Perpetual Chess Podcast

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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Jennifer Shahade is a two-time U.S. Women’s Champion, poker professional, commentator, and acclaimed author. This week, she returns to the pod to discuss her new book Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chess Player and Win at Life. Drawing on chess, poker, and psychology, Jen shares practical tips and memorable stories about decision-making, creativity, and improvement.

We discuss:


Why she interviewed reformed chess cheaters and what their stories reveal about ambition


Helpful advice for remembering opening lines


The “Einstellung Effect” and how to avoid missing better ideas


How AI is changing the way we learn and think

We also catch up on Jen’s recent travels and upcoming events. There is a lot to learn and plenty of great stories along the way.

0:00- Intro-

Jen Shahade and US Chess announce a settlement:

https://x.com/KenneyBaden/status/2039375140534767852?s=20

0:02- Jen Shahade joins me. How did she find reformed chess cheaters to interview? What did she learn from talking with them for her book?

Mentioned: Netflix Untold Documentary about the Niemann-Carlsen story 

https://www.netflix.com/title/81582391

0:10- What is “MTR”? 

0:14- Working with legendary trainer IM Mark Dvoretsky 

0:18- Lessons learned from interviewing a memory champion 

Mentioned: Yanjaa Wintersoul, GM Sam Shankland 

0:28- Jen’s experiences coding with Claude 

Check out the links to the app she built here:

https://jenshahade.substack.com/p/spin-the-wheel-vibe-a-move

0:36- What is “the Einstellung effect”? 

0:40- Jen’s chess-related conversation with legendary psychologist and author Daniel Kahneman 

0:42- How chess master and Alpha Zero creator Demis Hassabas “thought sideways” to secure funding for his start up. 

0:48- Observations from the recent Sloan sports analytic conference

0:50- What is “the sandwich method”?

0:51- Upcoming book events for Jen

0:52- If you will be in NYC on May 12 and want to support a good cause, come see Jen and I at this event.

You can buy tickets to the Chess in the Schools Poker/Chess Fundraiser here:

https://secure.givelively.org/event/chess-in-the-schools-inc/chess-in-the-schools-3rd-annual-charity-poker-tournament

 0:54- Thanks to Jen for joining me again, here is where to order her book.

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Thinking-Sideways/Jennifer-Shahade/9798897100729

https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Sideways-Think-Chess-Player/dp/B0FCDDB8XV 

Photo in thumbnail by Maria Emelianova

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FM Mike Klein of Chess.com  joins the show from Cyprus to give an on-the-ground look at the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. We discuss the incredible start by GM Javokhir Sindarov, and what Mike has observed from his interactions with the rising star. Mike also describes the tournament atmosphere,shares  behind-the-scenes stories from the venue, and provides insights on the Women’s Candidates race. We also discuss what to expect in the critical rounds ahead including a huge round 8 battle. 

0:00 – Intro + Mike Klein joins (Candidates update)0:45 – Javokhir Sindarov’s historic start (6/7) + Anna Muzychuk leading women’s field

1:20 – Sindarov’s personality: “infectious,” approachable, media-friendly3:35 – Candidates trivia + chess culture vs performance debate

4:45 – Comparing Sindarov’s start to past Candidates performances6:18 – Mindset: why Sindarov isn’t satisfied (even after a draw)

7:50 – Will Sindarov keep pushing or coast to victory?9:27 – Tournament suspense vs runaway leader (Nepo comparison)

10:25 – Life in Cyprus: smaller scene vs Madrid/Toronto11:00 – Hotel stories + luxury setting + “White Lotus vibes”12:48 – Safety, isolation, and player accommodations

13:51 – Venue setup: viewing area, fan zones, and logistics15:30 – Rest day activities + paddle tournament

16:30 – Paddle tournament results + Caruana appearance17:50 – Chess + tennis crossover (Pavel Tregubov trivia)19:05 – What is paddle? (sport explanation + Magnus tie-in)

20:30 – Women’s Candidates overview: Muzychuk vs Vaishali + contenders22:48 – Seconds and prep teams (Caruana, Hikaru, etc.)

25:00 – Key matchup: Nakamura vs Caruana26:00 – What would Sindarov be like as World Champion?

28:30 – Mike’s YouTube channel + future content plans29:20 – “Weightless chess” goal (fun viral idea)30:40 – Wrap-up + sign-off

31:00- Thanks to Mike Klein for joining me! Be sure to sub to his YouTube channel here for additional on-site Candidates coverage:

https://www.youtube.com/@FunMasterMike

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It has been over two years since FIDE implemented major changes to its rating system aimed at combating rating deflation. But are those changes actually working?

My guest, Vlad Ghita, joins me to dig into the data. Vlad is a Romanian arbiter, instructor, and chess enthusiast with a master’s degree in physics. In his new e-book, The Rating Revolution, he takes a rigorous, data-driven look at how the global rating system is functioning—and where it may still be falling short.

We discuss:


What Vlad calls the “participation paradox”


Which countries may be the most underrated


How age impacts rating expectations


Why some players feel stuck despite improving


Is the US rating system functioning more effectively than FIDE?

As discussed in the episode, many of these issues stem from structural imbalances in the rating pool—something Vlad illustrates through extensive analysis of nearly one million games .

In our conversation (and in his book), Vlad not only identifies problems but also proposes thoughtful solutions. As a dedicated coach and adult improver himself, he also shares practical advice for chess improvement.

;

0:00- Intro

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com. Check out their FIDE Candidates Sale here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/all/offer/

Sign up for Chessable Pro here:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

0:02- Vlad’s joins the show, we being by diving into his chess  background

Mentioned: Michael Franco/NoseKnowsAll’s free Lichess materials-

https://lichess.org/study/by/NoseKnowsAll

0:10- How Vlad’s curiosity about ratings was piqued around the pandemic, what he learned about ratings

0:11- What is the cause of FIDE rating deflation?

Mentioned: Jeff Sonas, Dr. Mark Glickman

0:16-What is “the participation paradox?” 

0:21- Is the US rating system working better than FIDE’s?

29:00- Should FIDE institute adjustable rating floors? 

31:00- What solutions does Vlad propose to improve the rating system? 

42:00- Chess improvement lessons from Vlad’s playing and training experience 

Mentioned: Chess Structures, How to Study Chess on Your Own, Chessbook

50:00- The pros and cons of working full time in chess

52:00- Thanks to Vlad for coming on the pod and writing an insightful book. Vlad has offered a discount to Perpetual Chess Listeners if you use the code “perpetual” at checkout.

https://vladchess.com/rating-revolution

If you are interested in getting coaching from Vlad, you can reach him via his website:

https://vladchess.com/

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