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!

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

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

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

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: X: https://twitter.com/lauraloveschess Instagram: instagram.com/lauraloveschess Twitch: twitch.com/shaunandlaura Email: lauraloveschess@gmail.com Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

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

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

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

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

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

CM Vjekoslav "Vjeko" Nemec is a Chessable Author, a chess blogger and journalist, and a fierce blitz player with ratings over 2600 on both Lichess and Chess.com. In our conversation, Vjeko shares some tips for improving your blitz game, but also discusses the dark side of a love for blitz, as it can be addicting and sometimes causes him to wonder if he is using his chess time optimally. In our conversation we get some good reflections on improving your blitz game, putting it in its proper place in your life, and even on how to reorient in order to work on classical chess instead. Check out Vjeko's course, The Uncompromising Modern Defense, here: https://www.chessable.com/the-uncompromising-modern-defense/course/87112/

This week's guest on How to Chess is Chessable author and renowned trainer GM Johan Hellsten. He joins the podcast this week to share some tips about how to analyze one's one chess games. Johan touches on how to utilize engines, and the different types of mistakes he sees in his students games. Johan's landmark Mastering Chess books/ Chessable series is packed with instructive positions and is revered by other chess trainers and students alike. It is a particularly good choice for those rated in the 1400 to 2200 range. You can check out Johan's Chessable Courses (including links to free lessons) here: https://www.chessable.com/author/jhellsten2/

NM Bryan Tillis is a popular Chessable Author, an accredited FIDE trainer, and the founder of the Florida based chess academy, Palm Beach Chess. In our conversation, Bryan shares some practical tips to help adult chess players remember their openings. Bryan discusses the concept of "memory markers" and shares a few other tips that can help us make the most of our limited opening study time. You can find links to Chessable courses referenced below: Bryan's Chessable Courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/Bryan_Tillis/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_17331070731&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjw6fyXBhBgEiwAhhiZspYMi_MyeUl6WHKZN3RpRgIpGJ1URpTn28w3dgxzqCTGnR-oR7oxgxoCqJQQAvD_BwE FM Kamil Plichta's Anti-Anti Sicilians: https://www.chessable.com/anti-anti-sicilians/course/42393/ Memory markers

GM Sahaj Grover is an Indian born, South Africa based chess trainer and Chessable Author. He amassed many youth titles, and was the 2017 and 2018 South African Open Champion. Sahaj is also the co-author (with FM Daniel Barrish) of Timeless Technique: Strategic Endgames, a great practical guide to endgames for intermediate and advanced players. In our conversation, Sahaj shares some tips for blending the study of "practical" endgames and "technical" endgames and discusses his own endgame education. He also tells the story of what he learned from a memorable Pro Chess League game against GM Magnus Carlsen! You can check out Sahaj's Chessable Courses here: https://www.chessable.com/author/sahajgrover/ Check out 100 Endgames You Must Know (another course we discussed) Here: 100 Endgames You Must Know - MoveTrainer® Course - Chessable

Omar Mills is a Florida based Product Manager at Disney parks by day, and a recently converted chess die-hard by night. As a follow up to Neal Bruce’s suggestions before one’s first chess tournament (in Episode 4), I thought it would be fun to hear from a player after he had played his first tournament. Omar has quickly built a loyal Twitter following due to his evident passion for chess, so he was the perfect person to share some lessons that he learned. When it comes to tournament chess, there is no substitute for experience! Please tune in for all the lessons that Omar has learned in the early days of a chess obsession.  Be sure to follow Omar on Twitter and Instagram: https://twitter.com/ChessVonDoom?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor https://www.instagram.com/ChessVonDoom/ Recommended Chessable Courses for Your 2nd Tournament:  Everyone’s First Chess Workbook by FM Peter Giannatos  Chess Principles Reloaded by IM Andras Toth  Learn Chess the Right Way, Find Winning Moves by GM Susan Polgar 

Dr. Christopher Chabris is a renowned cognitive scientist and the best-selling co-author of the book The Invisible Gorilla. In this conversation, Chris discusses what it means to have "chess culture" and how one can go about acquiring it. Check out Dr. Chabris' website here: http://www.chabris.com/ In addition to the books we discussed, here are a few Chessable courses I would recommend to help you learn more chess culture: 1) Kasparov's Great Predecessor Series 2) Yasser's Chess Duels 3) The Best Chess Moves of All Time by Alex Belsley and GM Simon Williams

Andrew Webb works in Product Management for a software company and is also a "chess dad" and a dedicated chess amateur who has managed to gain about 250 FIDE points in his 40s. Andrew credits a lot of his success to lessons he learned from working with his coaches, NM Dan Heisman and GM Nigel Davies, and in this conversation he shares a few of those lessons. Relevant links below:   Andrews's Educational Chess Website- https://acornchess.com/ Chessable courses mentioned: Chess Structures by Mauricio Flores Rios 

USCF National Master, Chess Steps trainer, and Chessable Author Han Schut on how to learn from your chess mistakes. Links: Han Schut's Chessable Courses: https://www.chessable.com/author/HanSchut/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax_17331070731&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjwoMSWBhAdEiwAVJ2ndl04_FPMT5YzkK45f63EsAkp4ppCSFKDMrBi1_CBjthMlkYd_5ZBwxoCr88QAvD_BwE Han's Twitter: https://twitter.com/HanSchutChess

I briefly discuss the pending return of How to Chess !! :)

Chessable author and Founder of Next Level Coaching, FM Dalton Perrine joins the pod to discuss an oft-neglected aspect of chess thinking- how to defend against tactics. Check out his Chessable course in the link below: https://www.chessable.com/survive-thrive-how-to-blunder-less-and-defend-better/course/80629/ Follow Dalton on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/MattyDPerrine