Next week’s podcast is arriving early, and it's a double episode! For the first segment, I am joined again by Chessable author and trainer CM Vjekoslav (Vjeko) Nemec. Vjeko and I discuss the riveting, recently concluded FIDE Grand Swiss. India’s ascension continued as GM Vidit Gujirathi and IM R. Vaishali’s had impressive victories in the Open and Women’s Sections respectively. With more spots in the 2024 FIDE Candidates now settled, we also look ahead to what is shaping up to be quite an entertaining fight for the right to challenge for the World Championship titles. Lastly, Vjeko followed this event quite closely, so he recommends several interviews and games from an action-packed tournament for us to check out.
Following Vjeko, I catch up with Chris Callahan (38:00) about what is new with LiChess.org since our last chat in 2021. Chris reports that LiChess is continuing to see solid growth, and discusses their plans in terms of both community outreach and potential additional features on the website. We also discuss the latest in cheat detection and LiChess’ decision to stop working with US Chess and with the St. Louis Chess Club in the wake of the allegations against GM Alejandro Ramirez. It is always fun to catch up with Chris and hear about what is going on with LiChess. As always, timestamps of the many topics discussed can be found below.
Thanks to our presenting chess education sponsors, Chessable.com! Silman’s Endgame Course is now on Chessable and on sale if you act quickly!
https://www.chessable.com/silmans-complete-endgame-course-from-beginner-to-master/course/199399/
0:00- Intro
Up to date information about ordering my book, and events can be found here:
5:00- CM Vjekoslav Nemec joins me to recap the FIDE Grand Swiss
5:30- Who won and earned Candidates’ spots in the FIDE Grand Swiss?
More info here
13:00- What can chess do to make more tournaments feel as important as the Grand Swiss and the FIDE World Cup?
Mentioned: Tarjei Svensen’s article about GM Ding Liren
19:00- What players and personalities stood out in the tournament?
Mentioned: L’ami-Gujirathi 2023
Bogdan-Daniel Deac interview with Fiona Stiel-Antoni:
Mishra’s amazing analysis of his win over Ivanchuk:
Sevian’s analysis of his win over Firouzja
L’ami-Gujirathi 2023
24:00- Who are the early favorites to win the 2024 Candidates?
27:00- What stood out from the Women’s section?
Mentioned: GM Pia Cramling, GM Tan Zhonkyi, GM Humpy Koneru
IM Vaishali’s analysis of her round 3 win over Garifullina
32:00- Early thoughts on the 2024 Women’s Candidates Field
36:00- Thanks to Vjeko for coming back to talk with us- check out his Twitter page here:
37:00- Chris Callahan joins the pod to talk LiCHess
38:00- How LiChess has changed in recent years?
Mentioned: Episode 221 with Chris Callahan,
LiChess game database available for download here:
42:00- How do LiChess blogs work? How is it determined which posts get on the home page?
Mentioned: FM Nate Solon
46:00- How do they treat blog posts that are somewhat promotional in nature?
48:00- What, if any, are the technical upgrades the LiChess team is working on?
50:00- What are most requested features for LiChess?
52:00- Chris’ discusses the financial situation of LiChess.
LiChess’ costs spreadsheet here:
54:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Does LiCHess have plans to become a non-profit (501c3) in the US?’
57:00- What is the latest on LiChess’ cheat detection efforts?
1:03:00- What went into Lichess’ decision to stop working with US Chess and the St. Louis Chess Club?
Mentioned: Breaking the Silence, Chris’ interview on Ono Another Chess Podcast
St. Louis Chess Club Statement
1:10:00- Patreon mailbag question: “How can one volunteer with the Women in Chess Foundation?”
1:13:00- Thanks to Chris for joining the pod! You can email him at chris.callahan at Lichess dot org
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EP 339- WGM Anna Zatonskih: The Four-Time US Women’s Champion Shares the Story Behind Earning Her First GM Norm at age 44!
Bonus Pod- The FIDE Women's World Championship is at the Halfway Point: American Chess Olympian WGM Begim Tokhirjonova joins to discuss it
EP 338- Dr. Daniel Simons and Dr. Christopher Chabris- Two Award Winning co-authors and Professors on Growth Mindset, Cheating in Chess, Chess Improvement & Much more!
EP 337- NM Nate Shuman- A Scholastic Champion on How Mindfulness Practices Helped Him & Can Help All Competitive Chess Players
Bonus Pod- Three Amateurs on Chess Lessons Learned and Adventures Had at the National Open in Las Vegas
Bonus pod- Law Professor David Franklin returns to Discuss the Dismissal of the Hans NIemann/Chess.com Lawsuit
EP 336- GM Jan Timman: The Legendary Author and Dutch Champion discusses his new book on Max Euwe, How his Generation Compares to the Current One, and Magnus and the Modern Chess Landscape
EP 335- Adult Improvers and Chessable co-Authors, WIM Natasha Regan and Matthew Ball on Improving at Chess in Your 50s, Tips for Playing against Kids and The Similarities between Shogi and Chess
EP 334- GM Ben Finegold on the Possible Decline of Magnus, his New 1. d4 Chessable Course, and more Stories from his Years of Chess Travels
EP 333: IM James Sherwin- A US Chess Hall of Famer Looks Back on his Chess Career and Shares Stories about Fischer, Reshevsky, Seirawan and Many More!
EP 332- GM Vinay Bhat: A Former Child Prodigy Turned Data Scientist Shares Lessons Learned and Memorable Stories from his Chess Career
EP 331- Adult Improver John Neely (aka Benedictine) on lessons learned and recommendations from a long journey to 1800.
EP 330- Chess Improvement Q and A with Top Trainer and Author, GM Wojciech Moranda Topics Include: Annotating Games, Improving Positional Chess, and Learning from Playing vs. Learning from Studying
EP 329- GM Sam Shankland: One of the the top Players in the U.S. on How he Improved His Rapid Game and his Endgame Play, His 2023 Tournament Plans and his Advice for Overcoming Setbacks in Chess
EP 328- Ding delivers in dramatic fashion! World Championship wrapup with Dutch National Champion and Top Trainer, GM Erwin L’Ami.
Bonus Pod- Tied with just one classical game to go! GM Alex Lenderman helps break down the Blunders and the Bouncebacks of this Fascinating FIDE World Championship
EP 327- Geert van der Velde, CEO of Chessable, on the Chess.com Merger, “Chessable 3.0,” Including the Courses and Improvements Chessable Users Can Expect this Year
Bonus Pod - World Championship Round 9 Update- Dramatic Games, Leaked Prep and Chess Improvement Takeaways for Amateur Players with IM Andras Toth
EP 326- Popular YouTuber and Streamer WGM Dina Belenkaya on Lessons Learned from Recent Tournaments, Twitch Streaming OTB Games and her Content and Chess Goals for 2023
Bonus Pod- Ding Deadlocks the World Championship Match after 4 games, with FM Mike Klein of Chess.com
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