The Chess Experience

Latest Episodes:

Mental Strength, Positivity, & Banning the Haters with FM James Canty Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

013 There’s a small percentage of people who can inspire us to be better at chess. One of those rare folks is FM James Canty III. Few would bet money that a guy in his late 20s could go from National Master to Grandmaster. It’s almost never done.

Why?

Because, like us club players, he grapples with adult responsibilities that make improvement difficult: a full-time job, limited energy, and time.

But James is a powerhouse of positivity, discipline, and a tireless work ethic.

In this interview, James shares:

The single biggest “non-chess” activity you should do to improve your chess.
The demystifying truth about people who doubt your goals.
The surprising reason James got to be rated 2200 USCF with very little endgame study.

More From Lula:

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How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like:

Submitting questions to guests
A shout-out of your name on the pod
Vote on future topics/guests
Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

A Guide to Your First OTB Tournament - Daniel Lona Mar 08, 2022

Show notes

008 Thinking about your first OTB classical tournament? Or perhaps you still want some guidance for your 2nd or 3rd event? This episode will help you successfully navigate an OTB chess tournament.

While you may still have to face down an adorable 7-year-old in battle…

It WILL reduce the number of surprises you encounter and help calm your nerves. Inside you’ll find:

What to do before, during, and after the tournament to have a smooth experience.
The 2 often-overlooked truths that determine which section you should compete in.
5 incredibly simple ways to be fully prepared for your next tournament.
A powerful cure to placing too much pressure on yourself.

>> FREE DOWNLOAD: A Guide to OTB Tournaments<< (This is the guide I created & referenced in this episode.)
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How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like:

Submitting questions to guests
A shout-out of your name on the pod
Vote on future topics/guests
Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

The Importance of Your Thought Process in Chess – NM Dan Heisman Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

007 Are you studying chess like crazy but not improving? You may be missing a critical component to your potential chess improvement: A well-developed thought process.

Sure, this topic may lack the allure of studying the Sicilian Dragon or becoming a tactical wizard who shreds your opponents in minutes. But as my guest, NM Dan Heisman, says, “Chess is a thinking game.”
So, you must - at some point - focus on your thought process, or you’ll limit your development as a chess player.

Dan is the ultimate coach for adult improvers and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on the show. He’s written over a dozen chess books, has a popular YouTube channel with over 200 videos, and is well-recognized in the chess world as one of the premier coaches for amateurs.

Here, you’ll learn:

The most common mistakes players under 1500 USCF make in their thought process - and how to fix them.
2 questions to almost always ask when it’s your move and you’re out of book.
How do you choose among different candidate moves?

Resources Referenced In This Episode

BOOK: A Guide to Chess Improvement - Dan Heisman
BOOK: The Improving Chess Thinker - Dan Heisman
VIDEO: Thought Process Playlist - Dan Heisman
VIDEO: Basic Material Playlist - Dan Heisman
ARTICLES: Dan Heisman’s Article Library on Chess.com

More Resources From Dan Heisman

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How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like:

Submitting questions to guests
A shout-out of your name on the pod
Vote on future topics/guests
Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

Time Crunch: What Should You Study? with NM Laura Smith Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

006 One of the hardest parts of being an adult improver is making the most of your limited (and energy-drained?) free time for chess. To help me dive into this subject and reach a few solutions for this problem, I talk with NM Laura Smith, who brings a refreshing positive energy and enthusiasm to our discussion of chess.
Born and raised in Queens, New York, she now lives in Brooklyn. Laura is an elementary school teacher who also coaches chess at both the scholastic and adult levels.
Laura has also recently led the adult beginner classes for the US Chess Women program.
A few ideas you'll find in this episode:

Why you should do fewer puzzles online, not more.
Do you really need to dive deep into endgames?
A unique approach to delving into strategy.

Want To Save Using the Steps Method? Go to Chess Steps and use her affiliate code, "LauraLovesChess" and get 10% off
You can also find Laura streaming live with her husband on their Twitch Channel.
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How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like:

Submitting questions to guests
A shout-out of your name on the pod
Vote on future topics/guests
Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

Chess in Film: The Executive Producer of Critical Thinking, Carla Berkowitz Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

005 In 2020, the chess world was gifted an extraordinary film. Yet not nearly enough of us saw it. The pandemic blunted its theater release. So, it never received the attention it deserved. That movie is Critical Thinking, starring John Leguizamo, who also directed the movie.

The film is about the true story of a high school chess teacher who leads the first inner-city school to win a US National Chess Championship, and uses the game to teach them life lessons.

In this episode, I chat with the film's creator and Executive Producer, Carla Berkowitz. We discuss:

The amazing story of how it took 20 years for the film to get made.
Behind-the-scenes of recreating realistic chess for a Hollywood film.
The profound life lessons of chess.
How chess serves as a refuge for those struggling in life.
Will there be a "sequel" to this film?

NOTE: There are no spoilers in the interview, so you can enjoy it without seeing the film. But you’ll get even more out of our discussion if you see it first. So, to that end...
Rent or Watch the Film Here:

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How You Can Support the Pod:

Join this show’s Patreon called “Podcast Perks” and get benefits like:

Submitting questions to guests
A shout-out of your name on the pod
Vote on future topics/guests
Exclusive behind-the-scenes updates about the show
DM me any month for a brief chat on chess or episodes

Click here to join the Patreon for The Chess Experience.

Or you can…

>>Support this pod by grabbing a chess.com membership which will help you improve your chess & defeat your enemies. A small portion will fund this pod - and every bit helps! Just click this link.

>> Neither? How about checking out Daniel's chess.com profile? Witness his countless, embarrassing blitz losses. He even accepts some friend requests. (Ad)

How to Create An Effective Study Plan with IM Andras Toth Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

004 What makes chess improvement so difficult? Crafting a study plan you're confident will work has to be high on the list. In this episode, I dive into what makes a great study plan for any rating level with IM Andras Toth.
Plus, he busts some harmful myths.

Andras is a renowned coach to adults with a blunt, no-nonsense approach to teaching that's refreshing.

He has a highly regarded YouTube channel, plus he's the author of many great courses on Chessable.

In this episode, you'll learn:

The real reason engine analysis is of limited help to your chess improvement (no matter what your amateur rating is.)
Why it's so important to work with a coach if you want to see long-term progress.
The vital importance of studying annotated games.
A critical, overlooked component to studying tactics that's rarely considered in most people's study plans.

Supplemental Content:
"How to Master Calculation? What Difference Can a Coach Make?" - Andras recommends this video to further some of the ideas he talked about in this podcast episode, especially the difference of having a coach.

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