Chess with Mustreader

By Greg MustreaderSports Education Leisure

Chess with Mustreader episodes

August 19, 2024 COACH of MAGNUS and NEPO! Podcast with Jan Gustafsson
Today on my podcast, I'm joined by a great chess player and coach, Grandmaster Jan Gustafsson. We discussed the differences and similarities between Magnus and Nepo, Jan's work as a second for both of them, the upcoming Gukesh vs. Ding match, and much more. At the end, we’ve played a fascinating blitz game. Enjoy!

My X: https://x.com/mustreader
My Twitch: https://twitch.tv/gregmustreader
Jan's X: https://x.com/gmjangustafsson
Gustafsson’s Aggressive 1.e4: https://www.chessable.com/gustafssons-aggressive-1e4-part-1/course/207313/

My podcast with Naroditsky: https://youtu.be/-PqUZ2h9uGg?si=jGmP8aV-UQM923YO
My podcast with Kramnik: https://youtu.be/dgVuleGYnk4
My podcast with Fabi: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo
My podcast with Nepo: https://youtu.be/sW-i4CPCa_w?si=kLM8n4gAPcgfB1QB
My podcast with Aronian: https://youtu.be/THyL4D2Clbw?si=HQ4exmwH4aKsWk4V

00:00 - Intro
00:47 – Meet Jan Gustafsson
01:38 – We lived on a boat for 3 years
05:07 – Working with Magnus
10:35 – Jan's secret as a coach?
13:16 – Strategies for preparing for top tournaments
16:45 – Opening preparation
18:04 – Time zones for seconds
21:28 – Comparing Nepo and Magnus
26:56 – Playing styles of other top GMs
30:21 – Nepo and Magnus: more info
32:54 – Who Jan is working with now
33:46 – World Championship prediction
36:21 – Advice for Mustreader
38:44 – How Jan prepares the WR team
39:33 – Physical shape for chess pros
41:54 – Magnus's physical fitness
43:56 – Jan’s chess improvement?
46:24 – We play blitz

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

In this podcast, I interview top chess players (my guests include Nepo, Fabi, Kramnik, Aronian, Naroditsky and many others), play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 31 year old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and three cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!
52 min
June 07, 2024 Chess coach advice: STOP DOING THIS! IM Kavutskiy
In this podcast episode with the famous coach, founding sensei of @ChessDojo IM Kostya Kavutskiy, we discuss chess improvement. How to go from CM to FM (in my case), how to go from IM to GM (in Kostya's case), how to improve if you are rated 500, 1000, 1500, and so on. Lots of great insights! At the end, we've played an instructive blitz game.

My X: https://x.com/mustreader
My Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gregmustreader
Kostya's X: https://x.com/hellokostya
ChessDojo: https://chessdojo.club/

My podcast with Kramnik: https://youtu.be/dgVuleGYnk4?si=9ebxspZVndiythEN
My podcast with Naroditsky: https://youtu.be/-PqUZ2h9uGg?si=_QLlcQsePQiICO4i
My podcast with Fabi: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo?si=5gQ3g5ehZLfBaYAB
My podcast with Nepo: https://youtu.be/sW-i4CPCa_w?si=fj1W-GE94d5QdW7K
My podcast with Aronian: https://youtu.be/THyL4D2Clbw?si=1IOZdLfLsgSiUcXp

00:00 — Kostya’s journey to GM
03:16 — What makes a GM a GM
05:42 — 3 directions to improve your game
08:07 — Balancing business and training
15:38 — The importance of analyzing games
19:43 — Kostya's training system
23:16 — A couple of important books
25:51 — Endgames and books on the topic
29:00 — Openings: how to improve
34:47 — How Kostya improves his play
38:54 — Tips for players under 2000
48:13 — Advice for 1900+
55:54 — Chess psychology
01:04:35 — Blitz game against Kostya
01:14:44 — Game analysis
01:15:51 — Farewell

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

In this podcast, I interview top chess players (my guests include Nepo, Fabi, Kramnik, Aronian, Naroditsky and many others), play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 30 years old, I have a girlfriend, two dogs and three cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!
1 hr 17 min
May 30, 2024 KRAMNIK: "I apologize, but I don't see any other way"
In this podcast episode with Vladimir Kramnik, we discuss his anti-cheating activism and the controversy around it. Has Kramnik gone too far in his fight? Are his methods correct? Does he agree that he has done some wrong things? Watch our full discussion to find out! At the end, we've played a chess game that Mr. Kramnik called "very interesting".

