Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Marc. He’s an adult improver trying to juggle life and chess. We had a great conversation about chess improvement. This included his suggestion of emulating a player, less opening theory, and listening to how better players process chess. Marc also explained his theory that our ratings are not a measure of our knowledge and overall skill. Rather ratings are a measure of our worst moves and ability to compete effectively. We also discussed letting go of rating and improvement goals. Marc claims that chess can be enjoyed by playing the game you love! 

Check out Marc’s Youtube and Instgram accounts: https://www.instagram.com/htxchess/ and 

https://www.youtube.com/@htxchess

Use this link and the code Scull20 for 20% off of your Chessbook purchases at

https://chessbook.com/chessjourneys

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Paul. He’s a lawyer with a family trying to juggle his life and chess improvement. We talked about his approach to improvement which has included opening work, tactics, Silman’s endgame course, and rapid games. Lately, Paul has started a new project, examining classic games. He uses a new approach that he calls Common Law chess. Hiis approach starts by quickly playing through the game and then working backwards to understand the story of the game. It’s an intriguing approach that he outlines in his substack: thinkinglikeachessplayer.

Paul’s Substack: https://thinkinglikeachessplayer.substack.com/ 

Use this link and the code Scull20 for 20% off of your Chessbook purchases at https://chessbook.com/chessjourneys

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Julio. He’s a middle school math teacher, adult improver, and newly minted senior. We talked about his massive ratings gains over the last 2 years, nearly 700 points. In fact, Julio gained 400 points in the last month!! We discussed his training regime, success at the senior open, and the chess program that he runs at his school. 

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Hooman. He’s a medical student that got into chess as a stress reliever. Hooman has seen massive rating gains in a short period. We talked about his improvement journey which is mostly instructional videos, playing a lot of rapid games, and some Chessable work. He talked about playing for the university team, chess in schools charity work, and his improvement journey.

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Joe. We talked a lot about his years long struggle to break through the beginner levels of chess. He felt frustrated by his lack of progress. We talked about his 5 step plan for improvement that has resulted in a lot of ratings success. His process focused on filing holes, learning basic chess strategy, basic endgames, and improving his tactics. Zen mode on Lichess and faith in doing the work were key components to his success.

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with John. He’s a 47 year old pastor trying to juggle life, family, and chess improvement. He spoke about his journey and resources that he found most useful. John highlighted Chess Tactics from Scratch and the Polgar mates book as two helpful resources. We also discussed a variety of topics such as agism in chess, the Chess Dojo, OTB vs. online chess, and chess coaching.

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Shannon. During the last 20 years, he’s picked up chess a few times. However, in the last year, at 50, he’s improved about 400 points. We talked about the different sources he uses, the importance of openings in his improvement, and the impact of being 50 on one’s development. Shannon has studied a lot but sometimes struggles with actually playing enough games. 

Shannon’s Youtube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@mostlyalive

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with CM Sandro, otherwise known as LionChess. We focused on his chess journey, pursuing the FM title, and his coaching journey. Sandro credits most of his improvement to the small habit of 5 intense puzzles a day and one rapid game. Especially intriguing is his coaching approach which involves levels based on learning that are not tied to rating gain.

Be sure to check out Sandro’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LionChess

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Kamryn, otherwise known as Kamryn Heidi on Youtube and Twitch. We talked about her journey since out last chat (ep. 73). Kamryn has continued to see ratings gains in blitz, bullet, and USCF. We also discussed our experiences at the National Open in Las Vegas last weekend. We both had an amazing time and had successful tournaments. 

Check out Kamryn’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@kamrynheidi

Check out Kamryn’s Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/kamrynheidi

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Omar, otherwise known as ChessVonDoom. We talked about his journey/addiction with playing chess. We discussed a wide range of issues from obsession, coaching, chess celebrity, thoughts of quitting chess, and chess commentary. It was a wide ranging episode with Omar’s positivity on full display.

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices