The Chess Cognition Podcast

Season 2 of the Chess Cognition Podcast comes to a close with this wrap-up episode. From cognitive science and chess psychology to positional mastery and historic match insights, we covered a wide range of powerful conversations with nine brilliant guests.

As we prepare for Season 3 launching in August, I’d love to hear your feedback—what was your favorite episode, what topics do you want more of, and who should I invite next?

Thank you for being part of your exciting journey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJG698U2Mvo

https://www.chabris.com/

https://amzn.to/437DXhzhttps://amzn.to/44Mrh0O

00:00 Intro

02:48 Enters Dr. Christopher Chabris

06:15 Inattentional and Change Blindness

18:38 Checklists

21:26 Categorizing and Labeling Things

22:59 Visual Crowding

24:36 Blunder-Check

30:23 Cognitive Biases and Decision Making in Chess

38:30 Sunk Cost Fallacy

42:01 Truth Bias

43:45 Trusting Authority

50:53 Practical Decision Making

54:37 Overconfidence in Chess

1:00:27 The Dunning-Kruger Effect

1:12:07 The Illusion of Memory and Its Impact on Chess

1:14:20 Causal Attribution and Learning from Mistakes

1:19:39 The Role of Engines in Chess Analysis

01:29:46 Scientific Studies Involving Chess

In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Dr. Christopher Chabris—a cognitive scientist, bestselling author, and chess candidate master—whose groundbreaking work on attention, decision-making, and cognitive biases has deeply shaped our understanding of the mind. Known especially for The Invisible Gorilla experiment, which exposed the phenomenon of inattentional blindness, Chris shares insights on how these cognitive limitations directly affect our chess decisions.

We discuss how chess players often miss threats that are right in front of them due to selective attention, and how ideas like gradual change blindness can lead to missed information even under careful observation.

We then explore how these principles translate into practical advice for chess improvement. Chris discusses metacognitive tools like checklists and conscious blunder checks as remedies for attentional blind spots. We reflect on the power of naming patterns—like “sniper bishop” or “loose pieces”—to aid memory and pattern recognition, and how habits of structured thinking can eventually become automatic. We also connect this to broader life patterns: why multitasking reduces performance and how expertise shapes perception.

Finally, we dive into Chris's recent scientific study on overconfidence in chess players. Analyzing data from hundreds of players, they discovered that most chess players believe they’re underrated, especially lower-rated players—a real-world instance of the Dunning-Kruger effect. We unpack how confirmation bias, sunk cost fallacy, truth bias and motivated reasoning influence not just how we play chess, but also how we evaluate our own skill level. Chris shares powerful reminders that chess is fundamentally a game of decision-making under uncertainty—and that metacognitive awareness, realistic self-assessment, and embracing discomfort are key to long-term growth in both chess and life.

keywords: cognitive science, chess, metacognition, attention, cognitive biases, decision making, change blindness, inattentional blindness, learning strategies, memory, cognitive biases, confirmation bias, motivated reasoning, sunk cost fallacy, overconfidence, truth bias, chess decision making, authority trust, uncertainty, Dunning-Kruger effect, chess, overconfidence, Dunning-Kruger effect, memory, skill assessment, causal attribution, chess engines, learning, cognitive bias, player ratings, chess, psychological resilience, tactics, scientific experiments, chess ambitions, cognitive science, performance, skill, learning, expertise

https://killerchesstraining.com/https://www.newinchess.com/https://amzn.to/4igE5QgThe Art of Exchanging Pieces:https://www.chessable.com/the-art-of-exchanging-pieces/course/82374/

I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Grandmaster Jacob Aagaard—one of the most prolific chess authors in the world—for a conversation that quickly became one of the most meaningful episodes I’ve recorded. Jacob was incredibly open, thinking out loud through challenging positions and showing what high-level problem-solving really looks like in real time.Jacob and Reiner Castellanos recently published the book 'Mastering Chess Exchanges'. We tested each other with positions—Jacob using exercises involving piece trades, and I brought a few from my upcoming course, Workbook for the Art of Series. We discussed exchanges in depth, including themes like good vs. bad pieces, positional vs. tactical justifications, and how to make sense of tension on the board. What stood out most was Jacob’s emphasis on clarity: how simple questions, if asked at the right moment, can organize your thinking and lead to better decisions.Beyond strategy, we explored how players learn. I shared insights from cognitive science, including how reducing extraneous cognitive load helps players process ideas more efficiently. Jacob spoke about the power of volume and focus—how long-term memory, built through serious, undistracted effort, allows strong players to recognize relevance instantly. If you’ve ever wanted a front-row seat to how a world-class coach thinks about chess, this episode is for you.

00:00 Intro02:20 Mastering Chess Exchanges06:46 Woodpecker Method13:45 Jacob Tests Me: Position 116:28 Jacob Tests Me: Position 222:44 Effective Decision-Making31:46 Jacob Tests Me: Position 334:26 Rules/Principles vs. Concepts40:08 Improving Tactical Vision47:19 Volume and Focus55:40 Jacob Tests Me: Position 401:05:52 Jacob Tests Me: Position 501:12:23 Abdusattorov's Bad Decision01:13:33 Jacob Analyses His Recent OTB Game01:30:07 I Test Jacob: Position 101:30:58 Chess Instructor's Most Valuable Quality01:40:44 When We Should Stop Calculating01:41:50 Gelfand's Almost-Religious Insight01:48:25 I Test Jacob: Position 202:03:20 Why Modern Engines Are Crap02:07:51 I Test Jacob: Position 3

The game: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044387Spassky drew lessons from this loss in the same match: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1129672Spassky - Portisch (1977): https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1113732🔵 My Chessable Courses: https://chessable.com/drcan♟️ Find me on Chess.com: DrCanChess♟️ Find me on Lichess: cantosh🏆 2022 Chessable Community Author of the Year! https://www.chessable.com/blog/announcing-the-winners-of-the-2022-chessable-awards/🏆 2023 Chessable Best Tactics Course of the Year! https://www.chessable.com/fundamental-chess-calculation-skills/course/123333/🏆 2024 Chessable Author of the Year! https://www.chessable.com/blog/annoucing-the-winners-of-the-2024-chessable-awards/
00:00 Intro04:17 Andras Joins07:03 Spanish Tabiya08:00 A Fun Story by Andras 16:30 Major Transformation of the Pawn Structure23:46 Identifying Key Plans and Strategies32:41 Don't Try This at Home39:11 Why Did Fischer Play Ne2?50:00 Discovering but Not Believing in the Winning Plan50:38 Good Bishops vs. Bad Bishops01:01:27 An Explosive Pawn Break01:05:53 How Super GMs Differ From Us Mortals01:38:04 SummaryIn this episode, IM Andras Toth and I dive deep into a fascinating game: Fischer vs Spassky, 1992. But this isn’t just a game analysis—it’s a full-blown Guess the Move training session. We pause at every move, think out loud, and try to step into the shoes of Spassky. Sometimes, our ideas align beautifully with the masters; other times, our egos are shattered by their brilliance. That’s the beauty of this exercise: it exposes your blind spots, forces you to calculate deeply, and helps you ask better “why” questions with every decision.Guess the Move is one of the most effective—and underrated—forms of chess training. Instead of passively watching, you're actively guessing, evaluating, and engaging with the position like you would in your own games. From positional maneuvers to wild tactical shots, this game had it all—and we felt every twist and turn. You’ll also hear the contrast between our thought processes, offering insight into how a Candidate Master and an International Master see the board.

Evaluate Like a Grandmaster: https://amzn.to/4iHUuxThttps://zwischenzug.substack.com/

00:00 Intro

05:20 Position 1

17:24 Position 2

26:50 Position 3

37:05 Position 4

39:29 Position 5

50:37 Position 6

58:05 Position 7

1:04:05 Position 8

In this episode, I sit down with FIDE Master Nate Solon to explore the often-overlooked but crucial skill of evaluating chess positions. Calculation without proper evaluation is meaningless, yet this skill is rarely trained in isolation. To challenge ourselves and deepen our understanding, Nate and I tested each other with instructive positions, thinking out loud and revealing how we assess imbalances, king safety, and long-term plans.

As we worked through these exercises, we invited you, the viewers, to stop the video and evaluate the positions yourself before hearing our thought processes—an invaluable opportunity to refine your own judgment and strategic instincts.One of the key takeaways from our discussion was how king safety and piece activity often outweigh material considerations, especially in dynamic positions. We also explored practical techniques to sharpen evaluation skills, drawing from Nate’s work in Evaluate Like a Grandmaster. If any position surprised you, let us know in the comments—we'd love to hear how your assessments compared to ours!

