E17: Chess with the Cheka

This episode we hear about how the medieval world invested chess with its own social, cultural and spiritual meaning. Sign up for the free newsletter to receive the resources for this episode: https://audiblechess.substack.com/

This episode is about an eight-year-old boy who was so good at chess that everyone thought he was possessed by the devil.  It’s the story of Jose Raul Capablanca.  Sign up for the free newsletter to receive all the resources for this episode: https://audiblechess.substack.com/

This episode we hear about fortunes lost and won, and a man playing a game of chess with the threat of execution if he loses. It’s the story of Ossip Berstein. As I announce in this episode, all of the resources contained in these show notes will now be located in the newsletter. You can subscribe to it here:  https://audiblechess.substack.com/welcome This episode we’re studying the first 24 moves of Bernstein vs. Miguel Najdorf, Montevideo, Uruguay (1954).  Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1101326 Resources: Game analysis:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHA8GPEC7T0 Opening study (Old Indian Defense): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9gfA9GTE9g

This episode we hear about a mysterious match that took place on the Internet Chess Club. We’re studying the game between Nigel Short (username: Ural; white pieces) and (possibly?) Bobby Fischer.  Before you listen, study the first 24 moves of the following game:  (30) Guest2563 - Ural (2439) [A03] ICC, 04.03.2001.  The annotation can be found here: https://en.chessbase.com/portals/4/files/games/iccf1.htm Resources: Game analysis:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9p2PrsKWY Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/UnresolvedMysteries/comments/mv0vz5/solving_the_fischer_chess_games_in_2001_gm_nigel/

This episode we hear about the man who said that pawns were “the soul of chess.”  It’s an episode on Philidor.  We’re studying Philidor vs. an unknown player (France, 1790).  Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1075428 Resources: Game analysis (video):    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QVGEqB6kcI&t=78s Opening study (King’s Gambit):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmiBGuSwUrw&t=61s

This episode is about a chess game transformed into fiction. We’re studying Steinitz vs. Chigorin, Havana (1892). Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1036356 Sign up for the newsletter: https://audiblechess.substack.com Resources: Video analysis (not great, but best I could find!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-xVHGQxXhg&list=PL7mW9aR2QDf-Wbhud-dwYRp6CSYpdRD9V&index=16 Opening study (Spanish Opening, Morphy Defense): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1tFgq8el-E

This episode we hear about a young man who in just six months’ time went from losing regularly at his local club to being, some say, the best chess player in his country.  It’s the story of Akiba Rubinstein.  We’re studying Rubinstein vs. Gersh Rotlewi, Lodz (1907).  You can check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1119679 Sign up for the newsletter: https://audiblechess.substack.com Resources: Game analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtItayItxb8 Opening study (Tarrasch Defense):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esjT83wWr78 Article on Rubinstein’s later years: https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/rubinstein1.html

This episode we hear about a man with a distinctly psychological approach to the game.  It’s the story of Emanuel Lasker. We’re studying Lasker vs Vasja Pirc, Moscow (1935).  Before you listen, you can check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1272440 Resources: Game analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dnzBQ0K8RE Opening study (Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp5N_d3JS6Y Sign up for the newsletter: https://audiblechess.substack.com

This episode we hear about the life of Louis Charles Mahe De La Bourdonnais and his famous match in London, 1834. Before you listen, you can check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1001165 Resources: Game analysis:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJnCgTC5VDc Opening study (Sicilian): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM4e7g2RukI Le Palamede: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Palam%C3%A8de George Walker: https://www.chess.com/blog/batgirl/walker-on-mdonnell-and-labourdonnais Sign up for the newsletter: https://audiblechess.substack.com

This episode we’re in Moscow for the 1984 World Chess Championship.  The game we’re studying is Anatoly Karpov vs Viktor Korchnoi, Moscow (1974).  Before you listen, check out the full annotation here:  https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1067858 Resources: Game analysis:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu4pZfhH7Fk Opening study (Sicilian Dragon): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxWOwXVd8iM Review of “Chess is My Life”: https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/karpov.html Sign up for the newsletter: https://audiblechess.substack.com