The Chess Angle

National Master Nick Panico returns to the podcast for our first "coffee talk" episode. These episodes will feature a guest and include the full conversation, including the pre/post interview segments that are typically off-air. Essentially, we'll press "record," let it run, and publish the whole thing. We covered a variety of topics for amateur players of all levels. If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. Our links:

• Website
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• Facebook
• E-mail: [email protected]

Neal plays a round of Puzzle Rush during the episode! For most of us, "life happens," and lengthy chess study sessions are not possible on a consistent basis. Neal recently created a simple, condensed study routine that can be used intermittently when life gets busy. This allows your chess abilities to stay sharp during those times. The basic idea is a daily study plan of about 15-30 minutes (as your schedule allows) consisting of one 5-minute Puzzle Rush, followed by one other short segment of chess study (e.g., book, online course, reviewing your games, etc.). Referenced: Chess.com: Puzzle Rush Article: Are You Addicted to Puzzle Rush? If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. Our links:

• Website
• Twitter
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• E-mail: [email protected]

For this interview episode, Neal spoke with National Master Anthony Levin, a NY based chess player and the News Manager for chess.com. Anthony shared his insights on adult improvement and his own personal journey. Talking points include the following:

• Puzzle Rush vs. speed chess
• The mythical "phase out" of classical chess
• Anthony's role as News Manager for chess.com
• Chess improvement tips
• Endgame realities for amateur players

Referenced:

• Shereshevsky's Endgame Strategy
• Smyslov's Endgame Virtuoso
• Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
• Perfect Your Chess
• Silman's Complete Endgame Course
• Pandolfini's Endgame Course
• Article: NM Juan Sena
• Article: Is Classical Chess Being Phased Out?

Links for NM Anthony Levin:

• Chess.com
• Twitter

If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. Some of the Amazon links above are affiliate links, which earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you. Our links:

• Website
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Facebook
• E-mail: [email protected]

Live, over-the-board (OTB) tournament play is the ultimate in chess competition. It's fun, exciting, and aesthetically pleasing. However, rated chess events are not always unicorns and rainbows. There's a harsh reality to tournament play that is often omitted from the discourse on chess. Neal discusses some hard truths about tournaments, shares some of his own personal journey as a player and TD, and provides some tips and tricks along the way. Some of this episode's talking points include the following:

• Chess equipment
• Local clubs vs. major events
• Ratings & pairing systems
• Tips & tricks while playing
• Should you play speed chess between rounds?
• Things that will annoy the tournament director
• Rules you may not be familiar with but should know
• Openings and using a "forever" repertoire
• Scorekeeping
• Dealing with disruptive behavior

Referenced: Tournament Announcement Terminology (Scroll down to "TOURNAMENT LIFE ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS") If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. Our links:

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• E-mail: [email protected]

This episode offers some direct and pragmatic ideas for club players when facing a higher-rated opponent. Talking points include the following:

• Why chess generally hates the underdog
• Why there's often more pressure on the higher-rated player
• Upsets happen quite often at the amateur level
• Is creating complications the ONLY way to beat these players? (hint: no)
• An effective mindset approach that you probably haven't tried before
• Strategic draw offers to place pressure on your opponent

Referenced:Chess for Tigers (Amazon) by Simon Webb

If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. Our links:

• Website
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Facebook
• E-mail: [email protected]

The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! The Amazon links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.

This week's episode is a thematic analysis of an amateur game featuring the Steiner Variation of the French Defense (1.e4 e6 2. c4!?). Some other common French sidelines are discussed as well. Additional talking points include the following:

• Queenside castling
• The Hedgehog formation
• Does it make sense to to "prep for an opponent" at the club level?
• Blind spots when analyzing

Game Referenced: 1. e4 e6 2. c4!? b6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Nf3 Bxc3 5. dxc3 h6 6. Qd4 Qf6 7. e5 Qe7 8. Bf4 Bb7 9. Be2 Nc6 10. Qd3 O-O-O! 11. O-O-O g5 12. Bg3 Qf8 13. h4 g4 14. Nd4 h5 15. Rhg1 Qh6+ 16. Kb1 Nge7 17. f3 Nxd4 18. cxd4 Nf5 19. Be1 gxf3 20. Bxf3 Bxf3 21. gxf3 Rhg8 22. Bd2 Qf8 23. Rxg8 Qxg8 24. Bg5 Re8 25. d5 Qg6 26. Ka1 Ng7 27. Qc3 Qf5? 28. Bf6! Qg6 29. Qd4 Nf5 30. dxe6?? Nxd4 31. exd7+ Kxd7 32. Rxd4+ Kc6 33. a3 Qg1+ 0-1 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. Our links:

• Website
• Twitter
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• Facebook
• E-mail: [email protected]

The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses!

This episode covers so-called "club-level" time controls, such as G/90 and G/60. These usually include a time delay ranging from 5 - 30 seconds per move. Neal also shares his thoughts on speed chess as it relates to amateur players and improvement. In addition, some helpful resources that may be underutilized by many are discussed. Additional talking points include the following:

• The (imaginary) decline of slow time controls
• DAUT: Don't Analyze Unnecessary Tactics*
• Your puzzle rating or online rapid rating is not your real rating...
• Our inaugural Listener Mailbag segment

Mentioned: Secrets of Practical Chess (Amazon) by John Nunn* Recommended Chess.com Lessons: Errata: The tactics lessons below (the last 3) are listed here in the correct order of difficulty. In the episode, I switched the order of the last two.

• Now What?
• Roots of Positional Understanding
• Why Simon Loves the French Defense
• The London System for the Busy Chess Player
• Build Your Technique
• Chess Potpourri
• Pawn Endings: Beginner to Expert
• Rook and Other Endgames
• Introduction to Tactics
• Step Up In Tactics
• Intermediate Tactics

If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. Our links:

• Website
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Facebook
• E-mail: [email protected]

The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! The Amazon and Chess.com links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.

This week's episode discusses study plans, training programs, and improvement as it relates to the amateur and club player. If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. Our links:

• Website
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Facebook
• E-mail: [email protected]

The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses!

This episode is a review of The Complete Book of Chess Strategy (Amazon) by IM Jeremy Silman. This is an excellent all-in-one reference book for improvers and club players, covering all phases of the game as well as practical matters (blunders, time pressure, chess psychology, etc.). Neal shares his thoughts on how the concepts in this book apply to the amateur tournament scene. Talking points include the following:

• The "cat and mouse" technique
• Opening principles and the correct way to develop your pieces
• Understanding the imbalances of a position
• Pawn structures
• Middlegame basics
• The minority attack
• The battle of the minor pieces
• Are the Lucena and Philidor endgame positions really a priority for most improvers?
• The reality of most endgames at club-level tournaments
• Draw offers

Have a question or topic for consideration in a future episode? E-mail us at [email protected]. Our links:

• Website
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Facebook
• E-mail: [email protected]

The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! The Amazon links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.

This episode explores the psychology of facing a lower-rated opponent who is playing really well. This is often highly frustrating for tournament players. Many times, however, it's more about your own mindset than your opponent's abilities. Conversely, this episode will explain the "ratings walk" phenomenon when facing a higher-rated opponent. Have a question or topic for consideration in a future episode? E-mail us at [email protected]. Mentioned:

• Chess for Tigers (Amazon)
• The Survival Guide to Competitive Chess (Amazon)

Our links:

• Website
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Facebook
• E-mail: [email protected]

The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! The Amazon links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.