Perpetual Chess Podcast

This week I am excited to be joined by chess YouTube star and popular Chessable author, NM Robert Ramirez. Robert has a unique story amongst master-level players, as he spent his early years in Cuba and began tournament chess at the relatively late age of 12. As one of the older kids in his chess class in Cuba, Robert felt like he had to “play catch up” from the beginning, and this perspective steered him toward less popular openings like the Pirc defense and the King’s Indian Defense. Robert continued his pursuit of chess when his family emigrated to the U.S. in 2016, and ultimately became a successful chess teacher. With less work and extra free time during the pandemic, Robert launched his YouTube channel. Robert’s channel took a while to catch on, but he now has over 120,000 YouTube subscribers. His Chessable course, which is based on his battle-tested repertoire, has drawn rave reviews. Robert showcases an ability to relate to people and a lucid teaching style that likely contributes to the success of everything that he does. It was a lot of fun hearing his story and his chess advice. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 0:00- Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsor, Chessable.com. In addition to NM Robert Ramirez’s course, be sure to check out new ones like FM Dalton Perrine’s The French Simplified.  If you use the link below to sign up for Perpeutal Chess it helps to support the pod! https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro0:01- We start with a tournament rundown. What has Robert learned since coming back to OTB a few years ago, and what was different about his approach in a successful recent tournament? Mentioned: Tournament crosstable here, 6000 Problems de Ajedrez, Lessons with a Grandmaster 15:00- What are the origins of Robert’s YouTube channel? Mentioned: Robert’s series with Omar, aka Chess von Doom 21:00- What are the secrets to the Pirc defense? Mentioned: 2 Adult Improvers and one Training Plan28:00- Does Robert need to switch his openings since he is known for the Pirc and King’s Indian Defense?30:00- Robert discusses his childhood in Cuba and what it was like coming to the U.S. at age 16 and resuming chess here?46:00- The differences between adults and kids in chess learning . Mentioned: Fallow123 on Chess.com 56:00- Robert’s closing chess improvement advice 58:00- Where do Robert’s skills as a presenter come from?Thanks to Robert for joining the show! Here is how to keep up with him: Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@NMRobertRamirezChessable:https://www.chessable.com/counterblow-a-complete-fighting-repertoire-for-beginners/course/199358/Twitter/x: https://twitter.com/NMRobertRamirez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recorded on January 31, 2024 Featuring guest co-host FM Nate Solon With talk of online cheating recently dominating chess conversations, Chess.com CEO and co-founder Erik Allebest joined me (and guest co-host FM Nate Solon) to discuss the issue at length. While Erik acknowledges that chess cheating is an existential threat to the game, the research of his Chess.com team suggests that people overestimate the frequency of online cheating occurrences. Erik also discussed Chess.com’s current and forthcoming anti-cheat measures, their policy regarding not naming suspected cheaters, and Erik’s thoughts on some recent headline-grabbing comments by GM Fabiano Caruana. We also covered a lot of topics unrelated to online cheating, including The Magnus-Hikaru match that fell through last year, the closures of Chess24 and the Pro Chess League, Chess.com’s relationship with FIDE, and Erik’s reflections on the Niemann-Carlsen story. As Erik discussed, there will still be a lot more information coming out about that story in a forthcoming Netflix documentary. I appreciated Erik’s willingness to speak so openly about so many issues and think that you will learn a lot from the conversation. 0:00- Be sure to check out Chessable’s new courses including GM Srinath Narayanan’s brand new course on the Classical Sicilian, and if you use this link to sign up for Chessable Pro, and/or make a Chessable purchase, it will help support Perpetual Chess. https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro0:01- Here are the links to subscribe to guest co-host FM Nate Solon’s blog and to check out his new learning cohort, The Chess Gym:https://thechessgym.com/https://zwischenzug.substack.com/0:03- Erik Allebest joins the podcast! We begin by discussing chess cheating. Mentioned: Erik’s first interview with Ilya Levitovhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZDRrWAx2Rk(there is a part 2 to that interview that was released after this podcast was recorded)NY Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/22/crosswords/chess-cheating-online-fide.html13:30- What does Erik think of GM Fabiano Caruana’s recent suggestions of widespread cheating during Titled Tuesday? Mentioned; Nate’s post called Beating Hikaruhttps://zwischenzug.substack.com/p/beating-hikaru27:00- More on cheating, including whether they have considered having players play from centralized locations and other issues. 31:00- What goes into their policy of not naming cheaters, might that policy be changed? 40:00- Has Chess.com had discussions with FIDE about sharing info about who has been banned from their site? 42;00- Would Chess.com consider being involved in a new chess governing body? Mentioned: Episode 364 with GM Patrick Wolff 49:00- What happened with the match between Magnus and Hikaru that fell through last year? Mentioned: The State of Chess.com 2023:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri3Z809CbS855:00- What will be the subject of a forthcoming Netflix chess documentary?Mentioned: GM Sam Sevian 57:00- What did the CHess.com team learn from the Niemann-Carlsen controversy? 1:01:00- Why was the Pro Chess League shut down? What about Chess24? 1:11:00- Was selling a partial stake of Chess.com to the private equity firm General Atlantic related to the Play Magnus acquisition? Mentioned: Isai Scheinberg, General Atlantic Announces Investment in Chess.com:https://www.generalatlantic.com/media-article/chess-com-announces-growth-investment-from-general-atlantic/1:20:00- Closing thoughts- what is Erik excited for in the coming year? Thanks to Erik for joining us, and to FM Nate Solon for co-hosting! If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Nick Vasquez, expert in learning and retaining information, joins the Perpetual Chess Podcast to discuss 'Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning'. They talk about studying chess using strategies like interleaving and varied practice. They also discuss resources for chess players at different skill levels, the power of growth mindset and memory techniques, and wrap up with future plans for the podcast.

