Perpetual Chess Podcast

• EP 422- WGM Dina Belenkaya on Her Recent Tournies, Her Continued Social Media Growth, and the Vision Behind her New Chess School

  WGM Dina Belenkaya is a Russian-born and schooled chess champion who is now based in Charlotte, North Carolina. In recent years,  Dina has built a massive Twitch, YouTube and Instagram following, while maintaining a busy competitive schedule. In this interview, we caught up with Dina's recent OTB results, including her impressions of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz in New York City. Dina discusses the challenges she is currently encountering in her game as well as her current chess goals. Dina and I also talked extensively about her newest chess project, Chess with Dina. It is a chess academy that emphasizes the social side of chess improvement, and it has seen a fast growth since it launched last year. Dina discussed the building blocks that newer players should focus on, based on her experience as a product of Russia’s legendary chess education infrastructure. Lastly, we touched a bit on Freestyle chess, as Dina discussed why she thinks it might be challenging for the chess variant to catch on with newer chess players. As always, timestamps of topics discussed are below.  Photo in thumbnail from Dina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEdUEivv8QT/?hl=en&img_index=1 0:02- What has changed for Dina in the past two years since I last interviewed her?  Mentioned: Episode 326 with Dina Belenkaya 0:05- Dina has been playing OTB quite actively.  How is her game progressing?  0:11- Dina’s impressions of the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz  Mentioned: You can review Dina’s game against WGM Atousa Pourkashyan here: https://lichess.org/broadcast/fide-world-rapid--blitz-championships-2024--blitz-women/round-11/JvQWXSPT/ugyly8Xl You can watch Magnus’ recent interview here: https://x.com/taketaketakeapp/status/1887126217091874871?s=46&t=7an2GBXWXIlgRTjDfRwIGw 25:00- Is Dina still working with a coach?  27:00- Dina’s discusses the value of face-to-face moments and a recent training camp she hosted for her chess school.  Mentioned: More info about her school here: https://www.skool.com/russianchessschool/about 42:00- What does Dina think of Freestyle chess? Do her students like it? Mentioned: Dina’s blog: https://www.dinabelenkaya.com/post/let-s-talk-fischer-random-   0:55:00- Thanks to Dina for coming back on the pod! Here is how to to keep up with her: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dinabelenkaya/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DinaBelenkaya/videos Twitter/X: https://x.com/messages/60494861-1366144904590671876 Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/dinabelenkaya Blog: https://www.dinabelenkaya.com/post/let-s-talk-fischer-random-chess Chess School: https://www.skool.com/russianchessschool/about Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• EP 421- GM Jan Gustafsson and FM Donny Ariel discussion: Can a mid-40s working dad make Grandmaster without doing any work?

  This week’s podcast is a discussion among friends. FM Donny Ariel is an NYC based former scholastic champion who has attained 3 IM Norms. These days he is  a working dad, who has recently decided to pursue not only the IM title, but the Grandmaster title as well. (Donny is chronicling this journey on his YouTube channel, The Road to Chess Grandmaster).   GM Jan Gustafsson,  as many of you know, is a renowned commentator, Chessable author, trainer, and frequent guest on Perpetual Chess. Jan and I are skeptical that Donny can attain the grandmaster title given his other obligations, but Donny is adamant that we overstate the difficulty of chess improvement. In discussing Donny’s quest, we tackle such questions as:  Is a coach necessary in the digital age?  How important are openings at Donny’s level? How much improvement can one attain through changing your psychological approach rather than training?  What is Donny’s “wall of haters”?  What trait do those who have earned the GM title have in common, according to Jan?  If not earning the GM title, what might Donny’s true goal be?  This was an entertaining conversation in which Jan actually gave more earnest chess improvement advice than he has in prior episodes. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  0:00-  Subscribe to my chess newsletter! https://benjohnson.substack.com/ Subscribe to FM Donny Ariel’s YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess 0:02- What is Donny’s “Why?” Why is he pursuing the GM title?  15:00- Does Jan think that Donny needs a coach?  17:00- What is the “Wall of Haters?”  22:00- Patreon mailbag question- “How is Donny approaching studying?”  25:00- Jan’s opening advice to Donny Mentioned: Reimagining 1. E4  https://www.newinchess.com/reimagining-1-e4 42:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Does Donny wish that he started chess later in life?” 50:00- What would my advice be for Donny? What would Jan’s advice be?  Mentioned: Ep 415 with GM-elect Mark Heimann  1:00- Thanks to Donny and Jan for joining! Jan will probably ignore any messages you try to send him on social media, but you should buy his excellent Chessable courses. Below  is how you can reach Donny: Chessable Jan Gustafsson Donny X/Twitter- https://x.com/RealDonnyAriel Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/donny.ariel YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• EP 420- Nikolaos Ntirlis- Opening & Engine Advice from a Top Theoretician, Author, and Correspondence Player

