Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

EP 195 | Who Will Be Top 10 in 2027?

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:15:00 -0400

The Dojo Sensei review last year’s predictions, debates which rising stars and veterans will make the cut, and reveals their picks for the chess world’s Top 10 players in 2027.

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0:00 Intro & Last Year’s Results
2:18 Hits, Misses & Surprise Picks
6:55 What Happened to Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa?
10:25 The Best Prediction of the Year
15:31 Building the 2027 Top 10 List
23:17 Dark Horses and Comeback Candidates
39:34 Top 5 Predictions & Final Rankings

EP 194 | Should I Play Up?

Fri, 29 May 2026 12:54:22 -0400

Should you play up in chess tournaments? The sensi discuss tournament rating sections, strategy, and best methods for improvement.

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0:00 Should You Play Up?
0:55 Play Your Own Section
2:23 The Ego Trap
5:29 What About Juniors?
9:32 If Everyone Plays Up
17:15 Tournament Problems
22:27 Playing Stronger Opponents
29:09 Don't Play for a Draw
38:04 Confidence Matters
44:08 Enjoy the Challenge

EP 193 | The Opening Revolution

Wed, 20 May 2026 08:14:02 -0400

Jesse, David, and Kostya discuss the opening revolution caused by powerful cloud engines and modern analysis and it's impacts on the state of current chess at all levels.

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0:00 The Opening Revolution
1:18 New Engine Evaluations
4:15 How Computers Think About Chess
7:12 Why This Is a Big Deal
11:16 More Openings Are Playable
14:12 The Blumenfeld Debate
20:23 Expanding Opening Theory
29:42 The Return of the Dragon
36:39 Weird Moves That Work
48:34 Humans vs Engine Evaluations
56:30 The Future of Opening Prep

EP 192 | The Next Generation

Fri, 15 May 2026 10:03:14 -0400

The sensei discuss the rise of young players Yagiz Erdogmus and Faustino Oro and the next generation of players and training.

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0:00 Intro
1:23 Erdogmas Breaks 2700 at 14
5:20 Proving Himself Against Elite Competition
10:42 Is This a New Era of Chess Talent?
16:17 Engines, Neural Networks, and Human Limits
22:57 How AI Changed Modern Chess Training
32:55 Fearless Juniors and the New Generation
46:11 Fino Oro Becomes GM at 12
56:29 Blitz Monsters and the Future of Chess

EP 191 | The New ChessDojo Rating Converter

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 08:25:12 -0400

GM Kraai is joined by Dojoer Vlad Ghita to discuss the new ChessDojo Rating Converter. They break down the differences between Chess.com, Lichess, USCF, and FIDE ratings.

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00:00 Why a Rating Converter
05:11 New Table Overview
09:39 FIDE Compression
15:50 Online vs OTB
20:28 Lichess vs Chess.com
29:21 Global Rating Issues
38:53 Update Frequency
58:21 Future Predictions

EP 190 | Who Won The War? Magnus, Hans, & Chess.com

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:29:20 -0400

Jesse, David, and Kostya discuss the recent Netflix documentary on the story behind Magnus, Hans, and Chess.com.

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00:00 The Magnus–Hans Story Revisited
02:36 Take Take’s Shock Move vs Chess.com
03:28 Netflix Doc: First Impressions
09:38 Who Looks Worst in the Documentary?
12:32 The Hans Ban Timeline Explained
17:33 Why the Doc Feels Formulaic
22:51 Magnus vs Chess.com – What Really Happened
45:56 Take Take, Lichess & the Future of Chess Platforms

EP 189 | Is Sindarov The Real Deal? 2026 FIDE Candidates Recap

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:25:56 -0400

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) recap the 2026 FIDE Candidates, including the historic run the young Javokhir Sindarov. They look back at their original predictions to see who came closest, who surprised, and who disappointed.

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00:00 Sindarov wins the Candidates
02:05 Is this a new generation of chess?
07:02 The turning point vs Fabi
12:33 Who disappointed (Fabi, Naka, Prague)
17:19 Biggest winners (Sindarov, Giri, others)
28:23 Predictions, future outlook, and world title implications

EP 188 | Will Sindarov Win the 2026 FIDE Candidates?

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:39:40 -0400

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At the halfway mark of the 2026 Candidates, one storyline has taken over: Sindarov is dominating the field. But is this a historic breakthrough—or just a heater that the rest of the players will adjust to?

We break down his incredible run, from elite opening prep to relentless time pressure and confident decision-making. Is anyone capable of catching him? Or is it already over?

We also dive into Fabi’s quietly strong performance, the psychology of players falling out of contention, and what to expect in the second half of the tournament.

Drama, collapse potential, and one big question: is this inevitability… or just the beginning?

00:00 Candidates Midway Overview
00:21 The Sindarov Story
01:44 How He’s Winning (Openings & Clock Pressure)
04:09 Best Games So Far
06:39 Opponents Start Adjusting?
10:32 Risky Style & Confidence Boost
12:49 Can Anyone Catch Him?
13:57 Fabi’s Chances
23:14 Motivation & Tournament Psychology
27:50 Problems with Candidates Format

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EP 187 | Blitz Quests w/ NM Jeremy Kane

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:19:11 -0400

In this Dojo Talks episode, we explore blitz chess with NM Jeremy Kane—what it takes to improve, how time management and openings matter, and whether blitz actually helps your classical game.

Featuring insights from his work at Chess.com, plus real lessons from blitz rating climbs and practical training advice.

If you want to get better at blitz (and understand its limits), this one’s for you.

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00:00 What Makes Someone Good at Blitz
00:40 Jeremy Kane’s Blitz Journey
03:00 Climbing from 2400 to 2800+
06:00 Blitz Quests & Rating Volatility
09:15 Using the Clock as a Weapon
13:30 Openings and Simplifying for Blitz
18:00 Does Blitz Improve Classical Chess?

EP 186 | 2026 Candidates Predictions

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The 2026 Candidates Tournament is right around the corner, and this field might be one of the most competitive we’ve ever seen. In this episode of Dojo Talks, we break down every player’s chances, compare our picks to the betting odds, and debate who’s truly a contender.

From rising young stars to established elite players, we dig into form, consistency, and what it actually takes to win a Candidates.

Who do you think will come out on top?

We’re running a 2026 Candidates Fantasy Contest—and this is your chance to prove you actually know what you’re talking about.

Pick your players, lock in your rankings, and compete against the Dojo community to see who can best predict how the tournament unfolds. With such a wide-open field, this might be the hardest (and most fun) Candidates to call in years.

🏆 Prizes:

1st Place: Free Dojo membership + exclusive coaching session
2nd Place: Free Dojo membership
3rd Place: Dojo merch bundle

Make your picks here: https://tinyurl.com/2026Candidates

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0:00 Intro & Candidates overview
1:30 Why this field is so competitive
3:00 Early picks & lowest seeds
10:30 Breaking down the bottom contenders
19:45 Giri & Wei Yi chances
32:10 Nakamura discussion
38:15 Prague’s form & upside
46:15 Young players & Sindarov
53:30 Top contenders debate
1:01:25 Final thoughts & betting vs reality

EP 185 | Do Kids Ruin Your Chess?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 08:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Dojo Talks, we explore how having children impacts chess performance, from real examples of world champions to personal experiences as chess dads. With Hikaru Nakamura entering the Candidates as a new father, the question is more relevant than ever.

We break down the short-term dip (sleep, focus, hormones) vs long-term recovery—and what it could mean for top players like Magnus Carlsen.

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00:00 Do Kids Hurt Your Chess?
00:25 Why Hikaru’s new baby matters
02:35 World champions and parenthood
06:13 Naka, Magnus, and motivation
10:26 How kids changed their own chess
17:51 The science: sleep, hormones, and focus
28:54 Can top players avoid the dip?
33:02 Long-term benefits of parenting?
42:50 The dip is real, but varies
51:22 Final verdict on kids and chess

EP 184 | Chessboxing and the Dreams of James Canty

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:07:28 -0400

FM James Canty III joins Dojo Talks to talk about becoming the World Chessboxing Champion, how he got into boxing, and what it was like competing with Team USA in Serbia. The conversation also covers training, the connection between chess and combat sports, nootropics and performance, and Canty’s current push for IM and GM norms.

