Traveling nonstop for eleven months, walking eight days by the Narmada River with no phone or money — this is a small part of Sagar Shah’s journey.

In this talk with GM Avetik, he speaks about the books that opened new paths for him, the balance between love and discipline, and Magnus Carlsen’s unique approach.

He also shares how ChessBase India became a spiritual journey, why he created the Temple of Chess, and how the HelpChess Trust is helping young, talented chess players.

It is a personal and spiritual conversation with deep reflections on growth, meaning, and living fully.

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Get three free courses:

https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principles

https://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-games

https://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-games

At ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!

Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.

Become a PRO Member to get:

📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses

🎙️ Live Streams

🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons

🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum

📁 PGN’s

👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

From reaching a 2700 rating and being among the world’s top 20 players, to helping both Vladimir Kramnik and Magnus Carlsen in World Championship matches… From classic board preparation to modern engine work — our guest is GM Laurent Fressinet.

In this honest conversation with GM Avetik, he opens up about:

– Working with legends like Kramnik and Carlsen

– The emotional and mental challenges of elite chess

– Insightful stories from the World Championship matches

– Why he stopped chasing 2700 and embraced coaching

– The evolution of chess: Why modern chess is all about speed

– Honest thoughts on Chess960, team leadership, and Magnus’ mindset

This episode is full of behind-the-scenes moments and takeaways from someone who’s lived every phase of a chess career.

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Get three free courses:

https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principles

https://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-games

https://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-games

At ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!

Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.

Become a PRO Member to get:

📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses

🎙️ Live Streams

🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons

🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum

📁 PGN’s

👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

In this raw and powerful conversation, GM Levon Aronian opens up about the truths he avoided — and the price he paid for it.

From missing his chance at the World Championship to learning the hard lessons about discipline, ambition, and self-awareness, Levon shares insights few Grandmasters ever admit publicly.

You’ll hear about his journey through crisis and reinvention, why real growth begins with brutal honesty, and how facing the truth — not running from it — shaped his life both on and off the chessboard.

A rare and vulnerable glimpse into the mindset of one of chess’s most beloved legends.

-----------------------------------

Get three free courses:

https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principles

https://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-games

https://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-games

At ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!

Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.

Become a PRO Member to get:

📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses

🎙️ Live Streams

🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons

🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum

📁 PGN’s

👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

In this special episode of the ChessMood Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Rao Srikumar — bestselling author, TED speaker, and former professor at some of the world’s top business schools.

Known as the “FedEx guy” for delivering timeless wisdom in modern language, Dr. Rao has mentored thousands of elite entrepreneurs and thinkers. In this deep, honest, and often surprising conversation with GM Avetik, they explore:

✅ Emotional mastery in life and chess

✅ Letting go of anger and attachment

✅ The idea of destiny and control

✅ Why happiness isn't something you pursue

✅ And how chess mirrors the inner battles we all face

A masterclass in self-discovery and emotional freedom — with some chess stories and laughs along the way.

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Get three free courses:

https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principles

https://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-games

https://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-games

At ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!

Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.

Become a PRO Member to get:

📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses

🎙️ Live Streams

🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons

🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum

📁 PGN’s

👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Champions, our guest today is Grandmaster Noel Studer!

After retiring from professional chess, he started NextLevelChess, where he shares his experience and insights to help others improve their game.

Noel’s website https://nextlevelchess.com/

Over 200 articles https://nextlevelchess.com/articles/

His course on how to study chess https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system

-----------------------------------

Get three free courses:

https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principles

https://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-games

https://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-games

At ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!

Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.

Become a PRO Member to get:

📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses

🎙️ Live Streams

🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons

🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum

📁 PGN’s

👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Champions, our guest today is the European Champion 2024, Grandmaster Aleksandar Indjic.

In this episode, we explore his approach to winning tournaments, managing setbacks, and using pressure as a tool for success. He also shares stories about his legendary coach GM Velimirovic, insights from working with Super Grandmaster Morozevich, and other fascinating experiences from his chess journey.

There was a moment when he gave such brilliant advice that Avetik broke into applause. You’re going to enjoy this!

-----------------------------------

Get three free courses:

https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principles

https://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-games

https://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-games

At ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!

Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.

Become a PRO Member to get:

📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses

🎙️ Live Streams

🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons

🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum

📁 PGN’s

👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

GM Georg Meier has trained with the world’s best – Carlsen and Kasparov. The latter even predicted that GM Meier would break the 2700 elo barrier.

He was living the dream of a professional chess player. But then, he left his chess ambitions behind to follow a new path.

Why did he do it?

In his chess career, what did he learn from his interactions with five world champions? What advice does he have for chess players?

Find out in this episode as GM Georg Meier sits down with GM Avetik to share his journey.

-----------------------------------

Get three free courses:

https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principles

https://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-games

https://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-games

At ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!

Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.

Become a PRO Member to get:

📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses

🎙️ Live Streams

🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons

🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum

📁 PGN’s

👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro

Our guest is the inspiring Soulaima Gourani, who went from experiencing homelessness and dropping out of school to reaching a level where she would fly on private jets, receive numerous awards, including '40 under 40,' and Top 100 Women, and build successful businesses.

In conversation with GM Avetik, she talks about building an excuseless mindset, the key to finding lasting happiness, goal setting, what she would do to reach her chess goal today, and much more.

Check out Soulaima’s work here:

Visit her website: https://soulaima.com/

Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoulaimaGourani

-----------------------------------

Get three free courses:

https://chessmood.com/course/opening-principles

https://chessmood.com/course/avetik-grigoryan-best-games

https://chessmood.com/course/gabuzyan-best-games

At ChessMood, you learn chess from Grandmasters only!

Be a part of an amazing chess community that actually wants to see your growth.

Become a PRO Member to get:

📹 Unlimited Access to our Opening, Middlegame, and Endgame courses

🎙️ Live Streams

🖥️ Webinars and Interactive Lessons

🗣️ Answered by GM’s in our forum

📁 PGN’s

👉 Find out more about becoming a PRO Member – https://chessmood.com/become-a-pro