Episodes

This is the first episode for our new Game Analysis Series. I will thematically break down one or more of my OTB games, covering a variety of chess concepts and ideas for the amateur and club player. Some of the themes from this episode include: Why you shouldn't fear higher-rated opponents How to play against lower-rated opponents How to handle draw offers The French Defense advance variation Our links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

**Note: Alex King earned the FM title after this was recorded. The episode title has been updated but the original show notes are below. This week I spoke with National Master Alex King who resides in Memphis, Tennessee. Alex is an active tournament player, teacher, and writer. His 6-part article series for Chess Life magazine on the Tarrasch Defense begins with the March 2022 issue. Alex is also an accomplished musician, and he composed and performed all the music in this episode. Some of our ...

I spoke with Candidate Master and renowned chess educator Brian Karen. He is one of the most active teachers in the country. Some of our talking points include: Tournament players vs. hobbyists A rating system based on norms, rather than individual games Studying chess Does preparing for a specific opponent actually make a difference at the club level? Links referenced in this episode: Chess Book Collectors FB Group Fide World Chess Championship FB Group The Seven Deadly Chess Sins (affiliate li...

Arguably, certain "theoretical advantages" often have less significance at the amateur level. For example, material imbalances such as "having the two bishops" or "being up the Exchange" are often overrated when non-titled players face off. Our Links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

For the podcast's first interview format, I spoke with National Master Tim Mirabile. This is our uncut, unedited conversation. Below, Tim shared a list of some favorite books and a link to an article about the growth mindset: Bobby Fischer – My 60 Memorable Games Robert Burger – The Chess of Bobby Fischer Alexander Kotov – Think Like a Grandmaster, Play Like a Grandmaster Andrew Soltis – The Art of Defense in Chess Vladimir Vukovic – The Art of Attack in Chess John Nunn & Peter Griffiths – Secre...

For many players, chess study is a grey area. It's not just WHAT to study but HOW. We believe is one of the best puzzle books for amateur players. For online instructional content, we recommend . These are affiliate links which support the...

Certain chess mistakes appear in amateur games with unwavering consistency. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com (affiliate link). Our links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

Some chess players use gamesmanship to beat their opponent. Our links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

In this episode, I discuss the modern classic "Chess for Tigers" by Simon Webb, which I believe is the best primer on chess psychology for amateur players. It is linked below along with the chess clock I mentioned. These are affiliate links which help support this podcast at no additional cost to you. Chess for Tigers LEAP Chess Clock Our links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

A discussion of the thought process before making a move. This episode is for amateur players of all levels. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com (affiliate link). Our links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

Is the amateur chess scene more competitive than ever before? We take a look at that, and poker somehow makes its way into the discussion. Below are links to the books mentioned in this episode. These are Amazon affiliate links which help support this podcast at no additional cost to you. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com (affiliate link). The Biggest Bluff Outliers The Amateur’s Mind Our links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

In this two-part episode, I discuss the psychology of your opponent's rating, and then share some incidents I witnessed involving chess parents. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com (affiliate link). Our links: Website Twitter Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

Note: There is an updated version of this episode: I share some time-saving tips & tricks for busy individuals with limited study time. Check out for their fantastic online chess suite as mentioned in this episode. 🎯 Support the...

I discuss how players react when losing a game or facing a worse position. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com . If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com The Chess.com links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.

A discussion of what happens when "internet players" join live events. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com . If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com The Chess.com links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.

A brief update of the podcast. Thank you for listening!

Here, I sort of reverse course from Episode 3 and talk about why I suddenly like 5-minute online games after criticizing them for some time. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com . If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com The Chess.com links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support t...

A discussion of the psychological aspect of the game. Referenced: (Amazon) If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . Our links: E-mail: The Amazon links above are affiliate links which earn us a small...

This episode is a review of the book (Amazon) by IM Jeremy Silman. Below is a direct link to the book. For the best online chess experience, we recommend . If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . Our links: ...

Here, we weigh the pros and cons of playing at local chess clubs versus major tournaments. If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

A criticism of the standard Swiss System in favor of the random pairings variation. If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Facebook E-mail: info@thechessangle.com

The pandemic has created a chess boom which is discussed in this episode. For the best online chess experience, we recommend chess.com (affiliate link). 🎯 Support the Show: Patreon Buy Me a Coffee 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . 🔗 Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Patreon Buy Me a Coffee ♟The chess.com links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no a...

This episode details a cheating incident at the Long Island Chess Club... If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . 🎯 Support the Show: Patreon Buy Me a Coffee 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com . 🔗 Our links: Website Twitter YouTube Patreon Buy Me a Coffee

Welcome to The Chess Angle! This episode is a condensed, rapid-fire discussion of chess openings for club players and adult improvers. Talking points include: The main goal of the opening System and thematic openings Is there an advantage to having the white pieces? Should you play complicated, theoretical openings? The importance of a consistent opening repertoire Referenced: The London System in 12 Practical Lessons Win With the London System Play the London System Starting Out: The French Sta...