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

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GM Daniel Gormally returns to the pod to unpack Netflix's Untold: Chess Mates, the documentary covering the Magnus Carlsen - Hans Niemann controversy. We separate the signal from the noise, offering a candid, player-level perspective on one of chess's most bizarre modern sagas.

Links for GM Daniel Gormally:

• YouTube channel
• Chessable 3-Part Series: Sharp Middlegames

📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.

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

Referenced: How to Beat A Chess Prodigy

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Fellow chess amateur and blogger Nick Visel returns to the pod to talk about the nuts and bolts of improving as an adult player. We cover endgames, openings, and the psychological habits that separate steady improvers from those stuck in place. Think of this as a reality check - with a roadmap.

Referenced:

• Nick's Substack: Nick Plays Chess

📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.

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

Referenced:

• Lichess Study: Study Creators & Friends
• Reddit Post: Why is no increment the norm in online chess?

📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.

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

📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.

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

Referenced:

• Research Study (2005): The Role of Deliberate Practice in Chess Expertise
• Reddit Post (2024): What rating would the average person reach if they played daily but never studied?

📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.

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This week, Neal discusses why he recently made a full switch to lichess.org for playing his online games and why the platform works better for his day-to-day chess routine. He still uses chesscom, but only for news, articles, and their lesson library.

📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.

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• Website
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