My Twitter: https://twitter.com/mustreader
My Twitch: https://twitch.tv/gregmustreader
Kramnik's Twitter: https://twitter.com/VBkramnik
My podcast with Fabi: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo
My podcast with Nepo: https://youtu.be/sW-i4CPCa_w?si=kLM8n4gAPcgfB1QB
My podcast with Aronian: https://youtu.be/THyL4D2Clbw?si=HQ4exmwH4aKsWk4V

00:00 — What I think about Kramnik
2:50 — Start of the discussion
3:52 — Results achieved in fighting cheating
8:35 — What did Kramnik do wrong?
16:42 — Kramnik's ban on ChessCom
36:19 — An unusual theory about ChessCom
44:00 — How to detect a cheater
59:35 — ChessCom is afraid to ban people?
1:03:35 — Will statistics expose cheaters?
1:07:52 — Why suspect Hikaru?
1:15:32 — Why not Magnus?
1:23:40 — Public debate: ChessCom vs Kramnik
1:25:00 — Kramnik on refuting his statistics
1:30:50 — Could Kramnik be wrong?
1:38:40 — Which experts help Kramnik?
1:41:34 — Kramnik is Niemann's coach?
1:46:02 — Is Kramnik biased?
1:49:55 — What top GMs tell Kramnik
1:52:16 — ChessCom and top GMs
1:54:47 — Kramnik's role in exposing cheaters
1:57:20 — Match with Jospem
2:05:17 — We play an INTERESTING blitz game
2:12:55 — Kramnik's analysis of the game
2:14:32 — Farewell

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

In this podcast, I interview top chess players (my guests include Nepo, Fabi, Kramnik, Aronian, Naroditsky and many others), play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 30 years old, I have a girlfriend, two dogs and three cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!
2 hr 16 min
May 09, 2024 DANIEL NARODITSKY: Magnus, Gukesh, Hikaru + BLITZ LIFEHACKS
We discuss with GM Daniel Naroditsky the results of the Candidates, the future of chess, and how to get better at blitz chess. We've also played a time odds game. This is one of the most fascinating podcasts I've ever recorded, enjoy!

My Twitch: https://twitch.tv/gregmustreader
Danya's Twitch: https://witch.tv/gmnaroditsky
Danya's YouTube: @DanielNaroditskyGM
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/mustreader
Danya's Twitter: https://twitter.com/GmNaroditsky
Danya's course on the Jobava London with Bortnyk: https://danielnaroditsky1.podia.com/bortnyk-and-naroditsky-s-jobava-london

My podcast with Fabi: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo
My podcast with Nepo: https://youtu.be/sW-i4CPCa_w?si=kLM8n4gAPcgfB1QB
My podcast with Aronian: https://youtu.be/THyL4D2Clbw?si=HQ4exmwH4aKsWk4V

00:00 — Highlights from the episode
00:26 — Start
1:50 — Emotions after Candidates
5:17 — Trends seen in Candidates
6:22 — Danya predicted the result!
10:16 — Danya had tears in his eyes?
11:02 — Tata Steel vs Candidates
12:20 — Gukesh = new Magnus?
14:27 — New era in chess
15:50 — Is Alireza washed?
22:15 — World Champ prediction
23:40 — Will the Ding we know return?
28:58 — Gukesh's secret sauce
32:30 — Gukesh and online chess
35:10 — Does blitz help classical skills?
37:25 — Danya's childhood story
39:40 — Blitz vs Classical
44:25 — Hikaru is special!
46:30 — No cheating?
48:10 — Blitz improvement insights
51:50 — Danya's learnt from Hikaru
54:30 — Openings for blitz
59:29 — Blitz grind
1:03:00 — No more flagging?
1:06:00 — Important advice
1:08:00 — Danya = neural network!
1:10:00 — 1000 comments!
1:10:45 — ChessCom vs Lichess
1:13:07 — We play a game
1:17:03 — My kitten
1:17:50 — "That was scary!!"
1:19:55 — Next episode?

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

In this podcast, I interview top chess players (my guests include Nepo, Fabi, Aronian, Dubov and many others - the unreleased podcasts will be published in January-February), play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 30 years old, I have a girlfriend, a dog and two cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!
1 hr 21 min
May 08, 2024 LEVON ARONIAN: chess psychology, cheating, Magnus, Kasparov
I've interviewed Levon Aronian and discussed with him the hottest topics in chess, as well as his personal story, books for chess self-improvement, chess psychology, and playing against Magnus Carlsen and Garry Kasparov. At the end, we played a fascinating blitz game. This was recorded in Samarkand at the end of 2023.

My Twitch: https://twitch.tv/gregmustreader
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/mustreader
Levon's Twitter: https://twitter.com/LevAronian
My podcast with Nepo: https://youtu.be/sW-i4CPCa_w?si=fvUCPiLUHl5GWOVf
My podcast with Fabi: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo?si=Z_yQ8thdFWOpusxh
DOP: timmmy_photos

00:00 — Intro
2:08 — Tournament in Chennai
5:52 — The future of chess
7:35 — Cheating online
11:33 — Strict anti-cheating measures
15:04 — Zen reaction to cheating
17:45 — Motivation behind cheating
25:12 — Rehab for cheaters
36:01 — Chess and rap battles
37:32 — Levon loves rap
38:10 — Role models
40:10 — Playing against Kasparov and Magnus
45:15 — Relaxation in chess
50:24 — We play blitz

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

In this podcast, I interview top chess players (my guests include Nepo, Fabi, Aronian, Dubov and many others - the unreleased podcasts will be published in January-February), play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 30 years old, I have a girlfriend, a dog and two cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!
53 min
May 07, 2024 FABIANO CARUANA: "I couldn't even look at chess!"
A new podcast episode with Fabiano Caruana as my guest! In this episode, Fabi talks about his motivation, story of his decline and then ascent back to the top, the cheating scandal, Magnus, Hikaru, the Candidates, his training schedule, and much more. Also, we play blitz with time odds. Enjoy!

My Twitch: https://twitch.tv/gregmustreader
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/mustreader
Fabiano’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/FabianoCaruana
Episode with Nepo: https://youtu.be/sW-i4CPCa_w?si=PRZaShC57wtet3_m
CSquared podcast: https://youtube.com/@csqpod
DOP: timmmy_photos

00:00 — Intro
00:41 — About the episode
2:30 — Fabi dropped chess in 2020
8:00 — Problems with motivation
10:28 — How to stay in good shape
11:38 — Staying calm despite external drama
14:59 — Chess and working out
17:32 — Chess training schedule
23:30 — Training now
27:56 — Calculation vs tactics
31:31 — Comparing with Magnus, Nepo, Hikaru, Ding, Wesley
38:50 — How Fabi rates himself
41:45 — If Fabi wins the Candidates
43:21 — Kramnik’s ban
52:35 — We play blitz

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

In this podcast, I interview top chess players (my guests include Nepo, Fabi, Aronian, Dubov and many others - the unreleased podcasts will be published in January-February), play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 30 years old, I have a girlfriend, a dog and two cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!
56 min
May 02, 2024 NEPO on cheating, Magnus, Hikaru, Fabi, Ding, and the Candidates
I've interviewed Ian Nepomniachtchi and discussed with him the hottest topics in chess. This was recorded in Samarkand at the end of 2023.I've interviewed Ian Nepomniachtchi and discussed with him the hottest topics in chess. This was recorded in Samarkand at the end of 2023.

My Twitch: https://twitch.tv/gregmustreader
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/mustreader
Nepo's Twitter: https://twitter.com/lachesisq
My previous podcast with Nepo (in Russian with Eng subtitles): https://youtube.com/watch?v=_8rBWqaImPE
DOP: timmmy_photos

00:00 — Intro
00:57 — Kramnik's ban from ChessCom
6:40 — Why people cheat
8:44 — How it works
16:18 — New detection methods
22:55 — Alireza and the scandal
28:26 — Ian's letter to FIDE
34:18 — The Candidates
39:17 — Nepo vs Fabi vs Hikaru
41:13 — Chess players Ian looks up to
45:24 — How Ian works on chess
50:32 — Physical preparation/psychology

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

In this podcast, I interview top chess players (my guests include Nepo, Fabi, Aronian, Dubov and many others - the unreleased podcasts will be published in January-February), play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 30 years old, I have a girlfriend, a dog and two cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!
55 min