The Chess Angle

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  Ep. 201: This Is Why You Don't Give Up After a Blunder | 10+5 Amateur Run 20.09.2026 43dk

  Welcome 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 is about practical chess improvement for busy adult amateurs, using real games to explore better decisions, stronger habits, and more efficient ways to improve. 🎯 Our Links:  YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected] 
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  Ep. 200: The Chess Angle Is Going Video 20.09.2026 12dk

  After 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 my thinking, and analyze the games afterward - with the wins, losses, mistakes, and everything in between becoming part of the learning process. Same philosophy, same focus on practical chess improvement, but a completely new way of doing it. 🎯 Our Links:  YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected] 
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  Ep. 199 (S11 Finale): You're Doing Chess Puzzles All Wrong 23.08.2026 36dk

  This 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 training, rather than guessing, rushing through a daily quota, or chasing a streak. This week, we look at how to get more value from puzzle training by calculating before moving, repeating difficult positions, and working on everything from tactics and endgames to positional ideas and quiet moves. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 198: Move Noise: The Mental Clutter Costing You Games 16.08.2026 46dk

  Sometimes 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 calculation, imaginary threats, second-guessing, and search for the perfect move that can interfere with good practical chess. Learn how to separate signal from noise, trust your chess, and save your thinking time for the positions that actually require it. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 197: Chess Openings and the Law of Diminishing Returns 09.08.2026 43dk

  Many 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 understanding ideas matters far more than memorizing endless lines, and the importance of building a practical repertoire that consistently leads to playable middlegames. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 196: Rook Slides, Queen Slides, & Other Chess Blind Spots 02.08.2026 26dk

  Many 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 attention, how those blind spots lead to missed tactics and costly mistakes, and what you can do to start seeing more of the board. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 195: Why Your Chess Rating Swings So Much 26.07.2026 32dk

  Your 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 on rating variance and discuss why amateur players often experience even bigger swings than they realize. Referenced: Why Your Rating Swings More Than You Think 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 194: Are You a Chess Improver... or a Course Collector? 19.07.2026 42dk

  In 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 explore why your rating may be determined less by your average skill level and more by the one recurring weakness that keeps showing up in your games - and why identifying and fixing that weakness may be the highest ROI work you can do as an adult improver. Buying more books or courses may not be the answer. Referenced: Did Pragg Fall for A Chess Tourist Trap? Why deep "chess culture" doesn't matter if you have a Single Point of Failure. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 193: The Yellow Zone: Where Adult Chess Improvement Actually Happens 12.07.2026 34dk

  If 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 improvers live in the "yellow zone" - not at their absolute best, but far from their worst. In this episode, we explore what I'm calling the "Perfect Time Fallacy" and why consistency in imperfect conditions often beats waiting for perfect ones. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee  
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  Ep. 192: Zapp Chess: The One App That Hooked Me 05.07.2026 43dk

  I 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 competitive chess decisions in a way that actually kept me engaged. I walk through my experience and why, despite my usual skepticism, this one feels different. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 191 (Midseason Finale): Is YouTube Actually Better For Adult Chess Improvement Than Chessable? feat. Steve Rosenblatt 24.05.2026 52dk

  In 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 whether YouTube videos or Chessable courses are more effective for gaining rating points, while also diving into tournament psychology, study habits, content overload, and the realities of balancing chess with a demanding career. Steve, founder and CEO of a recruiting firm, brings the perspective of a serious adult competitor who climbed to nearly 1950 USCF without pretending chess is a full-time job. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 190: Boost Your Chess Rating by Checking Your Ego 17.05.2026 45dk

  Most 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 beautifully, avoid embarrassment, prove their strength, or force results. The paradox is that the less emotionally attached you are to proving something over the board, the better your decisions become. This episode adapts ideas from golf psychology about pressure, identity, unrealistic expectations, and emotional overinvestment into practical chess improvement concepts. Referenced: How I Made Golf Easier - and a Lot More Fun (WSJ article) Feel freely, but always acknowledge the loss (YouTube video) 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 189: The Amateur's Mind (Chessable Version) - Still the Most Important Chess Book for Adult Players 10.05.2026 51dk

  This 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 because it hands you lines to memorize, but because it rewires how you think. The Chessable version preserves Silman's voice and structure while adding a layer of engine-checked accuracy that quietly cleans up a few rough edges from the original. What stands out most is how well the core teaching holds up. Silman's focus on imbalances, plans, and practical thinking remains exactly what club players need. The interactive format makes it easier to engage with positions rather than passively read them, and the corrections remove small distractions that modern readers might otherwise fixate on. If you're an adult player trying to improve efficiently, this is still required material. The format has evolved, but the message hasn't: stop playing random moves and start understanding what the position demands. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 188: Why Study Beats Play for Chess Improvement 03.05.2026 56dk

  Most adult players default to playing more games when they want to improve, but that instinct is often backwards. In this episode, we argue that structured study is the real driver of progress for club players, and explain why playing alone tends to reinforce bad habits. If you've been stuck at the same rating for a while, this might be the shift you need. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 187: The 2200 Myth: Why Most Adult Chess Players Won't Make Master 26.04.2026 1sa 3dk

  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. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 186: GM Daniel Gormally on "Untold: Chess Mates," the Netflix Special About the Magnus/Hans Cheating Controversy 19.04.2026 52dk

  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 [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 185: The Adult Amateur's Guide to Defeating Chess Prodigies 12.04.2026 31dk

  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  📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 184: Real Talk on Chess Improvement for Adults feat. Nick Visel 05.04.2026 1sa 7dk

  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 [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 183: Online Chess Has a Clock Problem 29.03.2026 43dk

  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 [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
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  Ep. 182: Chess Ratings and the Luck Factor 22.03.2026 34dk

  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 [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links:  Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee