How To Chess

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**How To Chess**

A Weekly, Rapid-Fire Chess Podcast Devoted to Helping You Improve Your Game. Hosted by Ben Johnson, brought to you by Chessable.com

Latest Episodes:

Ben Johnson (solo pod): Synthesizing the Key Lessons About Chess Role Models from Season 3's Guests Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

The final episode of Season 3 of How to Chess is a rare solo pod, where Ben

succinctly summarizes the key lessons about chess role models that were

imparted by the How to Chess guests. As Ben notes, the guests have

highlighted role models ranging from elite players to local players to

renowned endgame specialists, and luckily we don't need to choose just

one person to learn from in our chess studies. In closing, Ben

highlights a few of his own chess role models and the lessons that he

learned from them. Thanks to all of the brilliant How to Chess Season 3

guests, be sure to check out their courses, and thanks to you all for

listening!

WIM Luciana Morales on Learning from Queens of the Chess Board Jan 12, 2024

Show notes

Luciana Morales is a Peruvian Woman International Master with a resume full of impressive accomplishements!

She has won the Pan-American Youth Championship no less than 3 times. She also won the Zonal Tournament 2.4 in São Paulo. The win qualified her for the 2004 Women's World Championship, making her the first Peruvian player to do so.

And when she studied at the University of Texas - Brownsville, she helped the team outperform their seeding, and break into the final four of the 2008 Pan-American Team Championship.

But, what does she have to say about role models in chess?

Queens of the Chess Board:

https://www.chessable.com/queens-of-the-chess-board/course/102010/

Luciana's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/LucianaM/

Luciana's socials:

X: https://twitter.com/LucianaMorales

Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

IM Alex Astaneh on How His Coach Accidentally Taught him Board Visualization Skills Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

Alex Astaneh is an Irish International Master, chess coach, and author.

Astaneh's chess journey began at a young age, and he quickly found success on the Irish chess circuit. At the age of 11, he represented Ireland at the World Youth Championships, which got him hooked on the game.

His successes continued, having won the Irish Championship on three separate occasions (2010, 2017, 2018) and has represented the Irish National Team four times at the Chess Olympiads (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018).

In addition to a lauded chess playing career, Astaneh stands out as a world-class coach, including a stint as the official coach of the Irish junior team in the World Youth Championships 2010.

As Alex explains, he learned from studying the typical legends like Fischer and Tal, but his Spanish coach, IM Roberto Paramos Dominguez taught him a ton about attacking and visualization. In our conversation Alex shares tons of helpful tips for improving calculation.

My First Grünfeld Opening Repertoire:

https://www.chessable.com/my-first-grunfeld-opening-repertoire/course/134696/

Alex's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/Astaneh/

Alex's socials:

X: https://twitter.com/astanehchess

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexastaneh/

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/astaneh/

Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

GM Jorden van Foreest on What Kasparov's Books Taught him about Attacking...and the Tarrasch Defense Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

Jorden van Foreest is a well accomplished Grandmaster from the Netherlands. Some of the highlights of his career includes winning the Dutch Championship in 2016, winning the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament in 2021, and serving as Magnus Carlsen's second in the 2021 World Championship.

But what does he have to say about role models in chess?

Lifetime Repertoires: Tarrasch Defense:

https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-tarrasch-defense/course/128906/

Jorden's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/jordenvforeest/

Jorden's X: https://twitter.com/jordenvforeest

Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

NM Laura Smith on Her Chess Role Models Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

Laura Smith is an American chess teacher and educator. She began learning the game at

the fairly young age of 5, taught by her father. By the time she was 6, she was

already enrolled in chess classes. Her accomplishments include

becoming the highest-rated 13-year-old, male or female, in the US in 2002. She

competed in the US Women's Chess Championship in 2006, earned a silver medal in

the Girls Under 14 category in the Pan-American Championship, and earned a spot

on the US Youth Chess Team for 8 consecutive years. Laura discusses what she has learned from female role models like Judit Polgar, Irina Krush and Jennifer Shahade.

Forcing Moves for Beginners:

https://www.chessable.com/forcing-moves-for-beginners-/course/123996/

Laura's author page:

https://www.chessable.com/author/LauraSmith/

Laura's socials:

https://twitter.com/lauraloveschess

Instagram:

instagram.com/lauraloveschess

Twitch:

twitch.com/shaunandlaura

Email:

lauraloveschess@gmail.com

Ben's X:

https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

TheOnoZone on His Endgame Role Models Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

Ono is an Adult Improver, chess blogger, chess podcaster and chess coach.

Some say he is obsessed with chess. But, what does he have to say about role models in chess?

Mastering Endgame Strategy: https://www.chessable.com/mastering-e...

Arkell's Endings: https://www.chessable.com/arkells-end...

Ono's socials:

https://www.theonozone.com/

Youtube: h / @theonozone

X: t / theonozone

Ono Another Chess Podcast - Episode 7 (Guest: Ben Johnson): https://www.theonozone.com/7

IM Alex Banzea on What he Learned from One of Romania's All-Time Greats Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

Alex Banzea is a Romanian International Master, growing Twitch streamer, YouTuber, chess coach, and acclaimed Chessable author.

Since early age, Alex has received coaching of the highest level: Grandmaster Constantin Lupulescu, one of the most accomplished Romanian players ever. What does Alex has to say about role models in chess?

The Caro-Kann: Simplified: https://www.chessable.com/the-caro-kann-simplified/course/171080/

Alex Banzea's London System: https://www.chessable.com/alex-banzeas-london-system/course/118788/

Alex's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/alexbanzea/

Alex's socials:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexBanzea

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexBanzea

Ben's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

IM Yuriy Krykun on the Importance of FInding Local Chess Role Models Nov 24, 2023

Show notes

International Master Yuriy Krykun is a chess player, coach, and author. This rising star of the chess world has shined so bright that he’s gotten attention from beginners and grandmasters alike. But, what does he has to say about role models in chess?

IM Yuriy Krykun's author page:

https://www.chessable.com/author/Yuri...

Black is Back: Old Benoni:

https://www.chessable.com/black-is-ba...

Yuriy Krykun's socials:

X: https://twitter.com/KrykunYuriy

Ben's Socials:

X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

GM Ivan Sokolov on Coaching and Mentoring and What he Learned from Other Chess Legends Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

Ben Johnson talks role models in chess with gold-winning player/trainer/coach, GM Ivan Sokolov.

Ivan Sokolov is a Grandmaster, author, coach, and formerly one of the top-ranked chess players in the world. Sokolov was the coach and captain of the gold-winning Uzbek team in the 2022 Olympiad.

GM Ivan Sokolov's author page:

https://www.chessable.com/author/Ivan...

Endgame Expertise: Rook Endgames

https://www.chessable.com/endgame-exp...

Ivan Sokolov's socials:

X: https://twitter.com/GMSokolovIvan

Ben's Socials:

X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Teaser- How to Chess Season 3 Starts Friday! Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

Just a quick announcement that Season 3 is finally here! The topic of this season is chess role models.