41 episodes

A Weekly, Rapid-Fire Chess Podcast Devoted to Helping You Improve Your Game. Hosted by Ben Johnson, brought to you by Chessable.com

How To Chess Ben Johnson

    • Leisure
    • 4.8 • 105 Ratings

A Weekly, Rapid-Fire Chess Podcast Devoted to Helping You Improve Your Game. Hosted by Ben Johnson, brought to you by Chessable.com

    Ben Johnson (solo pod): Synthesizing the Key Lessons About Chess Role Models from Season 3's Guests

    Ben Johnson (solo pod): Synthesizing the Key Lessons About Chess Role Models from Season 3's Guests

    The final episode of Season 3 of How to Chess is a rare solo pod, where Ben
    succinctly summarizes the key lessons about chess role models that were
    imparted by the How to Chess guests. As Ben notes, the guests have
    highlighted role models ranging from elite players to local players to
    renowned endgame specialists, and luckily we don't need to choose just
    one person to learn from in our chess studies.  In closing, Ben
    highlights a few of his own chess role models and the lessons that he
    learned from them. Thanks to all of the brilliant How to Chess Season 3
    guests, be sure to check out their courses, and thanks to you all for
    listening!

    • 10 min
    WIM Luciana Morales on Learning from Queens of the Chess Board

    WIM Luciana Morales on Learning from Queens of the Chess Board

    Luciana Morales is a Peruvian Woman International Master with a resume full of impressive accomplishements!
    She has won the Pan-American Youth Championship no less than 3 times. She also won the Zonal Tournament 2.4 in São Paulo. The win qualified her for the 2004 Women's World Championship, making her the first Peruvian player to do so.

    And when she studied at the University of Texas - Brownsville, she helped the team outperform their seeding, and break into the final four of the 2008 Pan-American Team Championship.

    But, what does she have to say about role models in chess?

    Queens of the Chess Board:
    https://www.chessable.com/queens-of-the-chess-board/course/102010/

    Luciana's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/LucianaM/

    Luciana's socials:
    X: https://twitter.com/LucianaMorales

    Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

    • 22 min
    IM Alex Astaneh on How His Coach Accidentally Taught him Board Visualization Skills

    IM Alex Astaneh on How His Coach Accidentally Taught him Board Visualization Skills

    Alex Astaneh is an Irish International Master, chess coach, and author.
    Astaneh's chess journey began at a young age, and he quickly found success on the Irish chess circuit. At the age of 11, he represented Ireland at the World Youth Championships, which got him hooked on the game.
    His successes continued, having won the Irish Championship on three separate occasions (2010, 2017, 2018) and has represented the Irish National Team four times at the Chess Olympiads (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018).

    In addition to a lauded chess playing career, Astaneh stands out as a world-class coach, including a stint as the official coach of the Irish junior team in the World Youth Championships 2010.

    As Alex explains, he learned from studying the typical legends like Fischer and Tal, but his Spanish coach, IM Roberto Paramos Dominguez taught him a ton about attacking and visualization. In our conversation Alex shares tons of helpful tips for improving calculation.

    My First Grünfeld Opening Repertoire:
    https://www.chessable.com/my-first-grunfeld-opening-repertoire/course/134696/

    Alex's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/Astaneh/

    Alex's socials:
    X: https://twitter.com/astanehchess
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexastaneh/
    Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/astaneh/

    Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

    • 45 min
    GM Jorden van Foreest on What Kasparov's Books Taught him about Attacking...and the Tarrasch Defense

    GM Jorden van Foreest on What Kasparov's Books Taught him about Attacking...and the Tarrasch Defense

    Jorden van Foreest is a well accomplished Grandmaster from the Netherlands. Some of the highlights of his career includes winning the Dutch Championship in 2016, winning the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament in 2021, and serving as Magnus Carlsen's second in the 2021 World Championship.
    But what does he have to say about role models in chess?

    Lifetime Repertoires: Tarrasch Defense:
    https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-tarrasch-defense/course/128906/

    Jorden's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/jordenvforeest/

    Jorden's X: https://twitter.com/jordenvforeest

    Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

    • 17 min
    NM Laura Smith on Her Chess Role Models

    NM Laura Smith on Her Chess Role Models

    Laura Smith is an American chess teacher and educator. She began learning the game at
    the fairly young age of 5, taught by her father. By the time she was 6, she was
    already enrolled in chess classes. Her accomplishments include
    becoming the highest-rated 13-year-old, male or female, in the US in 2002. She
    competed in the US Women's Chess Championship in 2006, earned a silver medal in
    the Girls Under 14 category in the Pan-American Championship, and earned a spot
    on the US Youth Chess Team for 8 consecutive years. Laura discusses what she has learned from female role models like Judit Polgar, Irina Krush and Jennifer Shahade.
     

     

    Forcing Moves for Beginners:
    https://www.chessable.com/forcing-moves-for-beginners-/course/123996/

    Laura's author page:
    https://www.chessable.com/author/LauraSmith/

    Laura's socials:

    X:
    https://twitter.com/lauraloveschess

    Instagram:
    instagram.com/lauraloveschess

    Twitch:
    twitch.com/shaunandlaura

    Email:
    lauraloveschess@gmail.com

     

    Ben's X:
    https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

    • 19 min
    TheOnoZone on His Endgame Role Models

    TheOnoZone on His Endgame Role Models

    Ono is an Adult Improver, chess blogger, chess podcaster and chess coach.
    Some say he is obsessed with chess. But, what does he have to say about role models in chess?
    Mastering Endgame Strategy: https://www.chessable.com/mastering-e...
    Arkell's Endings: https://www.chessable.com/arkells-end...

    Ono's socials:
    https://www.theonozone.com/
    Youtube:   h / @theonozone  
    X: t / theonozone  
    Ono Another Chess Podcast - Episode 7 (Guest: Ben Johnson): https://www.theonozone.com/7

    • 16 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
105 Ratings

105 Ratings

JayBee2123 ,

Love it

Just started listening but it’s great so far. Excellent information and lovely passion and vibes from everyone involved.

corp app crap ,

Excellent and informative

Great podcast. Interesting guests and Ben has a knack for keeping the conversation on point and helpful. I am an ‘adult improver’ and this podcast never condescends to my level—rather, these very high-level elite players, as well as Ben himself—focus on enjoyment of the game are very inclusive and unpretentious. Also—it really comes through that Ben is passionate about chess, as am I, and it shows in his enthusiasm and regard for both his guest and his audience. Thanks for all the hard work, Ben!

Rosinbag1 ,

Another great chess podcast

Great idea for a podcast. Focused information that offers practical chess input. Nice format and look forward to future episodes.

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