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

Popular Author, Trainer, and Founding Member of the ChessDojo, Kostya Kavutskiy stops by to discuss his excellent new Chessable course, Endgame Studies 101. Check out ChessDojo's YouTube here Follow IM Kostya Kavutskiy's Twitter here

In his own words, GM Vladimir Kramnik answers the trivia question from How to Chess Episode 19 about the first time he beat a GM in a simul.

Legendary former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik stops by to discuss 3 things to think about when its your move in a chess game. As GM Kramnik details in his Chessable course, Thinking in Chess, A How to Guide, it can be useful to use the following framework when its your move... Look for tactics (can i win material?) Is there a threat? (are pieces hanging?) What is the plan of your opponent? (What is she hoping to do next?)  ONLY then, you can ask yourself questions like, "what is my plan?" and "How can I improve my position?, etc. Both of Vladmir Kramnik's courses are on sale through October 27. And both offer free chapters! Links below: Thinking in Chess, A How to Guide Thinking in Chess: Free Excerpt Understanding 1. e4 Vladimir Kramnik: Free Opening Lesson #1 THE TRIVIA CONTEST ALREADY HAS A WINNER! Thanks for listening, and please subscribe for bonus content coming soon featuring Vladimir telling the story of the answer to the trivia question.

FM Peter Giannatos is the Founder and Executive Director of the Charlotte Chess Center and Scholastic Academy (CCCSA), and an accomplished chess teacher and improver. Follow the CCCSA on Twitter here Twitch here Info on the Corporate Chess League here. Perpetual Chess Podcast Episode 241 with FM Peter Giannatos here Follow Ben Johnson on Twitter here https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1 If you want to build your repertoire visit: www.chessable.com/free for hundreds of free starter repertoires

IM Lawrence Trent shares some memorable advice that has been imparted to him from his GM friends, plus gives an update on his GM title chase and his rivalry with IM Greg Shahade. Ben Johnson https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1 Lawrence Trent https://twitter.com/LawrenceTrentIM Greg Shahade https://twitter.com/GregShahade/status/1430546789065658377 If you want to build your repertoire visit: www.chessable.com/free for hundreds of free starter repertoires

WIM Jesse February shares some great advice on how to analyze games, prepare and manage your energy during a tournament. Make sure to drop Jesse a follow on Twitch and keep in touch via her socials: Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/jesse_feb Twitter - https://twitter.com/jesse_feb?lang=en Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jesse_feb/?hl=en