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0:00 Chessboxing World Champion James Canty
1:26 Creator, Streamer, Coach, or Competitor?
4:19 The Quests James Is Chasing Right Now
5:29 How James Got Into Boxing
10:33 Team USA and Winning Gold in Serbia
12:28 How Strong Is James as a Boxer?
18:35 Why He Might Retire From Chessboxing
22:00 Is Chessboxing Actually Growing?
35:46 PEDs, Nootropics, and Chess Performance
48:25 Fatherhood, Motivation, and the IM/GM Push

EP 183 | Should Draw Offers Be Banned?

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:16:31 -0400

A lively Dojo Talks debate on whether draw offers should be banned in chess. The episode covers the history of draw offers, the role of tournament culture and incentives, the Dubov–Nepo controversy, and whether changing draw rules would actually improve fighting chess.

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0:05 Should Draw Offers Be Banned?
1:04 History of the Draw Offer in Chess
2:58 Grandmaster Draws and Fear in Elite Play
5:54 Professional vs Amateur Events and Draw Rules
9:26 Chess Culture vs Rule Changes
15:13 Tournament Incentives and Fighting Chess
33:39 Dubov–Nepo Blitz Draw Controversy
38:46 The Case for Keeping Draw Offers in Chess

EP 182 | Being a Chess Professional ft. GM Felix Blohberger

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:15:00 -0500

GM Felix Blohberger discusses the realities of being a modern chess professional, including balancing playing, coaching, content creation, and course development while pursuing a long-term goal of reaching 2600. The conversation explores training methods, opening preparation, tournament economics, and the broader challenges of building a sustainable career in chess.

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00:05 Introduction
01:08 Chess career path
04:31 Goal of 2600
07:08 Making a living in chess
10:15 Chess money and prizes
12:30 Training routine
17:23 Opening preparation
22:03 Game recap videos
32:14 Playing style
37:25 Chess courses
48:27 Sponsorship and opportunities

EP 181 | Queen of Chess

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:15:00 -0500

In this episode of Dojo Talks, the Sensei review the Netflix documentary 'Queen of Chess' and discuss Judit Polgar’s rise to the top of the chess world. They break down what the film gets right, what it leaves out about the Polgar training experiment, and what her legacy means for future generations of players.

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00:05 Intro to the documentary
04:30 Family movie night reactions
08:50 Chess stories on Netflix
13:30 Underdog appeal in chess
19:40 What the film leaves out
27:00 Polgar’s rise explained
36:30 Polgar vs Kasparov debate
1:00:20 Lessons from the film

EP 180 | Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer ft. IM John Donaldson

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:27:18 -0500

John Donaldson joins Dojo Talks to discuss his new book "Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer", a collection of Fischer’s lesser-known writings and annotations. The conversation explores why Fischer’s games are still highly instructive for modern players, how his practical decision-making shows up in systems like the King’s Indian Attack, and what his approach reveals about classic chess ideas like overprotection and restraint. They also dive into Fischer’s obsession with analytical accuracy, the origins of “the Rat” opening, and the importance of regularly playing tournament games if you actually want your study to translate into better results over the board.

Pick up a copy here: https://amzn.to/3Op81Aw

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00:05 New Fischer book and why Donaldson studies him
03:02 What’s inside the book
06:51 Why Fischer games still teach well
10:29 A key pawn move in the Kings Indian Attack
15:32 Fischer using classic chess ideas
24:02 Fischer arguing analysis and loving accuracy
39:20 What “the Rat” opening means
47:54 How many games to play each year and when Fischer became GM level

EP 179 | Modern Chess Training Methods

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:30:00 -0500

In this episode, Jesse and Kostya are joined again by TheChessNerd where they rank various digital-era training tools—from Puzzle Rush to AI bots—to determine which modern methods actually improve your game versus those that are just "mid." They debate the merits of fast-paced online play and new technologies, weighing their convenience against the "demons" of distraction and cheating.

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04:10 Puzzle Rush
08:00 Blitz
13:31 Online Play
20:44 E-boards
24:35 Blindfold Training
29:05 Playing Against Bots

EP 178 | The Top-10 Greatest Chess Tournaments Ever

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:45:55 -0500

In this episode of Dojo Talks, we rank and debate the 10 greatest chess tournaments of all time — from historic classics like London 1851, Hastings 1895, and St. Petersburg 1914 to legendary modern events featuring Kasparov, Fischer, Tal, Topalov, and more.

Joined by ChessNerd, the Dojo team breaks down:
Kasparov’s breakout at the Soviet Championship 1981
The birth of international chess tournaments at London 1851
Pillsbury’s stunning win at Hastings 1895
The controversial 1948 World Championship tournament
Steinitz and the rise of positional chess in Vienna 1873
Topalov’s dominant run at San Luis 2005
Fischer’s emergence at the Portorož Interzonal
Tal’s shocking victory in the 1959 Candidates Tournament

From early romantic-era events to brutal Soviet-era candidates and modern super tournaments, we debate what truly makes a tournament great: strength of field, historical impact, legendary games, and cultural significance.

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00:05 – Ranking format and guest intro
01:25 – Kasparov breakout at Soviet Championship 1981
04:13 – London 1851 and early tournament history
07:16 – Hastings 1895 and Pillsbury’s rise
10:10 – World Championship tournament 1948 debate
12:26 – Steinitz and positional chess in Vienna 1873
15:41 – Topalov’s run at San Luis 2005
18:10 – Fischer emerges at Portorož Interzonal
23:29 – Candidates 1959 and Tal’s ascent

EP 177 | GM Yusupov on Women in Chess

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 07:53:08 -0500

GM Artur Yusupov joins the podcast to discuss his work with the Women in Chess Foundation.

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EP 176 | Gauri's Path to IM

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 09:48:50 -0500

This episode follows IM Gauri Shankar’s long, stop-and-start path to finally earning the IM title—balancing full-time teaching and content creation, struggling with USCF–FIDE rating disparities and nerves, reflecting on modern chess improvement and work–life balance, and discussing with Jesse and Kostya what it would really take to push on toward GM.

Check out the game between Gauri and Jesse mentioned in the episode here: https://www.chessdojo.club/games/2300-2400/2024.09.26_01343cb4-e508-44fe-8b82-9046cc189d79

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00:00 – Live classes announcement
00:28 – Gauri’s early chess story
02:50 – Growing up in Chicago chess scene
04:50 – First norms and long break from chess
09:30 – Rating struggles and USCF–FIDE disparity
13:20 – Life as coach, streamer, creator
18:40 – Identity as player vs teacher
40:00 – Crossing 2400 and emotional breakthrough

EP 175 | 2025 FIDE World Cup

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:59:09 -0500

The episode recaps the 2025 World Cup and argues that the knockout + rapid-tiebreak format is too random for awarding three Candidates spots, even though Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Esipenko were deserving stories in different ways. The sensei preview how this unpredictability shapes the upcoming Candidates, discuss favorites (Fabi, Prag, Naka), and explain why Dojo still prefers a more merit-based qualification system.

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00:00 Dojo in Charlotte and live classes
03:30 World Cup recap and qualifiers
07:30 Rapid tiebreaks and fatigue
12:30 Why the World Cup feels random
19:00 Final four paths and upsets
28:00 Sindarov and Wei Yi trajectories
41:00 Candidates preview and favorites

EP 174 | Dark Squares: How Chess Saved Danny Rensch's Life

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

The sensei discuss Danny Rensch’s memoir, Dark Squares, exploring how a traumatizing cult upbringing and early chess success shaped his life, career, and the wider evolution of the chess world.

Check out Dark Squares and pick up a copy here: https://amzn.to/4pyW2yt

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00:03 – Book overview
03:22 – Ear injury & setbacks
12:24 – Shelby School & cult
24:55 – Trance & hierarchy
36:34 – Separation & trauma
55:34 – Chess world’s shift
1:13:24 – Media angle & Hans

EP 173 | The State of US Chess 2025

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:15:00 -0500

A wide-ranging recap finds US chess robust—shaped by Caruana’s four-peat and sharp prep, Woodward’s surge and Mishra’s uneven form, a stronger women’s field led by Carissa Yip’s GM push, players coping with the Naroditsky tragedy, India vs. USA depth debates, and the St. Louis Chess Club’s expansion cementing a national hub.

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00:55 Impact of Naroditsky news on players
03:57 Caruana’s sustained edge and title streak
10:21 Mishra’s stall after breakthrough
11:30 Woodward’s rise and dynamic style
20:02 Caruana’s fresh opening ideas and defense
25:05 U.S. depth with seven 2700s and India comparison
31:06 Carissa Yip’s GM trajectory and tougher women’s field
48:00 St. Louis Chess Club reopening and U.S. chess hubs

EP 172 | Justice for Daniel Naroditsky

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 20:43:08 -0400

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EP 171 | Nootropics

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Jesse and Sam dive into how legal, common nootropics might boost chess performance by improving focus, stress-resilience, and brain health, and question where the line lies between smart optimization and unfair advantage.

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00:03 — Why nootropics in chess
02:06 — Common nootropics people already use
06:05 — Sam’s experience with brain supplements
11:36 — How nootropics support brain function
17:19 — Stress, alcohol, and brain decline
20:05 — Different thinking demands in chess
23:48 — Stronger focus boosters
31:50 — Cheating or smart advantage?
48:17 — Key brain-health ingredients
56:30 — Growth of nootropics industry

EP 170 | Remembering Daniel Naroditsky

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:01:04 -0400

David, Kostya, and Jesse share their memories of Danya, reflecting on his early talent, kindness, intelligence, humor, and lasting impact on the chess community.

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00:06 Remembering Danya and why this talk matters
01:20 Early years in Bay Area chess and family support
05:37 First games, world title, and early talent
13:33 His humor, kindness, and impact on others
33:05 Closing thoughts

EP 169 | Total Chess World Championship Tour

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:55:42 -0400

The Dojo crew debates Norway Chess’s new “Total Chess World Championship Tour,” comparing it to past innovations, Magnus Carlsen’s influence, FIDE’s involvement, and the growing clash between classical, freestyle, and online chess circuits.

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00:00 Introduction to the Total Chess World Championship Tour
03:20 Norway Chess vs. St. Louis Chess Club
07:10 Format Innovations and Fast Classical Debate
17:00 Magnus, Freestyle Chess, and Competing Circuits
23:30 FIDE, Chess.com, and the Future of World Titles

EP 168 | 2025 Junior Draft Update

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 09:45:23 -0400

The sensei recap last year’s junior-draft results and rating swings, then run a snake draft to add three new juniors and two girls each—keeping graduated players for tracking, debating drops and Christopher Yoo’s suspension/return, and highlighting prospects like world junior champion Pranav V, Lu Miaoyi, and even a risky 10-year-old.

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00:00 — Intro & format
02:18 — Rating swings & scouting
06:01 — Team breakdowns
10:42 — Draft rules & order
13:19 — Round 1 picks
19:42 — Round 2 picks
25:24 — Round 3 picks
35:44 — Girls’ draft (Round 1)
42:08 — Girls’ draft (Round 2)
49:23 — Closing thoughts

EP 166 | 2025 Grand Swiss

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:34:15 -0400

The 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss thrilled fans with Anish Giri’s win, Matthias Blubaum’s surprise Candidates spot, and dramatic clashes between rising juniors and veterans, sparking debate on how to create more high-stakes events like it.

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00:06 – First impressions of the Grand Swiss
01:34 – Why this tournament felt special
03:02 – Calls for more events tied to the World Championship
06:12 – Stakes and qualification systems in chess
09:26 – How FIDE co-opted the Isle of Man tournament
14:06 – Tournament winners: Giri and Bluebaum
20:00 – Evaluating Bluebaum’s chances in the Candidates
28:34 – Giri’s ambitions and old-school endgame play
33:45 – The gap between 2600s and 2700s
42:26 – Who might miss the Candidates and future prospects

EP 167 | What Does 3700 ELO Mean?

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0400

In this DojoTalks, the sensei argue that 3700 Elo engines are so far beyond humans that they beat elite GMs even while spotting queen/rook/knight odds. They discuss that this gap reframes odds chess, preparation, and training, showing how much headroom remains in human understanding.

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00:05 Humans compared to machines in chess strength
01:14 Purist view of chess vs. odds traditions
02:06 GMs losing to Leela even with material odds
03:37 Notable results Naka Fabi Nepo against Leela
10:35 Odds games as a learning tool vs. engines
17:18 What an 800-point gap from Magnus really means
28:47 Computers proving drawish positions still hold winning chances
39:09 Engine Elo progress and the question of a plateau

EP 165 | 2025 Maia Open Recap

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:02:34 -0400

In this Dojo Talks, Kostya recaps his trip to Portugal for the Maia Open with three chess streamers—Matthew, Rachel, and Anushka—along with David, discussing their experiences with tournament preparation and their performance. They highlight how sparring and collective training were crucial to their success, helping them feel more confident and prepared for their games, and they share their different feelings about the pressure of a big tournament.

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00:00 Introduction to the Maya Open tournament recap
01:19 Players share how they feel after the tournament
02:28 Player backgrounds and chess experience
04:19 The role of sparring in their training
13:04 The players' approach to pre-game preparation
20:16 How tournament goals changed their training

EP 164 | Hikaru Goes To The Farm

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:57:35 -0400

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) discuss Hikaru Nakamura's path to the candidates, along with who they'd like to see qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates tournament.

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00:00 – Intro & Setup
01:31 – Is Hikaru the Exception?
08:36 – Balancing Streaming, Training, and Competition
09:23 – The Busy Chess Calendar
10:55 – Strength of the Tournament
14:39 – Ethics of Rating Manipulation
17:39 – Die-Hard Rules vs. Fair Play
22:27 – Mathematical Loopholes in Ratings
27:15 – Impact on Future Candidates
31:20 – Who Deserves to Be in the Candidates?
55:00 – Alternative Qualification Systems
58:33 – Broader Trends in Chess Ratings
1:00:12 – Closing Thoughts & Wrap-Up

EP 163 | Blitz Specialists

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:50:21 -0400

This Dojo Talks explores what makes some players stronger at blitz than others, contrasting calculation-based vs. intuitive styles, online vs. over-the-board skills, and the role of premoves, time management, and tricky opening repertoires. The sensei also discuss the rise of a “blitz generation,” handling tilt, and David’s quest to reach a 2600 blitz rating.

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00:01 – David’s blitz struggles
02:46 – Blitz as a different game
07:05 – Calculator vs. intuitive players
15:16 – The premove problem
20:05 – Online vs. OTB blitz
25:18 – Blitz repertoires and system openings
32:07 – Queen’s Gambit generation
58:15 – Tilt and the 2600 quest

EP 162 | Underdog Story: How GM Fishbein Became the U.S. Senior Chess Champion

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:49:24 -0400

GM Alexander Fishbein shares how he won the 2025 U.S. Senior Championship by relying on stamina, heavy tournament practice, and deep training methods such as solitary chess and analyzing old annotated games. This Talks also highlights generational contrasts in chess culture, from preparation styles to the evolving rules on draw offers.

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0:15 – Introduction
2:34 – Becoming a Real Contender
6:00 – Finding an Edge Against More Talented Rivals
8:13 – Taking Time Off Work to Chase Chess Goals
10:52 – Training Stamina & Playing 100 Games a Year
18:20 – Why Rating Doesn’t Matter
21:11 – Core Training: Annotating Games & Using Engines
36:33 – Solitaire Chess & Personalized Training
51:06 – The “Post-Postmortem” Method (Old Book Analysis)
59:39 – Final Insights

EP 161 | Ranking the Top 10 Chess Countries

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:22:24 -0400

In this episode of Dojo Talks, Jesse, David, and Kostya each reveal and debate their top 10 chess countries of all time—based on world champions, cultural contributions, and historic achievements—before combining their lists into a final ranking.

