Many club-level players follow a highly structured study plan but have poor tournament results. We explore this phenomenon and offer some possible solutions. Referenced: Reset: How to Change What's Not Working (Amazon) Chess for Tigers (Amazon) 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee The Amazon links above are affiliate link...
Jul 06, 2025•41 min•Ep. 158
Welcome to Season 10! This week we discuss 1...e6, blitz chess, using the King in the endgame, and more. Referenced: Blitz is Screwing Up Your Thought Process Ep. 100: The Hippopotamus Defense and Other Chess Opening Systems for Black 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee...
Jun 29, 2025•43 min
This is the S9 Finale. S10 Premiere coming soon. In the meantime, check out the Long Island Chess Club YouTube Channel which has instructional videos for busy adult players. We're looking to get the channel fully off the ground and add more content on a consistent basis. Game Referenced: 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3 Be7 6. h3 O-O 7. Bd3 Ne4 8. Bxe4 dxe4 9. Ne5 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Bd6 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. O-O Rd8 13. Nd2 e5 14. Nxe4 Qe6 15. Qf3 b6 16. Ng5 Qg6 17. Qxa8 Qxg5 18. Qf3 Re8 19....
Jun 08, 2025•40 min•Ep. 156
In this episode, we dive into the hidden challenges adult players face when returning to chess after a long break, and the powerful mindset shifts that separate those who thrive from those who quit. Whether you’re battling self-doubt, time constraints, or rating plateaus, this episode offers real talk and practical strategies to help you stay motivated, set realistic goals, and rediscover the joy of the game. We also share the "driveway method" to help shake off a tough loss. This Reddit post wa...
Jun 01, 2025•38 min•Ep. 155
In this Listener Mailbag exclusive, we discuss whether prepping for specific opponents is worth it at the amateur level, and a bunch of other stuff too... 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee...
May 25, 2025•37 min•Ep. 154
This week is all about chess opening philosophy. We discuss a number of ideas about opening prep and argue that having the White pieces does not provide any meaningful advantage at the club level since most amateur games are littered with mistakes, thus negating any possible benefit of moving first. The basis of this episode is a response to the excellent article Chess Openings In The Engine Era by NM Jeremy Kane. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us ...
May 18, 2025•40 min•Ep. 153
This week we discuss endgame strategy for club players and some other stuff as well. Grinding out a win in an "even" endgame is a mixture of patience, stubbornness, and luck. A .pgn for the game we analyze is below. We reference the highly recommended book The Survival Guide to Competitive Chess (Amazon) by GM John Emms, who was a previous guest on the pod (Episode #40) . 1. Nf3 b6 2. g3 Bb7 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. c4 e6 5. O-O Be7 6. Nc3 O-O 7. d3 c5 8. e4 d6 9. Nd2 Nc6 10. f4 Qd7 11. g4 Nd4 12. g5 Ne8 1...
May 11, 2025•39 min•Ep. 152
A number of years ago, GM Andy Soltis claimed that once a chess player becomes serious about the game, there is an 8-year window during which he achieves 90% of his maximum chess potential. Anything beyond that time frame is just squeezing out the remaining 10%. NM Tim Mirabile returns to the podcast to discuss this theory and a bunch of other chess improvement topics. In this episode we reference this chess.com article and a post on Quora . 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for ...
May 04, 2025•48 min•Ep. 151
The Jobava London (1. d4, 2. Nc3, 3. Bf4) is an opening system that is easy to learn, yet still has a lot of sting, especially against ...g6 set-ups by Black. It can easily throw off an opponent who's expecting to face a standard London formation. The theory and ideas are fairly simple, making it a great choice for those with limited study time. Much of the info in this episode is referenced from the book The Jobava London System (Amazon) by GM Simon Williams. You may also wish to check out our ...
Apr 27, 2025•40 min•Ep. 150
This episode is a review of the chess.com course "Build Your Technique" by FM Thomas Wolski . This is a highly recommended training module for adult players looking to improve. We also share some chess club stories, dive into the Listener Mailbag, and react to a chess.com article about common online time controls . 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (...
Apr 20, 2025•38 min•Ep. 149
This week we discuss ratings and improvement for busy adults. You may wish to check out the Reddit post referenced in this episode. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee...
