Ep. 156 (S9 Finale): The THREE Things You Need to Know to Beat 1. d4, Common Beginner Mistakes, Spite Checks, and Stalemate Fantasies
Release Date: 06/08/2025
Ep. 172: Your Online Chess Cleanup Plan
The Chess Angle
In this episode, we discuss how to play online chess in a way that actually helps your over-the-board results. Neal shares his simple, practical method for structuring online sessions so you train with intention instead of just clicking moves. If you’ve ever felt like your online grind isn’t translating to real improvement, this one’s for you. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . 🎯 Our Links:
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Ep. 171: Adult Chess Improvement Q & A
The Chess Angle
It’s another listener mailbag episode! We answer your questions about adult chess improvement, balancing study with real life, and everything in between. Plus, we share a few listener comments that hit close to home for the club player grind. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . 🎯 Our Links:
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Ep. 170: The Colle System (The Working Adult’s Opening)
The Chess Angle
Between work, family, and everything else, who has time to learn 20 moves of opening theory? The Colle System offers a solid, low-maintenance way to get a good game every time. Learn the basic plans, the Colle–Zukertort twist, and why this simple setup still scores at the club level. Referenced: 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . 🎯 Our Links:
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Ep. 169: The Nimzo-Indian Defense, Junior Opponents, & More (Game Analysis #15)
The Chess Angle
In this episode, we tackle two very different challenges for club players: the Nimzo-Indian Defense and facing those fearless, fast-moving, and sometimes poorly behaved junior opponents at tournaments. Game Referenced: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Bd2 Bxc3 5. Bxc3 Ne4 6. Bb4 d6 7. Qc2 f5 8. e3 b6 9. f3 Nf6 10. Bd3 Nc6 11. Bc3 O-O 12. Nh3 Bb7 13. Ng5 Qd7 14. e4 fxe4 15. fxe4 e5 16. dxe5 Nxe5 17. O-O-O h6 18. Nf3 Nxd3+ 19. Qxd3 Bxe4 20. Qe3 Bh7 21. Ne5 Qe6 22. g4 dxe5 23. g5 Qf5 24. Kd2 Rad8+ 25. Ke2 Ng4 26. Qg3 Qe4+ 0-1 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future...
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Ep. 168: How "Find a Better Move" Ruined My Chess
The Chess Angle
You’ve heard the quote: “When you see a good move, look for a better one.” Sounds smart - until it makes you overthink every position. In this episode, we talk about why perfectionism hurts amateur chess improvement and how to play more practical, confident moves. Referenced: (chesscom blog) 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . 🎯 Our Links:
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Ep. 167: The Casuals Strike Back: How to Beat Chess Diehards
The Chess Angle
They study eight hours a day - you study between work meetings and bedtime. They’ve memorized the entire Najdorf - you’ve memorized your kids’ soccer schedule. In this episode, we talk about how to take on the true chess diehards with solid fundamentals, smart preparation, and the right mindset. Referenced: (Reddit) (chesscom article) 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . 🎯 Our Links:
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Ep. 166: The Busy Adult's Guide to Chess Success
The Chess Angle
Early release! This week we share some thoughts on chess improvement while "adulting." Referenced: (First segment: LICC origin story) (Mailbag Segment: starting a chess club) 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . 🎯 Our Links:
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Ep. 165: Why I (Probably) Will Never Play in a Weekend Tournament Ever Again
The Chess Angle
This week we discuss the dark side of weekend chess tournaments in the US. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . 🎯 Our Links:
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Ep. 164: Why Is My 900-Rated Opponent Playing Like a Master?
The Chess Angle
So your opponent is rated "only" 900 or "only" 1200 but is playing extremely well. He's not hanging anything or falling victim to tactical traps and is also demonstrating a working knowledge of positional and strategic ideas. Welcome to modern tournament chess! This episode is a response to this . 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . 🎯 Our Links:
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Ep. 163: Adult Chess Improvement & Content Creation From a Gen-Z Perspective feat. Anthony Arena
The Chess Angle
This week's episode features Anthony Arena, a 27-year-old data analyst, amateur player, content creator, and Long Island Chess Club regular. Our conversation focused on chess improvement in the digital era, tournament play, and more. Links for Anthony Arena: 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at . 🎯 Our Links:
info_outlineThis is the S9 Finale. S10 Premiere coming soon. In the meantime, check out the Long Island Chess Club YouTube Channel which has instructional videos for busy adult players. We're looking to get the channel fully off the ground and add more content on a consistent basis.
Game Referenced:
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3 Be7 6. h3 O-O 7. Bd3 Ne4 8. Bxe4
dxe4 9. Ne5 Nxe5 10. Bxe5 Bd6 11. Bxd6 Qxd6 12. O-O Rd8 13. Nd2 e5 14. Nxe4 Qe6
15. Qf3 b6 16. Ng5 Qg6 17. Qxa8 Qxg5 18. Qf3 Re8 19. dxe5 Rxe5 20. Rad1 h6 21.
Rd2 Bf5 22. Qa8+ Kh7 23. f4 Qg3 24. fxe5 Qxe3+ 25. Rdf2 Bxh3 26. gxh3 Qg3+ 27.
Qg2 Qxg2+ 28. Kxg2 c5 29. Rxf7 b5 30. e6 a6 31. e7 b4 32. e8=Q a5 33. Qe4+ Kg8
34. Rf8# 1-0
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com.
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