The Chess Pit

This week Jon and Robin are joined by chess data baron Nate Solon for a chat about analytics, analysis, AI and probably some other words beginning with a.

How can a world governing body claim to support women when its track record and people with contemporary influence don't? Once again we ask how chess has embarrassed itself this week, and we do a preview of the upcoming Grand Prix series.

This week we largely discuss the mask and default controversy at the ongoing Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee. In addition, Phil is full of Beatles trivia, Robin is full of war, and Jon is full of decrepitude.

We're a bit more free-flowing this week as we invoke all manner of allegories to continue our chess training methods episode from last week. Also includes a feature on the ongoing Tata Steel Masters at Wijk aan Zee.

This episode is specifically about chess training methods. And Wem, Shropshire. Okay, mainly about training methods. Hear the guys discuss the various technologies available, and how you can make your existing regime more efficient and effective.

The guys are back with a brand new series in a brand new format in a brand new year! The new format will be launched in earnest next week but for now, have a review of 2021 in chess, and a small preview of 2022.

It's our final show of 2021! Thank you for all your support, particularly through our World Championships coverage over the last six weeks. We conclude with a review of the World Blitz which ended yesterday.

Levon Aronian leads on 10/12 going into Day Two of the World Blitz, but there are host of big names including Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura trailing in his wake. Can they catch him?

The chess world has a new star in the shape of 17-year-old Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Find out how he won the World Rapid and how Phil and Jon felt the event went as a whole.

Magnus Carlsen is half a point clear going into the final day of the World Rapid but, as you'd expect, he has a host of top names on his tail. Phil and Robin round up Day Two from Warsaw and also respond to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave's complaints about the event.

Join Phil and Robin as they round up the first five games from the FIDE World Rapid Championship in Warsaw.

Just like with the World Chess Championship, the guys will be doing daily recaps of all the World Rapid & Blitz action in Poland from 26-30 December. For now they provide a history of the Championships, assess the leading contenders, and make some dodgy predictions!

Have we all calmed down yet? Do you miss the drama? Jon, Phil and Robin are here for you, adorned with pipe and slippers, to tell you the tale of the 2021 World Chess Championship.

It's all over! We congratulate Magnus Carlsen on his fifth World Championship victory and ask what's next for him. We also put his legacy into an historical context and wonder how likely it is that Nepomniachtchi can recover to challenge Carlsen again in 2023.

With the match all but over as a contest, we've invited astrophysicist Leeds fan David Vizgan of 64: A Chess Podcast to talk all things World Championship and wider chess sphere!