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The Chess Angle

Long Island Chess Club
Chess
Chess Improvement
Long Island Chess Club
Online Chess
Amateur Chess
Chess Ratings
Chess Tournaments
Chess.com
Chess Tactics
Psychology Of Chess
London System
Time Management
Endgames
Chess Psychology
Chess Openings
Online Chess Cheating
Over-the-Board Tournaments
Higher-Rated Opponents
Tournament Play
Time Management In Chess

The Chess Angle is the official podcast of the renowned Long Island Chess Club in NY. We discuss chess, tournament play, and improvement at the amateur and club level. Featured guests include titled players and dedicated amateurs. New episodes drop on Sundays. Web: www.thechessangle.com. Twitter (X): www.twitter.com/TheChessAngle. Email: info@thechessangle.com. Thank you for listening and we hope ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes196Founded5 years ago
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Artwork for The Chess Angle

Latest Episodes

Your chess rating can easily swing 100 points or more, but it doesn't necessarily mean you've become a better or worse player. In this episode, we react to a fascinating article on rating variance and discuss why amateur players often experience even... more

In engineering, a single point of failure is the one weak component capable of bringing down an entire system. Chess improvement often works the same way. In this episode, we explore why your rating may be determined less by your average skill level ... more

If you're holding off until you're fully rested, completely focused, and free from distractions before playing or studying chess, you may be waiting a very long time. Most adult improvers live in the "yellow zone" - not at their absolute best, but fa... more

I break my long-standing rule about not playing chess on my phone to talk about Zapp Chess, a listener-recommended app that surprised me. It blends fast, gamified play with real competitive chess decisions in a way that actually kept me engaged. I wa... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Shannon Maldonado
Founder of YOWI, a gift shop
YOWI
Episode: Ep. 192: Zapp Chess: The One App That Hooked Me
Steve Rosenblatt
CEO of a recruiting firm and strong club player, guest on the episode
Unknown (Long Island Chess Club connection)
Episode: Ep. 191 (Midseason Finale): Is YouTube Actually Better For Adult Chess Improvement Than Chessable? feat. Steve Rosenblatt
Tim Morabile
National Master playing in the club's tournament; first guest on the show
National Master, Long Island Chess Club
Episode: Ep. 188: Why Study Beats Play for Chess Improvement
Austin Olson
Fellow Long Islander and chess club member who plays online
Long Island Chess Club
Episode: Ep. 174: Lichess vs. Chess.com, and the Busy Adult Club Player (Online Chess Cleanup Plan, Part 3, feat. Austin Olson)
Anthony Arena
Data analyst and member of the Long Island Chess Club
Long Island Chess Club
Episode: Ep. 163: Adult Chess Improvement & Content Creation From a Gen-Z Perspective feat. Anthony Arena
Tim Mirabile
National Master, active tournament player, and chess educator.
Long Island Chess Club
Episode: Ep. 151: You Have 8 Years to Improve, Then It's Game Over: A Discussion & Debate About Adult Chess Improvement feat. NM Tim Mirabile
Andy Ansel
National Master and game archivist
Episode: Ep. 145: Correspondence Chess Success feat. NM Andy Ansel
James Nidds
Retired from Verizon and a regular at the Long Island Chess Club
Long Island Chess Club
Episode: Ep. 127: Chess Study Plans & Formulas, the Club-Level Thought Process, Tournament Strategy & More feat. James Nidds
Nick Panico
National Master and chess contributor
Episode: Ep. 112: Chess Tournament Savvy, Playing Amid Distractions, Prepping for OTB Play & More feat. NM Nick Panico (Chess Coffee Talk #4)

Host

Neal Bellon
Host of The Chess Angle; Director of the Long Island Chess Club; engages in practical improvement topics and club life.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 979 ratings
  • Great start

    I learned the rules of chess 60 years ago but never learned more until I started learning chess from this podcast. I enjoy the interviews with the higher level players and learned essential skills as well as simply enjoying the game.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr 3
    United States3 months ago
  • EPISODE 186

