A Weekly, Rapid-Fire Chess Podcast Devoted to Helping You Improve Your Game. Hosted by Ben Johnson, brought to you by Chessable.com
Ben Johnson (solo pod): Synthesizing the Key Lessons About Chess Role Models from Season 3's Guests
The final episode of Season 3 of How to Chess is a rare solo pod, where Ben succinctly summarizes the key lessons about chess role models that were imparted by the How to Chess guests. As Ben notes, the guests have highlighted role models ranging from elite players to local players to renowned endgame specialists, and luckily we don't need to choose just one person to learn from in our chess studies. In closing, Ben highlights a few of his own chess role models and the lessons that he learned from them. Thanks to all of the brilliant How to Chess Season 3 guests, be sure to check out their courses, and thanks to you all for listening!
WIM Luciana Morales on Learning from Queens of the Chess Board
Luciana Morales is a Peruvian Woman International Master with a resume full of impressive accomplishements!She has won the Pan-American Youth Championship no less than 3 times. She also won the Zonal Tournament 2.4 in São Paulo. The win qualified her for the 2004 Women's World Championship, making her the first Peruvian player to do so.And when she studied at the University of Texas - Brownsville, she helped the team outperform their seeding, and break into the final four of the 2008 Pan-American Team Championship.But, what does she have to say about role models in chess?Queens of the Chess Board:https://www.chessable.com/queens-of-the-chess-board/course/102010/Luciana's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/LucianaM/Luciana's socials: X: https://twitter.com/LucianaMoralesBen's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1
IM Alex Astaneh on How His Coach Accidentally Taught him Board Visualization Skills
Alex Astaneh is an Irish International Master, chess coach, and author.Astaneh's chess journey began at a young age, and he quickly found success on the Irish chess circuit. At the age of 11, he represented Ireland at the World Youth Championships, which got him hooked on the game.His successes continued, having won the Irish Championship on three separate occasions (2010, 2017, 2018) and has represented the Irish National Team four times at the Chess Olympiads (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018).In addition to a lauded chess playing career, Astaneh stands out as a world-class coach, including a stint as the official coach of the Irish junior team in the World Youth Championships 2010.As Alex explains, he learned from studying the typical legends like Fischer and Tal, but his Spanish coach, IM Roberto Paramos Dominguez taught him a ton about attacking and visualization. In our conversation Alex shares tons of helpful tips for improving calculation. My First Grünfeld Opening Repertoire:https://www.chessable.com/my-first-grunfeld-opening-repertoire/course/134696/Alex's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/Astaneh/Alex's socials: X: https://twitter.com/astanehchessYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexastaneh/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/astaneh/Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1
GM Jorden van Foreest on What Kasparov's Books Taught him about Attacking...and the Tarrasch Defense
Jorden van Foreest is a well accomplished Grandmaster from the Netherlands. Some of the highlights of his career includes winning the Dutch Championship in 2016, winning the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament in 2021, and serving as Magnus Carlsen's second in the 2021 World Championship.But what does he have to say about role models in chess?Lifetime Repertoires: Tarrasch Defense:https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-tarrasch-defense/course/128906/Jorden's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/jordenvforeest/Jorden's X: https://twitter.com/jordenvforeestBen's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1
NM Laura Smith on Her Chess Role Models
Laura Smith is an American chess teacher and educator. She began learning the game atthe fairly young age of 5, taught by her father. By the time she was 6, she wasalready enrolled in chess classes. Her accomplishments includebecoming the highest-rated 13-year-old, male or female, in the US in 2002. Shecompeted in the US Women's Chess Championship in 2006, earned a silver medal inthe Girls Under 14 category in the Pan-American Championship, and earned a spoton the US Youth Chess Team for 8 consecutive years. Laura discusses what she has learned from female role models like Judit Polgar, Irina Krush and Jennifer Shahade. Forcing Moves for Beginners:https://www.chessable.com/forcing-moves-for-beginners-/course/123996/Laura's author page:https://www.chessable.com/author/LauraSmith/Laura's socials:X:https://twitter.com/lauraloveschessInstagram:instagram.com/lauraloveschessTwitch:twitch.com/shaunandlaura Email:lauraloveschess@gmail.com Ben's X:https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1
TheOnoZone on His Endgame Role Models
Ono is an Adult Improver, chess blogger, chess podcaster and chess coach.Some say he is obsessed with chess. But, what does he have to say about role models in chess?Mastering Endgame Strategy: https://www.chessable.com/mastering-e...Arkell's Endings: https://www.chessable.com/arkells-end...Ono's socials: https://www.theonozone.com/Youtube: h / @theonozone X: t / theonozone Ono Another Chess Podcast - Episode 7 (Guest: Ben Johnson): https://www.theonozone.com/7
IM Alex Banzea on What he Learned from One of Romania's All-Time Greats
Alex Banzea is a Romanian International Master, growing Twitch streamer, YouTuber, chess coach, and acclaimed Chessable author.Since early age, Alex has received coaching of the highest level: Grandmaster Constantin Lupulescu, one of the most accomplished Romanian players ever. What does Alex has to say about role models in chess?The Caro-Kann: Simplified: https://www.chessable.com/the-caro-kann-simplified/course/171080/Alex Banzea's London System: https://www.chessable.com/alex-banzeas-london-system/course/118788/Alex's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/alexbanzea/Alex's socials: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexBanzeaTwitter: https://twitter.com/AlexBanzeaBen's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1
IM Yuriy Krykun on the Importance of FInding Local Role Models
IM Yuriy Krykun is a Ukraine born, US-based, popular trainer and Chessable author. In our conversation, Yuriy discusses the importance of finding local role models who can play a more active role in your chess development than Super GMs who you may admire from afar.Check out all of Yuriy's Chessable courses here:https://www.chessable.com/author/YuriyKrykun/
GM Ivan Sokolov on Coaching and Mentoring and What he Learned from Other Chess Legends
Ben Johnson talks role models in chess with gold-winning player/trainer/coach, GM Ivan Sokolov.Ivan Sokolov is a Grandmaster, author, coach, and formerly one of the top-ranked chess players in the world. Sokolov was the coach and captain of the gold-winning Uzbek team in the 2022 Olympiad.GM Ivan Sokolov's author page:https://www.chessable.com/author/Ivan...Endgame Expertise: Rook Endgameshttps://www.chessable.com/endgame-exp...Ivan Sokolov's socials: X: https://twitter.com/GMSokolovIvanBen's Socials: X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1
Teaser- How to Chess Season 3 Starts Friday!
Just a quick announcement that Season 3 is finally here! The topic of this season is chess role models.
CM Vjekoslav Nemec- How to Improve Your Speed Chess Game
CM Vjekoslav "Vjeko" Nemec is a Chessable Author, a chess blogger and journalist, and a fierce blitz player with ratings over 2600 on both Lichess and Chess.com. In our conversation, Vjeko shares some tips for improving your blitz game, but also discusses the dark side of a love for blitz, as it can be addicting and sometimes causes him to wonder if he is using his chess time optimally. In our conversation we get some good reflections on improving your blitz game, putting it in its proper place in your life, and even on how to reorient in order to work on classical chess instead. Check out Vjeko's course, The Uncompromising Modern Defense, here: https://www.chessable.com/the-uncompromising-modern-defense/course/87112/ (https://www.chessable.com/the-uncompromising-modern-defense/course/87112/)
GM Johan Hellsten- How to Analyze Your Own Chess Games
This week's guest on How to Chess is Chessable author and renowned trainer GM Johan Hellsten. He joins the podcast this week to share some tips about how to analyze one's one chess games. Johan touches on how to utilize engines, and the different types of mistakes he sees in his students games. Johan's landmark Mastering Chess books/ Chessable series is packed with instructive positions and is revered by other chess trainers and students alike. It is a particularly good choice for those rated in the 1400 to 2200 range. You can check out Johan's Chessable Courses (including links to free lessons) here: https://www.chessable.com/author/jhellsten2/ (https://www.chessable.com/author/jhellsten2/)
NM Bryan Tillis- How to Remember Opening Sequences
NM Bryan Tillis is a popular Chessable Author, an accredited FIDE trainer, and the founder of the Florida based chess academy, Palm Beach Chess. In our conversation, Bryan shares some practical tips to help adult chess players remember their openings. Bryan discusses the concept of "memory markers" and shares a few other tips that can help us make the most of our limited opening study time. You can find links to Chessable courses referenced below: Bryan's Chessable Courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/Bryan_Tillis/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_17331070731&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjw6fyXBhBgEiwAhhiZspYMi_MyeUl6WHKZN3RpRgIpGJ1URpTn28w3dgxzqCTGnR-oR7oxgxoCqJQQAvD_BwE (https://www.chessable.com/author/Bryan_Tillis/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_17331070731&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjw6fyXBhBgEiwAhhiZspYMi_MyeUl6WHKZN3RpRgIpGJ1URpTn28w3dgxzqCTGnR-oR7oxgxoCqJQQAvD_BwE) FM Kamil Plichta's Anti-Anti Sicilians: https://www.chessable.com/anti-anti-sicilians/course/42393/ (https://www.chessable.com/anti-anti-sicilians/course/42393/) Memory markers
GM Sahaj Grover- How to Approach Studying the Endgame
GM Sahaj Grover is an Indian born, South Africa based chess trainer and Chessable Author. He amassed many youth titles, and was the 2017 and 2018 South African Open Champion. Sahaj is also the co-author (with FM Daniel Barrish) of https://www.chessable.com/timeless-technique-strategic-endgames/course/42898/ (Timeless Technique: Strategic Endgames), a great practical guide to endgames for intermediate and advanced players. In our conversation, Sahaj shares some tips for blending the study of "practical" endgames and "technical" endgames and discusses his own endgame education. He also tells the story of what he learned from a memorable Pro Chess League game against GM Magnus Carlsen! You can check out Sahaj's Chessable Courses here: https://www.chessable.com/author/sahajgrover/ (https://www.chessable.com/author/sahajgrover/) Check out 100 Endgames You Must Know (another course we discussed) Here: https://www.chessable.com/100-endgames-you-must-know/course/5193/ (100 Endgames You Must Know - MoveTrainer® Course - Chessable)
Omar Mills- Lessons Learned from My First OTB Chess Tournament
Omar Mills is a Florida based Product Manager at Disney parks by day, and a recently converted chess die-hard by night. As a follow up to Neal Bruce’s https://open.spotify.com/episode/7j8jhtceI4nMBXGa9GBEtV?si=c01911f255ce4b8d (suggestions before one’s first chess tournament) (in Episode 4), I thought it would be fun to hear from a player after he had played his first tournament. Omar has quickly built a loyal Twitter following due to his evident passion for chess, so he was the perfect person to share some lessons that he learned. When it comes to tournament chess, there is no substitute for experience! Please tune in for all the lessons that Omar has learned in the early days of a chess obsession. Be sure to follow Omar on Twitter and Instagram: https://twitter.com/ChessVonDoom?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor (https://twitter.com/ChessVonDoom?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) https://www.instagram.com/ChessVonDoom/ (https://www.instagram.com/ChessVonDoom/) Recommended Chessable Courses for Your 2nd Tournament: https://www.chessable.com/everyone-s-first-chess-workbook/course/71738/ (Everyone’s First Chess Workbook by FM Peter Giannatos ) https://www.chessable.com/chess-principles-reloaded-center/course/39556/ (Chess Principles Reloaded by IM Andras Toth ) https://www.chessable.com/learn-chess-the-right-way-book-5-finding-winning-moves/course/13157/ (Learn Chess the Right Way, Find Winning Moves by GM Susan Polgar )