There Was An Audible Hush - World Championship round-up

By The Chess Pit

Phil is joined by England performance coach, snooker fan, and token Frenchman Benji Portheault to round off our series on the 2023 World Chess Championship.

Published 3 weeks ago

The Cannonball and the Cannibal - Games 10-11 Recap

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 month ago

From A Game Theory Perspective - Games 5-9 Recap

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 month ago

The Empty Chair World Championship - Games 1-4 Recap

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 month ago

What About Jan-Quiztof Duda?

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 6 months ago

Where Does West London End?

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 7 months ago

He Needs To Log Off

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 8 months ago

He Lived in a Suitcase

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 8 months ago

On The Floor in Dublin

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 10 months ago

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

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 10 months ago

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

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 11 months ago

Vladislav, Baby Don't Hurt Me - Candidates Rounds 1-3 Recap

By The Chess Pit

Hear what Jon, Phil & Robin made of the first three days of the Candidates in Madrid, with particular focus on Hikaru Nakamura who's certainly helping worldwide popcorn sales.

Published 11 months ago

A Milkybar in your Pocket - Candidates Preview Special

By The Chess Pit

Our candidates preview special is live! We give in-depth assessments of each player's chances, as well as wondering whether the extreme heat in Madrid will have an effect.

Published 11 months ago

The Oldest Person I Know

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 11 months ago

Fit In With Your Lifestyle - Choosing a Chess Club special

By The Chess Pit

This week Robin and Phil quite simply want you to join a (good) chess club! Hear about their own experiences and follow their advice of what to look out for, and what to avoid.

Published 1 year ago

Managing to Perform Human Parthenogenesis

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 1 year ago

Maybe People Are Burning Out

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 1 year ago

Good Luck Finding Some Raptors

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 1 year ago

Injecting It Into His Veins

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 1 year ago

A Pirate Eating a Lemon

By The Chess Pit

The guys are back together for the first time in a month and get straight down to it with the nonsense this week including Spanish restaurants and boring names for pets. We also build on our visit from the chessfeels podcast to pep Robin up for his tournament this week.

Published 1 year ago