Shows / The Chess Angle
The Chess Angle
The Chess Angle is dedicated to practical chess improvement for busy adult players. Join Neal as he plays online games, analyzes them, and shares practical lessons to help club players improve and make the most of their limited study time. New episodes are produced in a video-first format and are best experienced with the accompanying video. The first 200 episodes feature the original audio podcast. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thechessangle. Web: www.thechessangle.com. X: www.x.com/TheChessAngle…
Episodes
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 88: Amateur Chess Legend Andy Ansel on his Massive 15,000+ Book Collection, Playing 3 World Champions, & Whether Club Players Should Use Classic or Modern Books for Improvement
Andy Ansel is a devoted chess enthusiast who is well known for his impressive book collection which features over 15,000 items. He also has an extensive…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 87: David MacEnulty, Renowned Chess Coach Portrayed in the 2005 Film "Knights of the South Bronx," on Teaching, Learning, Improving, Tournament Skills, Cheating, & More
David MacEnulty is a legendary chess coach best known for his work with disadvantaged children at Community Elementary School #70 in the South Bronx in New…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 86: Chess Improvement Without Books feat. Xilin Chen (USCF 2144)
For this season's first interview episode, Neal spoke with Xilin Chen, a 24-year old student at Stonybrook University and a Long Island Chess Club regular…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 85: Trendy Chess Improvement Advice
There's a lot of chess advice out there, but is all of it sound? Will these suggestions really help you, especially if you're an emerging player looking to get…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 84: Mastering the Middlegame, Part 2: Are There Flaws With Silman's Imbalances?
This week we continue our discussion of IM Jeremy Silman. Some are critical of his method, and while Neal considers Silman's system to be essential for…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 83 (S6 Premiere): Mastering the Middlegame for Club Players: The Legacy of IM Jeremy Silman
Welcome to Season 6! Sadly, renowned chess educator IM Jeremy Silman passed away recently. Many consider his content to be essential for amateur improvement…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 82 (S5 Finale): My Opponent is Smoking a Cigarette: Chess Clubs Then vs. Now feat. Brian Karen (Chess Coffee Talk #3)
This episode is our Season 5 Finale. Season 6 coming soon! Our guest this week is Brian Karen, a Candidate Master, chess educator, historian, and regular…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 81: The English Opening (1. c4) from Black's Perspective
In this episode, we unravel the English Opening from Black's point of view for club players and adult improvers. We tackle the unfamiliarity and anxiety that…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 80: Chess Opening Surprises to Trick Your Opponent
Ready to shake up your chess game with some unconventional openings? In our latest episode, we make a case for occasionally adding complexity to your game. By…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 79: Everybody Loves Ratings
Did you know that the world of chess ratings can be as intriguing and mysterious as the game itself? How significant are tactics, game analysis, and a…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 78: Cheating at Local Chess Clubs feat. NM Nick Panico (Chess Coffee Talk #2)
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside a chess tournament? Join us as we converse with return guest National Master Nick Panico, who takes us on a…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 77: Phantom Tactics, Impatient Pawn Pushes, the Power of 1...Nf6, Nimzo-Indian Defense, Stopping Counterplay, & More (Game Analysis #7)
This week, we'll be exploring some common themes for club-level players by analyzing a typical amateur game that featured a lot of miscues. Concepts include…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 76: Decision Fatigue and Brain Fog at the Chessboard (Game Analysis #6)
Our episode features an engaging analysis of a chess game from the Long Island Chess Club. We dissect every plan, delving into the nuances of a Queen's pawn…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 75: Jessica Hyatt, the Highest-Rated Female African-American Chess Player (with NM Tyrell Harriott)
Meet high school student and Candidate Master Jessica Hyatt, the highest-rated female African-American chess player, and National Master Tyrell Harriott, her…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 74: Inside the Mind of a Tournament Chess Player feat. Dan Levin
Tune in as we delve into the mind of a seasoned tournament player, Dan Levin. A regular at the Long Island Chess Club, Dan brings a unique perspective to this…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 73: The Chess Conundrum: Balancing Online and OTB Play
Have you ever wondered about the differences between playing chess online and over-the-board? How does it impact your strategies and even your enjoyment of the…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 72: NM Jerald Times on Mastering the Chessboard: Insights, Strategies, and Transformations
Get ready to sharpen your chess skills with National Master Jerald Times, a revered chess educator and CEO of Chess Across Borders. We'll traverse across the…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 71 (S5 Premiere): A Journey to Chess Mastery feat. NM James Altucher
Are you ever too old to get better at chess? Join me as I sit down with National Master, top podcaster, successful entrepreneur, and best-selling author James…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 70 (S4 Finale): Chess Openings & Using a "Forever" Repertoire (Ep. 1 Reboot)
This week's episode is our Season 4 Finale. SEASON 5 COMING SOON! This is an updated version of the very first episode of this podcast, "Chess Openings and the…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 69: Passed Pawns, Piece Sacrifices, & More (Game Analysis #5)
We cover: Touch move Trapped pieces Does playing through Master games really help? Is a knight on the rim always dim? Should you move the same piece twice?…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 68: Weekend Tourneys, Rating "Donators" & More feat. NM Nick Panico (Chess Coffee Talk #1)
National Master Nick Panico returns to the podcast for our first "coffee talk" episode. These episodes will feature a guest and include the full conversation…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 67: The "Puzzle Rush Plus One" Chess Study Plan for Busy Adults
Neal plays a round of Puzzle Rush during the episode! For most of us, "life happens," and lengthy chess study sessions are not possible on a consistent basis…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 66: Starting Chess at a "Late" Age feat. NM Anthony Levin
For this interview episode, Neal spoke with National Master Anthony Levin, a NY based chess player and the News Manager for chess.com. Anthony shared his…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 65: Your First Chess Tournament - Tips & Tricks
Live, over-the-board (OTB) tournament play is the ultimate in chess competition. It's fun, exciting, and aesthetically pleasing. However, rated chess events…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 64: Beating Higher-Rated Opponents: It's Easier Than You Think at the Club Level...
This episode offers some direct and pragmatic ideas for club players when facing a higher-rated opponent. Talking points include the following: Why chess…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 63: The French Steiner Variation, 1. e4 e6 2. c4!? & More (Game Analysis #4)
This week's episode is a thematic analysis of an amateur game featuring the Steiner Variation of the French Defense (1.e4 e6 2. c4!?). Some other common French…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 62: How To Succeed At Club-Level Time Controls (G/90, G/75, etc.)
This episode covers so-called "club-level" time controls, such as G/90 and G/60. These usually include a time delay ranging from 5 - 30 seconds per move. Neal…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 61: Do Chess Training Programs Work?
This week's episode discusses study plans, training programs, and improvement as it relates to the amateur and club player. If you have a question or topic…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 60: Review of "The Complete Book of Chess Strategy," the Best All-In-One Reference Book for Improvers
This episode is a review of The Complete Book of Chess Strategy (Amazon) by IM Jeremy Silman. This is an excellent all-in-one reference book for improvers and…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 59: Why Is My Lower-Rated Opponent Playing So Well?
This episode explores the psychology of facing a lower-rated opponent who is playing really well. This is often highly frustrating for tournament players. Many…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 58: Gambit Openings, Students Cheating During Lessons, Bishop & Knight Mate, Sandbagging, Time Controls, Improvement & More feat. NM Nick Panico
This week I spoke with National Master Nick Panico. Nick is a fellow educator with a background in science and has also been active as a storm chaser. Nick…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 57 (S4 Premiere): GM Alex Lenderman on Adult Improvement, Chess Cheating & More
To kick off Season 4, Neal spoke with Grandmaster Alex Lenderman. Alex resides in Brooklyn, NY where he was a member of the famous chess team at Edward R…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 56 (S3 Finale): Active Pieces feat. NY Chess Legend IM Jay Bonin, the "Iron Man of Chess"
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! This week's episode is our Season 3 Finale and features International…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 55: WFM Maaike Keetman on the Nimzo-Indian, Grinding Out Wins, Attacking Play, Openings, & More
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! This week's episode features WFM Maaike Keetman. We covered a number of…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 54: Avoid This Common Pawn Blunder & Other Practical Tournament Tips
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! This episode offers some practical advice and insight for improvers and…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 53: NM Robert Guevara on Why He Declines All Draw Offers
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! Offering or accepting a draw is often a critical decision in a chess game…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 52: Chess Improvement and Academia feat. Stephen Wefer, Ph.D.
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! This episode is dedicated to all of the school teachers out there. Our…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 51: Non-Resigners, Faulty Queen Trades, the Jobava London, & More
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! In this solo episode, Neal shares some thoughts on a number of topics…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 50: Becoming a Chess Master feat. NM Nick Figorito
Nick Figorito is a member of the Long Island Chess Club who recently earned the title of National Master (USCF 2200). In this episode, Nick shares his journey…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 49: Chess Openings Masterclass feat. FM Carsten Hansen
The Chess Angle is sponsored by Chessable. Check out a list of our favorite courses! Fide Master Carsten Hansen is a prolific writer who has authored an…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 48: The Nimzo & Queen's Indian Defenses: A Complete System Against 1. d4
This episode is a primer on the Nimzo & Queen's Indian Defenses for adult improvers and club-level players. These two openings can be used as a complete system…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 47: The Chess Cheating Crisis: Implications for the Amateur Player feat. CM Brian Karen
Candidate Master and renowned chess educator Brian Karen returns to the podcast to discuss the chess cheating crisis as it relates to the amateur player, among…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 46: The Dangers of Playing Too Literally
Neal discusses the dangers of playing chess too literally or "inside the box." Sometimes deviating from conventional chess principles is a smart play. ♟This…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 45: The Truth About Chess Engines for Club Players
Analyzing your tournament games with a computer program such as Fritz or Stockfish is perhaps the most important component of any improvement plan. However…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 44: "Waiting" Moves, Chess Podcasts, & Other Musings
💻Be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube channel!💻 We have preview clips for select episodes and are gradually adding content. Please join our community! This…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 43: Are Electronic Notation Devices Legit? feat. Joey Troy, Creator of ChessNoteR
💻Be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube channel!💻 We have preview clips for select episodes and are gradually adding content. Please join our community! ♟This…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 42: Playing in Tournaments With a Full-Time Job feat. Dan Levin (USCF 1724)
💻Be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube channel!💻 We have preview clips for select episodes and are gradually adding content. Please join our community! ♟This…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 41 (S3 Premiere): IM Justus Williams on Chess Improvement, Brooklyn Castle & More
♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to ensure retention. Check out their…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 40 (S2 Finale): Tournament Strategy feat. GM John Emms
🎤Follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle ♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 39: Endgame Tips for Improvers
🎤Follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle ♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 38: Why Your Rating Is Not Increasing
🎤Follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle ♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced repetition to…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 37: The London System for Club Players
🎤Follow us on Twitter (X): @TheChessAngle The London System has become one of the most popular openings for White. While it's a staple at amateur events, many…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 36: The French Defense for Club Players
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle ♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 35: Chess Improvement While Parenting feat. Jay Kleinman (USCF 1915)
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle ♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Chessable uses science-backed learning and the concept of spaced…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 34: Confidence at the Chessboard (Game Analysis #3)
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle ♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Check out their courses today!♟ Happy Father's Day to all the chess…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 33: Annoying & Distracting Chess Behaviors
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle ♟This podcast is sponsored by Chessable. Neal is currently enjoying the course entitled The Agile London…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 32: Winning With Off-Book Ideas feat. Jarrod Tavares (USCF 2000)
🎤Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @TheChessAngle For this interview episode, I spoke with USCF Expert Jarrod Tavares. Jarrod is an amateur/club player who has…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 31: The Benefits of Speed Chess feat. NM Tyrell Harriott
🎤NEW Twitter page for the podcast: @TheChessAngle 🎤Be sure to follow us! While some favor slower time controls, blitz & rapid games are more popular than ever…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 30: Dubious Study Plans, The Comparison Game, & More
Are you constantly comparing your chess progress to that of others? Are four, five, or six-hour-a-day study plans effective for amateur players? I offer…
- The Chess Angle
Ep. 29: "The Seven Deadly Chess Sins" (advanced chess psychology)
This episode is a book review/discussion of the acclaimed text The Seven Deadly Chess Sins (Amazon) by Jonathan Rowson. This is a follow up to Episode 16 which…