Show Notes
A new year means a fresh chance to improve, but only if you have a plan that actually fits your real life. In this Season 11 premiere, Neal dives into the Listener Mailbag and then shares a practical, no-nonsense framework for building a 2026 chess improvement plan that works for busy adult players. Whether you're aiming to gain rating points, play more confidently, or just stop spinning your wheels, this episode will help you start the year with purpose. 📧 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
More from The Chess Angle
In this first 5+0 Amateur Run, I play three blitz games and then review the key moments afterward. We'll look at the advantages, the drawbacks, and what changes when there's no increment to bail you out in time trouble. Errata: While recording, I accidentally forgot to analyze the third game because I was still used to the two-game format from the 5+3 Amateur Run. The omission was simply an oversight. 🎯 Our Links: YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected]
Here, we look at an important London System question: when (and on which side) should you actually castle? For busy adult amateurs, the key is to avoid playing opening moves automatically and instead understand when castling improves your position, and when waiting can give you more flexibility. 🎯 Our Links: YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected]
In this game, I use a practical Nimzo-Indian setup that avoids a lot of heavy main-line theory while still giving Black an active position. It's a great option for busy adult club players who want a sound opening without spending hours memorizing variations. 🎯 Our Links: YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected]
This video features two 5+3 games with very different challenges. After a quick London System game, the second turns into a lesson in managing serious time pressure, with less than 30 seconds on my clock while my opponent still has more than three minutes. We'll look at practical ways busy adult amateurs can simplify decisions, manage the clock, and continue playing good chess when time is running out. 🎯 Our Links: YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected]
The London System can become dangerous quickly if Black allows a comfortable kingside attack. In this video, we look at practical ways to defend accurately, create counterplay, and keep the position under control. 🎯 Our Links: YouTube Website X Buy Me a Coffee Email: [email protected]