Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 74 Jesse (900 USCF) Dec 16, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke to Jesse. He’s a dedicated improver who joined during the Queen’s Gambit craze. We talked about his journey from strictly online blitz player to his current status as only playing OTB. Jesse carves out about an hour per day for study including mostly tactics and endgame work. He talked extensively about first OTB experiences and the importance of working with a coach. Jesse also discussed the value of endgame work even at lower rating bands.

Be sure the 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.

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Ep. 73 Kamryn - (1300 USCF, 1850 Rapid) Dec 10, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Kamryn. She’s a recent college grad, who dedicates several hours a day to chess. She’s had a remarkable journey so far, climbing from about 700 - 1900 Rapid on Chesscom. We discussed her journey, plateaus, and goals. Kamryn referenced many resources (Best Lessons of a Chess Coach, 100 Endgames You Must Know) that assisted her journey. She also highlighted the importance of OTB play, community, coaching children, and cementing basic tactics through puzzle rush. Kamryn’s story is an inspiring one for sure!

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Ep. 72 Joel (CFC 1530 - 1800 rapid) Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Joel about his chess experiences. Joel has been a chess book aficionado for much of his life. Joel talked about some unique approaches to chess learning. He uses history and stories to cement knowledge. Joel uses deep prep for online tournament opponents to solidify openings. Joel also has strong opinions on the importance of long games. Finally, Joel ended the show with a pile of book suggestions.

Be sure the 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. 71 Noah Nov 18, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Noah. Noah and I discussed his chess journey, which includes a lot of OTB chess lately with the Texas Tech team. We discussed his method of improvement, which has been mostly tactics and videos. Noah also talked about the importance of coaching for his chess development.

Be sure the 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. 70 Zach (1800 rapid) Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, Zach from episode 22 makes his return. He talks extensively about his quick climb to 1800 and then devastating fall back to 1480! We talked about how he dealt with adversity and worked his way back to a new high of 1850. Zach recommended a number of resources such as Susan Polgar’s defensive book Learn Chess the Right Way, Book 3 and Survive and Thrive. It was a fascinating conversation, and I’m impressed that Zach didn’t walk away when at his peak adversity.

Be sure the 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. 69 Jay (1850 USCF) Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I'm joined by Jay. He's a returning improver. Both Jay and I have seen rating gain in the last few months. We took the opportunity to celebrate our gains together and share our thoughts on what helped us break through. We both provided a bunch of thoughts on playing high stakes games, the value of coaching, and fixing our holes (raising floors). We also talked about what we are doing now to try to break through the next plateau.

Be sure the 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. 68 Martin Justesen (Say Chess) - 1800 Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I had the pleasure of talking to Martin Justesen of the Say Chess enterprise. We covered a wide range of topics such as how he has time for so many amazing projects! We discussed his chess journey, including a lengthy plateau at 1600. We discussed his books and his newest enterprise, the Chess Training Accountability Group. Overall, a great chat with a founder of the Chess Punks community.

https://saychess.substack.com/

https://chesstrainingaccountabilitygroup.substack.com/

Be sure the 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. 67 Maurits (1600 USCF) Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Maurits. He talked about his improvement journey. We talked about his favorite resources such as Reassess Your Chess. We talked about how much time one should spend on openings. We also discussed his experiences with coaching and OTB play.

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/

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. 66 Tai - Chess By the Numbers (1550 USCF) Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Tai, or as he is better known, Chess By the Numbers. We had a great conversation about his journey and improvement. The three primary topics were starting a chess club, finding training partners, and turning chess knowledge into skill. Tai’s journey is like many of us, struggling to find time and people to play with. But Tai did the unusual, he started his own chess club … twice! His story is an inspiring one in which he asserts that if you build it they will come.

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

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. 65 Ben Johnson - Perpetual Chess Podcast (2100 USCF) Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with the legend himself Ben Johnson. Ben is the proprietor of the Perpetual Chess Podcast, How to Chess, and his new substack blog the Perpetual Chess Link-Fest https://benjohnson.substack.com/. The episode starts with a checkin on Ben’s improvement progress. It’s been an up and down journey for him during the last year. This week, we focused mostly on books. We went through each rating band and suggested books that have worked for us as trainers and improvers. Ben has reviewed many chess books and his expertise is boundless. We also answered a wide range of questions about chess books. I will make a page with all of the recommendations on the Patreon page for the podcast. It will be accessible by all.

You can check out Ben’s exhaustive book list recommendation here: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/book-recommendations

You can support Ben’s new blog here: https://benjohnson.substack.com/

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

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