Articles by The

Zwischenzugs & Rock & Roll

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

Phil is joined by WIM Natasha Regan and Matt Ball, co-authors of 'Zwischenzug!', a new course on Chessable. Find out how much looking at the little in-between bits has been inspired by other games, and how much it's inspired them in their own chess.

Published 1 year ago

The Cannonball and the Cannibal - Games 10-11 Recap

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

Phil and Robin offer a brief summary of the latest two games of Ding Liren vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, and then go into detail of the context this World Championship can be placed in, and what it means for chess going forward.

Published 1 year ago

From A Game Theory Perspective - Games 5-9 Recap

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

This time Phil and Robin are joined by Dan Gallagher to dissect the middle tranche of games in the 2023 World Chess Championship. How exciting has it been, gang!

Published 1 year ago

The Empty Chair World Championship - Games 1-4 Recap

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

Phil and Robin are back to give you their thoughts on Games 1-4 of the 2023 World Chess Championship between Ian Nepomiachtchi and Ding Liren. Come back next week for Games 5-9!

Published 1 year ago

What About Jan-Quiztof Duda?

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

Our late-night recordings are often tired and always somewhat beligerent. This one is no different! We pay tribute to Mike Basman, espouse the delights of Chess 960, and argue whether dragons exist.

Published 2 years ago

Where Does West London End?

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

The guys are back with more of the usual. The usual, in this case, being everything BC (Before Cheating). So expect a smattering of chess alongside a helping of romance, nostalgia, geography and etiquette.

Published 2 years ago

He Needs To Log Off

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

Phil and Robin add to the dodgy chess journalism going round at the moment by giving an update to The Drama/The Beef/THAT. We promise we'll talk about something else soon but for now, here you go.

Published 2 years ago

He Lived in a Suitcase

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

For the brand new Season 4, Jon and Phil are joined by new semi-regular panellist Rhys Cumming to discuss the Carlsen-Niemann furore, what it says about the modern game, and why chess seemingly always seems to eat itself.

Published 2 years ago

On The Floor in Dublin

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

Well, then. Magnus Carlsen has confirmed that he won't be retaining his World Championship crown in 2023. Phil and Robin round up the Candidates in the knowledge that the top two now qualify for a title match, and ask what Magnus's abdication means for chess.

Published 2 years ago

He's Just Been So Lucky - Candidates Rounds 7-9 Recap

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

Jon and Robin are joined by Dan Gallagher to review Rounds 7-9 of the Candidates in Madrid, where everything appears to be falling into place for Ian Nepomniachtchi to repeat.

Published 2 years ago

Smell Blood in the Water - Candidates Rounds 4-6 Recap

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

Phil and Robin are fresh from Round 1 of the Pimlico Open as the world takes a breather from the Candidates. Hear what all three guys think of Rounds 4-6 as we approach the halfway stage. Can Nepo do it again?

Published 2 years ago

The Oldest Person I Know

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

This week, Jon and Robin spend a lot of time talking about age, Jon moving back to London and Robin's ongoing travails at the board.

Published 2 years ago

Managing to Perform Human Parthenogenesis

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

This week the guys discuss how they could tutor a child in the ways of chess righteousness, while also offering adults tips on their first serious tournament games. A full lifespan in one episode! Also includes curry etiquette. You lucky people.

Published 2 years ago

Maybe People Are Burning Out

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

This week the guys plumb new depths of dorkery while wondering whether the chess boom is diminishing. Silly questions are back, and the Rookbusters clues might be somewhat familiar...

Published 2 years ago

Good Luck Finding Some Raptors

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

This week Robin is a reasonably-established adult, while Phil and Jon are both nervous about football. We discuss the Candidates qualification process, being accused of being elitist, and the demographics of our listenership.

Published 2 years ago

Injecting It Into His Veins

The Chess Pit By The Chess Pit

This week Robin has seven friends, Jon misses composing crosswords, and Phil seemingly casts aspersions on great mathematicians. The guys ponder encouraging female participation from the bottom up, and declare themselves to be far too busy for online chess.

Published 2 years ago