Episodes

Most adult amateurs quietly carry the same goal: reach Master. In this episode, we take an honest look at why that milestone is so elusive: time constraints, training demands, a competitive player pool, and the realities of a...

GM Daniel Gormally returns to the pod to unpack Netflix’s Untold: Chess Mates , the documentary covering the Magnus Carlsen - Hans Niemann controversy. We separate the signal from the noise, offering a candid, player-level pe...

In this episode, we react to a recent article on how to beat chess prodigies and what adult amateurs tend to get wrong when facing underrated kids. We break down practical strategies like avoiding tactical chaos and forcing l...

Fellow chess amateur and blogger Nick Visel returns to the pod to talk about the nuts and bolts of improving as an adult player. We cover endgames, openings, and the psychological habits that separate steady improvers from th...

Time delay or an increment has become the norm in over-the-board tournaments, but online chess still largely ignores it. In this episode, we break down why using an increment leads to better games, fairer outcomes, and more i...

We like to think chess is pure skill, but at the amateur level, luck plays a bigger role than most players realize. In this episode, we break down how blunders, pairings, time pressure, and your opponent’s mood can all influe...

Many adult chess improvers start with the same plan: just play a lot of games and the rating will climb. At first, that actually works - until it doesn’t. In this episode, we talk about why the “just play more games” philosop...

This week, Neal discusses why he recently made a full switch to l ichess.org for playing his online games and why the platform works better for his day-to-day chess routine. He still uses c hesscom, but only for news, article...

In this episode, we tackle one of the most tempting (and dangerous) questions in amateur chess: when should you sacrifice a piece? Instead of carelessly chasing “!!” moves, we break down when your sac might be sound and when ...

In this episode, Neal confesses a hard truth: his most dreaded opponents aren’t Masters - they’re “unrated” and “lower-rated” opponents who absolutely do not play like their numbers suggest. We talk about underrated players, ...

A new year means a fresh chance to improve, but only if you have a plan that actually fits your real life. In this Season 11 premiere, Neal dives into the Listener Mailbag and then shares a practical, no-nonsense framework fo...

It’s the Season 10 finale, so we’re emptying the mailbag and tackling your chess improvement questions head-on, from study habits and rating plateaus to tournament nerves and adult time constraints. Season 11 coming soon... 📧...

In this episode, we explore how small, almost trivial adjustments can quietly transform your chess over time. From simple blunder checks to minor mindset shifts, these micro-tweaks often deliver more improvement than major ov...

In this episode, Neal is joined by fellow amateur and LI Chess Club regular Austin Olson, a 25-year-old merchandising specialist, to break down the long-standing Lichess vs. Chess.com debate from the perspective of the busy a...

This week, we continue our conversation about best practices for online chess and riff about blitz vs. rapid for the amateur player. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@the...

In this episode, we discuss how to play online chess in a way that actually helps your over-the-board results. Neal shares his simple, practical method for structuring online sessions so you train with intention instead of ju...

It’s another listener mailbag episode! We answer your questions about adult chess improvement, balancing study with real life, and everything in between. Plus, we share a few listener comments that hit close to home for the c...

Between work, family, and everything else, who has time to learn 20 moves of opening theory? The Colle System offers a solid, low-maintenance way to get a good game every time. Learn the basic plans, the Colle–Zukertort twist...

In this episode, we tackle two very different challenges for club players: the Nimzo-Indian Defense and facing those fearless, fast-moving, and sometimes poorly behaved junior opponents at tournaments. Game Referenced: 1. d4 ...

You’ve heard the quote: “When you see a good move, look for a better one.” Sounds smart - until it makes you overthink every position. In this episode, we talk about why perfectionism hurts amateur chess improvement and how t...

They study eight hours a day - you study between work meetings and bedtime. They’ve memorized the entire Najdorf - you’ve memorized your kids’ soccer schedule. In this episode, we talk about how to take on the true chess dieh...

Early release! This week we share some thoughts on chess improvement while "adulting." Referenced: (First segment: LICC origin story) (Mailbag Segment: starting a chess club) 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future...

This week we discuss the dark side of weekend chess tournaments in the US. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube ...

So your opponent is rated "only" 900 or "only" 1200 but is playing extremely well. He's not hanging anything or falling victim to tactical traps and is also demonstrating a working knowledge of positional and strategic ideas....