Can Kabadayi is a cognitive scientist, a self-taught Candidate Master, and a popular and prolific Chessable author. Given his academic background, Can is especially interested in the challenges of adult chess improvement, and devotes his chess work to helping adult learners.
In our conversation, we discuss the origins of Can’s interests in chess and cognitive science, his Chessable courses, his OTB plans, and notable research related to chess and cognitive science. Can is an avid bibliophile and also shares plenty of book recommendations. All in all, there is lots to learn from this conversation, as there is from Can’s courses and YouTube channel. Timestamps of topics discussed can be found below.
0:00- Can retells the story of how he got into chess at the age of 17, and how he attained a first rating of approximately FIDE 2100!
Mentioned; Capablanca’s Fundamentals of Chess
0:07- Can describes the chess scene in Turkey.
CORRECTION- When I said Can was the first Turkish guest on the podcast, I forgot about IM Attila Turzo, who I interviewed!
Mentioned: GM John Nunn, GM Jonathan Rowson, Instructive Chess Miniatures
11:00- Can describes how he became interested in cognitive science
Mentioned: Fernand Gobet’s The Psychology of Chess, Thought and Choice in Chess by Adrian de Groot , Mentioned take a chess cognitive test via Dr. Can’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyOpUyss3Sc, Think Like a Super GM
24:00- We discuss chess calculation, which is the topic of Can’s new Chessable course.
Mentioned: Under the Surface by GM Jan Markos
30:00 What are the most common mistake types Can sees in adult players?
32:00- More book and author recs!
Mentioned: The Secret Ingredient, NM Dan Heisman
34:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is it still good advice for amateurs not to study openings?
41:00- Patreon mailbag question: All things being equal, what is the best age to start playing chess?
Mentioned: Can’s Reddit Q and A, YouTube video: How good can I become if I start chess at age 30?, Episode 346 with NM Todd Bryant
49:00- Does Can have any plans of returning to competitive chess?
Mentioned: Episode 309 with Dr. Joel Sneed
Thanks to Can for joining me! Be sure to sub to his YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.CansClinic
Can’s Chessable page:
https://www.chessable.com/author/Can_Kabadayi/
If you would like to help support chess via Patreon, you can do so here:
https://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess
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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
EP 371- GM Josh Friedel- Common Beginner & Intermediate Mistakes, Freestyle Chess, and Advice for Goal-Setting
EP 370- GM Paul van der Sterren- Breakthroughs, Declines, Mindfulness and the Odyssey of a 20+ Year Professional Career
EP 369- NM Robert Ramirez on the difference between Adult and Youth Chess Students, Chess in Cuba, and Why He Loves the Pirc Defense
EP 368- Erik Allebest (Chess.com CEO)- Online Cheating, The Magnus-Hikaru match that fell through, the Chess24 closure & more
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