Perpetual Chess Podcast

EP 463- FM Nick Matta on Immersion, Mindset, and a Remarkable Decade of Chess Improvement (Adult Improver Series)

The Adult Improver Series returns with the remarkable story of FM Nick Matta, a five-time Louisiana State Champion who made one of the most unusual rating climbs in recent memory. Nick returned to tournament chess as a college freshman and went from roughly 1400 to 2400 USCF over the next decade. In our conversation, he breaks down the habits and mindset shifts that fueled that rise, including: * How complete immersion in chess during his college years accelerated his progress * Why the mental game became increasingly important as he climbed the rating ladder * The books, videos, and tools that helped him at each stage Nick’s improvement in his 20s may be rare, but his insights are applicable to players of a wide range of levels. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro [https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro] And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ [https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/]  00:00 – Intro & AnnouncementsFInd out more about the teaching job opportunity at IS 318 here: 1. https://www.facebook.com/groups/796878173716685/posts/32637324772578611/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/796878173716685/posts/32637324772578611/] 2. Join the Perpetual Chess discord here!              https://discord.gg/27AXnaUr [https://discord.gg/27AXnaUr] 03:00 – Intro & Announcements Find out more about the teaching job opportunity at IS 318 here: 1. https://www.facebook.com/groups/796878173716685/posts/32637324772578611/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/796878173716685/posts/32637324772578611/] 2. Join the Perpetual Chess discord here!              https://discord.gg/27AXnaUr [https://discord.gg/27AXnaUr] 06:00 – Who Is FM Nick Matta? Mentioned Nick was also interviewed in episode 450- Hikaru in Louisiana https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2025/9/9/ep-450-hikaru-in-louisiana-stories-from-his-surprise-appearance-in-the-louisiana-state-championshipnbsp [https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2025/9/9/ep-450-hikaru-in-louisiana-stories-from-his-surprise-appearance-in-the-louisiana-state-championshipnbsp]  Check out Nick’s USCF Rating History here: https://www.uschess.org/datapage/ratings_graph.php?memid=12845401 [https://www.uschess.org/datapage/ratings_graph.php?memid=12845401] His rapid rise from 1480 → 2390 and return to chess after Katrina. Also Mentioned: Pawn Structure Chess by GM Andy Soltis, IM Jeremy Silman’s How to Reassess Your Chess, Pawn Power in Chess  11:30 – How the Improvement Started Immersion, study habits, book recommendations, and developing a love for feedback. Mentioned: Kasparov’s My Story with GM James Plaskett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeEY66T0q80 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeEY66T0q80] GM Melih Khachiyan’s Evaluation and Planning Series on Chess.com [http://chess.com] https://www.chess.com/video/player/evaluation-and-planning---part-1 [https://www.chess.com/video/player/evaluation-and-planning---part-1] 26:00 – Openings, Training, and Evolution Why he constantly changed openings, how his training shifted as he reached master level, and learning from top coaches. Mentioned: GM Gregory Kaidanov, IM John Bartholomew, GM Jacob Aagaard’s Thinking Inside the Box  35:00 – Time Trouble & Mental Game Breakthroughs Aagaard’s tough feedback, decision-making, cold-plunge training, meditation, and building emotional resilience. Mentioned: Karpov in a cold plunge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAhtMKhvG1A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAhtMKhvG1A] 59:00 – Coaching, Pursuing the IM Title & Final Advice Balancing coaching with personal ambition, whether he’ll chase the IM title, and his distilled guidance for adult improvers. 1:15:00- Thanks to Nick for joining me! Here is how to reach him:  Lichess coaches page: https://lichess.org/coach/nickmatta [https://lichess.org/coach/nickmatta] Chess.com [http://chess.com] coaches page: https://www.chess.com/member/nickmatta [https://www.chess.com/member/nickmatta] Email-  Nickmatta13 at gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

EP 462- FIDE World Cup Reflections with GM Felix Blohberger: Blunders, Bouncebacks, Tiebreaks and The New Candidates Field

As a fascinating and upset-laden FIDE World Cup comes to an end, 2022 Austrian National Champion GM Felix Blohberger [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Blohberger] joins me to break down the key moments, share stories from his own World Cup experience, and reflect on his chess career.  GM Blohberger has been offering insightful commentary on his YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/@febloh]where he has been sharing his thoughts on the FIDE World Cup, and was able to elaborate on many themes from his channel in our interview.  In our conversation we discuss:  * The new Candidates qualifiers:  GM Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Andrey Esipenko plus who Felix now sees as the favorite to  win the Candidates. * The pressure of tiebreaks including Felix’s take on GM Esipenko’s heartbreaking blunder against Wei Yi, plus what it’s actually like inside the venue between games. * Felix’s chess career:  including his favorite books, his rating goals, and reflections on the viral video that helped grow his channel [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8DW6XShofQ]. .  This was another entertaining and surprising World Cup, and I am already excited for the FIDE Candidates next year. Timestamps  are below.  0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro [https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro] And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ [https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/] 0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro [https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro] And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ [https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/] 01:30 Introduction  05:00- GM Felix Blohberger joins me Sub to his YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@febloh [https://www.youtube.com/@febloh] Felix’s video about the challenges of life as a chess pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8DW6XShofQ&t=0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8DW6XShofQ&t=0] Esipenko’s blunder- https://x.com/GMJuditPolgar/status/1992651679108616301?s=20 [https://x.com/GMJuditPolgar/status/1992651679108616301?s=20] 07:00 The FIDE World Cup Experience-  10:00 Tiebreaker Tensions and Player Dynamics 14:00 Youth vs. Experience in Chess 15:30- Patreon mailbag question [https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess]: Why does Felix think so many players were content to go to tiebreaks?  18:00- Felix’s thought on GM Sindarov  Sindarov’s 2700chess.com [http://2700chess.com] rating graph- https://2700chess.com/players/sindarov_javokhir 22:00 Wei Yi's Comeback Story 24:00  Felix’s big picture conclusions from the World Cup  29:00 Tournament Conditions and Player Experiences 31:00 The Pros and Cons of Making Predictions  33:00 Experiences in the Croatian Chess League 35:00 Confidence Boost from Recent Performances 36:30 Balancing Chess and Content Creation Felix Rook Endgame Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEESoSw164w [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEESoSw164w] 39:00 Resources and Training Techniques Mentioned: Yusopov’s Build Up Your Chess Series  [https://www.amazon.com/Build-Up-Your-Chess-Fundamentals/dp/1906552010] 42:00 Working as a Second for GM Harikrishna  Mentioned: The Anand Files by FM Michael Abeln [https://www.amazon.com/Anand-Files-Michiel-Abeln/dp/1784830917/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18CQP6QPDXFCP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6gK1p6qrPJC4yFZsSgoq9IH3Km80stgDkeEl3GO1oNo5Nrvc3puqTJXV9WyD6y9K.fwI-cH1lKGulb5jU0Y0imwayV2y-vP5CxhIVkOc4xEQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+anand+files&qid=1764186789&s=books&sprefix=the+anand+file%2Cstripbooks%2C104&sr=1-1] 49:00 Career Highlights and Favorite Games Mentioned: Blohberger-Svane 2023 https://www.chess.com/events/2023-2024-austrian-chess-bundesliga/04/Blohberger_Felix-Svane_Frederik [https://www.chess.com/events/2023-2024-austrian-chess-bundesliga/04/Blohberger_Felix-Svane_Frederik] 52:00 Future Plans and Interests Outside Chess 55:00- An update on how he is enjoying  life as a chess professional  56:00- Thanks to GM Blohberger for joining me! Here is how to keep up with him: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@febloh [https://www.youtube.com/@febloh] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felixblohberger/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/felixblohberger/?hl=en] Website: https://www.felixblohberger.com/ [https://www.felixblohberger.com/] If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess [https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

