Audible Chess

This episode we hear about how the medieval world invested chess with its own social, cultural and spiritual meaning. Sign up for the free newsletter to receive the resources for this episode: https://audiblechess.substack.com/

This episode is about an eight-year-old boy who was so good at chess that everyone thought he was possessed by the devil.  It’s the story of Jose Raul Capablanca.  Sign up for the free newsletter to receive all the resources for this episode: https://audiblechess.substack.com/

As I announce in this episode, all of the resources contained in these show notes will now be located in the newsletter. You can subscribe to it here:  https://audiblechess.substack.com/welcome

This episode we’re studying the first 24 moves of Bernstein vs. Miguel Najdorf, Montevideo, Uruguay (1954).  Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1101326

Resources:

• Game analysis:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHA8GPEC7T0
  
  
• Opening study (Old Indian Defense): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9gfA9GTE9g

We’re studying the game between Nigel Short (username: Ural; white pieces) and (possibly?) Bobby Fischer.  Before you listen, study the first 24 moves of the following game:  (30) Guest2563 - Ural (2439) [A03] ICC, 04.03.2001.  The annotation can be found here: https://en.chessbase.com/portals/4/files/games/iccf1.htm

Resources:

• Game analysis:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9p2PrsKWY
  
  
• Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/mv0vz5/solving_the_fischer_chess_games_in_2001_gm_nigel/

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1075428

Resources:

• Game analysis (video):    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QVGEqB6kcI&t=78s
  
  
• Opening study (King’s Gambit):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmiBGuSwUrw&t=61s

This episode is about a chess game transformed into fiction. We’re studying Steinitz vs. Chigorin, Havana (1892). Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1036356

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Resources:

• Video analysis (not great, but best I could find!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-xVHGQxXhg&list=PL7mW9aR2QDf-Wbhud-dwYRp6CSYpdRD9V&index=16
  
• Opening study (Spanish Opening, Morphy Defense): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1tFgq8el-E

This episode we hear about a young man who in just six months’ time went from losing regularly at his local club to being, some say, the best chess player in his country.  It’s the story of Akiba Rubinstein.  We’re studying Rubinstein vs. Gersh Rotlewi, Lodz (1907).  You can check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1119679

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Resources:

• Game analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtItayItxb8
  
  
• Opening study (Tarrasch Defense):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esjT83wWr78
  
  
• Article on Rubinstein’s later years: https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/rubinstein1.html

We’re studying Lasker vs Vasja Pirc, Moscow (1935).  Before you listen, you can check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1272440

Resources:

• Game analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dnzBQ0K8RE
  
  
• Opening study (Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp5N_d3JS6Y

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This episode we hear about the life of Louis Charles Mahe De La Bourdonnais and his famous match in London, 1834. Before you listen, you can check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1001165

Resources:

• Game analysis:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJnCgTC5VDc
  
  
• Opening study (Sicilian): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM4e7g2RukI
  
  
• Le Palamede: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Palam%C3%A8de
  
  
• George Walker: https://www.chess.com/blog/batgirl/walker-on-mdonnell-and-labourdonnais
  
  

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This episode we’re in Moscow for the 1984 World Chess Championship.  The game we’re studying is Anatoly Karpov vs Viktor Korchnoi, Moscow (1974).  Before you listen, check out the full annotation here:  https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1067858

Resources:

• Game analysis:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu4pZfhH7Fk
  
  
• Opening study (Sicilian Dragon): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxWOwXVd8iM
  
  
• Review of “Chess is My Life”: https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/karpov.html
  
  

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The game we’re studying is Pillsbury vs Winawer, Budapest (1896).   Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1002579

Resources:

• Game analysis:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwPqVrJq6Gw
  
  
• Opening study (Semi-Slav Defense): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXffjL9fLAw
  
  
• Pillsbury #1: https://en.chessbase.com/post/henry-nelson-pillsbury-enormous-talent-and-an-early-death
  
