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!
Discussing Strategy For Club Players with IM Thomas Willemze
088 Like many chess subjects, knowing what to study for strategy is a bit murky. Especially if you’re a semi-confused club player like myself. So, who better to chat with about this topic than an author who has written three books on the subject? Welcome today’s guest: IM Thomas Willemze.Over the past six years, Thomas has published three popular books and several courses on the subject of strategy, all specifically aimed at the club player.In this episode, we discuss:Why it’s helpful to study both master and amateur games to improve your strategy knowledge.Why Thomas chose less common strategy ideas for his foundational book on the subject (like exchanging pieces and utilizing your rooks.)The benefits of studying the games of the most recent world champions.More From Thomas:Thomas’ Chessable CoursesThomas’ Books (Amazon Link)>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
7 Insights From 2 Years of Chess Podcasting With Daniel Lona
087 Rarely have I publicly reflected on my experiences from running this podcast. Or what I’ve learned from talking to so many titled players, coaches, and commentators. But it’s been a little over two years since the show’s launch. And it has recently crossed 250K downloads (woohoo!)To top it off, we’ve delivered eighty guest interviews and counting.So, I figured a little reflection was due.In this episode, I share insights on the improvement, insights on the chess community, and a few “behind-the-scenes” thoughts from years of being a chess podcast host.I also dive into: My five most personally meaningful episodes.Why I believe the chess community is better than most other skill/hobby communities.Why this podcast has only just begun.My membership relaunch is just weeks away! Sign up for the waitlist here to be notified.Links to Other Episodes Cited:NM Bruce PandolfiniRochelle BallantineGM Irina KrushIM Eric RosenWGM Jennifer Shahade>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Pod Update: Your "Chess Wish" & Next Episode on 4/16
Quick update: No full episode this week. But we'll return on 4/16/24. Wanna tell me how your chess journey is going? Or have any feedback for the podcast? You can send me a message here.Also, I asked my Twitter followers what their answer would be to my frequently asked pod question below. Send me your answer and I may read it on next week's solo pod!"If a chess genie existed and could grant you one chess wish, what would you wish for?"Send your answer through my website or reply to this Twitter post.
Countering the Effects of Aging on Chess Plus Tips on Strategy w/ WIM Natasha Regan
086 She’s a rock star of chess accomlishments. WIM Natasha Regan has represented England in two chess Olympiads. She’s co-authored two award-winning chess books with GM Matthew Sadler. And, in recent years, Natasha has co-created three Chessable courses on strategy.Even outside of chess, Natasha impresses.She earned a degree in mathematics from Cambridge University, has had a career as a professional actuary, and is an accomplished Go player.In this episode, we cover:Three strategies to fight back against the effects of aging on your chess.Why counterattacking is often better (and smarter) than pure defense.How learning to recognize intermediate moves can help you become an overall better chess player.More From Natasha: Her Chessable Courses: Zwishensuzg: A Comprehensive Guide to Intermediate Moves Learn to Counterattack: Essential Guide to Active DefenseGame ChangerHer Books:Game ChangerChess For LifeNatasha’s Twitter>>Join my official FREE Club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
GM Noël Studer: Adding Fun to Chess Improvement & Helpful Ideas From His New Beginner Course
085 GM Noël Studer is a fountain of superb chess advice. Many folks loved his first appearance on the show (Ep. 67.) And that’s why he’s here a second time! It’s rare and special to have a Grandmaster working hard to help club players improve their game.And, now, he even helps beginners.A former Swiss chess champion and the youngest GM ever from Switzerland...Noël has just released a comprehensive course to help beginner players (links are below.)In this episode, we discuss:Three strategies to make your chess study experience more fun.Help your beginner friends and family improve by understanding what will help them get better results (and which resources they should avoid.)Two beginner-level concepts that even Grandmaster Noël didn’t know until he created his course.If you want consistent improvement, you MUST separate these two types of chess activities.More From Noël:Course: Beginner Chess MasteryCourse: Next Level TrainingWebsiteBlogTwitter>>Join my official FREE Club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Adult Improver Pod: Chasing the WFM Title at 1900 FIDE w/ Kincső Toth
084 Hungary has a rich history of producing chess stars. Even at the adult improver level, you have the impressive accomplishments of our guest, Kincső Toth.She’s already reached 1900 FIDE and is gunning for the Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title - which requires a 2100 rating plus norms.And she does this all while earning her computer engineering degree in Budapest.Kincső infuses even more chess into her life by moderating online events for Chess.com and running a Twitch channel with thousands of followers.In this episode, we discuss:What she changed in her chess to leap 250 FIDE rating points in just one year.Are amateurs qualified to coach chess?Will she pursue a full-time career in chess if she earns the WFM title?More From Kincső: TwitterInstagramTwitchTikTok>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Rare Insights Into Chess & Psychology w/ Julia Rios
The life of a chess player is often emotional. There can be huge wins and the joy of learning, but also painful losses and sluggish improvement. Helping me gain new insights into how to address these challenges is clinical psychologist and co-host of the ChessFeels podcast, Julia Rios.Julia combines her professional knowledge with her chess experience to offer some brilliant insights into “chess psychology.”In this episode, we discuss:Does chess offer more emotional challenges than other endeavors?Should you not care about your rating?Does the expectation to improve hinder our enjoyment of chess? Bonus: A chess genie offers Julia one wish but she insists on getting three.More From Julia:ChessFeels Podcast ChessFeels TwitterJulia’s Twitter>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Chess Coaching: What To Look For & Getting The Most From It w/ IM Yuriy Krykun
