The Chess Angle

Ep. 207: Playing 5+0 Blitz as a Busy Adult | 5+0 Amateur Run

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:30:00 +0000

In this first 5+0 Amateur Run, I play three blitz games and then review the key moments afterward. We'll look at the advantages, the drawbacks, and what changes when there's no increment to bail you out in time trouble. Errata: While recording, I accidentally forgot to analyze the third game because I was still used to the two-game format from the 5+3 Amateur Run. The omission was simply an oversi

Ep. 208: French Defense vs. Sicilian Dragon | 5+0 Amateur Run

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:10:00 +0000

In this video, I play three 5+0 blitz games followed by an analysis of each. The main focus is on the difference between playing the French and playing the Sicilian — two defenses that lead to very different kinds of positions and decisions. For busy adult amateurs, the question isn't just which opening is "best," but which type of game fits your style, comfort level, and available study time. Thi

Ep. 203: How to Stop a London System Attack | 10+5 Amateur Run

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:30:00 +0000

The London System can become dangerous quickly if Black allows a comfortable kingside attack. In this video, we look at practical ways to defend accurately, create counterplay, and keep the position under control. 🎯 Our Links:  YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected]

Ep. 205: An Easy Nimzo-Indian Setup for Club Players | 10+5 Amateur Run

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:30:00 +0000

In this game, I use a practical Nimzo-Indian setup that avoids a lot of heavy main-line theory while still giving Black an active position. It's a great option for busy adult club players who want a sound opening without spending hours memorizing variations. 🎯 Our Links:  YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected]

Ep. 183: Online Chess Has a Clock Problem

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Time delay or an increment has become the norm in over-the-board tournaments, but online chess still largely ignores it. In this episode, we break down why using an increment leads to better games, fairer outcomes, and more instructive endgames, and why the current no-increment culture misses the mark. We also react to a lively Reddit debate on why no-increment chess still dominates online play. R

Ep. 204: How to Play Chess in Time Trouble | 5+3 Amateur Run

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

This video features two 5+3 games with very different challenges. After a quick London System game, the second turns into a lesson in managing serious time pressure, with less than 30 seconds on my clock while my opponent still has more than three minutes. We'll look at practical ways busy adult amateurs can simplify decisions, manage the clock, and continue playing good chess when time is running

Ep. 195: Why Your Chess Rating Swings So Much

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Your chess rating can easily swing 100 points or more, but it doesn't necessarily mean you've become a better or worse player. In this episode, we react to a fascinating article on rating variance and discuss why amateur players often experience even bigger swings than they realize. Referenced: Why Your Rating Swings More Than You Think 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a futu

Ep. 187: The 2200 Myth: Why Most Adult Chess Players Won't Make Master

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Most adult amateurs quietly carry the same goal: reach Master. In this episode, we take an honest look at why that milestone is so elusive: time constraints, training demands, a competitive player pool, and the realities of adult learning. More importantly, we talk about what is achievable, and how to pursue improvement in a way that's both realistic and rewarding. 📧 If you have a question, commen

Ep. 191 (Midseason Finale): Is YouTube Actually Better For Adult Chess Improvement Than Chessable? feat. Steve Rosenblatt

Sun, 24 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000

In this midseason finale episode, Neal talks with Long Island Chess Club regular Steve Rosenblatt for a wide-ranging conversation on adult chess improvement. The two debate whether YouTube videos or Chessable courses are more effective for gaining rating points, while also diving into tournament psychology, study habits, content overload, and the realities of balancing chess with a demanding caree

Ep. 199 (S11 Finale): You're Doing Chess Puzzles All Wrong

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

This episode is our Season 11 Finale. We'll be taking a break and will be back soon. Chess puzzles can be one of the most effective ways to improve, but only if you're actually training, rather than guessing, rushing through a daily quota, or chasing a streak. This week, we look at how to get more value from puzzle training by calculating before moving, repeating difficult positions, and working o

Ep. 182: Chess Ratings and the Luck Factor

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

We like to think chess is pure skill, but at the amateur level, luck plays a bigger role than most players realize. In this episode, we break down how blunders, pairings, time pressure, and your opponent's mood can all influence your results and rating. More importantly, we talk about how to think about luck the right way so you don't misjudge your own progress. 📧 If you have a question, comment,

Ep. 201: This Is Why You Don't Give Up After a Blunder | 10+5 Amateur Run

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the 10+5 Amateur Run. In this first game, I make an embarrassing early mistake, fall behind, and have to figure out how to stay in the game and fight back. This series is about practical chess improvement for busy adult amateurs, using real games to explore better decisions, stronger habits, and more efficient ways to improve. 🎯 Our Links:  YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: info

Ep. 200: The Chess Angle Is Going Video

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 08:00:00 +0000

After 200 episodes, The Chess Angle is making its next move. I explain why the show is shifting to a video-first format where I play games against fellow amateurs, talk through my thinking, and analyze the games afterward - with the wins, losses, mistakes, and everything in between becoming part of the learning process. Same philosophy, same focus on practical chess improvement, but a completely n

Ep. 194: Are You a Chess Improver... or a Course Collector?

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000

In engineering, a single point of failure is the one weak component capable of bringing down an entire system. Chess improvement often works the same way. In this episode, we explore why your rating may be determined less by your average skill level and more by the one recurring weakness that keeps showing up in your games - and why identifying and fixing that weakness may be the highest ROI work

Ep. 186: GM Daniel Gormally on "Untold: Chess Mates," the Netflix Special About the Magnus/Hans Cheating Controversy

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

GM Daniel Gormally returns to the pod to unpack Netflix's Untold: Chess Mates, the documentary covering the Magnus Carlsen - Hans Niemann controversy. We separate the signal from the noise, offering a candid, player-level perspective on one of chess's most bizarre modern sagas. Links for GM Daniel Gormally: YouTube channel Chessable 3-Part Series: Sharp Middlegames 📧 If you have a question, comm

Ep. 190: Boost Your Chess Rating by Checking Your Ego

Sun, 17 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Most adult chess players are not held back primarily by calculation or opening knowledge. They are held back by ego: the need to look smart, play "real chess," attack beautifully, avoid embarrassment, prove their strength, or force results. The paradox is that the less emotionally attached you are to proving something over the board, the better your decisions become. This episode adapts ideas from

Ep. 198: Move Noise: The Mental Clutter Costing You Games

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Sometimes the problem isn't that we aren't thinking enough at the chessboard — it's that we're thinking about too much. In this episode, we explore "move noise": the unnecessary calculation, imaginary threats, second-guessing, and search for the perfect move that can interfere with good practical chess. Learn how to separate signal from noise, trust your chess, and save your thinking time for the

Ep. 181: Why "Just Playing a Lot" is a Chess Improvement Myth

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Many adult chess improvers start with the same plan: just play a lot of games and the rating will climb. At first, that actually works - until it doesn't. In this episode, we talk about why the "just play more games" philosophy causes most amateurs to eventually hit a plateau and why deliberate study is the key to breaking through it. Referenced: Research Study (2005): The Role of Deliberate Prac

Ep. 193: The Yellow Zone: Where Adult Chess Improvement Actually Happens

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000

If you're holding off until you're fully rested, completely focused, and free from distractions before playing or studying chess, you may be waiting a very long time. Most adult improvers live in the "yellow zone" - not at their absolute best, but far from their worst. In this episode, we explore what I'm calling the "Perfect Time Fallacy" and why consistency in imperfect conditions often beats wa

Ep. 185: The Adult Amateur's Guide to Defeating Chess Prodigies

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we react to a recent article on how to beat chess prodigies and what adult amateurs tend to get wrong when facing underrated kids. We break down practical strategies like avoiding tactical chaos and forcing long, patient games. If you've ever sat down across from a 10-year-old and immediately felt in trouble, this one's for you. Referenced: How to Beat A Chess Prodigy  📧 If you ha

Ep. 189: The Amateur's Mind (Chessable Version) - Still the Most Important Chess Book for Adult Players

Sun, 10 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000

This week, we revisit The Amateur's Mind by IM Jeremy Silman, this time through the Chessable edition. We've long argued this is the most important book for adult improvers, not because it hands you lines to memorize, but because it rewires how you think. The Chessable version preserves Silman's voice and structure while adding a layer of engine-checked accuracy that quietly cleans up a few rough

Ep. 197: Chess Openings and the Law of Diminishing Returns

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Many adult club players don't study too little opening theory - they study too much. In this episode, we explore the trap of diminishing returns in opening study, why understanding ideas matters far more than memorizing endless lines, and the importance of building a practical repertoire that consistently leads to playable middlegames. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future

Ep. 180: My Complete Switch to Lichess

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

This week, Neal discusses why he recently made a full switch to lichess.org for playing his online games and why the platform works better for his day-to-day chess routine. He still uses chesscom, but only for news, articles, and their lesson library.  📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy

Ep. 192: Zapp Chess: The One App That Hooked Me

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +0000

I break my long-standing rule about not playing chess on my phone to talk about Zapp Chess, a listener-recommended app that surprised me. It blends fast, gamified play with real competitive chess decisions in a way that actually kept me engaged. I walk through my experience and why, despite my usual skepticism, this one feels different. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future

Ep. 184: Real Talk on Chess Improvement for Adults feat. Nick Visel

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Fellow chess amateur and blogger Nick Visel returns to the pod to talk about the nuts and bolts of improving as an adult player. We cover endgames, openings, and the psychological habits that separate steady improvers from those stuck in place. Think of this as a reality check - with a roadmap. Referenced: Nick's Substack: Nick Plays Chess 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a f

Ep. 188: Why Study Beats Play for Chess Improvement

Sun, 03 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Most adult players default to playing more games when they want to improve, but that instinct is often backwards. In this episode, we argue that structured study is the real driver of progress for club players, and explain why playing alone tends to reinforce bad habits. If you've been stuck at the same rating for a while, this might be the shift you need. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or top

Ep. 196: Rook Slides, Queen Slides, & Other Chess Blind Spots

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Many chess blunders aren't caused by poor calculation - they're caused by visual blind spots. In this episode, we explore why certain types of moves consistently escape our attention, how those blind spots lead to missed tactics and costly mistakes, and what you can do to start seeing more of the board. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@theche

Ep. 179: When to Sac a Piece in Amateur Chess Games

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we tackle one of the most tempting (and dangerous) questions in amateur chess: when should you sacrifice a piece? Instead of carelessly chasing "!!" moves, we break down when your sac might be sound and when it's likely to fail. Referenced: Netflix Documentary On Carlsen-Niemann Scandal Gets 2026 Release Date Why Masters Crush Lower-Rated Players (and You Struggle) by FM Dalton P

Ep. 202: Want a Simple Opening Repertoire? Try This Combo | 5+3 Amateur Run

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:18:00 +0000

Introducing our 5+3 Amateur Run series: Fast enough to create pressure, slow enough to still play real chess (mostly😂). In this video, I play one game with the French Defense and another with the London System - two openings that work extremely well together as a simple, practical repertoire. For busy adult amateurs, the goal isn't to memorize endless opening theory, but to reach playable position

Ep. 206: When Should You Castle in the London System? | 10+5 Amateur Run

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:35:00 +0000

Here, we look at an important London System question: when (and on which side) should you actually castle? For busy adult amateurs, the key is to avoid playing opening moves automatically and instead understand when castling improves your position, and when waiting can give you more flexibility. 🎯 Our Links:  YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected]