Strategy, Openings, and the Role of Tactics

Kevin sums up how openings build confidence, strategy informs feeling competent, and tactics win practical games.

Play episode from 18:07

chevron_right

Transcript

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

Is it possible to continue to get better at chess once you hit your 50s? The Adult Improver Series returns, and that’s one of the central questions I explore with today’s guest, long-time friend of the pod and fellow chess podcaster Dr. Kevin Scull.

Kevin is the host of the popular Chess Journeys podcast, where he interviews adult chess improvers on a weekly basis. In our conversation, he shares insights drawn from hundreds of interviews, as well as from his own dedicated pursuit of tournament chess.

We discuss:

How Kevin managed to reach a new all-time rating high of over 1800 USCF in his early 50s
The social and competitive benefits of adult-only tournaments
Whether struggling to remember your games afterward means you’re hopeless at chess

As you’d expect, Kevin also shares a wealth of chess resource recommendations and practical improvement tips, and reflects on nearly five years of producing Chess Journeys.

Perpetual Chess Adult Improver Series Website:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adultimprover

Perpetual Chess Adult Improver Series Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Uoqz2BoRt2IiTCeOfuky?si=ab7ba68225fb43dc

0:00- Thanks to Chessable, check out Kevin’s course here:

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

0:01- Kevin joins the pod. How did he achieve a new rating high of 1800+ USCF in his early 50s?

0:08- Why Kevin particularly enjoys adult and senior-only tournaments

18:00- Kevin’s recent chess improvement realizations

Mentioned: Karpov’s Strategic Wins by IM Tibor Karolyi

23:00- The benefits of having a coach

Mentioned: NM Gopal Menon