082 Many adult improvers ask this question at least once: Should I get a chess coach? This episode is designed to help you figure out what to look for in a coach and how to maximize the experience.Helping me discuss this topic is IM Yuriy Krykun.Yuriy is a well-known course creator with Chessable, and a superb coach who’s helped countless students.In this episode, we cover: What are some of the qualities you should look for in a chess coach?Do you need to work towards a specific goal with your coach?Does it matter which title your coach has? (NM, FM, IM, etc.)What if you’re not improving after working with a coach?What are some of the traits of Yuriy’s most successful students?More From Yuriy:Yuriy’s Chessable CoursesYuriy’s Website (including contact form for coaching)Yuriy’s TwitterYuriy’s Coaching Page>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
IM Kostya Kavutskiy - GM Goals, Candidates Controversy, & Improvement Q&A
Renowned chess coach and co-founder of the Chess Dojo, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, returns to the podcast! Previously, we talked mostly about how to read annotated game books (Episode 17).This time, we cover a wide variety of topics. Including:What new insights the Chess Dojo has learned on helping adult improvers from running their online membership, called “Training Program.”Kostya’s recent OTB tournament experiences and how he chooses which ones to attend.His improvement approach for his personal chess goals, including earning the GM title.Whether the 2024 Candidates tournament had a fair qualifying process (and Kostya’s predictions for who might win.)Improvements questions from my Twitter followers.Where To Find More of Kostya/Chess Dojo’s Content: Training Program by Chess DojoChess Dojo - TwitchChess Dojo - YouTubeChess Dojo - TwitterChess Dojo - WebsiteKostya on TwitterKostya’s Endgames courseKostya’s Book
Five Essential Lessons From Coaching with IM Andras Toth
080 What can you learn from a year of coaching from one of the world’s best chess coaches More than can ever be packed into a single podcast episode! BUT we cover the top five lessons I learned from IM Andras Toth - with Andras doing a deep dive into each one.Andras is an extraordinary chess coach. He has a YouTube channel full of entertaining videos on powerful chess improvement help.Plus, he has a wide variety of Chessable courses on essential topics every adult club player should learn.In this episode, we cover:Why losing material is the last variable that matters in chess.Does Puzzle Rush help with calculation speed?Why do adults struggle to seize attacking opportunities?Is age a barrier to improvement?More From Andras:Andras's Chessable CoursesYouTube ChannelTwitch Channel Twitter>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Turning A Passion For Chess Into a Career with WIM Charlize van Zyl
079 Sometimes a passion for chess runs so deep you want to make it your life. That’s the story of South Africa’s WIM Charlize van Zyl. While she earned the WIM at just age 13, she didn’t fully realize her passion for the game until she left it for five years and then returned to it as an adult.From there, she earned her way to multiple Chess Olympiads and is now gunning for the WGM title.Plus, she has a chess business and recently became a reporter for FIDE’s most elite tournaments.We also discuss:What chess skills she needs to develop to go from WIM to WGMWhat it’s like interviewing Magnus CarlsenWhat top chess player she’d most like to hang out withMore From Charlize:Charlize’s TwitterCharlize’s InstagramCharlize’s business, Chess KiddingJoin my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
The Adult Improver Chess Life with Sam Canciobello
078 Dedicating three years of your life to chess as an adult is huge. Especially when it includes OTB classical tournaments and running a chess YouTube channel. That’s been the story of Sam Canciobello.Inspired by the Queen’s Gambit, her passion for chess - now in its fourth year - has been consistent and impressive.In this episode, we cover the different stages of her chess life, her long-term goals, and lessons she’s learned along the way. We also discuss:Was it worthwhile for her to spend a large volume of time on openings at the beginning of her journey?What factors have helped her improve the most?Why great women players had a big impact on her chess life.More From Sam:Sam’s TwitterSam’s YouTube channel>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
How to Make Losing Less Painful In Chess with Daniel Lona
077 Part of being a chess player is losing many games. But what if those experiences didn’t have to be so painful? To that end, I solicited advice on how to deal with the most difficult losses.I received feedback from the adult improver community on social media, a handful of chess coaches, and a dash of my insights.Then, I collected what I felt was the most helpful advice, categorized them, and put them into a 5-step process. It can be used anytime you endure a particularly emotional or upsetting loss.The advice here ought to help you reduce some of that emotional bite from a loss, as well as ensure you don’t beat yourself up too much over it.Here’s to making your chess journey more enjoyable! >> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Update: Episode Schedule For This Week
Just a 30-second update on this week's episode schedule (and topic)! Don't wanna leave ya wondering!
WGM Jennifer Shahade: Her New Tactics Book, Appearing on Jeopardy, & Leaving US Chess
076 Jennifer Shahade returns to the podcast! 2023 was a major one for her, and we discuss the major milestones of her year.If you’re not familiar, Jennifer is a 2-time US Women’s Chess Champion, author of 4 chess books (including the recent hit Chess Queens), and a long-time advocate of making the chess community a better place for women and girls.In this episode, we talk about:A recent, fun chess experience she’s had on Jeopardy.Her new tactics book, Play Like a Champion, that features well-known women chess players (and why the book helps if you’ve only been doing online tactics.)The challenges she’s faced by stepping down as head of the US Chess Women and leaving US Chess.A peek into Jen’s next book, Thinking Sideways.More From Jen:Book: Play Like a ChampionBook: Chess QueensWebsiteTwitterFacebookInstagram>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)