Chess Nerds Are Awesome: Podcast Recommendations

Podcasts on Chess♖

Curated by...Jess Schmidt (she/her)Why did you choose this theme?I just launched a new podcast (Rooked), and in making my show, I stumbled into the wonderful world of chess podcasting — it's a super niche but awesome space, and I think the creativity that exists in this little corner of the internet deserves some recognition!Chess podcasters do a great job of expanding, supporting, educating, and entertaining their community!

PODCAST PICKS:Click on the podcast art to listen 👂

Rooked: The Cheaters' GambitThe Scandal

On September 4, 2022, two elite players sat down at a chess board. In the third round of action at the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis, Missouri, the number one classical chess player in the world, Magnus Carlsen, lost to 19-year-old grandmaster, Hans Niemann 

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aka "the bad boy of chess" (his words). Magnus accuses Hans of cheating

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and this ends up being the first domino to fall in what would soon become one of the most outrageous scandals to shock the chess world: anal beads, Elon Musk, and a $400-million dollar lawsuit ensue… in that order 

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and that’s just the beginning.

chessfeels: conversations about chess, psychology & mental healththis is your brain on blitzIn the digital era especially, a lot of chess players — amateur and professional alike — are obsessed with blitz chess... but could it actually be addictive? Co-host, clinical psychologist, and amateur player Julia Rios weighs in and assesses whether co-host and professional player and coach JJ Lang's blitz behavior meets the criteria for an addiction.

Perpetual Chess PodcastGM Hans Niemann on his Rapid Climb up the Chess Rankings and What's Next for Him in 2022The teenage chess grandmaster Hans Niemann is a rising star in the chess world. He has rapidly risen from U.S. scholastic champion to one of the top 100 players in the world. Hans joins host Ben Johnson to discuss his recent progress and to talk about his upcoming plans. Hans has a loyal Twitch following and is at an age when many start university

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but he has chosen to devote all of his energy to chess, and is spending 10-12 hours per day studying, with a goal of playing 150 tournament games per year.

Ladies Knight ChessLadies Knight with Jen Shahade on The Queen’s Gambit: Book vs. Series LK023In a special edition of Ladies Knight Chess, host and women’s grandmaster Jennifer Shahade talks about The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis. She summarizes her thoughts on the series, and the experience of seeing chess all over the media, including several interviews she did. She also discusses the Madwoman’s Book Club she started with Adia Onyango, debuting with select readings from the book, and comparisons to those scenes in the series.

C-Squared PodcastThe Hans Lawsuit, Global Chess League & Grand Chess Tour Is Back!!Co-hosts and grandmasters Fabiano Caruana and Cristian Chirila discuss the weekly chess news headlines of Hans Niemann's lawsuit, the Global Chess League, and the return of the Grand Chess Tour.

SPONSOR:

Tink Media has launched Podcast Group Therapy to help grow your podcast.Learn more about their efforts to make podcast marketing services accessible to a larger audience. 

COMMUNITY:

🎤Read Lauren Passell's piece The Best True Crime Podcasts of 2023 in Lifehacker.🎙️Do you have a brilliant idea for a podcast but aren't sure where to start? Does your already-established podcast need a little zhuzhing? Book Benjamin Frisch! Ben is a producer and podcast consultant whose credits include Think Twice: Michael Jackson, and the show he co-created at Slate, Decoder Ring. Whatever you need help with, Ben knows how to do it, from story to sound to setup and chat to narrative. Email [email protected] for a free consultation.On the EarBuds Blog:

• The Nostalgia of America’s Favorite Chain Restaurants, by Ilana Susnow.

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PODCAST NEWS from Podnews:

• Gen Z’s biggest podcasters are working from bed, suggests Fast Company.

• Amazon Music has awarded RedHanded its British Podcast of the Year award for 2023.

• There were 1.7 million new podcast episodes in December (down 11.1% from the previous month), says Livewire.

SPOTLIGHT:

Stirring it up with Andi and Miquita OliverHosted by the dynamic mother-daughter duo Andi and Miquita Oliver, Stirring It Up sees them welcome a special guest and a plus-one of their own choice to gather around their kitchen table for a feast of laughter, vulnerability, and deep conversations about all things food, culture, and the human experience.They invite you to unwind, relax, and embrace the power of sharing life’s experiences with each other. 

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