This Dojo Talks explores what makes some players stronger at blitz than others, contrasting calculation-based vs. intuitive styles, online vs. over-the-board skills, and the role of premoves, time management, and tricky opening repertoires. The sensei also discuss the rise of a “blitz generation,” handling tilt, and David’s quest to reach a 2600 blitz rating.
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00:01 – David’s blitz struggles
02:46 – Blitz as a different game
07:05 – Calculator vs. intuitive players
15:16 – The premove problem
20:05 – Online vs. OTB blitz
25:18 – Blitz repertoires and system openings
32:07 – Queen’s Gambit generation
58:15 – Tilt and the 2600 quest
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1:07:35
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1:07:35
EP 162 | Underdog Story: How GM Fishbein Became the U.S. Senior Chess Champion
GM Alexander Fishbein shares how he won the 2025 U.S. Senior Championship by relying on stamina, heavy tournament practice, and deep training methods such as solitary chess and analyzing old annotated games. This Talks also highlights generational contrasts in chess culture, from preparation styles to the evolving rules on draw offers.
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0:15 – Introduction
2:34 – Becoming a Real Contender
6:00 – Finding an Edge Against More Talented Rivals
8:13 – Taking Time Off Work to Chase Chess Goals
10:52 – Training Stamina & Playing 100 Games a Year
18:20 – Why Rating Doesn’t Matter
21:11 – Core Training: Annotating Games & Using Engines
36:33 – Solitaire Chess & Personalized Training
51:06 – The “Post-Postmortem” Method (Old Book Analysis)
59:39 – Final Insights
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1:28:11
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1:28:11
EP 161 | Ranking the Top 10 Chess Countries
In this episode of Dojo Talks, Jesse, David, and Kostya each reveal and debate their top 10 chess countries of all time—based on world champions, cultural contributions, and historic achievements—before combining their lists into a final ranking.
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04:57 – Jesse’s #10 pick
09:44 – David’s #10 pick
13:01 – Kostya’s #10 pick
14:04 – Kostya’s #9 pick
15:24 – David’s #9 pick
18:51 – Jesse’s #9 pick
20:33 – Jesse’s #8 pick
21:37 – David’s #8 pick
25:16 – Kostya’s #8 pick
27:12 – Kostya’s #7 pick
28:31 – David’s #7 pick
30:13 – Jesse’s #7 pick
32:19 – Jesse’s #6 pick
33:54 – David’s #6 pick
36:28 – Kostya’s #6 pick
37:39 – Kostya’s #5 pick
38:34 – David’s #5 pick
42:12 – Jesse’s #5 pick
44:51 – Jesse’s #4 pick
46:24 – David’s #4 pick
49:04 – Kostya’s #4 pick
50:26 – Kostya’s #3 pick
52:43 – David’s #3 pick
59:29 – Jesse’s #3 pick
1:02:48 – Jesse’s #2 pick
1:05:50 – David’s #2 pick
1:09:45 – Kostya’s #2 pick
1:10:37 – Kostya’s #1 pick
1:11:41 – David’s #1 pick
1:12:42 – Jesse’s #1 pick
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1:23:03
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1:23:03
EP 160 | Jesse's Heresy
Jesse questions the usual way of learning chess, suggesting that copying moves can be as useful as deep strategy. The sensei discuss if playing blitz and checking with a computer can help players improve quickly.
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00:00 – Jesse’s heresy revealed
01:26 – Hendriks: chess is learned by copying
04:17 – Copying in openings is valid
06:06 – Blitz + engine as a training method
08:56 – How kids get strong fast today
13:38 – Comparing blitz to Dojo sparring
21:29 – Words vs instinct in learning chess
27:14 – Chess960 and the limits of imitation
38:08 – Engines changed how we see tactics
46:50 – Ideas help memory and understanding
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57:29
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57:29
EP 159 | How To Turbo Charge Your Tactics w/ GM Mykhaylo Oleksiyenko
Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
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Check out GM Mykhaylo Oleksiyenko at https://www.oleksiyenko.com
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Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.
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The official podcast of ChessDojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, & GM Jesse Kraai). Most episodes are streamed live to twitch.tv/chessdojo.
Interested in improving your chess? Welcome to the Dojo! A structured plan to hold yourself accountable to and a group to do it with. - https://chessdojo.club
Follow ChessDojo here:
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