Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Q’wayne. He talked about resources that have helped me along his journey. We discussed the Jamaican chess scene and the goal of creating another grandmaster. Q’wayne talked about his improvement plans including tactics and rapid games. We had a fun chat about online titles, especially the fide arena titles.

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

chess-journeys.com - The podcast has a website!

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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  

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

This week, I'm recapping the Pacific Coast Open. It took place in early August 2026. It was one of my few great tournament successes. Hopefully, you enjoy the positivity of this one.

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

chess-journeys.com - The podcast has a website!

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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  

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

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Jess about her journey from 1500 to nearly 1800 in just this summer alone. We discussed her training, which includes mostly studying and OTB chess. Jess talked about the challenges and benefits of improving at chess with autism. She detailed her new thought process and corralling her brain. We also discussed why she enjoys chess coaching so much. Jess is an especially impressive adult improver who picked up the game as an adult.

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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  

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

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with friend of the show Jay Garrison about our chess summers. Jay’s was full of interesting activities like the Naroditsky Memorial Tournament and the Charlotte Chess Center elite camp. He played a lot of blitz, did tactics, and worked on calculation. Jay played in two classical events that weren’t the success stories that he hoped they would be. My summer was full of plugging gaps in my knowledge/skill regarding attacking and defending chess, openings, and calculation. I had the best tournament summer of my chess career ending at 1866. 

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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  

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

In this bonus episode, I discuss ratings, their, role and how we deal with them. I suggested some proposals to adjust the current system. I also discussed titles, and my ideas for adding new titles. I'd love to hear what you all think about my ideas.

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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  

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

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Joel. He is a returning guest from episode 23 (4.5 years ago). We talked about where he was then, rated about 1600, and what he was doing to improve. We spent most of the episode talking about his current training program, running a chess club, and helping his children enjoy chess. Joel has adopted a more simplistic approach to training, which has netted him 200 rating points! He talked about the joy of running a chess club and how to start one. It was fun catching up with a guest that has since so much rating improvement and joy for chess.

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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  

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

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Mark. We talked about the challenge of balancing family and chess improvement. We discussed his concise training plan. Mark talked about confidence and momentum, how it helped him to recent success. Mark uses Chesstempo for calculation and credits it for much of his improvement. We also discussed the role of blitz in chess improvement for addressing the realities of time scarcity.

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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  

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

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Diego. He had a quick rise from 1200-1700 in two years of OTB play. However, lately his career is making chess improvement and playing OTB more challenging. We talked about resources that he used for his rise. Diego discussed solving his time trouble issues. We chatted about balancing work, chess, and improvement.

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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  

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

This week on Chess Journeys, I recap my time at the Pacific Southwest Open. I went 2/5 against tough competition. Good times were had. Calculations errors happened. Attacks were not well defended.

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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  

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

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Luca. He is returning to the podcast after a successful year of improvement. Since we last spike, he has gained over 100 points and crossed 2000! We discussed the value of identifying your errors in games and correcting them. We talked about the importance of regular calculation work. We discussed his working with coaches. Luca had a lot to say about adult vs. open tournaments. While he loves adult tournaments, he finds a lot of value in playing accurately rated children.

Chessbook: chessbook.com/?ref=kevin

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

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://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

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

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