The Chess Angle – Details, episodes & analysis
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See all- https://twitter.com/jaltucher
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- https://www.twitter.com/thechessangle
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- https://www.twitter.com/lichessclub
30 shares
- https://www.thechessangle.com/
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- https://jamesaltucher.com/
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Ep. 171: Adult Chess Improvement Q & A
Episode 171
dimanche 9 novembre 2025 • Duration 37:09
It's another listener mailbag episode! We answer your questions about adult chess improvement, balancing study with real life, and everything in between. Plus, we share a few listener comments that hit close to home for the club player grind.
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
🎯 Our Links:
Ep. 170: The Colle System (The Working Adult's Opening)
Episode 170
dimanche 2 novembre 2025 • Duration 40:51
Between work, family, and everything else, who has time to learn 20 moves of opening theory? The Colle System offers a solid, low-maintenance way to get a good game every time. Learn the basic plans, the Colle–Zukertort twist, and why this simple setup still scores at the club level.
Referenced:
- Colle System: Complete Guide for both Colors, with Plans, Moves, and Ideas
- Colle-Zukertort System: Complete Guide for White
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
🎯 Our Links:
Ep. 161: Resetting the Board (Back in the Fall)
Episode 161
mardi 22 juillet 2025 • Duration 01:02
The Chess Angle will be taking a break for the remainder of the summer. I realized I needed more time to recharge after Season 9, and this pause will allow me to refocus and come back stronger. Thanks for your support - see you in the fall! ♟️🎙️
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
🎯 Our Links:
Ep. 71 (S5 Premiere): A Journey to Chess Mastery feat. NM James Altucher
Episode 71
dimanche 2 juillet 2023 • Duration 50:26
Are you ever too old to get better at chess? Join me as I sit down with National Master, top podcaster, successful entrepreneur, and best-selling author James Altucher, who is on a thrilling journey to regain a rating of 2200. Despite being in his 50s, James is determined to prove that age is just a number when it comes to mental capacity and improvement.
From discussing strategies of the game to understanding the importance of physical and mental health, our conversation is full of insights that will leave you eager to push your own boundaries, no matter your age. James shares both the joys and challenges he's encountered as an adult player, including meeting and learning from top players like Magnus Carlson and Gary Kasparov. He also opens up about the memory techniques he learned from the World Memory Champion, and how these methods have significantly improved his game.
The crux of our conversation centers around a question that has intrigued many chess players: Do adults "age out" of improvement? James takes us on a deep exploration of how raw calculation ability and memory start to decline in our 30s and 40s, but how wisdom improves with age, allowing us to recognize patterns and connect the dots between them. Tune in to our enlightening discussion to discover James' practical tips/strategies, and how he applies life lessons to the game he loves. Whether you're a chess enthusiast or just someone looking to challenge your own limitations, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro.
00:36 Announcements
05:58 Thoughts On Playing Kids
08:06 James' Study Regimen
15:54 Taking Byes at Weekend Events
22:06 Chess Coaching
25:06 Chess Improvement and Memory
34:57 James' Professional Experience
40:18 Handling Losses and Tilt
43:25 The Third Door for Improvement
49:28 Outro
Referenced:
- Skip the Line (Amazon)
- The Third Door (Amazon)
Links for James Altucher:
🎯 Become a Member: Patreon
📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
🔗 Our links:
♟The Amazon links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
Ep. 70 (S4 Finale): Chess Openings & Using a "Forever" Repertoire (Ep. 1 Reboot)
Episode 70
dimanche 21 mai 2023 • Duration 30:43
This week's episode is our Season 4 Finale. SEASON 5 COMING SOON!
This is an updated version of the very first episode of this podcast, "Chess Openings and the Club Player." We cover:
- The main goal of the opening
- System and thematic openings
- Is there an advantage to having the white pieces?
- Should you play complicated, theoretical openings?
- The importance of a consistent opening repertoire
- Neal's personal opening choices
Referenced (Amazon links):
- The London System in 12 Practical Lessons
- Win With the London System
- Play the London System
- Starting Out: The French
- Starting Out: The Nimzo-Indian
- Starting Out: The Queen's Indian
- Master the Hedgehog Structure (article)
🎯 Support the Show:
📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
🔗 Our links:
♟The Amazon links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
Ep. 69: Passed Pawns, Piece Sacrifices, & More (Game Analysis #5)
Episode 69
dimanche 14 mai 2023 • Duration 50:18
We cover:
- Touch move
- Trapped pieces
- Does playing through Master games really help?
- Is a knight on the rim always dim?
- Should you move the same piece twice?
- Speculative vs. combinational sacrifices
- "Shuffling" moves
- Initiative vs. development
Referenced:
- Winning Chess Tactics (Amazon)
- Introduction to Tactics (chess.com)
- Step Up In Tactics (chess.com)
Game Analyzed:
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 Bf5 4. c4 c6 5. Qb3 Qb6 6. c5 Qxb3 7. axb3 Nbd7 8. Nc3 e6 9. h3 Be7 10. b4 O-O 11. Be2 b5 12. Nf3 a6 13. O-O Ra7 14. Ra2 Rfa8 15. Rfa1 h6 16. Ne5 Nxe5 17. Bxe5 Nd7 18. Bg3 Bd8 19. Bd6 Nf6 20. Ra3 Ne4 21. Nxe4 Bxe4 22. Kf1 a5 23. bxa5 Rxa5 24. Rxa5 Rxa5 25. Rxa5 Bxa5 26. f3 Bc2 27. Kf2 Bd2 28. Bf1 Ba4 29. Bc7 Kf8 30. Ke2 Bb4 31. Kf2 Ke8 32. Bd3 Kd7 33. Bb6 g6 34. Ke2 Kc8 35. g4 f5 36. h4 h5 37. gxh5 gxh5 38. e4 Kd7 39. exf5 exf5 40. Bxf5+ Ke7 41. Bg6 Bb3 42. Bxh5 Bc4+ 43. Kf2 Bd2 44. Bg6 Bc1 45. Bc7 Bxb2 46. Be5 Bc1 47. f4 b4 48. h5 1-0
If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
Our links:
The Amazon and Chess.com links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
Ep. 68: Weekend Tourneys, Rating "Donators" & More feat. NM Nick Panico (Chess Coffee Talk #1)
Episode 68
dimanche 7 mai 2023 • Duration 01:29:34
National Master Nick Panico returns to the podcast for our first "coffee talk" episode. These episodes will feature a guest and include the full conversation, including the pre/post interview segments that are typically off-air. Essentially, we'll press "record," let it run, and publish the whole thing. We covered a variety of topics for amateur players of all levels.
If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
Our links:
Ep. 67: The "Puzzle Rush Plus One" Chess Study Plan for Busy Adults
dimanche 30 avril 2023 • Duration 37:44
Neal plays a round of Puzzle Rush during the episode!
For most of us, "life happens," and lengthy chess study sessions are not possible on a consistent basis. Neal recently created a simple, condensed study routine that can be used intermittently when life gets busy. This allows your chess abilities to stay sharp during those times. The basic idea is a daily study plan of about 15-30 minutes (as your schedule allows) consisting of one 5-minute Puzzle Rush, followed by one other short segment of chess study (e.g., book, online course, reviewing your games, etc.).
Referenced:
Chess.com: Puzzle Rush
Article: Are You Addicted to Puzzle Rush?
If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
Our links:
Ep. 66: Starting Chess at a "Late" Age feat. NM Anthony Levin
Episode 66
dimanche 23 avril 2023 • Duration 01:00:13
For this interview episode, Neal spoke with National Master Anthony Levin, a NY based chess player and the News Manager for chess.com. Anthony shared his insights on adult improvement and his own personal journey. Talking points include the following:
- Puzzle Rush vs. speed chess
- The mythical "phase out" of classical chess
- Anthony's role as News Manager for chess.com
- Chess improvement tips
- Endgame realities for amateur players
Referenced:
- Shereshevsky's Endgame Strategy
- Smyslov's Endgame Virtuoso
- Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
- Perfect Your Chess
- Silman's Complete Endgame Course
- Pandolfini's Endgame Course
- Article: NM Juan Sena
- Article: Is Classical Chess Being Phased Out?
Links for NM Anthony Levin:
If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
Some of the Amazon links above are affiliate links, which earn us a commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.
Our links:
Ep. 65: Your First Chess Tournament - Tips & Tricks
Episode 65
dimanche 16 avril 2023 • Duration 57:46
Live, over-the-board (OTB) tournament play is the ultimate in chess competition. It's fun, exciting, and aesthetically pleasing. However, rated chess events are not always unicorns and rainbows. There's a harsh reality to tournament play that is often omitted from the discourse on chess. Neal discusses some hard truths about tournaments, shares some of his own personal journey as a player and TD, and provides some tips and tricks along the way. Some of this episode's talking points include the following:
- Chess equipment
- Local clubs vs. major events
- Ratings & pairing systems
- Tips & tricks while playing
- Should you play speed chess between rounds?
- Things that will annoy the tournament director
- Rules you may not be familiar with but should know
- Openings and using a "forever" repertoire
- Scorekeeping
- Dealing with disruptive behavior
Referenced:
Tournament Announcement Terminology (Scroll down to "TOURNAMENT LIFE ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS")
If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
Our links:
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