Shows
64: A Chess PodcastReflecting upon 64 episodesDavid reflects on 64 episodes on the podcast, and makes a surprising announcement...64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Don't forget to check 64: A Chess Podcast on Twitter and Twitch!Thanks for listening to this episode of 64!
2023-04-0104 min64: A Chess PodcastLularobs (#2)Lularobs is a Twitch streamer, chess Olympian, and content creator. She rejoins the podcast to recap a whirlwind year!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Don't forget to check 64: A Chess Podcast on Twitter and Twitch!Thanks for listening to this episode of 64!
2022-11-091h 0864: A Chess PodcastGM Ori Kobo (#2)GM Ori Kobo -- my chess coach -- returns to the podcast.64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Don't forget to check 64: A Chess Podcast on Twitter and Twitch!Thanks for listening to this episode of 64!
2022-11-0243 min64: A Chess PodcastGM Cristian ChirilaGM Cristian Chirila hosts the C-Squared Podcast. He is also the trainer & second of GM Fabiano Caruana, his co-host on C-Squared, and is a long-time commentator for the St. Louis Chess Club.Sub to the C-Squared Podcast on Spotify and YouTube -- currently my favorite chess podcast :-)64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Don't...
2022-10-311h 0864: A Chess PodcastI Read the Hans Niemann Lawsuit (So You Don't Have To!)On this episode of 64: A Chess Podcast, I talk about the 44-page lawsuit filed by Hans Niemann against Magnus Carlsen, PMG, Chess.com, Danny Rensch, and Hikaru Nakamura.
2022-10-2131 min
Getting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 38: Western Conference PreviewThe crew discuss the Western conference and which teams they believe will underperform and overperform based on their Vegas win projection!
2022-10-121h 0364: A Chess PodcastWFM Fruzsina Szente-VargaWFM Fruzsina Szente-Varga is a Twitch streamer and chess coach.If you are interested in coaching from Fruzsina, click this link!Follow WFM Fruzsina Szente-Varga here on Twitch, Twitter, and Instagram!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastGet 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code 64SQUARES at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpodIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)...
2022-10-0945 min64: A Chess PodcastGM Maurice AshleyGM Maurice Ashley is one of the greatest chess commentators of all time. The first black grandmaster in history, GM Ashley was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame in 2016. Check out The Secrets of Chess Geometry on Chessable and start changing the way you see the chessboard today!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastGet 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code 64SQUARES at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpodIf you...
2022-09-1444 min64: A Chess PodcastGM Benjamin BokGM Benjamin Bok is a Dutch grandmaster and Twitch streamer, currently ranked #4 in the Netherlands.(recorded before Magnus withdrawing from the Drama Cup)Follow and subscribe to Benjamin on Twitch -- one of my favorite streamers in chess today!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastGet 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code 64SQUARES at MANSCAPED.com! #ad #manscapedpodIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon...
2022-09-0748 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 37 - We're Back!The boys are back after a brief hiatus! Join them to listen to them debate about the offseason! We're glad to be back!
2022-09-0141 min64: A Chess PodcastJulesgambitJulesgambit is an up-and-coming Twitch streamer, streaming chess at twitch.tv/julesgambit.Jules is also on TikTok and YouTube -- check her out there and make sure to subscribe to her Twitch!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Don't forget to check 64: A Chess Podcast on Twitter and Twitch!Thanks for listening to...
2022-08-2738 min64: A Chess PodcastGeert van der Velde (#2)Geert van der Velde is the CEO of Chessable (and a good friend of the podcast!).64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Don't forget to check 64: A Chess Podcast on Twitter and Twitch!Thanks for listening to this episode of 64!
2022-07-241h 0064: A Chess PodcastGM Peter SvidlerGM Peter Svidler is an 8-time Russian Chess Champion, former World #4, multiple-time Candidate for the World Chess Championship, legendary chess commentator and author, and perennial Hearthstone player.64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Don't forget to check 64: A Chess Podcast on Twitter and Twitch!Thanks for listening to this episode of 64!
2022-07-011h 1964: A Chess PodcastGM Romain EdouardGM Romain Edouard is the editor-in-chief of Thinkers Publishing, a published chess author, former second to GM Veselin Topalov, and former member of the 2700 club. 64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Don't forget to check 64: A Chess Podcast on Twitter and Twitch!Thanks for listening to this episode of 64!
2022-06-3050 min64: A Chess PodcastGM Peter Heine NielsenGM Peter Heine Nielsen is the coach of World Champion Magnus Carlsen, five-time Danish Champion, fellow podcaster, and self-described "adult in the room". Listen to the Chicken Chess Club, featuring GMs Peter Heine Nielsen, Jan Gustafsson, and Laurent Fressinet!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Follow Peter Heine Nielsen on Twitter, and follow 64: A Chess...
2022-06-121h 1064: A Chess PodcastWFM Devina DevagharanWFM Devina Devagharan is a Twitch streamer, chess coach, and fellow podcaster.Devina streams chess at twitch.tv/twitchlezgo. Check out her website at www.devinadev.com to learn more about Devina & sign up for private lessons!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!)Follow Devina on Twitter, and follow 64: A Chess Podcast on Twitter and...
