The Chess Cognition Podcast

00:00 Intro04:02 Beating Magnus Carlsen in Blitz07:15 Feedback and Course Development09:11 How Kamil Found Chessable14:50 Winning Best Author Support Awards22:45 A Typical Day in Kamil's Life29:47 Typical Author Mistakes 37:39 Creating Problems for Both Sides43:46 Chessable's Evolution51:29 Kamil's New Course: 1.e4 LTR01:01:10 Grenke Chess and European Individual Championship01:19:38 Everybody is a Fighter These DaysThis podcast episode features FM Kamil Plichta, one of Chessable’s most recognizable opening authors, known for his tricky sidelines, practical repertoires, humor, and unusually strong course support. Kamil explains how his opening philosophy is built around creating early problems for the opponent, avoiding predictable main lines, and choosing positions where both sides may feel uncomfortable—but where he has more experience. He also shares how he became a Chessable author, how his course-making process evolved, why good explanations matter more than endless variations, and how he thinks about target audiences, quick starters, model games, and long-term course support.The conversation also explores Kamil’s return to over-the-board chess, including his recent tournaments, the challenges of modern preparation, rating deflation, defensive weaknesses he discovered in his own play, and his ambition to become an International Master. Along the way, he discusses beating Magnus Carlsen in blitz, the changing landscape of Chessable, why blitz can be useful for some players, and his new 1.e4 repertoire course against the Sicilian. This is a funny, honest, and practical conversation about openings, chess improvement, authorship, and the realities of competitive chess today.

00:00 Intro04:38 Does this only apply to grandmasters?07:25 Quiet positions vs Chaos11:00 Play the pieces, not the player?16:50 Nothing to Lose Mentality23:15 The TRAP framework35:00 Cognitive Biases in Chess44:57 Mistakes to Avoid against Stronger Players54:42 The Impact of Chessable on TeachingIn this episode, I sit down with FIDE Master Niranjan Navalgund to explore a question that fascinates many ambitious players: how do you beat stronger opponents, especially grandmasters? We discuss the ideas behind his Chessable course How to Beat a Grandmaster, which focuses less on openings and theory and more on the practical and psychological realities of facing higher-rated players. Niranjan explains why this topic matters for everyone, not just those paired against titled players, because the same emotional patterns often show up whenever we face someone we perceive as “stronger.” We talk about pressure, authority bias, over-respect, risky overpressing, time trouble, and the need to stay objective instead of chasing perfect chess.The conversation also widens into coaching, learning, and chess culture. Niranjan shares the framework behind his course, including his TRAP model—Time trouble, Risky overpushes, Ambushes, and Psychology—and explains how stronger players can become vulnerable when they feel pressured to win. We connect this to broader ideas from cognitive science, practical tournament preparation, and even Indian philosophy, showing how mindset shapes performance before a single move is played. Along the way, we also discuss Chessable course design, how to teach adults without overwhelming them, and why good chess improvement depends not only on knowledge, but on learning how to think, prepare, and respond under pressure.

Lars' Chessable Courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/LarsSchandorff/
00:00 Intro01:00 How Lars Creates His Opening Courses07:31 The First Key Decision When Creating an Opening Course15:03 The Importance of Openings in Chess18:46 A Story About Rook Endgames21:43 Where to Stop in an Opening Course25:47 Chess as a Lifestyle: Freedom and Identity27:52 Can Beginners Benefit from His Courses?34:33 The Role of Engines in Modern Chess Preparation40:13 His Weekly Radio Show 'Nimzowitsch'45:19 The Cultural Significance of Chess in Literature50:46 Nimzowitsch's Influence55:32 Chess Improvement in Modern Times58:40 How GM Schandorff Coaches People1:03:29 Future Plans and CoursesIn this engaging interview, Danish chess author GM Lars Schandorff shares insights into his successful courses, the art of opening preparation, and the cultural significance of chess. Lars has recently become the Chessable Author of the Year 2025, and that is very inspiring.We discussed the following topics:Lars Schandorff's approach to creating accessible and deep chess coursesThe importance of opening repertoire and strategic choicesThe influence of Nimzowitsch on modern chess ideasThe role of technology and engines in chess preparationThe cultural and historical significance of chesskeywordsChess, Chess Courses, Opening Repertoire, Chess Strategy, Chess Culture, Chess History, Chessable, Nimzowitsch, Chess Improvement, Chess Tools, Lars Schandorff

