The Chess Angle

Mar 09 2025 143 ep. 41 mins 241
The Chess Angle Podcast artwork

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: [email protected]. Thank you for listening and we hope you win your next game!

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Ep. 143: Formal Chess Study Plans: Essential or Overhyped?

Mar 09 2025 43 mins  
This week we discuss whether highly structured study plans are practical for busy amateurs. Neal concludes by sharing his own plan (HINT: it’s not complicated). Referenced: Ep. 61: Do Chess Training Programs Work? Ep. 105 (S7 Premiere): Declutter Your Chess Study Plan Build Your Technique by FM Thomas Wolski 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episo

Ep. 142: The Tactics vs. Imbalances Debate

Mar 02 2025 41 mins  
This week's pod is a dedicated Listener Mailbag episode. We challenge some of the pushback that's out there about IM Jeremy Silman's system of imbalances and discuss some other topics as well. Referenced: Ep. 83 (S6 Premiere): Mastering the Middlegame for Club Players: The Legacy of IM Jeremy Silman Ep. 84: Mastering the Middlegame, Part 2: Are There Flaws With Silman's Imbalances

Ep. 141: What Actually Wins Chess Tournaments (And What’s Just Noise)

Feb 23 2025 58 mins  
This week we dive into what separates winning amateur chess players from the rest - and what’s often just noise and distraction. We break down the skills, habits, and strategies that lead to consistent tournament success and explore common misconceptions that don’t actually impact performance as much as people think. Referenced: Ep. 65: Your First Chess Tournament - Tips & Tr

Ep. 140: Chess Tournament Trickery & Shenanigans

Feb 16 2025 59 mins  
You guys asked for more tournament stories, so this week Neal goes into full TD mode to discuss recent antics and shenanigans from the Long Island Chess Club. You can't make this stuff up! This is followed by an extended Listener Mailbag segment. Referenced: Ep. 45: The Truth About Chess Engines for Club Players Ep. 95: How to Use a Chess Engine as a Developing Player 📧 If yo

Ep. 139: The "Black Box" Method of Chess Improvement

Feb 09 2025 27 mins  
This week we discuss a chess improvement philosophy based on the book Black Box Thinking: Why Most People Never Learn from Their Mistakes--But Some Do (Amazon) by Matthew Syed. We also cover some additional topics from our Listener Mailbag. Chapters: Intro & Listener Mailbag Playing Unrated Games & Bots Online Facing the London System The "Black Box" Theory of Chess Improvement Op

Ep. 138: "Hand Hovering" at Chess Tournaments, Why We Lose Games, & More

Feb 02 2025 32 mins  
This week, Neal discusses the infamous "hand hover" at OTB events and other topics related to chess improvement and tournament strategy. Chapters: Intro & Listener Mailbag Thoughts on Chess Coaching How to Handle Fatigue Taking Byes Dealing with Nerves and Composure Hand-Hovering at Tournaments Know Your Basic Mates! Consistency Identifying and Addressing Weaknesses Referenced: P

Ep. 137: Chess Improvement Over Age 50

Jan 26 2025 32 mins  
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel. In this episode we discuss chess improvement and tournament strategies for players over 50 with some additional topics from our Listener Mailbag. Chapters: Intro and Listener Mailbag Winning Won Positions Spectator Interference Online Chess Etiquette Chess Improvement Strategies for Players Over 50 📧 If you have a question or

Ep. 136: The Truth About Rook and Pawn Endings

Jan 19 2025 32 mins  
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel. First, Neal engages with listener feedback, discussing their chess improvement journeys and suggestions for future episodes. The conversation then transitions into an exploration of rook and pawn endings, emphasizing their complexity and the mental challenges players face. Neal also shares resources for improving endgame skills, hi

Ep. 135: Hidden Chess Mistakes No One's Talking About

Jan 12 2025 35 mins  
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel. This week we discuss the importance of calculation, the choice between rapid and blitz games, and ten common hidden mistakes that players of all levels make. These mistakes range from erroneous pawn grabs to thoughtless bishop moves, providing valuable insights for beginners and reminders for experienced tournament players. Referen

Ep. 134 (S9 Premiere): Is the London System for Lazy Players? and other Chess Hot Takes

Jan 05 2025 41 mins  
VIDEO VERSION is available on our YouTube Channel. Welcome to Season 9! This episode is a response to the Reddit post What is Your Personal Chess Hot Take? Neal discusses various topics, including the importance of analyzing both wins and losses, the debate surrounding the London System, and the significance of openings in chess strategy. He also shares hot takes about rating defla