2022-05-2943 min64: A Chess PodcastGM Anish GiriGM Anish Giri is the No. 1 ranked chess player in the Netherlands, and one of the strongest chess players in the world, currently ranked No. 10 on the FIDE Top 100 Ratings List for May 2022.A four-time Dutch champion, Anish has been a mainstay of professional chess in the past decade. He is one of the greatest players in the history of the game, achieving a live rating of 2802.8 in February 2015, and reaching World #3 in Jan 2016. Most significantly, he won the MrDodgy Invitational in 2020 and 2021. Beyond his professional chess career, Anish is a prolific Chessable author, occasional streamer, and...
2022-05-191h 3364: A Chess PodcastMrDodgyMrDodgy is a Chess Twitter celebrity, Twitch streamer, and iconic organizer of the world-renowned MrDodgy Invitational Tournament. 64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcastIf you want to support the podcast, subscribe to my Patreon (for as little as $1 a month!).Follow 64: A Chess Podcast on Twitter and Twitch. Thanks for listening to this week's episode of 64!
2022-05-151h 1864: A Chess PodcastTrym SørsdalTrym Sørsdal is the Director of Community Operations at Chess.com. He is also one of my best friends in Copenhagen, with whom I've played a ton of OTB chess in the last few months. We decided to try something different on the podcast today, going for an unfiltered, 2 hour conversation over some beers with the Real Madrid-Manchester City game in the background. I hope you guys enjoy this episode!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable -- if you want to learn more about Chessable & my favorite courses, check out go.chessable.com/64podcast
2022-04-261h 5864: A Chess PodcastWGM Jennifer Shahade (The "Chess Queens" Episode)WGM Jennifer Shahade is a 2-time U.S. Women's Chess Champion, former Candidate in the Women's World Cup, a professional poker player, fellow podcaster, and critically acclaimed author of the books "Chess Bitch" and -- most recently -- "Chess Queens". She is also a dear friend of the podcast, and joined me last month to promote "Chess Queens".Purchase "Chess Queens" now on Amazon or at your local bookstore!64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Chessable!CODA: Over the last month I have been insanely busy with work and travel in Europe, but...
2022-04-251h 0964: A Chess PodcastTatiana FloresTatiana Flores is a chess journalist for Chessbase and Chess.com, and is the current FIDE World Champion for People with Disabilities. On this week's episode of 64: A Chess Podcast, Tatiana shares her story with me -- how chess helped her recover from health problems a few years ago, and how she won the World Championship a few months ago. We also talked about her favorite moments as a chess journalist, and Tatiana shared her thoughts with me about how the chess world can improve the sport for its female players.Follow Tatiana on Twitter! Thanks for...
2022-03-311h 0864: A Chess PodcastFM James Canty III (Newly-minted) FM James Canty III was the very first guest on 64: A Chess Podcast, and on the 1-year anniversary of the podcast, he re-joins the show to update me about his journey towards the GM title, his growth as a Twitch streamer, and the habits which allow him to achieve his goals. FM Canty has an infectious passion for chess, and it really shines through in this episode. James is a true friend of the pod, and it's always great to catch up with him! If you want to support him on his own journey towards the...
2022-03-2557 min64: A Chess PodcastGM Noël StuderGM Noël Studer is a (2-time) Swiss Chess Champion. He was awarded the grandmaster title when he was 20 years old, making him the youngest person in Switzerland's history to reach GM. During his chess career, he played many top events including the Biel Chess Festival, GRENKE Open, and Gibraltar Masters; he also represented Switzerland in several Chess Olympiads. He started "Next Level Chess", a chess blog, in March 2021, and announced his retirement from professional chess in August 2021 to focus on his health and on helping others improve their chess. You can follow him on Twitter here.I...
2022-03-2059 min64: A Chess PodcastTarjei J. SvensenTarjei Svensen is the most prolific journalist working in the chess world today. Currently writing featured articles on chess24, Tarjei has also written for Chess.com, and many other platforms. With over 21,000 followers on Twitter, Tarjei is also one of my main sources for chess updates + tournament coverage for my own podcast. Tarjei joined me earlier this week to talk about the impact of the Russian invasion on the future of chess. Tarjei shared his thoughts on Sergey Karjakin's future in chess, being unblocked by Hikaru Nakamura on Twitter, and shared some of his favorite stories that...
2022-03-1444 min64: A Chess PodcastIM Yuriy KrykunIt's been almost a month since I recorded an episode of 64: A Chess Podcast, and in that time some cataclysmic events have occurred on our planet. Russia has invaded Ukraine, starting a war that has been internationally condemned by both opponents and allies of Putin. This war has obviously led to a massive loss of live and outflow of refugees from Ukraine, but it has also had consequences on the chess world. Joining me to talk about Ukraine and his own chess career is IM Yuriy Krykun, a Ukranian-born chess player currently residing in St. Louis, USA as a...
2022-03-061h 1664: A Chess PodcastIM Geir Sune Tallaksen ØstmoeLast weekend, World Champion Magnus Carlsen played for his club Offerspill on 1st board in the top flight of the Norwegian League, and was miraculously held to a draw by Norwegian IM Geir Sune Østmoe. The game made International headlines as Magnus, who is currently pursuing the goal of 2900 Elo, lost all the Elo he gained after winning Tata Steel just a few days prior.IM Østmoe and GM Carlsen were opponents several times in the early 2000s, when both were youth players competing for chess glory in Norway; this week, I am joined by IM Østmoe to...
2022-02-1059 min64: A Chess PodcastFM Anna-Maja KazarianThis week I'm joined by FM Anna-Maja Kazarian. FM Kazarian, as of recording this episode, has over 23,000 Twitch followers, and is signed to the e-sports organization Alliance as a content creator and competitive chess player. She won the Dutch Online Women's Chess Championship in 2021, and has played in several OTB tournaments, trying to bring her rating back to 2300+. She started streaming a little under two years ago and has cultivated a positive, welcoming community on her one-of-a-kind Twitch stream. Anna-Maja recently played in the World Rapid and Blitz in Warsaw, Poland at the end of 2021, so I...
2022-01-311h 1964: A Chess PodcastFM Nate SolonThis week I am joined by FM Nate Solon. Away from the board, FM Solon is a data scientist, which informs his work when blogging and writing about chess. Years ago he was a professional poker player, and to this day is a somewhat active chess player. He also works as a consultant for Chessable, a member of the Play Magnus Group.This discussion with Nate, about studying and improving at chess in the context of engines and computers, is one of the most fascinating and deep discussions I've ever hosted on the podcast. As someone who...
2022-01-231h 1064: A Chess PodcastThe Chess Pit (Jon Mackenzie, Phil Makepeace, Robin Sarfas)This week I am joined by the lads from the Chess Pit Podcast-- Jon, Phil, and Robin. I came on their podcast during the Magnus-Nepo match and discussed the state of the chess media-sphere (you can check out that episode here). We continued that discussion on this episode of 64: A Chess Podcast, and also gave our thoughts on the perils of being hyperfixated on immediate and stark chess improvement.Talking with the Chess Pit guys made me feel like I was sitting on my couch talking sports with my pals. John, Phil, and Robin are hilarious...
2022-01-171h 0964: A Chess PodcastGM Ruslan PonomariovThis week on 64: A Chess Podcast, I was joined by GM Ruslan Ponomariov. GM Ponomariov was the youngest GM in history when he obtained the title, won the 2002 FIDE World Championship at 18 years old, and has played & won many elite tournaments, including the Tal Memorial 2006, San Sebastian 2009, and the Ukrainian Championship in 2011 and 2013. He recently played in the FIDE Grand Swiss and is still playing tournaments and coaching the next generation of chess talent.It was wonderful getting Ruslan's opinion on recent chess news, discovering some of the behind-the-scenes drama behind a planned Kasparov-Ponomariov match that would...
2022-01-131h 3764: A Chess PodcastBenjamin PortheaultHappy 2022, everyone! I'm joined this week by Benjamin Portheault (@BenjiPortheault), a performance coach for mental athletes who has worked with chess players across a wide range of ratings -- from tournament players to someone (anonymous) who was trying to qualify for the Candidates. This was a lovely discussion that covered a bunch of topics, from the 2021 World Championship to sleep deprivation (!!!!). I'm grateful to Benji for coming on the show and hope to have him again! I've opened a YouTube channel called 64: A Chess Channel -- click the link and subscribe! I have some amazing content coming...
2022-01-081h 0364: A Chess PodcastNM Sophie Morris-SuzukiOn 64: A Chess Podcast's final episode of 2021, I spoke to NM Sophie Morris Suzuki, who took 5th place at the U.S. Junior Women's Championship earlier in 2021 while on a gap break from college. We had actually recorded an episode together back in July, but for some reason Zoom did not record my audio while we taped the episode and as a result I could not actually release the episode. I'd been waiting to tape an episode with Sophie for months and I'm glad we could end 2021 on a high note, reflecting on chess this year and talking about...
2021-12-3145 min
64: A Chess PodcastWorld Chess Championship Super Summary (9-10)On this special edition of 64: A Chess Podcast, host and resident patzer David Vizgan discusses the bizarre ninth game and rather dry tenth game of the 2021 World Chess Championship.Image credits: Andreas KontokanisIf you like what you've heard, subscribe to my Patreon!Follow me on Twitter here!
2021-12-0927 min64: A Chess PodcastIM Greg ShahadeIM Greg Shahade is the commissioner of the PRO Chess League. Along with his sister Jennifer (who was on my podcast a few months ago!), Greg was a talented junior player in his youth who has worked on growing chess in the United States for his entire career, both as an educator and as an organizer of chess events. Among many other achievements, he has one GM norm, and was awarded the Samford Fellowship in 1999. He also founded the New York Masters and the U.S. Chess League (the predecessor to the PRO Chess League). This week...
2021-12-081h 24
64: A Chess PodcastWorld Chess Championship Super Summary (6-8)On this special edition of 64: A Chess Podcast, host and resident patzer David Vizgan guides you through his jumbled and unedited thoughts on Magnus Carlsen's 2-0 lead in the 2021 World Chess ChampionshipImage credits: Andreas KontokanisIf you like what you've heard, subscribe to my Patreon!Follow me on Twitter here!
2021-12-0541 min
64: A Chess PodcastWorld Chess Championship Super Summary (4-5)On this special edition of 64: A Chess Podcast, host and resident patzer David Vizgan guides you through his jumbled and unedited thoughts on the fourth and fifth games of the World Chess Championship.Image credits: Andreas KontokanisIf you like what you've heard, subscribe to my Patreon!Follow me on Twitter here!
2021-12-0136 min
64: A Chess PodcastWorld Chess Championship Super Summary (1-3)On this special edition of 64: A Chess Podcast, host and resident patzer David Vizgan guides you through his jumbled and unedited thoughts on the first three games of the World Chess Championship. Image credits: Andreas KontokanisIf you like what you've heard, subscribe to my Patreon!Follow me on Twitter here!
2021-11-2835 min64: A Chess PodcastChess by the NumbersTai Pruce-Zimmerman (@chessnumbers), also known as "Chess by the Numbers", has been running a chess blog for many years. Fueled by statistical analysis and intense attention to trends in the chess world, he has reported about everything from the rise of chess prodigies to probabilities of tournament results. His work has also fueled a lot of the discussion that I've had about certain storylines in top-flight chess. With the World Chess Championship just days away and with a certain teenager capturing headlines Internationally for his dramatic climb to the top of the chess world, I thought it...
2021-11-241h 2964: A Chess PodcastNM Jeremy Kane (#2)NM Jeremy Kane is the Curriculum Director for Chess.com. He won the Wisconsin State Championship in 2007 and has worked as a chess teacher/coach/mentor for many years. He last made an appearance on the podcast in July, where he teased a book called "The Next to Last Mistake" which he had been writing for several years. Next month, the book will be released! I invited Jeremy back on the show for a deep dive into the thoughts that went into writing the book. We also talked a bit about the atmosphere and storylines around the World Chess...
2021-11-171h 0664: A Chess PodcastLula (lularobs)lularobs is a chess streamer from Jersey, UK. She started playing chess almost a year ago, when "The Queen's Gambit" was capturing the attention and imagination of audiences all over the world. She started streaming shortly after -- since then, she's gained 3,500 followers on Twitch, and recently became a partner streamer with Chess.com. A few days ago, she won the second edition of the Dragon Masters tournament on Chess.com -- her first ever tournament!Her chess skills have progressed rapidly as well; she's gone from a total beginner to nearly 1500 elo in just under a...
2021-11-101h 1264: A Chess PodcastFM Michiel AbelnFM Michiel Abeln is a chess author, best known for his critically acclaimed book "The Anand Files" which details the games and stories surrounding Viswanathan Anand's three World Championship titles. Michiel has recently published a Chessable course on the Leningrad Dutch, a dynamic response to 1.d4 which is aimed towards adult improvers.Long-time listeners know that I adore "The Anand Files". It is a unique book; part game collection, part journalism, part narrative storytelling, painting a vibrant picture of the 15th World Champion and the team that supported him through his World Championship run. With the Carlsen-Nepo...
2021-11-021h 3064: A Chess PodcastMartin B. JustesenMartin Justesen is a published chess author from Denmark. Martin's books are aimed for adult improvers like him, across all levels. He recently adapted Jose Raul Capablanca's classic "Chess Fundamentals" into algebraic notation so that newer players would be able to tap into his vast knowledge. He's also written books on blindfold endgame calculation, "headachingly hard" mate-in-two puzzles, and even an opening journal for recording OTB ideas in openings. Because Martin is Danish, we also talked a bit about Danish chess and this episode has made me really hyped to try out OTB chess in Denmark. I want to...
2021-10-191h 02Getting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 36- Has player empowerment gone too far?In this weeks episode, Ethan and Jordan discuss the Kyrie Irving situation in Brooklyn, as well as the Ben Simmons situation in Philly. To end it off they give their early predictions for MVP, ROY, MIP and more!
2021-10-1542 min64: A Chess PodcastNM Ben JohnsonNM Ben Johnson is the host of the Perpetual Chess Podcast, which recently joined the Blue Wire Podcasts family. Perpetual Chess has 1,000,000+ streams in over 100 countries and, since its inception five years ago, has been the gold standard for chess podcasts. Ben has interviewed everyone from competitive tournament players to World Champions (Anand and Kramnik) of the game.Ben's podcasting empire has expanded well beyond traditional interviews with GMs and other figures in the chess world. With Chessable, he has started the How to Chess Podcast, where he and his guests share nuggets of chess wisdom in...
2021-10-031h 0964: A Chess PodcastNM Dan Gallagher64: A Chess Podcast is back, after a brief hiatus! On this episode I was joined by British National Master Dan Gallagher. Dan experienced a lot of success in their youth as a tournament chess player. Dan recently claimed their National Master title and is currently grinding for the FM title, looking to play in the British League and in Hastings this year. Outside of chess, Dan is finishing a philosophy degree at the University of Cambridge.NM Gallagher is also an active coach who is always looking for new students. It was truly delightful to have Dan...
2021-09-2553 min64: A Chess PodcastIM Kostya KavutskiyIM Kostya Kavutskiy has basically done it all in the chess world. He is an active tournament player, has written for chess magazines, authored a book on the Open Sicilian, and has coached many, many students across all skill levels. He is also an accomplished streamer who has been at it on Twitch for a few years! Last year, IM Kavutskiy created the "Chess Dojo" as a means of gathering chess improvers and improvement resources under one virtual roof. The results have been electrifying -- along with GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and a dedicated community...
2021-09-051h 2164: A Chess PodcastWGM Jennifer ShahadeWGM Jennifer Shahade is a two-time US Women's Champion, an all-star commentator for top-flight chess events, an avid podcaster for both chess and poker, a published author, and an icon for gender equality in our game. In fact, had I not watched Jennifer (along with GMs Maurice Ashley, Yasser Seirawan, and Cristian Chirila) commentate the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz 2017 with such enthusiasm and insight I might have never become a chess player myself!On this episode of 64, WGM Shahade and I talk about growing the game for female players and discuss a wide range of topics...
