:52 The Future of Chess Openings 30:09 Concurrent Tournaments: A New Perspective 31:41 Vaishali's Resilience and Performance 35:00 Sindarov vs. Gukesh: The Rising Stars Mentioned: Chess.com article touching on Sindarov’s trainer IM Roman Vidonyak https://www.chess.com/news/view/2026-fide-candidates-tournament-round-14 Interviews with IM Roman Vidonyok: Chessbase India- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6VDTVVXMZU&t=442s FIDE-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5TJMiHqiwc&t=1s Chessbase article about the support Erdogmus receives: https://en.chessbase.com/post/a-billionaire-supports-chess-talents 38:40 Ambitious Goals: The Future of Sindarov 42:04 Support Systems in Chess: A Double-Edged Sword 44:20 The Candidates Tournament: Format and Future 48:01 Memorable Encounters: Rafael's Game with Judit Polgar Mentioned: Rafael’s YouTube video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKvQuSfNd6A 50:20 Analyzing Chess.com’s “Game of the Day”: Rafael's Approach Mentioned: Praggnandhaa vs. Rapport 2025- https://www.chess.com/events/2025-uzchess-cup-masters/06/Praggnanandhaa_R-Rapport_Richard 54:15 The Future of Chess: New Generations and Trends 56:00- Thanks to GM Leitao for rejoining me! You can reach him via his website, and follow him via the following methods: Website: https://rafaelleitao.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCistQmaDouEpKROBZBkQQ9A Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/gmrafaelleitao/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 2m

  4. APR 14

    EP 478 – GM Ben Finegold on the Candidates, the Hans–Magnus Netflix Documentary, and TakeTakeTake’s Bold Business Move

    It has been a busy time in the chess world, as dramas new and old bubble to the surface. GM Javokhir Sindarov is on the verge of winning the FIDE Candidates. A highly anticipated Netflix documentary has just been released about the Hans–Magnus controversy, and there is even some business intrigue, as an app co-founded by GM Magnus Carlsen is set to compete directly with Chess.com. Joining me to discuss it all is the popular and entertaining YouTuber and commentator, GM Ben Finegold. Questions answered include: Is the early Kalshi market correct to make Sindarov a 66% favorite over Gukesh in a World Championship match? Will the Netflix documentary change anyone’s mind about Chess.com, Magnus Carlsen, or Hans Niemann? Is Magnus likely to be directly involved in Take Take Take’s new direction? We also discuss Ben’s recent health struggles, the state of his OTB game, and his upcoming plans. It’s always worthwhile to hear Ben’s unvarnished opinions! 0:00 – Intro + GM Ben Finegold returns 0:40 – FIDE Candidates Discussion (Sindarov’s dominance, Gukesh, Women’s section, format talk) 7:30 – Netflix “Chessmates” Documentary (Niemann–Carlsen) (Impressions, cheating debate, Magnus/Chess.com dynamics, Hans’ future) Mentioned: Untold: Chess Mates  31:00 – TakeTakeTake vs Chess.com + Chess Business Drama (Magnus, Lichess partnership, Hikaru’s reaction) Mentioned: Hikaru discusses the TakeTakeTake/LiChess partnership https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFdWHX8oHuE&t=1534s Theo Wait of Lichess interview with Chessbase India: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8nm-RPZzsM Poker scandal-  https://www.reddit.com/r/HobbyDrama/comments/104pwwx/poker_the_infamous_j4_hand_that_nearly_tore_the/ 42:30 – Ben Finegold on His Chess + Future Plans (Retirement from OTB, health, streaming, poker, travel) Find Ben at the 2026 National Open: https://new.uschess.org/2026-national-open 50:00- Thanks as always to Ben for coming on the podcast. Here is how to keep up with him: Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/itsbenandkaren/videos?filter=highlights&sort=time YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6EnFbK-P5q0zeaqI5yobKg X: https://x.com/ben_finegold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    55 min

  5. APR 7

    EP 477- Jennifer Shahade on Cheating, AI, and Thinking Like a Chess Player

    Jennifer Shahade is a two-time U.S. Women’s Champion, poker professional, commentator, and acclaimed author. This week, she returns to the pod to discuss her new book Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chess Player and Win at Life. Drawing on chess, poker, and psychology, Jen shares practical tips and memorable stories about decision-making, creativity, and improvement. We discuss: Why she interviewed reformed chess cheaters and what their stories reveal about ambition Helpful advice for remembering opening lines The “Einstellung Effect” and how to avoid missing better ideas How AI is changing the way we learn and think We also catch up on Jen’s recent travels and upcoming events. There is a lot to learn and plenty of great stories along the way. 0:00- Intro- Jen Shahade and US Chess announce a settlement: https://x.com/KenneyBaden/status/2039375140534767852?s=20 0:02- Jen Shahade joins me. How did she find reformed chess cheaters to interview? What did she learn from talking with them for her book? Mentioned: Netflix Untold Documentary about the Niemann-Carlsen story  https://www.netflix.com/title/81582391 0:10- What is “MTR”?  0:14- Working with legendary trainer IM Mark Dvoretsky  0:18- Lessons learned from interviewing a memory champion  Mentioned: Yanjaa Wintersoul, GM Sam Shankland  0:28- Jen’s experiences coding with Claude  Check out the links to the app she built here: https://jenshahade.substack.com/p/spin-the-wheel-vibe-a-move 0:36- What is “the Einstellung effect”?  0:40- Jen’s chess-related conversation with legendary psychologist and author Daniel Kahneman  0:42- How chess master and Alpha Zero creator Demis Hassabas “thought sideways” to secure funding for his start up.  0:48- Observations from the recent Sloan sports analytic conference 0:50- What is “the sandwich method”? 0:51- Upcoming book events for Jen 0:52- If you will be in NYC on May 12 and want to support a good cause, come see Jen and I at this event. You can buy tickets to the Chess in the Schools Poker/Chess Fundraiser here: https://secure.givelively.org/event/chess-in-the-schools-inc/chess-in-the-schools-3rd-annual-charity-poker-tournament  0:54- Thanks to Jen for joining me again, here is where to order her book. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Thinking-Sideways/Jennifer-Shahade/9798897100729 https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Sideways-Think-Chess-Player/dp/B0FCDDB8XV  Photo in thumbnail by Maria Emelianova Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 hr

  6. APR 6

    Bonus Pod: Sindarov’s Historic Start + Inside the FIDE Candidates with Mike Klein

    FM Mike Klein of Chess.com  joins the show from Cyprus to give an on-the-ground look at the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. We discuss the incredible start by GM Javokhir Sindarov, and what Mike has observed from his interactions with the rising star. Mike also describes the tournament atmosphere,shares  behind-the-scenes stories from the venue, and provides insights on the Women’s Candidates race. We also discuss what to expect in the critical rounds ahead including a huge round 8 battle.  0:00 – Intro + Mike Klein joins (Candidates update)0:45 – Javokhir Sindarov’s historic start (6/7) + Anna Muzychuk leading women’s field 1:20 – Sindarov’s personality: “infectious,” approachable, media-friendly3:35 – Candidates trivia + chess culture vs performance debate 4:45 – Comparing Sindarov’s start to past Candidates performances6:18 – Mindset: why Sindarov isn’t satisfied (even after a draw) 7:50 – Will Sindarov keep pushing or coast to victory?9:27 – Tournament suspense vs runaway leader (Nepo comparison) 10:25 – Life in Cyprus: smaller scene vs Madrid/Toronto11:00 – Hotel stories + luxury setting + “White Lotus vibes”12:48 – Safety, isolation, and player accommodations 13:51 – Venue setup: viewing area, fan zones, and logistics15:30 – Rest day activities + paddle tournament 16:30 – Paddle tournament results + Caruana appearance17:50 – Chess + tennis crossover (Pavel Tregubov trivia)19:05 – What is paddle? (sport explanation + Magnus tie-in) 20:30 – Women’s Candidates overview: Muzychuk vs Vaishali + contenders22:48 – Seconds and prep teams (Caruana, Hikaru, etc.) 25:00 – Key matchup: Nakamura vs Caruana26:00 – What would Sindarov be like as World Champion? 28:30 – Mike’s YouTube channel + future content plans29:20 – “Weightless chess” goal (fun viral idea)30:40 – Wrap-up + sign-off 31:00- Thanks to Mike Klein for joining me! Be sure to sub to his YouTube channel here for additional on-site Candidates coverage: https://www.youtube.com/@FunMasterMike Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    34 min

  7. MAR 31

    EP 476-Vlad Ghita: Is the Rating System Still Broken? A Data-Driven Investigation

