Perpetual Chess Podcast

This two-part episode of Perpetual Chess features two of the most impactful figures in American chess education: Coach Jay Stallings and Adam Weissbarth. First up, Coach Jay shares insights from his decades of experience teaching over 30,000 students,and also discusses his recent work consulting on the chess scenes in the new Hollywood blockbuster The Accountant 2. Additionally, Jay reviews some of the teaching tools he currently relies on—including a fun new one that he recently created himself. [https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/collections/triple-check-the-chess-puzzle-game-that-needs-no-wifi] Following Jay is Adam Weissbarth, founder of Silver Knights Chess Academ [https://chessacademy.com/]y, one of the largest after-school chess programs in the country. Adam recounts the immense challenges his company faced during the pandemic, when it lost all of its revenue sources overnight. He explains how he rebuilt the organization and expanded into elite coaching with grandmasters. Together, these conversations offer a fascinating look at the state of chess instruction—from classrooms to Zoom screens to movie scenes. Timestamps of guests and topics are below.  Check out the special offers mentioned at the beginning of the show below:  Chessdojo- https://www.chessdojo.club/signup [https://www.chessdojo.club/signup] Chessmood- Free one Week Trial- Chessmood.com/Ben [http://chessmood.com/Ben] Chess.com-Free Premum One Week Trial- http://go.chess.com/Perpetual [http://go.chess.com/Perpetual] 0:02:00- Coach Jay joins the show! We begin by discussing chess and movies, Jay recently consulted on the chess scenes for The Accountant 2. Mentioned:  Check out my recommended books here: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/book-recommendations [https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/book-recommendations] Order Coach Jay’s Books for Kids here: https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/collections/coach-jay-starter-packs [https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/collections/coach-jay-starter-packs] Coach Jay’s prior interviews: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2017/9/12/episode-39-coach-jay-stallings [https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2017/9/12/episode-39-coach-jay-stallings] https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2018/5/14/episode-72-coach-jay-stallings-returns [https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2018/5/14/episode-72-coach-jay-stallings-returns] Also mentioned: Searching for Bobby Fischer  14:30- Why did Jay wind down his chess non-profit after the pandemic?  16:00- Jay’s report on Supernationals, the giant scholastic tournament where he coached?  25:00- Jay discusses his new chess educational kit for kids, “Triple Check” Get it here: https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/collections/triple-check-the-chess-puzzle-game-that-needs-no-wifi [https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/collections/triple-check-the-chess-puzzle-game-that-needs-no-wifi] 37:00- Jay shares a few new teaching tools he has been using. Mentioned: Lichess studies, Chess.com [http://chess.com] Arena tournaments  40:00- Thanks to Coach Jay for joining, you can reach him via his website: https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/ [https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/] 44:00- NM Adam Weissbarth joins the podcast! What was the biggest challenge his organization has faced?  Adam’s prior Perpetual Chess Interview: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2018/4/9/silver-knights-chess-founder-adam-weissbarth [https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2018/4/9/silver-knights-chess-founder-adam-weissbarth] 58:00- What has Adam learned from working with GM coaches like GM Johan Hellsten and GM Lazaro Bruzon? Mentioned: Mastering Chess Strategy 1:02::00- Why has Silver Knights expanded its offering to stronger scholastic players?  1:06:00- Did Adam meet people from the US Chess Federation at the Nationals?  1:10:00- What resources does Silver Knights use for intermediate students?  1:14:00- Adam’s advice for growing a chess teaching business Thanks to Adam for joining, you can reach the Silver Knights academy via the following page: https://chessacademy.com/pages/contact-us [https://chessacademy.com/pages/contact-us] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

EP 436- Adult Improver Torkil Jara Bårdsgjerde on How Workplace Trash Talk Sparked a Lifelong Passion for Chess  In this inspiring and relatable installment of the Adult Improver Series, we meet  Torkil Jara Bårdsgjerde [https://ratings.fide.com/profile/1583360/chart], a 39-year-old father of two, from Norway who discovered competitive chess after a bit of playful banter with a workplace rival. That exchange sparked a fascination with the game—and when the pandemic hit shortly after, Torkil suddenly had the time to dive in. Five years later, he's a regular tournament competitor and recently completed an impressive FIDE rating jump from 1400 to 1800 in just one year. In our conversation, Torkil shares his favorite resources and offers thoughtful advice on how to make the most of limited chess time. He also reflects on how chess has influenced his off-the-board habits—from health and mindfulness to goal-setting—and why he hopes his chess journey is still just beginning. Spotify Adult Improver Playlist [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75Uoqz2BoRt2IiTCeOfuky?si=29035838af4d4345] You can volunteer or suggest an adult improver guest here: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adult [https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adult] Links to special offers and new courses: Chessdojo use- the code “Ben40” at checkout.  https://www.chessdojo.club/signup [https://www.chessdojo.club/signup] Chessmood Free one Week Trial- Chessmood.com/Ben [http://chessmood.com/Ben] Check out FM Nate Solon’s new Chessable course here [https://www.chessable.com/100-repertoires-semi-slav/course/285379/]:  0:00- Torkil’s unique chess origin story 12:00- What resources helped Torkil early in his pursuit of chess improvement? Mentioned: Hanging Pawns, Gotham Chess, Daniel Naroditsky, Anna Cramling, Anna-Maja Kazarian, Chessable Starter Pack 27:00- When did Torkil transition to tournament chess? What were the biggest adjustments? 40:00- What led to Torkil’s big rating jump? 49:00- Patreon mailbag question- “Where might the limit be for Torkil’s potential improvement?” Mentioned: Silman’s Complete Endgame Course, Sherevsky’s Endgame Strategy  59:00- More recommendations from Torkil ADD IMAGES Mentioned: The Seven Deadly Chess Sins, Move First Think Later, Chess Principles Reloaded [https://www.chessable.com/chess-principles-reloaded-development/course/50567/], The Art of Attack in Chess  [https://www.chessable.com/the-art-of-attack-in-chess/course/24575/] 1:02:00- Torkil’s final reflections and advice  1:05:00- Thanks to Torkil for sharing his story! Here is his new, non-secret Lichess account where you can message him: https://lichess.org/@/TorkilJaraBard [https://lichess.org/@/TorkilJaraBard] 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]

IM Alex Ostrovskiy is a former Scholastic National Champion, New York State Champion, and accomplished coach who has earned one GM norm, and reached a peak USCF rating of 2560. In addition to his coaching work, Alex is a regular commentator on GM Hikaru Nakamura's Twitch channel, and a tournament organizer who runs frequent invitational tournaments in New York City (where he has lived since the age of 5.) Alex and I discussed the following:  * Alex’s three main tenets of chess improvement- tactics, opening prep, and playing consistently  * Lessons from a couple recent tournaments, and why Alex has scaled back his GM-title ambitions * The origins of Alex’s longtime friendship with Gotham Chess, and whether he is surprised by Levy's success.  This was a fun conversation with a lot of good advice. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  00:00- ChessDojo special offer! If you try out Chessdojo 4.0 you can get a 40% discount by using the code “Ben40” at checkout.  https://www.chessdojo.club/signup [https://www.chessdojo.club/signup] 0:01- 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/] 02:00-  Alex joins the show!  Mentioned: Alex’s Interview with Dylan Quercia-  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIK2jjnpwcM&list=PLXZjuvMCiLW0Ae7nNr5dvJk80neTe4Jvz&index=1&t=1975s&pp=iAQB [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIK2jjnpwcM&list=PLXZjuvMCiLW0Ae7nNr5dvJk80neTe4Jvz&index=1&t=1975s&pp=iAQB] Also mentioned: GM Arjun Kalyan, Elizabeth Spiegel, Brooklyn Castle  0:08- Alex’s students are known for deep opening prep- what is his approach as a coach? Mentioned: NM Matan Prilleltensky  13:00- How important are openings below the 2000 level?  16:00- Alex’s report on two recent tournaments in Spain.  Mentioned: GM Andy Woodward  21:00- How do the logistics work of going to youth championships to coach students?  22:00- What is the origin of the Norm invitational tournaments that Alex helps run in NYC?  Mentioned: Keith Espinosa  More info at: https://nycchessnorms.com/ [https://nycchessnorms.com/] 24:00- Will Alex be able to convince the famous Chess YouTuber FM Donny Ariel to play in a norm invitational? Mentioned: EP 421 with FM Donny Ariel and GM Jan Gustasaffson [https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2025/2/11/ep-421-gm-jan-gustafsson-and-fm-donny-ariel-discussion-can-a-mid-40s-working-dad-make-grandmaster-without-doing-any-worknbsp] Donny Ariel: The Road to Chess Grandmaster: https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess [https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess] 30:00- Alex is longtime friends with IM Levy Rozman- what is his first memory of him?  36:00- What was it like to do training sessions with Kasparov as a kid?  37:00- Who were Alex’s main rivals as one of the top US players for his age?  Mentioned: GM Darwin Yang, GM Daniel Naroditsky 40:30 -Did Alex study chess a lot as a kid or primarily learn by playing?  45:00- Has Alex worked with adult students?  48:00- Alex’s training advice  54:00- How did Alex get started commentating on Hikaru’s channel?  56:00- Alex’s closing advice  Thanks to Alex for joining me, you can reach him via his website.  https://www.alexchess.com/ [https://www.alexchess.com/] If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon,(and unlock benefits like ad-free listening and joining Zoom hangouts), 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]

GM Mauricio Flores Rios [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauricio_Flores_R%C3%ADos]' first book, Chess Structures, is a modern classic which is seemingly recommended on a weekly basis on Perpetual Chess. After nine years of work, Mauricio has recently released its follow-up, Chess Imbalances: A GM Guide [https://www.newinchess.com/chess-imbalances]. Like Chess Structures, it is a highly instructive book with a beautiful selection of games and useful guidelines to aid one's chess decision-making. We discussed the following:  * His opinion on the value of the bishop pair, as well as bishop vs. knight  * The surprising reason that his book often featured the games of Magnus Carlsen * When to switch from “objective mode” to “survival mode” in a game  We also discussed freestyle chess, and the impact of machine learning on chess. Mauricio is a statistician by trade, who recently launched a chess instruction site called ChessMind A.I [https://chessmind.ai/]., so he was particularly insightful on this topic. There is always lots to learn from chatting with (and reading) GM Rios, and this conversation was quite informative. Timestamps of topics discussed are below. Prior interview with Mauricio- Episode 109: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2019/1/15/episode-109-gm-mauricio-flores [https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2019/1/15/episode-109-gm-mauricio-flores] Here is the video companion to this interview, be sure to sub to the Perpetual Chess YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/rmjcbwv7BtQ [https://youtu.be/rmjcbwv7BtQ] 0:00- You can sign up for a free one-week membership to Chessmood using this link: Chessmood.com/Ben [http://chessmood.com/Ben] Check out the YouTube video with Mauricio showing me games from Chess Imbalances here: 4:30- Mauricio joins the show! We dive right into discussing the vision behind GM Flores Rios’ much anticipated book, Chess Imbalances.   