Apr 13, 2025•39 min•Ep. 148
This episode is a thematic analysis of an amateur game with takeaways that are instruction rich. Topics covered: Bird's Opening (1. f4) Unnecessary defensive moves Sacrificing pieces Material vs. Initiative Calculation Central Control Referenced: Guide to a Successful Chess Club Game analyzed (G/90;d10): 1. f4 b6 2. Nf3 Bb7 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 e6 5. Bb2 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O d6 8. c4 Nbd7 9. Nc3 c5 10. Qc2 Qc7 11. d4 cxd4 12. exd4 d5 13. Ne5 dxc4 14. bxc4 Rad8 15. Bd3 a6 16. Rae1 Qd6 17. Nb1 Qc7 18....
Apr 06, 2025•40 min•Ep. 147
This episode is a response to FM Nate Solon's excellent blog posts I Don’t Like Chess Tournaments and What Would a Fun Chess Tournament Look Like? Neal reacts and shares his thoughts on weekend events including the following: The ideal time control & round times Delay vs. increment Club events vs. weekend tourneys Practical matters 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Ang...
Mar 30, 2025•37 min•Ep. 146
In this conversation, Neal and return guest NM Andy Ansel dive into the world of correspondence chess, exploring its nuances, challenges, and Andy’s pursuit of the International Master (IM) norm. They discuss the differences between over-the-board and correspondence chess, the importance of openings, tips for those new to correspondence play, and the impact of technology on the game. Andy explains the dynamics of playing multiple games simultaneously and the strategies he employs to stay competi...
Mar 23, 2025•46 min•Ep. 145
5-0 blitz games can be an excellent chess improvement tool when used properly and judiciously. In this episode, we offer tips, tricks, and best practices. Referenced: Ep. 122: Online Blitz Chess and Adult Improvement 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee...
Mar 16, 2025•39 min•Ep. 144
This week we discuss whether highly structured study plans are practical for busy amateurs. Neal concludes by sharing his own plan (HINT: it’s not complicated). Referenced: Ep. 61: Do Chess Training Programs Work? Ep. 105 (S7 Premiere): Declutter Your Chess Study Plan Build Your Technique by FM Thomas Wolski 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Ches...
Mar 09, 2025•43 min
This week's pod is a dedicated Listener Mailbag episode. We challenge some of the pushback that's out there about IM Jeremy Silman's system of imbalances and discuss some other topics as well. Referenced: Ep. 83 (S6 Premiere): Mastering the Middlegame for Club Players: The Legacy of IM Jeremy Silman Ep. 84: Mastering the Middlegame, Part 2: Are There Flaws With Silman's Imbalances? The Amateur’s Mind (Amazon) Mastering Chess Imbalances (YouTube) Father/Daughter Chess Tournament Contact Info (Ale...
Mar 02, 2025•42 min•Ep. 142
This week we dive into what separates winning amateur chess players from the rest - and what’s often just noise and distraction. We break down the skills, habits, and strategies that lead to consistent tournament success and explore common misconceptions that don’t actually impact performance as much as people think. Referenced: Ep. 65: Your First Chess Tournament - Tips & Tricks 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 ...
Feb 23, 2025•58 min•Ep. 141
You guys asked for more tournament stories, so this week Neal goes into full TD mode to discuss recent antics and shenanigans from the Long Island Chess Club. You can't make this stuff up! This is followed by an extended Listener Mailbag segment. Referenced: Ep. 45: The Truth About Chess Engines for Club Players Ep. 95: How to Use a Chess Engine as a Developing Player 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Websi...
Feb 16, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 140
This week we discuss a chess improvement philosophy based on the book Black Box Thinking: Why Most People Never Learn from Their Mistakes--But Some Do (Amazon) by Matthew Syed. We also cover some additional topics from our Listener Mailbag. Chapters: Intro & Listener Mailbag Playing Unrated Games & Bots Online Facing the London System The "Black Box" Theory of Chess Improvement Open vs. Closed Analysis Loops Perfectionism Revisited Outro 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea ...
Feb 09, 2025•27 min•Ep. 139
This week, Neal discusses the infamous "hand hover" at OTB events and other topics related to chess improvement and tournament strategy. Chapters: Intro & Listener Mailbag Thoughts on Chess Coaching How to Handle Fatigue Taking Byes Dealing with Nerves and Composure Hand-Hovering at Tournaments Know Your Basic Mates! Consistency Identifying and Addressing Weaknesses Referenced: Practical Chess Exercises (Amazon) 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail u...