    It has been over two years since FIDE implemented major changes to its rating system aimed at combating rating deflation. But are those changes actually working? My guest, Vlad Ghita, joins me to dig into the data. Vlad is a Romanian arbiter, instructor, and chess enthusiast with a master’s degree in physics. In his new e-book, The Rating Revolution, he takes a rigorous, data-driven look at how the global rating system is functioning—and where it may still be falling short. We discuss: What Vlad calls the “participation paradox” Which countries may be the most underrated How age impacts rating expectations Why some players feel stuck despite improving Is the US rating system functioning more effectively than FIDE? As discussed in the episode, many of these issues stem from structural imbalances in the rating pool—something Vlad illustrates through extensive analysis of nearly one million games . In our conversation (and in his book), Vlad not only identifies problems but also proposes thoughtful solutions. As a dedicated coach and adult improver himself, he also shares practical advice for chess improvement. ; 0:00- Intro Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com. Check out their FIDE Candidates Sale here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/all/offer/ Sign up for Chessable Pro here: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 0:02- Vlad’s joins the show, we being by diving into his chess  background Mentioned: Michael Franco/NoseKnowsAll’s free Lichess materials- https://lichess.org/study/by/NoseKnowsAll 0:10- How Vlad’s curiosity about ratings was piqued around the pandemic, what he learned about ratings 0:11- What is the cause of FIDE rating deflation? Mentioned: Jeff Sonas, Dr. Mark Glickman 0:16-What is “the participation paradox?”  0:21- Is the US rating system working better than FIDE’s? 29:00- Should FIDE institute adjustable rating floors?  31:00- What solutions does Vlad propose to improve the rating system?  42:00- Chess improvement lessons from Vlad’s playing and training experience  Mentioned: Chess Structures, How to Study Chess on Your Own, Chessbook 50:00- The pros and cons of working full time in chess 52:00- Thanks to Vlad for coming on the pod and writing an insightful book. Vlad has offered a discount to Perpetual Chess Listeners if you use the code “perpetual” at checkout. https://vladchess.com/rating-revolution If you are interested in getting coaching from Vlad, you can reach him via his website: https://vladchess.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 2m

  8. MAR 24

    Book Recap #38- Silman’s Chess Odyssey + Stories from a Former Student with Gaurav Datta 

    The Perpetual Chess book discussion series Chess Books Recaptured returns with a personal, funny, and heartfelt episode. Gaurav Datta, a longtime student and close friend of IM Jeremy Silman, joins me to discuss Silman’s Chess Odyssey: Cracked Grandmaster Tales, Legendary Players, & Instructions and Musings. This memoir and collection of writing was Silman’s final work, and it beautifully captures his deep and enduring love for chess. As Gaurav shares, he was an ordinary club player who repeatedly emailed Silman until Jeremy reluctantly agreed to take him on as a student in the late 1990s. What began as lessons soon turned into a decades-long friendship. Jeremy did not care much about Gaurav’s rating, but he appreciated his sense of humor and his ability to tell interesting stories. Throughout the conversation, Gaurav interweaves touching and often hilarious personal memories with insights from the book, offering a glimpse  into Silman’s life and teaching philosophy.  I greatly enjoyed reading Silman’s Chess Odyssey, and hearing Gaurav’s stories added a whole new dimension to understanding one of chess’s most beloved teachers. 0:00 Intro + overview of Silman’s Chess Odyssey Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com. Check out IM Jeremy SIlman’s vast catalog of courses here: https://www.chessable.com/author/Jeremy_Silman/5:48 Guest intro: Gaurav Datta (long-time student & friend of Jeremy Silman) 7:00 How Gaurav discovered Silman, early struggles, and first meeting12:30 What lessons with Silman were really like (stories, life, chess) 18:20 Chess as art: Silman’s core philosophy22:40 Training methods: studying master games & subtle ideas Mentioned: IM Erik Kislik, NM Steve Brandwein 28:00 Gambling struggles, life setbacks, and returning to chess 33:00 Silman’s personality: stories, Japan, boxing & unique interests 38:40 Final years, illness, and completing his last book Mentioned: Autobiography of a Goat  51:30 Key lessons: play for beauty, not rating + lasting impact 1:15:00- Thanks so much to Gaurav for sharing his amazing stories! Here is how you can reach him: Email- gdatta at gmail.com Chess.com-  https://www.chess.com/member/olddirtypatzer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 22m
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About

Perpetual Chess features weekly conversations with the chess world's best players, trainers and accomplished amateurs about their careers, current projects, best practices and the latest in chess news. Learn more at PerpetualChessPod.com

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Johnson
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    571
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Perpetual Chess LLC
  • Show Website
    Perpetual Chess Podcast

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