Mentioned :  Free preview of the book from Quality Chess [https://qualitychess.co.uk/products/improvement/468/chess_imbalances_-_a_gm_guide_by_mauricio_flores_rios/] here: https://qualitychess.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chess-Imbalances-070x-Excerpt.pdf [https://qualitychess.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Chess-Imbalances-070x-Excerpt.pdf] 13:00- Mauricio explains the guideline  “Quantity is more important than quality.”  16:00- Why did Mauricio select a lot of games from Magnus Carlsen?  17:00- Will Chess Imbalances be on Chessable?  21:00- What made the bishop vs. knight chapter especially challenging to write?  25:00- Mauricio’s advice for evaluating trading bishop’s vs. knights  28:00- 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/] 31:00- What does it mean to switch from “from objective mode to survival mode” in a game? Mentioned: The Seven Deadly Chess Sins [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Seven+Deadly+Chess+Sins&crid=1TDH0JJV523ZJ&sprefix=the+seven+deadly+chess+sins%2Caps%2C181&ref=nb_sb_noss_1], Learn from the Legends  [https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Legends-Chess-Champions-their/dp/1784830046/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QDDW2L30O8RP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kogKl7-UhiloVwLv26DpJ-ss8wHjU068dq_S_KZ3Ln5ahJ-OQtGBWG13qPoNS5c75SwLdr3smNR9ZuWxTmWj8In9iuKt7lL72aRTNHDt5IUjlL1bbF7uv9jAdiYWTVFu6JJHTeKK-jpdNswPLFW6vdRgezA8Ffkd1IqaGT6X6hsN5Aq5YHRfEJs6vTUXzub9lnH-FGy2nesPycBhobrMXoz0hgGAVVGQ7Da_adb0YzQ.aesDP4iBlnzOS3oGzipMM9r_PjUFqpZSY1ytUWgPw6o&dib_tag=se&keywords=learn+from+the+legends&qid=1746647062&sprefix=Learn+from+the+Legends+%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1] 40:00- What is Maurice’s next chess project?  Mentioned: Chessmind AI  [https://chessmind.ai/] 44:00- How close are we to having an A.I. model that can clearly explain chess games? 45:00- Are humans near the peak of how good they can be at chess? What about engines? 48:00- Does Mauricio like Chess960? Mentioned: GM Kenneth Rogoff interview with NM Tyler Cowen: https://conversationswithtyler.com/episodes/kenneth-rogoff/ [https://conversationswithtyler.com/episodes/kenneth-rogoff/] 52:00- Will Mauricio’s kid(s) play chess?  Thanks to Mauricio for joining me! You can reach him via email at: Mauricio.a.flores.math at gmail dot com Here is the link for Chess Imbalances: A GM Guide, including a free sample: https://www.newinchess.com/chess-imbalances [https://www.newinchess.com/chess-imbalances] If you would like to join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, 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]

Dr. Kenneth Rogoff [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Rogoff]has undoubtedly had one of the highest-profile and most interesting careers of any Grandmaster working outside of chess. He is an author and Harvard professor who was once singled-out by none other than Bobby Fischer, as a player who had shown remarkable chess improvement. As a young chess star, Dr. Rogoff actually dropped out of high school to move to Europe and pursue chess professionally, but by age 18 he had returned to the U.S. and enrolled at Yale. He would remain active in chess for many more years, but his top priority gradually switched from chess to academics, and he eventually quit chess entirely (save for an exhibition game against Magnus Carlsen in 2012) Dr. Rogoff still loves chess and thinks about it all the time, but economics turned out to be the right decision for him, as he has become a distinguished professor who has worked as the Chief Economist at the World Bank, and has met 8 different U.S. Presidents in his life. His new book, Our Dollar, Your Problem [https://www.amazon.com/Our-Dollar-Your-Problem-Turbulent/dp/0300275315/ref=asc_df_0300275315?mcid=e92b34566e50386e8cc53a07f5ea60a8&hvocijid=1681319663221808957-0300275315-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1681319663221808957&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003967&hvtargid=pla-2281435177378&psc=1],intersperses occasional lessons from his chess career while providing a modern history of the U.S. dollar as the reserve currency. This interview focuses primarily on Dr. Rogoff’s chess career, but those interested in his reflections on the global economy should stay tuned until the end of the interview, and should definitely check out his new book. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.  Recorded on April 3, 2025.  0:02- We dive into GM Rogoff’s chess upbringing, and his interactions with Bobby Fischer  Mentioned: NM Eric Marchand, IM Sal Matera , GM Rogoff’s chess biography: https://rogoff.scholars.harvard.edu//pages/biography [https://rogoff.scholars.harvard.edu//pages/biography] Bobby Fischer article mentioning GM Rogoff: https://rogoff.scholars.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum5901/files/rogoff/files/fischer69.pdf [https://rogoff.scholars.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum5901/files/rogoff/files/fischer69.pdf] Karpov-Ulf Andersson 1969 ADD IMAGE  https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1019420 [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1019420] 11:00- How did Dr. Rogoff gain hundreds of rating points in his early teens? 21:00- Was it hard to switch from the meritocratic chess world to academia?  25:00- What led to Dr. Rogoff dropping out of high school at age 16 to pursue chess? What was life like as an American teenager living alone in Europe in 1969?  Mentioned: Muppets in Moscow [https://www.amazon.com/Muppets-Moscow-Unexpected-Making-Sesame/dp/1538161281] by Natasha Rogoff  26:00- 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/] 32:30- Why did Dr. Rogoff make a U-turn and go to Yale University after dropping out of high school? 34:00- Patreon mailbag question [https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess]: Does Dr. Rogoff ever daydream about what a professional chess life might have looked like? 37:00- Why did Dr. Rogoff quit chess “Cold turkey”?  Mentioned: Carlsen-Rogoff 2012 https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1690691 [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1690691] 40:00- Does Dr. Rogoff have a favorite chess memory? Who were his favorite players?  Mentioned: Kasparov, Peter Thiel, Arkady Dvorkovich ,Reshevsky-Rogoff 1978 [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1434377], IM Kim Commons, Lev Aronian   Larsen-Rogoff 1968 [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1560157] Fischer-Spassky 1975 [https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044723] 53:00- What is the origin of the phrase “Our Dollar, Your Problem”? (The title of Dr. Rogoff’s new book [https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300275315/our-dollar-your-problem/] 58:00- What can regular people do to prepare for volatile markets? 1:00:00- Patreon mailbag question [https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess]: Is the US debt load sustainable? What does Dr. Rogoff think of Ray Dalio’s writing?  1:05:00- Dr. Rogoff has met 8 presidents and many more world leaders- do any experiences stand out?  1:08:00- What does Dr. Rogoff think of the future of crypto-currencies?  Mentioned: Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari [https://www.amazon.com/Sapiens-Humankind-Yuval-Noah-Harari/dp/0062316117/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GlrQlJmPmLZ1_NoAKt8L39Q0OX5pLZ5TzQnUYYxiheTFbkynxLpyTQQpUdZ3BSRMtsA8bAaLVXvfV58IDhBfrtdldr-CdLYaTlflYL2tJyeEkZ5-AdqRYD8mt2JyVYaiA4o8P81JT1Q0ArVTIHAYXuNnukAqz4PveCELvdvLDc9OKJL0sq9kj8P-4-y7lFD_JsRYJufnlz8Kv5_EiBvq0Vok2col0nXYjkHFH-GVqDw.qYlzDNWEgTk6muNPfddXyzPdI7jv_Hh6G8V9OX1HCpo&dib_tag=se&keywords=Sapiens+by+Yuval+Noah+Harari&qid=1746029989&sr=8-1] Thanks to Dr. Rogoff for joining me! You can get his new book here [https://www.amazon.com/Our-Dollar-Your-Problem-Turbulent/dp/0300275315/ref=asc_df_0300275315?mcid=e92b34566e50386e8cc53a07f5ea60a8&hvocijid=1681319663221808957-0300275315-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1681319663221808957&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003967&hvtargid=pla-2281435177378&psc=1].  Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com [https://thepodcastconsultant.com/]). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]