Ben Johnson

February 3, 2026

EP 470- GM Yasser Seirawan on Fischer, Najdorf, Silman & How he Became a GM-Level Storyteller

Ben Johnson

February 3, 2026

In the 9 years of Perpetual Chess’ existence, GM Yasser Seirawan is the most requested guest by listeners. It took some time to make it happen, but today the renowned commentator, author, and 4-time US Champion delivers. We chat about:

Yasser is renowned as a storyteller- what does he think the origins are of this skill?
Stories about Bobby Fischer, Bent Larsen, GM Miguel Najdorf, and many others.
The role that IM Jeremy Silman played in helping Yasser craft his popular Winning Chess Series.
Current exhibits at the World Chess Hall of Fame (including “Seirawan Chess”) and exciting renovations at the St. Louis Chess Club

This episode features plenty of laughter and a number of entertaining stories that I hadn’t heard Yasser tell before.

0:00- Here is the link to join the Perpetual Chess Discord:

https://discord.gg/aVWPk6P3

0:00- Thanks to our sponsors, Chessiverse.com. Be sure to check out the Bots and courses, and use the code “Perpetual30” to receive a 30% discount on courses and premium offerings.

0:00- And you can check out Yasser’s Chessable courses here:

https://www.chessable.com/author/Yasser_Seirawan/

0:02- Yasser joins me! He begins by discussing his storytelling roots, and some of the best raconteur GMs- Bent Larsen and Miguel Najdorf.

29:00- Yasser on his love for books and how he managed to write his Play Winning Chess series in such an accessible style.

47:00- Where do the point values for the pieces come from?

Mentioned: NFL player John Urschel, GM Fabiano Caruana

48- ADD BOARD GRAPHICS LATER IF YOU UP FOR IT

56:00- Yasser’s friendship with IM Jeremy Silman, and his favorite authors

Mentioned: Mikhail Tal, Larry Christiansen, John Nunn, Fred Reinfeld

1:12:00- Yasser describes the renovations at the St. Louis Chess Club and the displays at the World Chess Hall of Fame, including one on chess variants.

https://worldchesshof.org/exhibits-programs/current-exhibitions/

Play “S Chess” or Seirawan Chess here:

https://www.chess.com/variants/seirawan-chess

1:23:00- Playing blitz hustlers in NYC

Mentioned: Vincent Livermore, FM Asa Hoffman

1:35:00- The St. Louis Chess Club’s community outreach and work with first responders

Watch Anita Aronian singing here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUEsLaf3R9w

World Chess Hall of Fame Music Performances:

https://www.youtube.com/worldchesshof

1:41:00- One last Botvinnik story!

Ben Johnson

January 27, 2026

EP 469- Author Brad Stulberg on What ‘Excellence’ Means for Amateur Chess Players

Ben Johnson

January 27, 2026

Best-selling author Brad Stulberg has devoted a large part of his professional life to studying what it means to be excellent. He has interviewed peak performers in fields ranging from athletics and music to, of course, chess. His new book, The Way of Excellence distills all he learned. In our conversation, Brad shares tons of helpful advice for anyone looking to improve at something. We tackle topics such as:

– What “pursuing excellence” means for an amateur chess player hoping to get a little bit better
– Why Brad admires chess, and what he learned from interviewing GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave for his new book,
– Brad’s advice for striking a balance between digital and analog life and learning

As a long-time fan of Brad’s writing and podcast, I was honored to speak with him about improving at chess and other domains.

0:00- Be sure to check out the bots and courses at Chessiverse.com. Use the code “Perpetual30” to receive a 30% discount on courses and premium offerings.

2:00- Brad joins the show. What is “arrival fallacy” and is it the same thing as what hikers call "summit fever?”

08:00- Why did Brad want to include chess in a book about excellence?

12:00- How would Brad define excellence for someone engaged in a hobby, such as a chess player who just wants to go up in rating class?

15:00- Brad’s advice for people working hard on chess who are not seeing any rating gains

Mentioned: The Myth of Sisyphus by Camus

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com, you can sign up for Chessable Pro here:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

Check out their new courses here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

22:00- What did Brad learn from an exchange with Kasparov about the value of early-life specialization?

Mentioned: Kasparov’s reply here:

https://x.com/Kasparov63/status/2002428459688341793

25:00- Brad’s experiences as a chess player and parent

28:00- Digital vs. Analog life and the biophilia hypothesis

37:00- The value of consistency over intensity

40:00- What Brad learned from interviewing 70+ elite performers across domains

45:00- Brad’s parting advice

Thanks to Brad for joining me, here is how to keep up with him:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bradstulberg/

Substack:

https://bradstulberg.substack.com/

Webpage:

https://www.bradstulberg.com/

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Ben Johnson

January 20, 2026

EP 468- FM Carsten Hansen on Tactics Plateaus & The Best Recent Chess Books

Ben Johnson

January 20, 2026

Prolific author and book reviewer FM Carsten Hansen returns to Perpetual Chess to talk chess improvement, chess publishing, and to provide a rundown of standout recent chess books. We start with a listener question about plateauing in tactics training. How do we know if we’re just hitting a speed bump, or if we’ve reached our ceiling? From there, we dive deep into chess books, sharing recommendations with both a biographical and improvement focus. Lastly, we discuss Chess Openings for Dummies and Carsten’s many other book projects. I still don’t know how Carsten puts out so much chess material, but it’s always fun to hear about it.

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com, you can sign up for Chessable Pro here:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

Check out their new courses here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

2:00 – Welcome

Prior FM Carsten Hansen interviews: Episodes 84, 206, Book Recap #30

4:00 –Carsten joins: Patreon mailbag question: tactics plateaus and adult improvement

Mentioned: The Chess Wizardy of Wotowa

Invisible Chess moves

Forcing Chess Moves

12:00 – Carsten’s own chess goals and IM aspirations

19:00 – Carsten’s favorite chess books of the past few years

Mentioned:

Tiger’s Chaos Theory

The Stories, Games and Intrigue of Capablanca and Alekhine

Gideon Stahlberg: An Epoch in Swedish Chess

Korchnoi Year by Year

Hubner Year by Year

Alexander Alekhine: The Russian Sphinx

IM Cyrus Lakdawala: Becoming an IM

Converting an Extra Pawn in Chess

Dvoretsky’s Endgame Manual: 6th Edition

Endgame study books by GM Jan Timman and IM Yochanan Afek

29:00 – Carsten discusses his newest project with FM James Eade, Chess Openings for Dummies

Download the Chess for Dummies bonus content here:

https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Chess+Openings+For+Dummies%2C+2nd+Edition-p-9781394345014#downloadstab-section

41:00- Carsten’s other projects:

Mentioned:

Mazukevich’s Madness

Carsten’s Newly Edited Capablanca books:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=carsten+hansen+capablanca&crid=E42JM4JTS3CX&sprefix=carsten+hansen+capablanc%2Caps%2C114&ref=nb_sb_noss

Coming soon: The Canal and Prins Gambits

Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer

53:00 – Closing thoughts and wrap-up

Thanks to Carsten for rejoining me! Here is how to keep up with him:

Website:

https://www.winningquicklyatchess.com/

Email- carstenchess at gmail dot com

Ben Johnson

January 13, 2026

EP 467- GM Surya Ganguly on Gratitude, Overcoming Bad Tournaments & Life Lessons from Vishy Anand

Ben Johnson

January 13, 2026

Grandmaster Surya Ganguly is a six-time champion of India, a popular Chessable author, and a former member of Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship preparation team. He is also a co-founder and coach at ProChessTraining.com, where he works with students ranging from adult amateurs to elite grandmasters.

