Imagine a future Magnus match nobody expected — one that could grab the entire chess world’s attention and attract new sponsors. Sounds wild, right? My guest, Oleg Skvortsov, is a major chess patron and tournament organizer who’s deeply involved in how modern chess is marketed and funded — and he’s ready to make it happen. We talk about what chess is missing for mainstream appeal, why “drama” matters, and what one change could make the game far more exciting for casual viewers. Oleg also shares his blunt take on freestyle chess, what he plans to discuss with Jan Buettner, and whether he could end up leading the project. We finish with a quick chess game — don’t miss it.

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00:00 — Intro

01:05 — A future Magnus match idea

05:39 — Why this opponent?

07:07 — Does he even have a chance?

10:48 — What does Magnus gain?

11:27 — Why not Hans vs Magnus?

12:27 — “This will be like Fischer–Spassky”

14:10 — Is chess not interesting anymore?

15:48 — One change to make chess WAY more exciting

17:28 — Oleg’s FIDE-approved idea

19:27 — What’s wrong with freestyle chess?

22:12 — What will Oleg discuss with Buettner?

24:10 — We need drama

25:02 — Draws kill the excitement

27:58 — Has the level of play dropped?

31:49 — Magnus lost to the Grob Opening?!

34:33 — Calendar clash isn’t the problem

35:52 — Is Freestyle the future?

36:51 — Why Buettner is stepping back

38:43 — Could Oleg replace Buettner?

40:14 — Will Dvorkovich get sanctioned?

40:50 — Many want Freestyle to grow

42:45 — Our game

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

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