Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 124 Alex (1600 Lichess Rapid) Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Alex. We spoke about his journey into chess as a parent of two children. Alex quickly found Chessable and worked on Everyone’s First Chess Workbook. He also listed several openings courses that were helpful as a beginner. We reflected on his time working with coach Shivam, who I had a great time working with as well. We wrapped up by discussing his experience with the Chess Dojo. He appreciates the structure, accountability, and sparring exercises in the program. This is an especially great episode for any beginners looking for how to start their journey!

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 123 Erik (2000 Lichess Rapid) Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Erik. We focused on his journey from 1000 - 2000 lichess (his lifelong goal). He spoke of his initial forays into chess focusing on openings. He also reflected on his experiences with coaching, OTB chess, and rating anxiety.

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 122 Nick (1475 Rapid Chesscom) Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Nick. He’s a busy man with a career, spouse, and children. We spent a lot of time discussing how to fit chess improvement around your life. Nick reflected on different parts of his journey from videos, coaching, opening work, and many tactics puzzles. Nick has made tremendous progress in less than two years (Around 700 points!) He’s a great model for juggling

Check out Nick's blog: https://whimsnickal.co.uk/

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 121 Ben Johnson - Perpetual Chess Podcast Host (NM) Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with NM, podcaster, and author Ben Johnson. We reflected on his recent chess journey. But we spent most of the time talking about his new book: Perpetual Chess Improvement. We discussed a wide range of topics such as the process of writing, early reviews, reasons for writing a book, imposter syndrome, and my thoughts on the book. Ben provided a lot of insights about the book including why he focused on readability and breadth over depth. If you are interested in the book, this is a must listen.

Ben’s new book Perpetual Chess Improvement:

https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Chess-Improvement-Practical-World-Class/dp/9083336549/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=perpetual+chess+improvement&qid=1700009398&sr=8-1

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 120 Dennis (NM) Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Dennis about his journey from beginner to master. We focused primarily on the struggles he faced from 1800-2200. Dennis faced confidence issues, ratings plateaus, and the pandemic derailing his final steps to master. Dennis referenced a few resources such as Chess Structures and puzzle rush. He worked a lot with friends during his journey and spent a lot of time playing. Dennis is yet another example that adults can make master!

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 119 Max (2140) Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Max about his last two years in tournament chess. He’s played over 200 rated games since the pandemic. We talked about the challenges of fatigue during tournaments, playing sharp openings, and underrated kids. Max talked about his process for trying to break 2200, and his goal of reaching it by the end of the year.

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 118 Megan (1850 USCF) Oct 26, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Megan. We focused extensively on her amazing achievement of playing rated tournaments in all 50 states! She talked about her favorites, challenging moments, and her motivations for taking on such a challenging task. In the second half of the show, we discussed Megan’s chess improvement plan. Most shocking is her move to engineless chess! She also talked about using Evaluate like a GM and playing more blitz.

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 117 Jordan (1400 lichess) Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Jordan. He’s an academic that discovered chess during the chess boom. In two years, he’s made a lot of rating progress, gaining 400 points. Jordan attributes most of his improvement to tactics training and playing. He’s also been influenced by some chess adjacent works such as Flow and the work of Carol Dweck. After listening to this one, you might be interested in hosting a chess foreign exchange student!

Sponsor for the show: Chessbook

At https://chessbook.com/chessjourneys you can use the site for free or use the code Scull20 to receive 20% off of a pro membership. Be sure to check out the tool!

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 116 Tim (1300 ChessCom, 800 USCF) Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Tim. He picked up chess about 2 years ago and has focused much of his journey on learning chess strategy. We talked a lot about the last 6 months where he decided to get more serious despite only having about 5 hours a week for chess improvement. He reflected on his first major tournament, getting a chess coach, accepting the need to study tactics, and his approach to opening preparation. Tim shared his appreciation for videos from John Bartholomew and Daniel Naroditsky.

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep. 115 Christian (1800 USCF) Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Christian. He’s gone through a number of phases in his chess journey, including recently coming back to chess improvement. We talked a lot about his time taking lessons with the recently deceased legendary writer and coach, Jeremy Silman. Christian talked about what the lesson were like focusing on psychology and positional chess. Christian provided a few book suggestions including Secrets of Chess Tactics by Dvoretsky. Christian also detailed his primary training method of using Chessbase to mark and drill positions from his own games.

Christian's USCF article: https://www.uschess.org/index.php/June/Moving-up-the-Ladder-A-Class-Player-on-Gaining-200-Rating-Points.html

Use this link to purchase Next Level Training: https://nextlevelchesscourses.teachable.com/p/next-level-training?affcode=1152624_t9sjlp49

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://www.twitch.tv/drskull_tinygrimes

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys.

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

If you are considering using Aimchess, please use the code drscull30.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices