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
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EP 416- IM Malcolm Pein: The Award-winning Journalist and Organizer on the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, and Why He Is Optimistic about Chess Despite Recent Stumbles
IM Malcolm Pein is an institution in British chess who has played nearly every role imaginable in helping to grow the game. He is a former professional player who was the British Junior Champion in 1977 , but these days is extremely busy as an organizer, journalist, author, store-owner, and Captain of the England Olympiad team. After an eventful FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, I thought Malcolm would be a great person to chat with about the controversies, and about the general health of chess in 2025, both in Great Britain, and in the world generally. As the Founder and Organizer of the London Chess Classic, Malcolm regularly interacts with corporate sponsors and was able to contextualize the positive trajectory of chess despite recent negative headlines. We also touch on the business of selling chess books, Malcolm’s work at the grassroots level, and his thoughts on the passing of legendary GM Robert Hubner. I found this to be an informative and encouraging conversation, and think that you will as well. You can read my article about the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz here, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter as well! https://benjohnson.substack.com/p/10-observations-about-the-world-rapid 0:03- Malcolm shares his thoughts on the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Hans Niemann interview with IM Levy Rozman- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2fGrnTZNP4 31:00- Malcolm discusses the origins of The London Chess Classic, and the most recent edition - Mentioned: Malcolm’s 2022 Chessbase India interview with Chessbase India https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDjh-CVEu5Y 38:00- How did GM Nikita Vitugiov end up transferring and moving to the U.K. 42:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is English chess in decline? 45:00- What were the origins of Malcolm’s Chess in Schools and Communities program in London? 49:30- Patreon mailbag question: What are some unexpected lessons Malcolm has learned through his organization’s community impact? 53:00- What is the most common question Malcolm hears from potential chess sponsors? 56:00- Patreon mailbag question: What changes does Malcolm foresee to chess in the next 10 years? 58:00- We discuss the business of selling books in person, both at Malcolm’s shop in London, and at OTB tournaments. Mentioned: Chess4Less.com 1:02:00- We discuss the work Malcolm has done consulting for television show’s, including Apple TV’s great show, Slow Horses. Mentioned: You can watch the scene Malcolm consulted on here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8h17xz 1:06:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is it possible for an independent candidate to become FIDE President? 1:08:00- Did Malcolm know the recently deceased GM Robert Hübner ? Thanks so Malcolm for an incredibly insightful interview, you can follow him on X here, or visit him at the next London Chess Classic! https://x.com/telegraphchess?lang=en If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
EP 415- GM-Elect Mark Heimann on his Unexpected Road From OTB-retired FM to 31 year-old GM in 3 years!
31-year-old GM-elect Mark Heimann is an accomplished research scientist by day, and avid powerlifter, who has recently been making headlines in the U.S. chess scene during his work vacation time. In late 2024, Mark went on a stunning run where he earned GM norms in back-to-back tournaments in order to clinch the GM-title, less than 3 years removed from being an inactive FM. These experiences were highlighted by playing on the top boards in Charlotte and St. Louis, playing GM Fabiano Caruana twice, and even hearing his game dissected by GM Caruana on the C-Squared podcast. Mark joined me to explain what he thinks has led to this incredible chess breakthrough, and to answer a question that GM Anish Giri recently tweeted- “Who is Mark A. Heimann?” Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com! Their entire catalog is on sale through the end of the year! https://www.chessable.com/courses/ 0:02: GM-elect Mark Heimann joins the show! What spurred his chess comeback in 2022? Mentioned: Chess Reddit posts by Mark: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1h92nh4/mark_heimann_becomes_gm_after_earning_3rd_gm_norm/ https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1bzcmgf/my_first_grandmaster_norm_age_31/ 0:08- Does Mark think there are any similarities between his recent surge, and Hikaru’s continued success in recent years? 0:17- Mark on navigating the nerves, and the chess, of clashes with top players like Ivanchuk and Caruana. Mentioned: Heimann-Caruana, Charlotte 2024 https://www.chess.com/events/2024-us-masters/09/Heimann_Mark-Caruana_Fabiano 0:24- Mark recalls an early game with Caruana from when they were both top scholastic players. 26:00- Why did Mark put chess on the backburner at age 18? 34:00- What is Mark’s study routine like? 45:00- Mark discusses his passion for musical instruments and weight-lifting. 52:00- What is next for Mark, chess-wise? 56:00- Mark discusses his A.I. research, including some discussion of chess ratings. 1:05- Mark’s favorite chess books. Mentioned: Chess for Zebras, Excelling at Technical Chess, Small Steps to Giant Improvement 1:11:00- Thanks to Mark for sharing his inspiring story, you can follow him on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/lastgoodcaesar/ If you 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 413- David MacEnulty: An Award-WInning Author and Chess Teacher on his New Book, Sunrise in the Bronx