Surya joined me shortly after returning from the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships, where his own results fell short of expectations. This experience led to a thoughtful and honest discussion about perspective, gratitude, and what truly constitutes a challenge in life.

We also talk about the impact of Indian government support for chess, Surya’s love of 1. E4 and (non-chess) board games, and how recent health scares in his family have helped keep chess in its proper place. I always find Surya to be wise and introspective, and it was an honor to speak with him again.

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com, you can sign up for Chessable Pro here:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

Check out their new courses here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

0:01- Surya Ganguly joins me! He discusses the importance of understanding rather than memorizing, both in chess and in life.

03:30- Observations and lessons learned from competing the 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz

You can see Surya’s bishop ending game, as well as Magnus’ in games 33 and 34 of this Lichess study:

⁠https://lichess.org/study/PbwMAIXZ/y7DRWHu1⁠

14:00- What is it like to teach Pragganandhaa, Aravindh and other top GMs in ⁠ProChessTraining.com⁠ classes?

16:45- Surya’s favorite (non-chess) board games

18:00- Why Surya never shows openings in his classes

23:00- Surya’s approach to teaching lower rated players

26:00- The importance of Surya’s government-supported job at Indian Oil.

32:00- How should students utilize Surya’s course if they don’t have time to consume the 36 hours of video content it offers?

Mentioned:

The idea in the Keres attack is #35 in this study (And can be found in full detail in Surya’s Chessable course!)

⁠https://lichess.org/study/PbwMAIXZ/rRDeHWmk⁠

41:00- Surya’s FIDE Candidates thoughts and plans

42:30- What was it like having an Indian movie made about Surya’s life?

Learn more about Daburu here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6eprCvDPDc

49:00- Can chess be a means of upward mobilization for underprivileged kids in India?

51:00- What Surya learned from spending days with a fishbone stuck in his throat.

Mentioned: Surya’s interview with Chessbase:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0PQmDTtMsI&t=1041s⁠

Must watch interview with Surya about his daughter here:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PKWPZJVMyQ⁠

1:01:00- How working with Anand taught Surya to develop an "eternal student” mindset.

⁠GM Surya Sekhar Ganguly's childhood friends share with us the secrets of what makes Surya great

Photo in thumbnail- By Diptansusengupta - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89961412

Ben Johnson

January 6, 2026

EP 466 – Gaston Franco on the Remarkable Turnaround of the Hammersmith Chess Club and How to Grow Chess in Your Community

Ben Johnson

January 6, 2026

Twelve years ago, the Hammersmith Chess Club in London was down to fewer than 20 members and facing an uncertain future. Today, thanks to committed volunteers, a welcoming culture, and the broader boom in chess, it’s the largest chess club in London, and was recently named ECF Chess Club of the Year.

I’m joined by Hammersmith Club Captain Gaston Franco to discuss the club’s remarkable turnaround and what other communities can learn from it. We cover topics like financial sustainability, league play, and gender dynamics, as well as the importance of creating an inclusive, welcoming environment.

We also explore Gaston’s own chess journey, which highlights one of the game’s great strengths: its ability to provide instant community, especially when moving alone to a new country.

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com, you can sign up for Chessable Pro here:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

Check out their new courses here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! Check out GM Ganguly’s new course here:

https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-suryas-1e4-part-1/course/353840/

2:00- Gaston Franco, the club captain of the Hammersmith Chess Club, joins me

Mentioned:

Watch Charlyze van Zyl’s tour of the Hammersmith Chess Club here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxR6mFl9d4E&t=1s

John White, club chairman

6:00 The Transformation of Hammersmith Chess Club

12:00- Common Club Activities and Structure, How they Appeal to Women and Junior Players

17:00- League Participation and Competitive Play

20:44 Membership Fees and Financial Sustainability

29:47 Sponsorship and Community Support

31:00- How the Club Fielded a team in the FIDE World Team Championship

33:13 Role of Grandmasters in the Club

Mentioned: GM Daniel King

34:28 League Matches and Club Activities

36:55 Chess Outreach and Community Engagement

39:10 Post-Pandemic Chess Boom

41:04 Challenges and Sustainability of Chess Clubs

43:18 Advice for Fledgling Chess Clubs

45:55 Guest Visits and Club Membership

47:24 Gaston’s Chess Journey from Buenos Aires to London

49:29 Comparing Chess Scenes: Argentina vs. London

51:52 The Future of Chess in Argentina

52:43 Community Events and Upcoming Tournaments

Ben Johnson

December 23, 2025

EP 465: Chess Improvement Q&A with IM Junta Ikeda - Tactics, Time Trouble & Training Resources

Ben Johnson

December 23, 2025

Japanese-Australian chess player, trainer, and content creator Junta Ikeda is the 2013 Japanese National Chess Champion and a runner-up in the 2020 Australian Championship. These days, with a full-time job outside of chess, Junta devotes most of his chess energy to helping others improve. He has shared countless insights on his excellent blog, Infinite Chess, which I’ve been reading religiously since its launch. There, Junta offers thoughtful advice on topics such as improving your tactics, managing the clock, and budgeting your study time. For this interview, I compiled questions based on some of his most insightful observations as we explored chess improvement from a wide range of angles. Toward the end of the conversation, we also touched on Junta’s background, chess in Japan, and even picked up a few non-chess book recommendations.

Check out Chessiverse and take out of their end of year sale here:

http://chessiverse.com/

Check out IM John Bartholomew’s Comprehensive Scandinavian Course here:

https://chessiverse.com/courses/scandi

Find out more about Chessdojo’s classes here:

https://www.chessdojo.club/blog/live-classes

Use Code “NY26” to get a free month of the tier program

Use Code “Ben” to save 10% off anything

0:04- Junta joins me! Does Junta’s fellow Canberra, Australia resident, IM Andras Toth exist in real life?

0:06- How does Junta respond to FM Nate Solon’s inflammatory tweet about chess books?

https://x.com/natesolon/status/1988955760965963898?s=20

0:11- Junta’s coaching and content creation background

0:12- What are the most common mistakes Junta sees amateurs make?

0:19- What did Junta learn from the book How to Become a Deadly Chess Tactician?

https://www.amazon.com/How-Become-Deadly-Chess-Tactician-ebook/dp/B00R1GEBNI/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Z6O378WIR3TH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.N7GRGM0C43MwHi0wkoOd4Q.OUSIArElcY7t0S0Mdkw1QamN7cmScGJTrGPSPWQsd74&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+become+a+deadly+chess+tactician&qid=1765990791&s=books&sprefix=how+to+become+a+deadly+chess+tactician%2Cstripbooks%2C128&sr=1-1

22:00- Junta shares some advice from his lifelong battles with time trouble

What I needed to cure my time trouble:

https://juntaikeda.substack.com/p/how-i-escaped-time-trouble-hell

In search of lost time: 20 Time Trouble Tips

https://juntaikeda.substack.com/p/1-in-search-of-lost-time-20-time

EP 383 with Dan Bock

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/5/21/ep-383-dan-bock-an-accomplished-adult-improver-on-how-he-leveled-up-in-his-40s

24:00- How to learn to face your fears

Mentioned: The Uncool by Cameron Crowe

https://www.amazon.com/Uncool-Memoir-Cameron-Crowe/dp/1668059436/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XEAKZ0MJQ4P3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RHw5LGiFNPA7oBVLAXOvjvM8H6xJzOSw-OQn56gSOudTZU-20Kwn-bW2PZWbMEBnqXhJ6lXQRPAA172ciQT6VcMzPmpfqUz6ryhqMjMxkPQ.de8_89wODkBqRftTrhO0iWT_eExxt7iewjYzKXjVkOQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Uncool+by+Cameron+Crowe&qid=1765992878&s=books&sprefix=the+uncool+by+cameron+crowe%2Cstripbooks%2C144&sr=1-1

39:00- The Impact of Talent in Chess

Mentioned: GM Moulthan Ly, GM Max Illingworth

47:00- How did “the worst openings player in Australia” learn to tolerate them?

Mentioned: GM David Smerdon’s The Complete Chess Swindler

51:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! Checkout their holiday sale here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/all/offer/

52:00- What type of challenging exercises does Junta recommend in order to improve calculation?

Mentioned: IM Kostya Kavutskiy’s Endgame Studies 101, IM Tatev Abrahamyan’s Endgame Studies: Solve to Evolve, Domination by Kasparyan, Studies for Practical Players

Sign up for Chessable Pro here:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

1:01:00- Junta’s recommended chess books and resources

Mentioned: Lichess, The Mammoth Book of the World’s Greatest Chess Games , My Great Predecessors

My 10 Memorable Chess Books

https://juntaikeda.substack.com/p/my-10-memorable-chess-books

1:02:00- Is chess growing in Japan despite Shogi’s popularity?

1:08:00- Balancing Chess and Content Creation

1:10:00- Why Junta wishes he had committed more to chess than university

1:13:00- Will Junta pursue the GM title?

Mentioned: Dojo Talks with IM-elect Gauri Shankar

1:15:00- Non chess book recs!

Mentioned: Murakami, Infinite Jest, The Book of Disquiet, Finite & Infinite Games

1:19:00- Thanks to Junta for sharing his advice and perspective!

Here is how to keep up with his work:

Infinite Chess Blog:

https://juntaikeda.substack.com/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@juntaikeda

Website:

https://juntaikeda.com/

Ben Johnson

December 16, 2025

EP 464- IM John Donaldson- Bobby Fischer’s Chess Improvement Advice, the Story Behind His Colossal Rating Leap

Ben Johnson

December 16, 2025

What can Bobby Fischer still teach us about chess improvement? In this episode, renowned trainer, author, and historian IM John Donaldson returns to discuss Fischer’s writing, advice, and training methods, as featured in his new book Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer. We explore Fischer’s views on openings, what he said about his own IQ, and what modern players can realistically take from his approach. I was particularly interested to hear John break down how Fischer went from roughly 2100 strength to an elite player in less than two years. After our Fischer deep dive, John shares his memories of a young Daniel Naroditsky and discusses the outlook for the next U.S. Olympiad team, which he has captained 15 times.

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

Check out special offers from Chessdojo, Chessmood and more here:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners

Sign up for my free chess newsletter here:

https://benjohnson.substack.com/

0:02- Why was Bobby Fischer writing a chess column for Boys Life magazine?
0:07- Are world class talents like Fischer good people to give chess improvement advice?

0:14- Bobby Fischer’s 4 Chess Improvement Tips

0:17- Why was Fischer confident about his match vs. Spassky despite a losing record?

0:20- How did Fischer respond when he was asked about reportedly having a genius-level IQ?

0:24- The impact of Fischer growing up in New York City

0:43- Patreon mailbag question- Why, after all these years, is there still such a cult-like obsession with Fischer?

1:02:00- John’s memories of GM Daniel Naroditsky, who John knew since Danya’s childhood,

Mentioned: GM Gregory Kaidanov, GM Lev Psakhis

1:13:00- Status of the US Olympiad team

1:19:00- Will John pursue the GM title at age 67?

Thanks, as always, to IM John Donaldson for joining me! Here is where to get Inside the Mind of Bobby Fischer.

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Mind-Bobby-Fischer-Annotations/dp/1890085286/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QKKXI2SDOLYS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._2M3HsSJt-U7Bdai-uPvhA.AJtX-b-nDihPzKRJb_BUo7jCkpq_R2sPMhsked9R8GU&dib_tag=se&keywords=inside+the+mind+of+bobby+fischer&qid=1765826270&s=books&sprefix=inside+the+mind+of+bobby+fischer%2Cstripbooks%2C55&sr=1-1

Chess4Less:

https://chess4less.com/products/pre-order-inside-the-mind-of-bobby-fischer-john-donaldson

Also available in Europe:

https://gazellebookservices.co.uk/products/9781890085285?_pos=1&_sid=e49e3c6fa&_ss=r

Ben Johnson

December 9, 2025

EP 463- FM Nick Matta on Immersion, Mindset, and a Remarkable Decade of Chess Improvement (Adult Improver Series)

Ben Johnson

December 9, 2025

The Adult Improver Series returns with the remarkable story of FM Nick Matta, a five-time Louisiana State Champion who made one of the most unusual rating climbs in recent memory. Nick returned to tournament chess as a college freshman and went from roughly 1400 to 2400 USCF over the next decade. In our conversation, he breaks down the habits and mindset shifts that fueled that rise, including:

How complete immersion in chess during his college years accelerated his progress
Why the mental game became increasingly important as he climbed the rating ladder
The books, videos, and tools that helped him at each stage

Nick’s improvement in his 20s may be rare, but his insights are applicable to players of a wide range of levels. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

03:00 – Intro & Announcements
FInd out more about the teaching job opportunity at IS 318 here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/796878173716685/posts/32637324772578611/
Join the Perpetual Chess discord here!

https://discord.gg/syjNaGmA

06:00 – Who Is FM Nick Matta?

Mentioned

Nick was also interviewed in episode 450- Hikaru in Louisiana

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2025/9/9/ep-450-hikaru-in-louisiana-stories-from-his-surprise-appearance-in-the-louisiana-state-championshipnbsp

Check out Nick’s USCF Rating History here:

https://www.uschess.org/datapage/ratings_graph.php?memid=12845401
His rapid rise from 1480 → 2390 and return to chess after Katrina.

Also Mentioned: Pawn Structure Chess by GM Andy Soltis, IM Jeremy Silman’s How to Reassess Your Chess, Pawn Power in Chess

11:30 – How the Improvement Started
Immersion, study habits, book recommendations, and developing a love for feedback.

Mentioned: Kasparov’s My Story with GM James Plaskett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeEY66T0q80

GM Melih Khachiyan’s Evaluation and Planning Series on Chess.com

https://www.chess.com/video/player/evaluation-and-planning---part-1

26:00 – Openings, Training, and Evolution
Why he constantly changed openings, how his training shifted as he reached master level, and learning from top coaches.

Mentioned: GM Gregory Kaidanov, IM John Bartholomew, GM Jacob Aagaard’s Thinking Inside the Box

35:00 – Time Trouble & Mental Game Breakthroughs
Aagaard’s tough feedback, decision-making, cold-plunge training, meditation, and building emotional resilience.

Mentioned: Karpov in a cold plunge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAhtMKhvG1A

59:00 – Coaching, Pursuing the IM Title & Final Advice
Balancing coaching with personal ambition, whether he’ll chase the IM title, and his distilled guidance for adult improvers.

1:15:00- Thanks to Nick for joining me! Here is how to reach him:

Lichess coaches page:

https://lichess.org/coach/nickmatta

Chess.com coaches page:

https://www.chess.com/member/nickmatta

Email-

Nickmatta13 at gmail.com

Ben Johnson

November 26, 2025

EP 462- FIDE World Cup Reflections with GM Felix Blohberger: Blunders, Bouncebacks, Tiebreaks and The New Candidates Field

Ben Johnson

November 26, 2025

As a fascinating and upset-ridden FIDE World Cup comes to an end, 2022 Austrian National Champion GM Felix Blohberger joins me to break down the key moments, share stories from his own World Cup experience, and reflect on his chess career. GM Blohberger has been offering insightful commentary on his YouTube channel where he has been sharing his thoughts on the FIDE World Cup, and was able to elaborate on many themes from his channel in our interview. In our conversation we discuss:

The new Candidates qualifiers: GM Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Andrey Esipenko plus who Felix now sees as the favorite to win the Candidates.
The pressure of tiebreaks including Felix’s take on GM Esipenko’s heartbreaking blunder against Wei Yi, plus what it’s actually like inside the venue between games.
Felix’s chess career: including his favorite books, his rating goals, and reflections on the viral video that helped grow his channel. .

This was another entertaining and surprising World Cup, and I am already excited for the FIDE Candidates next year. Timestamps are below.

0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

01:30 Introduction

05:00- GM Felix Blohberger joins me

Sub to his YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/@febloh

Felix’s video about the challenges of life as a chess pro:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8DW6XShofQ&t=0

Esipenko’s blunder-

https://x.com/GMJuditPolgar/status/1992651679108616301?s=20

07:00 The FIDE World Cup Experience-

10:00 Tiebreaker Tensions and Player Dynamics

14:00 Youth vs. Experience in Chess

15:30- Patreon mailbag question:

Why does Felix think so many players were content to go to tiebreaks?

18:00- Felix’s thought on GM Sindarov

Sindarov’s 2700chess.com rating graph-

https://2700chess.com/players/sindarov_javokhir

22:00 Wei Yi's Comeback Story

24:00 Felix’s big picture conclusions from the World Cup

29:00 Tournament Conditions and Player Experiences

31:00 The Pros and Cons of Making Predictions

33:00 Experiences in the Croatian Chess League

35:00 Confidence Boost from Recent Performances

36:30 Balancing Chess and Content Creation

Felix Rook Endgame Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEESoSw164w

39:00 Resources and Training Techniques

Mentioned: Yusopov’s Build Up Your Chess Series

42:00 Working as a Second for GM Harikrishna

Mentioned: The Anand Files by FM Michael Abeln

49:00 Career Highlights and Favorite Games

Mentioned:

Blohberger-Svane 2023

https://www.chess.com/events/2023-2024-austrian-chess-bundesliga/04/Blohberger_Felix-Svane_Frederik

52:00 Future Plans and Interests Outside Chess

55:00- An update on how he is enjoying life as a chess professional

56:00- Thanks to GM Blohberger for joining me! Here is how to keep up with him:

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@febloh

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/felixblohberger/?hl=en

Website:

https://www.felixblohberger.com/

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Ben Johnson

November 25, 2025

EP 461- IM John Bartholomew on Chess Improvement Lessons, The Scandinavian Defense & His New Business Venture

Ben Johnson

November 25, 2025

IM John Barthomew is a former scholastic national champion turned popular and longtime chess Youtuber and serial entrepreneur. His clear and friendly teaching style has garnered him over 200,000 subs and many devotees of the Scandinavian defense, the opening for which he is best known. In our conversation we discuss:

Five chess improvement conclusions that John drew from playing in (and documenting) The LiChess LoneWolf League
The challenges and rewards of helping to build Chessiverse. Chessiverse offers over 600 “human-like” bots to play against, and is also the site where you can find John’s new, Comprehensive Scandinavian course.
Lastly, John told a few memorable stories about his good friend GM Daniel Naroditsky that reflect Daniel’s unusual talents.

It is always enjoyable talking chess with John, and there are many nuggets to be gleaned from this conversation.

0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

00:00 Intro and Guest Introduction

03:00 IM John Bartholomew joins. We start with John’s chess improvement lessons learned from the LiChess Lone Wolf League

https://lichess.org/@/Fins/blog/what-i-learned-from-playing-lonewolf-league-season-37/19yaMKfW

Here is John’s Lone Wolf game recap playlist-

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl9uuRYQ-6MCYu9m5ji2tJgIoU7JMHkD9&si=Lg1RvP2PhmX2M68Q

06:00- Self-Talk and Thought Process in Chess

09:00- The Importance of Time Management

John’s Using the Clock as a Weapon Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl9uuRYQ-6MD7go55KaMPOGKSHxXhWED_&si=e34rgZ05auwzOauQ

12:00 The Importance of Opening Variety

14:30 The Value of Longer Time Controls

17:30 Introduction to John’s new venture- Chessiverse

21:30 Patreon mailbag questions:

How does Chessiverse compare to other online products? What ratings is it best suited for?

23:30 Comparing Chessiverse to Other Platforms

25:45 Chessiverse's Business Model and Future Plans

29:00 John’s Scandinavian course

33:00 The Evolution of Scandinavian Theory

Mentioned:

Ponomariov-Papaioannou 2003

https://lichess.org/q55Y75PQ#15

39:00 Navigating Course Design Challenges

45:00- The Vision for Chessiverse and Bot Experience

48:30 John’s memories of GM Daniel Naroditsky

Mentioned: John’s tribute-

https://youtu.be/kclevjiPK5I?si=7CO6ydPqkyFNKBjy

Fundraiser for Danya-

https://givebutter.com/naroditsky

52:00-

Thanks to John for rejoining! Here are links to keep up with him:

Newsletter:

https://johnbartholomewchess.com/the-chess-mindset-newsletter-im-john-bartholomew/

Course-

https://chessiverse.com/courses/scandi?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=scandi_search_tier1_purchase&utm_term=chess%20courses&utm_content=185814884617_782203235972_c&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23214933240&utm_term=chess%20courses&utm_content=782203235972&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23214933240&gbraid=0AAAAABc5PsgmfRvqVuvKClF-9oZLSp0mn&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoZDJBhC0ARIsAERP-F_lAVpIoPksVCsZ5LG7GydpV4Wi8KIL4HMSbf_V_ZGei2837lHT57gaAu9fEALw_wcB

Twitter/X:

https://x.com/fins0905?lang=en

55:00- If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:

https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Ben Johnson

November 22, 2025

EP 460- FM Peter Giannatos on GM Daniel Naroditsky’s Life, His Last Days & How We Can Honor Danya’s Legacy

Ben Johnson

November 22, 2025

FM Peter Giannatos, founder of the Charlotte Chess Center, was a close friend of GM Daniel Naroditsky and played a pivotal role in encouraging Daniel to build his post-collegiate life in Charlotte. Peter and the tight-knit Charlotte community spent significant time with Danya, including in the days leading up to his tragic passing. In this conversation, Peter reflects on their friendship, shares what he feels is appropriate about Danya’s final days, and highlights a new fundraiser created to honor Daniel’s legacy. I’m grateful for the clarity and courage Peter brought to this deeply emotional discussion as the chess world begins to process and heal from this immense loss.