EP 461- IM John Bartholomew on Chess Improvement Lessons, The Scandinavian Defense & His New Business Venture

IM John Barthomew is a former scholastic national champion turned popular and longtime chess Youtuber and serial entrepreneur. His clear and friendly teaching style has garnered him over 200,000 subs and many devotees of the Scandinavian defense, the opening for which he is best known. In our conversation we discuss:  * Five chess improvement conclusions that John drew from playing in (and documenting) The LiChess LoneWolf League [https://www.lichess4545.com/lonewolf/]  * The challenges and rewards of helping to build Chessiverse [https://chessiverse.com/].  Chessiverse offers over 600 “human-like” bots to play against, and is also the site where you can find John’s new, Comprehensive Scandinavian course [https://chessiverse.com/courses/scandi?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=scandi_search_tier1_purchase&utm_term=chess%20courses&utm_content=185814884617_782203235972_c&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23214933240&utm_term=chess%20courses&utm_content=782203235972&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23214933240&gbraid=0AAAAABc5PsgmfRvqVuvKClF-9oZLSp0mn&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoZDJBhC0ARIsAERP-F_lAVpIoPksVCsZ5LG7GydpV4Wi8KIL4HMSbf_V_ZGei2837lHT57gaAu9fEALw_wcB].  * Lastly, John told a few memorable stories about his good friend GM Daniel Naroditsky that reflect Daniel’s unusual talents.  It is always enjoyable talking chess with John, and there are many nuggets to be gleaned from this conversation.  0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro [https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro] And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ [https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/] 00:00 Intro  and Guest Introduction 03:00 IM John Bartholomew joins. We start with John’s chess improvement lessons learned from the LiChess Lone Wolf League [https://www.lichess4545.com/lonewolf/] https://lichess.org/@/Fins/blog/what-i-learned-from-playing-lonewolf-league-season-37/19yaMKfW [https://lichess.org/@/Fins/blog/what-i-learned-from-playing-lonewolf-league-season-37/19yaMKfW] Here is John’s Lone Wolf game recap playlist- https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl9uuRYQ-6MCYu9m5ji2tJgIoU7JMHkD9&si=Lg1RvP2PhmX2M68Q [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl9uuRYQ-6MCYu9m5ji2tJgIoU7JMHkD9&si=Lg1RvP2PhmX2M68Q] 06:00- Self-Talk and Thought Process in Chess 09:00- The Importance of Time Management John’s Using the Clock as a Weapon Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl9uuRYQ-6MD7go55KaMPOGKSHxXhWED_&si=e34rgZ05auwzOauQ [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl9uuRYQ-6MD7go55KaMPOGKSHxXhWED_&si=e34rgZ05auwzOauQ] 12:00 The Importance of Opening Variety 14:30 The Value of Longer Time Controls 17:30 Introduction to John’s new venture-  Chessiverse 21:30 Patreon mailbag questions [https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess]:  How does Chessiverse compare to other online products? What ratings is it best suited for? 23:30 Comparing Chessiverse to Other Platforms 25:45 Chessiverse's Business Model and Future Plans 29:00 John’s Scandinavian course  33:00 The Evolution of Scandinavian Theory Mentioned: Ponomariov-Papaioannou 2003 https://lichess.org/q55Y75PQ#15 [https://lichess.org/q55Y75PQ#15] 39:00 Navigating Course Design Challenges 45:00- The Vision for Chessiverse and Bot Experience 48:30 John’s memories of GM Daniel Naroditsky Mentioned: John’s tribute-  https://youtu.be/kclevjiPK5I?si=7CO6ydPqkyFNKBjy [https://youtu.be/kclevjiPK5I?si=7CO6ydPqkyFNKBjy] Fundraiser for Danya-  https://givebutter.com/naroditsky [https://givebutter.com/naroditsky] 52:00-  Thanks to John for rejoining! Here are links to keep up with him: Newsletter: https://johnbartholomewchess.com/the-chess-mindset-newsletter-im-john-bartholomew/ [https://johnbartholomewchess.com/the-chess-mindset-newsletter-im-john-bartholomew/] Course-  https://chessiverse.com/courses/scandi?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=scandi_search_tier1_purchase&utm_term=chess%20courses&utm_content=185814884617_782203235972_c&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23214933240&utm_term=chess%20courses&utm_content=782203235972&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23214933240&gbraid=0AAAAABc5PsgmfRvqVuvKClF-9oZLSp0mn&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoZDJBhC0ARIsAERP-F_lAVpIoPksVCsZ5LG7GydpV4Wi8KIL4HMSbf_V_ZGei2837lHT57gaAu9fEALw_wcB [https://chessiverse.com/courses/scandi?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=scandi_search_tier1_purchase&utm_term=chess%20courses&utm_content=185814884617_782203235972_c&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23214933240&utm_term=chess%20courses&utm_content=782203235972&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23214933240&gbraid=0AAAAABc5PsgmfRvqVuvKClF-9oZLSp0mn&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoZDJBhC0ARIsAERP-F_lAVpIoPksVCsZ5LG7GydpV4Wi8KIL4HMSbf_V_ZGei2837lHT57gaAu9fEALw_wcB] Twitter/X: https://x.com/fins0905?lang=en [https://x.com/fins0905?lang=en] 55:00- If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess [https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

EP 460- FM Peter Giannatos on GM Daniel Naroditsky’s Life, His Last Days & How We Can Honor Danya’s Legacy

FM Peter Giannatos, founder of the Charlotte Chess Center, was a close friend of GM Daniel Naroditsky and played a pivotal role in encouraging Daniel to build his post-collegiate life in Charlotte. Peter and the tight-knit Charlotte community spent significant time with Danya, including in the days leading up to his tragic passing. In this conversation, Peter reflects on their friendship, shares what he feels is appropriate about Danya’s final days, and highlights a new fundraiser created to honor Daniel’s legacy. I’m grateful for the clarity and courage Peter brought to this deeply emotional discussion as the chess world begins to process and heal from this immense loss. 0:00- Intro-  Support the fundraiser here: https://givebutter.com/naroditsky [https://givebutter.com/naroditsky] 0:02- FM PeterGiannatos joins the podcast and begins with the story of how he met Danya.  Read Peter’s Eulogy here: https://x.com/PeterGiannatos/status/1981875015030079553?s=20 [https://x.com/PeterGiannatos/status/1981875015030079553?s=20] IM John Bartholomew’s tribute to Danya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kclevjiPK5I&t=2s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kclevjiPK5I&t=2s] 0:09- Getting Danya to move to Charlotte 19:00- Clarifying the timeline around Daniel’s death  32:00- The weight of the allegations on Daniel Mentioned: Daniel explains a Bc8 move that some found suspicious https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1g7la27/daniel_narodistky_full_analysis_of_the_move_bc8/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1g7la27/daniel_narodistky_full_analysis_of_the_move_bc8/] 43:00- How to honor Daniel’s legacy 57:00- One last Danya story - check out the games from "The Meatball Match" here: https://www.chess.com/c/2PprrfhA6 [https://www.chess.com/c/2PprrfhA6] 1:02:00- Thanks to Peter for sharing so many personal stories during a difficult time. Here is how to support Danya's legacy if you are so inclined: ⁠https://givebutter.com/naroditsky⁠ [https://givebutter.com/naroditsky] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

EP 459- GM Maurice Ashley on Pursuing Excellence, Seeking Novelties, and His Extraordinary Chess Journey

This week’s guest is U.S. Chess Hall of Famer GM Maurice Ashley [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Ashley]. Maurice will forever be known as the first African American to earn the Grandmaster title, yet he has gone on to build a varied and distinguished career across all facets of the game. He is a popular author [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=maurice+ashley+book&adgrpid=190269997350&hvadid=779539514835&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9003967&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=6259598841147400877--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6259598841147400877&hvtargid=kwd-2284032402380&hydadcr=22538_13531263_8220&mcid=3bf28920a053374eb8775915ea976753&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_87ixv8hl5q_e] and highly regarded Chessable creator, [https://www.chessable.com/author/GMAshley/] a teacher, an organizer, and a frequent commentator for major chess events, often from the St. Louis Chess Club. [https://saintlouischessclub.org/] Maurice and I discussed: * His perspective on chess improvement, as a rare late-starter who began tournament play at fourteen and still reached the Grandmaster level * What we can learn from the ascent of GM Brewington Hardaway, who recently became the second African American GM at age fifteen * The difference between being competitive and striving for excellence We also touched on the lessons Maurice learned from organizing the “Millionaire Chess” tournaments, his passion for salsa dancing and puzzle composition, and whether he has experienced any “pinch me” moments on his journey from “walking barefoot to school in Jamaica” to giving TED Talks and teaching chess to Will Smith. I have long looked forward to interviewing Maurice, and the conversation did not disappoint. 0:00- Check out Maurice’s popular and highly reviewed courses here: https://www.chessable.com/author/GMAshley/ [https://www.chessable.com/author/GMAshley/] 0:03- Maurice’s chess improvement advice- why people shouldn’t focus on doing things “quickly.”  Mentioned: New York Times article about the Raging Rooks https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/26/nyregion/harlem-teen-agers-checkmate-a-stereotype.html [https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/26/nyregion/harlem-teen-agers-checkmate-a-stereotype.html] Maurice’s Chessable Q & A- https://www.chessable.com/discussion/thread/1187730/ask-maurice-ashley-anything-special-qa-/ [https://www.chessable.com/discussion/thread/1187730/ask-maurice-ashley-anything-special-qa-/] Cover Stories with Chess Life Interview: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-sskej-f237dc?download=1 [https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-sskej-f237dc?download=1] 10:30- Maurice’s observations about young GM Brewington Hardaway, who recently became the 2nd ever African American GM, at age 15.  Mentioned: You can read Maurice’s article about GM Hardaway here: https://new.uschess.org/news/inside-story-long-time-coming [https://new.uschess.org/news/inside-story-long-time-coming] 17:00- Patreon mailbag question: Maurice’s siblings are kickboxing and boxing champions. What did they do to cultivate such achievement?  20:00- Which chess player got GM Maurice Ashley into salsa dancing?  23:00- Patreon mailbag question: ‘What are Maurice’s reflections on the Millionare Chess tournaments that he founded?”  28:30- What is the vision for Maurice’s “Clutch Chess,”  which took place recently  at the St. Louis Chess Club?  32:00- Is commentating still Maurice’s favorite professional activity? 36:00- Maurice’s passion for designing chess puzzles and courses  Mentioned: The puzzle that (temporarily) stumped MVL is here: https://x.com/MauriceAshley/status/1609261621247086592?s=20 [https://x.com/MauriceAshley/status/1609261621247086592?s=20] 42:00- Has Maurice ever had a “pinch me” moment?  45:00- Maurice’s struggles after earning the GM title 49:00- The origins of Maurice’s communication skills  52:00- What does Maurice want his chess legacy to be?  54:00- Maurice’s next projects 59:00- Thanks to Maurice for joining me! Here is how to keep up with his many activities: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mauriceashleychess/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/mauriceashleychess/?hl=en] Chessable: https://www.chessable.com/author/GMAshley/ [https://www.chessable.com/author/GMAshley/] X/Twitter:  https://x.com/MauriceAshley?lang=en [https://x.com/MauriceAshley?lang=en] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]