Perpetual Chess Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

The 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad begins September 11, 2024 in Budapest, and will feature many of the world’s top players. It is always a fun tournament for players and fans alike with its unique format and the opportunity for players to represent their countries. Joining me to help preview this year’s edition is 14- time British Chess Olympian, author, and 3 time British champion, GM Jonathan Speelman. Before Jon joins me, I discuss storylines I am excited for, including Magnus’ return to classical chess, a star-studded Indian team, and the Olympiad debut of a young British star. At the 14 minute mark, GM Speelman joins me to share some of his own Olympiad memories, as well as to share his thoughts on this year’s edition. The Olympiad is always one of my favorite tournaments to follow, and you can be sure that Perpetual Chess will be following and covering this year’s edition in detail. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  Check out the app of our new sponsors Chess Universe in your app store.  https://chess-universe.sng.link/Dqw52/kbhh 0:12:00- 10 storylines I am excited for the in the Olympiad Mentioned: You can see the Olympiad rosters: Thanks to our longtime sponsors, Chessable.com!  If you sign up for Chessable pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 14:00- GM Jonathan Speelman joins me and reflects on his Olympiad experiences as a player and trainer.  Mentioned:  Kasparov-Speelman 1980  https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1069881 36:00- Jon shares his thoughts on this year’s Olympiad.  Mentioned:  2700chess.com  55:00- Jon reminsices about the 1988 Olympiad, the young Polgar sisters and “Grandmaster Clash” Check out Grandmaster Clash here: Grandmaster Clash - 28th Chess Olympiad 1988 with Stephen Fry 1:00- Predictions?  1:00- Thanks, as always to GM Speelman for joining me, you can subscribe to this Twitch channel here:  https://www.twitch.tv/jonspeelman 1:02- If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 6, almost two years to the day after their fateful game at the Sinquefield Cup, Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann will meet at Chess.com’s Speed Chess Championship. They will play in front of an audience in Paris, France.  Joining me to discuss the history of this feud, and the details of this match is popular commentator, YouTuber and Twitch streamer GM Ben Finegold. Does Hans have a chance given his impressive play lately? Since Magnus has been refusing to play Niemann, is there a chance that Magnus won’t show up to the match? What openings might we expect?  We dive into these questions and many more in our conversation.  All the information you need about the match is here: https://www.chess.com/events/info/2024-speed-chess-championship Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com! Check out my new course here, Identifying Critical Moments in Chess, here: https://www.chessable.com/identifying-critical-moments-in-chess/course/248353/ 1:30- Hans has been on a massive heater and has cracked the top 20 in Classical for the first time.  Can he actually win?  5:00- Does Ben agree with Hikaru that Magnus has a particular edge in bullet? Mentioned: Hikaru on Hans-Magnus in Paris https://youtube.com/shorts/y3MkTIlEILY?si=oLR4rc7a3EZrqrku 7:30- Should we expect Hans’ ascent to continue? 11:00- Ben’s thoughts on Hans’ recent interview with GM Daniel Naroditsky https://youtu.be/ZFBAuihQYgw?si=QGCenzk5sKeZlEGv 25:00- Where is the prize money for Hans’ tour coming from?  Mentioned: Hans tweet https://x.com/HansMokeNiemann/status/1827750674873958819 26:00- We discuss IM Daniel Rensch’s response to Hans’ recent interview https://x.com/DanielRensch/status/1821536477924438528 32:00- Predictions Thanks as always to GM Ben Finegold for joining. You know where to find him! If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Adult Improver Series of Perpetual Chess returns, as I am joined by Solveig Friberg, who streams on Twitch as “The Rookie Redhead.” Solveig is a relatively new chess player who discovered the game via a Norwegian national TV broadcast of one of Magnus Carlsen’s World Championship matches. A few years later, she has attained a rating of 1570 FIDE, built a large online audience, published her first Chessable course (Breaking 1000)  as a Twitch streamer, and has even had the opportunity to interview players like Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana. We begin our conversation by discussing the unique popularity of chess in Norway- it is very popular as a spectator sport, but that has not translated into a thriving competitive chess scene. Why might that be? We also discuss Solveig’s own chess journey.  Solveig shares a lot of study recommendations and core beliefs based on her experience as a chess player and her professional background as an educator. Solveig is a particularly firm believer in the importance of finding a community, and did not see her chess take off until she found online “chess people.” Solveig is an inspiration for anyone who is coming to chess as a working adult with a busy life.  Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com- in addition to Solveig’s course, be sure to check out GM Sam Shankland’s latest, and if you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the link below. https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro 2:00- Solveig got into chess by watching coverage of the Magnus-Nepo match on national TV in Norway. What is the coverage like in Norway? What is the OTB scene like there?  Mentioned:  Solveig on Chess Journeys, Episode 91: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2rwxKkso2M2IPITLOEt4hc?si=86bec8cf1aa34f5d Solveig on Sjakksnakk  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1c0FBix4q4OSvPdz6nbGSf?si=63cf7ec45f5f441d 9:00- How did Solveig find a chess community?  To find the “chess people” on X, make an account, send a message and conclude it with the #chesspunks https://x.com/hashtag/chesspunks?src=hashtag_click To apply or suggest someone to be a guest on the Adult Improver Series, use this google form: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adult 17:00- How did Solveig’s professional background impact her approach to chess improvement?  22:30- What was Solveig’s approach to studying chess?  27:00- We discuss chess pub nights and the Good Knight Chess Pub in Oslo, Norway 29:00- What would Solveig have done differently to improve at chess if she could start over? 32:00- Patreon mailbag question- what are some common mistakes that beginners make, and how can they avoid them? 36:00- Solveig’s resource recommendations Mentioned: Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@HangingPawns Build Up Your Chess Series https://www.chessable.com/the-fundamentals-1-build-up-your-chess/course/19145/ Chess Tactics from Scratch  https://www.chessable.com/chess-tactics-from-scratch-understanding-chess-tactics/course/27821/ Also available as a book- https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Tactics-Scratch-Understanding/dp/1907982027 37:00- What was it like for Solveig to interview Hikaru Nakamura about gender issues in chess?  Mentioned: Watch the interview here: https://x.com/RookieRedhead/status/1801228262170882212 46:30- What is theme of Solveig’s Chessable course, Breaking 1000? 52:00- What are Solveig’s streaming goals? Does she ever stream in Norwegian? 1:00:00- Thanks to Solveig for joining me, here is how to keep up with her: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rookie_redhead/?hl=en X: https://x.com/RookieRedhead And her Chessable Course: https://www.chessable.com/breaking-1000/course/237622/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This month, The Adult Improver Series welcomes Ben Hunt of the Chess Boot Camp YouTube Channel. Through his channel and a Chess.com forum, Ben has built a community around helping players rated 500-1200 improve. Ben started pursuing chess seriously in 2019 and shares tons of helpful reflections including his favorite content creators, the challenges of transitioning to OTB, and what he has learned from creating a YouTube channel geared towards fellow chess amateurs. Ben’s enthusiasm for chess is contagious, and I really enjoyed hearing his perspective.  0:00- Thanks to recent Patreon subs, if you would like to join the community you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Sub to the Perpetual Chess linkfest here: https://benjohnson.substack.com/ 02:00- Ben got very interested very quickly in chess in 2019- what precipitated that?  Mentioned: Chess.com Lessons  07:00- Who are Ben’s favorite chess content creators? Mentioned: Ginger GM, IM Alex Banzea, GM Daniel Naroditsky, St. Louis Chess Club, Jonathan Schrantz, IM John Bartholomew 10:00-Patreon mailbag question: “What is the goldfish method?” Why does Ben sometimes struggle to implement it?”  Mentioned: Ben’s Goldfish Method Video, Move First Think Later, Chess Steps Method  17:30- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 18:30- What has it been like for Ben to try out OTB play in the UK? 23:00- Ben discusses his opening repertoire a bit as we discuss whether openings are overemphasized for club players.  Mentioned: IM Andras’ Toth’s The Beginners 1. D4 Repertoire, SImon Williams’ The British Grand Prix, The Dvoretsky Endgame Manual, Silman’s Complete Endgame Course, 100 Endgames You Must Know  34:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What advice does Ben give to those who are struggling translating increased knowledge to an OTB performance above the 1000 level?” 42:00- What is Ben’s tactics regimen?  Mentioned: Chessbootcamp.club, The Woodpecker Method, Book Recap #6: The Woodpecker Method  50:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free, and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. Or use this link for the same discount: https://aimchess.com/try?ref=benjohnson12 51:00- What kind of material does Ben present on his YouTube channel?  55:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What are Ben’s chess goals?”  1:01:00- Patreon mailbag question: “When you are showing a tactical puzzle, how important is it to show the moves that preceded the puzzle?” 1:05:00- What are Ben’s interests outside of chess?  1:07:00- As we say our goodbyes, Ben gives 3 tips for getting to 1000.  Thanks to Ben for joining! Here is how to keep up with him: Chess.com profile https://www.chess.com/member/benhunt72 Chess Bootcamp YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/ChessBootCamp Chess Bootcamp Live  https://chessbootcamp.club/ If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Howard Burton is a documentary filmmaker and author. Howard holds a PhD in theoretical physics and an MA in Philosophy. He is also the founder of the award-winning multimedia initiative Ideas Roadshow. Their latest documentary, Through the Mirror of Chess: A Cultural Exploration, is a 4 part documentary that shows the cultural impact and history of chess from its origins to modern times. It is very informative and well produced, and features many familiar faces including GM Hou Yifan, IM Daniel Rensch, GM David Smerdon and Award Winning Chess Teacher Elizabeth Spiegel. In conjunction with the documentaries, Dr. Burton has written a book of opinion essays about the role of chess in culture, called Chessays: Travels Through the World of Chess. It is enjoyable and provocative and discusses all that is right as well as what could be fixed within the chess world. Our conversation touches on both Howard’s book and his documentaries, and as his work does, helps to contextualize the role of chess in the world. Topics include the shortcomings of FIDE, Howard’s admiration for Paul Morphy, whether chess skills are transferable beyond chess, and Howard’s own history with chess Timestamps of topics discussed can be found below. 0:00- What framed Howard’s approach to separating his book of essays and documentaries? 07:00- As somewhat of an outsider to chess, how would Howard change the chess world if he could? 13:00- What should the role of a chess governing body be?  26:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free, and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. Or use this link for the same discount: https://aimchess.com/try?ref=benjohnson12 28:00- What does Howard admire about Paul Morphy? Why does Howard think that Morphy isn’t placed on the same level as Fischer?  Mentioned: Paul Morphy: Pride and Sorrow of Chess  36:00- How do the misogynistic statements of Fischer and Kasparov affect chess culture?  Mentjioned: GM Alejandro Ramirez under Investigation for Misconduct  44:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 45:00- How did Howard interview people from all over the world for Through the Mirror of Chess?  Mentioned: Seven Games: A Human History, Episode 263 with Oliver Roeder 52:00- Does Howard play much chess?   Howard’s One Move at a Time Interview  55:00- What frustrates Howard about suggestions related to the transferable skills of chess?  Mentioned: Brooklyn Castle featuring Elizabeth Spiegel  1:02:00- What role can chess play in social empowerment? Mentioned: Tunde Onakoya, Russell Makofsky of The Gift of Chess, GM Pontuss Carlsson  Thanks to Howard for joining the show! Here are the links to keep up with him:  Chess.com Blog (including more thoughts on Fixing FIDE)  Info on watching the documentary here: Through the Mirror of Chess: A Cultural Exploration And Get the Book Here:  Chessays: Travels Through the World of Chess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I am joined by IM Yaacov Norowitz. Yaacov is a trainer, a Chessable author, and a speed chess specialist who has won the World Open Blitz tournament 5 times.   He has a Chess.com peak blitz rating of nearly 3000. Yaacov has a unique background, and he had some entertaining stories to tell about topics that include :  His over 12000 blitz and bullet games against Hikaru Nakamura. Yaacov has known Hikaru since Hikaru was age 6, before he started playing competitive chess.  His early interactions with Gotham Chess, whom Yaacov taught  when Levy was a kid.  Yaacov’s  “dacha method” approach to chess learning  How Yaacov’s strict Orthodox Jewish upbringing impacted his chess playing.  Yaacov also is an avid chess reader and has plenty of book recommendations. As always, you can find timestamps for topics discussed below.  0:00- Yaacov discusses his early blitz battles with a young Hikaru Nakamura and how Yaacov became a blitz specialist?  8:00- What differentiated Hikaru’s bullet peak from that of everyone else? Has Yaacov played other bullet wizards, Alireza and Andrew Tang?  14:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free, and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. 16:00- What did Yaacov learn from his coach, the legendary player GM Roman Dzindziashvilli? Also what is “The Cheesecake Opening”?  22:00- Yaacov loved to read chess books as a kid. What were his favorites?  Mentioned: Dojo Talks Podcast Episode 72, Capablanca’s Endings, Chess Praxis, How to Reassess Your Chess, Logical Chess Move by Move  27:00- How did Yaacov balance playing blitz and playing classical chess?  32:00- What were Yaacov’s blitz battles against GM Viswanathan Anand like?  36:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 37:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Will Yaacov make a Chessable course on his “dacha theory” of chess learning?”  44:00- Yaacov discusses the origins of his collaboration with Elijah Logozar, a former Adult Improver guest.  50:00- Yaacov was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family. How did chess and religion intersect for him?  57:00- Yaacov taught IM Levy Rozman as a kid.  What was he like? 58:00- Yaacov discusses his chess academy, Yaacattack.com  1:02:00- How does Yaacov advise one to spend their chess study time?  1:04:00- Thanks to Yaacov for joining the show!  Website- Yaacattack.com  The Yaac Attack Stonewall Chessable course-https://www.chessable.com/the-yaac-attack-stonewall-for-white/course/31827/ The Yaac Attack- Caro Kann for Black  https://www.chessable.com/the-yaac-attack-caro-kann-for-black/course/49678/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Perpetual Chess Book Review Series Chess Books Recaptured  returns to discuss the award winning book, San Luis 2005 by GM Alik Gershon and Igor Nor. San Luis 2005 chronicles a crucial tournament in modern chess history, a double round robin whose winner determined the FIDE World Champion. The tournament featured nearly all of the top players of the time including GM Viswanathan Anand, Judit Polgar, Peter Svidler, and the winner, GM Veselin Topalov. As we discuss, GM Vladimir Kramnik was conspicuously absent, as he was already champion of a competing World Championship Faction that was originally founded by GM Garry Kasparov. Kramnik ultimately played the winner of this tournament in a 2006 Championship reunification match.    My guest co-host is Dr. Christopher Chabris, a renowned author, cognitive scientist and USCF Master. As Christopher and I discuss, it is a beautiful book with lucid prose and great photos and game analysis. The tournament it covers did not have a suspenseful ending, but it did contain some drama in the form of cheating accusations that were lodged against the tournament winner. As we discuss, these unproven accusations have a lot of parallels to the Carlsen-Niemann scandal. We also discuss why tournament books “don’t sell” and compare this book to other classic tournament books like Zurich 1953. Lastly, I catch up a bit with Dr. Chabris on his OTB tournament plans, and his forthcoming book  Nobody’s Fool: Why we Get Taken in and What we Can do about it. As always, timestamps and links for topics discussed can be found below.  Prior appearances by Dr. Christopher Chabris: Episode 95 with Christopher Chabris  Episode 187 with Christopher Chabris  Book Recap #4: Think Like a Grandmaster by Kotov  Book Recap #15: Secrets of Practical Chess and Attack the Strongpoint  Book Recap #25 (Mammoth Games)  02:00- Why did we choose San Luis 2005? Mentioned: Book Recap #17- Zurich 1953 with FM Nate Solon and special guest GM Andy Soltis  04:00- Historical context: What was happening with the World Championship cycle in 2005?  Mentioned: Linares! Linares! By Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam 14:00- Chessable Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 16:00- We discuss the origins of the books and the background of the authors  Mentioned: 2008 Chessbase article about the book, Lichess Study with the Games from the Tournament   23:00- Why do they say books recapping tournaments “do not sell”?  Mentioned: Zurich 1953, New York 1924, World Championship 1948 29:00- We share a few quotes from the Intro and preface by GMs Nigel Short and Mihail Marin.  36:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free, and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. Or use this link for the same discount: https://aimchess.com/try?ref=benjohnson12 38:00- What notable games took place?  Anand-Adams 2005, Polgar-Kasimdzhanov, Kasimdzhanov-Polgar, Leko-Topalov, Wijk an Zee 1975 by Lubomir Kavalek 48:00- Why was Toplov accused of cheating in this tournament? Was there merit to this claim? 57:00- Dr. Chabris shares his thoughts on the Carlsen-Niemann scandal  Mentioned: Discussion of the Niemann/Carlsen saga with GMs Jonathan Rowson and David Smerdon  1:04:00- Patreon mailbag question: Has Chris’ expertise in cognitive science helped his chess game? 1:10:00- What chess books are we looking forward to?  Mentioned: Book Recap #30 with Carsten Hansen, Dojo Talks- The Best Chess Books, Quality Chess coming in 2023   Thanks to Dr. Chabris for helping out with this book discussion!  You can follow him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/cfchabris Order his forthcoming book here:   Nobody’s Fool: Why we Get Taken in and What we Can do about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we are joined by a young star of the chess world, Dutch GM and Chessable Author GM Jorden van Foreest. Just 23 years of age, Jorden already has a wide range of chess experience. As a player, Jorden has a peak rating of 2715 and was the Dutch National Champion in 2016 and the Tata Steel Champion in 2021. He also has already had the opportunity to work extensively with his Dutch compatriot, GM Anish Giri, as well as on the preparation team of GM Magnus Carlsen. Jorden reflects on all of these experiences, as well as shedding some light on top-level opening prep. He also offers his opinion on why he is known for his creativity as a player. Fun interview! You can find timestamps of topics discussed below.  0:00- Be sure to Sub to How to Chess on your favorite podcast app as Season 3 approaches:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-chess/id1572917817 And you can sub to the free weekly chess round up, The Perpetual Chess linkfest here:  https://benjohnson.substack.com 02:00- We discuss Jorden’s in-tournament prep and how he finds his famously creative opening ideas, particularly the exchange sacrifice he uncorked against Anish Giri in 2023 Tata Steel. Mentioned: van Foreest-Giri 2023 ,  Jorden’s C Squared interview, Jorden’s Gotham City Podcast Interview  15:00- Patreon mailbag question: “How does Jorden find the balance between venturing his creative lines and playing solid, tested lines?”  17:30- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 19:00- Is Jorden a naturally creative player or is it a skill he developed?  21:00- What did Jorden do to learn to limit blunders?  Mentioned:  Jorden’s mom’s RealChess App is here! https://vanforeest.com/realchess/index.html Survive and Thrive on Chessable by FM Dalton Perrine  https://www.chessable.com/survive-thrive-how-to-blunder-less-and-defend-better/course/80629/ 24:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What does Jorden think contributes to his family’s unusual success at chess?”  26:30- What did Jorden observe about Magnus Carlsen’s chess talent while doing training camps with him?  29:30- Is Jorden using PC based or cloud-based engines? What type of cloud engine does he use?  More info on the possibility of leaked prep in the Carlsen-Nepo match here: https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/r4cw22/was_the_prep_for_game_3_leaked/ 35:30- Jorden takes us behind the scenes of his recent appearance with Anish Giri on Khalid and Sophie, a Dutch general interest talk show appearance  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IMPMAruaV0 38:00- Does Jorden agree with Magnus Carlsen that classical chess could be phased out? 40:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free, and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. Or use this link for the same discount: https://aimchess.com/try?ref=benjohnson12 42:00- What tournaments are coming up for Jorden? 44:30- How does Jorden work on his game now?  Mentioned: Rock Solid Chess by GM Sergei Tiviakov  46:00- How did Jorden decide to do a course on The Tarrasch Defense? Free Short and Sweet version- https://www.chessable.com/short-sweet-tarrasch-defense/course/139270/  Full version-  https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-tarrasch-defense/course/128906/ 50:30- Who does Jorden favor in the Ding-Nepo match? Would he consider working on one of their teams?  56:00- Thanks to Jorden for joining me!  You can follow him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/jordenvforeest?lang=en https://www.chessable.com/short-sweet-tarrasch-defense/course/139270/  Full version-  https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-tarrasch-defense/course/128906/ If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

GM Mihail Marin has spent his life surrounded by chess in varying professional capacities and has the wealth of wisdom and stories you might expect from such experiences. He is a polyglot, a prolific and award winning author, a top trainer, and a 3 time Romanian national Chess champion. GM Marin is also the friend and frequent collaborator of GM Judit Polgar, and eventually helped Judit write her landmark books after befriending her family in the early 1990s. In our interview, we discuss all of these experiences, as well as Marin’s memorable games against Viktor Korchnoi and Boris Spassky and his new books about GM Bent Larsen and GM Vladimir Simagin. GM Marin had so many fun stories to share and such a rich perspective on so many chess champions. Timestamps and topics discussed can be found below.  0:00- We begin by discussing Mihail’s record of Chess Olimpiad participation and trying to count how many languages he speaks. :)   Mentioned: Olimpbase.org, Magic Mountain  13:00- Mihail discusses how he works with engines.  20:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 21:00- What did Mihail think of Tata Steel 2023?  Mentioned: Giri-Carlsen 2023, Carlsen-Abdusattorov 2023  27:00- What does Mihail think of the fact that Carlsen says he will take a break from Classical Chess?  