The Chess Angle is the official podcast of the renowned Long Island Chess Club in NY. We discuss chess, tournament play, and improvement at the amateur and club level. Featured guests include titled players and dedicated amateurs. New episodes drop on Sundays. Web: www.thechessangle.com. Twitter (X): www.twitter.com/TheChessAngle. Email: info@thechessangle.com. Thank you for listening and we hope you win your next game!

Welcome to Season 7! As a reminder, you can become a <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/TheChessAnglePodcast" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Patreon</a> member of The Chess Angle. For just $2 a month, you can support the show while receiving a few perks including access to a members-only blog, Neal's personal episode notes/outlines, priority consideration for questions/topic suggestions, and early access to select episodes.  If you're interested in a single donation, we also have a <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thechessangle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Me a Coffee</a> page, where you can buy us a "virtual" coffee as a one-off contribution. We appreciate your support of the pod! This week, we discuss how to "Marie Kondo" your chess study plan if you're rated about 800-1200 and you're looking to break the 1400 barrier. You don't need to buy 100 chess books, 25 courses, and join seven different online training programs. A streamlined collection of chess study materials covering each phase and theme of the game combined with lots of OTB experience is probably all you need for quite some time. In this episode, we cover: <ul> <li>Why playing is just as crucial as studying</li> <li>How much study material do you need?</li> <li>How often should you study?</li> <li>Using chess study materials appropriately</li> <li>What NOT to study </li> <li>Putting it all together</li> </ul> Referenced: <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://www.thechessangle.com/ep-99-how-to-approach-chess-study-as-a-beginner-or-advanced-beginner-tips-and-suggested-resources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ep. 99: How to Approach Chess Study as a Beginner or Advanced Beginner</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3wkzshP" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Amateur's Mind</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://amzn.to/303nxct" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chess for Tigers</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Out-Caro-Kann-Everyman-Chess/dp/1857443039/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UZ0PQB8UI4X6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FJ6A6ghf4h5LRtJRG55mWXg4gVTolv-M3AjfT6fFNVw10-UyrleJHIIePcTjqjp7xL5q5jiG_xTbXWbRI85dLiwO--YD77w6-OF1eOhI4N262OunXutmYTZXiZld4LC7iZUTXFYBXZMw2SK3tw5Nz9c8Qj1lD9v1RbO79uhnTWgTN_CEg1pJBbZCUFNdN9clQ2bA64EP1oudSOVpvKuWypdEWXXkQb52SDNWItySHJA.uP3Mel_p4GO1swTxDJw9dnHg_vSj3B-P4C1BpwM7on8&dib_tag=se&keywords=starting+out+the+caro+kann&qid=1712446554&sprefix=%2Caps%2C208&sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Starting Out: The Caro-Kann</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Chess-Strategies-Everyman/dp/1857443853/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4EKGNE38YHQZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.X_cOixRZdubIjkNULMzFYAHF8GipyY2UyUTjtS6TfJS_bKxa2oU28ugqj12BDVapJy6bOEGf9w6E5bf4hN7JrRasRmfbgM_QwPdg_WFIL-dASokl8GvW8qC1WJypKczD1VhLZ2sypTJrrLCG26Tmqy4dr6cGhEeIemqcW1JcmV-7dUR9OIUkPLj3PKSYJi1U-edkymLEO8hYM5dmsKvlhob73vkz_TR0YRe58hhm4HU.iOhEuhf2rscfQfEll26l5u2V0h4-zWFPA3IghNbtxTg&dib_tag=se&keywords=winning+chess+strategies&qid=1712446638&sprefix=%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Winning Chess Strategies</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Pandolfinis-Endgame-Course-Concepts-Explained/dp/0671656880/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B7XROHGJMUFI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mupYV5AOY8zwZsQmXPFn8cbRK3xKrxVHX7xhmxA1VlPJ0Y0z7kMIiEuMKtEDfs4LIhlCumKfLa-OyEA0nqIosA.vYapst4TxpF4M56e533-vrEUnhK7E6sOaytDdBSr3T8&dib_tag=se&keywords=pandolfini%27s+endgame+course&qid=1712619423&s=digital-text&sprefix=pandolfini%27s%2Cdigital-text%2C83&sr=1-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pandolfini's Endgame Course</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3ru3TUS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Silman's Complete Endgame Course</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/How-Study-Chess-Your-Own/dp/9056919318/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2GF10T88CMXIV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ltnKzqoEhgiz2nKxomFu0IVed6oI_ekYVEFZkDs_6DqFSptWYqCmM9Gc8csJe9DKSkSRmpcMF0U5HimG6a8mdyfvhYrKYqyUiZYemZRJK7ew0EEdciVNApZI9Z6pPXDnZ6afnWuNGLF40ZxSXyDZaH2G0FzJdxhG9YYlGClIhE06EqyZAqIcekXELzfUvVxxLW-mIa5mIKUmxF1B_Y6WAO0lk7CifQWwgHJR0FnsKbo._wGhpcRsLmgtPBazVg6bcIxn49LfTNFG3QW_ekiV_rc&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+study+chess+on+your+own&qid=1712446865&sprefix=how+to+study+chess%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to Study Chess on Your Own</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Dvoretskys-Endgame-Manual-Mark-Dvoretsky/dp/1949859185/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JSPG6U8N6A0R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nsw3qlZEQ2jN6BXfiXwNnZXhpYj3pYXpy7JJW83Q-LIJP00CtfpFLWONNmTzzpYTCmmLkZRsFypcvsRdvU6A-IxnKCdhS5ByfCEN6rVA77XftV4uV94Tn1cbMzzbbEKQlAnmP72An5lNXz8GtDH7BSI35ubHeZNjvtTyOXu_72P01irzcIXXWFXS1jaijEEETzqyZikfhUXexIoXMMqSXP1xDAxD-HT24LZ8-rsYQB0.CA31o60djMi4MDIUNeM9ekUL2c0Hs6x591VMR-EuyCk&dib_tag=se&keywords=dvoretsky%27s+endgame+manual&qid=1712796632&sprefix=dvore%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1#customerReviews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://www.chess.com/lessons/introduction-to-tactics" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Introduction to Tactics</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://www.chess.com/lessons/endings-openings-a-taste-of-the-middle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Endings, Openings, A Taste of the Middle</a></li> </ul> 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at <a href="mailto:info@thechessangle.com" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">info@thechessangle.com</a>. 🎯 Our Links:  <ul> <li><a href="https://www.thechessangle.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Website</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.twitter.com/thechessangle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter (X)</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHNy9CGyP_X5fGsGz3oXvuA" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/TheChessAnglePodcast" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Patreon</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thechessangle" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Me a Coffee</a></li> </ul> ♟Some of the links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.♟

The Chess Angle

Ep. 105 (S7 Premiere): Declutter Your Chess Study Plan

This episode is our Season 6 finale. We'll be taking a short break and will return with Season 7 on April 14, 2024. This week, we discuss ten common reasons why players at the club level lose games: 1 - Non-processing 2 - Rushing against odd opening moves 3 - Neglecting development/premature attacks 4 - Misplaying castling 5 - Rook posing 6 - Too much French pastry 7 - Trading down to a losing King and pawn ending 8 - Trying too hard to win 9 - Being cavalier against lower-rated opponents 10 - Poor clock management 🎯 Support the Show:  <ul> <li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/TheChessAnglePodcast" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">Patreon</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thechessangle" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Me a Coffee</a></li> </ul> 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at <a href="mailto:info@thechessangle.com" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">info@thechessangle.com</a>. 🔗 Our links: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.thechessangle.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Website</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.twitter.com/thechessangle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter (X)</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHNy9CGyP_X5fGsGz3oXvuA" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a></li> </ul>

Ep. 104 (S6 Finale): Ten Ways to Lose a Chess Game

This week's guest, Tim Just, is a major figure in tournament directing and chess administration. He is a National TD, editor of the 5th-7th editions of the <a href="https://amzn.to/43kndSJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Chess Rulebook</a>, author, and columnist. When it comes to directing amateur chess tournaments, he's done it all and seen it all. In this episode, Tim shares a number of wild and entertaining anecdotes from the amateur chess scene. You can't make this stuff up! Links for Tim Just: <ul> <li dir="ltr"><a href="https://amzn.to/3nDAZgj" target="_blank" rel="noopener">My Opponent is Eating a Doughnut</a></li> <li dir="ltr"><a href="https://amzn.to/3IwOUy6" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Just Law</a></li> <li dir="ltr"><a href= "https://new.uschess.org/category/rules" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Rules | US Chess.org</a> (“Just the Rules” column)</li> <li dir="ltr"><a href= "https://www.uschess.org/images/stories/scholastic_chess_resources/guide_to_scholastic_chess_rev_7-04-17.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Guide to Scholastic Chess</a></li> </ul> 🎯 Support the Show:  <ul> <li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/TheChessAnglePodcast" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">Patreon</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thechessangle" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Me a Coffee</a></li> </ul> 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at <a href="mailto:info@thechessangle.com" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">info@thechessangle.com</a>. 🔗 Our links: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.thechessangle.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Website</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.twitter.com/thechessangle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter (X)</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHNy9CGyP_X5fGsGz3oXvuA" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a></li> </ul> ♟The Amazon links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.♟

Ep. 103: Wild Chess Tournament Stories: Cheating, Collusion, Pushy Parents & Other Tall Tales from the Amateur Chess Scene feat. Tim Just, National TD and US Chess Rulebook Editor

Nick Visel is a dedicated club player with a long term goal of achieving the title of National Master. He is well known in the adult improver community and is very popular on <a href= "https://twitter.com/Nickvisel" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Twitter/X</a>. You may be interested in subscribing to Nick's <a href= "https://nickplayschess.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Substack</a> where he shares book reviews, analysis of his OTB tournament games, and more. This week, Nick joined Neal for a candid conversation about chess improvement, the ups and downs of playing at the club level, and how the amateur chess scene has changed over the years. We cover: <ul> <li>Is online blitz helpful or hurtful?</li> <li>Openings</li> <li>The psychology of facing lower and higher-rated players</li> <li>Ratings & improvement</li> <li>Study plans</li> <li>Tactics vs. positional play</li> <li>And more...</li> </ul> Links for Nick Visel: <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://twitter.com/Nickvisel" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Twitter/X</a></li> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://nickplayschess.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Substack</a></li> <li style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><a href= "https://nickplayschess.substack.com/p/book-review-new-york-1924-by-alexander" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York 1924 Review</a></li> </ul> 🎯 Support the Show:  <ul> <li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/TheChessAnglePodcast" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">Patreon</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thechessangle" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Me a Coffee</a></li> </ul> 📧 If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at <a href="mailto:info@thechessangle.com" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">info@thechessangle.com</a>. 🔗 Our links: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.thechessangle.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Website</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.twitter.com/thechessangle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter (X)</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHNy9CGyP_X5fGsGz3oXvuA" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a></li> </ul>

Long Island Chess Club

The Chess Angle by Long Island Chess Club

Episodes