The Chess Angle
The Chess Angle is the official podcast of the renowned Long Island Chess Club in NY. We discuss chess, tournament play, and improvement at the amateur and club level. Featured guests include titled players and dedicated amateurs. New episodes drop on Sundays. Thank you for listening and we hope you win your next game!
Recent Episodes
199
Aug. 23, 2026
Ep. 199 (S11 Finale): You're Doing Chess Puzzles All Wrong
This episode is our Season 11 Finale. We'll be taking a break and will be back soon. Chess puzzles can be one of the most effective ways to improve, but only if you're actually training, rather than guessing, rushing through a daily quota, or chasing a streak. This week, we look at how to get more value from puzzle training by calculating before moving, repeating difficult positions, and working on everything from tactics and endgames to positional ideas and quiet moves. 📧 If you have a questi
198
Aug. 16, 2026
Ep. 198: Move Noise: The Mental Clutter Costing You Games
Sometimes the problem isn't that we aren't thinking enough at the chessboard — it's that we're thinking about too much. In this episode, we explore "move noise": the unnecessary calculation, imaginary threats, second-guessing, and search for the perfect move that can interfere with good practical chess. Learn how to separate signal from noise, trust your chess, and save your thinking time for the positions that actually require it. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future e
197
Aug. 9, 2026
Ep. 197: Chess Openings and the Law of Diminishing Returns
Many adult club players don't study too little opening theory - they study too much. In this episode, we explore the trap of diminishing returns in opening study, why understanding ideas matters far more than memorizing endless lines, and the importance of building a practical repertoire that consistently leads to playable middlegames. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
196
Aug. 2, 2026
Ep. 196: Rook Slides, Queen Slides, & Other Chess Blind Spots
Many chess blunders aren't caused by poor calculation - they're caused by visual blind spots. In this episode, we explore why certain types of moves consistently escape our attention, how those blind spots lead to missed tactics and costly mistakes, and what you can do to start seeing more of the board. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
195
July 26, 2026
Ep. 195: Why Your Chess Rating Swings So Much
Your chess rating can easily swing 100 points or more, but it doesn't necessarily mean you've become a better or worse player. In this episode, we react to a fascinating article on rating variance and discuss why amateur players often experience even bigger swings than they realize. Referenced: Why Your Rating Swings More Than You Think 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at info@thechessangle.com. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) Buy Me a Coffee
194
July 19, 2026
Ep. 194: Are You a Chess Improver... or a Course Collector?
In engineering, a single point of failure is the one weak component capable of bringing down an entire system. Chess improvement often works the same way. In this episode, we explore why your rating may be determined less by your average skill level and more by the one recurring weakness that keeps showing up in your games - and why identifying and fixing that weakness may be the highest ROI work you can do as an adult improver. Buying more books or courses may not be the answer. Referenced: D
Join the Email List
Listen On
Support On