Mentioned: Caruana-Korchnoi 2011  32:00- Mihail discusses his games with Korchnoi, Spassky and Karpov.   Mentioned: LiChess Study with Marin’s games with Korchnoi 52:00- Mihail spent some time with Tal shortly before he died. What was that like? Mentioned: Tal-Gomez 1992  56:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free, and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. 59:00- Mihail has been the second, friend and co-author with GM Judit Polgar many times over the years, how did his friendship with the Polgar sisters begin?  Mentioned: San Luis 2005 World Championship  1:17:00- We discuss MIhail’s latest book, Learn from Bent Larsen, did Mihail ever meet the legendary Danish GM? (Also available on Forward Chess), including a Patreon mailbag question 1:27:00- Learn from the Legends is a renowned book. Which players does Mihail’s forthcoming sequel cover?  Mentioned: Lajos Portisch, Lev Polugaevsky, Paul Keres  1:40:00- Does Mihail write with a specific audience in mind?  1:43:00- We discuss Mihail’s book Learning Chess With Simagin Mentioned: Chessbase interview by by Conrad Schormann  1:54:00- Patreon mailbag question: Will Mihail’s series on the English Opening ever be on Chessable? 1:58:00- Mihail discusses some players that played with a “computer like” style, even before chess computers, such as Bobby Fischer. He also discusses the legendary opening preparation of GM Efim Geller.  2:10:00- Thanks to GM Marin for sharing his vast chess knowledge! Here are some ways to keep up with him: Facebook  Learning Chess With Simagin Learn from Bent Larsen (Also available on Forward Chess) If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s guest on Perpetual Chess an author, an American Chess Magazine columnist, and the recently-crowned World Champion of correspondence chess, Dr. Jon Edwards. Correspondence chess historically was played by mail, without assistance. These days it is played by email, with engine assistance allowed. The current format makes for incredibly accurate games that often end in draws. So what enabled Jon to win the Championship? Did luck play a role?  Jon is an expert on how modern engines work, and what they say about various openings. We discuss the current opening battlegrounds of top engines, and discuss how correspondence chess has evolved as engines continue to get stronger. Should the rules of correspondence chess be tweaked because so many games end in draws? Among many other topics, we also discuss Jon’s massive chess book and chess stamp collections, and why Petrosian is his favorite player. Please read on for timestamps and links related to topics discussed.  0:00- How has Jon’s life changed since winning the title of World Correspondence Chess Champion?  Mentioned: FM Alex Dunne passed away, Jon Edwards wins 32nd World Correspondence Championship  08:00- It is pretty rare to win in modern correspondence chess. What happened in the two games that Jon won in the championship tournament?  14:00- What type of computer does Jon use to power his chess engines?  17:00- We take a quick detour to discuss Jon’s early investment in Apple Stock in 1984.  24:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess’ algorithm reviews your games and gives you actionable advice on how to improve your game. Check it out for free, and if you choose to subscribe you can use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. Or use this link for the same discount: https://aimchess.com/try?ref=benjohnson12 25:00- Jon tells me how engines are evaluating a handful of openings, including the Najdorf and the Semi-slav.  Mentioned: Chinese database referenced here: https://www.chessdb.cn/queryc_en/ 34:00- Why does Jon prefer correspondence chess to OTB chess?  38:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Would Jon consider doing a course on advanced uses on Chessbase?”  44:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 45:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What type of engine does Jon use?” Mentioned: Stockfish 15.1 52:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What does Jon think of the idea of changing the format of the correspondence championship due to the preponderance of draws?” 54:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Are there stylistic changes made in how correspondence games are played based on the strength of the engines?”  Mentioned: Dubov-Karjakin 2020, Joppen vs. Petrosian 1954, Edwards-Lobonov  59:00- Patreon mailbag question: “What are the biggest contributions of correspondence chess to OTB chess?”  1:01:00- Does one see the French defense or the Caro Kann at top level Correspondence Chess? 1:04:00- Jon discusses his large chess book collection and his chess stamp collection.  Mentioned: Great Moments in Modern Chess 1:11:00- Jon discusses why Petrosian is his favorite player  Mentioned: Joppen vs. Petrosian 1954, Joseph Platz  1:16:00- Jon mentions his current favorite stock investment. :)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices