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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Powerful Improvement Advice with IM David Pruess
054 This episode features one of the three "senseis" of Chess Dojo, IM David Pruess, for a deep dive on a variety of chess topics. Whether it’s discussing if the latest World Championship is worthy of our time, or what he still wanted to contribute to chess after decades of being in the game - you can count on David to bring depth and sharp analysis to our chat. Plus, as the co-founder of one of the best chess education platforms in the world, David offers great improvement insights for you in this episode, including:What would he do differently to improve faster if he started chess all over again?Why having a training partner is one of the best strategies for accelerating your chess skill that’s rarely taught or followed.Clear and straightforward advice on balancing fun with chess improvement.More From David Pruess and Chess Dojo:David’s TwitterChess Dojo’s Training ProgramChess Dojo’s TwitchChess Dojo’s YouTubeChess Dojo’s Twitter>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
World Chess Championship Preview with FM Carsten Hansen
053 The next World Chess Championship match is around the corner! While there’s no Magnus, there’s still plenty to be excited about. This preview episode is made for the club player or casual chess fan - meaning it’s accessible and easy to follow.I interview FM Carsten Hansen, one of the most prolific chess authors around, and in our discussion, he’ll help you: 1) understand what makes this a rare match-up, 2) the styles of each player and how they’ll clash, and 3) who’s expected to win and whyThe match begins Sunday, April 9th. But this episode will be worth listening to even several days after that to help you understand what’s happening. More From FM Carsten Hansen: Carsten’s chess books Carsten’s website Carsten on Twitter>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
What Makes A Good Chess Commentator With GM Jon Ludvig Hammer
052 How do we grow the game? A major way has been the huge popularity of live-streamed events with star players and world-class commentary. But whether that commentary is engaging and accessible to chess fans is critical to our game’s popularity.So, what should you look for in chess commentary?That’s a major theme that I discuss with GM Jon Ludvig Hammer in this week’s episode.Hammer has been a professional commentator for nearly a decade. He regularly works for TV 2 Norway. He’s also been a contributor for Chess.com and GM Hikaru Nakamura’s Twitch channel.Prior to his commentator career, Hammer reached Super GM status with a 2705 FIDE rating. And he was Magnus Carlsen’s second in the 2013 and 2014 World Chess Championships.In this episode, Hammer and I also discuss a key improvement topic:Do you need to play classical chess to become a better player? (We take different views!)Plus, enjoy an episode that’s more discussion-style instead of the usual interview format, per Hammer’s request.More from Jon Ludvig Hammer:Hammer’s Twitch channelHammer’s Twitter Hammer’s Chess.com educational contentPhoto Credit: The superb photo used for this episode comes from photographer and WFM Maria Emelianova. You can follow her on Twitch and Twitter.---- Please Leave a Positive Rating If You Enjoyed This EpisodeIf you enjoyed this or other episodes, please leave a 5-star rating on Spotify or Apple. Then, DM me on Twitter or email me (scroll to the bottom) and let me know you did. I'll reply personally with a thank you!----->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
How to Study Endgames (for Club Players) with IM Yuriy Krykun
051 Like many areas of chess, it can be difficult to study endgames. There’s an ocean’s worth of books and courses on the subject. But where to begin? To help me simplify this subject for club players, I’m excited to bring IM Yuriy Krykun back on the show.For starters, Yuriy is renowned as one of Chessable’s top course creators (his Dynamic Italian course is one of my favorites!)Plus, from years of coaching amateur students, Yuriy understands well how to teach endgames in a practical way.In this episode, we discuss:How to boost your motivation to study endgames (if, like me, yours is low!)What’s a good percentage of your study time to spend on endgames? Should you focus on practical or theoretical endgames? Why you may not need to study endgames at all!More From Yuriy:Yuriy’s Chessable CoursesYuriy’s TwitterYuriy’s Coaching PageBooks Mentioned In This Episode:Capablanca’s 100 Best Endgames for ChessChess Endgames for Club Players>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Ep 50: Lessons & Lifestyle of a Pro Chess Player with IM Irina Bulmaga
050 We are finally back after a 6-week health hiatus! Today’s guest is the #1 rated woman in Romania: IM Irina Bulmaga. Irina is a professional chess player who is working full-time chasing the GM title as an adult.Another impressive stat?Irina has been in the FIDE Top 100-rated Women in the world since 2012.In a career full of amazing accomplishments, Irina has represented Romania in seven Chess Omplyiads since 2010.As a humble club player, I’m always impressed by those who are so good at chess they can make it a competitive career.So, in this episode, we chat about the lessons she’s learned in her many years of chess.Plus, we discuss what will it take for her to make the leap from IM to GM?More From Irina:Irina’s Chessable coursesIrina’s Twitter>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Quick Show & Health Update
Sorry for my absence the past few weeks. Here's why. (But I hope to be back very soon.)
My Top 5 Chess Lessons of 2022 - Daniel Lona
049 After 800 hours of chess, you should learn some stuff. That’s roughly the amount of time I spent playing and studying the game in 2022. And, yes, for all that effort, there’s a nagging concern that I should be way better. But I did learn a few things along the way...In fact, 2022 marks my second full year of being a serious student of chess since my middle school days, when I first took the game seriously.Much of the year required an "aggravating patience" - is that a thing? - as my rating refused to climb for the first six months.Thankfully, I had two great coaches to guide my way, and eventually, I had some notable progress and rating gains.Plus, I always keep my eyes open for insights so that I can share them with my fellow chess community.Some are about the game itself, others about the overall journey. So, here are my Top 5 Chess Lessons of 2022! Enjoy!Want to share a comment about this episode with me?Tag me on Twitter or send me an email.
GM Ben Finegold - Streaming, Comedy, & Improvement Advice
048 Few Grandmasters are as entertaining as Ben Finegold. His blend of humor, truth-telling, and exceptional chess skill are rare in the streaming world.Ben hails from Detroit, Michigan. Raised in a chess family, he ultimately tied as the highest-rated American-born player in the US with a USCF rating of 2662.He now lives in Atlanta, where he streams regularly on Twitch with his wife, KarenThe channel has amassed over 124K followers, and his YouTube channel has 113K subscribers. Those numbers are well-deserved and I highly recommend checking out each of his channels.In this episode, we discuss:Why not being afraid of losing is critical for amateur players.What makes his Twitch channel stand out from other chess streamers?If you’re getting burned out on chess, what should you do?Would Ben do stand-up comedy?More From Ben:Twitch ChannelYouTube ChannelBen's Merch Store>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Holiday Update & Brief Message
This is a brief 3-minute "episode" to announce a brief holiday break and to encourage some reflection on your chess progress. As described, please let me what you've achieved this year in chess that you feel good about. You can do so by tagging me in a post on Twitter (@Lona_Chess), emailing me (scroll to the bottom for my address), or sending me a message here.Happy Holidays! And I'll talk to you soon!>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
An Adult Improver Tale of Chess, Goals, & Rock & Roll with Amy Shaw
047 Many chess players fall into a trap. They get too obsessed with chess and their progress. Stress and worry can replace joy and discovery. But not for this week’s guest. Fellow adult improver, Amy Shaw, has found a great balance between striving for consistent improvement and loving the game…And she’s done it without the sometimes unhealthy drive for rating gains that can plague chess players.In addition to working as an English professor by day and playing in a rock band by night…Amy has also become well-known in the chess adult improver circles on Twitter with 2K followers.In this episode, we discuss:If she could travel back 2 years, what would she tell herself at the start of her chess journey?Two major benefits she’s received from working with a coach.If she could pick anyone in the chess world to hang out with, who would it be?Why she no longer focuses on rating goals (and where she puts her energy instead.)More From Amy:Amy’s TwitterAmy’s Website for her band Dr. MartinoAmy’s band on Spotify>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Fighting Back From Losing Positions With NM Jeremy Kane
046 When you’re in bad position or down material, it’s easy to lose hope. We’ve all been there. But today’s guest, NM Jeremy Kane, explains how and why you should usually keep fighting.His book, The Next To Last Mistake, teaches folks specific strategies needed to hold a draw or even win in losing positions.Plus, we discuss his work building the vast library of fun, unique, and helpful chess lessons for Chess.com as their Curriculum Director.Finally, Jeremy shares his somewhat “relaxed” approach to consistent chess improvement.-------Want to join my exclusive community for adult chess improvers?Chess Improver Monthly offers:Group coaching & game review from titled players to help your chess.Submit guest questions & private episode discussions for The Chess Experience Podcast.Live video chats w/ me & fellow adult improvers to have fun & stay motivated.Much more!Check out all the membership benefits here.---------More From Jeremy:His Book: The Next To Last MistakeJeremy’s TwitterChess.com Lessons>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Overcoming "Chess Burnout" With Omar Mills
Ep 45 Have you ever put a ton of energy and work into chess…but your results failed to match your expectations? So, you became frustrated. Dejected. Maybe even disillusioned with the process.This is the potential downside that comes with a passion for chess:Burnout.That happened to my guest, Omar Mills.Omar is my inaugural adult improver guest (it’s about time I feature some fellow adult club players!) He has been serious about chess for the past two years, studying and playing for hours nearly every day.In this episode, we discuss:A healthier way to approach chess improvement beyond just chasing ratings and wins. When the magic of The Queen’s Gambit clashes with reality, what keeps you excited about the game?A “chess genie” tells Omar he can have any one chess wish he wants, what does he ask for? (Spoiler: he has two wishes.)-------Want to join my exclusive community for adult chess improvers?Chess Improver Monthly offers:Group coaching & game review from titled players to help your chess.Submit guest questions & private episode discussions for The Chess Experience Podcast.Live video chats w/ me & fellow adult improvers to have fun & stay motivated.Much more!Check out all the membership benefits here.---------Where to Find Omar:TwitterTwitchThe Morphy book referenced in the episode.>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
GM Irina Krush: The First & Only American Woman to Earn the GM Title
044 Few American women in chess are as inspiring as Irina Krush. That may be obvious from the title of this episode alone. But to listen to Irina tell her story in this interview…To hear her wisdom, strength, and charisma - you get the full measure of why she’s so inspiring to chess players worldwide.No surprise, though from the person who's been an unprecedented 8x US Women’s Champion.AND the only American woman to have earned the GM title.In this episode, we discuss:Her feelings on her nail-biting loss in the 2022 US Women’s Championship.Why she loves doing chess commentating.Her favorite top player that she has yet to play.Practical advice for overcoming a difficult tournament.-------Want to join my exclusive community for adult chess improvers?Chess Improver Monthly offers:Group coaching & game review from titled players to help your chess.Submit guest questions & private episode discussions for The Chess Experience Podcast.Live video chats w/ me & fellow adult improvers to have fun & stay motivated.Much more!Check out all the membership benefits here.---------More From Irina:GM Chess: Irina’s coaching business for scholastic players>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
The Romanian-American Powerhouse: WGM Sabina Foiser
043 Born in Romania. Daughter of two International Masters. The young chess star, WGM Sabina Foiser, moved to America as a young adult and conquered the women’s chess scene by winning the 2017 US Women’s Championship.In this episode, we discuss: What it’s like growing up in a chess family with high expectations for success.The emotional journey of preparing & competing for the 2017 US Women’s Championship while her mother became seriously ill.Improvement questions on pawn structures, the “right time” to trade queens, and creating an opening repertoire that excites you.The surprising career Sabina would’ve attempted if not for chess.--------Want to join my exclusive community for adult chess improvers?Chess Improver Monthly offers:Group coaching & game review from titled players to help your chess.Submit guest questions & private episode discussions for The Chess Experience Podcast.Live video chats w/ me & fellow adult improvers to have fun & stay motivated.Much more!Check out all the membership benefits here.---------More from Sabina:Website (coaching)TwitterTwitch>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
A Passion For Chess Without Loving the Game w/ IM Elisabeth Paehtz
042 The #1 female player in Germany for many years: IM Elisabeth Paehtz.Even beyond her impressive accomplishments as a chess player, which include:Winning the 2018 European Women’s Championship in rapid chess.Representing Germany for the Women’s Chess Olympiad over 10 times.Elisabeth has some refreshing and pleasantly unexpected insights about the game. In this episode, we discuss:Why she never “loved chess” but still has a deep passion for the game.How being an adult has changed her playing style.Writing a book on her life as a female chess player.What caused her unexpected late-career rating climb. --------Want to join my exclusive community for adult chess improvers?Chess Improver Monthly offers:Group coaching & game review from titled players to help your chess.Submit guest questions & private episode discussions for The Chess Experience Podcast.Live video chats w/ me & fellow adult improvers to have fun & stay motivated.Much more!Check out all the membership benefits here.---------More From Elisabeth:Elisabeth’s TwitterElisabeth’s InstagramThe Paehtz Method (her course on iChess.net)>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)