Episodes

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 theme. Lines discussed include the following: NIMZO-INDIAN: Rubenstein Variation with 4...b6: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 b6 5. Bd3 Bb7 (5. Nge2 Ne4!) 6. Nf3 Ne4! Classical Variation with 4...0-0: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 0-0 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 Ne4! 7. Qc...

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 prevalence of chess cheating is affecting amateur events Why the Carlsen/Niemann controversy has become irritating & tiresome Are cheat detection algorithms legitimate? Chess coaching philosophies Why do many players drop out of tournaments after losing just one game ? Are large ca...

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 courses! ♟ Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Facebook Support the Show E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

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. In this episode, we review some tips on how club players can use an engine effectively to improve. Some of our talking points include: Why +/= or =/+ is really the same as = Identifying inflection points in your game A technique to avoid repeating a mistake in future t...

💻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...

💻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...

💻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,...

♟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...

🎤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...

🎤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...

🎤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...

🎤Follow us on Twitter (X): The London System has become one of the most popular openings for White. While it's a staple at amateur events, many top players use it as well, including GMs Magnus Carlsen, Gata Kamsky, Simon Williams, and Anish Giri....

🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: ♟This podcast is sponsored by . Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. ♟ The French Defense (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5) is one of the most respected...

🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: ♟This podcast is sponsored by . Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. ♟ This week I spoke with my friend Jay Kleinman, a fellow chess amateur...

🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: ♟This podcast is sponsored by . Check out their courses today!♟ Happy Father's Day to all the chess dads out there! In this episode, I will discuss the chess thought process through the lens of two of...

🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: ♟This podcast is sponsored by . Neal is currently enjoying the course entitled , based on the book of the same name.♟ We've all been there: the opponent who won't sit still or who keeps adjusting every...

🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: For this interview episode, I spoke with USCF Expert Jarrod Tavares. Jarrod is an amateur/club player who has achieved tournament success with an unconventional, anti-book style. Amateur players and adult...

🎤NEW Twitter page for the podcast: 🎤Be sure to follow us! While some favor slower time controls, blitz & rapid games are more popular than ever, mainly due to the explosion of online chess. Can speed chess actually help you in slow games...

Are you constantly comparing your chess progress to that of others? Are four, five, or six-hour-a-day study plans effective for amateur players? I offer opinions on these topics and more. The segments in this episode include: The "tournament hall" vs. the "study hall" Handling decision fatigue from all the available study material The essential areas of focus for beginners OTB vs. online strategy The comparison game Talent vs. hard work Is studying several hours a day actually necessary at the a...

This episode is a book review/discussion of the acclaimed text (Amazon) by Jonathan Rowson. This is a follow up to Episode 16 which discussed (Amazon) by Simon Webb. I believe these two outstanding books are probably the only resources you need for...

Grandmaster Romain Edouard joins the podcast this week to explain how players of all levels can minimize mistakes in their games. Be sure to check out Romain's chess.com lesson on this subject (affiliate link), as well as his chessable course on facing the English opening (1.c4) . I caught up with Romain during his current visit to the US for his stint as GM in Residence for the St. Louis Chess Club. Romain's books discussed in this episode: The Chess Manual of Avoidable Mistakes Chess Calculati...

This is the second episode in our Game Analysis Series where I thematically discuss one or more of my OTB games. Some of the concepts from this episode include: Positional ideas vs. tactics Adults vs. kids Unconventional openings Thoughtless one-move attacks As mentioned in this episode, please follow us on Twitter and comment on our pinned post about your rating goal for 12/31/22. Our links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

For this interview episode, I spoke with Fide Master Roger LaFlair. Roger teaches high school chemistry and chess at a private school here on Long Island in NY. He also has an active roster of private chess students. Roger can be reached at rlaflair@gmail.com. We touched on a variety of topics regarding tournament play and chess improvement. Some of our talking points include: The dangers of "me chess" Awareness of your opponent's ideas Avoiding impulsivity & impatience The London System fo...

This episode details some of my experiences as a club player and tournament director in three parts: Why I started the Long Island Chess Club What it's like directing and playing in the same tournament Some funny stories from the club Our links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com