    I had to rewind to the part when your guest said he just went to the memorial of a chess master Jonathan Hawkins author of the book Amateur to IM who died in his early 40’s. You just went right into the Netflix series without even an inquiry. That was a little cold man. Great show as mostly always.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cocodojo
    United States3 months ago
  • Amazing

    Really useful and interesting Im a new ish player and play just for fun keep up the good work!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HenryG98
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Fall Season

    It’s been sweater weather since September with a few warmer days. Every year it gets cold by mid November in NYC. Perfect for chess indoors!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cocodojo
    United States9 months ago
  • This podcast is awesome!

    Great!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    David Huoen Wu
    China9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Valuable for adult improvers; actionable and well-produced.
Engaging host with practical, no-nonsense chess tips.
Strong mix of solo topics and guest interviews keeps it fresh.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#195
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#69
United Kingdom/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#75
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#96
France/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#107
Italy/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#195
Australia/Leisure/Hobbies

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 194: Are You a Chess Improver... or a Course Collector?
Q: Two questions: first, should I be nervous before games and how can I reduce this; second, is there a way to combat the idea that online improvement may not translate to over-the-board performance?
Nerves are partly personality-driven; improve confidence with experience and consistent practice. Over time, stronger players learn to manage time and maintain composure; consistency in training and playing longer games helps translate online learning to OTB strength.
Ep. 194: Are You a Chess Improver... or a Course Collector?
Q: I have a rating of 700 rapid and I'm thinking about joining a chess club soon. Do you think the common claim that a little knowledge goes a long way is accurate, and how should a newer player approach improvement?
Don't chase high ratings initially; focus on fundamentals, build comfort with the game, and gradually increase study depth. Tactics practice, endgame basics, and playing longer, analyzed games will yield better gains than worrying about quick online ratings.
Ep. 194: Are You a Chess Improver... or a Course Collector?
Q: If you were starting over as an adult improver with only a few hours a week, where would you spend your time? Would you focus on books, chessable, chess dojo, tactics, annotated games, or something else?
Focus on one primary ecosystem as the backbone of study, then let other resources support it. Prioritize longer, analyzed games and consistent practice over chasing many different programs, and use your own games as the main curriculum.
Ep. 177 (S11 Premiere): Your 2026 Chess Improvement Blueprint (Busy Adult Edition)
Q: What can I do to avoid making ego-based moves in chess?
Try not to think too much on your opponent's time, as it can lead to bias. Count to a few seconds to clear your head and only think about general plans during their time.
Ep. 177 (S11 Premiere): Your 2026 Chess Improvement Blueprint (Busy Adult Edition)
Q: Is it illegal to write your thoughts down during a rated chess game?
You absolutely cannot do that. Taking notes during a rated event is not allowed.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Chess Angle

What is The Chess Angle about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, club-focused chess show that blends interviews with titled players and in-depth solo guidance aimed at adult improvers and casual players. Episodes frequently explore study methods, mindset, and realistic improvement paths, balancing online tools with over-the-board play, and managing life commitments while pursuing steady progress. Noteworthy is the emphasis on actionable tactics, endgames, and process-oriented goals, plus candid discussions about issues like online cheating and platform changes. The format often includes listener questions and club-life anecdotes, making it especially helpful for active players juggling work, family, and chess aspirations.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Chess Angle?

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How many listeners does The Chess Angle get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Chess Angle?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Chess Angle?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Chess Angle:

1. Perpetual Chess Podcast
2. Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast
3. Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement
4. NextLevelChess
5. The Chess Cognition Podcast

How many episodes of The Chess Angle are there?

The Chess Angle launched 5 years ago and published 196 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Chess Angle?

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What guests have appeared on The Chess Angle?

Recent guests on The Chess Angle include:

1. Shannon Maldonado
2. Steve Rosenblatt
3. Tim Morabile
4. Austin Olson
5. Anthony Arena
6. Tim Mirabile
7. Andy Ansel
8. James Nidds

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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