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04:57 – Jesse’s #10 pick
09:44 – David’s #10 pick
13:01 – Kostya’s #10 pick
14:04 – Kostya’s #9 pick
15:24 – David’s #9 pick
18:51 – Jesse’s #9 pick
20:33 – Jesse’s #8 pick
21:37 – David’s #8 pick
25:16 – Kostya’s #8 pick
27:12 – Kostya’s #7 pick
28:31 – David’s #7 pick
30:13 – Jesse’s #7 pick
32:19 – Jesse’s #6 pick
33:54 – David’s #6 pick
36:28 – Kostya’s #6 pick
37:39 – Kostya’s #5 pick
38:34 – David’s #5 pick
42:12 – Jesse’s #5 pick
44:51 – Jesse’s #4 pick
46:24 – David’s #4 pick
49:04 – Kostya’s #4 pick
50:26 – Kostya’s #3 pick
52:43 – David’s #3 pick
59:29 – Jesse’s #3 pick
1:02:48 – Jesse’s #2 pick
1:05:50 – David’s #2 pick
1:09:45 – Kostya’s #2 pick
1:10:37 – Kostya’s #1 pick
1:11:41 – David’s #1 pick
1:12:42 – Jesse’s #1 pick

EP 160 | Jesse's Heresy

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:00:34 -0400

Jesse questions the usual way of learning chess, suggesting that copying moves can be as useful as deep strategy. The sensei discuss if playing blitz and checking with a computer can help players improve quickly.

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00:00 – Jesse’s heresy revealed
01:26 – Hendriks: chess is learned by copying
04:17 – Copying in openings is valid
06:06 – Blitz + engine as a training method
08:56 – How kids get strong fast today
13:38 – Comparing blitz to Dojo sparring
21:29 – Words vs instinct in learning chess
27:14 – Chess960 and the limits of imitation
38:08 – Engines changed how we see tactics
46:50 – Ideas help memory and understanding

EP 159 | How To Turbo Charge Your Tactics w/ GM Mykhaylo Oleksiyenko

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:48:06 -0400

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EP 158 | Do Chess and Philosophy Mix?

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this DojoTalks, the sensei explore whether chess and philosophy intersect, discussing three levels of chess philosophy, how personal beliefs shape play, and how computers challenge traditional ideas, while also examining deeper questions about why people are drawn to chess and what the game represents in human life.

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00:00 – Introduction: Is Philosophy in Chess Possible?
01:08 – Three Levels of Chess Philosophy
02:56 – Chess Values and Philosophical Frameworks
14:25 – Computers, Truth, and Modern Chess Philosophy
22:28 – What is Chess? Exploring Deeper Meanings
33:42 – Chess as Wellness, Culture, and Ego
42:42 – Blitz, Escapism, and Personal Motivations

EP 157 | Will Hans Niemann Become World Champion?

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 15:28:26 -0400

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00:00– Introduction
02:02 – Hans’s World Champion Goal
03:10 – Chances and Predictions
06:06 – Tough Competition
08:32 – Top 10 Players Discussion
14:10 – Paths to Candidates
16:41 – Hans’s Rating Plateau
21:17 – Coaching and Support
33:50 – Qualities of a Champion
46:02 – Future Possibilities

EP 156 | Who Will Be Top -10 in June 2026?

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:11:43 -0400

Episode note: the recording froze around the 31 minute mark, so you may hear a short piece cut out.

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In this episode, the sensei review their previous top 10 predictions for June 2025, evaluating their accuracy against the actual FIDE rankings. They also make new predictions for June 2026, highlighting rising stars like Gukesh and Arjun while debating the future potential of players like Firouzja, Niemann, and Nakamura.

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00:00 – Introduction
01:17 – June 2025 FIDE Top 10
03:09 – Firouzja Correctly Predicted to Enter Top 10
04:20 – Decline of Nepomniachtchi, So, and Anand
06:43 – Misses on Abdusattorov and Other Juniors
07:50 – Firouzja’s Struggles and Unfulfilled Potential
12:38 – Start of 2026 Top 10 Predictions
14:41 – Controversial Pick at #10
25:04 – Will Magnus Stay Ranked with Minimal Games?
33:32 – Debating the Top 5: Naka, Gukesh, Arjun, Fabi
46:59 – Final Dojo Composite Top 10 List for 2026
53:03 – Wrap-Up & Patreon Support Appeal

EP 155 | What Made Norway Chess So Good?

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 08:48:08 -0400

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EP 154 | Is Chess an eSport?

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 08:51:09 -0400

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IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess and GM Jesse Kraai question if chess is an E-Sport. What do you think?

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00:03 – Chess joins Esports World Cup
00:52 – Event format & prize money
01:39 – Impact on Magnus Tour
02:55 – Saudi Arabia controversy
03:55 – Top 12 participants listed
05:00 – Wildcard qualifiers
07:07 – Ethics vs esport debate
17:09 – Magnus’s business motives
30:20 – Is chess a video game?
37:08 – Audience split: old vs new
43:14 – Support for freestyle chess
48:08 – FIDE’s relevance at risk
53:25 – Ambassadorship ethics
59:46 – LGBTQ & inclusivity issues
1:04:24 – Final thoughts & viewer poll

EP 153 | How To Improve Your Positional Play w/ GM Aagaard

Tue, 27 May 2025 09:32:38 -0400

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0:00 Intro
1:51 How to improve your positional play
6:05 Book recommendations
8:18 Recognizing weaknesses in positional play
12:22 How to work with a coach
15:48 Killer Chess Training Camp
20:15 How Aagaard learned positional play
24:12 Certainty of action vs. certainty of outcome
26:06 Working with Sam -Shankland
29:58 Improving specific aspects of positional play
31:52 Certainty of action vs. certainty of outcome
35:16 How much should adult improvers play classical?
39:35 Micro-pains
45:46 How Renier Castellanos made GM
50:11 What's the best process for reviewing your games?
56:10 Solving simple tactics vs. difficult problems
57:28 What is calculation
1:05:17 Simple tactics vs. difficult problems
1:11:56 The #1 rule of training
1:14:00 The cycle of improvement
1:19:08 Whats next for Killer Chess Training

Check out GM Aagaard at https://killerchesstraining.com!

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Thumbnail photo: Eric Rosen

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EP 152 | Visualization and Aphantasia

Thu, 15 May 2025 08:19:00 -0400

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IM David Pruess has long been famous for reaching a high level in chess while having aphantasia. We talk about how this could be and what it says about visualization in chess.

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EP 151 | Teaching Chess To Kids

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0400

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GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy are joined by NM Matan Prilletensky to discuss the details of how to teach chess to children, and what people should know when they're considering teaching chess to kids.

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#chess #chesscoach

EP 150 | DOJOVERSARY 5 - Origin Story

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:14:13 -0400

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IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai celebrate 5 years of ChessDojo with episode 150! ChessDojo's first video launched on March 14, 2020. The sensei talk about how the Dojo started, how it's evolved, and what's coming next in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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0:00 Intro
0:30 Origin Story
23:39 What's Next For Dojo

#chess #chesspodcast

EP 149 | The Chess Revolution w/ Peter Doggers

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:24:45 -0400

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IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about the book The Chess Revolution with guest journalist Peter Doggers on today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast!

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#chess #chessbook

EP 148 | State of Scholastic Chess with WFM Elizabeth Spiegel

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 09:06:17 -0400

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The ChessDojo sensei GM Jesse Kraai and IM David Pruess sit down with WFM Elizabeth Speigel and talk about the state of scholastic chess in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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#chess #chessmaster

CHAPTERS
0:00 Scholastic Chess with WFM Elizabeth Spiegel
15:33 Pedagogical Goals
22:20 Chess as School Subject
26:10 Brooklyn Castle and Bringing Chess Into Schools
32:00 Chess and Deep Thinking
39:13 The Impact of Chess on Children
44:16 Do More Girls Play Chess Than Before?
46:46 Strongest Players from WFM Spiegel's Program

EP 147 | FIDE Ratings & The Stats of Cheating (ft. Dr. Kenneth Regan)

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 08:08:06 -0400

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The Dojo talks with Dr. Kenneth Regan, who provides an analysis of FIDE ratings since the March 2024 rating boost.

Also discussed is the topic of cheating -- how often it comes up and what it takes to catch one.

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#chess

CHAPTERS
0:00 FIDE Rating Change with Dr. Kenneth Regan
11:43 Rating Distortion and Performance Ratings
47:50 Detecting Chess Cheating

EP 146 | Is Chess 99% Tactics?

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:04:50 -0400

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GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk about chess tactics and whether chess is really 99% tactics in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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#chesstactics #chessstrategy

CHAPTERS
0:00 Is Chess 99% Tactics?
14:22 Calculation vs Evaluation
31:10 Strategy and Story
40:52 Strategy vs Positional Play
49:31 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know
51:37 What's Most Important for Under 1250 Elo?
54:47 Chess and Go

EP 145 | Does Freestyle Chess Have A Future?

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:19:22 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, and recent and ongoing issues between FIDE and Freestyle Chess in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast!

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#chess #chesstraining

Chapters:

CHAPTERS
0:00 Freestlye Chess, FIDE, and Magnus
2:40 Do Fans Like Freestyle Chess?
8:36 Will Kids Get Into Freestyle Chess?
16:54 Looking at the Data
26:18 Magnus Carlsen and Freestyle Chess
54:40 Wrap-Up

EP 144 | Online vs. OTB Chess

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 13:08:41 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss the differences and pros vs cons between Online Chess and Over the Board (OTB) Chess in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast!

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#chess #chesstraining

Chapters:

0:00 Online vs OTB Chess
15:50 Anecdotes
25:21 Using Boards for Online Chess
29:17 Blitz Chess
32:08 Thinking Online vs OTB
42:37 Being Too Online
46:09 Discrepancies Between Online and OTB Chess

EP 143 | Who Will Qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates?

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 08:58:56 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss who will qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates cycle in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast!

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#chess #chesstraining

Chapters:
0:00 Who Will Qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Cycle?
1:12 FIDE Candidate Cycle Rating Spot Changes
8:50 FIDE Cycle Results
14:37 Points and Tie-Breaks
18:11 Jesse's List
19:20 Top 6 from the 2024 FIDE Circuit
31:44 This Coming Year in Chess

EP 142 | Kostya's Heresy

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0500

The sensei debate Kostya’s controversial claim that all major chess tournaments should switch to rapid, exploring its potential impact on classical chess, player improvement, tournament structure, and fan engagement, ultimately leaving Jesse and David unconvinced.

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#chess #chesstraining

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction – Discussion on Kostya’s controversial quote about switching major tournaments to rapid.
01:16 – Context of the Quote – Explanation that it was a short Q&A answer, not a detailed proposal.
03:18 – Future of Classical Chess – Kostya argues that classical chess may become obsolete over time.
04:06 – Online Growth vs. OTB Decline – Discussion on why rapid and Blitz are growing online but not in classical tournaments.
06:06 – Opening Preparation Issues – Classical chess demands extensive opening prep, making it less enjoyable for some players.
10:25 – Classical for Beginners, Rapid for Pros? – Kostya suggests longer time controls are useful for improvement but not ideal for elite events.
12:07 – Rapid Chess Popularity – Historical attempts to promote rapid chess and why it hasn’t taken over.
22:49 – World Championship & Classical Chess – Arguments for why classical chess remains the gold standard for top-level competition.
30:55 – Quality of Games in Different Formats – Whether faster time controls lead to better or worse chess quality.
41:23 – Closing Thoughts – Debate recap with Jesse and David still unconvinced by Kostya’s stance on rapid chess.

EP 141 | The Psychology of Goals w/ Dr. Joel Sneed

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 16:24:08 -0500

Dr. Joel Sneed, a psychologist and dedicated adult chess improver, discusses the challenges of learning chess later in life, his struggles with perfectionism and obsession over openings, and how psychological techniques like ACT and CBT can help manage chess-related anxiety.

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#chess #chesstraining

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to Dojo Talks; guest Dr. Joel Sneed's background in psychology and chess.
00:38 – Discussion on Sneed’s chess journey, starting late and reaching a 2000+ rating.
01:54 – Sneed’s transition from Freudian psychoanalysis to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and ACT therapy.
03:49 – Adapting to new technology as an older adult and learning struggles.
05:57 – Comparison between changes in psychology and changes in chess over time.
13:54 – Sneed’s crisis moment: forgetting opening prep in a Blitz game and quitting chess.
17:11 – The frustration of learning but failing to apply knowledge in real games.
33:15 – Dealing with an "action crisis"—considering quitting chess and reevaluating goals.
53:16 – Focusing on process-oriented goals instead of rating-based goals.
1:16:35 – Sneed’s new goal: playing more tournament games and prioritizing enjoyment over rating.

EP 140 | Should There Be A SuperGM Title

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:18:54 -0500

The sensei debate whether FIDE should introduce an official Super-GM title, discussing its potential requirements, the impact of rating inflation, and how chess titles should evolve to reflect modern competitive standards.

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#chess #chesstraining

EP 139 | Who Decides The World Championship? ft. GM Jacob Aagaard

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 13:31:01 -0500

The sensei are joined by GM Jacok Aagaard to discuss who decides the world championship.

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#chess #chesstraining

Chapters

[00:00] - Introduction
[01:06] - Historical Tradition
[02:19] - 1990s Split Era
[04:54] - Kasparov vs. FIDE
[07:49] - Counting World Champions
[15:37] - Importance of Qualification
[28:46] - Reunification Match (2006)
[36:28] - Critique of Recent Cycles
[45:22] - Who is a World Champion?
[56:01] - Modern Challenges in Defining Champions
[1:08:22] - Expiration of Lineage
[1:37:07] - Ding Liren and Nepomniachtchi Match Issues
[1:55:26] - Freestyle Chess World Championship
[2:00:05] - Conclusion

EP 138 | Top 5 Chess Authors

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 19:34:39 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy rank the top five greatest chess authors of all time in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast!

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#chess #chesstraining

CHAPTERS
0:00 Ranking The 5 Greatest Chess Authors of All Time
3:45 Categories of Chess Authors
6:08 Jesse's No. 5 Pick
7:05 David's No. 5 Pick
11:24 Kostya's No. 5 Pick
12:47 Kostya's No. 4 Pick
13:50 David's No. 4 Pick
15:39 Jesse's No. 4 Pick
17:17 Jesse's No. 3 Pick
18:07 David's No. 3 Pick
20:55 Kostya's No. 3 Pick
23:43 Greatest Course Makers Episode?
25:55 Kostya's No. 2 Pick
28:04 David's No. 2 Pick
29:34 Jesse's No. 2 Pick
31:19 Jesse's No. 1 Pick
34:03 David's No. 1 Pick
38:04 Kostya's No. 1 Pick
41:01 ChessDojo's Greatest 5 Chess Authors of All Time
43:15 Magnus Carlsen's Output
47:21 Follow ChessDojo

EP 137 | Should Beginners Study Openings w/ GM Hammer

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 09:12:50 -0500

GM Jon Ludvig Hammer joins the sensei on this Dojo Talks to discuss whether beginners should study openings, and if so, how much?

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#chess #chesstraining

00:01 – Introduction and welcome to GM Hammer; discussion about his new Chessable course.
01:33 – Overview of the debate: Should beginners study openings?
02:21 – Hammer’s argument for teaching openings to beginners for motivation and familiarity.
03:35 – Defining "beginner" and the target audience for Hammer's course (800–1300 Chess.com rapid rating).
05:00 – Differences in chess ratings across platforms (Chess.com vs. Lichess) and their relevance to the debate.
07:28 – Hammer explains the importance of enjoying chess and using openings as a "cheat code" for improvement.
09:05 – When Hammer believes opening study is most beneficial (during stagnation or motivation slumps).
14:15 – Jesse’s perspective: Most mistakes at lower levels occur in the middle or endgame, not in the opening.
15:55 – Importance of board vision and avoiding hanging pieces for beginners.
18:31 – Risks of opening study: Memorization without understanding and neglecting principles.
21:42 – Hammer’s course design: Emphasis on plans, common moves, and practical advice tailored for lower-rated players.
28:17 – Clarifying misconceptions about opening study in the Chess Dojo training system.
34:49 – Motivation and its role in chess improvement at all levels.
45:16 – Hammer on the purpose of his course: Surviving the opening to focus on other aspects of chess.
50:44 – Discussion on Chessable’s business decisions, including paywalling "Short and Sweet" courses.
1:02:37 – Closing thoughts: Balancing opening study with broader chess skills and finding what motivates individual players.

EP 136 | 2024 World Rapid & Blitz w/ GM Hammer

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 12:44:41 -0500

The sensei are joined by GM Jon Ludvig Hammer to discuss the 2024 World Rapid Blitz Championship and Magnus Carlsen's controversial decision to split the championship title with Ian Nepomniachtchi, drawing significant criticism for bending competition rules and setting a troubling precedent.

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#chess #chesstraining

00:00 Introduction of GM Jon Ludvig Hammer and his Chessable course.
00:37 Overview of the Blitz Championship and Magnus Carlsen.
01:16 Discussion on Abdusattorov’s rise and breakout performances.
02:32 Controversy over Magnus and Nepomniachtchi sharing the title.
03:15 Social media and fan perspectives on the shared title.
04:08 Hammer’s stance on sportsmanship and breaking rules.
08:21 Comparison to past events and "Grandmaster draws."
12:20 Speculation on Magnus’s motivations for sharing the title.
29:03 Hammer’s view on Magnus’s current career and form.
34:15 FIDE’s role in allowing the title to be shared.
41:04 Freestyle Chess and its rivalry with FIDE.
48:22 Final thoughts on Magnus and the Blitz Championship.

EP 135 | Denimgate

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 10:02:08 -0500

Jesse, David, and Kostya discuss the controversy around "DenimGate," involving Magnus Carlsen's disqualification from the World Rapid Tournament due to dress code violations, with broader implications for tensions between Carlsen, FIDE, and Freestyle chess organizers.

Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78

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#chess #chesstraining

00:05 - Introduction to "DenimGate," the controversy involving Magnus Carlsen, jeans, and dress code violations during the World Blitz Championship.
00:46 - Context about prior conflicts and drama between Magnus, FIDE, and freestyle chess.
01:48 - Explanation of the tension between freestyle chess organizers and FIDE over the rights to world championships in alternate formats like Fischer Random.
03:04 - Analysis of Magnus Carlsen’s career stage and his challenges finding motivation as his dominance wanes.
05:01 - Magnus’s focus on rapid and blitz chess over classical formats and his struggle with recent tournament results.
07:14 - Freestyle chess’s plans to run a championship tour with significant funding and high-profile players.
09:10 - Discussion of the jeans controversy and whether it was an isolated incident or part of broader disputes.
11:50 - Broader historical parallels between past chess legends and their conflicts with FIDE.
14:52 - The complexities of dress code enforcement and Magnus’s refusal to change, leading to forfeiture.
20:09 - Insights into Magnus’s frustration with FIDE and his vision for the future of chess.
26:24 - Speculation about the impact of Fischer Random Chess and Magnus’s endorsement of it as a potential future for elite chess.
31:08 - Challenges of introducing Fischer Random Chess to mainstream audiences and players’ resistance.
40:46 - Psychological attachment of players to traditional chess formats and its impact on the acceptance of variants.
45:57 - Connection to Magnus’s involvement in an esports event backed by Saudi funding, and the potential geopolitical implications.
50:54 - Discussion about the appropriateness and enforcement of dress codes in professional chess.
56:46 - Conclusion and look ahead to the World Blitz Championship and Magnus’s chances of making a comeback.

EP 134 | FIDE vs. Freestyle Drama

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 19:18:16 -0500

GM Kraai, IM Pruess, and IM Kavutskiy discuss the conflict between FIDE and the Freestyle Chess Association over the legitimacy and rights to organize Chess 960 (Fischer Random) events, with players like Magnus Carlsen spearheading Freestyle's efforts to revitalize the format. The sensei discuss fan interest, FIDE's waning control, and the broader implications for chess traditions and alternative formats.

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#chess #chesstraining

00:00 - Introduction
00:40 - Overview of the Drama
01:13 - Hosts' Opinions on Chess 960
02:58 - Freestyle Chess Organization's Efforts
07:27 - Fan Interest and Chess 960’s Appeal
08:28 - Freestyle’s Announcement and FIDE’s Response
12:27 - Magnus and Hikaru's Potential Withdrawal
17:07 - Presentation and Fan Engagement
20:14 - FIDE vs. Freestyle Chess: Rights Dispute
25:51 - Importance of Event Longevity
39:36 - Freestyle Chess: Future Challenges
57:08 - The Ideal Resolution

EP 133 | 2024 World Chess Championship Recap

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:56:29 -0500

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai recap the 2024 World Chess Championship match between defending champion GM Ding Liren and challenger GM Gukesh D in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast!

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#chess #chesstraining

CHAPTERS

0:00 New Book Announcement

:02 ChessDojo Streaming the Match

3:55 Predictions vs Reality

14:02 How Would This World Championship Rank?

EP 132 | Who Will Win the 2024 World Chess Championship?

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 09:27:04 -0500

Who will win the 2024 World Chess Championship between GM Ding Liren and GM Gukesh D? GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss who will be the next World Chess Champion, the format for the match, and whether the match will be close or a blowout in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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#chess #chesstraining

EP 131 | The Top 5 World Chess Championship Matches Of All-Time

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 16:26:42 -0500

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai finish their series of ranking the best World Chess Championship matches ever with a discussion and ranking of the top 5 World Chess Championship matches of all time.

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#chess #chesstraining

EP 130 | Every World Chess Championship Match Ranked | Part 3: Modern Era (1993-2023)

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 11:55:56 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy continue their series of ranking every World Chess Championship match ever in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

Featuring champions and challengers like Garry Kasparov, Nigel Short, Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, Peter Leko, Veselin Topalov, Boris Gelfand, Magnus Carlsen, Sergey Karjakin, Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren.

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#chess #chesstraining

EP 129 | Every World Chess Championship Match Ranked | Part 2: Soviet Era (1951-1990)

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 07:47:26 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy continue their series of ranking every World Chess Championship match ever in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

Part 2 focuses on the time after World War II, the Soviet Era of chess between 1951 and 1990, with matches involving Mikhail Botvinnik, Vasily Smyslov, David Bronstein, Mikhail Tal, Tigran Petrosian, Boris Spassky, Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov, Viktor Korchnoi, and Garry Kasparov.

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#chess #chesstraining

EP 128 | Every World Chess Championship Match Ranked | Part 1: pre-FIDE (1834-1937)

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:09:53 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy rank every world chess championship match there has ever been! Which world championship match-up was the greatest? Let's talk about it today on Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Part 1: Before FIDE (1834 - 1937).

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#chess #chesstraining

EP 127 | Should Draws Be Scored Differently?

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 12:05:59 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss whether draws in chess should be scored differently - such as using the Soccer/Football or Venceslav Rutar scoring systems - and what impact it might have on the chess world in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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EP 126 | Ranking The Top 10 U.S. Players of All Time

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai rank the top 10 U.S. chess players of all time in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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#chess #chesstraining

EP 125 | The 2024 Junior Draft

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0500

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai have their 2024 Junior Draft on today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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EP 124 | The Kramnik-Danya Situation

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 12:51:39 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk about the ongoing situation between GM Daniel Naroditsky and GM Vladimir Kramnik on today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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EP 123 | October Chess Drama

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 08:55:39 -0400

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IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about all of the big drama happening in the chess world at the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship and Spanish Team Championship in October this year on today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast!

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#chess #chesstraining

CHAPTERS
0:00 Drama in Spain and the U.S. Chess Championship
1:15 Kirill Shevchenko Chess Drama
16:52 Cheating in the Chess World
23:52 Christopher Yoo Chess Drama
33:13 Protocol at the Saint Louis Chess Club
40:20 How It Affects the Tournament
42:16 Status of Saint Louis with Lichess and Chess.com
46:27 Relationship with Chess and Wellbeing

EP 122 | How To Structure Your Training

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:15:10 -0400

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GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk details about how to structure your chess training in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo Podcast.

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#chess #chesstraining

CHAPTERS
0:00 How to Structure Your Chess Training
1:35 How Should the Average Person Schedule Their Chess Training?
18:04 How Many Hours to Spend Per Chess Topic
36:35 How to Choose Your Focus
40:03 Allocating Hours for Chess Training
51:40 New Things Coming to the Training Program
52:49 Closing Thoughts

EP 121 | Most Influential Chess Books

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 14:46:34 -0400

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GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss and rate the most influential chess books in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast!

CHAPTERS
0:00 Ranking the 5 Most Influential Chess Books
3:38 Jesse's No. 5 Pick
8:20 David's No. 5 Pick
13:24 Kostya's No.5 Pick
17:08 Kostya's No. 4 Pick
22:40 David's No. 4 Pick
25:37 Jesse's No. 4 Pick
26:50 Jesse's No. 3 Pick
29:43 David's No. 3 Pick
32:00 Kostya's No. 3 Pick
35:03 Kostya's No. 2 Pick
39:16 David's No. 2 Pick
44:14 Jesse's No. 2 Pick
48:39 Jesse's No. 1 Pick
51:45 David's No. 1 Pick
57:57 Kostya's No. 1 Pick
1:00:01 Reflecting on the List
1:02:10 Honorable Mentions
1:09:14 Final Rankings

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#chess #chessbook

EP 120 | 2024 Olympiad Recap

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 08:40:38 -0400

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IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai recap the 2024 Chess Olympiad in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo Podcast!

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro to the 2024 Budapest Olympiad
0:35 Joys and Challenges of Going In Person
3:23 India, Uzbekistan, and Gukesh D
19:29 Kostya's Experience with a Press Pass
24:46 Ding Liren's Wellbeing
28:25 If Hikaru Nakamura Had Played
34:56 Money in the Olympiad
40:21 Chess Politics at the Olympiad
45:22 Is the Magnus Carlsen Era Over?
51:31 Magnus Carlsen vs Gukesh D
52:58 Which Country Will Dominate Chess?

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#chess

EP 119 | What Does it Take to Succeed in Senior Chess

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 08:58:01 -0400

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GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about the world of senior chess, the 2024 U.S. Senior Chess Championship, and what it takes to succeed in senior chess in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
2:32 Part 1 - The Advent of Senior Chess
23:15 Part 2 - Succeeding at Senior Chess
1:03:10 Conclusion

#chess

EP 118 | Advice for Young Chess Professionals ft. GM Sam Shankland

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 11:24:39 -0400

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GM Sam Shankland, GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk about what it takes to have a career in chess, whether as a tournament player or chess content creator, in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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0:00 Can You Make a Career in Chess?
4:50 Making a Living Without Damaging Your Chess
23:20 How Much Money Do Top Chess Players Make From Tournaments?
29:30 Career as Content Creator vs Competitive Chess Player
33:34 Income at 2600 vs 2650 vs 2700 FIDE
35:00 Negotiating for Tournament Conditions
39:04 Differences with Age
45:46 Work Life Balance in Chess
47:29 What Are Sam's Goals?
50:43 Impact of Going to College
57:30 Coaching for Aspiring Chess Players

#chess

EP 117 | Who Will Be Top 10 in 2025?

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 11:54:00 -0400

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GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy forecast who will be the top 10 FIDE rated chess players in June 2025 in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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Chapters
0:00 Intro
3:29 2024 Juniors
10:06 Current FIDE Top 10 in June 2024
13:40 Number 10
19:46 Number 9
23:13 Number 8
30:07 Number 7
33:12 Number 6
38:46 Number 5
41:16 Number 4
44:06 Number 3
47:41 Number 2
52:01 Number 1
55:04 Shake Ups in the Top 10 and Averaging Scores`
59:42 Combined Rankings

#chess

EP 116 | Do World Champions Lose Their Minds?

Fri, 17 May 2024 12:09:38 -0400

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On today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast, GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about the impact of the FIDE World Chess Championship circuit on mental health and the sanity of those who endure it.

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EP 115 | 2026 FIDE Cycle Drama

Mon, 13 May 2024 07:54:31 -0400

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IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about all of the drama and projections brewing for the 2026 FIDE candidates, as well as FIDE's new path to get to the 2026 Candidates Tournament in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

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EP 114 | 2024 FIDE Candidates Recap

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 08:05:20 -0400

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Dive into the drama and surprises of the FIDE 2024 Candidates! Join us for live breakdowns and deep dives into each game. Subscribe for more thrilling chess content! GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy recap the 2024 FIDE Candidates Tournament and its surprise outcome in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast.

Whether you're rooting for the underdogs or chess legends, there's something here for you. Watch as we unravel the pivotal blunders and brilliant plays that defined this championship, featuring unexpected victors and nail-biting finishes. Don't miss our analysis on the youngest ever candidate from India and his journey to face Ding Liren.

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Initial thoughts
5:55 - Time Control
9:18 - Gukesh: World's New Number 2?
17:54 - Gukesh's Future in Chess
26:25 - The Future of Classical Chess
28:13 - Analyzing the Candidates System
35:45 - End of Magnus Carlsen's Era
44:54 - Chess Predictions Reviewed
48:04 - Last Chance Qualifiers in Chess
51:30 - FIDE Grand Prix and World Cup Discussion
56:08 - Ding Liren vs Gukesh D

#chess

EP 113 | The Great Eval Bar Debate (feat. GM Hammer)

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 15:14:35 -0400

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Special guest GM Jon Ludvig Hammer joins the Dojo to discuss the ongoing "eval bar" war that has taken the chess world by storm.

This show was streamed live to Twitch on 4/12/2024, at the exact half-way mark of the 2024 FIDE Candidates,

0:00 Intro
2:58 2024 FIDE Candidates - 1st Half Thoughts
14:28 Eval Bar Debate
1:13:28 Final Thoughts

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#chess

BONUS Episode: 2024 FIDE Women's Candidates

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 14:37:54 -0400

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Recorded at the end of last week's Dojo Talks, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about women's chess and the upcoming 2024 FIDE Women's Candidates to determine who will face the current Women's World Chess Champion, GM Ju Wenjun.

Dojoer Sam, aka BKKchess, gives her take on the Women's event here: https://youtu.be/O8XKCQn97CI?si=UCg4oj_MsrPjys4 And will be providing coverage throughout the event.

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
1:54 - Women's Chess Tournaments

#chess

EP 112 | Ranking the 2024 FIDE Candidates

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 08:03:49 -0400

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Who will be the next World Chess Champion? How do the 2024 FIDE Candidates stack up? GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess weigh in and rank the 2024 FIDE Candidates.

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Initial Thoughts on 2024 Candidates
7:32 - Ranking the 2024 Candidates
11:39 - Nijat Abasov
12:54 - Vidit Gujrathi
17:33 - Gukesh D.
22:12 - Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa
25:17 - Ian Nepomniachtchi
32:15 - Alireza Firouzja
38:44 - Hikaru Nakamura
45:15 - Fabiano Caruana
52:52 - ChessDojo Membership Promo
53:44 - Bonus questions

#chess

EP 111 | Openings

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:53:45 -0400

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The Dojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai) discuss openings and blitz chess in this podcast episode of Dojo Talks. This episode dives into the critical aspects of chess study, particularly the emphasis on openings and the allure yet potential pitfalls of blitz chess. We also explore the balance between studying chess for enjoyment versus serious improvement. Whether a beginner under 1500 or an advancing player, this discussion sheds light on how to approach chess study effectively.

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Don't forget to subscribe for more chess analysis, rapid games, and expert insights into the world of chess. Whether it's mastering chess openings or getting the upper hand in blitz chess, ChessDojo is your go-to for enhancing your chess strategy and skills.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro to Dojo Talks
0:50 - Importance of Studying Openings
3:45 - Opening Study: Fun vs Compulsion
8:12 - Negative Impacts of Opening Study
14:01 - Active vs Passive Learning Strategies
18:35 - Chess Engines and Opening Preparation
22:48 - Optimal Time for Opening Study
23:39 - Global Trends in Opening Study
28:10 - Ideal Level to Begin Opening Study
30:50 - Effective Opening Study Techniques
32:50 - Blitz for Opening Practice
38:20 - Risks of Blitz for Opening Study
41:41 - Ben Johnson’s Insights on Blitz
43:10 - Evaluating Blitz's Effectiveness in Learning
49:00 - Generational Changes in Chess Study
51:12 - Blitz Playing Styles
51:54 - Closing Remarks on Openings

#Sparring #OnlineTraining #RepertoireTechniques #PositionPractice #Chessable

#Chessable #Improvement #Openings #PositionPractice #Tactics

EP 110 | The FIDE Rating Boost ft. ChessNumbers

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 13:33:28 -0500

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GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and ChessNumbers (Tai Pruce-Zimmerman) talk about the FIDE rating conversion/update and deflation, and the statistics and math involved.

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0:00 Chess Rating Deflation and FIDE's Rating Boost
7:28 Minimum Ratings and National/Local Ratings
15:54 How Many Points Were Just Added?
24:51 How Will This Affect High Rated Players?
34:44 Is It Easier or Harder to Gain Rating?
48:54 ChessDojo Training Program Changes

#chess

EP 109 | Ranking the Best Money Spent on Chess

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 19:28:33 -0500

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Not sure how to spend money on chess? GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess rank the best and worst ways you can spend your money on chess, and share what they believe are the top investments in chess.

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0:00 How The Episode Will Go
3:07 Books
9:13 Camps
16:00 Tournaments
26:49 Coaching
34:23 Courses
41:10 Online Programs
46:57 Clubs
53:08 Chess.com
1:02:19 Group Classes
1:05:11 Free Content
1:13:08 ChessBase
1:22:38 Online Sites
1:25:28 Nice Chess Sets
1:30:12 Magazines
1:37:26 Ranking Recap

#chess

EP 108 | Spaced Repetition

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:00:50 -0500

The ChessDojo sensei, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai, talk about using spaced repetition in chess training (the next topic from NM Ben Johnson's book, "Perpetual Chess Improvement"). Get your copy of Ben's book here: https://amzn.to/3I3PjrM.

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0:00 Spaced Repetition, or The Spacing Effect
5:05 How to Use Spaced Repetition
28:24 Repetition in the Dojo Training Program
48:31 Intensity of Study
51:56 Final Points and What's to Come

#chess

EP 107 | The Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 07:51:19 -0500

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IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about Magnus Carlsen's tournament, the Freestyle Chess GOAT Challenge, the future of Chess 960/Fischer Random/Freestyle Chess, World Champion Ding Liren's performance, and much more in today's episode of the ChessDojo podcast, Dojo Talks!

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0:00 What is the Freestyle Chess GOAT Challenge?
2:29 Thoughts on the Name
6:34 Why The Colored Jackets?
8:17 Format of the Event
9:33 Will Freestyle Chess Take Over?
21:24 Knockout Matches
24:22 Who Gets to Compete
26:28 What Should Chess 960/Fischer Random/Freestyle Chess Be Called?
29:58 How Are the Players Performing?
30:59 Ding Liren’s Performance
38:57 Magnus Carlsen’s Performance
40:28 Can You Be Much Better or Worse at Variants?
47:54 Will Fischer Random Take Off?

#chess

EP 106 | Once Great Chess Companies

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:10:55 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about chess companies that were once great.

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Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

EP 105 | How Much is Enough?

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 09:35:06 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about how much is enough - How do you know when you have done enough work, or how do you know you have achieved enough? The Sensei discuss life and chess today, and what it means to pursue things.

Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

(Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.)

Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojolive
Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chess_dojo/
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com/
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips

#chess

0:00 Intro
0:45 How High of a Chess Rating is Enough?
10:24 How Many Hours of Chess per Day is Enough?
18:39 How Much is Enough for the Dojo?
37:22 How Much Income is Enough?
48:00 Wrap-up

EP 104 | Handshakes

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:29:06 -0500

Watch "Closing Gambit" https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07DPWCW7C/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
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GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk handshakes in chess.

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0:00 Ukraine, Russia, Karpov, Korchnoi, and 'Closing Gambit'
7:10 Should You Ever Refuse a Handshake?
14:49 Should FIDE Require Handshakes?
18:24 Rude Tournament Behavior
23:17 Famous Handshake Deniers
31:36 Who the Sensei Wouldn't Shake Hands With
48:44 David and Jesse Try to Get Banned

#chess

EP 103 | Can Neal Bruce Make Master?

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 07:41:52 -0500

Neal Bruce of #chesspunks fame has been diligently studying and pursuing chess as an adult improver. The ChessDojo sensei GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss whether Neal Bruce will be able to make his goal of National Master (NM) in today's episode of the DojoTalks Podcast.

0:00 David vs Coffee
0:18 Chess Rating Gains as an Adult
9:37 Making Predictions About Goals
13:57 Poll Results: Can Adult Improvers Make NM?
20:24 Chess Training as an Adult
34:39 Rating Baselines, Age, and Improvement
51:41 Value of Playing OTB Chess Games
53:23 Kostya's GM Quest
54:12 How Many OTB Games per Year?
56:21 Can You Prove Jesse Wrong?
1:01:05 New in the Dojo Training Program

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EP 102 | 2024 FIDE Candidates Drama

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 08:30:48 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk about the drama leading up to the FIDE Candidates Tournament, including FIDE and the tournament involving GM Alireza Firouzja.

Interested in a full training plan and a community to help you improve? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://dojoscoreboard.com

Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with ChessDojo merch: https://www.chessdojo.club/shop

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Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

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0:00 Intro
1:36 Are FIDE's Decisions Good For Chess?
4:51 Ding, Alireza, Gukesh, Erigaisi, and The Rating Spot
21:22 Situation with FIDE
31:49

#chess #fide

EP 101 | Vladimir Kramnik on Cheating

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:22:07 -0500

Former World Chess Champion GM Vladimir Kramnik comes on the DojoTalks podcast to talk cheating in chess!

Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: dojoscoreboard.com

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EP 100 | Ranking The Best Podcast Episodes

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 08:53:30 -0500

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy celebrate their 100th episode of the DojoTalks Podcast by ranking their favorite episodes of the podcast, and chatting about the past, present, and future of the pod.

Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: dojoscoreboard.com

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Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

(Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.)

0:00 Intro
0:11 The Sensei Reflect on DojoTalks
8:24 Ranking The Top Five Episodes
38:20 Worst Episode of DojoTalks?
40:07 When The Dojo Gets Spicy
42:16 Future of DojoTalks

EP 99 | GM Hikaru on The Chess Economy

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 10:12:44 -0500

GMHikaru joins GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy in today's episode of DojoTalks where GM Hikaru Nakamura talks about professional chess life and joins the Sensei in a discussion of professional chess economics.

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Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with ChessDojo merch: https://www.chessdojo.club/shop

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Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

EP 98 | Endgames

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 11:05:04 -0500

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai discuss the importance of studying endgames, which endgames to study, and much more in this episode of Dojo Talks.

Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club

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Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

EP 97 | 2023 Junior Draft

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:45:51 -0400

Who are the top junior chess players in the world? IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai draft their top picks of young chess grandmasters. In one year, the ChessDojo Sensei will reconvene to see how their top picks did, and select a new draft.

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Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with ChessDojo merch: https://www.chessdojo.club/shop

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Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo