Dr. Joel Sneed is a professor, a practicing clinical psychologist and a highly-regarded chess author. And despite a busy professional and family life, Joel has achieved the rare feat of reaching a  2000+ USCF after starting tournament chess in his 30s. But, like many of us, Joel struggles to moderate his relationship with chess. He has long held a goal of reaching USCF Master, and puts a lot of pressure on himself to make it happen quickly. This has led to a repetitive cycle of despondency and quitting, followed by resuming chess, with renewed hopes of tackling his goals. In our conversation, we speak candidly about how Joel can derive more enjoyment from chess, and about what he would advise himself if he were his own patient. Joel also touches on how to manage anxiety around tournament chess, our thoughts on IM Levy Rozman’s GM-title pursuit,  and the lessons Joel learned from working with legendary Grandmaster (and co-author, GM Boris Gulko.). This was a fascinating conversation that I think will resonate with many of you. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

0:02- What has been driving Joel’s repeated decisions to quit (then unquit) chess? 

Check out his USCF history here::

https://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlMain.php?13103922

0:13- Joel tells a story of a frustrating recent experience where he struggled to remember an opening line. 

Mentioned: Episode 400  with NM Matt Gross, Episode 169 with Terry Chapman, Chess for Life by WIM Natash Regan and GM Matthew Sadler 

26:00 What is “acceptance commitment therapy?” 

Mentioned: Online value sorting tool:

https://meetingpointcounseling.com/tools/ACT-card-sort/

4 Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman 

35:00- How can Joel realign his goals to make chess more enjoyable? 

44:00- We discuss IM Levy Rozman’s GM title pursuit.

Mentioned: GM Arturs Nieksans, Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Life 

50:00- What did Joel learn from working with legendary GM Boris Gulko?

Mentioned: Lessons with a Grandmaster, GM Hans Niemann’s video for IM Levy Rozman

https://youtu.be/1p7rbQ723mQ?si=tok_0IZEBpsrLvtI

1:00:00- Patreon mailbag question: What is Joel’s advice for dealing with pre-tournament anxiety? 

Mentioned: Episode 309 with Dr. Joel Sneed

1:09:00- Thanks to Dr. Sneed for joining me, you can check out his books with GM Boris Gulko here:

https://www.amazon.com/Books-Joel-Sneed/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AJoel%2BSneed

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

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The Perpetual Chess Adult Improver Series returns to welcome back a guest who has continued to make steady rating progress. When I last chatted with Michael Franco, in 2021 (Episode 247), he was 7 years into his chess journey. Michael had reached a LiChess rating of 2000, but he was struggling as he tried to translate his online skill into OTB skill. He found learning to play on a 3D set challenging, and encountered the same logistical and financial hurdles that tournament chess presents for many of us. Three years later, Michael has managed to transition successfully to tournament chess, and has gained chess strength as well. His USCF rating is now 1981. In my opinion, the primary reason for Michael’s continued success is likely his consistent daily dedication to the game. Michael manages to play online games or read chess books every day, and he is also active as a teacher and community member in the Chess Dojo discord. In our interview, Michael shares plenty of new recommendations and reflections on what skills were needed to gain the last couple hundred points of rating strength. He continues to exemplify the improvement that is possible for someone who takes a consistent, incremental approach. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

You can check out the Spotify Adult Improver Series Playlist here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Uoqz2BoRt2IiTCeOfuky?si=18917f0e0a634bc6

Or the website here:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adultimprover

0:02- Thanks to Patreon subs for helping to support Perpetual Chess.  You can join the community here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

0:04- We review Michael’s chess history from his prior interview, then discuss what a chess day is like for him now. 

Mentioned: Episode 247 with Michael Franco 

Check out Michael’s USCF rating history here:

https://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlMain.php?16928844

Check out FM Donny Ariel’s YouTube Channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess

0:15- How long did it take Michael to get used to OTB chess? What did he do to help acclimate?

0:17- What is Michael’s advice for players who feel like they don’t know what to do in the middlegame?

Mentioned: How to Reassess Your Chess 

0:23- How did Michael move up from 1800 to 2000 USCF in the last few years?

Mentioned: Pump Up Your Rating 

0:32- How many hours does Michael spend on chess?

0:37- More chess book recs!

Mentioned: Seven Deadly Chess Sins,  My 60 Memorable Games, TurboCharge Your Tactics, Mastering Chess Strategy, Techniques of Positional Play, Woodpecker Method 2

0:46- Michael’s favorite online resources

Mentioned: Daniel King’s Powerplay Chess, GM Daniel Naroditsky, IM Andras Toth, ChessNetwork, Dr. Can’s Chess Clinic 

0:49- Why will Michael be taking a break from OTB chess? Why doesn’t he like the “one game per week” format offered in Austin, Texas? 

55:00- Michael’s closing advice

57:00- Thanks to Michael for joining again! You can find him on Lichess or in the ChessDojo:

https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll

https://www.chessdojo.club/

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

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35-year old GM Alex Lenderman was a World Youth Champion and has won the World Open among many other chess accomplishments, but he had never previously had the chance to play in the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz. Since it took place in his hometown this year, Alex looked at the opportunity to compete in it as “a once in a lifetime opportunity.”  But since Alex is no longer a professional player and has been losing rating points in recent years he worried about how he would perform. In this interview, Alex takes us behind the scenes of his preparation (or lack thereof), how he adjusted his mindset as an amateur player, what he thought of the venue, and how he dealt with the inevitable ups and downs of two exhausting tournaments. This particular story has a happy ending, as after a decent showing in the World Rapid, Alex performed even better in the World Blitz, beating GMs Sam Shankland, Le Quang Liem and others en route to shared 14th place! Not bad for “an adult decliner,” as Alex called himself. Of course, Alex also touched on some of the recent controversies in the chess world, and discussed how much players knew about sagas like “jeans gate,” as they unfolded. It was a real treat to hear a top player's perspective on this drama-filled tournament. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

Mentioned:

A LiChess study containing Alex’s games is here:

https://lichess.org/study/dcY6zUKo/5k02uMvC

And as always,  you can download all of the tournament’s games from Mark Crowther’s The Week in Chess:

https://theweekinchess.com/chessnews/events/world-rapid-blitz-championship-2024

0:02- GM Alex Lenderman joins! When did he know he would play these events? How did he prepare? 

0:06- Patreon mailbag questions: “What mindset did Alex take when playing higher-rated opponents like Nakamura and Abdusattorov? Is there any lesson amateur players might be able to take from this?”

Mentioned: Alex also shares his take on the key to a previous guest, GM-elect Mark Heimann’s, recent breakthrough.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-415-gm-elect-mark-heimann-on-his-unexpected-road/id1185023674?i=1000682215973

21:00- What were the conditions like for players? What was the atmosphere like in the waiting room in between rounds? 

24:00- We transition to discussing the World Blitz. 

41:00- How aware was Alex of controversies like “jeansgate” while playing in the tournament?

Mentioned: More information about Ivanchuk’s heartbreaking reaction to a tough loss vs. Naroditsky here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1hq2dfz/ivanchuk_crying_out_loud_after_he_lost_his_game/?rdt=54420

55:00- Why does Alex think accuracy scores aren’t a great benchmark for identifying possible cheaters? 

1:10:00- We return to the topic of the recent controversies around Magnus. 

Mentioned: Dojo Talks with GM Jon Ludwig Hammer:

https://youtu.be/XDhXhCqVQzM?si=lBvuieUlsOJ9WAdx

1:15:00- Thanks to Alex for joining me! You can reach him via email at:

AlexLenderman33 at hotmail dot com 

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

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IM Malcolm Pein is an institution in British chess who has played nearly every role imaginable in helping to grow the game. He is a former professional player who was the British Junior  Champion in 1977 , but these days is extremely busy as an organizer, journalist, author, store-owner,  and Captain of the England Olympiad team. After an eventful FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, I thought Malcolm would be a great person to chat with about the controversies, and about the general health of chess in 2025, both in Great Britain, and in the world generally. As the Founder and Organizer of the London Chess Classic, Malcolm regularly interacts with corporate sponsors and was able to contextualize the positive trajectory of chess despite recent negative headlines. We also touch on the business of selling chess books, Malcolm’s work at the grassroots level, and his thoughts on the passing of legendary GM Robert Hubner. I found this to be an informative and encouraging conversation, and think that you will as well. 

You can read my article about the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz here, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter as well!

https://benjohnson.substack.com/p/10-observations-about-the-world-rapid

0:03- Malcolm shares his thoughts on the 2024 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz

Hans Niemann interview with IM Levy Rozman-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2fGrnTZNP4

33:00- Malcolm discusses the origins of The London Chess Classic, and the most recent edition  -

Mentioned: Malcolm’s 2022 Chessbase India interview with Chessbase India

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDjh-CVEu5Y

40:00- How did GM Nikita Vitugiov end up transferring and moving to the U.K. 

44:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is English chess in decline? 

47:00- What were the origins of Malcolm’s Chess in Schools and Communities program in London? 

53:00- Patreon mailbag question: What are some unexpected lessons Malcolm has learned through his organization’s community impact? 

56:00- What is the most common question Malcolm hears from potential chess sponsors? 

59:00- Patreon mailbag question: What changes does Malcolm foresee to chess in the next 10 years? 

1:01:00- We discuss the business of selling books in person, both at Malcolm’s shop in London, and at OTB tournaments.

Mentioned:

Chess4Less.com 

1:05:00- We discuss the work Malcolm has done consulting for television show’s, including Apple TV’s great show, Slow Horses. 

Mentioned: You can watch the scene Malcolm consulted on here:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8h17xz

1:09:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is it possible for an independent candidate to become FIDE President? 

1:13:00- Did Malcolm know the recently deceased GM Robert Hübner ?  

Thanks so Malcolm for an incredibly insightful interview, you can follow him on X here, or visit him at the next London Chess Classic!

https://x.com/telegraphchess?lang=en

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess

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31-year-old GM-elect Mark Heimann is an accomplished research scientist by day, and avid powerlifter, who has recently been making headlines in the U.S. chess scene during his work vacation time. In late 2024, Mark went on a stunning run where he earned GM norms in back-to-back tournaments in order to clinch the GM-title, less than 3 years removed from being an inactive FM. These experiences were highlighted by playing on the top boards in Charlotte and St. Louis, playing GM Fabiano Caruana twice, and even hearing his game dissected by GM Caruana on the C-Squared podcast. Mark joined me to explain what he thinks has led to this incredible chess breakthrough, and to answer a question that GM Anish Giri recently tweeted- “Who is Mark A. Heimann?” 

Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com! Their entire catalog is on sale through the end of the year!

https://www.chessable.com/courses/

0:02: GM-elect Mark Heimann joins the show! What spurred his chess comeback in 2022? 

Mentioned: Chess Reddit posts by Mark:

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1h92nh4/mark_heimann_becomes_gm_after_earning_3rd_gm_norm/

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1bzcmgf/my_first_grandmaster_norm_age_31/

0:08- Does Mark think there are any similarities between his recent surge, and Hikaru’s continued success in recent years? 

0:17- Mark on navigating the nerves, and the chess, of clashes with top players like Ivanchuk and Caruana. 

Mentioned:

Heimann-Caruana, Charlotte 2024

https://www.chess.com/events/2024-us-masters/09/Heimann_Mark-Caruana_Fabiano

0:24- Mark recalls an early game with Caruana from when they were both top scholastic players. 

26:00- Why did Mark put chess on the backburner at age 18? 

34:00- What is Mark’s study routine like? 

45:00- Mark discusses his passion for musical instruments and weight-lifting. 

52:00- What is next for Mark, chess-wise?

56:00- Mark discusses his A.I. research, including some discussion of chess ratings. 

1:05- Mark’s favorite chess books.

Mentioned: Chess for Zebras, Excelling at Technical Chess, Small Steps to Giant Improvement 

1:11:00-

Thanks to Mark for sharing his inspiring story, you can follow him on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/lastgoodcaesar/

If you like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

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David MacEnulty is an award-winning author and chess teacher who coached for many years at CES 70 school in the Bronx. In this  public school in a disadvantaged school district, the chess program began with modest expectations, but went on to win many national championships. David’s new book, Sunrise in the Bronx: Chess and Life Lessons from the South Bronx to the White House, tells the story of the many kids whose lives were changed through chess. In our interview, David shares a few of his favorite stories, with plenty of lessons to impart for both parents and anyone else who wishes to introduce the younger generation to chess. After CES-70, David went on to head the chess program at the Dalton School, an elite private school. In the book, and in our conversation, David also reflects on the similarities and differences in coaching at such different schools. As a longtime friend of David’s, I was excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint me. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

0:02- How did David accidentally become a chess teacher in his 40s? What lessons did he learn?

22:00- Will there be an audiobook, will the book be on KIndle? 

24:00- What surprising skills did chess help kids develop? 

28:30- Patreon mailbag question- “Does David have any advice for motivating students to study chess at home?” 

Mentioned: Matthew Looks, Bruce Alberston 

35:40- Patreon mailbag question: “What is David’s advice for encouraging your kid to pursue tournament chess without ‘bulldozing them’?”

45:00- How did David and CES 70’s National Championship team get to meet President Bill Clinton? 

46:00- What are the crucial components of chess improvement? 

47:00- How does David spend his time in retirement? 

48:00- We discuss the value of extra-curriculars at school

50:00- Should kids get trophies  for just participating in tournaments? 

52:00- Thanks to David for joining me! Sunrise in the Bronx is available from Amazon, New in Chess, and many major booksellers.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Bronx-Chess-Lessons-South/dp/9083434907

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In the chess world, the holiday season means its almost time for one of the most entertaining tournaments of the year- The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championship. This year’s championship events are star-studded affairs featuring GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Hikaru Nakamura, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and a litany of big-name challengers. For the first time, these events will be taking place in New York CIty, and I will be attending the event and subsequently covering them here on Perpetual Chess. Joining me to discuss the tournament are two wildcard participants.