The Perpetual Chess Pod: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/Perpetual Chess Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetualchesspodcast9143Perpetual Chess Improvement: https://amzn.to/4i4JsmpPerpetual Chess Link-fest: https://benjohnson.substack.com/Ben's Chessable Course: https://www.chessable.com/identifying-critical-moments-in-chess/course/248353/
00:00 Intro01:49 The Art of Guest Selection and Preparation09:39 Insights from Years of Podcasting Experience12:30 Memorable Conversations and Unique Stories16:08 The Chess Linkfest Newsletter19:06 Chess Scandals & Drama22:59 Writing 'Perpetual Chess Improvement' 27:56 Structured Learning in Chess30:33 Minimizing Blunders for Improvement33:30 Ben's Next Book Project38:33 His Recent OTB Tournament Experience51:08 Blitz Chess52:58 Ben's Chessable Course 'Identifying Critical Moments in Chess'In this episode, I’m thrilled to host Ben Johnson, the voice behind the Perpetual Chess Podcast and one of the most connected figures in the chess world. With over eight years of experience interviewing top players, coaches, and adult improvers, Ben has a unique perspective on what it takes to improve at chess. We dive deep into his journey as a podcaster, the art of selecting guests, and the lessons he’s distilled into his book, Perpetual Chess Improvement. Ben shares valuable insights that every chess enthusiast can learn from.We also explore the key themes from his book, including the importance of community, effective training methods, and how to sustain improvement as an adult. Ben's candid reflections on the state of chess content and his thoughtful approach to interviews make this conversation useful for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of chess improvement. Please check out his book and listen to his podcast for deep chess wisdom.

In this episode, I sat down with IM Alex Astaneh to explore the fundamentals of positional chess and discuss his Chessable course, "Positional Chess Patterns Manual." Alex's course is designed to help players internalize essential positional concepts through repeatable patterns. We analyzed instructive examples from Magnus Carlsen's games, particularly how he leverages color complexes, weak squares, and outposts to systematically dominate his opponents. Alex emphasized how pattern recognition and structured thinking allow strong players to find the right plans quickly, even in complex positions.

Beyond strategy, we discussed how to train positional understanding more effectively, focusing on clarity in learning, board vision, and structured study techniques. I shared my approach to cleaning up positions for better learning outcomes, removing unnecessary distractions so students can focus on the core strategic ideas. Alex also highlighted the importance of reverse-engineering winning positions, especially in endgames, by identifying ideal setups and working backward to achieve them. This episode is packed with insights that can help you develop a deeper understanding of chess strategy.

Alex's Chessable courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/Astaneh/Alex's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alexastanehIn

My Chessable Courses: https://chessable.com/drcan

00:00 Intro

02:19 Why He Created "The Positional Chess Patterns Manual"

15:03 The Difference Between Positional Chess and Strategic Play

27:17 Power Outpost

46:06 The Course Creation Process

54:43 Carlsen's Blitz Games (Color Complex)

01:15:40 How to Build Up the Knowledge (Weak Square)

01:24:01 Pseudo Outpost

01:25:42 How to Teach Beginners

01:37:32 Power Outpost and Pseudo Outpost Combo

01:46:45 Pseudo Outpost in the Classical Structure

01:52:29 Exchange Sacrifice

01:53:54 Schematic Thinking

02:02:44 Outro & Future Plans

This episode was recorded on a truly special day for me—I’ve been honored as Chessable’s Author of the Year for 2024! It’s an incredible milestone, and I’m deeply grateful for all the support along the way.

But this episode isn’t just about celebrating—I'm joined by the amazing WIM Luciana Morales, a highly accomplished chess player, educator, and Chessable author. We dive into her Chessable course "Queens of the Chess Board," which explores the lives and games of the first five Women’s World Champions, bringing to light some of chess history’s most fascinating and underappreciated players.Beyond her chess achievements, Luciana is a true multi-talent—she’s working on a children’s chess book, managing social media for Chessable and Chess.com, and has played a key role in various chess education projects, including the FIDE Chessable Academy with legendary trainers like Artur Yusupov. In this episode, we explore the styles of Women’s World Champions, discuss how chess connects generations, and even touch on her creative work on social media.By the end of the video, we show games of five World Champions to explore their chess styles. And a gem of a game from Luciana against an international master!

Queens of the Chess Board: https://www.chessable.com/queens-of-the-chess-board/course/102010/Follow Luciana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsgambit/

Follow Luciana on X: https://x.com/LucianaMorales

Follow Luciana on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/drcanchess.bsky.social

00:00 Intro

02:12 Background Story and Early Years

08:49 The Making of 'Queens of the Chess Board'

23:15 Her Upcoming Chess Book

35:55 Fide Chessable Academy

39:43 Chessable Classroom

45:27 Social Media & The Art of Chess Memes

56:14 Menchik - Sir George Thomas, 1932

01:03:50 Menchik - Price, 1927

01:08:43 Rudenko - Bruce, 1946

01:13:16 Bykova - Keller, 1952

01:19:46 Rubtsova - Vaisberg, 1951

01:25:12 Gaprindashvili - Beliavsky, 1977

01:33:36 Luciana's Masterpiece

In this first episode of 2025, I’m joined by Ono, an experienced coach, blogger, and adult improver. Ono shares his journey from picking up chess during the Queen’s Gambit boom to becoming an active participant in the Dutch chess scene. We discuss his experiences with plateaus, rating anxiety, and the challenges of adult improvement, offering practical advice for players navigating similar struggles.This conversation highlights several key topics for chess enthusiasts, including Ono’s two-part approach to blunder-checking, his thoughts on building a sustainable repertoire, and how to transform knowledge into skill. We also delve into the psychological side of chess, exploring ways to manage frustration, embrace the learning process, and find meaning in the game.Whether you’re a beginner looking for guidance or an experienced player refining your approach, this episode provides thoughtful insights and actionable takeaways to help you on your chess journey. Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for future episodes featuring more voices from the chess community.

01:21 Ono's Chess Journey04:42 The Blunder-Check08:57 The Pen Trick13:10 Adult Improvement: Struggles and Solutions19:25 Building an Opening Repertoire and the Value of Specialization23:15 Endgame Study30:44 Training Plans and Why We Train 39:22 Chess Psychology51:01 Coping with Losses56:44 Why is Chess so Captivating?

In this special year-end episode, I had the pleasure of hosting Kamryn Helman, an extraordinary adult improver who achieved a chesscom rapid rating of 2000 in just two years, starting from absolute zero. Kamryn shared her inspirational journey, which began in 2021 after watching The Queen’s Gambit. Despite balancing her undergraduate studies and later a full-time job, she devoted around 20 hours per week to chess and made remarkable progress. Kamryn's disciplined approach combined playing, tactical exercises, and joining a chess club, where she set goals to compete with stronger players. Her story is a testament to how dedication and a structured approach can yield extraordinary results in a short time.During our conversation, Kamryn offered valuable insights into her improvement methods. She talked about her "Why I Am Losing" document, a weekly habit of analyzing losses to identify patterns and guide her studies. We also discussed her thought process, including a mental checklist to avoid blunders, and the critical role of breaks in consolidating knowledge. Kamryn's ability to stay intentional and disciplined about her chess journey is both inspiring and instructional for players at all levels.Toward the end, we explored her educational contributions to the chess community, including her Chessable course, 50 Essential Chess Concepts: An Improver's Blueprint. She shared the challenges of designing clean, instructive puzzles that minimize cognitive overload and maximize learning. Kamryn's passion for chess and commitment to improvement was evident throughout our discussion, leaving me—and hopefully you—with fresh ideas and inspiration to tackle our own chess journeys. I’m thrilled to see what Kamryn accomplishes next and I look forward to another conversation as her chess story unfolds.

01:54 The Chess Bug and the Very Short Summary of the Journey to 2000 ELO08:57 The Thought Process10:47 Blunder-Check15:16 'Why Am I Losing?' Document23:07 How Blitz Helped 26:00 Study Advice for 0-1500 ELO29:16 Study Advice for 1500 - 2000 ELO37:18 Her Chessable Course41:40 Her New Openings44:47 Final Advice for Beginners45:40 Final Advice for Intermediate Players46:34 The Weekly Training Schedule