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Artwork for Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Dr. Kevin Scull
Chess
Chess Dojo
Tactics
Endgames
Chess Improvement
Patreon
Opening Strategies
Queen's Gambit
Adult Chess Improvement
Chess Training
Adult Improvement
Covid-19
Chess.com
Tactics Books
Neal Bruce
Beginner Chess Mastery
Decision Making In Chess
Chess Rating
Blitz Chess
The Queen's Gambit

A podcast dedicated to the journey of adult chess improvement. Each week a guest will join me to discuss what has worked for them, what hasn't worked as well, and the status of their journey.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes259Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureSportsHobbies

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Artwork for Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Latest Episodes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Ono. Since I last spoke with him on episode 12, he’s become a chess professional. We spoke about what he’s learned from chess coaching, and he provided many useful resources for learning. We talked about adul... more

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with GM Mauricio Flores. We had a great conversation about his journey and adult improvement. We discussed the difference between prodigies and adults, useful resources, and many tips for improvement. GM Flores ta... more

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Lloyd. He runs the Balanced Rook Chess Club in Colorado Springs. We talked extensively about developing a healthier interaction with chess that goes beyond ratings. The Balanced Rook is a social chess club th... more

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Owen, otherwise known as Blunder Man on Youtube. He’s made remarkable improvement both online and OTB in the last few years. We talked about books he’s used and the importance of openings. We discussed the ad... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Mauricio Flores
Chess trainer and author, known for Chess Bible (Chess Structures)
Independent chess educator/author
Episode: Ep. 258 GM Mauricio Flores
Owen Blunder Man
Chess YouTuber known as Blunder Man; content creator focusing on entertaining and educational chess videos
Blunder Man YouTube channel
Episode: Ep. 256 Owen - Blunder Man (1550 USCF)
Nathan Ziegler
Tournament Director and hopeful Chess Improver, recently graduated and working full-time.
Episode: Ep. 250 Nathan (1900 USCF)
Nick Weisel
Author of the blog Nick Plays Chess and skilled chess player
Nick Plays Chess
Episode: Ep. 245 Nick (1650 USCF)
J.J. Lang
Podcaster, journalist, chess coach, and improver
US Chess
Episode: Ep. 242 J.J. Lang (2100 USCF)
Kamryn Heide
Chess content creator, multimedia professional, and enthusiast promoting chess among young girls.
Episode: Ep. 236 Kamryn - Youtuber (2200 Chesscom)
Noël Studer
Grandmaster and chess coach known for providing insights on adult chess improvement
Chess Coach, Author
Episode: Ep. 235 Flashback: GM Noel Studer Ep. 95
Chris Wainscott
Chess player and enthusiast focusing on improvement strategies
Episode: Ep. 230 Flashback: Chris Wainscott (1800 USCF) Ep. 29
FM Nate Solon
A conversation with FM Nate Solon about his experiences and insights on chess improvement.
Episode: Ep. 226 Flashback: FM Nate Solon Ep. 11

Host

Kevin
Host of Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement, known for engaging discussions with adult chess players about their improvement journeys, balancing personal stories with actionable advice.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 317 ratings
  • T

    Not good

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ottoistcool0
    Germany3 months ago
  • My favorite chess podcast

    I discovered this podcast only a week ago and have already listened to the first 25 episodes. I spend tons of time driving for work and I crave to learn about chess in that Los Angeles traffic. This fills the niche—more about how various people approach learning than about theory itself. I’m a relatively low rated adult so this is the perfect in-road to improvement. It motivates me to practice after work, and constantly gives me ideas about how to proceed. Kevin is the perfect host—funny, relata... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jeb_C
    United States4 months ago
  • My Chess rating over 1 year

    I am 16 years old I had started my chess journey September of 2024 and I went from a steady 550 elo rapid on chess.com. One year later I am now 1500 elo. I love chess and I hope I can improve enough to get to 2000 elo and possibly be a grandmaster at some point. My best win was beating a 1700 rated guy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lotr is the best.
    United States6 months ago
  • Great Show

    Even better than the flash back, I was wondering if you could reinterview, not too long, people you spoken with in the past. I personal re listen to my favorites. So the flashback is useless to me. But I think we would all love if you revisited a few folks to see where they are at and how they currently feel about chess.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cocodojo
    United States7 months ago
  • FIDE Online Arena

    I was surprised you didn’t know about FIDE Online Arena. Many people from all over the world use this forum. I thought it was a big deal in the chess world because it’s associated with FIDE…maybe not🤔

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr.PopPop
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics mention that the podcast may not appeal to those looking for high-level tactical analysis rather than personal narratives.
There is a positive emphasis on community and shared challenges, creating an inspiring atmosphere for adult learners.
Listeners appreciate the podcast's focus on relatable stories of adult chess improvement.
The host is often praised for being engaging, funny, and thoughtful, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Many enjoy the variety and diversity of guests, which keeps content fresh and applicable to different stages of the chess journey.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#53
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#19
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#92
United Kingdom/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#174
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#113
Australia/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#224
France/Leisure/Hobbies

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 259 Ono (1800 Dutch)
Q: How do you balance study and play in practice?
There needs to be a balance between studying and playing; too much of one can hinder growth. Practicing with shorter time controls can speed up iteration, while maintaining some classical games ensures depth; the key is consistent, purposeful practice with reflection after games.
Ep. 259 Ono (1800 Dutch)
Q: What role do openings play in your coaching philosophy for adults?
Openings are important not just for the first moves, but for entering positions where clear middle-game plans exist; building a robust opening repertoire helps ensure players actually reach those positions, while still focusing on understanding the plans and ideas behind them.
Ep. 259 Ono (1800 Dutch)
Q: How did you go from 1000 Elo to coaching full-time?
The shift happened as I started coaching while maintaining a blog and building a structured opening repertoire; exposure through the blog helped attract students, and over time I could transition to full-time coaching as my teaching business and online ventures grew.
Ep. 256 Owen - Blunder Man (1550 USCF)
Q: What strategies helped you jump from around 1400 to above 2000 online, and how did you balance opening study with practical play?
I began with exploring a few openings, then systematically learned an opening repertoire and reviewed each game to identify where I went wrong, then gradually shifted to stronger, simpler human ideas rather than forceful engine-driven lines.
Ep. 256 Owen - Blunder Man (1550 USCF)
Q: When did you first get into chess and how did your path to becoming a content creator start?
I started playing as a kid with my dad, then got into making videos after friends at church encouraged me to join tournaments; daily uploads and streaming helped me grow, with coaching from a grandmaster later accelerating progress.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series focuses on the experiences of adult chess players as they share their personal journeys towards improvement. Each episode features guests discussing their unique challenges and successes in chess, providing insights into various aspects of learning and playing the game. From balancing busy careers with training to exploring different strategies and techniques, the conversations highlight the human elements of growth in chess, making it particularly relatable for adult learners.

Notable for its emphasis on community and shared experiences, this series goes beyond traditional chess theory to emphasize the emotional and psychological aspects of improvement, fostering a supportive environment for listeners who are navigating their ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Perpetual Chess Podcast
2. Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast
3. NextLevelChess
4. The Chess Angle
5. The Chess Cognition Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 259 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Mauricio Flores
2. Owen Blunder Man
3. Nathan Ziegler
4. Nick Weisel
5. J.J. Lang
6. Kamryn Heide
7. Noël Studer
8. Chris Wainscott

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