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Artwork for Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

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

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 weeklyEpisodes250Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesSportsLeisure

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Artwork for Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Latest Episodes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Nathan. He’s had quite a journey from 1000 to 1996 in four years. Nathan brought a lot of enthusiasm to the conversation and talked about his study approach, playing OTB games, and his journey. Nathan made hi... more

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Mike. We talked about his journey, starting from the bottom. He talked about starting at 600 and working his way up by doing tactics, openings, and playing games. Mike discussed his improvement plan, which in... more

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with James about his chess journey. He’s gained 350 points in the last 6 months. We talked about his beginnings in chess going through the lessons on Chesscom. He talked about attending a chess club and preparing ... more

This week on Chess Journeys, I reflect on 2025. I reflect on the business of the year, my achievements, and the work that I did. I conclude by outlining my hopes for 2026.

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: substack.com/... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

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)
Nate Solon
FIDE Master, chess trainer, and content creator.
Episode: Ep. 240 FM Nate Solon Returns!
Kamryn Heide
Chess content creator, multimedia professional, and enthusiast promoting chess among young girls.
Episode: Ep. 236 Kamryn - Youtuber (2200 Chesscom)
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
Tristan Brown
Physical therapist and chess club builder
Phoenix Chess Club
Episode: Ep. 225 Tristan (1600 USCF)
Stacia Pugh
A prominent adult chess improver who has risen from a 1000 rating to 1791 and is a member of the Chess Punks.
Chess Punks
Episode: Ep. 223 Flashback: Stacia Pugh (1700 USCF) Ep. 31
John Bartholomew
International Master, chess content creator, and co-founder of Chessable
Episode: Ep. 218 IM John Bartholomew

Host

Kevin
Host of Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement, he engages with guests to explore their chess journeys, focusing on improvement strategies and personal anecdotes.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 311 ratings
  • T

    Not good

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ottoistcool0
    Germany24 days 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 States2 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 States4 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 States4 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 States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The engaging and down-to-earth hosting style is noted for making complex chess topics accessible to adult learners.
Many feel that the podcast fills a crucial gap in chess education by focusing on the experiences of everyday players rather than elite professionals.
Listeners appreciate the relatability of the guests and their personal stories of improvement in chess, finding the content motivational and inspiring.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#55
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#71
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#90
United Kingdom/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#173
France/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#173
Australia/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#243
Germany/Leisure/Hobbies

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 248 James (1494 USCF)
Q: What do you spend most of your chess game time on? What time control do you play the most?
For a long time, I was mainly playing 15, 10, and 30, 20 games on Lee Chess, but recently I've been pushing to increase my rapid rating on chess.com.
Ep. 248 James (1494 USCF)
Q: Which one is better for your improvement, the bullet or the rapid?
In this case, I don't think either of them was better for improvement because I didn't analyze them at all.
Ep. 248 James (1494 USCF)
Q: Have you had a chance to play any chess yet today?
Yes, I have, I've been sick but I played a lot of chess recently, around 50 bullet games and about 15 rapid games.
Ep. 249 Mike (1000 USCF)
Q: What is your training plan for improvement?
My training plan includes focusing on tactics, playing games, and analyzing them afterward to improve my skills.
Ep. 249 Mike (1000 USCF)
Q: How did you get into chess?
I learned as a child, but I got re-interested after the Queen's Gambit series and started playing seriously in November 2024.

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 narratives of adults striving to enhance their chess skills, inviting a diverse range of guests each week to share personal experiences and lessons learned throughout their chess journeys. Key themes include the challenges faced in overcoming plateaus, effective strategies for improvement, and the role of community in personal growth. The conversations emphasize practical advice, motivation, and the relatable struggles that accompany learning as an adult, marking this series as a valuable resource for those seeking to progress in their chess abilities while balancing other life commitments. Decidedly approachable, it fosters a supportive environment for adult learners navigating their unique paths to mastery.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast
2. Perpetual 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 250 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. Nick Weisel
2. J.J. Lang
3. Nate Solon
4. Kamryn Heide
5. Chris Wainscott
6. FM Nate Solon
7. Tristan Brown
8. Stacia Pugh

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