Chess improvement as an adult is harder than it should be. Plus, the journey can sometimes feel too stressful and serious. This show aims to fix that by 1) interviewing experts who can offer clarity on the best ways to improve; and 2) giving you a heap of fun with “chess entertainment” shows that discuss chess culture, events, movies, etc. Most episodes feature a guest, but sometimes I'll do a solo show on a topic. This is all brought to you by me, Daniel Lona. I’m a dedicated chess amateur and the owner of Adult Chess Academy. After listening to this podcast, I want you to have a clearer idea of how to improve, and have a more fun, dynamic chess experience. Please follow the show so you don’t miss an episode!
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Behind The Scenes of Chess Journalism with Vanessa Sun
104 This week’s guest is Vanessa Sun, a former chess journalist. For years, she covered events for US Chess, from major national tournaments like the US Open to local competitions.She was also a tournament director at the famous Marshall Chess Club in New York City. Plus, she’s volunteered for IM Greg Shahade at the US Chess School, which is a nonprofit that offers free chess coaching to the most promising juniors in the country.Beyond her chess experiences, she’s an atmospheric chemist and is currently in a Ph.D program.In this episode, we chat about her chess journey, including:What unique insights about chess she’s gained from covering tournaments and doing interviews as a chess journalist.Why she prefers classical and calls herself a “blitz hater.”Whether there’s any link between playing chess and intelligence.The powerful impact chess can have on people’s lives, even if they don’t make a career of it or work on the game regularly.Find Vanessa on Twitter>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Adult Improver Pod: Dr. Ryan Thomas - Revamping His Approach to Chess Study
103 Our guest is an inspiring adult improver, Dr. Ryan Thomas. Ryan is a surgeon, a cancer researcher, and a father of two. With all that, he’s still highly dedicated to chess improvement and his love of the game. Ryan regularly attends OTB classical tournaments, and his current USCF rating is 958 with a goal of 1200.In this episode, we discuss:Ryan’s journey from casual high school player to avid tournament competitor later in life. How all chess players share common bonds regardless of their skill level.What Ryan did to solve the problems of information overload & inconsistent practice. The courses Ryan revisited to ensure he practiced chess fundamentals. The parallels between chess and medical training, and how each has informed the other in Ryan’s life.Find Ryan on TwitterResources Referenced:FM Paul Giannotos: Everyone’s First Chess Workbook (Chessable)IM Andras Toth: Chess Principles Reloaded: Development (Chessable)GM Artur Yusopov: The Fundamentals 1: Build Up Your Chess (Chessable)>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
IM Boroljub Zlatanovic - How Amateurs Can Play Like GMs & Making Chess Principles a Top Priority
102 Learning from a prolific chess author and course creator is always exciting. Today we dive into various chess improvement topics from Serbian International Master, Boro Zlatanovic.Boro has published over two dozen courses and books. And in just five years!And his two most recent courses have been published with Chessable, including Masterpieces of Amateur Play and Conversion in the Endgame.One thing that stands out about Boro, and that I find refreshing, is that while we’re in an era where most published works are focused on openings, Boro prefers to write and teach about strategy, endgames, and chess psychology.In our discussion, we chat about:What you can learn from annotated amateur games, not only master games.The psychology and attitude you ought to have when playing higher-rated opponents. Why you should focus on understanding chess ideas & principles as the guiding star of your chess journey, not just memorization or what engine analysis tells you.More From Boro: Boro’s Chessable coursesBoro’s Books on Amazon>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
FM Megan Lee - Achieving New Heights as an Adult in OTB Chess
101 Megan Lee is an inspiration to all of us adult improvers. Even with a busy work life running two businesses, Megan has had an incredible year: reaching her lifetime rating peak (2297 FIDE), earning the FM title, and competing in the US Women’s Championship.In fact, this year will be her third invitation to that prestigious event.Yet she does this all on the side while she juggles a typical but heavy load of adult responsibilities.In this episode, we discuss:Why Megan can achieve more in chess as an adult than she did as a junior.Megan’s experiences competing at the US Women’s Chess Championship (including her prep for this year’s event.)What areas of her game she’ll need to strengthen to achieve the IM title.More from Megan: Snippet Studios (her lifestyle brand business)>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Podcast Schedule Update: Sept 3rd, 2024
A quick update on why the show has been MIA for three weeks (spoiler: COVID.) And when I'll resume...
Sicilian Advice: WIM Tea Gueci, A Top Italian Female Player & Chess Coach
0100 She’s rated one of Italy’s top female players and has coached adult improvers for years. And she is this show’s first Italian guest! WIM Tea Guecci has had an impressive chess career. She broke records by age twelve, becoming the youngest ever to win the Italian Women’s Chess Championship.She’s also played and represented her country in two Chess Olympiads.Recently, she launched her first Chessable course called, “My Secret Sveshnikov: The Sicilian by a Sicilian.”NOTE: To win the full video version of Tea’s course for free, follow me on Twitter for instructions on the giveaway Chessable & I will be doing between 8/14 and 8/19.In this episode, we discuss:The most common mistakes her adult improvers students make (and how to avoid them.)How well can you really learn from reviewing games on your own versus with a coach?What factors to consider in choosing which Sicilian to play.More From Tea:Chessable Course: My Secret Sveshikov: The Sicilian by a SicilianTwitchTwitterInstagram>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Chess Coach, Streamer, & Psychologist: WFM Fruzsina Szente-Varga
099 She’s been awarded “Chess Coach of the Month” by Chess.com. Plus, she has a master’s degree in psychology. Meet WFM Fruzsina Szente-Varga! Hailing from Hungary, Fruzsina has spent the past several years coaching adult club players and beginners.Additionally, she regularly creates excellent chess content through her Twitch & YouTube channels.In this interview, we discuss: How she uses her master’s degree in psychology to help her students.Common mistakes she sees club players making in their improvement journey (and strategies to avoid them.)How to set expectations for an OTB tournament so that you don’t get frustrated or disappointed if the event doesn’t go your way.Why she dislikes when coaches scold their students for mistakes and how it’s harmful to their development as chess players. More From Fruzsina:TwitchLichess Coaching PageChess.com BlogYouTubeTwitterInstagram>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Leveling Up the Chess Community for Adult Club Players w/ Kamryn Heller & Omar Mills
098 Adult club players are a fast-growing part of the chess community. But this growth is relatively new. And the community may not have fully caught up to our sizeable presence. So, in a first for this podcast, I’ve brought in two guests to help me discuss this subject and propose some ideas to make the community more engaging for us adult amateurs.Kamryn Hellman is an adult improver who rose to 2000 Chess.com Rapid in less than a year. Since then, she’s launched a YouTube channel and created a Chessable course for beginners.Omar Mills is a super-dedicated and inspiring club player who’s built a large chess Twitter following.In this episode, we discuss: The need for more adults-only OTB tournaments.The exciting opportunity for more online, adult amateur events a la Pogchamps (Omar suggests “Survivor: Chess Edition!”)Whether chess media should feature notable achievements or stories of adult club players.Kamryn: Chessable Course: 50 Essential Chess ConceptsYouTube TwitchTwitterOmar:Twitter>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Why Club Players Struggle Against 1.d4 (And Solving This Challenge) w/ IM Mateusz Kolosowski
097 Playing against 1.d4 can be awkward. Many club players say they’re less sure of what to do positionally and have more difficulty finding tactical possibilities. Even the most popular, and arguably best, opening responses like the Slav or the Queen’s Gambit Declined can leave club players unsatisfied.Why is that?And are there any openings that can at least ease this challenge?My guest, IM Mateusz Kolosowski, is here to help.He brings a decade of coaching experience to bear on this subject. And, he’s recently created a course on an opening that works well to ease these problems: the Albin Countergambit.But what we discuss is far more than the details of a single opening.In our chat, we also cover why club players inherently struggle with 1.d4 positions and openings. Which reveals some interesting insights.Hopefully, this episode is both therapeutic regarding 1.d4 woes...and helpful for you!More From Mat:Albin Countergambit CourseChessable Courses >> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
State of the Podcast: New Plans & Goals for 2024
096 After a two-week break, we are back! For the first time, I explain what I have in store for the podcast for 2024…and beyond. (Hint: it’s all good news!) From new episode formats to a different category of guests, I share my ambitions for this show.I also preview the upcoming launch of my community-themed membership for adult chess improvers, which will also have some connections to the podcast.The final part of this brief episode updates my struggles with regaining my former chess skills.Last, I’d love to hear from you directly! In this episode, I ask your thoughts on two different questions.Please send me your thoughts to either of those questions at either of the links below.Message me on my website contact page.DM me on Twitter.Not only will it help to get your feedback, but I’ll also respond to you within a couple of days. Thank you!
Grandmaster Insights On Mindset & Openings with GM Alex Colovic
095 GM Alex Colovic is an exceptional course creator and an engaging writer on all things chess. He returns to the pod to discuss some intriguing subjects from his weekly newsletter. I hand-picked three topics Alex wrote about that I found fascinating. We dive deep into each one:Why pro chess players (outside the Top 50) can't make a living competing anymore?Can you create a certainty of winning before the game begins that helps you play better?How can you ensure you bring a fighting spirit to each game you play? Finally, we discuss his latest opening courses for White that have been released on Chessable, and why it may be worth learning to play 1.e4 and 1.d4.More From Alex:Weekly NewsletterChessable CoursesTwitterWebsite & Blog>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Kaja Snare: Growing Chess's Popularity With Better Live Coverage
094 Kaja Snare, a pro chess broadcaster, has been leading chess into a new and more accessible era of live coverage. Gone are the days of top-level chess being watchable only for the most dedicated to the game. With her co-hosts, GM David Howell and WGM Jovanaka Houska, Kaja anchored one of the most popular live chess broadcasts our sport has ever seen.And for good reason…At Chess24, Kaja was part of a team that worked hard to make chess more accessible and more exciting for the general public with its live coverage.In our chat, Kaja shares how they helped move chess into era with greater reach and relatability.We also discuss: Hilarious stories Kaja shares from her interviews with Hikaru, Magnus, and Ivanchuk. How Kaja went from covering sports to focusing exclusively on chess - even as someone who originally knew very little about the game.A behind-the-scenes look at how the now-famous Chess24 broadcast team was assembled with Kaja, David, and Jovanaka.More From Kaja:TwitterInstagram >> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
NM Robert Ramirez: A Rising Chess Coach Star (with Tons of Improvement Tips!)
093 An exciting new chess coach has hit the scene. NM Robert Ramirez has seen a huge growth in popularity in the past several years. Already, his YouTube channel has grown to 140K subscribers at the time of this episode. He’s launched two Chessable opening courses in the past year alone...And his coaching advice and videos are being shared all over Chess Twitter.As you watch his videos and listen to Robert speak, it’s no surprise.His advice is extremely helpful (he may have solved my time trouble woes in this episode alone.)And he has a calm, assuring charisma. In this episode, we discuss:How he uses simplicity to balance his chess life with his work/home life. A powerful strategy to solve your time trouble issues if you play too slow.Why the Stonewall opening can be an aggressive surprise against your opponents if you’re a club player.More From Robert:YouTube channelChessable coursesWebsiteTwitter >> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Elaynah: All In With Chess - Chasing a Title & Rising Content Creator
092 It’s rare to see an adult chase a title and work full-time as a chess content creator. With passion and confidence, that’s exactly what this week’s guest, Elaynah, is doing with her chess life. It's an inspiring journey because, only two years ago, she was an absolute beginner who was beaten easily by her cousin at a Christmas party.Now?She’s rated 1800 Chess.com Rapid and has 22K followers for her chess Twitch channel - with both of those numbers quickly rising!In this episode, we chat:Her interest in getting chess media to focus more on adult improvers.What it’s like having IM Kostya Kavutskiy, of the Chess Dojo, as her coach.Why she expanded her chess content beyond streaming and into podcasting.Her plans to reach 2000 Chess.com Rapid this year. More From Elaynah: TwitchTwitterInstagramPodcast>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)Send me a message about this episode!
Emilia Castelao: Improving Chess Worldwide For Women & Becoming the Rare Chess Historian
Send me a message about this episode!This week’s guest, Emilia Castelao, approaches chess in rare but special ways. First, she’s making chess her career. Though not as a player, coach, or content creator. Instead, she’s pursuing a Ph.D in chess history.For most folks, that would take up a majority of their waking hours. Emila, however, has another major chess ambition.To improve the chess world for women.To that end, she recently co-founded a non-profit organization called the Women in Chess Foundation. Its goals are 1) to make OTB tournaments safer for women and 2) to help market women’s chess events.It already has the direct support of Jennifer Shahade, Jovanka Housaka, and the CEO of Chessable.In our interview, Emilia and I discuss her two chess endeavors, plus how her journey with the game led to these unique projects.More From Emilia: Women in Chess FoundationTwitter - EmiliaTwitter - Women in Chess >> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)