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Artwork for Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Dr. Kevin Scull
Chess
Chess Improvement
Tactics
Tournaments
Chess Dojo
Chessable
Coaching
Youtube
Blitz Chess
Endgames
Queen's Gambit
Adult Chess Improvement
Online Chess
Patreon
Opening Strategies
Adult Improvement
Chess Coaching
Over-the-Board Chess
Covid-19
Chess Clubs

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 weeklyEpisodes266Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureHobbiesSports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

Latest Episodes

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Bill. We talked about his climb from 1000-2000 on Chesscom. We discussed his tendency to go too deep and then take breaks from chess. Bill spoke passionately about coaching children, and the success of his ch... more

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Martin. He played OTB chess as a child and young adult. Then as life got busy, he moved to correspondence chess, where he achieved the IM title. He came back to OTB chess in 2016. He’s also a programmer and h... more

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Steve. He’s trying to juggle a demanding career with chess improvement. We talked about his improvement journey, tournament success, and move to correspondence chess. Steve shared how correspondence chess wor... more

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Sangeeta. She was the Washington State Champion as a girl, returned to chess as an adult, and has begun directing scholastic tournaments. We talked about the pain of losing and her improvement journey. Sangee... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
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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 329 ratings
  • Yes! Keep it going!

    This is a terrific podcast, I red my weekly Chess Journeys fix, don’t ever stop!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AverageChessEnjoyer
    United Statesa month ago
  • Just terrific. Don’t ever stop Kevin.

    Back from a 30-year hiatus, and this podcast was my first glimpse into a world that I no longer knew. Adult improvement? What is that? An increment of what? Tilt? Did my pinball machine become stuck? I came for chess knowledge but found something even more. The stories of why we pursue this game, the pain, and the victories. All of this and more from the perspective of an adult with limited time. Appreciate the hard work, Kevin. So yes, we, the community, still need this outlet, so don’t ever st... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Boldness is all
    United Statesa month ago
  • T

    Not good

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ottoistcool0
    Germany4 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 States6 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 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
#77
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#70
United Kingdom/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#92
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#29
Australia/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#182
France/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#203
Australia/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 266 Bill (2000 Chesscom)
Q: When you finally hit 2,000 rapid, how did you react and what did you do next?
Hitting 2,000 rapid felt like reaching a lifelong peak, but it also spurred me to pursue new challenges beyond rapid, such as continuing to improve through games, exploring over-the-board events, and considering online title pursuits like the Arena titles on chess.com, which added a fresh motivation beyond rating gains.
Ep. 266 Bill (2000 Chesscom)
Q: How did you start the experiment to get better at chess, and what resources did you use?
I began by diving into Reddit's Chess community, following Bartholomew and foundational materials like Chess Fundamentals, then gradually built a self-improvement regimen that included a mix of books, online courses, and a heavy focus on practicing and reviewing lines. I also connected with a friend, Kenny, who kept me accountable and provided feedback as I experimented with different approaches.
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.

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. C-Squared Podcast
4. NextLevelChess
5. The Chess Angle

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 266 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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