The Chess Angle

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 instructive endgames, and why the current no-increment culture misses the mark. We also react to a lively Reddit debate on why no-increment chess still dominates online play.
Referenced:
Lichess Study: Study Creators & Friends
Reddit Post: Why is no increment the norm in online chess?
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected].
🎯 Our Links: 
Website
Twitter (X)
Buy Me a Coffee

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 influence your results and rating. More importantly, we talk about how to think about luck the right way so you don't misjudge your own progress.
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected].
🎯 Our Links: 
Website
Twitter (X)
Buy Me a Coffee

Many adult chess improvers start with the same plan: just play a lot of games and the rating will climb. At first, that actually works - until it doesn't. In this episode, we talk about why the "just play more games" philosophy causes most amateurs to eventually hit a plateau and why deliberate study is the key to breaking through it.
Referenced:
Research Study (2005): The Role of Deliberate Practice in Chess Expertise
Reddit Post (2024): What rating would the average person reach if they played daily but never studied?
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected].
🎯 Our Links: 
Website
Twitter (X)
Buy Me a Coffee

This week, Neal discusses why he recently made a full switch to lichess.org for playing his online games and why the platform works better for his day-to-day chess routine. He still uses chesscom, but only for news, articles, and their lesson library. 
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected].
🎯 Our Links: 
Website
Twitter (X)
Buy Me a Coffee

In this episode, we tackle one of the most tempting (and dangerous) questions in amateur chess: when should you sacrifice a piece? Instead of carelessly chasing "!!" moves, we break down when your sac might be sound and when it's likely to fail.
Referenced:
Netflix Documentary On Carlsen-Niemann Scandal Gets 2026 Release Date
Why Masters Crush Lower-Rated Players (and You Struggle) by FM Dalton Perrine
📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected].
🎯 Our Links: 
Website
Twitter (X)
Buy Me a Coffee