Best IM David Pruess Podcasts (2025)

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EP 153 | How To Improve Your Positional Play w/ GM Aagaard 1:22:44

3d ago1:22:44

1:22:44

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo 0:00 Intro 1:51 How to improve your positional play 6:05 Book recommendations 8:18 Recognizing weaknesses in positional play 12:22 How to work with a coach 15:48 Killer Chess Training Camp 20:15 How Aagaard learned positional …

1
EP 152 | Visualization and Aphantasia 55:26

15d ago55:26

55:26

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo IM David Pruess has long been famous for reaching a high level in chess while having aphantasia. We talk about how this could be and what it says about visualization in chess. Visualization test - https://aphantasia.com/study/…

1
EP 151 | Teaching Chess To Kids 52:10

1M ago52:10

52:10

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy are joined by NM Matan Prilletensky to discuss the details of how to teach chess to children, and what people should know when th…

1
EP 150 | DOJOVERSARY 5 - Origin Story 44:17

1M ago44:17

44:17

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai celebrate 5 years of ChessDojo with episode 150! ChessDojo's first video launched on March 14, 2020. The sensei talk about how th…

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EP 149 | The Chess Revolution w/ Peter Doggers 1:00:31

2M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about the book The Chess Revolution with guest journalist Peter Doggers on today's episode of Dojo Talks, the Ch…

1
EP 148 | State of Scholastic Chess with WFM Elizabeth Spiegel 51:13

2M ago51:13

51:13

Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop The ChessDojo sensei GM Jesse Kraai and IM David Pruess sit down with WFM Elizabeth Speigel and talk about the state of scholastic chess in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the…

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EP 147 | FIDE Ratings & The Stats of Cheating (ft. Dr. Kenneth Regan) 1:05:35

2M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

Join the Dojo! https://www.chessdojo.club The Dojo talks with Dr. Kenneth Regan, who provides an analysis of FIDE ratings since the March 2024 rating boost. Also discussed is the topic of cheating -- how often it comes up and what it takes to catch one. Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelem…

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EP 146 | Is Chess 99% Tactics? 56:54

3M ago56:54

56:54

Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk about chess tactics and whether chess is really 99% tactics in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podc…

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EP 145 | Does Freestyle Chess Have A Future? 57:22

3M ago57:22

57:22

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, and recent and ongoing issues between FIDE and Freestyle Chess in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Jo…

1
EP 144 | Online vs. OTB Chess 59:11

3M ago59:11

59:11

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss the differences and pros vs cons between Online Chess and Over the Board (OTB) Chess in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training…

1
EP 143 | Who Will Qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates? 38:15

3M ago38:15

38:15

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss who will qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates cycle in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club…

1
EP 142 | Kostya's Heresy 42:00

4M ago42:00

42:00

The sensei debate Kostya’s controversial claim that all major chess tournaments should switch to rapid, exploring its potential impact on classical chess, player improvement, tournament structure, and fan engagement, ultimately leaving Jesse and David unconvinced. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 …

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EP 141 | The Psychology of Goals w/ Dr. Joel Sneed 1:18:17

4M ago1:18:17

1:18:17

Dr. Joel Sneed, a psychologist and dedicated adult chess improver, discusses the challenges of learning chess later in life, his struggles with perfectionism and obsession over openings, and how psychological techniques like ACT and CBT can help manage chess-related anxiety. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.…

1
EP 140 | Should There Be A SuperGM Title 46:29

4M ago46:29

46:29

The sensei debate whether FIDE should introduce an official Super-GM title, discussing its potential requirements, the impact of rating inflation, and how chess titles should evolve to reflect modern competitive standards. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo J…

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EP 139 | Who Decides The World Championship? ft. GM Jacob Aagaard 2:00:14

4M ago2:00:14

2:00:14

The sensei are joined by GM Jacok Aagaard to discuss who decides the world championship. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop …

1
EP 138 | Top 5 Chess Authors 48:12

4M ago48:12

48:12

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy rank the top five greatest chess authors of all time in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play C…

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EP 137 | Should Beginners Study Openings w/ GM Hammer 1:12:01

5M ago1:12:01

1:12:01

GM Jon Ludvig Hammer joins the sensei on this Dojo Talks to discuss whether beginners should study openings, and if so, how much? Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo…

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EP 136 | 2024 World Rapid & Blitz w/ GM Hammer 52:41

5M ago52:41

52:41

The sensei are joined by GM Jon Ludvig Hammer to discuss the 2024 World Rapid Blitz Championship and Magnus Carlsen's controversial decision to split the championship title with Ian Nepomniachtchi, drawing significant criticism for bending competition rules and setting a troubling precedent. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, he…

1
EP 135 | Denimgate 56:59

5M ago56:59

56:59

Jesse, David, and Kostya discuss the controversy around "DenimGate," involving Magnus Carlsen's disqualification from the World Rapid Tournament due to dress code violations, with broader implications for tensions between Carlsen, FIDE, and Freestyle chess organizers. Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5…

1
EP 134 | FIDE vs. Freestyle Drama 59:18

5M ago59:18

59:18

GM Kraai, IM Pruess, and IM Kavutskiy discuss the conflict between FIDE and the Freestyle Chess Association over the legitimacy and rights to organize Chess 960 (Fischer Random) events, with players like Magnus Carlsen spearheading Freestyle's efforts to revitalize the format. The sensei discuss fan interest, FIDE's waning control, and the broader …

1
EP 133 | 2024 World Chess Championship Recap 1:13:16

5M ago1:13:16

1:13:16

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai recap the 2024 World Chess Championship match between defending champion GM Ding Liren and challenger GM Gukesh D in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! Get ChessDojo's first book, How to Analyze Your Games, here: https://amzn.to/3Ds5r78 Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessd…

1
EP 132 | Who Will Win the 2024 World Chess Championship? 1:04:59

6M ago1:04:59

1:04:59

Who will win the 2024 World Chess Championship between GM Ding Liren and GM Gukesh D? GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss who will be the next World Chess Champion, the format for the match, and whether the match will be close or a blowout in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Watch Live - https://twi…

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EP 131 | The Top 5 World Chess Championship Matches Of All-Time 31:18

6M ago31:18

31:18

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai finish their series of ranking the best World Chess Championship matches ever with a discussion and ranking of the top 5 World Chess Championship matches of all time. Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/…

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EP 130 | Every World Chess Championship Match Ranked | Part 3: Modern Era (1993-2023) 1:35:28

6M ago1:35:28

1:35:28

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy continue their series of ranking every World Chess Championship match ever in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Featuring champions and challengers like Garry Kasparov, Nigel Short, Viswanathan Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, Peter Leko, Veselin Topalov, Boris Gelfand, Magnus Car…

1
EP 129 | Every World Chess Championship Match Ranked | Part 2: Soviet Era (1951-1990) 1:37:43

6M ago1:37:43

1:37:43

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy continue their series of ranking every World Chess Championship match ever in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Part 2 focuses on the time after World War II, the Soviet Era of chess between 1951 and 1990, with matches involving Mikhail Botvinnik, Vasily Smyslov, David Bro…

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EP 128 | Every World Chess Championship Match Ranked | Part 1: pre-FIDE (1834-1937) 1:41:21

7M ago1:41:21

1:41:21

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy rank every world chess championship match there has ever been! Which world championship match-up was the greatest? Let's talk about it today on Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Part 1: Before FIDE (1834 - 1937). Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://ch…

1
EP 127 | Should Draws Be Scored Differently? 48:39

7M ago48:39

48:39

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss whether draws in chess should be scored differently - such as using the Soccer/Football or Venceslav Rutar scoring systems - and what impact it might have on the chess world in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Trai…

1
EP 126 | Ranking The Top 10 U.S. Players of All Time 1:13:58

7M ago1:13:58

1:13:58

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai rank the top 10 U.S. chess players of all time in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to suppo…

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EP 125 | The 2024 Junior Draft 42:08

7M ago42:08

42:08

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai have their 2024 Junior Draft on today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel? Pa…

1
EP 124 | The Kramnik-Danya Situation 22:56

7M ago22:56

22:56

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk about the ongoing situation between GM Daniel Naroditsky and GM Vladimir Kramnik on today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https:…

1
EP 123 | October Chess Drama 51:07

7M ago51:07

51:07

Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about all of the big drama happening in the chess world at the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship and Spanish Team Cha…

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EP 122 | How To Structure Your Training 54:13

8M ago54:13

54:13

Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Join the Training Program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk details about how to structure your chess training in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo Podcast. Want…

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EP 121 | Most Influential Chess Books 1:11:10

