Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with William. Since 2019, he has gone from 1200 USCF to 2000! What a journey indeed. We talked about what worked for William on his journey. We delved deeply into topics such as videos, introspection, tournament play, calculation, and coaching. William has thought deeply about his own chess and does a great job clearly explaining his ideas about chess improvement. Be sure the check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I’m joined by Rafael. We had a wonderful conversation delving into each of Rafael’s ratings gains. He shared the secrets of his improvement at each level. He started with Youtube, worked on Chessable, and found a coach. I hope you enjoy the episode! Be sure the check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Raptor. We talked extensively about his attempts at programming himself to be an effective chess learner. We spent quite a bit of time discussing Chessable and the Chess Dojo program. Raptor is quite interested in endgames, and we discussed why he spends so much time with them, as well as recommendations for methods of studying endgames. Be sure the check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I talked to NM Craig Clawitter. He’s a full time chess teacher still trying to improve at chess. We discussed his journey from 1200 to 2000 in 3 years and the struggles it took to crack master. Craig provided many resources and tips from his own journey and from his role as a teacher. This was an especially fun episode for me because Craig and I were in the same chess group nearly 20 years ago when I was last serious about chess. We reminisced about our time improving together. You can catch Craig streaming at: https://www.twitch.tv/beerdedchessmaster If you want to take lessons with Craig you can signup here: https://nmcraigclawitter.weebly.com/book-a-lesson.html You can contact Craig at: https://linktr.ee/beerdedchessmaster Be sure the check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Lindsey. We focused on her return to chess through OTB tournaments. She has a unique relationship with the Las Vegas events. We discussed her love of playing OTB, and why it’s so much more meaningful than online for her. We also talked about her goal of becoming a tournament director so that her area can have chess tournaments. We also discussed a wide range of topics such as parenting, chess teaching, having a coach, and the value of openings. Be sure the check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Daniel. He’s an adult improver that started in 2020 at 100 blitz and is now 1400 rapid on Chess dot com. He was initially intrigued by Pog Champs and hooked by Daniel Naroditsky’s videos, which make chess look easy. We talked about a wide range of topics such as ratings anxiety, strategy books, and doing as much chess as you enjoy. Daniel attributes much of his success to developing an opening repertoire, which he believes goes against the normal advice of titled players. Be sure the check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Matt. He’s a teacher and parent who makes time for chess improvement. We talked about how transitioning from a card game (Magic), and the variance that comes with it, made it easier to tolerate losing at chess. We discussed his improvement methods from 500 Chess dot com to 1700 Lichess. This included videos, playing, puzzles, and not many books. Matt is finishing up The Amateur’s mind. We finished by talking about coaching. He has mixed experiences with coaching and we discussed the importance of finding a coach that fits your needs. Be sure the check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke to Oddvar. We talked about his fascinating journey through chess which includes time as a chess boxer and facing Magnus Carlsen in many bullet games. The bulk of our conversation focused on how Oddvar is able to find balance in his life with chess, improvement, and real life. He has been able to find joy in the balance that he has established. Be sure the check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Amanda. She is a dedicated chess improver that has made a rapid rise from 1,000 to 1,800. We talked about the different phases of her improvement journey. She supplied tips and resources for each leg of the journey. We also talked about OTB chess tournaments. We spent extra time discussing the value of the ALTO (at least twenty one) tournament and the camaraderie that was had at an adult gathering. You can check out Amanda streaming at: https://www.twitch.tv/amandala_ Be sure the check otu the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/ If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Shalom or Novachess from Twitter. We talked about Shalom’s rediscovery of chess, his approach, and his training regimine. We also focused on the 2022 World Open, which he both attended. We shared our thoughts, experiences, successes, and frustrations. If you want to hear more about my experiences with the World Open, I am posting a 9 part series with game analysis on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Do1NoUH8dz8 If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5 As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices