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!
Optimizing Mental Strategies & Training Methods w/ NM Bryan Tillis
035 It’s easy to think of chess improvement as only involving the study of specific areas of the game like strategy or openings.But there are other, critical parts to improvement, as well.Which is why I chat with NM Bryan Tillis and discuss: The importance of having a WHY for your chess goalsHow to balance fun with doing what’s necessary to improveAsking whether your training is matching your goalsAnd, towards the end of the episode, Bryan offers several pieces of great advice for OTB tournaments.--------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 Bryan’s Work: Courses, YT Channel, Book, & More All of Bryan’s Chessable coursesBryan’s YouTube ChannelPalm Beach Chess (coaching)Bryan’s Book: Become a Chess Champion---------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Conquering US Women's Chess with IM Carissa Yip
034 Carissa is a shining star. The youngest American woman to earn the IM title. Winner of the 2021 US Women’s Championship. Top-ranked female US player in 2019.If that weren’t enough, Carissa is the youngest female ever to beat a Grandmaster (she did so at age ten.)Even with so many accomplishments, Carissa remains humble and down-to-Earth.And she has a great sense of humor. In this episode, we discuss: What caused her sudden rating climb?The ups and downs of her 5-year journey to win the US Women’s Championship. Her first-ever experience competing in the 2002 Chess Olympiad.Will she try to earn the GM title while in college?--------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.---------Follow Carissa Here:Twitch ChannelTwitterInstagram--------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Angelika Valkova, Lady of 1.d4, the First of Her Name
033 Angelika is rapidly building a name in the chess world as a dynamic coach, streamer, & course creator. Hailing from Ukraine, and now living in Germany, Angelika is a superb chess player with a FIDE rating of 2075 (and on her way to earning the WGM title.) She’s been coaching kids and adults alike for the past 7 years.After years of building a strong following on her Twitch channel, this year she released her first opening repertoire course for 1.d4 on Chessable. We talk about all these facets of her chess career, including her love of Game of Thrones (hence the episode title!) In addition, we answer a couple of improvement questions from my Twitter followers.And, as a fun change-up for the show’s format, Angelika invited her friend and co-creator of her 1.d4 course, Hungarian Grandmaster Gyula Pap.Gyula appears on some of the show to discuss their course and give his insights on chess improvement, too.--------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 Angelika:Angelika’s 1.d4 Course on ChessableTwitch ChannelTwitterInstagramWhere To Find GM Guyla Pap:Coaching Profile--------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Ditching Bad Chess Habits & Follower Q&As with Daniel Lona
032 Another chess journey update from your favorite podcast host! Every few months, I serve up a solo show that offers my latest insights and struggles, all from my hard-working path toward improvement.No matter your rating…I believe you’ll find some snackable morsels of chess wisdom (even if it comes from my failures!)Highlights you can expect:Is King safety a chess problem or a psychological problem?Coach IM Andras Toth spots one of my top barriers to improvement (hint: it’s not more tactics or chess books.)The worst chess advice I’ve ever received.--------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.--------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Simplifying Openings & Chasing the GM Title as an Adult w/ GM Alex Colovic
031 Making chess simple for club players isn’t easy. But GM Alex Colovic has a special ability to do just that. It’s why his opening courses are known for simple, clear instruction... How Alex is able to simplify opening theory is one of the key points we discuss in this episode.The other great topic we discuss is that Alex strived for years in his 30s to earn the GM title - a rare feat at that age.His story is an inspiration with key lessons for all of us, no matter our rating.In this episode:Why you should play your preferred style (with one caution.) How Alex makes opening theory simple to learn.2 qualities from Bobby Fischer that inspired Alex’s 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.--------->> Download my latest, FREE audio content: 7 Quick Tips for Rock-Solid Chess Improvement (From Guests of The Chess Experience)>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)----------More From Alex Colovic Here:Chessable CoursesTwitterWebsite & Blog
How Chess Offers Life & Career Lessons with FM Alisa Melekhina