Guest Julio Calcina, a chess and Mixed Martial Arts enthusiast, shares his transformative journey with chess, discussing how it taught him contemplation, patience, and personal growth. He delves into topics such as his time in prison, starting a podcast, the relationship between chess and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the positive impact of chess culture in prison.

GM Raven Sturt shares chess improvement insights, board visualization tips, and book recommendations. Discusses unique life journey from NYC to Paraguay. Highlights the Bird Opening as an underrated White weapon. Explores strategies, visualization, and age factors in chess mastery.

This week we are honored to be joined by the 14-year-old record-breaking prodigy, GM Abhimanyu Mishra. Abhimanyu made worldwide headlines when he became the youngest Grandmaster in history in 2021. Since breaking that record, GM Mishra has continued his rapid ascension and is now rated 2635. As the number #10 junior in the world, Abhimanyu is the only junior in the top 20 under the age of 16! In our conversation, we discuss Abhimanyu’s training regimen, both now, and as he quickly climbed up the ranks. His chess growth was well-chronicled in the enjoyable book, The Youngest Chess Grandmaster in the World, as well as his Chessable course, Youngest Grandmaster: Abhimanyu Mishra   Abhi also discusses how he balances chess and school work, his 2024 tournament plans, and the difficulties he has encountered in receiving invitations and sponsorship opportunities. Lastly, Abhimanyu reflects on unforgettable experiences, like training with Kasparov, and recently beating the legendary players such as GMs Vasyl Ivanchuk and Levon Aronian. I greatly enjoyed chatting with Abhi and can’t wait to see where the future takes him. Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsors, Chessable.com!Be sure to check out their new courses including IM Christof Sielecki’s new course, and if you use this link to sign up for Chessable Pro, and/or make a Chessable purchase, it will help support Perpetual Chess. https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro2:00- What motivates Abhimanyu Mishra to work so hard on chess? Why does he love it? 4:00- Abhimanyu discusses his current training regimen. Mentioned: GM Karsten Muller’s Endgame Magic, Abhi’s interview on C-Squared  13:00- How structured is Abhi’s chess-study schedule? 18:00- Patreon mailbag question: “How does Abhi think chess learning has changed over generations?’ 23:00- Abhimanyu discusses how he approached studying Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual 30:00- What are Abhi’s favorite games that he has played? Mentioned:-Mishra-Ivanchuk 2023, Mishra-Aronan 2023 Post mortem video of IVanchuk game via Chessbase India:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COPQ3S9KgUY34:00- Is Abhi still interested in table tennis and other sports? (He wrote about this in his book.)38:00- Abhi discusses the financial challenges of being a young elite player. Mentioned: GM Praggnanandhaa gets big sponsor40:30- Abhi discusses his famed journey to the GM title. 43:00- How does Abhi select tournaments? Was he invited to Wijk an Zee? 46:00- What was it like to work with Kasparov? Who is the GOAT? 50:00- Would Abhi consider going to university? 54:00- What shows does Abhi watch? Mentioned: C-Squared podcast58:00- Thanks to GM Mishra, for joining me, you can follow him via these social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abhimanyu.mishra2509/?hl=enX:https://twitter.com/chessmishra?lang=enIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GM Patrick Wolff is quite accomplished on and off the chess board. In the 1990’s he was a  2 time US Chess Champion and a member of GM Viswanathan Anand's prep team.  Patrick is also the author of Learn to Play Chess Like a Boss, a book that is always one of my first recommendations for newer players.  In more recent years, he has worked as a hedge fund analyst.  This varied background gives Patrick unique insights into the intersections of the chess and the business worlds. In our conversation, Patrick shared his opinions on all of the recent controversies which have plagued the chess world. As Patrick explains, the recent flare-ups involving dress codes, prearranged draws and a chaotic qualification process for the FIDE Candidates are all connected. Patrick thinks that the chess world needs a new governing body, and that the game is poised for more explosive growth if this can occur. In addition to all of the news, we caught up on lessons Patrick learned from playing in the US Senior Championship,  and his observations on the continued evolution of chess engines. There is always lots to learn from GM Wolff, and I appreciated hearing his perspective. 0:00- Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsors, Chessable.com!Be sure to check out their new courses including IM Christof Sielecki’s new course, , and if you use this link to sign up for Chessable Pro, and and/or make a Chessable purchase, and it will help support Perpetual Chess. https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro03:00- Patrick shares his thoughts on prearranged draws in light of the Dubov-Nepomniachtchi prearranged draw. Mentioned: Background info here, Video and discussing of it here 13:00- What did Patrick think of the controversy surrounding Anna Maja Kazarian’s footwear? Mentioned: NY Times article 20:00- We discuss the chaotic FIDE Candidates qualification cycle, which culminated in GM Alireza Firouzja scrambling to gain a few rating points.Mentioned: C Squared pod discussion of the issue 28:00- Patrick discusses the history of FIDE, as it has evolved during his career. Mentioned: Florencio Campomanes 51:00- Why didn’t Kasparov’s PCA work?55:00- Patrick shares his thoughts on the April 2024 FIDE Candidates. 57:00- Patrick reflects on his performance in the US Senior Championship. Mentioned: GM Gregory Kaidanov, You can view the games discussed here: https://www.chess.com/events/2023-us-senior-chess-championship/games1:12:00- What age-related effects does Patrick notice, aside from struggling to remember opening lines? 1:15:00- Patrick discusses the way computers are effecting opening theory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guest Jennifer Shahade discusses her new tactics book, chess vocabulary, advice for starting chess clubs, leaving US Chess, and her plans for the future. They also talk about checkmate threats, thinking sideways in chess, and Jennifer's personal journey of blowing the whistle on sexual assault allegations in the chess world.

IM John Donaldson and IM Cyrus Lakdawala share stories of their friend, IM Jeremy Silman. They talk about his journey in chess, his humorous personality, and his success as a writer. The podcast also highlights his work with aspiring chess players and his love for teaching, as well as his deep appreciation for chess books. The guests discuss the challenges faced by American chess players and the importance of chess analysis in books. They remember Jeremy Silman as a talented chess player, a cat dad, and a person with a kind heart.

Famous chess writer and instructor, Jeremy Silman, is remembered through a review of his classic book, The Amateur's Mind. The unique writing style and memorable quotes from the book are discussed, along with Silman's impressive body of work. The accessibility of the concepts and the book's structure are also examined. The chapter on developing mental toughness is highlighted as a fan favorite, and the entertaining critique of grandmasters and instructional games adds humor to the discussion. The hosts rank different chess books and express interest in reading Silman's novel, Biography of a Goat. Guest co-hosts for future book reviews are considered, and the upcoming review of 'Make It Stick' is mentioned.