41-year-old IM Renier Castellanos had all but given up on earning the Grandmaster title. His life was getting busier, and after 2 potential GM norms were not ratified by FIDE, he felt like it just wasn’t meant to be. But his friends and Killer Chess Training co-workers, GM Jacob Aagaard and Kallia Kleisarchaki, convinced him to keep trying. It turned out that was all it took! Two weeks ago, Renier got his final GM norm, to earn the title of Grandmaster at age 41. In our interview, Renier reflects on the lessons he has learned, and why he thinks he was still able to earn the title in this challenging era, despite not working on chess as much as he did in his 20s. Renier also shares his own advice on chess improvement, some book recommendations, and discusses what he observed from facing Super GM level players like GM Vladimir Fedoseev. This interview was conducted while the Candidates was still ongoing, but you can even hear Renier’s Candidates prediction to see how it played out. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

0:00- Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com 

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0:01- Renier discusses why he had given up on the GM title 

Mentioned: GM Jacob Aagaard of Killer Chess Training, Killer Chess Training Review of Renier’s Game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeI0AazBw1I

0:08- What shortcoming in his game did Renier need to overcome in order to earn the title?

9:45- How did he think about the expense of pursuing the GM title?

16:00- What is Renier’s approach to the opening? What else did he do to train?

Mentioned; KillerChessTraining.com

22:00- How did Renier’s wife, WGM Raluca Sgircea, help him with his daily habits? 

25:00- Renier discusses his early years growing up in Cuba, moving to Chile and then to Spain in his teens and 20s 

Mentioned: GM Lazaro Bruzon Batista, Chess Reddit thread about Renier’s GM title  

31:00- We discuss the congratulatory notes Renier has gotten, including this tweet from GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming 

Mentioned: Episode 184 with GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming 

34:00- Did an emphasis on physical fitness help his chess? What about community?

43:00- What is the best way to spend one’s chess improvement time?

46:00- Renier’s recommended open tournaments, based on his time on as a traveling chess professional:

Mentioned: Benasque, Spain Chess Open, Menoraca, Sitges 

51:00- Renier’s favorite chess books

Mentioned: Perfect Your Chess, Dynamic Chess Strategy by GM Mihai Suba 

54:00- What did Renier learn from playing Fedoseev and other super GM-level players? 

1:03:00- Renier’s most memorable game

Mentioned: Video of his World Bitz victory vs. GM Peter Svidler 

1:10:00- Thanks to Renier for sharing his inspiring story! 

You can reach him via his Lichess coaches page or find his classes at KillerChessTraining:

https://lichess.org/coach/RenierChess

KillerChessTraining.com

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