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Lyssna när som helst, var som helst

Ben Johnson

Perpetual Chess features weekly conversations with the chess world's best players, trainers and accomplished amateurs about their careers, current projects, best practices and the latest in chess news. Learn more at PerpetualChessPod.com

Perpetual Chess Podcast

An utterly unpredictable and entertaining World Championship match continues, and I am joined by popular YouTuber, Streamer, and Chessable Author, IM Andras Toth to discuss it. Andras has been regularly updating a free course on the program, and also had recently returned from visiting the match in Singapore. Andras provides a fun trip report, we discuss the many surprising aspects of the match, and we try to ascertain a few improvement takeaways for amateur players from this clash. Perpetual Chess will be back with one more look at this match after is conclusion. 

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com, you can check out Andras’ free course here:
https://www.chessable.com/world-chess-championship-2024-ding-vs-gukesh/course/281790/

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:
patreon.com/perpetualchess

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Bonus Pod- Ding-Gukesh in the Homestretch. Post-round 12 Analysis, Stories and Chess Improvement Takeaways with IM Andras Toth

GM Jon Ludvig Hammer is 3-time Norwegian Champion, popular commentator and highly-reviewed Chessable author. Most recently, GM Hammer has been broadcasting the World Championship for the YouTube channel of Magnus Carlsen’s TakeTakeTake app. In our conversation, Jon Ludvig discussed the origins of the Taketaketake company, and of his relationship with it. He also discussed the challenges of announcing without an engine, and shared his opinions on the best ways to present chess. Jon Ludvig has done a lot of coaching of amateurs around Chess.com’s Pogchamps, and also shares some chess improvement advice based on that experience, and tells the story of how it helped him shape an opening repertoire which he currently shares in his new Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black. We also touched on cheating in chess, Chess960, and GM Hammer’s 2025 plans. I always enjoy hearing GM Hammer’s takes, and I think that you will as well. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

This episode was recorded on December 3, and does not discuss the current state of the FIDE World Championship. For updated coverage of the Ding-Gukesh match check out the bonus pods. 

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.In addition to GM Hammer’s course, be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:
https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

0:00- What is the origins of GM Hammer’s collaboration with Magnus’ new app, which is called TakeTakeTake
Mentioned: Kaja Snare, WFM Dronning Maud, Sjakksnak Podcast with GM Hammer, the Magnus and Levy post-mortems we referenced are on the TakeTakeTake YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TakeTakeTakeApp

12:00- What are the chess broadcasts on TV like in Norway now that Magnus is semi-retired?

19:00- Why does Hammer think that chess is so much more popular as a spectator rather than participatory activity? 

26:00- What frustrates GM Hammer about recent chess discourse?
Mentioned: Chess in Slums, Brooklyn Castle, GM Ian Nepomniatchtchi cheated as an experiment against Hans Niemann: 
https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1gvwoc1/nepo_admits_to_using_stockfish_against_hans_in/

 
38:00- Does GM Hammer do any coaching? 

44:00- Is classical chess too slow? How is it presented on Norway television broadcasts? 

52:00- How did Hammer discover his own Black setup for his Chessable course, Hammer’s My First Opening Repertoire for Black? 
Mentioned: Mr. Savage, BenjyFishy 

1:02:00- GM Hammer’s upcoming plans and projects

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:
https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess

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EP 412- GM Jon Ludvig Hammer on Broadcasting the World Championship, How Chess is Covered in Norway & His Pet Opening System

Just one day after the match's unforgettable conclusion, I am honored to be joined by lead Chess.com Commentator and popular YouTuber, GM Daniel Naroditsky. Danya takes us straight to the deciding moment of the match and then looks back to contextualize broader lessons from a battle that was closer than many expected. We tackle questions such as:

Is it possible that Ding subconsciously was ok with losing this match?

How uncharacteristic was Ding's blunder for a GM?

 Did this match display more raw emotion than other recent World Championships?

Is Magnus Carlsen's commentary impacting the chess discourse too much during a match?

Following a detailed World Championship discussion, we touch on a few other topics, including the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz, Danya's upcoming Chessable course, and his recent coaching reflections. It was quite a treat to hear Danya process this match in real-time just one day after its conclusion. Approximate timestamps of topics discussed are below.

Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com.Be sure to check out the free course by IM Andras Toth on the World Championship match, the new Woodpecker Method 2 course, among their many offerings. If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the following link to help support Perpetual Chess:
https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

3:00 -Review game 14 of World Championship 
13:00 -Danya’s commentary influences
15:00 -Behind the scenes of Danya’s commentary
18:00 -Overview of World Championship match
22:00 -Ding’s struggles 
29:00 -Looking ahead to the next World Championship
31:30 -Emotions during the match
34:00 -Thoughts on Gukesh
36:30 -Takes on Magnus’ Take Take Take Recaps
45:00 -Potential changes to WC format
51:00 -Openings in the WC
57:00 -What the audience can learn from the match
1:01:30 -Final thoughts on WC/Danya’s embarrassing moment in commentary career
1:10:00 -Listener questions, Danya’s future chessable course 
1:14:00 -Danya's 2025 tournament plans
1:17:00 -Kramnik accusations/thoughts on upcoming World Rapid and Blitz
1:22:00 -Favorite memories being a part of Charlotte Chess Center
1:26:00 -What happened to Danya's NY Times chess column?
Thanks to Danya for joining me! Be sure to sub to his YouTube and Twitch channels:
 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP9CdeguNUI-_nBv_UXBhw 
https://www.twitch.tv/gmnaroditsky
If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess
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EP 413- GM Daniel Naroditsky Looks Back at Gukesh's Rise, Ding's Disappointment & the Heightened Emotions of the 2024 World Championship

In the chess world, the holiday season means its almost time for one of the most entertaining tournaments of the year- The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championship. This year’s championship events are star-studded affairs featuring GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Hikaru Nakamura, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and a litany of big-name challengers. For the first time, these events will be taking place in New York CIty, and I will be attending the event and subsequently covering them here on Perpetual Chess. Joining me to discuss the tournament are two wildcard participants.

First up (9:00) is the ever-popular Youtuber and Twitch streamer, IM Eric Rosen. Among other topics, IM Eric Rosen shares how he got the opportunity to play in the tournament, discusses whether he feels any apprehension about potentially tangling with so many world-class players, and discusses how he prepares for such an event. Eric joined me just after returning from the World Championship in Singapire, so he also reflects on that experience as well.

Following Eric, I am joined by FM Alisa Melekhina (35:00) . Alisa was one of the top players her age as a scholastic player, and is now a litigation partner at an NYC-based law firm. Alisa explains why she couldn’t resist the opportunity to participate in the Women’s Rapid Championship despite a busy professional life. Alisa co-founded the New York City Corporate Chess League and she also shares the background on that thriving endeavor. 

As always, I enjoyed chatting with Eric and Alisa, and look forward to watching them compete in this marquee event. 

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:
https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess
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Bonus Pod- FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Preview featuring IM Eric Rosen and FM Alisa Melekhina

David MacEnulty is an award-winning author and chess teacher who coached for many years at CES 70 school in the Bronx. In this public school in a disadvantaged school district, the chess program began with modest expectations, but went on to win many national championships. David’s new book, Sunrise in the Bronx: Chess and Life Lessons from the South Bronx to the White House, tells the story of the many kids whose lives were changed through chess. In our interview, David shares a few of his favorite stories, with plenty of lessons to impart for both parents and anyone else who wishes to introduce the younger generation to chess. After CES-70, David went on to head the chess program at the Dalton School, an elite private school. In the book, and in our conversation, David also reflects on the similarities and differences in coaching at such different schools. As a longtime friend of David’s, I was excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint me. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. 

0:02- How did David accidentally become a chess teacher in his 40s? What lessons did he learn?
22:00- Will there be an audiobook, will the book be on KIndle? 

24:00- What surprising skills did chess help kids develop? 

28:30- Patreon mailbag question- “Does David have any advice for motivating students to study chess at home?” 
Mentioned: Matthew Looks, Bruce Alberston 

35:40- Patreon mailbag question: “What is David’s advice for encouraging your kid to pursue tournament chess without ‘bulldozing them’?”

45:00- How did David and CES 70’s National Championship team get to meet President Bill Clinton? 

46:00- What are the crucial components of chess improvement? 

47:00- How does David spend his time in retirement? 

48:00- We discuss the value of extra-curriculars at school

50:00- Should kids get trophies for just participating in tournaments? 

52:00- Thanks to David for joining me! Sunrise in the Bronx is available from Amazon, New in Chess, and many major booksellers.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Bronx-Chess-Lessons-South/dp/9083434907

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Sunrise in the Bronx: David MacEnulty on Lessons Taught & Learned at an Inner-City Scholastic Chess Powerhouse

I'm Ben Johnson and I welcome you to the Perpetual Chess podcast. In this quick-hitter I explain why I created this podcast and what my goals are for it. I hope you enjoy it. Learn more at PerpetualChessPod.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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EP.00 - Welcome to Perpetual Chess with Ben Johnson

Greg Shahade is an innovative and dedicated chess player, teacher and promoter. He is best known for founding the US chess school, the New York Masters, and the US chess league (now the pro chess league). In this episode, we talk about these projects and others, as well as his sometimes controversial ideas to further popularize chess. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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EP.01 - International Master Greg Shahade

In addition to being the funniest person in Germany, Jan Gustafsson is a pretty good chess player. He was once among the 100 highest rated players in the world and is widely respected for his vast opening knowledge. He also co-founded the popular chess site chess24.com and frequently announces grandmaster tournaments where he provides both humor and insight into top level games. In this interview, we talk about his chess career, new fatherhood, and of course about American pop culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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EP.02 - Grandmaster Jan Gustafsson

While only 23, Nazi Paikidze has already achieved a great deal in chess including recently winning the US Women's championship. We talk about this experience as well as the Olympiad, and her journey from Georgia to Moscow to Las Vegas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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EP.03 - International Master Nazi Paikidze

Fresh from earning his 3rd and final IM norm, Kostya joins the podcast to tell us about his initial introduction to chess as a young kid in Los Angeles, and then about the event that rekindled his interest in chess as a teenager. We then discuss his ascendant career which encompasses playing, teaching and writing about chess. You can read Kostya's writing on chess.com and in Chess Life and follow him here on twitter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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EP.04 - International Master-elect Kostya Kavutskiy

In addition to being an USCF expert, chess teacher, and blitz specialist, Jonathan Corbblah is a game show wizard! He has appeared on 12 game shows and is a Jeopardy champion. In our interview, Jon tells us how chess helped inform his knowledge of trivia and how chess players can improve their trivia games. Jonathan also has many funny stories to tell about his brushes with fame in New York City. Among other adventures, he has played basketball with Magnus Carlsen and slow chess with George Soros. Lastly, Jonathan leaves with an impassioned defense of his controversial "never resign" policy. You may not always agree with him, but you will definitely be entertained. Get in touch with Jonathan on Facebook or chess.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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EP.48 - Jonathan Corbblah

EP.48 - Jonathan Corbblah

Lyssna när som helst, var som helst

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