GM Peter Svidler (and goodbye, for now...)

Martin Justesen is a published chess author from Denmark. Martin's books are aimed for adult improvers like him, across all levels. He recently adapted Jose Raul Capablanca's classic "Chess Fundamentals" into algebraic notation so that newer players would be able to tap into his vast knowledge. He's also written books on blindfold endgame calculation, "headachingly hard" mate-in-two puzzles, and even an opening journal for recording OTB ideas in openings. Because Martin is Danish, we also talked a bit about Danish chess and this episode has made me really hyped to try out OTB chess in Denmark. I want to thank Martin for coming onto the show this week and for tolerating me butchering Danish pronunciations!Some highlights from this week's episode:Martin talks a bit about what he's currently doing in chess -- playing in a weekly tournament, possibly playing some league chess, and taking lessonsWhy did Martin decide to start writing chess books? Logistical difficulties with publishing his most recent bookWill we ever see Martin's books adapted to a digital format (i.e. Chessable)?Danish chess -- Nimzowitch, Larsen, Nielsen, and a big question -- will Martin and I play OTB chess against each other in Copenhagen?How do Danes feel about their fellow Scandinavian, Magnus Carlsen?Danish chess cultureAnother edition of Aimchess Instant Insights!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.Join my Patreon!Thanks again to Martin Justesen for coming onto the show. Follow Martin on Twitter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here. Also, the "tank video" he mentioned can be found at this link.Follow the podcast on Twitter: @64PodcastFollow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan

19 Okt 20211h 2min

NM Ben Johnson is the host of the Perpetual Chess Podcast, which recently joined the Blue Wire Podcasts family. Perpetual Chess has 1,000,000+ streams in over 100 countries and, since its inception five years ago, has been the gold standard for chess podcasts. Ben has interviewed everyone from competitive tournament players to World Champions (Anand and Kramnik) of the game.Ben's podcasting empire has expanded well beyond traditional interviews with GMs and other figures in the chess world. With Chessable, he has started the How to Chess Podcast, where he and his guests share nuggets of chess wisdom in shorter length episodes. He hosts an Adult Improver series of his podcasts with all kinds of interesting guests from around the world and across the rating ladder. He also has another series on book recaps of chess book classics. Outside of podcasting, Ben achieved the National Master (NM) title many years ago, played poker professionally for several years, and has experience as an independentIn short, there's something for everyone with an interest in chess to check out on the Perpetual Chess Podcast. Long-time listeners of 64: A Chess Podcast will know that I've been a huge fan of Ben's work with the Perpetual Chess Podcast, and it was a pleasure to talk about recent news in the chess world, as well as general podcasting, with someone who has inspired me to work very hard on my own podcast. I want to thank Ben for coming onto the show this week, and to thank you all for checking out this episode of 64: A Chess Podcast.Some highlights from this week's episode:Ruminations about the nature of the "chess pod-o-sphere"Ben and I discuss the Champions Chess Tour Final, its surrounding drama (NFTs, Hikaru Titled Tuesday, etc.), and the tour formatWe also briefly discuss FIDE's recent sponsorship agreement with Motiva, a breast implantation company. Check out Lichess's article on this agreement hereWhat was the chess pod-o-sphere like in 2016? How did Ben ultimately find success?Ben's favorite interview on the Perpetual Chess PodcastHow did the chess boom impact the Perpetual Chess Podcast growth?Ben talks a bit about his own chess goals, including returning to OTB chess and being inspired by the adult improvers who come on his show.Some b3 cowboy discourseYet another edition of Aimchess Instant Insights!BONUS BASKETBALL CONTENT: Ben Johnson rants about Ben Simmons, and other light NBA discussion64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.Join my Patreon!Thanks again to Ben Johnson for coming onto the show. Follow Ben on Twitter here!Follow Perpetual Chess Podcast!Follow How to Chess!Follow the podcast on Twitter: @64PodcastFollow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan

3 Okt 20211h 9min

64: A Chess Podcast is back, after a brief hiatus! On this episode I was joined by British National Master Dan Gallagher. Dan experienced a lot of success in their youth as a tournament chess player. Dan recently claimed their National Master title and is currently grinding for the FM title, looking to play in the British League and in Hastings this year. Outside of chess, Dan is finishing a philosophy degree at the University of Cambridge.NM Gallagher is also an active coach who is always looking for new students. It was truly delightful to have Dan on the show this week to restart the podcast. I'm broadcasting from Copenhagen for the next few months and am going to do my best to maximize content opportunities that come from being in Europe. If you want to help me with that while maximizing your chess, you can use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess!Some highlights from this week's episode:Now that I've moved to Copenhagen, Dan describes playing in the Xtracon Open 2019 (won by Praggnanandhaa), which was played in DenmarkHow does Dan approach playing against stronger masters (such as IMs and GMs)? A bit of bullying!A typical day in the life of an active tournament NM in terms of chess studyDan talks about their tournament history as a young chess player in the UK, including championship and tournament successesA broad discussion about chess improvement, and making chess fun for the chess improvers community. I explain my gripes with hyperfixation on elo, and Dan recommends some fun chess booksYet another edition of Aimchess Instant Insights!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.Join my Patreon!Follow NM Dan Gallagher on Twitter!Gallagher-Haubro (2019), cited by Dan during this episode, can be found here!Follow the podcast on Twitter: @64PodcastFollow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan

25 Sep 202153min

IM Kostya Kavutskiy has basically done it all in the chess world. He is an active tournament player, has written for chess magazines, authored a book on the Open Sicilian, and has coached many, many students across all skill levels. He is also an accomplished streamer who has been at it on Twitch for a few years! Last year, IM Kavutskiy created the "Chess Dojo" as a means of gathering chess improvers and improvement resources under one virtual roof. The results have been electrifying -- along with GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and a dedicated community on Discord, Kostya and the Chess Dojo are helping players get better at chess. Kostya is also working on a Chessable course which will be out soon. I recorded this episode just a few days before I flew to Copenhagen, and I'm really excited for you all to hear Kostya's insights on climbing the rating ladder and on the chess world. Some highlights from this week's episode:Kostya's upcoming Chessable course on "endgame studies", aimed for beginner and intermediate playersI ask Kostya a question that's been on my mind for a while: at what point should a chess player consider buying Chessbase?Kostya talks about forming the Chess Dojo, teaming up with IM David Pruess, and fleshing out the virtual space into what it is todayWe also talk about how the philosophy behind Chess Dojo improvement videos/streams/classes/etc.Kostya and I talk about elusive and arbitrary goals regarding rating milestones and "getting good at chess""The best chess book is the one you read"; how Bobby Fischer's "My 60 Memorable Games" pushed Kostya onto the path towards a lifelong professional career in chessImproving positional play vs. tactical play when you're unsure what to study in order to improveAnother edition of "Aimchess Instant Insights" with Kostya!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.Join my Patreon!Thanks again to IM Kostya Kavutskiy for joining the show -- follow him on Twitter!Chess Dojo socials: YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, DiscordFollow the podcast on Twitter: @64PodcastFollow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan

5 Sep 20211h 21min

WGM Jennifer Shahade is a two-time US Women's Champion, an all-star commentator for top-flight chess events, an avid podcaster for both chess and poker, a published author, and an icon for gender equality in our game. In fact, had I not watched Jennifer (along with GMs Maurice Ashley, Yasser Seirawan, and Cristian Chirila) commentate the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz 2017 with such enthusiasm and insight I might have never become a chess player myself!On this episode of 64, WGM Shahade and I talk about growing the game for female players and discuss a wide range of topics, from chess history to poker and everything in between. As a final note, I had been trying to get WGM Shahade onto the show for many months, and we found time to make our schedules work just before I flew to Copenhagen. I thank Jennifer from the bottom of my heart for stopping by, and I hope you all enjoy this episode of 64: A Chess Podcast.Some highlights from this week's episode:We talk "Girls' Club", an event Jennifer organizes with US Chess Women, and pivoting from in-person to online eventsJennifer discusses how has the OTB landscape changed with regards to gender equity over the last two decades...Focusing on anti-harassment policies in US Chess and beyond to continue making social progress in the chess worldThe case for renaming "Alekhine's Gun" to "Polgar's Power Punch"Advice for growing the chess "pod-o-sphere" and embracing gimmicky podcastsDiscussing the overlap between chess and poker -- especially the allure of poker to many chess playersThe "generational shift" we are seeing in the chess world right now for female chess players"Aimchess Instant Insights", a new sponsored section of my podcast :-)64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.I also want to say "Rest In Peace" to GM Evgeny Sveshnikov, who passed away on the day this episode was recorded.Join my Patreon!Thanks again to WGM Jennifer Shadade for joining the show -- follow her on Twitter! And listen to Ladies' Knight, Jen's chess podcast.Follow the podcast on Twitter: @64PodcastFollow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan

28 Aug 20211h 1min

WGM Dina Belenkaya is an active tournament player, chess commentator, and streamer. As a player, she has won the St. Petersburg Chess Championship four times, and has played in several European Championships and World Cups (including in 2021!). As a commentator, she has provided commentary for the Online Olympiad, Corporate Chess Championship, and even official commentary for the FIDE broadcast of the 2021 Women's World Cup. She also streams chess on Twitch with her sister Asya, and their channel (@TheBelenkaya) has seen massive growth over the last year. I was delighted to have WGM Belenkaya on my show this week. Some highlights from this week's episode:Collaborating on content with "chess influencers" in SochiTransitioning from playing in the Women's World Cup to providing official commentary for FIDE The difference between knockout vs. Swiss tournaments as a player vs. as a fanHow does Dina make commentary exciting for classical chess tournaments? Plus, how to be a "good" chess commentatorGetting started streaming on Twitch during the COVID-19 pandemicLearning chess from her mom and battling against a "patriarchal" chess culture in RussiaIdeas for combating gender disparities in the chess world, particularly in terms of participation and prize moneyDina's short-term and long-term career goalsFIDE's great progress in promoting careers for women across the chess world, from arbiters to executive positionsSharing a similar opening repertoire with me, and geeking out over the Caro-Kann :-)64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.Join my Patreon!Thanks to WGM Dina Belenkaya for joining the show -- follow her on Twitter and subscribe to her Twitch channel!I'm a big fan of Chessable -- create an account here!Follow the podcast on Twitter: @64PodcastFollow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan

9 Aug 20211h 5min

Geert van der Velde is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of Chessable and Vice President of Content at the Play Magnus Group (NOTE: Play Magnus Group owns Aimchess which sponsors this podcast). Before working full-time as a chess company executive, Geert experienced some notable success in the music world as the vocalist of the metalcore band Shai Hulud in the late 90s and early 00s. Over the last few years, Geert has turned his passion for chess, along with his love for Chessable as a fan of the company, into a full-time career working on content creation for some of the largest groups in the industry. Today, when Geert isn't destroying people online with 1.b3, he's working with super-grandmasters to produce courses for Chessable and designing the future of chess education online.Episode highlights:Typical day in the life at the Chessable officesMaking the switch four years ago from metal vocalist to eventual chess CCO (by contacting the CEO of Chessable!!)Supporting anyone, from super GMs to chess enthusiasts, via the publishing platform on ChessableThe "Chessable Classroom", a video-integrated toolkit for larger chess classes online (very exciting stuff for the future of scholastic chess educations!)Play Magnus Group developing an arsenal of chess media, from commentary with chess24 to education and analytics with other apps (i.e. Chessable and Aimchess)Magnus Carlsen's involvement with Play Magnus and its goal to become "the most comprehensive chess company in the world"Growing a chess empire in the "golden age" of chess online, and whether Geert + other execs expected the success they've reached so farWhy should someone buy a Chessable course over a physical chess book?What Geert would like to see in terms of innovation in the chess worldUltimate goal of making chess knowledge easier to share, and chess culture more accessibleGeert's favorite Chessable course, the "Checkmate Patterns Manual", by a club player who turned it into one of the platform's most popular courses for chess improvement"1.b3 cowboy!"64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.Join my Patreon!Thanks to Geert van der Velde for coming on the podcast. You can follow him on Twitter: @blackatlantic.BONUS: Listen to Shai Hulud's 2003 metalcore classic, "That Within Blood Ill-Tempered", which features Geert on vocals :)I'm a big fan of Chessable -- create an account here!Follow the podcast on Twitter: @64PodcastFollow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan

24 Jul 20211h 8min

NM Jeremy Kane is the Curriculum Director on Chess.com, the largest chess website in the world. He has worked with top grandmasters and chess personalities on curating and developing lessons which millions of users have utilized to improve their chess. Jeremy is also a chess coach, an alumnus of the University of Chicago, and a one-time alternate player for the Chicago Blaze, which played in the short-lived (but never forgotten) U.S. Chess League, a pre-cursor to the Pro Chess League. I was delighted to have Jeremy join the show today.Episode highlights:Jeremy's career highlights, including winning the Wisconsin State Championship as a teenager and joining Chess.com as its Curriculum DirectorsJeremy's favorite courses on Chess.com, including "Every Gambit Refuted" by GM Eugene Perelshteyn (friend of the pod!)How Jeremy designs curriculum and recruits players to give lessonsChicago Blaze and U.S. Chess League memoriesSome lukewarm Chess World Cup takes as of the end of Round 2: COVID surprises, dramatic upsets, and who we've been rooting forLevon Aronian joining the U.S. chess team despite being the "Pride of Armenia" and its impact on U.S. chess going forwardJeremy gives his thoughts on what he'd like to see in the world of online chess going forwardA growing share of competitors (Kasparovchess, chess24, lichess) in the online chess marketGeneral advice for chess players going to their first OTB tournamentsJeremy's working on a new book called "The Next To Last Mistake" which will be out at the end of Summer 2021, so look out for that!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.Join my Patreon!NM Jeremy Kane's newest book, "The Next To Last Mistake", is available to pre-order now!Thanks to NM Jeremy Kane for coming onto the show. You can follow him on Twitter: @chessmensch. You can buy his book on the Chicago Blaze here.Create an account on chess.com here!Follow the podcast on Twitter: @64PodcastFollow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan

21 Jul 202135min