L2C 039: The Tao of Chess - Chapter 7 - Material

We return to our Tao of Chess series and discus the next chapter on Material. Of primary importance to you initial improvement as a chess player is taking care of you pieces (and pawns) and capitalizing on the opportunities that your opponent presents. We have heard that 80+% of the games under 1200 Elo are decided by this factor. Even if that is not 100% accurate, it is indicative of the importance of material during a chess game.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected]

If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know. Welcome to the board. We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/TaoOfChessChap7

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#chess #chesstournament #chesstournaments #TaoofChess #mostExcellentRoadTo1500 #OurBumpyRoad #roadto1500Elo #roadtoDecentChess #DCP #decentChessPlayer #chessInstruction #adultimprover #adultimprovers #chessClub #clubChess #chessiverse #tournamentChess #learnchess #learningchess #chesslearner #TheDoctorOnTheSofa #BillOnTheSofa #fantasyChess #fantasyCandidatesTournament

L2C 038: Days 8-10 of This Year's Candidates Tournament

The 2026 Candidates Tournament is nearing its end. The open contest is pretty close ot mathematically over. The ladies event is FANTASTIC. We cover both and predict the next round. Please do not wager the mortgage on our thoughts, lol.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected]

If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know. Welcome to the board. We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/CandidatesDays8to10

Want some Late 2 Chess swag? Our store is open at: https://late-2-chess.myspreadshop.com/

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L2C 037: Claude Fried

Bill welcomes Claude to the podcast. He is over qualified for our DCP title and has a USCF rating of over 2,000 at this point. We talked quite a bit about his past and even more about what he learned that helped him the most. We also discussed a ton of options that are present currently that were not around when he was first learning. And since the good Doctor was not around, Bill got to ask a ridiculous question or two. To be fair, he was left unattended.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected] If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know.

Welcome to the board.

We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/ClaudeFriedP1

Want some Late 2 Chess swag? Our store is open at: https://late-2-chess.myspreadshop.com/

#chess #chesstournament #chesstournaments #TaoofChess #mostExcellentRoadTo1500 #OurBumpyRoad #roadto1500Elo #roadtoDecentChess #DCP #decentChessPlayer #chessInstruction #adultimprover #adultimprovers #chessClub #clubChess #chessiverse #tournamentChess #learnchess #learningchess #chesslearner #TheDoctorOnTheSofa #BillOnTheSofa #fantasyChess #fantasyCandidatesTournament

L2C 036: Days 5-7 of This Year's Candidates Tournament

The 2026 Candidates Tournament has reached the halfway point and the Women's championship battle almost could not be closer. The open championship has had lots of surprises in terms of each of the games played, but it has developed into a big lead and a few players who are (almost) out of contention. It is looking like the later rounds are going to be quite exciting on the women's side and hopefully the open side. The good Doctor and Bill also update the midway results of our Fantasy Chess Tournament and in spite of the their prediction performance predict the next round of action that will be starting in a few hours after today's off day.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected] If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know.

Welcome to the board.

We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/CandidatesDays56and7

Want some Late 2 Chess swag? Our store is open at: https://late-2-chess.myspreadshop.com/

#chess #chesstournament #chesstournaments #TaoofChess #mostExcellentRoadTo1500 #OurBumpyRoad #roadto1500Elo #roadtoDecentChess #DCP #decentChessPlayer #chessInstruction #adultimprover #adultimprovers #chessClub #clubChess #chessiverse #tournamentChess #learnchess #learningchess #chesslearner #TheDoctorOnTheSofa #BillOnTheSofa #fantasyChess #fantasyCandidatesTournament

L2C 035: Days 1-4 of This Year's Candidates Tournament

The Doctor and Bill discuss this years Candidates Tournament days 1-4. Usually, this tournament starts slowly due to the high stakes of playing for the World Championship with lots of draws. Not so much this year as many matches have ended with decisive victories. We review the results for all four days and then take a deep dive into the round 1 matchup of Fabiano v Hikaru. Well as deep as we can go/understand.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected] If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know.

Welcome to the board.

We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/CandidatesDays1to4

Want some Late 2 Chess swag? Our store is open at: https://late-2-chess.myspreadshop.com/

#chess #chesstournament #chesstournaments #TaoofChess #mostExcellentRoadTo1500 #OurBumpyRoad #roadto1500Elo #roadtoDecentChess #DCP #decentChessPlayer #chessInstruction #adultimprover #adultimprovers #chessClub #clubChess #chessiverse #tournamentChess #learnchess #learningchess #chesslearner #TheDoctorOnTheSofa #BillOnTheSofa #fantasyChess #fantasyCandidatesTournament

L2C 034: Learning Chess "Chessable"-type Instruction vs Book Learning - Advantages & Disadvantages

The Doctor and Bill discuss the pro's and con's of using online resources in the style of Chessable vs the old school methods of learning with books. What is best? What works for us? Are there any differences and/or advantages for each? Tune in this week. Same Bat Time. Same Bat Channel. Same low price.

And don't forget to enter your team selection into our Fantasy Chess League for the upcoming Candidates tournament. The rules are posted on our social media on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected] If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know.

Welcome to the board.

We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/ChessablevBook

Want some Late 2 Chess swag? Our store is open at: https://late-2-chess.myspreadshop.com/

#chess #chesstournament #chesstournaments #TaoofChess #mostExcellentRoadTo1500 #OurBumpyRoad #roadto1500Elo #roadtoDecentChess #DCP #decentChessPlayer #chessInstruction #adultimprover #adultimprovers #chessClub #clubChess #chessiverse #tournamentChess #learnchess #learningchess #chesslearner #TheDoctorOnTheSofa #BillOnTheSofa #fantasyChess #fantasyCandidatesTournament

L2C 033: Our Picks for The Fantasy 2026 Candidates Chess Tournament

With the 2026 Candidates Tournament about to begin, The Doctor and Bill reveal their picks for the Late 2 Chess Fantasy Chess Candidates Championship. We hope you enjoy the tournament and good luck going for the win!

And don't forget to enter your team selection into our Fantasy Chess League for the upcoming Candidates tournament. The rules are posted on our social media on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Please let us know if you are going to try this and please please let us know if you do and how it goes. We would love to hear all about it.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected] If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know.

Welcome to the board.

We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/OurPicks2026

Want some Late 2 Chess swag? Our store is open at: https://late-2-chess.myspreadshop.com/

#chess #chesstournament #chesstournaments #TaoofChess #mostExcellentRoadTo1500 #OurBumpyRoad #roadto1500Elo #roadtoDecentChess #DCP #decentChessPlayer #chessInstruction #adultimprover #adultimprovers #chessClub #clubChess #chessiverse #tournamentChess #learnchess #learningchess #chesslearner #TheDoctorOnTheSofa #BillOnTheSofa #fantasyChess #fantasyCandidatesTournament

L2C 032: The Tao of Chess - 3 More Chapters

We return to our Tao of Chess series and discus the next three chapters as they belong in one bag. The first chapter is on Development. The second chapter is on Controlling the Center. The third chapter we cover here is on King Safety. These three principles form the pillars of most good chess, especially early in your chess career. However, as with the other chapters of this book, there is great depth in each of the principles covered within the chapter and we remain positive that we do not fully comprehend the true meanings atthis point. Maybe someday.

And don't forget to enter your team selection into our Fantasy Chess League for the upcoming Candidates tournament. The rules are posted on our social media on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected] If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know.

Welcome to the board.

We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/TaoOfChessChapters3to5

Want some Late 2 Chess swag? Our store is open at: https://late-2-chess.myspreadshop.com/

#chess #chesstournament #chesstournaments #TaoofChess #mostExcellentRoadTo1500 #OurBumpyRoad #roadto1500Elo #roadtoDecentChess #DCP #decentChessPlayer #chessInstruction #adultimprover #adultimprovers #chessClub #clubChess #chessiverse #tournamentChess #learnchess #learningchess #chesslearner #TheDoctorOnTheSofa #BillOnTheSofa #fantasyChess #fantasyCandidatesTournament

L2C 031: Our Views on Chessiverse.com - So Far

A few weeks ago The Doctor was talking to me about this new website that he was trying out and said it looked good so far. I was on the road for a 4 week work travel trip and checked out the website. We both found it to be be very helpful to us learning chess and improving our games. So in this episode we talk about Chessiverse.com, what features it has, how we use it and how it has helped us to improve.

And don't forget to enter your team selection into our Fantasy Chess League for the upcoming Candidates tournament. The rules are posted on our social media on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Please let us know if you are going to try this and please please let us know if you do and how it goes. We would love to hear all about it.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected] If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know.

Welcome to the board.

We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/ChessiversePart1

#chess #chesstournament #chesstournaments #TaoofChess #mostExcellentRoadTo1500 #OurBumpyRoad #roadto1500Elo #roadtoDecentChess #DCP #decentChessPlayer #chessInstruction #adultimprover #adultimprovers #chessClub #clubChess #chessiverse #tournamentChess #learnchess #learningchess #chesslearner #TheDoctorOnTheSofa #BillOnTheSofa #fantasyChess #fantasyCandidatesTournament

L2C 030: Our 2026 Candidates Tournament Player intro and Fantasy Tournament Intro

In this episode, we introduce the 8 contestants in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. The winner will get the chance to play for the World Championship of Chess later this year against the current World Champion Gukesh. We also provided all the details you need to enter the even more prestigious Fantasy Chess Tournament for predicting the best team of 4 players.

And don't forget to enter your team selection into our Fantasy Chess League for the upcoming Candidates tournament. The rules are posted on our social media on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Please let us know if you are going to try this and please please let us know if you do and how it goes. We would love to hear all about it.

Did we get something wrong? Were we remiss in not asking a question or discuss and area you are interested in?

Let us know at [email protected] If you have any thoughts, topics and/or guest ideas, or solutions, please let us know.

Welcome to the board.

We hope you enjoy the show!

For a link to the podcast, please use: https://tinyurl.com/L2CCandidates2026Intro

#chess #chesstournament #chesstournaments #TaoofChess #mostExcellentRoadTo1500 #OurBumpyRoad #roadto1500Elo #roadtoDecentChess #DCP #decentChessPlayer #chessInstruction #adultimprover #adultimprovers #chessClub #clubChess #tournamentChess #learnchess #learningchess #chesslearner #TheDoctorOnTheSofa #BillOnTheSofa #fantasyChess #fantasyCandidatesTournament

Da Rules:

1) You have a budget of 1,000 units

2) Points are scored for each player on your team's wins and draws.

3) Total team points at the end of the tournament wins

4) The tie breaker if needed, is your prediction of the top 4 in order. These choices do not have to be from your team from above.

Costs:

Fabiano Caruana 474

Hikaru Nakamura 383

Javokhir Sindarov 302

R Praggnanandhaa 277

Anish Giri 237

Wei Yi 184

Andrey Esipenko 111

Matthias Blübaum 33

Send in your entries to:

[email protected] or on our Instagram, Youtube channel comments, Facebook group, or Discord channel.