  Nikolaos Ntirlis is a Correspondence chess champion, and computer engineer who has become well known in the chess world for his vast opening expertise. Nikolaos is quite skilled at finding original opening ideas, and has grown popular through his books, and by highlighting new opening ideas on his Twitter/X account. The ideas Nikos suggests have often seen quick adoption by Grandmasters, and he has even seen moves he highlighted subsequently appear in the games of Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Girl. In fact, GM Giri wrote the Foreword to Nicolaos’ newest book, the excellent  Reimagining 1. E4. The book offers new ideas for White across many defenses to 1. E4, and explains opening concepts clearly without bombarding you with opening theory. In our conversation, we discussed the origins of Nikolaos’ opening enthusiasm, how best to use engines, as well as which defenses to 1.e4 were most challenging to combat theoretically. Nikolaos is also an accomplished chess trainer who hasworked with the national team of Denmark. In our conversation, he offered some helpful chess improvement advice with a philosophical bent. Lastly, we discussed some of  Nicolaos’ other interests including correspondence chess, chess books, and martial arts. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  0:02- What is the origin of Nikos’ popular Twitter threads, in which he suggests lines that have been used by GMs like Nakamura, Carlsen, and others? Mentioned: Nikolaos’ X account here: https://x.com/NikolaosNtirlis/status/1852645135487558104 10:00- Was there any defense against 1. E4 where it was particularly challenging to find fresh ideas? 14:30- What rating range is this book best suited for?  16:00- Does Nikos agree that one should learn opening ideas, rather than openings?  Mentioned: Nikos’ interview with Charlyze van Zyl for Forward Chess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyanVxu48lk 18:30- Patreon mailbag question: What did Nikos discover about an original line that Niemann played against Kramnik?  Mentioned Han Schut’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/hanschut Read the Twitter thread in question: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1841408942737420435.html 19:00- Who are Nikos’ favorite opening theoreticians?  25:00- What is Nikos’ advice for how amateurs should use engines?  32:00- Are there any underappreciated openings?  33:00- Nikos’ overall chess improvement advice 34:00- Where did Nikos’ love for openings start? Mentioned: GM Efim Geller  41:00-  Patreon mailbag question: How can one still win a game in correspondence chess?  48:00- What is Nikos’ advice for remembering openings?  52:00- Does Nikos play any OTB?  56:00- What are Nikos’ favorite books?  Mentioned: Mentioned: IM Willy Hendriks, IM Tibor Karolyi’s Fischer Books  1:00- Thanks to Nikos for joining me! You can check out his Quality Chess Books here:  https://qualitychess.co.uk/products/coming_soon/24060/reimagining_1e4_by_nikolaos_ntirlis/ If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchessQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• EP 419- Dr. Joel Sneed on Quitting, Unquitting & Tilting- Why Even an Accomplished Psychologist & Author Struggles to Manage his Relationship with Chess