00:00 Intro01:31 The Chessbrah Journey09:40 The Impact of the Chess Boom12:57 The Educational Value of the Channel18:33 Building Habits Series30:11 The Role of Blitz in Improvement36:08 Creating the London System Course40:48 Unique Aspects of his London Course45:59 Connecting Openings to Middlegame54:33 Conceptual Approach and Knowing Crucial Ideas58:09 Balancing Engine Lines and Practical Play01:03:36 Speed Chess Championship Live Commentary01:12:20 The Future of Chess Content CreationGrandmaster Aman Hambleton joins the podcast to unpack the real origin story of Chessbrah, from two Canadian juniors casually “streaming” to each other with one viewer, to building a long-running, community-first brand that’s now approaching 400K subscribers. He reflects on the 2020 chess boom (lockdown + Queen’s Gambit) as an accelerator, but emphasizes that Chessbrah’s durability comes from stickiness: entertainment that keeps people watching, and instruction embedded naturally in real games, blunders, and commentary.The conversation then shifts to Aman’s first Chessable opening course, the London System repertoire, covering why system openings are realistic for most improvers, how his London is differentiated, and why practical, human-centered choices sometimes beat “engine purity.” Finally, he discusses commentating elite speed chess events, the role of the evaluation bar for spectators, and the direction of chess content into the future.

Contact FM Tarik Selbes here: https://lichess.org/@/nuagesgrisTarik's chess history blog 'Cafe Chigorin': https://tinyurl.com/yp9hhmyz

00:00 Intro

02:23 Enters Tarik Selbes

05:42 The Puzzle Grind That Built Monster Calculation Skills

12:23 The Importance of Calculation in Chess

15:36 His Work with GM Evgeny Romanov

22:15 Positional Play and Dorfman's Influence

27:09 Showing Games: Static vs. Dynamic Play

30:49 Yagiz's Early Positional Mistakes

35:09 Erdogmus - Nitish

39:47 Shaik - Erdogmus

43:59 Excellent Calculation: Erdogmus - Sapenov, 2023

49:40 His Resiliency: Santiago - Erdogmus

51:42 Present Time: Erdogmus - Svidler, 2025

55:44 Strategic Maturity: Erdogmus - Vachier-Lagrave, 2025

59:51 Erigaisi - Erdogmus, 2026: The Exchange Sacrifice That Shocked the Chess World

01:06:05 Does Yagiz Know Chess Classics and Old Masters?

01:09:35 Zurich 1953: Why You Should Read Old Books Skeptically

01:14: 36 Is Blitz Good For Your Chess?

01:21:25 Tarik Selbes’ IM Journey at 40 — Adult Improvement Tips

01:31:26 The Psychological Pressure of Being a “Future World Champion”

01:44:14 How to Define 'Talent' in Chess

01:53:54 Kids vs Adults

01:58:02 Opening Work

02:02:02 Tarik's Book Project on Max Euwe

02:04:23 The Rise of Turkish Chess

In this special podcast episode, I’m joined by FIDE Master and longtime friend Tarik Selbes to break down the incredible rise of Turkish chess prodigy Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş — a player many believe has future World Champion potential. Even Magnus Carlsen has called him the strongest 14-year-old chess player ever, while Hikaru Nakamura has highlighted his extraordinary calculation skills.Tarik shares rare behind-the-scenes insights from training camps where he worked as translator for Russian coach Evgeny Romanov, revealing: • How Yağız built monster-level calculation through massive puzzle training • Why modern prodigies train differently from past generations • The key positional weaknesses he had, and how they were fixed • The balance between dynamic and static factors (Dorfman-style thinking)We also analyze instructive games against legends like Peter Svidler and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, showing how Yağız’s play has matured from pure tactical brilliance into world-class positional mastery.Beyond prodigy development, we dive into:Talent vs hard work Chess psychology and pressure at the highest levelWhy kids today train differently than adults who grew up on chess booksHow adult improvers can still make huge progress (Tarik’s IM norm journey at 40!)The rise of Turkish chess culture Tarik recently completed his final IM norm at age 40 and now needs to reach 2400 ELO to become an International Master. He is an inspiration for adult improvers.keywordschess, Yagiz Kaan, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Tarık Selbes, chess training, calculation, positional play, chess prodigy, chess improvement, strategic training, chess analysis, chess, chess strategy, chess psychology, chess talent, chess education, chess culture, chess improvement, chess prodigies, chess classics, chess learning, adult chess improvement,

Sam's Training Plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E1r69Q46gZX02mE5hYPjdVw4VXdz0KfjrTjvLdf3z3s/edit?tab=t.0Sam's chesscom profile: https://www.chess.com/member/eyecandewit

In this podcast episode, I’m joined by my own student Sam Bellnap, who moved from 700 to 2000+ Chess.com Rapid (peaking near 2100) in around 3.5 years. Sam tells the full story and shares the study routine that helped him reach 2000. If you’re an adult improver chasing a rating goal, this conversation is a reality check and a roadmap.We get very practical: Sam explains his study plan, why he keeps openings simple (plans over memorization), how he uses targeted training to fix weaknesses (rook endgames were a big one), and how he studies strategy without getting lost in engine “best moves.” We also talk about the weekly group lesson format, how coaching helps identify high-impact leaks you can’t easily spot yourself, and why Sam believes structure beats “random grinding.”The real gem is Sam’s routine: clear start/stop cues, a pregame process goal (instead of Elo goals), and a postgame method that reduces tilt. If you struggle with rating anxiety, inconsistent performance, or not knowing what to study next, this episode is for you. Download Sam’s study guide (linked below) and try it, then tell us what changed.Keywords: adult chess improver, chess improvement, how to reach 2000 elo, chess.com rapid, chess study plan, chess routine, rating anxiety, blunder check, endgame training, rook endgames, chess coaching, process goals, chess habits00:00 Introduction to Sam's Chess Journey03:49 Impact of Group Lessons11:12 Detailed Study Guide Breakdown13:26 Behavioral Cues: Entry Cue and Exit Cue17:51 Opening Study24:42 Opening Strategies and Pawn Structures27:33 Middlegame Study 31:48 Endgame Study36:09 Grandmaster Thinking42:25 Tactics Study45:22 Setting Process Goals52:00 Square Breathing and Meditation54:41 Focus and Emotional Control During Games59:16 Jumping 250 ELO in Three Months01:02:14 Post-Game Reflection and Analysis01:06:06 Learning from Mistakes01:14:12 Why Chess?

Surya's Chessable Page: https://www.chessable.com/author/suryaganguly/Surya's 1. e4 Repertoire Part 1: https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-suryas-1e4-part-1/course/353840/Surya's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/SuryachessProChess Training: https://prochesstraining.com/GM Ganguly on the Perpetual Chess Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLy5B3n5aOQ00:00 Intro02:29 Understanding vs. Memorization09:13 Opening Advantage is Not Everything11:19 How Surya Structures His Opening Courses18:30 Explaining Strange Looking Moves in the Najdorf22:27 Lessons From Team Anand25:20 Stories From Training Indian Top Players34:22 System Openings vs. Mainlines48:40 His YouTube Journey53:01 Pro Chess Training56:15 WHY We Play ChessIn this episode, I’m honored to welcome Surya Ganguly, one of India’s most respected grandmasters and opening theoreticians. A former child prodigy, six-time Indian Champion, Asian Champion, and former world #55 with a peak rating of 2676, Surya was also a key member of Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship team—achieving a remarkable 100% score as part of the preparation squad. Many chess fans also know Surya from his deep, principled work as a coach and author, including his latest Chessable course: Lifetime Repertoire: 1.e4 – Part 1 vs the Sicilian.Instead of repeating questions from his excellent appearances on the Perpetual Chess Podcast, this conversation goes deeper into how openings should be learned and taught. We explore understanding vs memorization, the importance of asking why in opening study, integrity and consistency in building a repertoire, system openings versus main lines, and how Surya adapts his teaching from 1400-rated players to elite stars like R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi.keywords: chess openings, Surya Ganguly, chess education, Chessable, opening preparation, chess strategy, memorization vs understanding, chess courses, chess training, creativity in chess, Anand

Info on CoachChamps 2025: https://www.chess.com/events/info/2025-coachchamps

00:00 Remembering Daniel Naroditsky02:59 Podcast Begins05:55 Takeaways from Different Rating Bands11:08 Opening Preparation17:20 Training Plans25:30 Time Management and Checkpoints27:06 Chesstempo Blitzset34:43 Psychological Aspects of Coaching37:56 Reflections on Coaching Styles45:51 How Much They Can Improve in a Month49:24 Future Improvements and Feedback51:37 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsIn this conversation, NM Robert Ramirez, an acclaimed chess coach and the CoachChamps 2025 champion, discusses his experiences and insights from CoachChamps 2025. He shares his coaching techniques, the importance of adapting to students' needs, and the psychological aspects of chess training. The conversation delves into specific strategies for different rating levels, the significance of tactical training, and the impact of preparation on performance. Robert emphasizes the need for consistency and clarity in coaching, while also reflecting on the challenges and successes of his students during the tournament.Keywords: chess coaching, tournament strategies, student performance, chess techniques, coaching methods, psychological aspects, chess tactics, training plans, time management, chess improvement

Info on CoachChamps 2025: https://www.chess.com/events/info/2025-coachchampsFollow David: https://x.com/dpruess?lang=enhttps://www.youtube.com/c/ChessDojo
00:00 Intro04:15 A 14-Year-Old Idea06:12 Surprising Takeaways from Coach Champs17:05 Psychological Training25:52 David's Most Proud Moments29:55 Unfairness 34:43 The Impact of Tie Breaks on Coach Standings41:04 Coaching Preparation and Strategies52:02 Sebu's Incredible Result59:15 Improving Skills in a Limited Time1:06:35 Draft Choices and Their Importance1:25:12 How CoachChamps Can Get More Attention1:31:50 Training Insights with LoganSeason 3 of The Chess Cognition Podcast opens with International Master David Pruess, reflecting on lessons from the first-ever Coach Champs tournament. In this episode, I sit down with David to unpack what made this event so unique, what we both learned as coaches, and our training approaches.The conversation delves into the unique challenges faced by coaches, the psychological aspects of player performance, and the importance of tailored strategies based on individual player strengths and weaknesses. David discusses surprising outcomes from the tournament, the significance of emotional management, and the need for constructive feedback in coaching. We discuss various aspects of chess coaching, focusing on the psychological impact of losses, effective strategies for tournament preparation, and the importance of time management and identifying weaknesses in players. We examine the impact of drafting choices and luck on tournament outcomes, as well as the importance of flexibility in coaching methods. The discussion also highlights the importance of teaching basic principles and endgame skills, and the role of audience engagement in chess events. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into improving chess performance and coaching effectiveness.Keywords:chess coaching, tournament insights, coaching strategies, psychological preparation, emotional management, player improvement, coaching feedback, chess competition, coaching experiences, opponent analysis, chess, coaching, tournament preparation, psychological impact, player profiles, time management, endgame skills, strategy, audience engagement, coaching effectiveness

00:00 Intro12:03 Pressure14:37 Alan Watts' Fantasy17:53 Meditation21:04 Playing the Position in Front of You27:01 Toxic Self-Talk 30:24 Rating Anxiety 33:42 Confidence and Self-Efficacy41:23 Handling Losses45:21 Pain = Suffering x Resistance52:35 Time Trouble55:07 Giving up Control58:00 Self-Adopted Identities1:00:28 Beauty in Complexity1:03:46 Preserving the Love for the Game1:15:31 Pre-Game RitualsBenji Portheault, a seasoned performance coach with experience working with chess players of all levels, including super grandmasters, joined the podcast to discuss the mental aspects of chess. Throughout the conversation, he explored topics such as meditation, dealing with tilt, tournament preparation, and the psychology of chess success. Benji gave insights into how identity, confidence, and mindset play crucial roles in a player's performance. His approach combines modern psychology with meditation techniques to help players build resilience and manage the stress of competition effectively.A major focus of the discussion was on managing emotions during games, particularly in high-pressure situations. Benji explained the importance of developing self-awareness, identifying negative thought patterns, and learning how to reset mentally after mistakes. He introduced techniques such as open monitoring meditation and mental reframing to help players regain focus and prevent one mistake from snowballing into further blunders. He also emphasized the need for practical routines before and during games, including recognizing the feeling of playing well and recalling past successful experiences to build confidence.The conversation also touched on broader topics like rating anxiety, tournament nerves, and the importance of maintaining a love for the game. Benji encouraged players to cultivate a healthy relationship with chess, understanding that improvement requires embracing both wins and losses as learning experiences. He highlighted how professionals and amateurs alike struggle with the psychological challenges of competition, making mental training just as crucial as tactical and strategic preparation.