0:00- Intro-

Support the fundraiser here:

https://givebutter.com/naroditsky

0:02- FM PeterGiannatos joins the podcast and begins with the story of how he met Danya.

Read Peter’s Eulogy here:

https://x.com/PeterGiannatos/status/1981875015030079553?s=20

IM John Bartholomew’s tribute to Danya:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kclevjiPK5I&t=2s

0:09- Getting Danya to move to Charlotte

19:00- Clarifying the timeline around Daniel’s death

32:00- The weight of the allegations on Daniel

Mentioned: Daniel explains a Bc8 move that some found suspicious

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1g7la27/daniel_narodistky_full_analysis_of_the_move_bc8/

43:00- How to honor Daniel’s legacy

57:00- One last Danya story

check out the games from "The Meatball Match" here:

⁠https://www.chess.com/c/2PprrfhA6⁠

1:02:00- Thanks to Peter for sharing so many personal stories during a difficult time. Here is how to support Danya's legacy if you are so inclined:

⁠⁠https://givebutter.com/naroditsky

Ben Johnson

November 18, 2025

EP 459- GM Maurice Ashley on Pursuing Excellence, Seeking Novelties, and His Extraordinary Chess Journey

Ben Johnson

November 18, 2025

This week’s guest is U.S. Chess Hall of Famer GM Maurice Ashley. Maurice will forever be known as the first African American to earn the Grandmaster title, yet he has gone on to build a varied and distinguished career across all facets of the game. He is a popular author and highly regarded Chessable creator, a teacher, an organizer, and a frequent commentator for major chess events, often from the St. Louis Chess Club. Maurice and I discussed:

His perspective on chess improvement, as a rare late-starter who began tournament play at fourteen and still reached the Grandmaster level
What we can learn from the ascent of GM Brewington Hardaway, who recently became the second African American GM at age fifteen
The difference between being competitive and striving for excellence

We also touched on the lessons Maurice learned from organizing the “Millionaire Chess” tournaments, his passion for salsa dancing and puzzle composition, and whether he has experienced any “pinch me” moments on his journey from “walking barefoot to school in Jamaica” to giving TED Talks and teaching chess to Will Smith. I have long looked forward to interviewing Maurice, and the conversation did not disappoint.

0:00- Check out Maurice’s popular and highly reviewed courses here:

https://www.chessable.com/author/GMAshley/

0:03- Maurice’s chess improvement advice- why people shouldn’t focus on doing things “quickly.”

Mentioned: New York Times article about the Raging Rooks

https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/26/nyregion/harlem-teen-agers-checkmate-a-stereotype.html

Maurice’s Chessable Q & A-

https://www.chessable.com/discussion/thread/1187730/ask-maurice-ashley-anything-special-qa-/

Cover Stories with Chess Life Interview:

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-sskej-f237dc?download=1

10:30- Maurice’s observations about young GM Brewington Hardaway, who recently became the 2nd ever African American GM, at age 15.

Mentioned: You can read Maurice’s article about GM Hardaway here:

https://new.uschess.org/news/inside-story-long-time-coming

17:00- Patreon mailbag question:

Maurice’s siblings are kickboxing and boxing champions. What did they do to cultivate such achievement?

20:00- Which chess player got GM Maurice Ashley into salsa dancing?

23:00- Patreon mailbag question: ‘What are Maurice’s reflections on the Millionare Chess tournaments that he founded?”

28:30- What is the vision for Maurice’s “Clutch Chess,” which took place recently at the St. Louis Chess Club?

32:00- Is commentating still Maurice’s favorite professional activity?

36:00- Maurice’s passion for designing chess puzzles and courses

Mentioned: The puzzle that (temporarily) stumped MVL is here:

https://x.com/MauriceAshley/status/1609261621247086592?s=20

42:00- Has Maurice ever had a “pinch me” moment?

45:00- Maurice’s struggles after earning the GM title

49:00- The origins of Maurice’s communication skills

52:00- What does Maurice want his chess legacy to be?

54:00- Maurice’s next projects

59:00- Thanks to Maurice for joining me! Here is how to keep up with his many activities:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mauriceashleychess/?hl=en

Chessable:

https://www.chessable.com/author/GMAshley/

X/Twitter:

https://x.com/MauriceAshley?lang=en

Ben Johnson

November 11, 2025

EP 458: Pawel Kacprzak: The Founder of Chessvision.ai on Scanning Chess Diagrams, Digital Flashcards, and Building a Chess Business

Ben Johnson

November 11, 2025

Polish programmer and chess enthusiast Pawel Kacprzak joins me to share the story behind Chessvision.ai. Chessvision.ai is a helpful app and browser extension that can scan chess diagrams and connect them to related YouTube videos and chess books, and allows you to easily turn these positions into digital flashcards. We talk about how Pawel’s side project grew into a full-time business, what it takes to build tech tools for chess players, and what Pawel has planned next for his growing platform.Pawel also discusses his enthusiasm for following professional chess, and his own approach to chess improvement. I have become a big fan of Pawel’s product, and I enjoyed chatting with him.

Thanks to our sponsor ⁠Chessable.com⁠, check out their Black Friday sale here:

⁠https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/all/offer/?utm_source=chessable&utm_medium=shop_hero_banner&utm_campaign=enblackfriday2_2025⁠

0:02- Pawel Kacprzak joins me!

Mentioned: NM Han Schut’s video overviews of Chessvision.ai

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqwK8Q1NEjg⁠

03:00 The Impact of Daniel Naroditsky

06:00 Pawel's Journey into Chess and Programming

10:30 Evolution of Chessvision.ai

17:00 ⁠Patreon mailbag question⁠: Can one use Chessvision.ai to scan diagrams from physical chess boards?

19:00 ⁠Patreon mailbag question⁠: What features will Pawel work on developing next?

23:00 Subscription Models and Accessibility

28:00 Community Engagement and Support

29:30- ⁠Patreon mailbag question⁠: Does Pawel consider himself an adult improver?

33:30 Chess Resources and Learning

35:30 Closing Thoughts and Advice

Thanks to Pawel for joining me! Here is how to reach him, as well as how to find out more about Chessvision.ai:

Email- Pawel at ⁠Chessvision.ai⁠

Twitter/X-

⁠https://twitter.com/ChessvisionAI⁠

Discord-

⁠https://discord.gg/zkcBPhWhme⁠

Ben Johnson

November 11, 2025

Bonus Pod- After Plenty of Upsets- 32 Players Remain in the FIDE World Cup (with IM Michael Rahal from Goa)

Ben Johnson

November 11, 2025

The 2025 FIDE World Cup has been as dramatic as ever. Top seeds like GM Gukesh D, Ian Nepomniatchtchi, and Anish Giri have been eliminated, but we still have some top 10 stalwarts remaining, as well as many surprise advancers to the Round of 32.

Joining from Goa, FIDE Press Officer IM Michael Rahal helps break it all down. We discuss:

Should we be surprised by the number of upsets?
The performances of veterans like GM Peter Leko (still in) and GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (eliminated)
Whether the reports of poor playing conditions in Goa are well-founded
Key matchups to watch when play resumes tomorrow, and who might clinch a FIDE Candidates spot

Timestamps for topics discussed are below.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the World Cup

02:00- IM Michael Rahal joins

04:32 Patreon mailbag question- Does the number of upsets suggest that the top players are protected?

Mentioned: Chessnumbers-data

https://x.com/ChessNumbers/status/1986634183415111831?s=20

Peter Leko interview with Chessbase India-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Fh1lQBmGI&t=3s

07:18 Notable Matches

10:15 The Impact of Player Preparation and Conditions

13:17 Match Predictions and Player Insights

16:05 Reflections on Chess Legends and Their Influence

21:19 Reflections on Ivanchuk’s Press Conference

23:05 Reflections on Daniel Naroditsky

25:06 Tournament Conditions and Player Experiences

Tweet from GM Neiksans:

https://x.com/GMNeiksans/status/1986117054911684978?s=20

34:17 Upcoming FIDE Candidates in Cyprus

36:00- Breaking down the brackets

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1osncpq/world_cup_2025_pairings_for_final_32/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

42:53 Rest Day Activities and Team Spirit

44:00- Thanks to IM Michael Rahal for joining me!

Here is how to keep up with him:

X:

https://x.com/Rahal_Michael

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/michaelanthony.rahal/

FIDE YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@FIDE_chess

Ben Johnson

November 6, 2025

EP 457- IM Carissa Yip: Her Memories of Danya, Pursuing Chess Professionally and Reflecting on her 4th US Women’s Championship

Ben Johnson

November 6, 2025

Fresh off her third consecutive (and fourth overall) U.S. Women’s Championship title, I was honored to catch up with 22-year-old IM Carissa Yip. Carissa has taken a gap year from Stanford University and is immersed in a demanding schedule of training and competition. She’s had some excellent results this year and is now ranked #21 among women in the world.

Despite her success, Carissa has also experienced the emotional ups and downs that every serious chess player can relate to. In our conversation, she discusses:

Her personal recollections of GM Daniel Naroditsky, including how he once went out of his way to help her prepare during a major tournament.
The helpful opening advice recently shared with her by her friend and coach, GM Awonder Liang.
How she overcame sluggish starts to win both the 2025 U.S. Women’s Championship and the Cairns Cup.

Carissa shared a mix of funny stories and thoughtful reflections on her training regimen, the gender gap in chess, and her advice for improvement. She even recommended a novel to read and touched on her passion for writing. I really enjoyed catching up with Carissa and am excited to see her bright future continue to unfold.

0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

0:02- Carissa joins the pod. She begins by sharing her recollections of GM Daniel Naroditsky

Mentioned: Zatonskih-Yip 2020

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2011266

0:05- Carissa had slow starts at both Cairns Cup and this US Champs- Why?

0:07- Carissa’s training regimen

Mentioned: Killer Chess Training

0:09- Carissa’s Opening Approach

Mentioned: GM Awonder Liang

Check out Carissa’s US Championship Games here:

https://lichess.org/study/etqoyX0E/QRi8cCdw

17:00- How to approach a new opening

19:00- Carissa’s approach to training games

22:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Would Carissa prefer a corporate career or to pursue chess professionally?”

24:30- Carissa retells the story of a funny bet between GM Awonder Liang and GM Sam Shankland

Mentioned: February 2025 Chess Life Magazine

https://new.uschess.org/magazine/feb-25-chess-life

28:00- Patreon mailbag question: “How can I overcome a slow start, as Carissa has done repeatedly?”

36:00- Carissa’s fiction recommendation:

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

38:00- Carissa’ passion for writing

40:00- How does Carissa describe the e-sports experience of the recent USA vs. India match? l

48:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Why does Carissa think no female player subsequent to Judit has reached her level of dominance?”

54:00- Patreon mailbag question: “If Carissa could ask men in chess to do one thing differently, what would it be?”

57:00- Carissa discusses her friendship with rising American star, IM Alice Lee

59:00- Carissa’s upcoming tournaments

1:01- Carissa’ chess improvement advice!

Thanks to Carissa for joining me again! Be sure to follow her on X and Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/carissayip/

https://x.com/carissayipchess?lang=en

Image in thumbnail by Lennart Ootes via St. Louis Chess Club

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stlchessclub/54876804247/in/album-72177720329882462

Ben Johnson

October 28, 2025

EP 456- GM Andy Soltis on Plateaus, Dual Careers, and his Many Brushes with Chess Legends

Ben Johnson

October 28, 2025

GM Andy Soltis is a U.S. Chess Hall of Famer, prolific author, and longtime Chess Life columnist who has left a lasting mark on American chess while balancing a decades-long career as an editor at the New York Post. His recent memoir, Deadline Grandmaster, retraces those parallel paths and shares remarkable stories such as playing a 16-year-old Vishy Anand, meeting Mikhail Tal, corresponding with Irving Chernev, and unknowingly crossing paths with Bobby Fischer. In our conversation, Andy revisits several of these moments and reflects on the challenges of chess improvement. We explore why players plateau, how to identify their own chess styles, and what today’s players can learn from history’s greats. Toward the end, Andy mulls his next project and discusses how chess publishing has evolved through the decades. It’s always a privilege to hear Andy’s stories, and I highly recommend Deadline Grandmaster for many more of them.

This episode was recorded on October 16, 2025 and thus does not discuss the tragic news of GM Daniel Naroditsky’s passing.

To download the episode, click the “share” button and select download above

0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

0:00-

Perpetual Chess Improvement is finally available on Audible!

https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Chess-Improvement-Practical-World-Class/dp/B0FHWWC2ZX/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0

0:02- GM Andy Soltis joins! He begins by sharing his thought on rating plateaus.

Mentioned:

Note on FM Nate Solon’s unusual rating gains:

https://substack.com/@zwischenzug/note/c-166416052?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1juy4

11:00- We discuss Andy’s excellent memoir Deadline Grandmaster- did Andy ever seriously consider becoming a chess professional?

Mentioned:

14:00- How did Andy earn the Grandmaster title?

Mentioned: IM Norman Weinstein, IM Sal Matera, IM Jack Peters

16:00- Vishy Anand stories

Mentioned: More on Andy’s early encounter with Vishy in Calcutta here:

https://en.chessbase.com/post/vishy-anand-a-passionate-portrait-part-three

20:00- Mikhail Tal stories

22:00- Patreon mailbag question: What is a good first book about Soviet Chess history?

