The Chess Angle
by Long Island Chess Club
Latest episode
Ep. 208: French Defense vs. Sicilian Dragon | 5+0 Amateur Run
Ep. 208: French Defense vs. Sicilian Dragon | 5+0 Amateur Run
About this podcast
The Chess Angle is dedicated to practical chess improvement for busy adult players. Join Neal as he plays online games, analyzes them, and shares practical lessons to help club players improve and make the most of their limited study time. New episodes are produced in a video-first format and are best experienced with the accompanying video. The first 200 episodes feature the original audio podcast. YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thechessangle. Web: www.thechessangle.com. X: www.x.com/TheChessAngle. Email: [email protected].
Episodes
The newest 20 of 209 episodes
- Ep. 208: French Defense vs. Sicilian Dragon | 5+0 Amateur Run · 46 min · Episode 208In this video, I play three 5+0 blitz games followed by an analysis of each. The main focus is on the difference between playing the French and playing the Sicilian — two…
- Ep. 207: Playing 5+0 Blitz as a Busy Adult | 5+0 Amateur Run · 40 min · Episode 207In this first 5+0 Amateur Run, I play three blitz games and then review the key moments afterward. We'll look at the advantages, the drawbacks, and what changes when there's no…
- Ep. 206: When Should You Castle in the London System? | 10+5 Amateur Run · 46 min · Episode 206Here, we look at an important London System question: when (and on which side) should you actually castle? For busy adult amateurs, the key is to avoid playing opening moves…
- Ep. 205: An Easy Nimzo-Indian Setup for Club Players | 10+5 Amateur Run · 27 min · Episode 205In this game, I use a practical Nimzo-Indian setup that avoids a lot of heavy main-line theory while still giving Black an active position. It's a great option for busy adult…
- Ep. 204: How to Play Chess in Time Trouble | 5+3 Amateur Run · 34 min · Episode 204This video features two 5+3 games with very different challenges. After a quick London System game, the second turns into a lesson in managing serious time pressure, with less…
- Ep. 203: How to Stop a London System Attack | 10+5 Amateur Run · 31 min · Episode 203The London System can become dangerous quickly if Black allows a comfortable kingside attack. In this video, we look at practical ways to defend accurately, create counterplay…
- Ep. 202: Want a Simple Opening Repertoire? Try This Combo | 5+3 Amateur Run · 46 min · Episode 202Introducing our 5+3 Amateur Run series: Fast enough to create pressure, slow enough to still play real chess (mostly😂). In this video, I play one game with the French Defense and…
- Ep. 201: This Is Why You Don't Give Up After a Blunder | 10+5 Amateur Run · 43 min · Episode 201Welcome to the 10+5 Amateur Run. In this first game, I make an embarrassing early mistake, fall behind, and have to figure out how to stay in the game and fight back. This series…
- Ep. 200: The Chess Angle Is Going Video · 13 min · Episode 200After 200 episodes, The Chess Angle is making its next move. I explain why the show is shifting to a video-first format where I play games against fellow amateurs, talk through…
- Ep. 199 (S11 Finale): You're Doing Chess Puzzles All Wrong · 36 min · Episode 199This episode is our Season 11 Finale. We'll be taking a break and will be back soon. Chess puzzles can be one of the most effective ways to improve, but only if you're actually…
- Ep. 198: Move Noise: The Mental Clutter Costing You Games · 47 min · Episode 198Sometimes the problem isn't that we aren't thinking enough at the chessboard — it's that we're thinking about too much. In this episode, we explore "move noise": the unnecessary…
- Ep. 197: Chess Openings and the Law of Diminishing Returns · 43 min · Episode 197Many adult club players don't study too little opening theory - they study too much. In this episode, we explore the trap of diminishing returns in opening study, why…
- Ep. 196: Rook Slides, Queen Slides, & Other Chess Blind Spots · 26 min · Episode 196Many chess blunders aren't caused by poor calculation - they're caused by visual blind spots. In this episode, we explore why certain types of moves consistently escape our…
- Ep. 195: Why Your Chess Rating Swings So Much · 32 min · Episode 195Your chess rating can easily swing 100 points or more, but it doesn't necessarily mean you've become a better or worse player. In this episode, we react to a fascinating article…
- Ep. 194: Are You a Chess Improver... or a Course Collector? · 43 minIn engineering, a single point of failure is the one weak component capable of bringing down an entire system. Chess improvement often works the same way. In this episode, we…
- Ep. 193: The Yellow Zone: Where Adult Chess Improvement Actually Happens · 35 min · Episode 193If you're holding off until you're fully rested, completely focused, and free from distractions before playing or studying chess, you may be waiting a very long time. Most adult…
- Ep. 192: Zapp Chess: The One App That Hooked Me · 44 min · Episode 192I break my long-standing rule about not playing chess on my phone to talk about Zapp Chess, a listener-recommended app that surprised me. It blends fast, gamified play with real…
- Ep. 191 (Midseason Finale): Is YouTube Actually Better For Adult Chess Improvement Than Chessable? feat. Steve Rosenblatt · 52 min · Episode 191In this midseason finale episode, Neal talks with Long Island Chess Club regular Steve Rosenblatt for a wide-ranging conversation on adult chess improvement. The two debate…
- Ep. 190: Boost Your Chess Rating by Checking Your Ego · 45 min · Episode 190Most adult chess players are not held back primarily by calculation or opening knowledge. They are held back by ego: the need to look smart, play "real chess," attack…
- Ep. 189: The Amateur's Mind (Chessable Version) - Still the Most Important Chess Book for Adult Players · 51 min · Episode 189This week, we revisit The Amateur's Mind by IM Jeremy Silman, this time through the Chessable edition. We've long argued this is the most important book for adult improvers, not…
