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Episodes

March 19, 2023

Ep. 61: Do Chess Training Programs Work?

This week's episode discusses study plans, training programs, and improvement as it relates to the amateur and club player. If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . Our ...

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March 12, 2023

Ep. 60: Review of "The Complete Book of Chess Strategy," the Best All…

This episode is a review of (Amazon) by IM Jeremy Silman. This is an excellent all-in-one reference book for improvers and club players, covering all phases of the game as well as practical matters (blunders, time pressure, chess psychology,...

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March 5, 2023

Ep. 59: Why Is My Lower-Rated Opponent Playing So Well?

This episode explores the psychology of facing a lower-rated opponent who is playing really well. This is often highly frustrating for tournament players. Many times, however, it's more about your own mindset than your oppone...

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Feb. 26, 2023

Ep. 58: Gambit Openings, Students Cheating During Lessons, Bishop & K…

This week I spoke with National Master Nick Panico. Nick is a fellow educator with a background in science and has also been active as a storm chaser. Nick shared his vast experience from the amateur chess scene and our conve...

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Feb. 19, 2023

Ep. 57 (S4 Premiere): GM Alex Lenderman on Adult Improvement, Chess C…

To kick off Season 4, Neal spoke with Grandmaster Alex Lenderman. Alex resides in Brooklyn, NY where he was a member of the famous chess team at Edward R. Murrrow HS that won multiple national high school titles. This was dep...

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Jan. 22, 2023

Ep. 56 (S3 Finale): Active Pieces feat. NY Chess Legend IM Jay Bonin,…

The Chess Angle is sponsored by This week's episode is our Season 3 Finale and features International Master Jay Bonin, a legend of the New York chess scene. He is one of the most active tournament players ever, having amassed an estimated 30K - 40K...

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Jan. 15, 2023

Ep. 55: WFM Maaike Keetman on the Nimzo-Indian, Grinding Out Wins, At…

The Chess Angle is sponsored by This week's episode features WFM Maaike Keetman. We covered a number of important topics for adult improvers and amateur players. Maaike is the VP of Content for Chessable and is active with the ChessQueens Foundation...

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Jan. 8, 2023

Ep. 54: Avoid This Common Pawn Blunder & Other Practical Tournament T…

The Chess Angle is sponsored by This episode offers some practical advice and insight for improvers and emerging tournament players. Some of the talking points include: How many games a year do you need to play to increase your OTB rating? Should...

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Dec. 18, 2022

Ep. 53: NM Robert Guevara on Why He Declines All Draw Offers

The Chess Angle is sponsored by Offering or accepting a draw is often a critical decision in a chess game and is the subject of much discussion and debate. Our guest this week, National Master Robert Guevara, is a tenacious player who declines...

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Dec. 11, 2022

Ep. 52: Chess Improvement and Academia feat. Stephen Wefer, Ph.D.

The Chess Angle is sponsored by This episode is dedicated to all of the school teachers out there. Our guest this week, Dr. Stephen Wefer, is an adult improver (USCF 1691), HS science teacher, and Long Island Chess Club regular. He has also...

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Dec. 4, 2022

Ep. 51: Non-Resigners, Faulty Queen Trades, the Jobava London, & More

The Chess Angle is sponsored by In this solo episode, Neal shares some thoughts on a number of topics related to tournament chess. Talking points include: Non-resigning in overwhelmingly worse positions with no time-pressure issues Queen trade...

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Nov. 20, 2022

Ep. 50: Becoming a Chess Master feat. NM Nick Figorito

Nick Figorito is a member of the Long Island Chess Club who recently earned the title of National Master (USCF 2200). In this episode, Nick shares his journey to Master, busts some common chess improvement myths, and offers s...

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Nov. 13, 2022

Ep. 49: Chess Openings Masterclass feat. FM Carsten Hansen

The Chess Angle is sponsored by Fide Master Carsten Hansen is a prolific writer who has authored an astounding 46 chess books and is a #1 best selling author on Amazon. Recently published books include and , co-authored with Cyrus Lakdawala....

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Nov. 6, 2022

Ep. 48: The Nimzo & Queen's Indian Defenses: A Complete System Agains…

This episode is a primer on the Nimzo & Queen's Indian Defenses for adult improvers and club-level players. These two openings can be used as a complete system against 1. d4. Fighting for control of the e4-square is a major t...

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Oct. 30, 2022

Ep. 47: The Chess Cheating Crisis: Implications for the Amateur Playe…

Candidate Master and renowned chess educator Brian Karen returns to the podcast to discuss the chess cheating crisis as it relates to the amateur player, among other topics. Some of our talking points include: How the prevale...

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Oct. 23, 2022

Ep. 46: The Dangers of Playing Too Literally

Neal discusses the dangers of playing chess too literally or "inside the box." Sometimes deviating from conventional chess principles is a smart play. ♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable . Check out a list of our favorite...

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Oct. 16, 2022

Ep. 45: The Truth About Chess Engines for Club Players

Analyzing your tournament games with a computer program such as Fritz or Stockfish is perhaps the most important component of any improvement plan. However, using a chess engine can sometimes be confusing at the amateur level...

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Oct. 9, 2022

Ep. 44: "Waiting" Moves, Chess Podcasts, & Other Musings

💻Be sure to 💻 We have preview clips for select episodes and are gradually adding content. Please join our community! This season's first solo episode is divided into two main segments with some additional subtopics thrown in. First, Neal argues...

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Oct. 2, 2022

Ep. 43: Are Electronic Notation Devices Legit? feat. Joey Troy, Creat…

💻Be sure to 💻 We have preview clips for select episodes and are gradually adding content. Please join our community! ♟This podcast is sponsored by ♟ Electronic Notation Devices (ENDs) offer a convenient way for players to keep score...

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Sept. 24, 2022

Ep. 42: Playing in Tournaments With a Full-Time Job feat. Dan Levin (…

💻Be sure to 💻 We have preview clips for select episodes and are gradually adding content. Please join our community! ♟This podcast is sponsored by ♟ We've all heard of players who study several hours a day. Nice work if you can get it,...

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Sept. 17, 2022

Ep. 41 (S3 Premiere): IM Justus Williams on Chess Improvement, Brookl…

♟This podcast is sponsored by . Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. ♟ For this Season 3 Premier, Neal spoke with IM Justus Williams. Justus is featured prominently in the 2012...

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July 31, 2022

Ep. 40 (S2 Finale): Tournament Strategy feat. GM John Emms

🎤Follow us on Twitter: ♟This podcast is sponsored by . Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. ♟ Grandmaster John Emms is a distinguished chess professional. He is one of the...

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July 24, 2022

Ep. 39: Endgame Tips for Improvers

🎤Follow us on Twitter: ♟This podcast is sponsored by . Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. ♟ This episode is a discussion of common endgame ideas, themes, and mistakes at the...

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July 17, 2022

Ep. 38: Why Your Rating Is Not Increasing

🎤Follow us on Twitter: ♟This podcast is sponsored by . Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. ♟ This episode explores possible reasons why your rating is not increasing. It may...

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