David MacEnulty is an award-winning author and chess teacher who coached for many years at CES 70 school in the Bronx. In this public school in a disadvantaged school district, the chess program began with modest expectations, but went on to win many national championships. David’s new book, Sunrise in the Bronx: Chess and Life Lessons from the South Bronx to the White House, tells the story of the many kids whose lives were changed through chess. In our interview, David shares a few of his favorite stories, with plenty of lessons to impart for both parents and anyone else who wishes to introduce the younger generation to chess. After CES-70, David went on to head the chess program at the Dalton School, an elite private school. In the book, and in our conversation, David also reflects on the similarities and differences in coaching at such different schools. As a longtime friend of David’s, I was excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint me. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 0:02- How did David accidentally become a chess teacher in his 40s? What lessons did he learn? 22:00- Will there be an audiobook, will the book be on KIndle? 24:00- What surprising skills did chess help kids develop? 28:30- Patreon mailbag question- “Does David have any advice for motivating students to study chess at home?” Mentioned: Matthew Looks, Bruce Alberston 35:40- Patreon mailbag question: “What is David’s advice for encouraging your kid to pursue tournament chess without ‘bulldozing them’?” 45:00- How did David and CES 70’s National Championship team get to meet President Bill Clinton? 46:00- What are the crucial components of chess improvement? 47:00- How does David spend his time in retirement? 48:00- We discuss the value of extra-curriculars at school 50:00- Should kids get trophies for just participating in tournaments? 52:00- Thanks to David for joining me! Sunrise in the Bronx is available from Amazon, New in Chess, and many major booksellers. https://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Bronx-Chess-Lessons-South/dp/9083434907 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bonus Pod- FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Preview featuring IM Eric Rosen and FM Alisa Melekhina
In the chess world, the holiday season means its almost time for one of the most entertaining tournaments of the year- The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championship. This year’s championship events are star-studded affairs featuring GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Hikaru Nakamura, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and a litany of big-name challengers. For the first time, these events will be taking place in New York CIty, and I will be attending the event and subsequently covering them here on Perpetual Chess. Joining me to discuss the tournament are two wildcard participants. First up (9:00) is the ever-popular Youtuber and Twitch streamer, IM Eric Rosen. Among other topics, IM Eric Rosen shares how he got the opportunity to play in the tournament, discusses whether he feels any apprehension about potentially tangling with so many world-class players, and discusses how he prepares for such an event. Eric joined me just after returning from the World Championship in Singapire, so he also reflects on that experience as well. Following Eric, I am joined by FM Alisa Melekhina (35:00) . Alisa was one of the top players her age as a scholastic player, and is now a litigation partner at an NYC-based law firm. Alisa explains why she couldn’t resist the opportunity to participate in the Women’s Rapid Championship despite a busy professional life. Alisa co-founded the New York City Corporate Chess League and she also shares the background on that thriving endeavor. As always, I enjoyed chatting with Eric and Alisa, and look forward to watching them compete in this marquee event. 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 413- GM Daniel Naroditsky Looks Back at Gukesh's Rise, Ding's Disappointment & the Heightened Emotions of the 2024 World Championship
Just one day after the match's unforgettable conclusion, I am honored to be joined by lead Chess.com Commentator and popular YouTuber, GM Daniel Naroditsky. Danya takes us straight to the deciding moment of the match and then looks back to contextualize broader lessons from a battle that was closer than many expected. We tackle questions such as: Is it possible that Ding subconsciously was ok with losing this match? How uncharacteristic was Ding's blunder for a GM? Did this match display more raw emotion than other recent World Championships? Is Magnus Carlsen's commentary impacting the chess discourse too much during a match? Following a detailed World Championship discussion, we touch on a few other topics, including the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, Danya's upcoming Chessable course, and his recent coaching reflections. It was quite a treat to hear Danya process this match in real-time just one day after its conclusion. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match, the new Woodpecker Method 2 course, among their many offerings. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 0:02- Inside the unforgettable, match-deciding Rf2 moment. 0:08- How unusual is such a blunder? 0:20- What is next for Ding? 0:26- Was this match unusually emotional? 0:32- Is Magnus’ commentary overly influencing chess discourse? 0:49- Did the opening choices surprise Danya? 1:00:00- The one broadcasting gig that Danya accidentally slept through 1:10:00- The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, Danya’s upcoming Chessable course, & other plans Thanks to Danya for joining me! Be sure to sub to his YouTube and Twitch channels: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP9CdeguNUI-_nBv_UXBhw https://www.twitch.tv/gmnaroditsky 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 412- GM Jon Ludvig Hammer on Broadcasting the World Championship, How Chess is Covered in Norway & His Pet Opening System
GM Jon Ludvig Hammer is 3-time Norwegian Champion, popular commentator and highly-reviewed Chessable author. Most recently, GM Hammer has been broadcasting the World Championship for the YouTube channel of Magnus Carlsen’s TakeTakeTake app. In our conversation, Jon Ludvig discussed the origins of the Taketaketake company, and of his relationship with it. He also discussed the challenges of announcing without an engine, and shared his opinions on the best ways to present chess. Jon Ludvig has done a lot of coaching of amateurs around Chess.com’s Pogchamps, and also shares some chess improvement advice based on that experience, and tells the story of how it helped him shape an opening repertoire which he currently shares in his new Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black. We also touched on cheating in chess, Chess960, and GM Hammer’s 2025 plans. I always enjoy hearing GM Hammer’s takes, and I think that you will as well. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. This episode was recorded on December 3, and does not discuss the current state of the FIDE World Championship. For updated coverage of the Ding-Gukesh match check out the bonus pods. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.In addition to GM Hammer’s course, be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 0:00- What is the origins of GM Hammer’s collaboration with Magnus’ new app, which is called TakeTakeTake Mentioned: Kaja Snare, WFM Dronning Maud, Sjakksnak Podcast with GM Hammer, the Magnus and Levy post-mortems we referenced are on the TakeTakeTake YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TakeTakeTakeApp 12:00- What are the chess broadcasts on TV like in Norway now that Magnus is semi-retired? 19:00- Why does Hammer think that chess is so much more popular as a spectator rather than participatory activity? 26:00- What frustrates GM Hammer about recent chess discourse? Mentioned: Chess in Slums, Brooklyn Castle, GM Ian Nepomniatchtchi cheated as an experiment against Hans Niemann: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1gvwoc1/nepo_admits_to_using_stockfish_against_hans_in/ 38:00- Does GM Hammer do any coaching? 44:00- Is classical chess too slow? How is it presented on Norway television broadcasts? 52:00- How did Hammer discover his own Black setup for his Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black? Mentioned: Mr. Savage, BenjyFishy 1:02:00- GM Hammer’s upcoming plans and projects If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bonus Pod- Ding-Gukesh in the Homestretch. Post-round 12 Analysis, Stories and Chess Improvement Takeaways with IM Andras Toth
An utterly unpredictable and entertaining World Championship match continues, and I am joined by popular YouTuber, Streamer, and Chessable Author, IM Andras Toth to discuss it. Andras has been regularly updating a free course on the program, and also had recently returned from visiting the match in Singapore. Andras provides a fun trip report, we discuss the many surprising aspects of the match, and we try to ascertain a few improvement takeaways for amateur players from this clash. Perpetual Chess will be back with one more look at this match after is conclusion. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com, you can check out Andras’ free course here: https://www.chessable.com/world-chess-championship-2024-ding-vs-gukesh/course/281790/ If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bonus pod- Tension escalates, as Ding-Gukesh remains tied after 9 rounds. Chess.com’s FM Mike Klein shares behind-the-scenes stories from Singapore.
Tension continues to escalate at the 2024 FIDE World Championship, as the match is now tied after 9 rounds. In recent rounds, both players have missed opportunities at times and also defended well in an entertaining match. In a Perpetual Chess World Championship tradition, I am joined by Chess.com’s FM Mike Klein. With so much insightful match analysis available online, Mike and I focused on what it is like behind the scenes at the venue, what he observes about he moods of the competitors, and how this match compares with others that Mike has covered. As always, Mike shared some funny anecdotes drawn from his ringside seat. We will back with more coverage as the match continues to unfold. Watch Mike Klein’s (pre-match) interview with GM Ding Liren here: https://youtu.be/NkoWqaHpmGM?si=uS-Or_kAyb_FiO6R Watch his (pre-match) interview with Gukesh here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBYpdWX7m_Q If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
EP 411- Adult Improver Supraja Vadlamani on How He She Went from Chess Noob to Olympiad Participant in Just a Few Years.
The Adult Improver Series returns to spotlight the inspiring story of another amateur chess player. This week’s guest is Supraja Padlamani. Supraja is a Canada-born, Uganda-based economist who learned to play chess just a few years ago. Her interest intensified during the pandemic, and through some unusual circumstances, Supraja got the opportunity to play in the Olympiad for Niger. Supraja has also made impressive chess progress in just a few years, reaching Chess.com blitz and rapid ratings of 1800 and 1750 respectively. In just a few years, Supraja has improved her game immensely and crossed paths with the likes of GM Fabiano Caruana and IM Eric Rosen. In our conversation, she shares her unique chess story and hard-won improvement advice. Timestamps of topics discussed and links of resources referenced can be found below. If you would like to join or check out the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess https://www.chessable.com/world-chess-championship-2024-ding-vs-gukesh/course/281790/ Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Their new courses include IM Andras Toth’s course about the World Championship is here. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 0:1:30- Supraja joins the podcast and shares her chess origins. Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen, WGM Tijana Mandura, GM Igor Smirnov, Chessmood.com, The Russo Gambit 13:00- What has Supraja’s approach to speed chess been? 16:00- Life in Uganda 19:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is chess supported by the government in Niger? 21:00- how is the chess scene in Uganda? 24:00- Supraja details her fierce chess rivalry with her boyfriend 25:00- Olympiad reflections and sightings Mentioned: GM Fabiano Caruana 32:00- Supraja’s tournament plans 39:00- How much time per week does Supraja study chess? 43:00- Does she follow professional class 44:00- Supraja’s favorite and least favorite aspects of chess 44:00- Supraja’s favorite openings Mentioned: Maia bots 47:00- Supraja completes her IM Eric Rosen story Mentioned: Cameo.com 51:00- Supraja’s closing chess advice. 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
Bonus Pod- The World Championship is Deadlocked through 6 Games. IM Michael Rahal joins from Singapore & GM Jon Ludvig Hammer on the Match’s Surprising Trajectory
The 2024 FIDE World Championship has been somewhat surprisingly tense and entertaining, and is tied after 6 games. I was privileged to be joined by two return guests to discuss the following: IM Michael Rahal (0:00) describes the venue and Singapore and provides behind the scenes details as FIDE’s Press Officer. GM Jon Ludvig Hammer (35:00) has been Broadcasting the Event for The TakeTakeTake YouTube Channel and Discusses the Openings, as well as whether he thinks Ding can continue to keep Gukesh on his heels. We hope to have more bonus coverage to come, and will definitely be following and covering the World Championship once it has concluded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
EP 410- Chess improvement, Chess Business, and AI coaching with GM Avetik Grigoryan of Chessmood.com
GM Avetik Grigoryan is the founder and lead trainer of the education chess website Chessmood.com. I last interviewed Avetik in 2020, and his company has seen explosive growth since then. We discussed what Avetik has learned about growing a chess start-up, but also what he has learned about the challenges adults face in trying to improve at chess. Whereas previously Avetik thought the biggest obstacle was that people set unrealistic goals, now he sees a few bigger issues. We also talked about how artificial intelligence will impact chess improvement in the future and some of the tools Chessmood is working on to make improvement easier. As always, timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Their new courses include Chessable- Gukesh’s Masterful Moves.If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro To sign up for a free month of Chessmood, use the following link: http://Chessmood.com/Ben 2:00- Avetik’s World Championship Thoughts Mentioned: GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming 5:30- Chess Improvement: Why did Avetik write that “Chess improvement has never been so easy, but never been so hard?” Mentioned: NM Robert Ramirez Avetik’s post regarding “Study, Practice, Fix” is here: https://chessmood.com/blog/how-to-get-better-at-chess 24:00- Avetik discusses the AI-enabled chess study tools that Chessmood is launching soon 41:00- What is it like to run a chess startup like Chessmood? 45:00- Avetik’s (non-chess) book recommendations: Mentioned: Beyond Positive Thinking The Third Door A New Earth 51:30- What did Avetik observe about my play from reviewing my games? Mentioned: Chess for Life Thanks to Avetik, for joining me! To sign up for a free month of Chessmood, use the following link: http://Chessmood.com/Ben If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
EP 409- GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez: A tireless tournament circuit grinder on Overcoming Setbacks, Managing Energy, the Risks of OTB Cheating & His Love for the Scotch Opening
This week’s guest, GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez is an accomplished trainer, player, Chessable author and one of the busiest players on the US tournament circuit. As such a frequent competitor, Fidel has had more than his share of successes (including winning the 2023 World Open!), but I have nonetheless often wondered how he finds the time and energy to play at a high level so frequently and consistently. Hearing Fidel’s fascinating life story helped me untangle the mystery. Fidel and I covered a ton of topics, including: Why he quit his job as a computer programmer in 2023 to work full time in chess His long and winding path from Cuba to the United States Attending Webster University with GM Wesley So, IM Eric Rosen and others The most common mistakes he sees by his amateur students How much he worries about OTB cheating as a frequent competitor for the top prizes His deep love for the Scotch Opening This nearly 90-minute conversation flew by, and I am confident that you will enjoy it, as I did. Timestamps for topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro Thanksgiving Chessmood giveaway! To access a free one-month membership to Chessmood.com and check out their 500+ hours of GM lessons- just click this link: https://chessmood.com/ben 0:02- Fidel has a family and a busy work schedule but manages to play OTB quite frequently, how does he manage? Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen 10:00- Fidel tells the story of how he first got a Visa in the US. Mentioned: GM Susan Polgar 16:00- Why did Fidel quit his programming job to focus on chess in 2023? 27:00- Advice for getting over a tough loss. 30:00- As someone competing for top prizes, how worried is Fidel about OTB cheating? What about online cheating? 37:00- What are the biggest challenges Fidel sees in his under 1800 students? 40:00- Recommended chess books Mentioned: Can You Be a Positional Chess Genius? , Magnus Carlsen: Endgame Virtuoso, Improve Your Chess Calculation by GM Ramesh 50:00- Has Fidel ever played with the Cuban legend, GM Leiner Dominguez? 52:00- How did Fidel and his sister, WIM Zenia Corrales Jimenez get into chess? Mentioned: IM Joaquin Carlos Diaz 1:05:00- Fidel discusses his time at Webster University with stars like GM Wesley So, Ray Robson and Le Quang Liem. 1:10:00- What was it like to play GM Judit Polgar in the World Cup? 1:13:00- We discuss Fidel’s experience with the Scotch Opening Mentioned:Mayhem in the Scotch: https://www.chessable.com/mayhem-in-the-scotch/course/259795/ 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 408- FIDE World Championship Mega Preview- Talking Ding Liren with GM Davorin Kuljasevic, Gukesh with IM Cyrus Lakdawala and Match Statistics with NM Matt Jensen
It is World Championship season again! The FIDE World championship takes place from November 25 to December 13, in Singapore. As you probably know, GM Ding Liren will be defending his title against 18 year old wunderkind, GM Gukesh D. This is a unique matchup which features a fast-rising top 5 challenger, and a slumping World Champion who has fallen out of the top 20. Joining me to discuss it are three separate guests in the following order: Top trainer, author, and Ding Liren biographer, GM Davorin Kuljasevic shares his match thoughts. How does Ding’s recent play differ from that of “peak Ding?” Author of From Boy to Man to Challenger: The Fiercest Battles of Gukesh D , IM Cyrus Lakdawala on why he thinks Gukesh has a chance to be an all-time great. Statistician, and co-founder of Chessgoals.com, NM Matt Jensen on the betting markets, the likelihood of a tiebreak, and one key statistical factor that favors Gukesh. Chatting about the World Championship always gets me excited for the match, and this year is no exception. Timestamps for guests and topics discussed is below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 0:00- Intro- Intro and Match facts 0:06- GM Davorin Kuljasevic joins to discuss GM Ding Liren, as well as his general thoughts on the match. 0:12- What openings might we expect? Which seconds might he be working with? Mentioned: GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s Tweet: https://x.com/EugenePerel/status/1850321592678555941 World Championship bettings odds here: https://sports.bwin.com/en/sports/events/fide-world-championship-2024-15724987 23:00- Thanks to GM Kuljasevic for joining me, you can get his book on GM Ding Liren here 25:00- IM Cyrus Lakdawala joins to discuss GM D Gukesh Mentioned: From Boy to Man to Challenger: The Fiercest Battles of Gukesh D 35:00- Cyrus’ match predictions 39:00- Gukesh opening predictions 49:00- Cyrus’ upcoming projects 51:00- Statistician and NM Matt Jensen of Chessgoals.com joins to give a statistical preview to the match. 58:00- What is the expected draw rate for this match? What are the odds of a tiebreak? 1:08:00- What is new with Matt’s website Chessgoals? Check out the Chcessgoals ourses here, Use the code Ben2024 to save 30%: https://courses.chessgoals.com/collections/ Check out their podcast “No Pawn Intended” on the Chessgoals YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChessGoals 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 407- News and the Nimzo with GM Ben Finegold- Recent cheating Controversies, The US Championships, Favorite Openings, & Chess Gambling Stories
GM Ben Finegold is back to share his thoughts on all of the recent crazy chess news. The popular commentator, YouTuber, and Chessable author and I discuss the controversies and highlights of the US Championships, as well as the most recent cheating accusations leveled by GM Vladimir Kramnik. Do these accusations have more merit than other recent ones? We also discuss OTB cheating, as Ben draws some comparisions to cheating episodes in the game of Bridge. Lastly, we discuss why the Nimzo-Indian is a favorite opening of Ben’s and Ben shares a few of his favorite stories related to chess and gambling. As always, timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com. Check out Ben’s course, Starting Out: Nimzo-Indian. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro Mentioned: GMs Daniel Naroditsky and Vladimir Kramnik on the Levitov channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFwfC6Y1SAQ Danya on C-Squared https://youtu.be/RGiDosCed48?si=94GZd6Dx2TiD3wal 19:00- The Shevchenko story and OTB cheating. 23:00- How does cheating in bridge compare to chess? Is it easier to improve at bridge than chess? 27:00- Patreon mailbag question- What is worse, OTB cheating or the fear of OTB cheating? 30:45- We discuss the GM Christopher Yoo story and the stress of OTB chess. 39:00- Ben discusses the Nimzo-Indian and other favorite openings from childhood Mentioned: Starting out: The Nimzo Indian https://www.chessable.com/starting-out-nimzo-indian-defense/course/258506/ Tal-Botvinnik 1960 47:00- Patreon mailbag question: How you can acquire skills rather than knowledge from watching videos? 49:00- Ben shares a few stories about gambling on blitz and bullet chess. Mentioned: GM Kirill Georgiev 58:00- Ben’s World Championship thoughts 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 406- Peter Doggers on The Chess Revolution: A big picture look at Cheating, Engines and the Explosion of Online Chess
Peter Doggers is an award-winning chess journalist who is currently the director of News and Events at Chess.com. His role has given him a ringside seat to modern chess history, as he has attended many of the world’s top events, and interviewed the likes of GM Garry Kasparov, Hikaru Nakamura, and countless others. Peter’s new book, The Chess Revolution: From the Ancient World to the Digital Age covers everything from the beginnings of chess, to its many representations in pop culture, to the explosion in popularity the game has experienced in the internet age. Peter’s excellent book covers chess from all angles, so we zeroed in on a few of my favorite topics from the book including: the history of chess and computers, recent stories around chess cheating, and their implications for the future of chess, the rise of Chess.com, and the story behind the making of Peter’s book. Every chess fan will learn something from Peter’s book, and I greatly enjoyed discussing it with him. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com. Check out their new offerings including GM Garry Kasparov’s much anticipated Chessable debut! If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 0:03- We begin by discussing allegations of GM Kirill Shevchenko cheating at an OTB tournament 11:00- We discuss OTB and online cheating more generally 16:00- Peter tells a story from his book, of the famous Mechanical Turk, which was an 18th-century chess-playing machine with a human hidden behind it. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=the+turk+chess 21:00- We discuss the famous Kasparov-Deep Blue match as well as another watershed “man vs. machine” match featuring GM Michael Adams. Mentioned: The TV series Rematch- more info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rematch_(miniseries) 25:00- Patreon mailbag question: Where does Peter see chess heading in the next 10 years? Mentioned: IM Daniel Rensch’s interview with Ilya Levitov https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JeMsV9aNec 32:00- Peter tells the story of what he believes to be the first online encounter between Magnus and Hikaru in 2004 on the Internet Chess Club. We also discuss a “Secret” Magnus-Hikaru blitz match. Mentioned: YouTube excerpt from Macauley Peterson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGXvcQP6VPo 37:00- The history of Chess.com and LiChess Mentioned: Lichess founder Thibault Duplessis 39:00- We discuss the chess GOATS- Magnus, Fischer and Kasparov. As discussed in last week’s episode with FM Charles Hertan, did he consider Morphy for the GOAT list? 44:00- What was the biggest challenge in writing the book and compiling the material? 52:00- How did Peter find a publisher, that ultimately wound up in a bidding war? 58:00- Did Peter write in English or Dutch? 1:00:00- Peter’s favorite chapters? 1:02:00- Peter’s plans for an OTB comeback. 1:04:00- Thanks to Peter for joining! Here is how to reach him: You email Peter at Peter at chess dot com peterdoggers.com Chess.com profile- https://www.chess.com/players/peter-doggers Get the book here- https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+chess+revolution+peter+doggers&crid=2PYSZWX9BPES&sprefix=the+chess+rev%2Caps%2C164&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_13 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices