EP 318 - Trainer and Chessable Author IM Yaacov Norowitz on How he Became a Blitz Specialist, His Early Encounters with Hikaru and Gothamchess & His Unique Approach to Chess Learning

This week I am joined by IM Yaacov Norowitz. Yaacov is a trainer, a Chessable author, and a speed chess specialist who has won the World Open Blitz tournament 5 times. He has a Chess.com peak blitz rating of nearly 3000. Yaacov has a unique background, and he had some entertaining stories to tell about topics that include :

His over 12000 blitz and bullet games against Hikaru Nakamura. Yaacov has known Hikaru since Hikaru was age 6, before he started playing competitive chess.

His early interactions with Gotham Chess, whom Yaacov taught when Levy was a kid.

Yaacov’s “dacha method” approach to chess learning

How Yaacov’s strict Orthodox Jewish upbringing impacted his chess playing.

Yaacov also is an avid chess reader and has plenty of book recommendations. As always, you can find timestamps for topics discussed below. 0:00- Yaacov discusses his early blitz battles with a young Hikaru Nakamura and how Yaacov became a blitz specialist?

8:00- What differentiated Hikaru’s bullet peak from that of everyone else? Has Yaacov played other bullet wizards, Alireza and Andrew Tang?

14:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free, and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%.

16:00- What did Yaacov learn from his coach, the legendary player GM Roman Dzindziashvilli? Also what is “The Cheesecake Opening”?

22:00- Yaacov loved to read chess books as a kid. What were his favorites? Mentioned: Dojo Talks Podcast Episode 72, Capablanca’s Endings, Chess Praxis, How to Reassess Your Chess, Logical Chess Move by Move

27:00- How did Yaacov balance playing blitz and playing classical chess?

32:00- What were Yaacov’s blitz battles against GM Viswanathan Anand like?

36:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

37:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Will Yaacov make a Chessable course on his “dacha theory” of chess learning?”

44:00- Yaacov discusses the origins of his collaboration with Elijah Logozar, a former Adult Improver guest.

50:00- Yaacov was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family. How did chess and religion intersect for him?

57:00- Yaacov taught IM Levy Rozman as a kid. What was he like?

58:00- Yaacov discusses his chess academy, Yaacattack.com

1:02:00- How does Yaacov advise one to spend their chess study time?

1:04:00- Thanks to Yaacov for joining the show!

Website- Yaacattack.com

The Yaac Attack Stonewall Chessable course-https://www.chessable.com/the-yaac-attack-stonewall-for-white/course/31827/

The Yaac Attack- Caro Kann for Black https://www.chessable.com/the-yaac-attack-caro-kann-for-black/course/49678/

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