The Chess Angle

This week we discuss ratings and improvement for busy adults. You may wish to check out the Reddit post referenced in this episode.

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This episode is a thematic analysis of an amateur game with takeaways that are instruction rich. Topics covered:

• Bird's Opening (1. f4)
• Unnecessary defensive moves
• Sacrificing pieces
• Material vs. Initiative
• Calculation
• Central Control

Referenced:

• Guide to a Successful Chess Club
• Game analyzed (G/90;d10):

1. f4 b6 2. Nf3 Bb7 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 e6 5. Bb2 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O d6 8. c4 Nbd7 9. Nc3 c5 10. Qc2 Qc7 11. d4 cxd4 12. exd4 d5 13. Ne5 dxc4 14. bxc4 Rad8 15. Bd3 a6 16. Rae1 Qd6 17. Nb1 Qc7 18. f5? Nxe5! 19. dxe5 Bc5+ 20. Kh1 Ng4! 21.fxe6 Rxd3? 22. Qxd3 Nf2+ 23. Rxf2 Bxf2 24. exf7+ Rxf7 25. Rd1 Bxg2+?? 26. Kxg2 Qc6+ 27. Qd5 Qg6+ 28. Kh1 1-0

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

🎯 Our Links:

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This episode is a response to FM Nate Solon's excellent blog posts I Don't Like Chess Tournaments and What Would a Fun Chess Tournament Look Like?

Neal reacts and shares his thoughts on weekend events including the following:

• The ideal time control & round times
• Delay vs. increment
• Club events vs. weekend tourneys
• Practical matters

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

🎯 Our Links:

• Website
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• YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast)
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• Buy Me a Coffee

In this conversation, Neal and return guest NM Andy Ansel dive into the world of correspondence chess, exploring its nuances, challenges, and Andy's pursuit of the International Master (IM) norm. They discuss the differences between over-the-board and correspondence chess, the importance of openings, tips for those new to correspondence play, and the impact of technology on the game. Andy explains the dynamics of playing multiple games simultaneously and the strategies he employs to stay competitive. Additionally, he details his passion for archiving chess games, highlighting the significance of preserving historical games and the challenges involved.

Referenced:

• International Correspondence Chess Federation
• Ep. 88: Amateur Chess Legend Andy Ansel on his Massive 15,000+ Book Collection
• I Don't Like Chess Tournaments (blog by FM Nate Solon)

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

🎯 Our Links:

• Website
• Twitter (X)
• YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast)
• YouTube (LI Chess Club)
• Buy Me a Coffee

5-0 blitz games can be an excellent chess improvement tool when used properly and judiciously. In this episode, we offer tips, tricks, and best practices.

Referenced:

• Ep. 122: Online Blitz Chess and Adult Improvement

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

🎯 Our Links:

• Website
• Twitter (X)
• YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast)
• YouTube (LI Chess Club)
• Buy Me a Coffee

This week we discuss whether highly structured study plans are practical for busy amateurs. Neal concludes by sharing his own plan (HINT: it's not complicated).

Referenced:

• Ep. 61: Do Chess Training Programs Work?
• Ep. 105 (S7 Premiere): Declutter Your Chess Study Plan
• Build Your Technique by FM Thomas Wolski

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

🎯 Our Links:

• Website
• Twitter (X)
• YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast)
• YouTube (LI Chess Club)
• Buy Me a Coffee

This week's pod is a dedicated Listener Mailbag episode. We challenge some of the pushback that's out there about IM Jeremy Silman's system of imbalances and discuss some other topics as well.

Referenced:

• Ep. 83 (S6 Premiere): Mastering the Middlegame for Club Players: The Legacy of IM Jeremy Silman
• Ep. 84: Mastering the Middlegame, Part 2: Are There Flaws With Silman's Imbalances?
• The Amateur's Mind (Amazon)
• Mastering Chess Imbalances (YouTube)

Father/Daughter Chess Tournament Contact Info (Alex and Acacea):

• Email
• Instagram

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

🎯 Our Links:

• Website
• Twitter (X)
• YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast)
• YouTube (LI Chess Club)
• Buy Me a Coffee

The Amazon link above is an affiliate link. Qualifying purchases help support the podcast at no additional cost to you.

This week we dive into what separates winning amateur chess players from the rest - and what's often just noise and distraction. We break down the skills, habits, and strategies that lead to consistent tournament success and explore common misconceptions that don't actually impact performance as much as people think.

Referenced:

• Ep. 65: Your First Chess Tournament - Tips & Tricks

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

🎯 Our Links:

• Website
• Twitter (X)
• YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast)
• YouTube (LI Chess Club)
• Buy Me a Coffee

You guys asked for more tournament stories, so this week Neal goes into full TD mode to discuss recent antics and shenanigans from the Long Island Chess Club. You can't make this stuff up! This is followed by an extended Listener Mailbag segment.

Referenced:

• Ep. 45: The Truth About Chess Engines for Club Players
• Ep. 95: How to Use a Chess Engine as a Developing Player

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

🎯 Our Links:

• Website
• Twitter (X)
• YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast)
• YouTube (LI Chess Club)
• Buy Me a Coffee

This week we discuss a chess improvement philosophy based on the book Black Box Thinking: Why Most People Never Learn from Their Mistakes--But Some Do (Amazon) by Matthew Syed. We also cover some additional topics from our Listener Mailbag.

Chapters:

• Intro & Listener Mailbag
• Playing Unrated Games & Bots Online
• Facing the London System
• The "Black Box" Theory of Chess Improvement
• Open vs. Closed Analysis Loops
• Perfectionism Revisited
• Outro

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

🎯 Our Links:

• Website
• Twitter (X)
• YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast)
• YouTube (LI Chess Club)
• Buy Me a Coffee

The Amazon link above is an affiliate link. Qualifying purchases help support the podcast at no additional cost to you.