Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

By IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, GM Jesse Kraai

The official podcast of ChessDojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, & GM Jesse Kraai). Most episodes are streamed live to twitch.tv/chessdojo.

Interested in improving your chess? Welcome to ... more

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FAQs about Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast:

How many episodes does Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 180 episodes available.

Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast episodes:

December 01, 2025 EP 175 | 2025 FIDE World Cup
The episode recaps the 2025 World Cup and argues that the knockout + rapid-tiebreak format is too random for awarding three Candidates spots, even though Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Esipenko were deserving stories in different ways. The sensei preview how this unpredictability shapes the upcoming Candidates, discuss favorites (Fabi, Prag, Naka), and explain why Dojo still prefers a more merit-based qualification system.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
00:00 Dojo in Charlotte and live classes
03:30 World Cup recap and qualifiers
07:30 Rapid tiebreaks and fatigue
12:30 Why the World Cup feels random
19:00 Final four paths and upsets
28:00 Sindarov and Wei Yi trajectories
41:00 Candidates preview and favorites
...more
59min
November 11, 2025 EP 174 | Dark Squares: How Chess Saved Danny Rensch's Life
The sensei discuss Danny Rensch’s memoir, Dark Squares, exploring how a traumatizing cult upbringing and early chess success shaped his life, career, and the wider evolution of the chess world.
Check out Dark Squares and pick up a copy here: https://amzn.to/4pyW2yt
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
00:03 – Book overview
03:22 – Ear injury & setbacks
12:24 – Shelby School & cult
24:55 – Trance & hierarchy
36:34 – Separation & trauma
55:34 – Chess world’s shift
1:13:24 – Media angle & Hans
...more
1h 22min
November 03, 2025 EP 173 | The State of US Chess 2025
A wide-ranging recap finds US chess robust—shaped by Caruana’s four-peat and sharp prep, Woodward’s surge and Mishra’s uneven form, a stronger women’s field led by Carissa Yip’s GM push, players coping with the Naroditsky tragedy, India vs. USA depth debates, and the St. Louis Chess Club’s expansion cementing a national hub.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
00:55 Impact of Naroditsky news on players
03:57 Caruana’s sustained edge and title streak
10:21 Mishra’s stall after breakthrough
11:30 Woodward’s rise and dynamic style
20:02 Caruana’s fresh opening ideas and defense
25:05 U.S. depth with seven 2700s and India comparison
31:06 Carissa Yip’s GM trajectory and tougher women’s field
48:00 St. Louis Chess Club reopening and U.S. chess hubs
...more
1h 3min
October 28, 2025 EP 172 | Justice for Daniel Naroditsky
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
...more
53min
October 26, 2025 EP 171 | Nootropics
Jesse and Sam dive into how legal, common nootropics might boost chess performance by improving focus, stress-resilience, and brain health, and question where the line lies between smart optimization and unfair advantage.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
00:03 — Why nootropics in chess
02:06 — Common nootropics people already use
06:05 — Sam’s experience with brain supplements
11:36 — How nootropics support brain function
17:19 — Stress, alcohol, and brain decline
20:05 — Different thinking demands in chess
23:48 — Stronger focus boosters
31:50 — Cheating or smart advantage?
48:17 — Key brain-health ingredients
56:30 — Growth of nootropics industry
...more
58min
October 22, 2025 EP 170 | Remembering Daniel Naroditsky
David, Kostya, and Jesse share their memories of Danya, reflecting on his early talent, kindness, intelligence, humor, and lasting impact on the chess community.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
00:06 Remembering Danya and why this talk matters
01:20 Early years in Bay Area chess and family support
05:37 First games, world title, and early talent
13:33 His humor, kindness, and impact on others
33:05 Closing thoughts
...more
34min
October 19, 2025 EP 169 | Total Chess World Championship Tour
The Dojo crew debates Norway Chess’s new “Total Chess World Championship Tour,” comparing it to past innovations, Magnus Carlsen’s influence, FIDE’s involvement, and the growing clash between classical, freestyle, and online chess circuits.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
00:00 Introduction to the Total Chess World Championship Tour
03:20 Norway Chess vs. St. Louis Chess Club
07:10 Format Innovations and Fast Classical Debate
17:00 Magnus, Freestyle Chess, and Competing Circuits
23:30 FIDE, Chess.com, and the Future of World Titles
...more
38min
October 03, 2025 EP 168 | 2025 Junior Draft Update
The sensei recap last year’s junior-draft results and rating swings, then run a snake draft to add three new juniors and two girls each—keeping graduated players for tracking, debating drops and Christopher Yoo’s suspension/return, and highlighting prospects like world junior champion Pranav V, Lu Miaoyi, and even a risky 10-year-old.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
00:00 — Intro & format
02:18 — Rating swings & scouting
06:01 — Team breakdowns
10:42 — Draft rules & order
13:19 — Round 1 picks
19:42 — Round 2 picks
25:24 — Round 3 picks
35:44 — Girls’ draft (Round 1)
42:08 — Girls’ draft (Round 2)
49:23 — Closing thoughts
...more
53min
September 20, 2025 EP 166 | 2025 Grand Swiss
The 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss thrilled fans with Anish Giri’s win, Matthias Blubaum’s surprise Candidates spot, and dramatic clashes between rising juniors and veterans, sparking debate on how to create more high-stakes events like it.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
00:06 – First impressions of the Grand Swiss
01:34 – Why this tournament felt special
03:02 – Calls for more events tied to the World Championship
06:12 – Stakes and qualification systems in chess
09:26 – How FIDE co-opted the Isle of Man tournament
14:06 – Tournament winners: Giri and Bluebaum
20:00 – Evaluating Bluebaum’s chances in the Candidates
28:34 – Giri’s ambitions and old-school endgame play
33:45 – The gap between 2600s and 2700s
42:26 – Who might miss the Candidates and future prospects
...more
51min
September 17, 2025 EP 167 | What Does 3700 ELO Mean?
In this DojoTalks, the sensei argue that 3700 Elo engines are so far beyond humans that they beat elite GMs even while spotting queen/rook/knight odds. They discuss that this gap reframes odds chess, preparation, and training, showing how much headroom remains in human understanding.

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo
Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip
Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo
Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips
00:05 Humans compared to machines in chess strength
01:14 Purist view of chess vs. odds traditions
02:06 GMs losing to Leela even with material odds
03:37 Notable results Naka Fabi Nepo against Leela
10:35 Odds games as a learning tool vs. engines
17:18 What an 800-point gap from Magnus really means
28:47 Computers proving drawish positions still hold winning chances
39:09 Engine Elo progress and the question of a plateau
...more
1h 6min

FAQs about Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast:

How many episodes does Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 180 episodes available.

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