030 To some, chess is just a game. But it can also be a valuable tool for giving us powerful life lessons. And these lessons can teach us how to achieve our goals better. Or improve our career. Sometimes, though, those insights aren’t always obvious to us...So, we need a little help or awareness in uncovering them.That’s what today’s guest, FM Alisa Melekhina, explains in my conversation with her.And it’s also the subject of her superb book, Reality Check. In this episode, you’ll discover:How chess teaches you more effective decision-making in your career.The best mindset for adult improvers who want to excel in chess but struggle with limited time.The chess “life lesson” of being calm or objective in the face of a problem.How to find meaning in your chess beyond just rating climbs.--------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.--------->> Download my latest, FREE audio content: 7 Quick Tips for Rock-Solid Chess Improvement (From Guests of The Chess Experience)>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)---------More From Alisa Melekhina Here:Alisa’s Book, Reality CheckAlisa’s Course: The Melekhina MethodWebsiteYouTubeTwitterInstagramFacebook
IM Eric Rosen - Improvement Q&A and Chess Content Creation
029 Eric Rosen is perhaps best known for off-beat openings and stalemate traps. But don’t underestimate his incredible coaching skills. In this interview, Eric offers powerful advice in answering questions from my Twitter followers on improving as adults.Before we get into the heart of sharpening your chess skills...The episode first covers Eric’s career as one of the world’s top chess streamers and content creators…Including his favorite types of content and how he strikes a balance between entertainment and education.Later, we cover:The unexpected secret to increasing your rating.Does studying endgames or openings lead to better growth as a player?How does an adult balance their chess ambitions with the limits of everyday life?How do you bust through a rating plateau?Eric’s “dream content” that he hopes to one day create. --------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.---------Follow Eric Rosen Here:TwitchYouTubeTwitterInstagramFacebookWebsiteResources Mentioned: Eric’s article Chess Life Online on how to overcome rating plateaus----->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
NM Bruce Pandolfini: 50 Years of Growing the Game
028 Bruce Pandolfini is arguably America’s greatest chess coach. His impact on growing the game throughout the world is immeasurable. Bruce is the author of dozens of superb chess books. All are great, and many are still must-reads for beginners and club players.He’s been the coach for such top players as Fabiano Caruana and Josh Waitzkin.Bruce has also been the consultant for the most popular chess stories ever put to screen: Searching for Bobby Fischer & The Queen’s Gambit.In this episode, we cover:The common traits of his most successful students.Has chess coaching improved over the years?Did he expect The Queen’s Gambit to cause a chess boom?Were his coaching methods accurately represented in Searching For Bobby Fischer?--------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 Bruce Pandolfini:Amazon Author Page (all of his books--------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Quick Tips on Development with WGM Ekaterina Atalik
027 If you've studied chess, then you know development is vital. Yet there’s more to this principle than just the obvious “get your pieces out.” Even titled players can struggle with effective development…Which means club players should always be working on this nuanced skill.To help, this episode discusses the subject at length with WGM Ekaterina Atalik. Katya (for short) is the European Women’s Chess Champion and the 5-time Women’s Champion of Turkey.She’s also authored the Chessable course, The Method of Quick Development. In this latest episode, we cover: The “Development Score” technique that teaches you when to attack.Critical defensive ideas if you fall behind in development. Why development is not just an opening principle.Why playing with an isolated pawn shouldn't be feared (lessons that will be part of her upcoming course on pawn structures!--------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 Katya:Chessable Course: The Method to Quick DevelopmentInstagramMy Latest YouTube Video with IM Andras Toth: https://youtu.be/VtsVYPk5VFo --------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
5 Keys To Chess Improvement with FM Nate Solon
026 How do you ensure chess improvement? The old magic pill would be nice, but we know that doesn’t exist. The next best thing? Put energy and work into five key areas…This may not guarantee improvement, but doing them will give you the best fighting chance to see results.And, hey, given the mysterious ways of chess improvement, that’s sometimes the best we can do.So, what are the key areas? FM Nate Solon explained them in his 2021 article entitled, The Chess Improvement Checklist.Impressed with the list he created…I thought it would be great to do a deep dive into these core areas and discuss the ins, outs, and whys of this list. Enjoy!--------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.---------Nate is a superb chess player and has written articles for Chess Life and Chessable’s blog. For more of his work:Connect with Nate:Upcoming Book: Evaluate Like a GrandmasterNate’s NewsletterNate’s TwitterArticle: The Chess Improvement Checklist-------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Expanding Chess to More Amateurs & Cultures w/ Naycir (Nigarhan)
025 There are several ways to #GrowTheGame. One is through helping folks play better. Another is to find ways to make chess more appealing and accessible for everyone - regardless of where you live or your skill level.This week’s guest, Nigarhan (or Naycir, as she’s known online), has chosen to make the second option her mission.A fellow adult improver and amateur player herself…Nigarhan has become well-known in chess circles as a streamer with an irresistible wit and passion for the game.She brings top-level humor and a magnetic joy to the sixty-four squares - which is much needed given how difficult this game is.And her chess life doesn’t stop there…Nigarhan is also the Director for International Growth at Chess.com.Impressive, right? There, she helps translate the site’s chess content into dozens of languages. This helps the non-English speaking world more easily learn and enjoy the game.In this episode, we discuss: How she began a full-time job in chess before learning to play.The challenges posed by chess’ over-serious “gatekeepers.”Overcoming her online bullying experiences as a streamer.Nigarhan’s favorite openings (it’s not the London.) --------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.---------Connect with Nigarhan:Twitch channelYouTube channelTwitterInstagram---------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Candidates Recap with WIM Fiona Steil-Antoni
024 The 2022 Candidates was a wild ride. Predictions were shattered. A dominant performance surprised many. And the looming question of “Does second place matter?” hung in the air.For the first time, The Chess Experience is reviewing a world-class tournament!To help discuss the highlights (and lowlights) of the event, along with some lessons that can help club players…I interviewed WIM Fiona Steil Antoni, a professional commentator of top chess events,Fiona has been commentating for the past eight years and now works for Chess.com. Most recently, she had the incredible opportunity to be one of the regular commentators on Hikaru Nakamura's Twitch channel while he competed in the Candidates.In this episode, we discuss: Which players exceeded her expectations? Which fell below them?Three lessons from this event that can help club players in their own tournaments.Fiona’s two favorite games from the event.Should FIDE change the World Championship format to entice Magnus to defend the title?Will Magnus defend his title?--------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.---------Connect with Fiona:Twitch channelYouTube channelTwitterInstagram--------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
Update: Next Episode Coming In 2-3 Days (& Keep Going With Your Chess!)
A brief 2-minute update about the next episode (coming later this week) which reviews the Candidates. And a little message of motivation to keep striving with your chess!
Top Mistakes Made By Club Players (Vol. 1) With NM Dan Heisman
023 Adult improvers, ironically, have limited time to improve. Which is why it’s so helpful to know the answer to this question: “Of all the mistakes we make, which ones are the most important to fix?” That’s what today’s episode is about…Identifying the key mistakes made at the board by adult improvers (most of whom are club players) and finding solutions to them. To help, I’ve brought back for a second time National Master, Dan Heisman. He is the ultimate coach for adult improvers.Dan has written over a DOZEN chess books and has a popular YouTube channel with over 200 videos - all of which are gold.There are very few chess instructors who are as good as Dan Heisman. He gets to the heart of what club players need to improve, and articulates those problems and solutions so well.In fact, there’s so much on this topic to dig into with Dan, that I’m calling this episode Vol. 1, as there will likely be one or two more on the same subject down the road.In this episode, we discuss:How to tell if you’re playing “hope chess.”The sure way to avoid playing too fast.Why do club players overemphasize strategy over tactics?Is it "ok" to spend too much time on openings?--------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.--------- Resources Referenced In This EpisodeBook: A Guide to Chess Improvement - Dan HeismanBook: Logical Chess: Move by Move - Irving ChernevBook: Winning Chess Strategy for Kids - Jeff Coakley Video: How Much Strategy Needed to Play Reasonably - Dan HeismanMore Resources From Dan HeismanDan’s WebsiteDan’s YouTube ChannelDan Heisman TV on Chess.com--------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)
How Aging Affects Chess Improvement with GM Jesse Kraai
022 If you’re over 30, you might wonder: “Will aging affect my chess improvement? Should I adjust my program any differently due to my age?” These are compelling but often difficult questions to answer... On the one hand, we want to be optimistic and aim for whatever chess goal we desire, without concern over biology getting in the way... And, yet, biology is real. Athletes understand this - both amateur and professional alike. Which is why it’s worth taking a look at this subject with clear eyes. To discuss this further, I brought the esteemed Grandmaster Jesse Krai, co-founder of Chess Dojo.In this episode we discuss: Would he coach someone differently if they’re 25 versus 45?Have adult improvers proven the upper limit of their potential yet? Is Viktor Korchnoi’s astonishing late-career run in his 70s instructive for adult improver potential? --------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 More of Jesse & Chess Dojo’s Content: Chess Dojo - TwitchChess Dojo - YouTubeChess Dojo - TwitterChess Dojo - WebsiteTraining Programs by Chess DojoJesse on TwitterJesse’s novel, Lisa--------->> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.com<< (PROMOTION)