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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 6 days ago
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 week ago
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 weeks ago
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 3 weeks ago
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 month ago
By
The Chess Pit
Jon and Phil are joined by chess analytics human and resident Frenchman Benji Portheault to discuss chess on film, snooker, and whether Phil's French Rookbusters are better than Robin's English ones.
Published 1 month ago
By
The Chess Pit
This week Phil is still yanking around the US of A, so Robin and Jon welcome a couple of very special guests: JJ and Julia of the chessfeels podcast.
Published 1 month ago
By
The Chess Pit
This week, Phil is yanking around the US of A, Jon is hibernating during football's international break, but Robin in here in his cave to hold the fort. He's joined by his good pal Jim Stevenson to talk about Jim's new Chessable course on Alexander Tolush, a little-known (by Jon at any rate) Soviet grand master. Enjoy!
Published 1 month ago
By
The Chess Pit
This week Phil has been to the seaside, Robin has been in a moving van, and Jon has simply stayed at home. Hear the guys discuss the latest FIDE sanctions against Sergey Karjakin, the latest from the Grand Prix, and... what is the English Chess Capital of the World?
Published 2 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
When we heard that Jennifer Shahade would be in London to promote her new book 'Chess Queens', we jumped at the opportunity to get the whole gang in the studio to record an episode with her. So here it is!
Published 2 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
The guys are still on a high from their first studio outing since March 2020 so please forgive the higher quality of chat than usual this week. The Belgrade Grand Prix is nearing its conclusion and we also set a rating metric which is superior to Elo.
Published 2 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
We have a completely new combination of humans this week as Chris, Phil & Robin get together to solve all the world's problems. Shining brightly from the gloom we discuss the futility of an easy win, the Belgrade Grand Prix, and topless panellists.
Published 2 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
Chris Russell, formerly of this parish, is back! He joins Phil for a look at their parallel chess careers from age 7 onwards within the English junior infrastructure and beyond. What went right? What went wrong?
Published 3 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
The guys sound croaky this week. But it’s February, what do you expect? We go through our mailbag from two weeks ago, cover the ongoing Grand Prix, and Robin updates us on his over-the-board exploits.
Published 3 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
This week Jon and Robin are joined by chess data baron Nate Solon for a chat about analytics, analysis, AI and probably some other words beginning with 'a'.
Published 3 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
How can a world governing body claim to support women when its track record and people with contemporary influence don't? Once again we ask how chess has embarrassed itself this week, and we do a preview of the upcoming Grand Prix series.
Published 3 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
This week we largely discuss the mask and default controversy at the ongoing Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee. In addition, Phil is full of Beatles trivia, Robin is full of war, and Jon is full of decrepitude.
Published 3 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
We're a bit more free-flowing this week as we invoke all manner of allegories to continue our chess training methods episode from last week. Also includes a feature on the ongoing Tata Steel Masters at Wijk aan Zee.
Published 4 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
The boys pay a return visit to David Vizgan after the home leg, to discuss chess media, sport metaphors, and whether improvement is every really worth it.
Published 4 months ago
By
The Chess Pit
This episode is specifically about chess training methods. And Wem, Shropshire. Okay, mainly about training methods. Hear the guys discuss the various technologies available, and how you can make your existing regime more efficient and effective.
Published 4 months ago