2021-08-281h 0164: A Chess PodcastWGM Dina BelenkayaWGM Dina Belenkaya is an active tournament player, chess commentator, and streamer. As a player, she has won the St. Petersburg Chess Championship four times, and has played in several European Championships and World Cups (including in 2021!). As a commentator, she has provided commentary for the Online Olympiad, Corporate Chess Championship, and even official commentary for the FIDE broadcast of the 2021 Women's World Cup. She also streams chess on Twitch with her sister Asya, and their channel (@TheBelenkaya) has seen massive growth over the last year. I was delighted to have WGM Belenkaya on my show this week.
2021-08-091h 0564: A Chess PodcastGeert van der VeldeGeert van der Velde is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of Chessable and Vice President of Content at the Play Magnus Group (NOTE: Play Magnus Group owns Aimchess which sponsors this podcast). Before working full-time as a chess company executive, Geert experienced some notable success in the music world as the vocalist of the metalcore band Shai Hulud in the late 90s and early 00s. Over the last few years, Geert has turned his passion for chess, along with his love for Chessable as a fan of the company, into a full-time career working on content creation for some...
2021-07-241h 0864: A Chess PodcastNM Jeremy Kane (#1)NM Jeremy Kane is the Curriculum Director on Chess.com, the largest chess website in the world. He has worked with top grandmasters and chess personalities on curating and developing lessons which millions of users have utilized to improve their chess. Jeremy is also a chess coach, an alumnus of the University of Chicago, and a one-time alternate player for the Chicago Blaze, which played in the short-lived (but never forgotten) U.S. Chess League, a pre-cursor to the Pro Chess League. I was delighted to have Jeremy join the show today.Episode highlights:Jeremy's...
2021-07-2135 min64: A Chess PodcastWelcome to 64: A Chess PodcastHi, I’m David. On 64: A Chess Podcast, you’ll have access to interviews from figures across the chess world, from aspiring tournament players to strong grandmasters, as we talk about their stories and experiences within a vibrant, international chess culture. Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe -- let’s swim across this ocean together; I hope you enjoy your stay in the world of 64: A Chess Podcast, and I hope to see you soon. Thanks!
2021-07-1300 min64: A Chess PodcastAaron Thompson & Chess in Slums AfricaAaron Thompson is the Director of Outreach for Chess in Slums, a volunteer-driven non-profit started by Tunde Onakoya to enrich the lives of children in Nigeria who face economic adversity. He spent several years as a tournament director in the United States, but is working with Chess in Slums to promote their initiatives and to attract their sponsors. I was introduced to their work a few months ago on Twitter and hope I can do my part in sharing their stories and goals as they continue to grow as an initiative. I am delighted to share this episode with...
2021-07-1358 min64: A Chess PodcastWIM Jesse FebruaryIn May 2021, WIM Jesse February won the Women's African Individual Championship, just the second South African player to win the tournament ever. Taking first place in this tournament means that Jesse will be awarded the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title if she reaches 2100 rating. In just a few days, Jesse will compete for the World Cup in Sochi, Russia. She also streams with WCM Rebecca Selkirk on their Twitch channel, HashtagChess, which has grown very quickly over the last year. I am very grateful that Jesse joined me this week on 64: A Chess Podcast to talk about her chess career.
2021-07-0643 min64: A Chess PodcastGM Eugene PerelshteynBased in Boston, MA, GM Eugene Perelshteyn has done it all in the American chess world. He has competed in virtually every major tournament in the United States (World Open, U.S. Open, etc.), even finishing in 4th place at the 2008 US Championship. He has coached many students, from relatively new players to titled players. He is a published chess author, writing a complete repertoire for White and Black with Lev Alburt and Roman Dzindzichashvili. He also has created content online for chess improvement. With so many stories and with so many thoughts on chess, I was delighted to...
2021-07-031h 2864: A Chess PodcastMax FarberovMax Farberov is an USCF expert-level chess player from New Jersey. He has been coaching chess for several years and is trying to grind towards the National Master title. On this episode of 64, I spoke to Max about his recent tournament success at the Cherry Blossom Classic. We talked broadly about chess improvement and about OTB chess, including things that any player can do to start making gains in rating. Max is currently taking students and has a YouTube channel (ChessGainz) where he provides educational content about chess.64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "...
2021-06-2247 min64: A Chess PodcastJohn HartmannJohn Hartmann is the CIO and Editor of Chess Life Magazine, and has spent nearly a decade reviewing chess books and writing articles for the magazine. He even does a podcast for the US Chess Federation with the subject of Chess Life's cover each month! John was gracious enough to share an hour of his time with me in what has been my favorite interview to date on this week's episode of "64".We talk about John's editorial philosophy, as he tries to craft a magazine for all kinds of chess players from beginners to grandmasters. We talk...
2021-06-161h 0964: A Chess PodcastDavid LladaDavid Llada is one of the most prolific chess photographers in history, who has documented the highest levels of chess across the planet over the last two decades. As a former journalist and deeply devoted chess fan, he has poured his soul into forging friendships with chess players and into promoting the sport. On this week's episode of 64, I spoke to David about a wide range of topics, such as the essence of chess photography, his current job with FIDE as its Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, the chess boom in 2020, female representation in chess, and Anatoly Karpov anecdotes. David's...
2021-06-0140 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 36 -- 2021 Playoff PreviewEthan, David, Jordan, and Matt return after a two-month hiatus to discuss the NBA playoff picture! How legitimate are the #7-seed Lakers? Will the Nets go all the way? Was this Knicks season a success? These questions -- and many more -- only on the Getting Buckets Podcast.
2021-05-2255 min64: A Chess PodcastSigawdHailing from the Brazilian countryside, Sigawd -- aka Eduardo Sigaud -- is a Twitch streamer and content creator. A former Magic: The Gathering tournament player, Sigawd pivoted to chess in the autumn of 2020 after watching the Queen's Gambit miniseries on Netflix and after looking for a new game to play. This episode was unique in that I got an opportunity to talk about chess with someone who is fairly new to the beautiful game we all love. This week, I interviewed Sigawd about his journey in chess and in the streaming world so far. We discuss similarities between chess...
2021-05-1858 min64: A Chess PodcastNM Gopal Menon (& Candidates Post-mortem)We start off the month of May by interviewing Chicago's very own NM Gopal Menon. Gopal is a jack-of-all-trades in the chess world, serving as a second for a grandmaster, coaching students, and will soon be a published chess author! Gopal is currently writing a chess book, and we discuss the process of compiling chess positions and composing chess literature. We talk about the differences between studying chess with books and with online tools. Gopal discusses ICC nostalgia as a former 3100+ player on that server, and I discuss the future of chess servers (Kasparovchess?). We recap the Candidates Tournament...
2021-05-0356 min64: A Chess PodcastJJ Lang (& Candidates Preview!)JJ Lang is the resident philosopher of Chess Twitter. He splits his time finishing his PhD dissertation in philosophy at Stanford University, and teaching chess to students online. On this episode of 64, JJ and I preview the Candidates Tournament in Russia, and make predictions on who will win. JJ talks about his love for philosophy, and its roots in chess. JJ explains how studying in New York improved his game, and discusses his current road to the National Master title. JJ can be found on Twitter (@ChessFeels) and is offering coaching to novice & intermediate players.
2021-04-191h 0864: A Chess PodcastDerek WilderDerek Wilder has used his chess knowledge and his inspirational spirit to guide Walter Chrysler Elementary School's chess team to several state and national championships. Three years ago, Derek worked on a chess documentary, "Why We Play", which highlighted the careers of Detroit's best chess players; after watching that documentary, I knew I had to learn more about Detroit's chess world. On this week's episode of 64, I interviewed Coach Wilder about the chess scene in Detroit, and about scholastic chess in America. Coach Wilder describes his role as a "motivational speaker" for his students during tournaments, and discusses his...
2021-04-1650 min64: A Chess PodcastNM Derek ZhangAs a Super-Admin for the US Chess team in the Live Chess World League (LCWL), NM Derek Zhang is currently trying to lead America out of the 2nd division and into the top division of the LCWL. Today, David interviews NM Zhang about fair play in online chess, the Florida chess scene, the future of chess in America, and on drawing inspiration from Daniil Dubov. NM Zhang's improvement from a beginner to master, without studying top-level or historical games, is particularly insightful for students who want to improve. You can find him on chess.com: @Dare-Dare
2021-04-0650 min64: A Chess PodcastGM Ori KoboGM Ori Kobo wears many hats. He is one of the strongest players in Israel, and recently delivered a strong performance in the Israeli Chess Championship. Beyond the chessboard, he is a student of psychology, and he is also a prolific chess coach, who has not only coached strong players in Israel, but is also MY chess coach! On this episode of 64, I discuss GM Kobo's chess career in brief; from the chess culture in his hometown of Jerusalem, to his ups and downs on his way to the grandmaster title. We talk about the recent controversy surrounding Iranian...
2021-03-3057 min64: A Chess PodcastNM James Canty IIIDetroit native James Canty III has been grinding chess for his entire life. His ultimate goal is to become the first black grandmaster born in America, and has been working meticulously on his game to get there. Canty used success at the Millionaire Chess Open tournament to revive his chess career and now works full-time as a chess content creator. He is also an up-and-coming Twitch streamer, recently signed to Noble eSports. On this episode, David talks to NM Canty about his chess career, his role models, his philosophy on chess and life, and -- most importantly -- his...
2021-03-251h 24Getting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 35- Who is the MVP?On this weeks episode, Matt, Ethan and Jordan talk about some moves that were made at the trade deadline. They also discuss who is going to win the MVP now that Joel Embiid has been sidelined for at least 3 weeks.
2021-03-1838 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 34 - Gotham City HoopsWith the Knicks currently sitting at the #4 seed in the East after 35 games, David, Ethan, Jordan, and Matt ask the question that has been confounding the basketball world: is this Knicks surge legit? On this podcast, we talk about what has been working -- and a lot has worked -- for the New York Knicks, particularly the hiring of Coach Thibodeau last summer. We also discuss the recent firing of Lloyd Pierce and another coach on the hot seat. We finally talk about other surprises around the league, such as Vic Oladipo's gamble on his future and the resurgence...
2021-03-021h 03Getting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 33 - Hey Now, You're an All-StarDavid, Ethan, Jordan, and Matt discuss the All-Star Bench selections. They analyze the picks in depth and discuss who could take Anthony Davis's spot as he rests due to injury. They also analyze the coup against Ryan Saunders in Minnesota, and ask the question: Is Anthony Edwards's dunk over Yuta Watanabe the greatest in-game poster ever?
