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 3 weeks 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 1 month 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 1 month 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 months 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 months 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 3 months 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 3 months 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 3 months ago

A Pirate Eating a Lemon

The Chess Pit 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 3 months ago

Actors and not Professional Footballers

The Chess Pit 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 4 months ago

Men Clutching Their Plastic Bags - with special guest Jim Stevenson

The Chess Pit 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 4 months ago

You're Tuned Into Beefcake FM

The Chess Pit 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 4 months ago

Thickness of a Cigarette Paper

The Chess Pit 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 5 months ago

Being Suspended from the Ceiling

The Chess Pit 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 5 months ago

The Law of Large Numbers - Young Talents special

The Chess Pit 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 5 months ago