Chess Journeys: Tales of Adult Improvement

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Nathan. He’s had quite a journey from 1000 to 1996 in four years. Nathan brought a lot of enthusiasm to the conversation and talked about his study approach, playing OTB games, and his journey. Nathan made his biggest gains during summers as a college student. He played 50 OTB games during these summers and gained piles of points. He credited game reviews, examining master games, tactics, and opening preparation for his rating gains at different times in his journey. This is a great high energy conversation that you won’t want to miss!

Nathan’s Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KeystoneKingsChess

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Mike. We talked about his journey, starting from the bottom. He talked about starting at 600 and working his way up by doing tactics, openings, and playing games. Mike discussed his improvement plan, which includes flashcards, Chessbook, and tactics books like Polgar’s Chess Tactics for Champions. He also talked about lessons from his career as a pilot, lessons learned from this podcast, and his improvement plan. This is a great podcast for anyone near the beginning of their journey. It’s full of a lot of useful advice.

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with James about his chess journey. He’s gained 350 points in the last 6 months. We talked about his beginnings in chess going through the lessons on Chesscom. He talked about attending a chess club and preparing to play OTB tournaments. James spoke about different books and resources that have helped him improve. The last six months, James has played a lot of longer time controls online, which he thinks contributed to his OTB ratings rise.

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I reflect on 2025. I reflect on the business of the year, my achievements, and the work that I did. I conclude by outlining my hopes for 2026.

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Chess Journeys, I spoke with Taja about his recent tournament win at the North American Open. We talked about his journey, starting in 5th grade to his recent transition to adulthood. Taja spoke about his process of taking games one at a time. He talked about the benefits of playing in your own section. We talked about resources that helped him on his journey, and how to break through plateaus.

Chessiverse Code: DrSCULL20

Check out my new Substack: https://substack.com/@drscull

My Chessable Course!

https://www.chessable.com/chess-journeys-tactics-workbook-turning-knowledge-into-skill/course/268850/

Chessnut Link/Code: Code - KEVINSCULL

https://www.chessnutech.com?sca_ref=7643464.HueBIKWTYE

Get 20% off GM Noël Studer's courses with Coupon chessjourneys20

The Simplified Chess Improvement System: https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=04f5d8

My Road to 2200 Youtube series: https://youtu.be/BzKYDt5oBU8

Be sure to check out the Chess Journeys Merch Store! You can support the show and look amazing in the process. https://chess-journeys.creator-spring.com/

I’ve been streaming somewhat regularly on https://m.twitch.tv/chessjourneys/home

If you would like to be a guest on Chess Journeys, contact me on Twitter or fill out the following Google Form:  https://forms.gle/gSnvmUnvpykkgT1y5

As always you can support the show at https://www.patreon.com/ChessJourneys. 

Also, be sure to check out my Chessable page at www.chessable.com/chessjourneys  

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices