This week I am excited to be joined by the popular chess streamer, YouTuber, commentator, and champion player, WIM Anna-Maja Kazarian. Anna-Maja joined me from her home in the Netherlands after concluding a busy few months of competitive chess. Although she had her share of setbacks, these tournaments were largely successful, as Anna-Maja recently earned her first WGM Norm!
Our conversation gave Anna-Maja the chance to reflect on the recent lessons she has learned as well as her goals both as a chess player and content creator. As she told me, Anna graduated from university somewhat recently and feels that this gives her an opportunity to devote all of her energy to chess improvement. She reflected on what aspects of the game she needs to work on, and also shared recommendations and advice for listeners. Last, and possibly least, we reflected on “Shoegate” the bizarre scandal where Anna-Maja somewhat unexpectedly made global headlines for her choice of footwear during the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz tournament. I am excited to see Anna-Maja’s continued norm pursuit and really enjoyed chatting with her. Timestamps of topics discussed can be found below.
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02:00- What is the status of Anna-Maja’s quest to earn the WGM title?
Mentioned: Anna-Maja’s The Chess Experience Podcast Interview
Anna-Maja’s game recap of earning her norm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVm2KeXwzds
09:00- Is it challenging for Anna-Maja to focus on her tournament games when she is streaming them?
Mentioned: Episode 326 with Dina Belenkaya
18:00- What is Anna-Maja’s approach to openings?
20:00- Does Anna-Maja have a study plan? What books is she studying?
Mentioned: Zurich 1953, 100 Endgames You Must Know, Van Perlov’s Endgame Tactics, GM Jacob Aagaard’s Attacking Manual, The Steps Method
25:00- What are Anna-Maja’s upcoming tournaments?
Mentioned: Sharjah Masters
26:00-Anna discusses her professional plans after finishing university last year.
27:00- How is it received when Anna-Maja studies chess on stream?
Mentioned: StudyTime Twitch
https://www.twitch.tv/studytme
33:00- What are Anna-Maja’s reflections on “shoegate”?
Mentioned: NY Times-
“Chess Federation Fines Player over her Sports Shoes”
40:00- What other tournaments does Anna-Maja have coming up?
44:00- Anna-Maja describes her work with the Chessqueens Foundation
49:00- What are Anna-Maja’s favorite open tournaments? Does she do a lot of socialzing during rounds?
52:00- Is Anna-Maja working with a coach?
55:00 Anna-Maja’s closing thoughts.
Mentioned: Alliance E-Sports
Thanks to Anna-Maja for joining me! Here is how to keep up with her:
https://www.instagram.com/amkazarian/
Twitch
https://www.twitch.tv/annamaja
YouTube-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIKOoBA2bTAVj_MaPHzMSdg
X/Twitter-
https://twitter.com/AMKazarian?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
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EP 384- IM Levy Rozman (GothamChess) on renewing his GM title pursuit, lessons learned from his first attempt, and what we needs to do to improve.
EP 383- Dan Bock: An Accomplished Adult Improver on How He Leveled Up in his 40s.
EP 381- CM Azel Chua- Calculation Advice, Improving Chess Intuition, and is the concept of “Checks, Captures & Threats” overrated?
EP 380- FIDE Candidates Wrap Up with GM Erwin L'Ami: Gukesh Ascends as Caruana Suffers a Heartbreaking Setback
EP 379- IM Renier Castellanos on How he Earned the GM Title at Age 41.
Bonus Pod- FIDE Candidates Round 12 Breakdown (Part 2)- FM Mike Klein on the Player’s Mindsets, Historical Context, and the Alireza Shoe Controversy
Bonus Pod- FIDE Candidates Round 12 Breakdown (Part 1)- An Epic Finish Awaits, as Naka, Nepo and Gukesh are Tied!
Bonus Pod- FIDE Candidates Round 10 Breakdown (Part 2)- GM Jan Timman on the tournament so far.
EP 378- Lou Hays- Spending weekends with Fischer and Spassky, Getting to 2100 from Scratch as an Adult, Chess Publishing Then and Now
Bonus Pod- FIDE Candidates Round 10 Breakdown (Part 1)- Nepo and Gukesh lead Narrowly as Naka and Fabi are in Pursuit
Bonus Pod- FIDE Candidates Round 7 Breakdown (Part 2)- GM Daniel King on the Tournament So Far
Bonus Pod- FIDE Candidates Round 7 Breakdown (Part 1)- Nepo and Tan Zhongyi Lead after a Dramatic First Half of the Tournament
EP 377- NM Dan Heisman and NM Laura Smith. Two Accomplished Trainers on Capturing, Counting, and other Chess Concepts To Know
Bonus Pod- FIDE Candidates First 4 Round Breakdown. Nepo leads (As usual). Plus a Fan's Toronto Trip Report
EP 376- Adult Improver Jordan Groff on What it Takes to Make Master in 2024
EP 375- FIDE Candidates Mega Preview with GM Rafael Leitão, Chess by the Numbers, and On the Queenside
EP 374- GM Noel Studer- Chess Improvement Q & A- Avoiding Burnout, Addressing Weaknesses, Avoiding Blunders, & Lots More!
EP 373- Carol Ann Caronia: Advice for Chess Parents & Scholastic Teachers from an Author and Longtime Teacher
EP 372- GM Jan Gustafsson: Learning 1. E4, Life after Team Magnus, Chess Cheating, the FIDE Candidates & more
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