Feb 02, 2025•32 min•Ep. 138
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel . In this episode we discuss chess improvement and tournament strategies for players over 50 with some additional topics from our Listener Mailbag. Chapters: Intro and Listener Mailbag Winning Won Positions Spectator Interference Online Chess Etiquette Chess Improvement Strategies for Players Over 50 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected] . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess...
Jan 26, 2025•32 min•Ep. 137
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel . First, Neal engages with listener feedback, discussing their chess improvement journeys and suggestions for future episodes. The conversation then transitions into an exploration of rook and pawn endings, emphasizing their complexity and the mental challenges players face. Neal also shares resources for improving endgame skills, highlighting the importance of foundational knowledge in chess. Chapters include: Introduction and Listener Mailbag D...
Jan 19, 2025•33 min•Ep. 136
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel . This week we discuss the importance of calculation, the choice between rapid and blitz games, and ten common hidden mistakes that players of all levels make. These mistakes range from erroneous pawn grabs to thoughtless bishop moves, providing valuable insights for beginners and reminders for experienced tournament players. Referenced: Ep. 99: How to Approach Chess Study as a Beginner or Advanced Beginner Ep. 111: How to Boost Your Chess Rating...
Jan 12, 2025•36 min•Ep. 135
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel . Welcome to Season 9! This episode is a response to the Reddit post What is Your Personal Chess Hot Take? Neal discusses various topics, including the importance of analyzing both wins and losses, the debate surrounding the London System, and the significance of openings in chess strategy. He also shares hot takes about rating deflation, clock etiquette, speed chess, and the impact of psychology on the game. The conversation also touches on the ...
Jan 05, 2025•42 min•Ep. 134
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel . This episode is a pre-season bonus pod. Season 9 of the podcast begins on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Moving forward, all episodes will have a full video version on our YouTube Channel , so whether you prefer to watch or listen, we've got you covered. A big THANK YOU to Brian Karen who helped prepare this episode. Topics this week include: Playing against the Catalan The ...Nh5 idea in the London System The dangers of obsessing over winning The "s...
Dec 20, 2024•18 min•Ep. 133
This episode is our Season 8 Finale! Neal will be taking an extended end-of-year break and will return with Season 9 in January 2025. This week, we continue our discussion on chess teaching with a focus on materials, resources, and essential concepts for developing players. Referenced Resources and Materials: Chess.com Chessable Practical Chess Exercises The Amateur's Mind Winning Chess Tactics Winning Chess Strategies Jeff Coakley books (red and green) Pandolfini's Endgame Course Openings: Star...
Nov 03, 2024•41 min•Ep. 132
What are the qualities of a good chess coach? How can one become a chess teacher? How should lessons be organized and scheduled? This episode is Part One of Two about chess teaching from both the teacher and student point of view. This week we focus more on the former. We also cover the following topics: Annotating your own games Is there a "rating ceiling" no matter how hard one works to improve? Can you take notes during an OTB tournament game? How to find time to play OTB games as a busy adul...
Oct 27, 2024•45 min•Ep. 131
This week, we share our thoughts about online chess cheating. We believe it is rampant, while the online servers seem to downplay the amount of cheating taking place. We hypothesize that cheaters are using specific methods in an attempt to avoid detection, and we created nicknames for these players. We discuss the following cheating personalities and more: Larry "Long Pause" Sal "Smooth Moves" Oliver "Obvious Recapture" Donald "Decoy Move" Peter "Perfect Attack" Orlando "Only When Needed" David ...
Oct 20, 2024•34 min•Ep. 130
This week, Neal discusses attacking play for the amateur player. Arguably, club players should approach attacks differently than titled players. This episode is divided into three segments: Listener Mailbag (elderly advice, withdrawing from tourneys, improvement realities) Does US Chess appreciate its local tournament directors? (opinion piece) 7 attacking tips for the club player Referenced: The Seven Deadly Chess Sins (Amazon) Chess for Tigers (Amazon) 📧 If you have a question or topic idea f...
Oct 13, 2024•32 min•Ep. 129
