41-year-old IM Renier Castellanos had all but given up on earning the Grandmaster title. His life was getting busier, and after 2 potential GM norms were not ratified by FIDE, he felt like it just wasn’t meant to be. But his friends and Killer Chess Training co-workers, GM Jacob Aagaard and Kallia Kleisarchaki convinced him to keep trying. In turned out that was all it took! Two weeks ago, Renier got his final GM norm, to earn the title of Grandmaster at age 41. In our interview, Renier reflects on the lessons he has learned, and why he thinks he was still able to earn the title in this challenging era despite not working on chess as much as he did in his 20s. Renier also shares his own advice on chess improvement, some book recommendations, and discusses what he observed from facing Super GM level players like GM Vladimir Fedoseev. This interview was conducted while the Candidates was still ongoing, but you can even hear Renier’s Candidates prediction to see how it played out. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.
0:00- Thanks to our sponsors, Chessable.com
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0:01- Renier discusses why he had given up on the GM title
Mentioned: GM Jacob Aagaard of Killer Chess Training, Killer Chess Training Review of Renier’s Game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeI0AazBw1I
0:08- What shortcoming in his game did Renier need to overcome in order to earn the title?
9:45- How did he think about the expense of pursuing the GM title?
16:00- What is Renier’s approach to the opening? What else did he do to train?
Mentioned; KillerChessTraining.com
22:00- How did Renier’s wife WGM Raluca Sgircea help him with his daily habits?
25:00- Renier discusses his early years growing up in Cuba, moving to Chile and then to Spain in his teens and 20s
Mentioned: GM Lazaro Bruzon Batista, Chess Reddit thread about Renier’s GM title
31:00- We discuss the congratulatory notes Renier has gotten, including this tweet from GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming
Mentioned: Episode 184 with GM Kevin Goh Wei Ming
34:00- Did an emphasis on physical fitness help his chess? What about community?
43:00- What is the best way to spend one’s chess improvement time?
46:00- Renier’s recommended open tournaments, based on his time on as a traveling chess professional:
Mentioned: Benasque, Spain Chess Open, Menoraca, Sitges
51:00- Renier’s favorite chess books
Mentioned: Perfect Your Chess, Dynamic Chess Strategy by GM Mihai Suba
54:00- What did Renier learn from playing Fedoseev and other super GM-level players?
1:03:00- Renier’s most memorable game
Mentioned: Video of his World Bitz victory vs. GM Peter Svidler
1:10:00- Thanks to Renier for sharing his inspiring story!
You can reach him via his Lichess coaches page or find his classes at KillerChessTraining:
https://lichess.org/coach/RenierChess
KillerChessTraining.com
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EP 380- FIDE Candidates Wrap Up with GM Erwin L'Ami: Gukesh Ascends as Caruana Suffers a Heartbreaking Setback
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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