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Perpetual Chess Podcast

Perpetual Chess Podcast

By: Ben Johnson
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Perpetual Chess features weekly conversations with the chess world's best players, trainers and accomplished amateurs about their careers, current projects, best practices and the latest in chess news. Learn more at PerpetualChessPod.com2023 Perpetual Chess LLC
Episodes
  • EP 486: James Black Jr. on Going from Scholastic Star to Chess Mentor

    EP 486: James Black Jr. on Going from Scholastic Star to Chess Mentor
    Jun 9 2026
    As a scholastic player, James Black Jr. was an All-American who won numerous national titles and trophies, both as an individual competitor and as part of the famed IS 318 chess program in Brooklyn, New York, as featured in the documentary Brooklyn Castle. Alongside FM Joshua Colas and IM Justus Williams, James became one of the youngest African-American National Masters in U.S. history. After stepping away from competitive chess for several years, James has recently returned to the game, both as a player and as a coach and mentor. In a full-circle moment, he is now teaching at the same school where he first made his name while also building his own organization, KnightShift. James joins me to discuss: • Why he came back to competitive chess, and his goals for the future • The "four pillars" he emphasizes when teaching young players • How chess training has changed since his rise in the early 2010s, and what he needs to do to catch up Plus, we discuss a unique chess book recommendation, his memories of Webster University, and his reaction to the news that its chess program is coming to an end. This was a fun conversation, and I am excited to see James's comeback unfold. 00:00 Intro+ What brought James back to chess after an OTB hiatus Mentioned: Brooklyn Castle https://www.rescuedmedia.com/brooklyn-castle GM Alex Lenderman, GM-elect Liam Putnam Background info we mentioned: https://grokipedia.com/page/james_black_jr 10:59 Teaching and Learning: Evolving Chess Education Watch James vs. Magnus in 2012 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfbpC3dQWw 17:16 Opening Strategies: Adapting to Modern Chess 23:25 Inspiration from Legends: Shaping a Chess Career 29:28 Beyond the Board: Life Lessons Through Chess 34:36 Reflections on Growth: Embracing the Journey 36:12 Impact of Mentorship in Chess 38:48 Teaching Chess to Young Minds 43:00- Favorite chess book! Mentioned: WNYC video featuring James as a kid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiOVyiR5jUU Knight Moves by Charles Alexander- https://www.ebay.com/itm/126711532470?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&google_free_listing_action=view_item&srsltid=AfmBOopTKnSuidd7Eg5M3-xYtoYzP97-jcvhVtZSPv1S1T25hE9dzgcXGsU 48:58 Experiences at Webster University Webster terminates chess program: https://www.chess.com/news/view/spice-chess-program-terminated 53:49 Advice for Aspiring Chess Players Thanks to James for sharing his story! You can email him at JamesBlackChess at gmail dot com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knightshiftofficial_/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • EP 485: GM Simon Williams on Mistakes, Revival, and the Future of Chesspublishing

    EP 485: GM Simon Williams on Mistakes, Revival, and the Future of Chesspublishing
    Jun 2 2026
    GM Simon Williams returns to Perpetual Chess for the first time in several years. Simon is one of chess's most recognizable personalities, known as the Ginger GM through his work as a streamer, commentator, author and Chessable creator. He is also an accomplished tournament player, having shared first in the 2010 London Chess Classic and finished second in the 2004 British Championship. Simon joined me for a wide-ranging conversation covering both chess and life. We discussed: • His candid reflections on becoming involved with a pension company that later collapsed, the mistakes he made, and how he has worked to move forward • His new role helping revitalize Chesspublishing.com, and why he believes its archive of opening analysis remains an underappreciated resource • How modern opening preparation has changed, and why Simon increasingly relies on offbeat ideas to avoid preparation battles • His love of creative, attacking chess and the memorable games he has played at the Reykjavik Open We also discussed the Stonewall Dutch, rising British star Bodhana Sivanandan, the losses of IM Adam Hunt and GM Jonathan Hawkins, and even Simon's thoughts on Las Vegas. As always, it was great catching up with Simon, and I am glad to see him creating chess content again. 00:00 The 2026 Reykjavik Open and Simon’s flair for the dramatic chess game Check out Simon’s epic queen sacrifice in this article by NM Anthony Levin: https://www.chess.com/news/view/2023-reykjavik-open-williams-sacrifices-queen#:~:text=Williams%27%20Brilliancy,he%20played%20the%20interesting%205. 04:45 How Simon has adapted his approach to openings in the engine age Mentioned: Simon’s game vs. Bodhana Sivanadan https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=3124933 07:35 Playing Against Younger Opponents 10:38 The State of British Chess 13:32 Exploring the Stonewall Dutch Mentioned: Bronstein’s famous blunder- https://www.chess.com/blog/ThummimS/the-1951-world-chess-championship 16:32 The Impact of Computer Analysis 19:39 Experiences playing against legends at the 2025 European Club Cup 22:26 Simon’s Involvement with Chess Publishing More background info here: https://www.chess.com/news/view/simon-williams-ordered-to-pay-back-900-000-to-pension-scheme 26:30 Innovative Chess Solutions 28:11 Lessons learned from working for a pension firm that went bankrupt. 35:42 Navigating Financial Mistakes 40:17 The Importance of Chess in Life 44:48 Content Creation and Future Projects Keep an eye out for The Ginger and The Bear podcast! 48:54 Remembering IM Adam Hunt and GM Jonathan Hawkins 50:00- How to keep up with GM Simon Williams Suggestions for Chesspublishing.com https://www.chesspublishing.com/contact X: https://x.com/ginger_gm?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gingergm Disclosure: Some links in this description are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Perpetual Chess may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • EP 484: Jordan Himelfarb on Interregnum and the Drama of the 2024 Candidates Cycle

    EP 484: Jordan Himelfarb on Interregnum and the Drama of the 2024 Candidates Cycle
    May 26 2026
    Jordan Himelfarb is an award-winning editor for the Toronto Star and an avid games player who became fascinated by elite chess during the pandemic. That fascination eventually led to his excellent new book, Interregnum : Inside the Grueling and Glamourous Battle to Become the Next King of Chess, a detailed and highly readable chronicle of the 2024 FIDE Candidates cycle. Jordan traveled to events including the World Cup, Grand Swiss, Candidates Tournament and World Championship match, gathering revealing first-hand reflections from many of the game’s top players along the way. We discuss: Why the Candidates cycle makes for such compelling sports drama The emotional and physical toll of professional chess Which players and personal stories resonated with him most Ding Liren, Fabiano Caruana, Gukesh and the shifting generational landscape in chess The controversies, chaos and unforgettable moments of the 2024 cycle I recommend Jordan’s book to anyone looking for “bedtime chess reading”, and this was a really fun conversation. 00:00 Project Origins, Jordan’s Chess and Games Background 03:48 The Structure and Narrative of the Book 07:01 Experiences at Major Chess Events 09:54 Challenges and Insights in Reporting 12:46 The Physical and Mental Toll of Chess 15:58 Gender Dynamics in Chess 19:00- Patreon mailbag question: Which Candidates’ story resonated with Jordan the most? 22:16 The Weight of the Crown: Mental Health in Chess 23:40 Compelling Stories of Chess Players 25:30 The Agony and Ecstasy of Chess 30:07 The Relentless Grind of Chess Tournaments 31:09 Drama and Controversy in the Chess World 36:20 Expectations and Surprises in the Candidates Cycle 38:13 The Future of Young Chess Players 39:54 Personal Reflections on Chess 40:00- Thanks to Jordan for joining me, here is where to get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Interregnum-Inside-Grueling-Glamorous-Battle/dp/1639369910 Audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/Interregnum-Inside-Grueling-Glamorous-Battle/dp/B0GCPR89VZ/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
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All stars
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If you like chess, then this is the best podcast.
The adult improver series is perfect for people like me, who started playing in their 40s, while all the other discussions with GMs, etc. are interesting.

Great host and great guests

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