8M ago1:11:10

1:11:10

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss and rate the most influential chess books in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast! CHAPTERS 0:00 Ranking the 5 Most Influential Ch…

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EP 120 | 2024 Olympiad Recap 57:36

8M ago57:36

57:36

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai recap the 2024 Chess Olympiad in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo Podcast! CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro to the 2024 Budapest Olympiad 0:35 Joys and Cha…

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EP 119 | What Does it Take to Succeed in Senior Chess 1:06:34

10M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about the world of senior chess, the 2024 U.S. Senior Chess Championship, and what it takes to succeed in senior chess in today's episode of Dojo Tal…

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EP 118 | Advice for Young Chess Professionals ft. GM Sam Shankland 1:03:28

11M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Sam Shankland, GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk about what it takes to have a career in chess, whether as a tournament player or chess content creator, in today's episode of Dojo …

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EP 117 | Who Will Be Top 10 in 2025? 1:03:02

12M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy forecast who will be the top 10 FIDE rated chess players in June 2025 in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Want to support the channel…

1
EP 116 | Do World Champions Lose Their Minds? 1:12:49

1y ago1:12:49

1:12:49

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop On today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast, GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about the impact of the FIDE World Chess Championship circuit on mental health and the sanit…

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EP 115 | 2026 FIDE Cycle Drama 55:39

1y ago55:39

55:39

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about all of the drama and projections brewing for the 2026 FIDE candidates, as well as FIDE's new path to get to the 2026 Candidates Tournament in t…

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EP 114 | 2024 FIDE Candidates Recap 59:09

1y ago59:09

59:09

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Dive into the drama and surprises of the FIDE 2024 Candidates! Join us for live breakdowns and deep dives into each game. Subscribe for more thrilling chess content! GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM K…

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EP 113 | The Great Eval Bar Debate (feat. GM Hammer) 1:21:16

1y ago1:21:16

1:21:16

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Special guest GM Jon Ludvig Hammer joins the Dojo to discuss the ongoing "eval bar" war that has taken the chess world by storm. This show was streamed live to Twitch on 4/12/2024, at the exact half-way mark…

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BONUS Episode: 2024 FIDE Women's Candidates 8:39

1y ago8:39

8:39

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Recorded at the end of last week's Dojo Talks, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about women's chess and the upcoming 2024 FIDE Women's Candidates to determine who will face the c…

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EP 112 | Ranking the 2024 FIDE Candidates 56:01

1y ago56:01

56:01

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Who will be the next World Chess Champion? How do the 2024 FIDE Candidates stack up? GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess weigh in and rank the 2024 FIDE Candidates. Want to support the c…

1
EP 111 | Openings 55:58

1y ago55:58

55:58

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop The Dojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai) discuss openings and blitz chess in this podcast episode of Dojo Talks. This episode dives into the critical aspects of chess study, partic…

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EP 110 | The FIDE Rating Boost ft. ChessNumbers 1:17:04

1y ago1:17:04

1:17:04

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and ChessNumbers (Tai Pruce-Zimmerman) talk about the FIDE rating conversion/update and deflation, and the statistics and math involved. Want to support the channel? Find…

1
EP 109 | Ranking the Best Money Spent on Chess 1:39:39

1y ago1:39:39

1:39:39

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Not sure how to spend money on chess? GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess rank the best and worst ways you can spend your money on chess, and share what they believe are the top investme…

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EP 108 | Spaced Repetition 56:43

1+ y ago56:43

56:43

The ChessDojo sensei, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai, talk about using spaced repetition in chess training (the next topic from NM Ben Johnson's book, "Perpetual Chess Improvement"). Get your copy of Ben's book here: https://amzn.to/3I3PjrM. Want to support the channel? Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) …

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EP 107 | The Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge 1:02:08

1+ y ago1:02:08

1:02:08

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about Magnus Carlsen's tournament, the Freestyle Chess GOAT Challenge, the future of Chess 960/Fischer Random/Freestyle Chess, World Champion Din…

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EP 106 | Once Great Chess Companies 53:36

1+ y ago53:36

53:36

GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about chess companies that were once great. Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with ChessDojo merch: https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel? Donate here - https://s…

1
EP 105 | How Much is Enough? 54:15

1+ y ago54:15

54:15

GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about how much is enough - How do you know when you have done enough work, or how do you know you have achieved enough? The Sensei discuss life and chess today, and what it means to pursue things. Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.…

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