2021-02-2544 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 32 - Is Blake Griffin washed? This week on the podcast, the crew talks about the Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin buyout/trade rumors. They discuss the possibility of them getting traded or bought out. They then talk about AD''s injury, and if the Jazz are legit this year.
2021-02-1746 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 31 - Is Andrew Wiggins a bust?On this weeks episode, Ethan, David and Jordan discuss the Derrick Rose trade and what it could mean for their rotation. They also discuss why the Mavericks have been disappointing this season, as well as Steph Curry's MVP chances, and if Andrew Wiggins is a bust or not.
2021-02-091h 02Getting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 30 - We Hope Keldon Johnson Is Having a Nice NightDavid, Ethan, Jordan, and Matt discuss some of the biggest surprises in the NBA conference standings now that the first quarter of the NBA season is over. Some questions that are addressed: Are the Knicks over-achieving? Are the Cavaliers legit? Is LeBron underrated? Will the Jazz stay at the top of the West? What's wrong with the Pelicans? They discuss the case for Nikola Jokic as the MVP of the league so far, and wish Keldon Johnson all the best :)
2021-01-2548 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 29 - Harden to Brooklyn!David, Ethan, Matt, and Jordan discuss news that shocked the sports world. The speculation of Harden joining KD and Kyrie on the Brooklyn Nets went on for months, and was discussed on Getting Buckets several times. Now that the trade happened, what does this mean for longtime Nets fans, or for Knicks fans across the river? What does it signify about the new Nets culture? How can the Nets solve a possible lack of depth? Will this new Nets offense be the greatest offense of all time? And most importantly...will this team win a championship? The podcast also...
2021-01-1556 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 28- What's going on with the Nets?This week, Ethan, David, and Jordan talk about some teams that have surprised them early on in the season. They then discuss what is going on in the Nets recent skid and some early MVP picks.
2021-01-0447 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 27 - Who's winning the West?With the 2020-2021 NBA season starting tonight, Ethan and David preview the teams of the Western Conference. Some highlights: Will the Lakers repeat as champions? Are the Clippers the most volatile team in the West? Can the Warriors surprise people? How and when will the James Harden sweepstakes end? Lastly, David and Ethan give their predictions for the MVP, Rookie of the Year, and 2020-2021 NBA champions.
2020-12-2255 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 26 - Who's winning the East? In this episode, Ethan, David and Jordan break down the Eastern Conference playoff teams, as well as teams that will be at the bottom of the conference.
2020-12-191h 15Getting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 25 - Why can't ESPN ever get their ratings right?On this episode we discuss the John Wall for Russell Westbrook trade, what it means for each of their organizations, and what it means for James Harden. We then discuss ESPN's most recent NBA ratings and how awful they are.
2020-12-1045 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 24 - Who won the offseason?David returns to the podcast to discuss the winners and losers of the 2020 free agency with Ethan, Matt, and Jordan. They analyze the state of the Western Conference and discuss whether the Hawks are a playoff team. David also tries to defend the Gordon Hayward signing,
2020-12-031h 13Getting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 23 - Where will James Harden end up? This week Ethan, Matt, and Jordan discuss the many moves made by several NBA teams, They also discuss who will win the James Harden Sweepstakes, and if Gordon Hayward is a has-been.
2020-11-201h 10Getting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 22- NBA Draft Analysis with PD Web This week Ethan is joined by PD Web (@abovethebreak3) to discuss the NBA Draft. They discuss the top of the board, including LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, and Anthony Edwards, They also discuss some potential sleepers in the class and who could be the Knicks "savior" this draft class.
2020-11-1444 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 21 - Free Agency PreviewEthan, Matt and Jordan discuss the upcoming free agency period, and a few names who could potentially be on the move this offseason.
2020-11-0754 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 20 - Is Melo a first ballot Hall of Famer? Ethan, Matt, and Jordan discuss the news of Daryl Morey being hired as the 76ers president. They also have a passionate discussion about Carmelo Anthony and his chances of being a first ballot Hall of Famer.
2020-10-3151 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 19 - Houston, we have a problemEthan, Matt and Jordan discuss the breaking news of Houston Rockets GM Darryl Morey stepping down from his position. They discuss what this could mean for Harden and Westbrook. They also talk about the recent news of Stan van Gundy getting hired as the new Pelicans head coach.
2020-10-2446 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 18 - #REVENGESZNCOMPLETEEthan and Jordan discuss the LA Lakers winning the 2020 NBA Championship. They also discuss how long they think LeBron can sustain his level of play, along with a preview of the 2020 free agent class
2020-10-1534 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 17: Lakers bringing out the broom?Ethan, Matt and Jordan discuss the LA Lakers domination over the Miami Heat in game one of the NBA Finals, They discuss the odds of the series being a sweep now that some of Miami's key players are doubtful for game 2. They also react to the breaking news of Doc Rivers being hired as the 76ers new head coach.
2020-10-0237 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 16 - LeBron = GOAT ?Ethan and Matt discuss the breaking news of the Clippers letting go of coach Doc Rivers. They also discuss the Miami Heat defeating the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, and what a title would mean for LeBron's legacy. (Apologies there are some audio issues)
2020-09-2934 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 15 - The Clippers CollapseIn this week's episode Ethan is joined by his two friends Matt and Jordan. They discussed the LA Clippers monumental collapse in the playoffs, and also what is going on in Houston after the "small ball" experiment failed.
