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Ben Johnson

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

Perpetual Chess Podcast

As the chess world digests the devastating news of the passing of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, I found myself thinking back to our first interview in August of 2020 (Episode 191). At the time, as chess boomed during the pandemic, Danya was ascending from promising young American player to chess commentating superstar. In the interview Danya’s eloquence, empathy, and hilarious impersonations were on full display. It is among the most listened-to Perpetual Chess episodes in the podcast's 9 year history. Danya's loss is immense and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and many fans. - Ben

00:00 – 03:15

Ben’s tribute and introduction following Danya’s passing (2025) 

03:16 – 04:00

2020 Interview with Danya begins- Introduction to Danya’s chess background and early achievements

04:00 – 06:00

Danya on listening to Perpetual Chess and favorite episodes

06:00 – 10:00

Discussion of the Hikaru–Magnus finale and Armageddon tiebreaks

10:12 – 13:10

Early fascination with blitz and bullet chess; childhood training habits

13:10 – 16:00

Blitz addiction story and lessons from IM John Donaldson

16:00 – 21:40

Practical tips on blitz improvement — tactics, intuition, and time management

21:40 – 26:30

Deep dive into time management and “15-second rule” from Hikaru analysis

26:30 – 33:00

Stories of playing Magnus and Alireza online; Rebecca Harris account origin

33:00 – 36:15

Etiquette and psychology of elite bullet matches

36:15 – 38:10

What Danya works on to improve; paradox of bullet skill vs. classical weakness

38:10 – 40:10

Balancing streaming, teaching, and training during COVID

40:10 – 43:00

Untapped potential and thoughts on improvement as a 2600+ GM

43:00 – 45:30

The continuing value of classical chess in a fast-paced world

45:30 – 49:10

Teaching and streaming as dual passions; insights on Twitch culture

49:10 – 54:30

Streaming schedule, viewer expectations, and sustainability

54:30 – 56:30

The pressures and pitfalls of Twitch streaming; handling trolls

56:30 – 1:00:00

Patreon questions: notebooks, writing process, and early books

1:00:00 – 1:03:00

How Mastering Positional Chess came to be; influence of Russian literature

1:03:00 – 1:06:00

Formative chess books and lessons from Kasparov and Soviet literature

1:06:00 – 1:09:30

Advice for adult improvers: training priorities and tactical habits

1:09:30 – End

Reflections on commentary, pedagogy, and love of teaching

Photo in thumbnail via Charlotte Chess Center:

https://www.charlottechesscenter.org/staff/gm-daniel-naroditsky

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

[Replay] GM Daniel Naroditsky's 2020 Perpetual Chess Interview

The Adult Improver Series returns with a fascinating story that highlights the broad appeal of chess. Marcos Patricio Macedo is a Brasília-based forensic detective, dad, and chess enthusiast who rediscovered the game in 2018 and hasn’t stopped since. Chess has become a welcome escape from the pressures of his homicide-investigation work, and he’s helped build community both locally and among fellow officers.

Marcos believes in the game’s value so deeply that he helped restore chess as an event in the World Police & Fire Games, an international gathering for first responders. In our conversation, he shares:

 
What it took to bring chess back to the games

 
How it was received and what might come next

 
His mixed feelings about balancing chess with family, work, and improvement

 
Lessons from coaches, online study, and his first major OTB tournament

Marcos’ relatable story reveals both the rewards and the potential pitfalls of dedicating a lot of time to chess as a hobby. 

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

Try Chess.com (try for free):

http://go.chess.com/Perpetual

If you know a scholastic player who could use high quality online group lessons, be sure to check out Silver Knights Chess Academy.. 

chessacademy.com/online 

Use coupon code- "pod" to save 50% on the first month. 

0:00- You can join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community here:

⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess⁠

02:00- What got Marcos back into chess in 2018? 

