Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

https://feed.podbean.com/ChessDojoTalks/feed.xml

The official podcast of ChessDojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, & GM Jesse Kraai). Most episodes are streamed live to twitch.tv/chessdojo. Interested in improving your chess? Welcome to the Dojo! A structured plan to hold yourself accountable to and a group to do it with. - https://chessdojo.club Follow ChessDojo here: Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojolive Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw Twitter: https://twitter.com/chess_dojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chess_dojo/ Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com/

Episodes

Monday Sep 08, 2025

EP 164 | Hikaru Goes To The Farm

Monday Sep 08, 2025

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.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 our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips

00:00 – Intro & Setup
01:31 – Is Hikaru the Exception?
08:36 – Balancing Streaming, Training, and Competition
09:23 – The Busy Chess Calendar
10:55 – Strength of the Tournament
14:39 – Ethics of Rating Manipulation
17:39 – Die-Hard Rules vs. Fair Play
22:27 – Mathematical Loopholes in Ratings
27:15 – Impact on Future Candidates
31:20 – Who Deserves to Be in the Candidates?
55:00 – Alternative Qualification Systems
58:33 – Broader Trends in Chess Ratings
1:00:12 – Closing Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Saturday Aug 23, 2025

EP 163 | Blitz Specialists

Saturday Aug 23, 2025

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 blitz rating.

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 our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

00:01 – David’s blitz struggles
02:46 – Blitz as a different game
07:05 – Calculator vs. intuitive players
15:16 – The premove problem
20:05 – Online vs. OTB blitz
25:18 – Blitz repertoires and system openings
32:07 – Queen’s Gambit generation
58:15 – Tilt and the 2600 quest

Monday Aug 18, 2025

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

Monday Aug 18, 2025

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 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 our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

0:15 – Introduction
2:34 – Becoming a Real Contender
6:00 – Finding an Edge Against More Talented Rivals
8:13 – Taking Time Off Work to Chase Chess Goals
10:52 – Training Stamina & Playing 100 Games a Year
18:20 – Why Rating Doesn’t Matter
21:11 – Core Training: Annotating Games & Using Engines
36:33 – Solitaire Chess & Personalized Training
51:06 – The “Post-Postmortem” Method (Old Book Analysis)
59:39 – Final Insights

Friday Aug 15, 2025

EP 161 | Ranking the Top 10 Chess Countries

Friday Aug 15, 2025

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.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 our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

04:57 – Jesse’s #10 pick
09:44 – David’s #10 pick
13:01 – Kostya’s #10 pick
14:04 – Kostya’s #9 pick
15:24 – David’s #9 pick
18:51 – Jesse’s #9 pick
20:33 – Jesse’s #8 pick
21:37 – David’s #8 pick
25:16 – Kostya’s #8 pick
27:12 – Kostya’s #7 pick
28:31 – David’s #7 pick
30:13 – Jesse’s #7 pick
32:19 – Jesse’s #6 pick
33:54 – David’s #6 pick
36:28 – Kostya’s #6 pick
37:39 – Kostya’s #5 pick
38:34 – David’s #5 pick
42:12 – Jesse’s #5 pick
44:51 – Jesse’s #4 pick
46:24 – David’s #4 pick
49:04 – Kostya’s #4 pick
50:26 – Kostya’s #3 pick
52:43 – David’s #3 pick
59:29 – Jesse’s #3 pick
1:02:48 – Jesse’s #2 pick
1:05:50 – David’s #2 pick
1:09:45 – Kostya’s #2 pick
1:10:37 – Kostya’s #1 pick
1:11:41 – David’s #1 pick
1:12:42 – Jesse’s #1 pick

Tuesday Aug 05, 2025

EP 160 | Jesse's Heresy

Tuesday Aug 05, 2025

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://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 our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

00:00 – Jesse’s heresy revealed
01:26 – Hendriks: chess is learned by copying
04:17 – Copying in openings is valid
06:06 – Blitz + engine as a training method
08:56 – How kids get strong fast today
13:38 – Comparing blitz to Dojo sparring
21:29 – Words vs instinct in learning chess
27:14 – Chess960 and the limits of imitation
38:08 – Engines changed how we see tactics
46:50 – Ideas help memory and understanding

Monday Aug 04, 2025

EP 159 | How To Turbo Charge Your Tactics w/ GM Mykhaylo Oleksiyenko

Monday Aug 04, 2025

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

Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

Tuesday Jul 08, 2025

EP 158 | Do Chess and Philosophy Mix?

Tuesday Jul 08, 2025

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://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 our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

00:00 – Introduction: Is Philosophy in Chess Possible?
01:08 – Three Levels of Chess Philosophy
02:56 – Chess Values and Philosophical Frameworks
14:25 – Computers, Truth, and Modern Chess Philosophy
22:28 – What is Chess? Exploring Deeper Meanings
33:42 – Chess as Wellness, Culture, and Ego
42:42 – Blitz, Escapism, and Personal Motivations

Saturday Jun 28, 2025

EP 157 | Will Hans Niemann Become World Champion?

Saturday Jun 28, 2025

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 our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

00:00– Introduction
02:02 – Hans’s World Champion Goal
03:10 – Chances and Predictions
06:06 – Tough Competition
08:32 – Top 10 Players Discussion
14:10 – Paths to Candidates
16:41 – Hans’s Rating Plateau
21:17 – Coaching and Support
33:50 – Qualities of a Champion
46:02 – Future Possibilities

Friday Jun 20, 2025

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

Friday Jun 20, 2025

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 actual FIDE rankings. They also make new predictions for June 2026, highlighting rising stars like Gukesh and Arjun while debating the future potential of players like Firouzja, Niemann, and Nakamura.

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 our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

00:00 – Introduction
01:17 – June 2025 FIDE Top 10
03:09 – Firouzja Correctly Predicted to Enter Top 10
04:20 – Decline of Nepomniachtchi, So, and Anand
06:43 – Misses on Abdusattorov and Other Juniors
07:50 – Firouzja’s Struggles and Unfulfilled Potential
12:38 – Start of 2026 Top 10 Predictions
14:41 – Controversial Pick at #10
25:04 – Will Magnus Stay Ranked with Minimal Games?
33:32 – Debating the Top 5: Naka, Gukesh, Arjun, Fabi
46:59 – Final Dojo Composite Top 10 List for 2026
53:03 – Wrap-Up & Patreon Support Appeal

Thursday Jun 12, 2025

EP 155 | What Made Norway Chess So Good?

Thursday Jun 12, 2025

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 our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.