Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Welcome to the special 1 year anniversary of Chess Journeys! This week on Chess Journeys, Neal Bruce joins me to discuss what I learned this year from playing and podcasting. We cover a wide range of topics and questions from listeners. It's hard to believe that it's been one year already, and It was fun for me to reflect on a whole year of podcasting. 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, JJ Lang stopped by for a conversation about chess improvement. We talked a bit about his own rapid improvement followed by a long plateau. Additionally, we discussed a wide range of topics such as how and when to calculate, the value of coaching, excuses for losses, chasing the IM title, the value of endgame study, and the importance of mastering “easy” tactics. Be sure to check out the Chessfeels podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. 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

Welcome to the 50th episode of Chess Journeys! To cebreate, I bring you a special guest, Jennifer Shahade. We had a great conversation regarding a range of topics. We discussed her experiences as a developing chess player. We chatted about finding the balance between underconfidence and overconfidence. Of course, Jennifer shared some stories from her new book, Chess Queens. We focused on the adult improvers to give us all some inspiration. Be sure to check out Jennifer Shahade’s newest book, Chess Queens! https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Queens/dp/1399701398/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1655952339&sr=8-1 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 Bert. He’s an adult improver trying to juggle parenthood and a career with chess. We spoke extensively about how he uses data analysis to improve his study plans and opening choices. We talked about his choice of the King’s Gambit as a means of maximizing fun and results at his rating level. Bert talked about his study plan and how coaches have impacted his training. We also discussed his fear of playing kids in tournaments. Are they all underrated masters in waiting or do some just hang pieces like other players rated under 1000? 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 Evan. He’s a software engineer, adult improver, and van lifer. We discussed his long journey in chess starting with his weekly chess tournaments as a child culminating in a high school chess championship. It turns out most of his progress was made by playing slower time control OTB tournaments. But he did provide a number of resources for improvement such as Chernev’s Logical Chess: Move by Move. Be sure to check out his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDHbNJ8kCgTQl_9gHy79I1w 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 Jay. He stated with no hesitation his goal of reaching GM as a 40+ adult improver. Jay has a relatable journey full of starting and stopping through the years as life demands have called him away from chess. However, in 2018, Jay returned for good. In our conversation, he discusses how he restructured his life around chasing his goal. We talked about coaching, study plans, and resources such as master level game analysis. As Jay says someone has to make GM as and adult improver, and he would like to be the one who does it! 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, the first ever guest, Jim, returns for a followup interview. We discussed what he has done during the last year, his rating gains, and his OTB experiences. We spent the bulk of the episode talking about Jim’s experiences preparing for the Chicago Open, including his first over the board tournament. 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 Julia from the Chessfeels podcast. We talked about a variety of topics such as the challenge of wanting to invest more of yourself into chess and being limited by time. We talked about Julia’s journey, process, and non-rating focused approach. Of course, we talked about psychology, and Julia provided a few general tips. 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 Braden Laughlin. He recently won a tournament and continues to gain rating points despite being a full time student with a career. We talked a lot about his use of videos early in his progression and his continued use of videos. We also discussed his burnout and what brought him back to chess. It was an inspiring conversation. Be sure to check out his Youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWdkzuIjhhmIa1w69RFuXQA 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 Nick. He’s a chesspunk, Chessable legend, and avid adult improver. We started with Nick’s early journey which saw him improve quickly from about 500-1200 by playing a ton of blitz. We spent a lot of time talking about Nick’s use of Chessable. He recommended his favorite courses and suggested ways of using Chessable more effectively. We also talked about the different resources that helped him get through two plateaus. 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