2020-09-2351 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 14 - We Love You KobeEthan and David discuss the plight of the 76ers, the underrated Raptors, Luka's magical game-winner against the Clippers in Game 4 of their series, and predict the winner of the Lakers-Blazers playoff series. At the end of the episode Ethan and David take some time, in honor of Kobe's birthday, to talk about how much the late NBA legend meant to them. RIP Kobe. Recorded 8/23/2020
2020-08-2438 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 13 - Playoff PreviewEthan and David give a brief overview of the playoff matchups this season and banter about the overall experience and storylines of the seeding games now that the regular season is over! They also give their picks for the first round matchups and discuss some of the under-the-radar news this week, such as the firing of Jim Boylen in Chicago. Recorded 8/14/20
2020-08-1558 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 12 - TJ or MJ?Ethan and David review the second week of NBA action in brief. They try to answer some big questions: What's wrong with the Lakers? Are the Bucks still legit? How do people remember championships? What's happening with the Phoenix Suns? They also review some of their most "cursed" and cold takes about the NBA bubble and announce the first Bubble Boy of the Week. Recorded 8/9/20
2020-08-0937 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 11 - NBA IS BACKEthan and David review the first weekend of NBA action! They look at who's rising (hello Rockets) and who's falling as the playoff picture becomes clearer and clearer. They conclude by looking at some under-the-radar NBA news, and are in such good spirits from the return of basketball that they (sorta?) praise the Knicks. Recorded 8/3/2020
2020-08-0337 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 10 - Western Conference RealitiesDavid returns to the podcast after a vacation to join Ethan in a deep dive of the Western Conference as we are just days away from the return of the NBA. They look at every team's season in brief and discuss who will come out of the West as the champion of the conference. Recorded 7/24/20
2020-07-2642 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets Episode 9 - Eastern Conference DreamsThis week Ethan is joined by Matt Rotlevi. They go over each of the Eastern Conference Teams that are currently in the bubble in Orlando. This conversation ranges from discussions about Khris Middleton, to Ben Simmons broken jumpshot. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter (@getbucketpod) and to subscribe to us on Apple/Spotify!
2020-07-1952 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 8 - AntisemitismEthan and David give their opinions on the DeSean Jackson/Stephen Jackson antisemitism scandal. They discuss the plans for activism in the NBA bubble and analyze the final roster moves made now that training camps are about to begin. Lastly they give their takes on the latest ESPN power rankings and wonder what the worst teams in the bubble even have to play for. BLACK LIVES MATTER. Recorded 7/09/20
2020-07-1035 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 7 - Cornrow CarisEthan and David are joined by their friend and fellow Nets fan Matt Rotlevi. The trio discusses the current situation of the Brooklyn Nets now that over a third of the team will not be playing in Orlando. They also discuss the planned "consolation bubble" in Chicago, the concerns that some players may break the bubble, and analyze the transactions made by teams over the last two weeks. They also try to answer whether a fourth championship title with the Lakers will make LeBron James the GOAT. Recorded 7/3/2020
2020-07-0651 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 6 - VinsanityEthan and David pay tribute to Vince Carter. David tells the abridged story of Vince's career, from his time in Toronto to his swan song in Atlanta, and the boys discuss Vince's legacy. Ethan updates the podcast on the latest COVID-19 news, including "smart rings." Ethan and David then discuss the released team schedules and ask who is under the most pressure to start strong in the 8-game conclusion to the regular season.
2020-06-2930 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 5 - Decisions, DecisionsEthan and David take a deep dive into the Knicks' new head coach candidates, discuss the latest COVID-19 news in the NBA, and analyze the "laundry list" of NBA players ready to sign before the NBA restarts next month. Recorded 6/24/20
2020-06-2535 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 4 - Craig Malamut59 videos. Nearly 18 million views. How did an astronomy master's student at Wesleyan University co-create one of the most universally loved NBA parodies ever? Ethan and David interview Craig Malamut, who created Bleacher Report's immediate hit "Game of Zones" with his brother Adam in 2014. They discuss the inner workings of the show, its consistent success, the Wesleyan astronomy department (David's current home), the last season of GoT, the current Kyrie Irving saga, and how to make it in the NBA world as a brother duo ;)
2020-06-1951 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 3 - Kyrie Irving vs. the NBAEthan and David react to the news that a faction of NBA players, led by Kyrie Irving, are hesitant and reluctant to restart the league in the wake of the #BLM protests and the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Florida. They discuss the potential risks revealed about the Orlando "bubble", the James Harden Rockets, the planned 2021 season, and question the merits of playing while the pandemic rages on.
2020-06-1436 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 2 - Yet Another Knicks ScandalEthan and David discuss the weak and untimely Knicks/Dolan statement on #BlackLivesMatter and the George Floyd protests and attempt to answer one of the toughest questions about the NBA right now: will it ever get better for the New York Knicks?
2020-06-1037 minGetting BucketsGetting Buckets: Episode 1 - The Return of the KingEthan and David discuss the upcoming return of the NBA! COVID-19 impact on the basketball landscape going forward, playoff seeding in Orlando, who stands to benefit most from the new format, Zion or Ja, dark horse candidates, and a special shoutout to James Harden.
2020-06-0845 min