Mentioned:

Soviet Chess: 1917-1991 by GM Andy Soltis

24:00- Andy’s recollections of the famed Lone Pine tournament

30:00- GM Walter Browne stories

35:00- Patreon mailbag questions: a) Why didn’t Alekhine play a rematch with Capablanca? b) Can Andy recommend an Alekhine biography?

Mentioned: Alexander Alekhine- THe Russian Sphinx: Volume 1

The Real Paul Morphy

38:00- Patreon mailbag question: Are there any plans to do an updated edition on Andy’s US Championship?

https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Chess-Championship-1845-1996/dp/0786402482/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DC5Q7FF5MKY6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IYZoPqWvJ0bdS3_2d3Qewg.tinoi7uw9EjPATAcLC1Pqdxp0hjkvFqcFvkoPdUzENc&dib_tag=se&keywords=soltis+us+championship&qid=1760732231&s=books&sprefix=soltis+us+championship%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-1

40:00- Bobby Fischer stories

Mentioned: GM Peter Biayasis, IM Anthony Saidy

42:00- Andy’s interactions with legendary author Irving Chernev, also mentioned Fred Reinfeld

50:00- What can we learn from figuring out our chess styles?

Mentioned: Reveal Your Chess Style

Reveal Your Chess Style: Soltis, Andrew: 9781849949965: Amazon.com: Books

57:00- The state of chess book publishing

Mentioned: GM James Tarjan

If you are interested in joining the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can find out more information here:

Ben Johnson | creating Perpetual Chess Podcast | Patreon

Ben Johnson

October 14, 2025

EP 455- Marcos Patricio Macedo: A Forensic Detective’s Reflections on Chess, Balance, and Burnout

Ben Johnson

October 14, 2025

The Adult Improver Series⁠ returns with a fascinating story that highlights the broad appeal of chess. Marcos Patricio Macedo is a Brasília-based forensic detective, dad, and chess enthusiast who rediscovered the game in 2018 and hasn’t stopped since. Chess has become a welcome escape from the pressures of his homicide-investigation work, and he’s helped build community both locally and among fellow officers.

Marcos believes in the game’s value so deeply that he helped restore chess as an event in the World Police & Fire Games, an international gathering for first responders. In our conversation, he shares:

What it took to bring chess back to the games
How it was received and what might come next
His mixed feelings about balancing chess with family, work, and improvement
Lessons from coaches, online study, and his first major OTB tournament

Marcos’ relatable story reveals both the rewards and the potential pitfalls of dedicating a lot of time to chess as a hobby.

Click here to Download the Episode

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:

⁠https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro⁠

And you can check out their new offerings here:

⁠https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/⁠

Try ⁠Chess.com⁠ (try for free):

⁠http://go.chess.com/Perpetual⁠

If you know a scholastic player who could use high quality online group lessons, be sure to check out Silver Knights Chess Academy..

⁠chessacademy.com/online ⁠

Use coupon code- "pod" to save 50% on the first month.

0:00- You can join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community here:

⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess⁠⁠

02:00- What got Marcos back into chess in 2018?

07:00- Similarities and differences between chess analysis and forensic analysis

10:00- Marcos’ approach to improving at chess

Mentioned: GM Rafael Leitão, Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel, GM Daniel Naroditsky

15:00- Chess as a stress reliever for a first responder

20:00- Marcos tells the story of his successful advocacy to get chess included in the recent World Police & Fire Games

30:00- Why does Marcos think his interest in chess waned when he returned from the World Police & Fire Games ?

Mentioned: Silman’s The Amateur’s Mind, Coach ⁠FM Juan Cruz Arias ⁠

40:00- Marcos’ previous OTB experiences

43:00- The chess scene in Brazil

44:00- Marcos’ next move

49:00- Closing thoughts

Mentioned: EP 429 with Omar Mills

⁠https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2025/4/8/ep-429-omar-mills-chess-and-life-lessons-learned-from-not-improving-as-much-as-he-expected⁠

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠).

Ben Johnson

October 7, 2025

EP 454 — Hanging Pawns (Stjepan Tomić) Shares Book Recs for Every Level & Discusses His Big New Project

Ben Johnson

October 7, 2025

Stjepan Tomić has built a sizable following through his beloved Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel, but good old-fashioned chess books remain his true passion. That passion has led to his ambitious new project, ChessReads.com, a free platform designed to help players of all levels find the right book for their needs through crowdsourced reviews. The project already features its own YouTube channel, Discord server, and a growing website filled with helpful writeups.

To celebrate the site’s launch, Stjepan joined me for a wide-ranging conversation about the enduring value of chess literature. We answered listener questions about whether books are still as vital as ever, how Stjepan chooses what to read next, and we shared recommendations across nearly every rating band. Stjepan also updated us on his own chess improvement goals and upcoming tournaments.

As a fellow chess bibliophile, I’m excited about the ChessReads project and enjoyed catching up with Stjepan. Timestamps for all topics and rating ranges are below, along with Amazon affiliate links to the books mentioned.

Click here to Download the Episode

If you know a scholastic player who could use high quality online group lessons, be sure to check out Silver Knights Chess Academy..

chessacademy.com/online

Use coupon code- "pod" to save 50% on the first month.

0:03- Stjepan joins the pod! What is the chessreads.com origin story?

Mentioned Episode 117 with Stjepan:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2019/3/12/episode-117-stjepan-tomi-adult-improver-series

The Perpetual Chess Recommended Books List is here:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/book-recommendations

Also mentioned:

Chessreads Discord-

https://discord.gg/gbFZGDw4

0:05- Patreon mailbag question: “1) Are chessbooks useful/optimal as chess improvement tools in the modern digital era? 2) Are modern books and older classics equally useful?”

Mentioned: Simple Chess by Michael Stean, My 60 Memorable Games, Irving Chernev’s Book

15:00- Patreon mailbag question:

“Could Stjepan recommend a few books that can be read without a chessboard?”

Mentioned: Perpetual Chess Improvement, Thinking Inside the Box

In Black and White, GM Jan Timman’s Books, Profile of a Prodigy, Endgame

Check out Stjepan’s interview with GM Aagaard here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvjkECy9o8A&t=2s

19:00- Patreon mailbag question: “How does Stjepan select which chess book to read next?”

Mentioned: Life and Games of Mikhail Tal , Timman’s Art of the Endgame

21:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What recommendations does Stjepan have for books about thinking processes?”

