FM Kamil Plichta is a popular Chessable author, a chess trainer, and something of a rapid and blitz specialist. His strength at fast time controls is borne out by the the fact that he recently finished 3rd at the Polish Rapid Championship, and that he has won online blitz games against the likes of Nakamura and Artemiev. In our wide ranging chess talk, we hit topics ranging from how to tailor your game for a specific opponent, to blitz and time trouble tips, to how much time one should spend studying openings. As always, please read on for more details, hyperlinks and timestamps. 

0:00- Intro. We begin by discussing Kamil’s recent success at the Polish Rapid Championship, where he finished 3rd overall, ahead of notable Grandmasters like GM Michail Krasenkow and GM Kacper Piorun. 

Mentioned: GM Bassem Amin

13:10- We transition to discussing how Kamil chooses his opening repertoire and designs his Chessable courses. Kamil also dispenses advice about how much time chess players should devote to studying openings at different ratings levels. 

Mentioned: GM Simon Williams,  Break the Rules, Play the Trompowsky, Erwin’s Opening Lab, the Dubov Tarrasch, GM Danil Dubov

19:00- What makes Kamil so strong at blitz, and what blitz advice can he give to listeners?

Mentioned: Hikaru Nakamura 

27:00- We discuss some of Kamil’s other chess related work, including a business he is starting in Poland, and some other business plans of his. 

32:00- Kamil delves into the background of how he was able to successfully pitch a course to Chessable 

Mentioned: Video intro’s by Kamil for his courses on the King’s Indian Attack, and The Trompowsky

43:00- I ask Kamil some follow up questions based on his excellent interview with Vjekoslav Nemec of Chessentials. I was particularly interested in hearing Kamil’s thoughts about his psychological approach to each chess game. 

Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen, IM Cyrus Lakdawala 

59:00- How does Kamil approach coaching individual students? What mistakes does he often see? 

Mentioned: Kamil’s LiChess Coaching Page

1:05- Is it better to work on improving your strengths or your weaknesses? How should you play against a time trouble addict? 

1:12- We get another fresh book recommendation! Why does Kamil love the book, Your Opponent is Overrated by FM James Schuyler?  

1:14- A question from a Patreon supporter of the podcast asks Kamil why chess players are often drawn to poker and vice versa? Kamil answers the question, and also delves into his years as a poker pro. 

1:21- Switching back to chess, Kamil dispenses some important advice for those looking to improve at chess. 

1:26- Uh oh, more poker talk.😉  What variant of poker did Kamil play? 

Mentioned: Sit and Go Poker Tournaments, IM Greg Shahade 

1:30- Kamil turns the tables and asks me about the origins of Perpetual Chess and who my dream guests would be. 

Mentioned: GM Boris Spassky, GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Jan Timman, GM Genna Sosonko, Lessons of a Grandmaster with GM Boris Gulko 

1:35- Goodbye and contact info! You can contact Kamil via LiChess or follow him on twitter here. 

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