  
• Pillsbury #2: https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/pillsbury.html
  
  
• The Ajeeb: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajeeb
  
  
• The 30-word list: https://userpages.monmouth.com/~colonel/chess/pillsbury.html
  
  

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The game is Ruy Lopez vs Giovanni Leonardo (1560).  It's one that Lopez played during his Italian travels.  Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1251893

Training Resources:

• Game analysis (video):   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MD-z26Rpag
  
  
• King's Gambit (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmiBGuSwUrw&t=59s
  
  
• Article on George Walker: http://www.edochess.ca/batgirl/Walker.html
  

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The game we're studying this time is actually Max Euwe vs. Bobby Fischer, New York (1957).  I think it's a better game for visualization training than any of the Euwe vs. Alekhine games.   Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044436

Training Resources:

• Game analysis (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wno-k1IrZDY&t=176s
  
  
• Queen's Gambit Declined (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2F8inwFmk0
  
  
• Article on Euwe: https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-gentleman-boxer-world-che-champion
  
  
• Book: Chess Words of Wisdom by Mike Henebry

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The game this time is Nimzowitsch vs. Sämisch, Copenhagen (1923).   Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1102400

Training Resources:

• Game analysis (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH0vNsVdEsM
  
  
• Opening study (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jt3AypZ59c&t=523s
  
  
• Article on zugzwang: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zugzwang
  
  
• Book:  My System by Aron Nimzowitsch
  
  
• Book: Dynamic Chess by RN Coles
  
  

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The game is Alekhine vs. Lasker, Zurich (1934).   Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1007985

Episode Resources:

• Game analysis:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMq53rdrY8M
  
  
• Opening study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMy65JeSShw
  
  
• Article on Alekhine’s death: https://en.chessbase.com/post/alekhine-s-death-an-unresolved-mystery-
  
  
• Book: Alexander Alekhine: Master of Attack by Maxim Chetverik and Alexander Der Raetsky
  
  
• Book: Chess Words of Wisdom: The Principles, Methods and Essential Knowledge of Chess by Mike Henebry

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The game this time is Morphy vs. Duke Karl and Count Isouard (1858).   You can find the annotation here:  https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1233404

Episode Resources:

• Book: Paul Morphy: Pride and Sorrow of Chess by David Lawson
  
  
• Book: The Oxford Companion to Chess by David Hooper and Kenneth Whyld
  
  

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An Italian boy, raised in poverty, leaves home with little education but the one he gave himself over the chessboard.  Just a few years later, he’s playing chess in the palaces of kings and queens.  The game this time is Greco (with the black pieces) against an unknown player (1620).   Study the game here before you listen:  https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1271130

Episode Resources:

• Article: Smothered Mate
  
  
• Training: Smothered Mate
  
  
• Book: On the Origin of Good Moves: A Skeptic's Guide to Getting Better at Chess by Willy Hendriks
  
  
• Book: A Short History of Chess by HJR Murray
  

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“You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one.”  - Mikhail Tal, The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal.  This episode it's Tal vs. Botvinnik, Moscow (1960).  Study the game here before you listen: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1032537

Resources:

• Article: Tal’s Career
  
  
• Book: The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal
  
  
• Book: Attack with Tal
  
  
• Training: King’s Indian Defence: https://www.chess.com/openings/Kings-Indian-Defense
  
  

Tips for New Listeners:

Study the game first, then listen to the audio and see how well you can visualize the moves.  If you find the exercise too difficult, try looking at the board every two moves, and as your confidence grows, every three moves, then every four, and so on.  Over time, your board vision will grow.

https://www.chess.com/openings/Kings-Indian-Defense

Updated Note: Since this episode was published, a few things have changed with the podcast.  The most important thing is that all the show notes are now available through the Substack website.  If you subscribe to the newsletter, you'll receive a copy of all the links and resources in your email inbox every time an episode is published.  You can sign up here: https://audiblechess.substack.com