  Dr. Joel Sneed is a professor, a practicing clinical psychologist and a highly-regarded chess author. And despite a busy professional and family life, Joel has achieved the rare feat of reaching a  2000+ USCF after starting tournament chess in his 30s. But, like many of us, Joel struggles to moderate his relationship with chess. He has long held a goal of reaching USCF Master, and puts a lot of pressure on himself to make it happen quickly. This has led to a repetitive cycle of despondency and quitting, followed by resuming chess, with renewed hopes of tackling his goals. In our conversation, we speak candidly about how Joel can derive more enjoyment from chess, and about what he would advise himself if he were his own patient. Joel also touches on how to manage anxiety around tournament chess, our thoughts on IM Levy Rozman’s GM-title pursuit,  and the lessons Joel learned from working with legendary Grandmaster (and co-author, GM Boris Gulko.). This was a fascinating conversation that I think will resonate with many of you. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  0:02- What has been driving Joel’s repeated decisions to quit (then unquit) chess?  Check out his USCF history here:: https://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlMain.php?13103922 0:13- Joel tells a story of a frustrating recent experience where he struggled to remember an opening line.  Mentioned: Episode 400  with NM Matt Gross, Episode 169 with Terry Chapman, Chess for Life by WIM Natash Regan and GM Matthew Sadler  26:00 What is “acceptance commitment therapy?”  Mentioned: Online value sorting tool: https://meetingpointcounseling.com/tools/ACT-card-sort/ 4 Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman  35:00- How can Joel realign his goals to make chess more enjoyable?  44:00- We discuss IM Levy Rozman’s GM title pursuit. Mentioned: GM Arturs Nieksans, Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Life  50:00- What did Joel learn from working with legendary GM Boris Gulko? Mentioned: Lessons with a Grandmaster, GM Hans Niemann’s video for IM Levy Rozman https://youtu.be/1p7rbQ723mQ?si=tok_0IZEBpsrLvtI 1:00:00- Patreon mailbag question: What is Joel’s advice for dealing with pre-tournament anxiety?  Mentioned: Episode 309 with Dr. Joel Sneed 1:09:00- Thanks to Dr. Sneed for joining me, you can check out his books with GM Boris Gulko here: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Joel-Sneed/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AJoel%2BSneed If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• EP 418- Michael Franco (Adult Improver Series) on How He Got Acclimated to OTB Play, and Climbed to Nearly 2000 USCF.

  The Perpetual Chess Adult Improver Series returns to welcome back a guest who has continued to make steady rating progress. When I last chatted with Michael Franco, in 2021 (Episode 247), he was 7 years into his chess journey. Michael had reached a LiChess rating of 2000, but he was struggling as he tried to translate his online skill into OTB skill. He found learning to play on a 3D set challenging, and encountered the same logistical and financial hurdles that tournament chess presents for many of us. Three years later, Michael has managed to transition successfully to tournament chess, and has gained chess strength as well. His USCF rating is now 1981. In my opinion, the primary reason for Michael’s continued success is likely his consistent daily dedication to the game. Michael manages to play online games or read chess books every day, and he is also active as a teacher and community member in the Chess Dojo discord. In our interview, Michael shares plenty of new recommendations and reflections on what skills were needed to gain the last couple hundred points of rating strength. He continues to exemplify the improvement that is possible for someone who takes a consistent, incremental approach. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  You can check out the Spotify Adult Improver Series Playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Uoqz2BoRt2IiTCeOfuky?si=18917f0e0a634bc6 Or the website here: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adultimprover 0:02- Thanks to Patreon subs for helping to support Perpetual Chess.  You can join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess 0:04- We review Michael’s chess history from his prior interview, then discuss what a chess day is like for him now.  Mentioned: Episode 247 with Michael Franco  Check out Michael’s USCF rating history here: https://www.uschess.org/msa/MbrDtlMain.php?16928844 Check out FM Donny Ariel’s YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess 0:15- How long did it take Michael to get used to OTB chess? What did he do to help acclimate? 0:17- What is Michael’s advice for players who feel like they don’t know what to do in the middlegame? Mentioned: How to Reassess Your Chess  0:23- How did Michael move up from 1800 to 2000 USCF in the last few years? Mentioned: Pump Up Your Rating  0:32- How many hours does Michael spend on chess? 0:37- More chess book recs! Mentioned: Seven Deadly Chess Sins,  My 60 Memorable Games, TurboCharge Your Tactics, Mastering Chess Strategy, Techniques of Positional Play, Woodpecker Method 2 0:46- Michael’s favorite online resources Mentioned: Daniel King’s Powerplay Chess, GM Daniel Naroditsky, IM Andras Toth, ChessNetwork, Dr. Can’s Chess Clinic  0:49- Why will Michael be taking a break from OTB chess? Why doesn’t he like the “one game per week” format offered in Austin, Texas?  55:00- Michael’s closing advice 57:00- Thanks to Michael for joining again! You can find him on Lichess or in the ChessDojo: https://lichess.org/@/NoseKnowsAll https://www.chessdojo.club/ If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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