07:00- Similarities and differences between chess analysis and forensic analysis

10:00- Marcos’ approach to improving at chess

Mentioned: GM Rafael Leitão, Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel, GM Daniel Naroditsky 

15:00- Chess as a stress reliever for a first responder 

20:00- Marcos tells the story of his successful advocacy to get chess included in the recent World Police & Fire Games 

30:00- Why does Marcos think his interest in chess waned when he returned from the World Police & Fire Games ?

Mentioned: Silman’s The Amateur’s Mind, Coach FM Juan Cruz Arias 

40:00- Marcos’ previous OTB experiences

43:00- The chess scene in Brazil

44:00- Marcos’ next move 

49:00- Closing thoughts

Mentioned: EP 429 with Omar Mills

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2025/4/8/ep-429-omar-mills-chess-and-life-lessons-learned-from-not-improving-as-much-as-he-expected

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 455- Marcos Patricio Macedo: A Forensic Detective’s Reflections on Chess, Balance, and Burnout

NM Max Farberov is a 27-year-old chess instructor, Chessable author, and online speed-chess specialist with a Chess.com blitz rating north of 2600. He joined me after a busy chess summer that included his first European open and one of his best OTB results to date: winning clear first in the Under-2300 section of the Washington International. As Max explains, this breakthrough came only after months of frustration and feeling that he had reached a plateau, making the success all the sweeter.

In our conversation, Max and I discussed:

 
Why he stays motivated to pursue tournament chess at an age when many slow down

 
How he built an opening repertoire around the offbeat 1…d6

 
What he gains from following lesser-known professional tournaments

 
Why speed chess is underrated as a tool for improvement

Max’s passion for chess is infectious, and our conversation is full of helpful chess improvement advice. Timestamps are below.

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

Check out special offers for free trials and/or discounts from our partner websites including Chessmood, ChessDojo, and Chess.com, via the link below:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners

0:02- What led to Max’s recent tournament outcome, where he attained the best result of his life? 

10:00- What keeps Max going when many players in their 20s stop playing tournaments? 

12:00- The College Chess League

13:00- Congrats to IM-elect Tatev Abrahamyan 

14:00- Was Max tempted to quit after earning the NM title? 

20:00- What was it like for Max to play in his first international tournament? 

Mentioned: More on the Vila de Sitges here:

https://open.penyaescacscp.com/

22:00- The dangers of overpreparing for an opponent 

24:00- Max’s approach to openings 

26:00- GMs and top engines don’t like openings like the Philidor and the Pirc due to the concession of space. Has this been an issue for Max in his games?

28:00- Does Max consider himself a speed chess specialist? How can one get better at speed chess?

33:00- How to combat the London

35:00- Back to speed chess advice- Max’s advice for clock management 

38:00 Opening prep war stories 

40:00- The benefits of following and playing through the games from professional (non-elite) circuit tournaments. 

43:00- Max’s friendship with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez 

Mentioned: EP 409 with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/11/19/ep-409-gm-fidel-corrales-jimenez-a-tireless-tournament-circuit-grinder-on-overcoming-setbacks-managing-energy-the-risks-of-otb-cheating-amp-his-love-for-the-scotch-openingnbsp

46:00- How Max became a chess teacher and advice for getting into chess teaching 

49:00- Max’s next chess goals

50:00- Is Max a regimented chess-studier?

52:00- Max’s chess improvement hot takes and book recs 

Mentioned: 

Practical Chess Exercises

Evaluate like a Grandmaster 

Attack with Mikhail Tal 

56:00- Thanks to Max for joining me! 

Here is how to reach him:

X:

https://x.com/chessgainz?lang=en

Chess.com:

https://www.chess.com/member/chess_gainz

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 448- NM Max Farberov on Beating Plateaus, Springing Opening Surprises, and Why Speed Chess Matters

The FIDE Grand Swiss always seems to deliver drama, and this year’s edition was no exception. To help break it all down, I am joined by popular commentator, Chessable author, and host of the Power Play Chess YouTube channel, GM Daniel King.

In our conversation, Daniel shares his takeaways on: • The common thread that fueled the successes of GMs Anish Giri and Matthias Blübaum • Standout performances from young stars like GMs Erdogmus, Mishra, and Woodward • Why the Women’s Grand Swiss produced fewer surprise qualifiers • A look ahead to the FIDE World Cup and the fight for the remaining Candidates spots

We also touch on tournament formats, opening preparation, and Daniel’s current projects. This was a fascinating event to follow and an equally fun one to recap with GM King.

Thanks to our sponsors, Silver Knights Chess Academy. If you know a scholastic player who could use high quality online group lessons, be sure to check them out. 

chessacademy.com/online 

Use coupon code- "pod" to save 50% on the first month. 

0:00- Intro

0:03- Whose play impressed Daniel?

Mentioned:

Pragganandhaa-Mishra 2025

https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/04/Praggnanandhaa_R-Mishra_Abhimanyu

Keymer-Bluebahm 2025

https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/10/Keymer_Vincent-Bluebaum_Matthias

IM Greg Shahade’s tweet-

https://x.com/GregShahade/status/1967742931122724924

 10:00- How will Bluebahm fare in the Candidates?

13:00- 

Mentioned: Colin McGourty’s great tournament recap is here:

https://www.chess.com/news/view/2025-fide-grand-swiss-13-conclusions#giri-1

15:00- Does the FIDE Grand Swiss format make it too likely that non-elite players will qualify for the Candidates? 

Mentioned: Peter Heine Nielsen’s Tweet

https://x.com/PHChess/status/1967494651566588023

Leonard Barden’s column for The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/12/chess-erdogmus-14-wins-immortal-game-on-silk-road-as-grand-swiss-nears-climax

17:00- Daniel’’s thoughts on the new FIDE Women’s Candidates

20:00- Who would Daniel like to see earn one of the last Candidate spots? 

Mentioned: 

Chess Reddit post on players not yet in the Candidates:

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1nig9bx/10_strong_players_but_only_3_available_slots/

Giri-Niemann 2025

https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/11/Giri_Anish-Niemann_Hans_Moke

25:00- Should there be a tiebreak playoff at the Grand Swiss? 

Browne-Petrosian 1982

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1035512

29:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Should FIDE use a different pairing algorithm in order to limit color imbalances?”

The two papers (via Dr. Benjamin Portheault) that describe the pairing system are here:

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2112.10522

 https://arxiv.org/pdf/2410.19333

32:00- Patreon mailbag question: “At what stage are players leaving their opening prep at the professional level?”

37:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Where can a player find good model games in the Kalashnikov Sicilian?” 

Mentioned: Cuenca, Moisenko, SL Narayanyan, Maghsoodloo, Bulmaga 

39:00- What is Daniel’s process for following tournaments and picking games to show on his channel?

Mentioned: Mittai-Erdogmus 2025

https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/04/Aditya_Mittal-Erdogmus_Yagiz_Kaan

42:00- Daniel’s current projects:

Join his Patreon here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/powerplaychess/posts

50:00- Check out Daniel’s book reviews on his channel:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhyM8toCZs_oHwQr_PTveXDkbnbq2Z4HO

53:00- Before we go, we make incorrect predictions of who will win the FIDE World Cup!! 

56:00- Thanks as always to Daniel for joining me. Here is how to keep up with him:

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMBATpFb--uLNAODOVWvCTA

His Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/c/powerplaychess/

His Chessable Courses:

https://www.chessable.com/author/DanielKing/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 452: GM Daniel King — The Grand Swiss, Candidates Spots, and What It Takes to Win High-Stakes Swiss Tournaments

Despite an impressive chess résumé as one of the U.S.’s top women players, Tatev Abrahamyan has had moments when she questioned whether it was all worth it. After a prolonged slump, she not only considered giving up on ever earning the International Master title, but she nearly quit competitive chess altogether. Fortunately, Tatev persevered. Earlier this year, she unexpectedly finished second in the Woman’s American Cup, and then in August, she delivered a standout result that earned her the International Master title at age 37 — more than 10 years after achieving her final required norm! Remarkably, Tatev’s performance was so strong that she also secured her first GM norm.

In our conversation, Tatev reflects on:

 
Why a timely vote of confidence from a mentor propelled her toward a $30,000 prize

 
Opening advice and the enduring value of endgame studies

 
What she has learned from this roller-coaster journey — and what she advises others facing slumps

Tatev’s story is both candid and inspiring, and I look forward to following her next chapter at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Championship and beyond.

0:00- Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com:

Check out Tatev’s courses here- and if you sign up for Chessable Pro, be sure to use this link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

0:02- Late last year, after a slump, Tatev was “despondent” with her chess? Did she seriously consider quitting? 

0:05- Once she didn’t quit, how did she prepare for the American Cup? 

0:08- Tatev’s tournament routine and mindset

Mentioned: IM Kostya Kavutskiy, GM Josh Friedel, Endgame Labaratory by GM Jacob Aagaard

0:11- Why does Tatev think her results turned around at the American Cup?

Mentioned: GM Yasser Quesada Perez

0:15- Tatev’s next tournaments in Spain and Budapest 

0:18- Tatev’s approach to openings

0:20- When did Tatev start to think that earning the IM title was becoming realistic? 

0:24- Patreon mailbag question: Was there any change to Tatev’s mindset leading up to this breakthrough?

Mentioned: You can check out Tatev’s games from the tournament here:

https://www.chess.com/events/budapest-one-week-budapest-one-week-gm

FM Mike Klein’s article about Tatev’s title:

https://www.chess.com/news/view/abrahamyan-plays-best-tournament-of-career-earns-im-title-gm-norm

26:00- Meeting up with Judit after the tournament! 

34:00- More reflections on Tatev’s tournament

Mentioned: IM Kostya Kavutskiy’s blog post about analyzing with Ivanchuk

https://hellokostya.substack.com/p/2025-spring-eurotrip

40:00- The US Women’s Championship 

41:00- Tatev discusses her Chessable course and her fondness for endgame studies.

Mentioned:

Chess Studies: Solve to Evolve 

https://www.chessable.com/chess-studies-solve-to-evolve/course/300770/

49:00 Tatev’s next projects

51:00- Will Tatev pursue the GM title?

Mentioned: Jeanne Sinquefeld prize for a woman earning the GM title 

https://www.chess.com/news/view/jeanne-cairns-sinquefield-award-us-female-grandmasters

Also mentioned: GM Felix Blohberger

https://www.chess.com/news/view/being-a-chess-professional-in-europe-sucks-blohberger

55:00- Thanks to Tatev for joining us! 

You can reach her via the Lichess coaches page:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 453- IM-elect Tatev Abrahamyan on the Long Road to her New Title.

North Carolina–based trainer and author Elshan Moradiabadi has won over 25 tournaments and was the 2001 National Champion of his native Iran. Despite his many accomplishments, Elshan is deeply reflective about the proper role chess should play in one’s life. While he has no regrets about the sacrifices he made, his experiences have given him valuable lessons to share, including:

 
Why you should keep chess enjoyment as your North Star

 
The importance of intuition, and the nine cues for evaluating a position 

 
The tradeoffs that come with pursuing excellence

 
How chess parenting has changed since his own youth

We also touch on the professional chess landscape, and make a few predictions about the FIDE Grand Swiss (a tournament which is now over, but hadn’t started when we recorded on September 1). Whether you’re a chess hobbyist, parent, or coach, you’ll find plenty of wisdom and inspiration in this wide-ranging conversation. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

0:02- Welcome Elshan to the pod- we begin by discussing a poignant post Elshan wrote about what chess has given him, and what is has taken away:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EExhz3qbC/

Prior interview with Elshan, Episode 58- 

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2018/2/6/episode-58-gm-elshan-moradiabadi

0:09- Why Elshan has grown to love the English language as a non-native speaker 

Mentioned: Cover Stories with Chess Life Episodes #44 and #48

https://new.uschess.org/news/cover-stories-chess-life-44-gm-elshan-moradiabadi

https://new.uschess.org/news/cover-stories-chess-life-48-gm-elshan-moradiabadi

0:11- Elshan’s typical day of coaching

0:13- The challenge of improving chess intuition 

Read more about Elshan’s 9 cues for evaluating a position here:

https://gmelshan.com/how-to-master-chess-the-9-imbalances/

19:00- Elshan’s approach to helping new students

27:00- Elshan’s reflections on his OTB chess game 

30:00- Reflections on a poor performance in the 2022 US Championship 

Mentioned: So-Moradiabadi 2022

https://www.chess.com/events/2022-us-chess-championship/11/So_Wesley-Moradiabadi_Elshan

33:00- Does Elshan follow top chess tournaments?

Mentioned: Quantbox Chennai Invitational

https://www.chess.com/events/info/2025-quantbox-chennai-grand-masters

37:00- Patreon mailbag question: What did Elshan like about the Chicken Chess Club Podcast (may it rest in peace) 

Mentioned: GM Jan Gustafsson

39:00- Elshan’s plans for the rest of 2025

Mentioned: USA vs. India match in Dallas, Texas, October 2025

https://www.texaschesscenter.com/usa-vs-india?srsltid=AfmBOooUe_kOJfuugQMW1JtCezBWX7DPRYRK05I6w2LQ4Bzb6H9Pc9Lq

41:00- Elshan’s favorite players

Mentioned: GM Mikhail Tal, Capablanca, Fischer, Positional Decision Making in Chess by GM Boris Gelfand 

45:00- Elshan’s big picture chess advice

Mentioned: Searching for Bobby Fischer 

51:00- Last minute FIDE Grand Swiss predictions (this was recorded before it started) 

55:00- Thanks so much to Elshan for joining me again! You can reach him via his website:

https://gmelshan.com/contact/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 451: GM Elshan Moradiabadi on Intuition, Coaching, and Why Fun Is Vital for Chess Improvement

As you may have heard, ⁠GM Hikaru Nakamura made a surprise appearance ⁠at the Louisiana State Championship, as part of fulfilling FIDE’s World Championship qualification criteria. In return, the players he encountered gained memories and stories they’ll never forget. In this multi-guest special episode, I speak with several of Hikaru’s opponents, as well as the tournament’s organizer, to hear their firsthand accounts:

 
Senior Tournament Director Richard Campbell (13:00) – on why he and his team initially thought Hikaru’s registration was a prank, and how they realized it was real.

 
20-year-old college student Harry James (32:00) – on how being paired with Hikaru in Round 1 unexpectedly cured his hangover.

 
Tulane graduate student Nahum Villamil Garces (47:30) – on the lifetime memories he made after facing Hikaru in Round 3.

 
Five-time Louisiana State Champion FM Nick Matta (1:06:00) – on how he forced himself to play Hikaru with no fear, and how the opportunity to play him re-energized his passion for chess. 

 
Baton Rouge-based NM Charles Campbell (1:34:00) – on the mixed feelings he had before his last-round showdown with Hikaru, as he vied for the state champion title. 

It was so much fun hearing the stories of our guests, and I was touched by the galvanizing effect Hikaru’s visit had on the Louisiana chess community

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

0:00-Introduction

8:00- If you know a scholastic player looking for high-level interactive online instruction, check out the Silver Knights Chess Academy: 

chessacademy.com/online

Use code “pod” to save 50% on the first month 

13:00- The first guest is Richard Campbell, the tournament organizer. How did he find out Hikaru was registered, did he think it was real? What did they do about security and cheat detection?

Mentioned: NM Jude Acers 

32:00- Harry James joins me, he is a 20 year old Tulane University student who was Hikaru’s first round opponent. It is not often a 1563 USCF player gets to play a super GM! 

Mentioned: Watch Hikaru’s recaps of his games vs. Harry and Nahum here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJCsHU4NVh8

47:30- Nahum Villamil Garces, Hikaru’s 3rd round opponent, joins me. Nahum is graduate student at Tulane University who was playing his first tournament in the U.S.

Mentioned: Gelfand-Nakamura 2010

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1567841

1:06:00- 5-time Louisiana State Champion FM Nick Matta joined me to reflect on an instructive loss, and to compare the experience of playing Hikaru to his clashes against IM Levy Rozman and GM Hans Niemann. 

Mentioned:

You can see Hikaru’s recaps of his games against FM Nick Matta and NM Charles Campbell here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLWuOczem3I&list=PL4KCWZ5Ti2H48YIUpaiTp6jTlwflBLFjI&index=4

You can see Nick’s game with Hikaru in this chess.com article 

https://www.chess.com/news/view/nakamura-wins-louisiana-state-championship-candidates

Also Mentioned:Thinking Inside the Box by GM Jacob Aagaard 

You can reach FM Nick Matta via his Lichess coaches page:

https://lichess.org/@/Candychessmaster

1:34:00- NM Charles Campbell joins the podcast to discuss lessons from his 7th round showdown with Hikaru, and the chess scenes in Nigeria (his native country) and Baton Rouge, Louisiana (where he lives). 

You can also see his game in the chess.com recap, or on Hikaru’s YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLWuOczem3I&list=PL4KCWZ5Ti2H48YIUpaiTp6jTlwflBLFjI&index=4

You can reach Charles Campbell via Chess.com or Lichess

https://www.chess.com/member/charlescandycampbell

https://lichess.org/@/Candychessmaster

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 450 – Hikaru in Louisiana: Stories from His Surprise Appearance in the Louisiana State Championship

ChessDojo’s GM Jesse Kraai is always one of my favorite people to talk chess with, yet somehow it had been five years since his last visit to the pod. Jesse returned at a great time, having been both studying and competing actively, and recently achieving his goal of qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Senior Closed Championship. His recent over-the-board activity provided a springboard for us to discuss a wide range of topics, including:

 
How he has learned to confront his fears in tough, “meat-grinder” weekend tournaments

 
Why he believes weight training—and even certain health supplements—are important for older players, and may be the next frontier for professionals as well

 
How the ChessDojo curriculum and philosophy have evolved in recent years

I am also a big fan of Jesse’s book reviews on the ChessDojo YouTube channel, so I couldn’t let him go without sharing a few recommendations. We even closed the conversation by discussing Intermezzo, a recent novel by award-winning Irish writer Sally Rooney. I always admire Jesse’s dedication to improvement, and it’s a pleasure to hear his thoughtful perspectives on chess and beyond. Approximate timestamps of topics discussed are below.

0:02- Does Jesse ever find it hard to stay motivated to keep studying and reading chess books? 

0:03- Reflections on Jesse’s recent tournaments

0:05- What are the keys to GM Alex Fishbein’s recent success? 

0:09- What does Jesse do to work on his own chess?

Mentioned: Jesse’s review of the book TurboCharge Your Tactics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLBMmqk8an0

Also Mentioned: 

Perfect Your Chess

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Your-Chess-Ukrainian-Authors/dp/1915328063/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KXGHHH199SMQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XJTzNVQ4N6jtqAJlUh5KzvNBpaX4Cs6DkIe2E-15eIhEw6YsZYPA5HdNzRFsEzgzHHBYkJjSSdBddTS1PPcTP6iRXtOUrqULwf5Sc2JQUMHafGmhNIGcuYGQ8MyXxIkQhoxaHmbKuO0u94ls6vl8vhiehM-UnVvrZ17ce4FPjsd3ho3b08KJh-vPw89-SF0ccgo36HEXf7zwi__wKMmX8iO1_7DXOTHH5Pk9OgLrBUA.kPo0CC2fg8nMzpfrIKoCIvkTyNUwFvqAT7-k0iXzEmI&dib_tag=se&keywords=perfect+your+chess&qid=1756510333&sprefix=Perfect+Your+Chess%2Caps%2C267&sr=8-1

12:00- ChessDojo and Jesse’s fitness regimen

Jesse’s IG post here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMqT1jOuxcK/

Check out Dr. Nick Vasquez’s blog here:

https://nickvasquezmd.substack.com/p/clearing-the-fog

17:00- Are elite chess players likely taking cognitive supplements or other drugs to help their performances? 

20:00- What have been the biggest lessons from co-founding the ChessDojo?

25:00- What has Jesse learned from reading the works of IM Willy Hendriks?

28:00- Patreon mailbag question: What non-chess books influenced Jesse’s philosophy of chess improvement?

Mentioned: Mindset by Carol Dweck

Deep Work by Cal Newport 

30:00- Patreon mailbag question: Are books as effective as modern digital tools for chess improvement? 

32:00- Does Jesse have set hours for studying chess?

36:00- The strengths and weaknesses of Jesse’s competitors in next year’s US Senior Closed Championship. 

Mentioned: GM Larry Christiansen, GM Gregory Kaidanov, FM Doug Eckert 

38:00- New developments in the dojo

42:00- Jesse’s rest of 2026 tournaments 

44:00- We share our thoughts on the chess-adjacent novel Intermezzo by popular author Sally Rooney

https://www.amazon.com/Intermezzo-Novel-Sally-Rooney/dp/0374602638

54:00- Parting book recs

Mentioned: Polgar Chess

Logical Chess Move by Move 

58:00- Thanks to Jesse, for rejoining me! You can find him at the ChessDojo. (use code "ben" at checkout to save 10%

https://www.chessdojo.club/signup

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EP 449- GM Jesse Kraai on Confronting Tournament Fears, Mental and Physical Fitness, and What’s Next for Him and ChessDojo

Going Pro at 57: `GM Alex Fishbein on How New and Challenging Training Methods Fueled an Upset win at the US Senior Invitational 

At 57 years old, Tennessee-based Grandmaster and Author, Alex Fishbein, has built an impressive chess résumé, with 12 state-championship titles across four states and multiple appearances in U.S. Championship events. But until recently, his chess had always been balanced with a demanding finance career. Last year, for the first time since age 24, Alex stepped away from Wall Street to devote himself fully to chess—an experiment that paid off quickly. 

Through a rigorous and unconventional study routine—including his unique “post-postmortem” method—Alex pulled off a surprise victory at the 2025 U.S. Senior Invitational, despite entering as the second-lowest rated player. In our conversation, he reflects on:

 
The training methods that fueled his breakthrough

 
His advice for caring less about ratings

 
The outsized role of age and stamina in senior chess

 
Lessons learned from legends like Korchnoi and Keres

Alex’s story shows the power of playing actively against all comers, staying curious, and embracing new challenges, and he provides inspiration for chess players of all levels. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

Check out special offers for free trials and/or discounts from our partner websites including Chessmood, ChessDojo, and Chess.com via the link below:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners

02:30- GM Fishbein joins the podcast! We begin by discussing his recent tournaments 

Mentioned:

Episode 291 with GM Alex Fishbein:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2022/8/9/ep-291-gm-alex-fishbein-on-maintaining-a-passion-for-chess-into-ones-50s-plus-great-korchnoi-and-tal-stories

My System Fast Track Book Recap #37 with GM Alex Fishbein

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/6/21/book-recap-37-my-system-fast-track-edition-with-gm-alex-fishbeinnbsp

Also mentioned: Dan Joelson, IM Stuart Rachels 

08:00- What changes did Alex recently make to his training regimen?

Mentioned:

Interview with Nazi Paikidze and GM Yasser Seirawan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG156yEThSQ

15:00- Patreon mailbag question:

How are Alex’s preparation methods different as a professional vs.as an amateur? 

Mentioned: Solitaire Chess 

More on Solitaire Chess from FM Nate Solon here:

https://zwischenzug.substack.com/p/solitaire-chess

25:00- How and why did Alex begin to study the games and annotations of GM Paul Keres?

35:00- What was Alex’s approach to openings in the US Senior Closed? Did he try to surprise his opponents? 

Mentioned:

You can play through the games and openings mentioned from the tournament here:

https://www.chess.com/events/2025-us-national=championships-seniors/01/Fishbein_Alexander-Novikov_Igor

38:00- What separates the strength of GM Vladimir Akopian from the rest of the field? 

39:00- Why does GM Alex Fishbein think that the three youngest players were the ones to make the playoffs? 

Mentioned: Chess is My Life by GM Viktor Korchnoi

40:00- Why ratings are a mirage for the Senior Closed

45:00- Alex’s advice for caring less about one’s rating

Mentioned: Claud Bloodgood:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Bloodgood

53:00- Recent chess books Alex has read

Mentioned: Think Like a Super GM by GM Michael Adams and Phillip Hurtado 

55:00- Alex’s training tips for lower-rated players

1:00- Thanks to Alex for joining me again! You can reach him via email at:

Afish at panix.com 

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

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EP 447: Going Pro at 57- GM Alex Fishbein on How New and Challenging Training Methods Fueled an Upset win at the US Senior Invitational

Nicholas Sloan is a Wisconsin-based Network Engineer, a dad of 4, and an extremely motivated chess improver. Usually. But after an incredible run of gaining 500+ rating points in two years, fueled by consistent hard work and a unique study approach, Nick hit a wall. He gave back 150 rating points, and lost his motivation to work hard on chess. That can happen when you are a family man who is working full-time, studying for multiple hours a day, and creating chess content on top of that. Nick took time away to read some quality chess books, and to recalibrate his chess improvement plans. In our conversation Nick tells me: 

 
Why, after reflection, he has decided that the lofty goal of earning the National Master title is still worth pursuing. 

 
How a few chess books opened his eyes to the work he still had to do 

 
What he intends to do next

As a longtime reader of Nick’s blog, I was excited to finally chat with him, and I look forward to following his continued success. 

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners

02:00- Nicholas joins the show- check out his rating graph here:

https://www.uschess.org/datapage/ratings_graph.php?memid=12772484

05:00- What does Nick think contributed to his recent slump?

14:00- What effect did reading GM Jonathan Rowson’s books have on Nick?

Mentioned: Book Recap #14: Seven Deadly Chess Sins

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins

Book Recap #32: Chess for Zebras 

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2021/1/29/book-recap-the-seven-deadly-chess-sins

20:00- More book recs!

Mentioned: Road to Chess Improvement

Chess Improvement: It’s All in the Mindset

22:00- How did Nick adjust to being an emotional player?

24:00- How has Nick changed his approach?

Mentioned: Pump Up Your Rating 

27:00- What thought process is Nick using over the board?

Mentioned: GM Alexander Goldin 

28:00- What did Nick learn from the book Rapid Chess Improvement ?

Mentioned: CT-Art , Chessking App

32:00- How Nick avoids burnout

Mentioned: Episode 173 with NM Philemon Thomas, GM Johan Hellsten’s Mastering Chess Strategy

35:00- Why does Nick focus on local club tournaments rather than big weekend ones? Mentioned: Episode 346 with NM Todd Bryant 

40:00- Does Nick play a narrow or wide repertoire? 

44:00- How many tournament games does Nick aim to play per year? 

46:00- Nick’s approach to game analysis 

50:00- Thanks to Nick for joining! Here is his linktree that provides many ways to keep up with him:

https://linktr.ee/HighgroundChess

If you would like to join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Check out special offers for free trials and/or discounts from our partner websites including Chessmood, ChessDojo, and Chess.com via the link below:
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 445- “It Worked So Well That I Stopped Doing It”: Adult Improver Nicholas Sloan on Dealing with Burnout After a Rapid Rating Rise

With Chess.com's Pro Chess League headed into its Final Four this weekend, Greg fought through sickness to give us a quick rundown of the teams and players that will be playing this weekend, including Carlsen, So and Caruana. Greg also reflected a bit on the first season of the Pro Chess League and touched on his forthcoming chess book and on the upcoming US Championships. For more coverage of the Pro Chess League final 4 head over to chess.com and enjoy the extravaganza. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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EP.16 - IM Greg Shahade Returns for a Pro Chess League update

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