Mentioned: Think Like a Super Grandmaster, Tournament Battle Plan, Applying Logic in Chess

Perpetual Chess Improvement, Thinking Inside the Box, How to Study Chess on Your Own

Seven Deadly Chess Sins, Chess for Zebras, Game Changer, Under The Surface, Improve Your Chess Now, Dan Heisman’s Guide to Chess Improvement

Also Mentioned:

Dr. Can Kabadayi’s Chessable Courses:

https://www.chessable.com/author/Can_Kabadayi/

26:00- Book Recommendations by rating range, starting with under 1000

Mentioned: Chess Pattern Recognition for Beginners

1001 Chess Endgame Exercises

Everyone’s First Chess Workbook

Also on Chessable:

https://www.chessable.com/everyones-first-chess-workbook/course/71738/

32:00- Recommendations for the 1000-1200 level

Mentioned: Winning Chess Series by Seirawan

Instructive Chess Miniatures

33:00- - Recommendations for the 1200-1400 level

Mentioned:

Silman’s Endgame Course

Learn Chess Tactics by GM John Nunn

Understanding Chess Middlegames by GM John Nunn

Lessons with a Grandmaster by GM Boris Gulko and Dr. Joel Sneed

My Best Games Smyslov

My Best Games Alekhine

Capablanca’s Best Chess Endings

37:00- Recommendations for the 1400-1600 level

Mentioned: Pump Up Your Rating by GM Axel Smith

Life and Games of Mikhail Tal

Fire on Board by GM Alexei Shirov

41:00- Recommendations for the 1600-1800 level

Chess Tactics From Scratch

The Exchange Sacrifice According to Tigran Petrosian

Chess Structures

From Amateur to IM

44:00- Recommendations for the 1800-2000 level

Mammoth Book of World’s Greatest Chess Games

Think Like a

Aagaard’s GM Preparation

Secrets of Endgame Strategy

Learn from the Legends

47:00- Recommendations for the above 2000 level

Positional Decision Making in Chess

Supreme Chess Understanding

Lessons on Uncompromising Play

Technique in Chess

56:00-

Chess improvement update from Stjepan

1:00:00- Impromptu discussion- what makes some countries better at chess (and other competitive endeavors) than others?

Mentioned: Grandmasters per capita per Chess Stack Exchange:

https://chess.stackexchange.com/questions/34893/which-countries-have-the-most-gms-per-capita

1:00:00-

Check out Stjepan’s interview with me about my book on the Chessreads channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plMpTaO3Z2Y

Perpetual Chess Improvement is finally available on Audible!

https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Chess-Improvement-Practical-World-Class/dp/B0FHWWC2ZX/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0

1:10:00- Thanks to Stjepan for joining me again. Here is how to keep up with him and the ChessReads project.

Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@HangingPawns

Chessreads YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@ChessReadsCom

Chessreads Discord-

https://discord.gg/gbFZGDw4

Chessreads

chessreads.com

X

x.com/chessreads

Instagram

instagram.com/chessreads

Ben Johnson

September 30, 2025

EP 453- IM-elect Tatev Abrahamyan on the Long Road to her New Title.

Ben Johnson

September 30, 2025

Despite an impressive chess résumé as one of the U.S.’s top women players, Tatev Abrahamyan has had moments when she questioned whether or not it was all worth it. After a prolonged slump, she not only considered giving up on ever earning the International Master title, but she nearly quit competitive chess altogether. Fortunately, Tatev persevered. Earlier this year, she unexpectedly finished second in the Woman’s American Cup, and then in August, she delivered a standout result that earned her the International Master title at age 37 — more than 10 years after achieving her final required norm! Remarkably, Tatev’s performance was so strong that she also secured her first GM norm.

In our conversation, Tatev reflects on:

Why a timely vote of confidence from a mentor propelled her toward a $30,000 prize
Opening advice and the enduring value of endgame studies
What she has learned from this roller-coaster journey — and what she advises others facing slumps

Tatev’s story is both candid and inspiring, and I look forward to following her next chapter at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Championship and beyond.

Click here to Download the Episode

0:00- Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com:

Check out Tatev’s courses here- and if you sign up for Chessable Pro, be sure to use this link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

0:02- Late last year, after a slump, Tatev was “despondent” with her chess? Did she seriously consider quitting?

0:05- Once she didn’t quit, how did she prepare for the American Cup?

0:08- Tatev’s tournament routine and mindset

Mentioned: IM Kostya Kavutskiy, GM Josh Friedel, Endgame Labaratory by GM Jacob Aagaard

0:11- Why does Tatev think her results turned around at the American Cup?

Mentioned: GM Yasser Quesada Perez

0:15- Tatev’s next tournaments in Spain and Budapest

0:18- Tatev’s approach to openings

0:20- When did Tatev start to think that earning the IM title was becoming realistic?

0:24- Patreon mailbag question: “Was there any change to Tatev’s mindset leading up to this breakthrough?”

Mentioned: You can check out Tatev’s games from the tournament here:

https://www.chess.com/events/budapest-one-week-budapest-one-week-gm

FM Mike Klein’s article about Tatev’s title:

https://www.chess.com/news/view/abrahamyan-plays-best-tournament-of-career-earns-im-title-gm-norm

26:00- Meeting up with Judit after the tournament!

34:00- More reflections on Tatev’s tournament

Mentioned: IM Kostya Kavutskiy’s blog post about analyzing with Ivanchuk

https://hellokostya.substack.com/p/2025-spring-eurotrip

40:00- The US Women’s Championship

41:00- Tatev discusses her Chessable course and her fondness for endgame studies.

Mentioned:

Chess Studies: Solve to Evolve

https://www.chessable.com/chess-studies-solve-to-evolve/course/300770/

49:00 Tatev’s next projects

51:00- Will Tatev pursue the GM title?

Mentioned: Jeanne Sinquefeld prize for a woman earning the GM title

https://www.chess.com/news/view/jeanne-cairns-sinquefield-award-us-female-grandmasters

Also mentioned: GM Felix Blohberger

https://www.chess.com/news/view/being-a-chess-professional-in-europe-sucks-blohberger

55:00- Thanks to Tatev for joining us!

You can reach her via the Lichess coaches page:

Ben Johnson

September 23, 2025

EP 452: GM Daniel King — The Grand Swiss, Candidates Spots, and What It Takes to Win High-Stakes Swiss Tournaments

Ben Johnson

September 23, 2025

The FIDE Grand Swiss always seems to deliver drama, and this year’s edition was no exception. To help break it all down, I am joined by popular commentator, Chessable author, and host of the Power Play Chess YouTube channel, GM Daniel King.

In our conversation, Daniel shares his takeaways on:
• The common thread that fueled the successes of GMs Anish Giri and Matthias Blübaum
• Standout performances from young stars like GMs Erdogmus, Mishra, and Woodward
• Why the Women’s Grand Swiss produced fewer surprise qualifiers
• A look ahead to the FIDE World Cup and the fight for the remaining Candidates spots

We also touch on tournament formats, opening preparation, and Daniel’s current projects. This was a fascinating event to follow and an equally fun one to recap with GM King.

Click here to Download the Episode

Thanks to our sponsors, Silver Knights Chess Academy. If you know a scholastic player who could use high quality online group lessons, be sure to check them out.

chessacademy.com/online

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0:00- Intro

0:03- Whose play impressed Daniel?

Mentioned:

Pragganandhaa-Mishra 2025

https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/04/Praggnanandhaa_R-Mishra_Abhimanyu

Keymer-Bluebahm 2025

https://www.chess.com/events/2025-fide-grand-swiss-open/10/Keymer_Vincent-Bluebaum_Matthias

IM Greg Shahade’s tweet-

https://x.com/GregShahade/status/1967742931122724924

10:00- How will Bluebahm fare in the Candidates?