This week’s episode of the New In Chess Podcast features an interview with Swedish grandmaster Tiger Hillarp Persson. Tiger is a three-time Swedish champion and has been described as one of the most creative and original players of our game. His creativity is on display in his latest book, “Tiger’s Chaos Theory”, in which, perhaps unsurprisingly, the topic of creativity in chess plays an important role.

Interviewed by Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam, Tiger talks about creativity, the development of his chess philosophy throughout the years, and how this is reflected in his latest work.

"Tiger's Chaos Theory" is available for purchase on the New In Chess website:

https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=41&q=tigers+chaos+theorhy&cvid=c748d3ce43f94efcaa1629a62b82fa03&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEAAYQDIGCAcQABhAMgYICBAAGEAyCAgJEOkHGPxV0gEIMzQ3MmowajGoAgCwAgA&FORM=ANNAB1&PC=U531 

0:00 – Intro

1:33 – How did Tiger feel when finally holding the book he’d spent so much time working on?

3:04 - Tiger clarifies at what age he started playing chess and recalls playing with his father

5:02 – Why did his parents pick the name Tiger?

9:11 – How did Tiger’s “Tiger’s Chaos Theory” come about?

11:18 – Tiger’s database of his own games that impacted the way he played in the future

14:56 – Why Tiger’s book does not propose a “grand theory” of chess

17:21 – The chapter on queen sacrifices

20:30 - Why a good chess player should strive for objectivity

23:10 – Tiger’s use of metaphors and stories in his writing

26:31 – Why Tiger talks to his pieces, and his students should too

29:43 – Tiger’s scepticism towards material

30:41 – Tiger clarifies certain quotes from the book

31:12 – AD BREAK

33:37 – How does this book relate to Tiger’s other passions, like go and music?

38:40 – Tiger’s humble beginnings and relative disregard for money

42:01 – Tiger’s favourite classical music

46:21 – AD BREAK

47:21 – Why Tiger considers chess more of a science than an art, the role of the engine

58:01 – Outro