Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast
Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast episodes
- EP 172 | Justice for Daniel Naroditsky
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/@/chessdojoclips53 min - 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/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 — Why nootropics in chess
02:06 — Common nootropics people already use06:05 — Sam’s experience with brain supplements11:36 — How nootropics support brain function17:19 — Stress, alcohol, and brain decline20:05 — Different thinking demands in chess23:48 — Stronger focus boosters31:50 — Cheating or smart advantage?48:17 — Key brain-health ingredients56:30 — Growth of nootropics industry58 min - 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/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/@/chessdojoclips00:06 Remembering Danya and why this talk matters
01:20 Early years in Bay Area chess and family support05:37 First games, world title, and early talent13:33 His humor, kindness, and impact on others33:05 Closing thoughts34 min - 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/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 Introduction to the Total Chess World Championship Tour
03:20 Norway Chess vs. St. Louis Chess Club07:10 Format Innovations and Fast Classical Debate17:00 Magnus, Freestyle Chess, and Competing Circuits23:30 FIDE, Chess.com, and the Future of World Titles38 min - 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/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 — Intro & format
02:18 — Rating swings & scouting06:01 — Team breakdowns10:42 — Draft rules & order13:19 — Round 1 picks19:42 — Round 2 picks25:24 — Round 3 picks35:44 — Girls’ draft (Round 1)42:08 — Girls’ draft (Round 2)49:23 — Closing thoughts53 min - 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/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/@/chessdojoclips00:06 – First impressions of the Grand Swiss
01:34 – Why this tournament felt special03:02 – Calls for more events tied to the World Championship06:12 – Stakes and qualification systems in chess09:26 – How FIDE co-opted the Isle of Man tournament14:06 – Tournament winners: Giri and Bluebaum20:00 – Evaluating Bluebaum’s chances in the Candidates28:34 – Giri’s ambitions and old-school endgame play33:45 – The gap between 2600s and 2700s42:26 – Who might miss the Candidates and future prospects51 min - 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.clubWatch 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 Humans compared to machines in chess strength
01:14 Purist view of chess vs. odds traditions02:06 GMs losing to Leela even with material odds03:37 Notable results Naka Fabi Nepo against Leela10:35 Odds games as a learning tool vs. engines17:18 What an 800-point gap from Magnus really means28:47 Computers proving drawish positions still hold winning chances39:09 Engine Elo progress and the question of a plateau1 hr 6 min - EP 165 | 2025 Maia Open Recap
In this Dojo Talks, Kostya recaps his trip to Portugal for the Maia Open with three chess streamers—Matthew, Rachel, and Anushka—along with David, discussing their experiences with tournament preparation and their performance. They highlight how sparring and collective training were crucial to their success, helping them feel more confident and prepared for their games, and they share their different feelings about the pressure of a big tournament.
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 Introduction to the Maya Open tournament recap
01:19 Players share how they feel after the tournament02:28 Player backgrounds and chess experience04:19 The role of sparring in their training13:04 The players' approach to pre-game preparation20:16 How tournament goals changed their training2 hr 5 min - EP 164 | Hikaru Goes To The Farm
The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) discuss Hikaru Nakamura's path to the candidates, along with who they'd like to see qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates tournament.
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 – Intro & Setup
01:31 – Is Hikaru the Exception?08:36 – Balancing Streaming, Training, and Competition09:23 – The Busy Chess Calendar10:55 – Strength of the Tournament14:39 – Ethics of Rating Manipulation17:39 – Die-Hard Rules vs. Fair Play22:27 – Mathematical Loopholes in Ratings27:15 – Impact on Future Candidates31:20 – Who Deserves to Be in the Candidates?55:00 – Alternative Qualification Systems58:33 – Broader Trends in Chess Ratings1:00:12 – Closing Thoughts & Wrap-Up1 hr 2 min - EP 163 | Blitz Specialists
This Dojo Talks explores what makes some players stronger at blitz than others, contrasting calculation-based vs. intuitive styles, online vs. over-the-board skills, and the role of premoves, time management, and tricky opening repertoires. The sensei also discuss the rise of a “blitz generation,” handling tilt, and David’s quest to reach a 2600 blitz rating.
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/@/chessdojoclips00:01 – David’s blitz struggles
02:46 – Blitz as a different game07:05 – Calculator vs. intuitive players15:16 – The premove problem20:05 – Online vs. OTB blitz25:18 – Blitz repertoires and system openings32:07 – Queen’s Gambit generation58:15 – Tilt and the 2600 quest1 hr 8 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/
More shows like Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast
Perpetual Chess Podcast
613 Listeners
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
1,345 Listeners
The Ezra Klein Show
15,926 Listeners
Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement
133 Listeners
The Chess Experience
63 Listeners
The Rest Is Politics
3,000 Listeners
C-Squared Podcast
176 Listeners
The Rest Is Politics: US
2,241 Listeners
The Chess Angle
85 Listeners
New In Chess Podcast
21 Listeners
Chess Visualization with Aiden Rayner
17 Listeners
NextLevelChess
36 Listeners
Chess with Mustreader
5 Listeners
The Chess Cognition Podcast
7 Listeners
The Rest Is Science
401 Listeners