Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Bert. He’s an adult improver trying to juggle parenthood and a career with chess. We spoke extensively about how he uses data analysis to improve his study plans and opening choices. We talked about his choice of the King’s Gambit as a means of maximizing fun and results at his rating level. Bert talked about his study plan and how coaches have impacted his training. We also discussed his fear of playing kids in tournaments. Are they all underrated masters in waiting or do some just hang pieces like other players rated under 1000?

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.

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This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Evan. He’s a software engineer, adult improver, and van lifer. We discussed his long journey in chess starting with his weekly chess tournaments as a child culminating in a high school chess championship. It turns out most of his progress was made by playing slower time control OTB tournaments. But he did provide a number of resources for improvement such as Chernev’s Logical Chess: Move by Move. Be sure to check out his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDHbNJ8kCgTQl_9gHy79I1w

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.

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This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Jay. He stated with no hesitation his goal of reaching GM as a 40+ adult improver. Jay has a relatable journey full of starting and stopping through the years as life demands have called him away from chess. However, in 2018, Jay returned for good. In our conversation, he discusses how he restructured his life around chasing his goal. We talked about coaching, study plans, and resources such as master level game analysis. As Jay says someone has to make GM as and adult improver, and he would like to be the one who does it!

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, the first ever guest, Jim, returns for a followup interview. We discussed what he has done during the last year, his rating gains, and his OTB experiences. We spent the bulk of the episode talking about Jim’s experiences preparing for the Chicago Open, including his first over the board tournament.

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 Julia from the Chessfeels podcast. We talked about a variety of topics such as the challenge of wanting to invest more of yourself into chess and being limited by time. We talked about Julia’s journey, process, and non-rating focused approach. Of course, we talked about psychology, and Julia provided a few general tips.

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 Braden Laughlin. He recently won a tournament and continues to gain rating points despite being a full time student with a career. We talked a lot about his use of videos early in his progression and his continued use of videos. We also discussed his burnout and what brought him back to chess. It was an inspiring conversation. Be sure to check out his Youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWdkzuIjhhmIa1w69RFuXQA

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 Nick. He’s a chesspunk, Chessable legend, and avid adult improver. We started with Nick’s early journey which saw him improve quickly from about 500-1200 by playing a ton of blitz. We spent a lot of time talking about Nick’s use of Chessable. He recommended his favorite courses and suggested ways of using Chessable more effectively. We also talked about the different resources that helped him get through two plateaus.

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 David from 64: Chess Podcast. He is a return guest so we didn’t delve as much into his background. We focused mostly on the topics of how to use Chessable, coaching, and chess psychology. David talked about his decision to switch from e4 to d4 upon hitting 2000. We discussed the importance of ratings vs. other means of measuring our value and worth as a chess player.

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 WGM Tatev Abrahamyan. The bulk of our conversation focused on chess psychology. We talked about the challenges of feeling confident with only limited time for improvement. Tatev also talked extensively about the role of coaches in her own life and suggestions for others as they choose a coach. We also talked about her newest project the Bryght Labs chessboard. You can find more information here: https://bryghtlabs.com/products/chessup-pre-order-slate

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 Rene. She’s a music conductor who fills her time with chess study and play. We talked about a wide variety of topics such as time control, structuring (or not structuring one’s times), and her love of end games. We spent the most time talking about her relationship with her coach IM Igor Foygel. Rene has worked with Igor for 3 years, and he has made a large impact on her journey.

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