As always, I enjoyed chatting with Eric and Alisa, and look forward to watching them compete in this marquee event. 

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

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Just one day after the match's unforgettable conclusion, I am honored to be joined by lead Chess.com Commentator and popular YouTuber, GM Daniel Naroditsky. Danya takes us straight to the deciding moment of the match and then looks back to contextualize broader lessons from a battle that was closer than many expected. We tackle questions such as:

Following a detailed World Championship discussion, we touch on a few other topics, including the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, Danya's upcoming Chessable course, and his recent coaching reflections. It was quite a treat to hear Danya process this match in real-time just one day after its conclusion. Approximate timestamps of topics discussed are below.

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match, the new Woodpecker Method 2 course, among their many offerings. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

3:00 -Review game 14 of World Championship

13:00 -Danya’s commentary influences

15:00 -Behind the scenes of Danya’s commentary

18:00 -Overview of World Championship match

22:00 -Ding’s struggles

29:00 -Looking ahead to the next World Championship

31:30 -Emotions during the match

34:00 -Thoughts on Gukesh

36:30 -Takes on Magnus’ Take Take Take Recaps

45:00 -Potential changes to WC format

51:00 -Openings in the WC

57:00 -What the audience can learn from the match

1:01:30 -Final thoughts on WC/Danya’s embarrassing moment in commentary career

1:10:00 -Listener questions, Danya’s future chessable course

1:14:00 -Danya's 2025 tournament plans

1:17:00 -Kramnik accusations/thoughts on upcoming World Rapid and Blitz

1:22:00 -Favorite memories being a part of Charlotte Chess Center

1:26:00 -What happened to Danya's NY Times chess column?

Thanks to Danya for joining me! Be sure to sub to his YouTube and Twitch channels:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP9CdeguNUI-_nBv_UXBhw

https://www.twitch.tv/gmnaroditsky

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

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GM Jon Ludvig Hammer is 3-time Norwegian Champion, popular commentator and highly-reviewed Chessable author. Most recently, GM Hammer has been broadcasting the World Championship for the YouTube channel of Magnus Carlsen’s TakeTakeTake app. In our conversation, Jon Ludvig discussed the origins of the Taketaketake company, and of his relationship with it. He also discussed the challenges of announcing without an engine, and shared his opinions on the best ways to present chess. Jon Ludvig has done a lot of coaching of amateurs around Chess.com’s Pogchamps, and also shares some chess improvement advice based on that experience, and tells the story of how it helped him shape an opening repertoire which he currently shares in his new Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black. We also touched on cheating in chess, Chess960, and GM Hammer’s 2025 plans. I always enjoy hearing GM Hammer’s takes, and I think that you will as well. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

This episode was recorded on December 3, and does not discuss the current state of the FIDE World Championship. For updated coverage of the Ding-Gukesh match check out the bonus pods. 

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.In addition to GM Hammer’s course, be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

0:00- What is the origins of GM Hammer’s collaboration with Magnus’ new app, which is called TakeTakeTake

Mentioned: Kaja Snare, WFM Dronning Maud, Sjakksnak Podcast with GM Hammer, the Magnus and Levy post-mortems we referenced are on the TakeTakeTake YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@TakeTakeTakeApp

12:00- What are the chess broadcasts on TV like in Norway now that Magnus is semi-retired?

19:00- Why does Hammer think that chess is so much more popular as a spectator rather than participatory activity? 

26:00- What frustrates GM Hammer about recent chess discourse?

Mentioned: Chess in Slums, Brooklyn Castle, GM Ian Nepomniatchtchi cheated as an experiment against Hans Niemann: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1gvwoc1/nepo_admits_to_using_stockfish_against_hans_in/

38:00- Does GM Hammer do any coaching? 

44:00- Is classical chess too slow? How is it presented on Norway television broadcasts? 

52:00- How did Hammer discover his own Black setup for his Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black? 

Mentioned: Mr. Savage, BenjyFishy 

1:02:00- GM Hammer’s upcoming plans and projects

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess

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An utterly unpredictable and entertaining World Championship match continues, and I am joined by popular YouTuber, Streamer, and Chessable Author, IM Andras Toth to discuss it. Andras has been regularly updating a free course on the program, and also had recently returned from visiting the match in Singapore. Andras provides a fun trip report, we discuss the many surprising aspects of the match, and we try to ascertain a few improvement takeaways for amateur players from this clash. Perpetual Chess will be back with one more look at this match after is conclusion. 

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com, you can check out Andras’ free course here:

https://www.chessable.com/world-chess-championship-2024-ding-vs-gukesh/course/281790/

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

patreon.com/perpetualchess

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