Best IM David Pruess Podcasts (2025)

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EP 166 | 2025 Grand Swiss 50:40

Play Pause

4d ago50:40

50:40

The 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss thrilled fans with Anish Giri’s win, Matthias Blubaum’s surprise Candidates spot, and dramatic clashes between rising juniors and veterans, sparking debate on how to create more high-stakes events like it. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/ches…

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EP 167 | What Does 3700 ELO Mean? 1:05:57

8d ago1:05:57

1:05:57

In this DojoTalks, the sensei argue that 3700 Elo engines are so far beyond humans that they beat elite GMs even while spotting queen/rook/knight odds. They discuss that this gap reframes odds chess, preparation, and training, showing how much headroom remains in human understanding. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitc…

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EP 165 | 2025 Maia Open Recap 2:04:26

9d ago2:04:26

2:04:26

In this Dojo Talks, Kostya recaps his trip to Portugal for the Maia Open with three chess streamers—Matthew, Rachel, and Anushka—along with David, discussing their experiences with tournament preparation and their performance. They highlight how sparring and collective training were crucial to their success, helping them feel more confident and pre…

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EP 164 | Hikaru Goes To The Farm 1:01:02

16d ago1:01:02

1:01:02

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) discuss Hikaru Nakamura's path to the candidates, along with who they'd like to see qualify for the 2026 FIDE Candidates tournament. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo…

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EP 163 | Blitz Specialists 1:07:35

1M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

This Dojo Talks explores what makes some players stronger at blitz than others, contrasting calculation-based vs. intuitive styles, online vs. over-the-board skills, and the role of premoves, time management, and tricky opening repertoires. The sensei also discuss the rise of a “blitz generation,” handling tilt, and David’s quest to reach a 2600 bl…

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EP 162 | Underdog Story: How GM Fishbein Became the U.S. Senior Chess Champion 1:28:11

1M ago1:28:11

1:28:11

GM Alexander Fishbein shares how he won the 2025 U.S. Senior Championship by relying on stamina, heavy tournament practice, and deep training methods such as solitary chess and analyzing old annotated games. This Talks also highlights generational contrasts in chess culture, from preparation styles to the evolving rules on draw offers. Join the Doj…

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EP 161 | Ranking the Top 10 Chess Countries 1:23:03

1M ago1:23:03

1:23:03

In this episode of Dojo Talks, Jesse, David, and Kostya each reveal and debate their top 10 chess countries of all time—based on world champions, cultural contributions, and historic achievements—before combining their lists into a final ranking. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go…

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EP 160 | Jesse's Heresy 57:29

2M ago57:29

57:29

Jesse questions the usual way of learning chess, suggesting that copying moves can be as useful as deep strategy. The sensei discuss if playing blitz and checking with a computer can help players improve quickly. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https…

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EP 159 | How To Turbo Charge Your Tactics w/ GM Mykhaylo Oleksiyenko 1:10:30

2M ago1:10:30

1:10:30

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 Check out GM Mykhaylo Oleksiyenko at https://www.oleksiyenko.com Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Fi…

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EP 158 | Do Chess and Philosophy Mix? 49:11

3M ago49:11

49:11

In this DojoTalks, the sensei explore whether chess and philosophy intersect, discussing three levels of chess philosophy, how personal beliefs shape play, and how computers challenge traditional ideas, while also examining deeper questions about why people are drawn to chess and what the game represents in human life. Join the Dojo - https://chess…

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EP 157 | Will Hans Niemann Become World Champion? 1:01:47

3M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

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 Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on …

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EP 156 | Who Will Be Top -10 in June 2026? 52:50

3M ago52:50

52:50

Episode note: the recording froze around the 31 minute mark, so you may hear a short piece cut out. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo In this episode, the sensei review their previous top 10 predictions for June 2025, evaluating their accuracy against the actu…

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EP 155 | What Made Norway Chess So Good? 43:22

4M ago43:22

43:22

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 Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on …

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EP 154 | Is Chess an eSport? 1:05:23

4M ago1:05:23

1:05:23

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Use Code DOJO before June 15th 2025 to get 40% off your first month at the Dojo! IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess and GM Jesse Kraai question if chess is an E-Sport. What do you think? Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/sh…

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

4M 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 …

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EP 152 | Visualization and Aphantasia 55:26

5M 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/…

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EP 151 | Teaching Chess To Kids 52:10

5M 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…

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EP 150 | DOJOVERSARY 5 - Origin Story 44:17

6M 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

6M 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…

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

6M 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

6M 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

7M 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

7M 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…

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EP 144 | Online vs. OTB Chess 59:11

7M 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…

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

7M 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…

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EP 142 | Kostya's Heresy 42:00

8M 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

8M 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.…

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

8M 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

8M 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 …

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EP 138 | Top 5 Chess Authors 48:12

8M 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

9M 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

9M 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…

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EP 135 | Denimgate 56:59

9M 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…

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EP 134 | FIDE vs. Freestyle Drama 59:18

9M 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 …

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

10M 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…

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

10M 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

10M 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

10M 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…

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

10M 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

11M 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…

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

11M 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…

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

11M 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

11M 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…

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EP 124 | The Kramnik-Danya Situation 22:56

11M 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:…

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EP 123 | October Chess Drama 51:07

11M 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

12M 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

12M 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

12M 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

1y 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

1+ y 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 …