Perpetual Chess Podcast

GM Ivan Sokolov is a former top-15 player who won major tournaments across multiple decades and became national champion of both Yugoslavia and the Netherlands. In classical chess, he scored memorable wins against Kasparov, Kramnik and Anand.

In recent years, Ivan has become equally respected as a trainer and author. Most notably, he worked with the gold medal-winning Uzbek team at the 2022 Chess Olympiad, including GMs Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Given Sindarov’s recent success, Ivan reflects on how his game has evolved and why it was clear to him that Sindarov was both supremely talented and, at the time, somewhat unprofessional in his approach.

Ivan recently released a new Chessable course, Self-Improvement for Advanced Players. We discuss chess improvement for professionals and amateurs alike, the proper role of a trainer in a player’s development, preparation in the Kasparov era versus today, and memories from his legendary career. This  includes reflections on his close friendship with the late GM Jan Timman.

It is always an honor to hear GM Sokolov’s stories and perspectives.

00:00 Introduction to Ivan Sokolov

Prior interview with GM Ivan Sokolov:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm2slrqqW7s&t=209s

02:21 Insights on the Uzbek National Team

Interview with Chessbase India

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnN00uNrBEQ&t=588s

09:10 Assessing Grandmaster Sinderov's Potential

12:57 The Importance of Chess History

15:56 The Role of a Trainer

19:28 Experiences Against Chess Legends

22:09 Preparing for Kasparov vs. Modern Players

28:18 The Future of Chess: Classical vs. Chess 960

32:10 Insights from Ivan’s course. 

36:22 Memories of the 2012 World Open and other tournaments in the US

Mentioned: Sokolov vs. Shirov 1999

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1010044

40:05 Talent vs. Hard Work in Chess

42:06 Remembering Grandmaster Yantum

46:40 Current Projects and Future Plans

50:00- Thanks to GM Sokolov for joining me! Here is how to keep up with him:

X:

https://x.com/GMSokolovIvan

Chessable Courses: 

https://www.chessable.com/author/IvanSokolov/

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IM Greg Shahade has long been well known in the chess world as a three-time national scholastic champion and the founder of the Pro Chess League and the US Chess School. Recently, however, he reached a much broader audience with an impressive run on the syndicated trivia show Jeopardy!.

Greg amassed over $75,000 in winnings, dethroning 31-time champion Jamie Ding along the way. He joined me after what he described as “the craziest week of his life” to discuss:


The approach to adult learning that helped him go from trivia novice to Jeopardy! champion in just a few years


Behind-the-scenes insights from the recording process, plus his reflections on his controversial on-stage mannerisms


How his background in chess (and poker) shaped his strategy and decision-making under pressure

There isn’t a ton of chess discussion in this episode, but Greg’s approach to learning and performance has clear applications across many domains.

00:00 Introduction 

Check out our sponsors, Chessiverse.com , and you can use code Perpetual30 to save 30% on premium feature and/or IM John Bartholomew’s Complete Scandinavian Course. 

Chessiverse.com

03:00- Greg Shahade joins the show, we begin by discussing adult learning and Greg’s late start to trivia. 

Mentioned: Learned League 

Thinking Sideways by Jennifer Shahade 

Ducksters 

07:43 Building Knowledge Structures

10:03 The Role of Intense Study

12:54 Flashcards and Review Techniques

15:43 Betting Strategies on Jeopardy

18:45 Reflections on the Jeopardy Experience

You can review questions Greg faced here:

https://www.j-archive.com/showseason.php?season=42

25:00-  Patreon mailbag question- Why does Greg know so little about current events? What is his approach to daily double hunting?

30:44 Daily Double Strategies and Insights

36:57 Patreon mailbag question- Why is Greg so expressive when playing Jeopardy?

42:16 Physicality and Focus in Jeopardy

49:25 Behind the Scenes of Jeopardy

52:40 Facing the Champion: Mental Strategies

55:11 The Weight of Anticipation: Media and Public Perception

57:02 Navigating Fame: Love, Hate, and Public Reaction

59:50 Preparing for the Tournament of Champions

01:03:51 Chess and Jeopardy: Cross-Disciplinary Insights

01:07:20 Reflections on Study Techniques and Memory

01:11:20 Final Thoughts: The Game and Its Emotional Toll

Thanks to Greg for joining me at a busy time. Follow him here:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gregshahade/?hl=en

X: 

https://x.com/GregShahade

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When I read on GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s blog that his amateur friend had signed up to compete against players like Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann in the Naroditsky Memorial, I knew I had to hear this story.

That friend is NM Mike Mahoney. Mike is a pharmacist by day and a devoted online blitz player by night. For Mike, chess is usually a way to unwind, not something he takes too seriously. But he couldn’t pass up the chance to test himself in one of the strongest blitz tournaments the U.S. has ever seen. 

Eugene will be mentoring Mike and traveling with him to Charlotte, and they both joined me to discuss:


Why Mike decided to jump into such a stacked field


How Eugene is preparing him for the challenge


How Mike defines “success” in a tournament like this

We also talk about Mike’s unconventional path to becoming a National Master, starting relatively late, as well as some great stories from the Boston blitz scene.

I’m excited to follow how this unfolds, and Eugene and Mike will be back after the tournament for a trip report. In the meantime, you can follow Mike’s journey on Eugene’s blog.

 Be sure to check out the Perpetual Chess YouTube channel where Eugene goes over one of Mike’s model games against the Caro-Kann. (The video will be out later this week) 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtcudElmRsQYTwULtd_gnFw

00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Journey

02:50 Mike's Decision to Compete in the Naroditsky Memorial

05:41 Eugene's Support and Coaching Role

08:41 Mike's Past Experiences with Top Players

11:35 Analyzing Mike's Strengths and Weaknesses

14:37 Training and Preparation for the Tournament

17:31 Opening Strategies and Game Analysis

Mentioned: The Hungarian Dragon 

The Dragodorf

20:32 Eugene’s Philosophy on Gimmicky Openings

23:21 Defining Success in the Tournament

Mentioned: IM Marc Esserman

27:04 Excitement in Facing Strong Opponents

31:35 Setting Performance Goals as a Coach

34:02 The Importance of Blitz Clock Management

35:33 The Origin Story of a Late Chess Starter

Mentioned: Ilya Koyfman 

36:39 Factors Contributing to Success in Chess

39:16 The Value of Community in Chess

40:56 The Evolution of Chess Accessibility

43:25 The Importance of a Fun and Relaxed Approach

43:37 Learning from Losses and Honest Reflection

46:02 Stories about legendary

 GM Roman Dzindziashvilli and Bobby Fischer 

Mentioned: Dzindzi-Jansa move 25

https://lichess.org/study/Th7i9fr2/kxMPOEjA

49:00 Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors

50:00- Thanks to Eugene and Mike for joining me!

You can follow Mike’s training and progress on GM Eugene Perelshteyn’s blog. 

https://eugeneperel.substack.com/

If you would like to help support Mike’s dream trip you can do so via this Go Fund Me:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-chess-rocky-to-fight-supergms-in-charlotte?lid=nlkk8jxujhda&utm_source=product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TXN_User_Messaging_Thank_You_Option_A&utm_content=internal

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With the FIDE Candidates now in the rearview mirror, 7-time Brazilian Champion and Chess.com “Game of the Day” columnist GM Rafael Leitão joins me to help break it all down. We discuss:


Sindarov’s incredible performance and the training methods that helped him ascend to the top


Vaishali’s strong finish and her chances against Ju Wenjun


Rafael’s take on opening trends, and which players might be most disappointed with their performance

GM Leitão also shares his thoughts on the Judit Polgar documentary on Netflix, along with his story of getting to play Judit.

Thanks to Rafael for sharing his insights. I’m excited to see the two new World Championship challengers fight for the title later this year.

00:00 Introduction to the Candidates Tournament

02:04 Training Methods and Classical Chess Education

Mentioned: IM Roman Vidonyik interview with Charlize van Zyl 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5TJMiHqiwc

04:50 Expectations and Surprises in the Candidates

07:43 Analysis of Player Performances

10:56 Sindarov's Unique Play Style

13:51 Reflections on Historical Performances

16:54 Opening Trends in High-Level Chess

19:52 The Future of Chess Openings

30:09 Concurrent Tournaments: A New Perspective

31:41 Vaishali's Resilience and Performance

35:00 Sindarov vs. Gukesh: The Rising Stars

Mentioned: Chess.com article touching on Sindarov’s trainer IM Roman Vidonyak

https://www.chess.com/news/view/2026-fide-candidates-tournament-round-14

Interviews with IM Roman Vidonyok:

Chessbase India-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6VDTVVXMZU&t=442s

FIDE- 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5TJMiHqiwc&t=1s

Chessbase article about the support Erdogmus receives:

https://en.chessbase.com/post/a-billionaire-supports-chess-talents

38:40 Ambitious Goals: The Future of Sindarov

42:04 Support Systems in Chess: A Double-Edged Sword

44:20 The Candidates Tournament: Format and Future

48:01 Memorable Encounters: Rafael's Game with Judit Polgar

Mentioned: Rafael’s YouTube video-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKvQuSfNd6A

50:20 Analyzing Chess.com’s “Game of the Day”: Rafael's Approach

Mentioned: Praggnandhaa vs. Rapport 2025-

https://www.chess.com/events/2025-uzchess-cup-masters/06/Praggnanandhaa_R-Rapport_Richard

54:15 The Future of Chess: New Generations and Trends

56:00- Thanks to GM Leitao for rejoining me! You can reach him via his website, and follow him via the following methods:

Website:

https://rafaelleitao.com/

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCistQmaDouEpKROBZBkQQ9A

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/gmrafaelleitao/

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It has been a busy time in the chess world, as dramas new and old bubble to the surface. GM Javokhir Sindarov is on the verge of winning the FIDE Candidates. A highly anticipated Netflix documentary has just been released about the Hans–Magnus controversy, and there is even some business intrigue, as an app co-founded by GM Magnus Carlsen is set to compete directly with Chess.com.

Joining me to discuss it all is the popular and entertaining YouTuber and commentator, GM Ben Finegold. Questions answered include:


Is the early Kalshi market correct to make Sindarov a 66% favorite over Gukesh in a World Championship match?


Will the Netflix documentary change anyone’s mind about Chess.com, Magnus Carlsen, or Hans Niemann?


Is Magnus likely to be directly involved in Take Take Take’s new direction?

We also discuss Ben’s recent health struggles, the state of his OTB game, and his upcoming plans. It’s always worthwhile to hear Ben’s unvarnished opinions!

0:00 – Intro + GM Ben Finegold returns

0:40 – FIDE Candidates Discussion (Sindarov’s dominance, Gukesh, Women’s section, format talk)

7:30 – Netflix “Chessmates” Documentary (Niemann–Carlsen) (Impressions, cheating debate, Magnus/Chess.com dynamics, Hans’ future)

Mentioned: Untold: Chess Mates 

31:00 – TakeTakeTake vs Chess.com + Chess Business Drama (Magnus, Lichess partnership, Hikaru’s reaction)

Mentioned: Hikaru discusses the TakeTakeTake/LiChess partnership

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFdWHX8oHuE&t=1534s

Theo Wait of Lichess interview with Chessbase India:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8nm-RPZzsM

Poker scandal- 

https://www.reddit.com/r/HobbyDrama/comments/104pwwx/poker_the_infamous_j4_hand_that_nearly_tore_the/

42:30 – Ben Finegold on His Chess + Future Plans (Retirement from OTB, health, streaming, poker, travel)

Find Ben at the 2026 National Open:

https://new.uschess.org/2026-national-open

50:00- Thanks as always to Ben for coming on the podcast. Here is how to keep up with him:

Twitch:

https://www.twitch.tv/itsbenandkaren/videos?filter=highlights&sort=time

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6EnFbK-P5q0zeaqI5yobKg

X:

https://x.com/ben_finegold

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