Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

They break down each player's chances in the 2026 Candidates and compare those picks to betting odds. Discussion ranges from underrated outsiders and rising young stars to veterans with stamina and life distractions. They explain rating effects over 14 rounds, debate volatility and expected scores, and tease a fantasy contest where listeners can predict the final standings.

They debate how becoming a parent affects chess performance, from short-term sleep and hormone hits to long-term recovery. Real examples include top players and personal chess-dad anecdotes. Science topics cover sleep loss, testosterone shifts, and cognitive effects. They also discuss ways to mitigate declines and whether parenthood can ultimately boost motivation and resilience.

FM James Canty III, chessboxing world champion, coach, and content creator pursuing IM/GM norms. He recounts winning in Serbia and the clash of boxing and chess. Training routines, breathwork, and nootropics come up. He also discusses balancing streaming, coaching, family, and future plans in chessboxing.

A spirited debate about whether draw offers should be eliminated from chess. They trace the rule's 19th-century origins and its ritual role. Conversation turns to why elite players agree quick draws, and how tournament culture, incentives, and formats shape fighting chess. A controversial Blitz incident and practical compromise ideas round out the discussion.

Felix Blohberger, an Austrian grandmaster, coach, and content creator, talks about life as a modern chess professional. He covers balancing playing, coaching, and content creation. He also discusses training routines, opening preparation, tournament economics, and building sustainable chess income.

They review the Netflix documentary Queen of Chess and debate what the film gets right and what it leaves out. Conversation digs into the Polgar family experiment, training methods, and what made Judit rise to the top. They compare her results to other greats, recall famous controversies, and question why her breakthrough did not spark a larger surge in top female players.

IM John Donaldson, International Master, chess historian and author who curates Fischer’s writings. He discusses Fischer’s enduring instructional games, the King’s Indian Attack nuances, Fischer’s obsession with analytical accuracy, the origins and character of “the Rat” opening, and how regular tournament play sharpens study. Short, vivid conversations about technique, history, and practical improvement.

Zach (TheChessNerd), online player and content creator, weighs in on modern chess training tools. They rank Puzzle Rush, blitz, longer online play, e-boards, blindfold training, bots and AI tutors. Short takes include debates on speed tactics, visualization work, spaced repetition and the pros and cons of bullet and engine analysis.

ChessNerd, a passionate chess aficionado and historical expert, joins the team to debate the top 10 chess tournaments ever. They explore iconic events like the London 1851, detailing its role in shaping international chess, and dissect Fischer's incredible performance at the 1964 U.S. Championship. The panel dives into the controversial 1948 World Championship, praises Topalov's dominance in 2005, and reflects on the significance of tournaments like Zurich 1953, all while debating what truly makes a tournament legendary.

GM Artur Yusupov joins the podcast to discuss his work with the Women in Chess Foundation. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips