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Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast
Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast episodes
- EP 182 | Being a Chess Professional ft. GM Felix Blohberger
GM Felix Blohberger discusses the realities of being a modern chess professional, including balancing playing, coaching, content creation, and course development while pursuing a long-term goal of reaching 2600. The conversation explores training methods, opening preparation, tournament economics, and the broader challenges of building a sustainable career in chess.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips00:05 Introduction
01:08 Chess career path04:31 Goal of 260007:08 Making a living in chess10:15 Chess money and prizes12:30 Training routine17:23 Opening preparation22:03 Game recap videos32:14 Playing style37:25 Chess courses48:27 Sponsorship and opportunities1 hr - EP 181 | Queen of Chess
In this episode of Dojo Talks, the Sensei review the Netflix documentary 'Queen of Chess' and discuss Judit Polgar’s rise to the top of the chess world. They break down what the film gets right, what it leaves out about the Polgar training experiment, and what her legacy means for future generations of players.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips00:05 Intro to the documentary
04:30 Family movie night reactions08:50 Chess stories on Netflix13:30 Underdog appeal in chess19:40 What the film leaves out27:00 Polgar’s rise explained36:30 Polgar vs Kasparov debate1:00:20 Lessons from the film1 hr 3 min - EP 180 | Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer ft. IM John Donaldson
John Donaldson joins Dojo Talks to discuss his new book "Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer", a collection of Fischer’s lesser-known writings and annotations. The conversation explores why Fischer’s games are still highly instructive for modern players, how his practical decision-making shows up in systems like the King’s Indian Attack, and what his approach reveals about classic chess ideas like overprotection and restraint. They also dive into Fischer’s obsession with analytical accuracy, the origins of “the Rat” opening, and the importance of regularly playing tournament games if you actually want your study to translate into better results over the board.
Pick up a copy here: https://amzn.to/3Op81Aw
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips00:05 New Fischer book and why Donaldson studies him
03:02 What’s inside the book06:51 Why Fischer games still teach well10:29 A key pawn move in the Kings Indian Attack15:32 Fischer using classic chess ideas24:02 Fischer arguing analysis and loving accuracy39:20 What “the Rat” opening means47:54 How many games to play each year and when Fischer became GM level1 hr 3 min - EP 179 | Modern Chess Training Methods
In this episode, Jesse and Kostya are joined again by TheChessNerd where they rank various digital-era training tools—from Puzzle Rush to AI bots—to determine which modern methods actually improve your game versus those that are just "mid." They debate the merits of fast-paced online play and new technologies, weighing their convenience against the "demons" of distraction and cheating.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips04:10 Puzzle Rush
08:00 Blitz13:31 Online Play20:44 E-boards24:35 Blindfold Training29:05 Playing Against Bots1 hr 23 min - EP 178 | The Top-10 Greatest Chess Tournaments Ever
In this episode of Dojo Talks, we rank and debate the 10 greatest chess tournaments of all time — from historic classics like London 1851, Hastings 1895, and St. Petersburg 1914 to legendary modern events featuring Kasparov, Fischer, Tal, Topalov, and more.
Joined by ChessNerd, the Dojo team breaks down:
Kasparov’s breakout at the Soviet Championship 1981The birth of international chess tournaments at London 1851Pillsbury’s stunning win at Hastings 1895The controversial 1948 World Championship tournamentSteinitz and the rise of positional chess in Vienna 1873Topalov’s dominant run at San Luis 2005Fischer’s emergence at the Portorož InterzonalTal’s shocking victory in the 1959 Candidates TournamentFrom early romantic-era events to brutal Soviet-era candidates and modern super tournaments, we debate what truly makes a tournament great: strength of field, historical impact, legendary games, and cultural significance.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips00:05 – Ranking format and guest intro
01:25 – Kasparov breakout at Soviet Championship 198104:13 – London 1851 and early tournament history07:16 – Hastings 1895 and Pillsbury’s rise10:10 – World Championship tournament 1948 debate12:26 – Steinitz and positional chess in Vienna 187315:41 – Topalov’s run at San Luis 200518:10 – Fischer emerges at Portorož Interzonal23:29 – Candidates 1959 and Tal’s ascent2 hr 9 min - EP 177 | GM Yusupov on Women in Chess
GM Artur Yusupov joins the podcast to discuss his work with the Women in Chess Foundation.
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips1 hr 4 min - EP 176 | Gauri's Path to IM
This episode follows IM Gauri Shankar’s long, stop-and-start path to finally earning the IM title—balancing full-time teaching and content creation, struggling with USCF–FIDE rating disparities and nerves, reflecting on modern chess improvement and work–life balance, and discussing with Jesse and Kostya what it would really take to push on toward GM.
Check out the game between Gauri and Jesse mentioned in the episode here: https://www.chessdojo.club/games/2300-2400/2024.09.26_01343cb4-e508-44fe-8b82-9046cc189d79
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips00:00 – Live classes announcement
00:28 – Gauri’s early chess story02:50 – Growing up in Chicago chess scene04:50 – First norms and long break from chess09:30 – Rating struggles and USCF–FIDE disparity13:20 – Life as coach, streamer, creator18:40 – Identity as player vs teacher40:00 – Crossing 2400 and emotional breakthrough1 hr 25 min - 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/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips00:00 Dojo in Charlotte and live classes
03:30 World Cup recap and qualifiers07:30 Rapid tiebreaks and fatigue12:30 Why the World Cup feels random19:00 Final four paths and upsets28:00 Sindarov and Wei Yi trajectories41:00 Candidates preview and favorites59 min - 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/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips00:03 – Book overview
03:22 – Ear injury & setbacks12:24 – Shelby School & cult24:55 – Trance & hierarchy36:34 – Separation & trauma55:34 – Chess world’s shift1:13:24 – Media angle & Hans1 hr 22 min - 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/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojoMerch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop
Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tipFind 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/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips00:55 Impact of Naroditsky news on players
03:57 Caruana’s sustained edge and title streak10:21 Mishra’s stall after breakthrough11:30 Woodward’s rise and dynamic style20:02 Caruana’s fresh opening ideas and defense25:05 U.S. depth with seven 2700s and India comparison31:06 Carissa Yip’s GM trajectory and tougher women’s field48:00 St. Louis Chess Club reopening and U.S. chess hubs1 hr 3 min
About Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast
From the publisher's feed
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 the Dojo! A structured plan to hold yourself accountable to and a group to do it with. - https://chessdojo.club
Follow ChessDojo here:
Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojolive
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chess_dojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chess_dojo/
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com/
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