Welcome to The Chess Angle!
The Chess Angle

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!

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Recent Episodes

Ep. 187: The 2200 Myth: Why Most Adult Chess Players Won’t Make Master
April 26, 2026

Ep. 187: The 2200 Myth: Why Most Adult Chess Players Won’t Make Master

Most adult amateurs quietly carry the same goal: reach Master. In this episode, we take an honest look at why that milestone is so elusive: time constraints, training demands, a competitive player pool, and the realities of a...
Ep. 186: GM Daniel Gormally on "Untold: Chess Mates," the Netflix Special About the Magnus/Hans Cheating Controversy
April 19, 2026

Ep. 186: GM Daniel Gormally on "Untold: Chess Mates," the Netflix Special About the Magnus/Hans Cheating Controversy

GM Daniel Gormally returns to the pod to unpack Netflix’s Untold: Chess Mates , the documentary covering the Magnus Carlsen - Hans Niemann controversy. We separate the signal from the noise, offering a candid, player-level pe...
Ep. 185: The Adult Amateur’s Guide to Defeating Chess Prodigies
April 12, 2026

Ep. 185: The Adult Amateur’s Guide to Defeating Chess Prodigies

In this episode, we react to a recent article on how to beat chess prodigies and what adult amateurs tend to get wrong when facing underrated kids. We break down practical strategies like avoiding tactical chaos and forcing l...
Ep. 184: Real Talk on Chess Improvement for Adults feat. Nick Visel
April 5, 2026

Ep. 184: Real Talk on Chess Improvement for Adults feat. Nick Visel

Fellow chess amateur and blogger Nick Visel returns to the pod to talk about the nuts and bolts of improving as an adult player. We cover endgames, openings, and the psychological habits that separate steady improvers from th...
Ep. 183: Online Chess Has a Clock Problem
March 29, 2026

Ep. 183: Online Chess Has a Clock Problem

Time delay or an increment has become the norm in over-the-board tournaments, but online chess still largely ignores it. In this episode, we break down why using an increment leads to better games, fairer outcomes, and more i...
Ep. 182: Chess Ratings and the Luck Factor
March 22, 2026

Ep. 182: Chess Ratings and the Luck Factor

We like to think chess is pure skill, but at the amateur level, luck plays a bigger role than most players realize. In this episode, we break down how blunders, pairings, time pressure, and your opponent’s mood can all influe...

Reviews

Great for club players and improvers!

"This podcast has quickly climbed the ranks for me and has become one of my favorite and must-listen shows that I listen to. I am a fairly new club player, and I’ve learned a ton from Neal, both in t…"

Tom_Casper | Jan. 21, 2023

Excellent Podcast - I feel like it has REALLY helped my game

"This is a great podcast for the chess enthusiast. I have been listening to it regularly and trying out the tips that are suggested. I feel like it has helped me step up my game. Thank you so much!…"

lasertswift | Sept. 4, 2022

Outstanding adult improvement podcast!!!

"I last played chess on my high school team and have recently returned after nearly a 40 year hiatus. Upon my return I was overwhelmed by the abundance of material that is “out there” and was really c…"

bg000001a | June 25, 2022

Might be the best chess podcast for amateurs

"This is probably my favorite chess podcast. The content and presentation are excellent - well organized, and lots on no-nonsense, practical advice. I like the mix of solo and interview episodes. We…"

BookClub28 | May 23, 2022