The Chess Experience – Détails, épisodes et analyse

0100 She’s rated one of Italy’s top female players and has coached adult improvers for years. And she is this show’s first Italian guest! WIM Tea Guecci has had an impressive chess career. She broke records by age twelve, becoming the youngest ever to win the Italian Women’s Chess Championship.

She’s also played and represented her country in two Chess Olympiads.

Recently, she launched her first Chessable course called, “My Secret Sveshnikov: The Sicilian by a Sicilian.”

NOTE: To win the full video version of Tea’s course for free, follow me on Twitter for instructions on the giveaway Chessable & I will be doing between 8/14 and 8/19.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The most common mistakes her adult improvers students make (and how to avoid them.)
• How well can you really learn from reviewing games on your own versus with a coach?
• What factors to consider in choosing which Sicilian to play.

More From Tea:

• Chessable Course: My Secret Sveshikov: The Sicilian by a Sicilian
• Twitch
• Twitter
• Instagram

How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

099 She’s been awarded “Chess Coach of the Month” by Chess.com. Plus, she has a master’s degree in psychology. Meet WFM Fruzsina Szente-Varga! Hailing from Hungary, Fruzsina has spent the past several years coaching adult club players and beginners.

Additionally, she regularly creates excellent chess content through her Twitch & YouTube channels.

In this interview, we discuss: 

• How she uses her master’s degree in psychology to help her students.
• Common mistakes she sees club players making in their improvement journey (and strategies to avoid them.)
• How to set expectations for an OTB tournament so that you don’t get frustrated or disappointed if the event doesn’t go your way.
• Why she dislikes when coaches scold their students for mistakes and how it’s harmful to their development as chess players. 

More From Fruzsina:

• Twitch
• Lichess Coaching Page
• Chess.com Blog
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Instagram

How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

 090 With natural charisma and exceptional chess skills, Dina Belenkaya is perfect for this new era of chess. A serious student of the game all her life, she competed professionally and earned the WGM title in 2016. In 2020, Dina began her new career as a streamer and content creator... 

Just two years later, her popularity soared. Dina delivered bold and funny interviews with the world’s top players at the FIDE Grand Prix, and the videos went viral.

Dina has a sharp wit and a sense of joy in her videos that are rarely seen even amongst other chess celebrities.

These days, she focuses on her chess YouTube channel, where she often plays super GMs in trash-talking blitz games. And, this year, she released her first course and online chess community: Russian Chess School.

We chat:

• Will she continue to beat Levy (Gotham Chess) in Titled Tuesday?
• Why her course is unique and groundbreaking in the chess world. 
• Her goal of earning the IM title and what she needs to achieve it.

More From Dina:

• Course: Russian Chess School
• YouTube Channel
• Instagram
• Twitch
• Twitter

How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

005 In 2020, the chess world was gifted an extraordinary film.  Yet not nearly enough of us saw it.  The pandemic blunted its theater release. So, it never received the attention it deserved. That movie is Critical Thinking, starring John Leguizamo, who also directed the movie.

The film is about the true story of a high school chess teacher who leads the first inner-city school to win a US National Chess Championship, and uses the game to teach them life lessons.

In this episode, I chat with the film's creator and Executive Producer, Carla Berkowitz. We discuss:

• The amazing story of how it took 20 years for the film to get made.
• Behind-the-scenes of recreating realistic chess for a Hollywood film.
• The profound life lessons of chess.
• How chess serves as a refuge for those struggling in life.
• Will there be a "sequel" to this film?

NOTE: There are no spoilers in the interview, so you can enjoy it without seeing the film. But you’ll get even more out of our discussion if you see it first. So, to that end...

Rent or Watch the Film Here:

• Amazon
• Hulu
• YouTube
• Starz

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How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

004 What makes chess improvement so difficult? Crafting a study plan you're confident will work has to be high on the list. In this episode, I dive into what makes a great study plan for any rating level with IM Andras Toth.

Plus, he busts some harmful myths.

Andras is a renowned coach to adults with a blunt, no-nonsense approach to teaching that's refreshing.

He has a highly regarded YouTube channel, plus he's the author of many great courses on Chessable.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The real reason engine analysis is of limited help to your chess improvement (no matter what your amateur rating is.)
• Why it's so important to work with a coach if you want to see long-term progress. 
• The vital importance of studying annotated games.
• A critical, overlooked component to studying tactics that's rarely considered in most people's study plans.

Supplemental Content:
 "How to Master Calculation? What Difference Can a Coach Make?" - Andras recommends this video to further some of the ideas he talked about in this podcast episode, especially the difference of having a coach.

More From Andras:

• YouTube 
• Andra's Chessable Courses
• Twitch 

Resources in this Episode

• BOOK: Best Lessons of a Chess Coach
• BOOK: How to Beat Your Dad At Chess
• VIDEO: Andras's YouTube Amateur Mind Series

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How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

003 Sure, chess is a game of logic.  But it’s also a game of emotions -  both on and off the board. Often, the negative emotions that join us on our chess journey can get the best of us. This episode is designed to help you reduce their harmful impact on your game and enjoyment of the experience. 

To help me, I’m joined by International Master and renowned chess coach, Yuriy Krykun.

Yuriy has had a successful 10-year competitive career in elite chess, has coached over 100 students, is a contributor to Chess.com, and is a course creator on Chessable.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• The best perspective to take the emotional sting out of losing games.
• The cure for being addicted to playing, even when you know you should study more. 
• How playing too much online chess can harm your nerves at OTB tournaments.
• The right attitude when facing higher-rated opponents.

How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

002 In 2021, I made a HUGE return to chess after decades away.  Yep, all inspired by that little Netflix series. But this was no ordinary return to chess.  I spent roughly 3-4 hours a day, 7 days per week studying and playing chess.  For an entire year.

That’s at least 1100 hours.

I’ve boiled it down to 26 minutes of my Top 7 Lessons.

If you’re hoping to boost your rating, I'm confident these lessons will help you.

How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

001 The newest chess podcast has arrived! And it’s a bit different than the others. The goal is to make improvement at chess for adults easier and simpler.  Plus, I’ll inject some fun and humor into the experience.

This is a down-to-earth approach to chess for amateurs and enthusiasts who want to improve.

In this episode, I dive into why I created this show, what you can expect, and a little about me, your chess-obsessed host, Daniel Lona.

How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

089  It’s rare to see an adult club player make a career in chess. This week’s guest, Ono, has done just that. He started like many of us: inspired to dive into the game after watching the Queen’s Gambit.  Which progressed into working studiously on his chess.

Then, he embarked upon a chess blog, called The Ono Zono. Not long after the blog gained traction, Ono started coaching beginners.

Since then, he’s developed a roster of students, appeared on several chess podcasts, and continues to create content for the adult improver community.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 3 strategies for managing limited study time as an adult so you can still make progress.
• Why tackling difficult puzzles too early in your chess journey can be a mistake.
• The top trait Ono observed in his most successful chess students.

More From Ono: 

• Ono’s Website
• Ono’s Free Coaching Lesson
• Ono’s Blog
• Ono’s Twitter

How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

088 Like many chess subjects, knowing what to study for strategy is a bit murky. Especially if you’re a semi-confused club player like myself. So, who better to chat with about this topic than an author who has written three books on the subject? Welcome today’s guest: IM Thomas Willemze.

Over the past six years, Thomas has published three popular books and several courses on the subject of strategy, all specifically aimed at the club player.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why it’s helpful to study both master and amateur games to improve your strategy knowledge.
• Why Thomas chose less common strategy ideas for his foundational book on the subject (like exchanging pieces and utilizing your rooks.)
• The benefits of studying the games of the most recent world champions.

More From Thomas:

• Thomas’ Chessable Courses
• Thomas’ Books (Amazon Link)

How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like: 

• Submitting questions to guests
• A shout-out of your name on the pod
• Vote on future topics/guests 
• Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
• DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)