Best GM Jesse Kraai Podcasts (2024)

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EP 118 | Advice for Young Chess Professionals ft. GM Sam Shankland 1:03:28

18d ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Sam Shankland, GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk about what it takes to have a career in chess, whether as a tournament player or chess content creator, in today's episode of Dojo …

1
EP 117 | Who Will Be Top 10 in 2025? 1:03:02

1M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy forecast who will be the top 10 FIDE rated chess players in June 2025 in today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast. Want to support the channel…

1
EP 116 | Do World Champions Lose Their Minds? 1:12:49

2M ago1:12:49

1:12:49

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop On today's episode of Dojo Talks, the ChessDojo podcast, GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about the impact of the FIDE World Chess Championship circuit on mental health and the sanit…

1
EP 115 | 2026 FIDE Cycle Drama 55:39

2M ago55:39

55:39

Join the training program - https://chessdojo.club Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about all of the drama and projections brewing for the 2026 FIDE candidates, as well as FIDE's new path to get to the 2026 Candidates Tournament in t…

1
EP 114 | 2024 FIDE Candidates Recap 59:09

3M ago59:09

59:09

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Dive into the drama and surprises of the FIDE 2024 Candidates! Join us for live breakdowns and deep dives into each game. Subscribe for more thrilling chess content! GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM K…

1
EP 113 | The Great Eval Bar Debate (feat. GM Hammer) 1:21:16

3M ago1:21:16

1:21:16

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Special guest GM Jon Ludvig Hammer joins the Dojo to discuss the ongoing "eval bar" war that has taken the chess world by storm. This show was streamed live to Twitch on 4/12/2024, at the exact half-way mark…

1
BONUS Episode: 2024 FIDE Women's Candidates 8:39

3M ago8:39

8:39

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Recorded at the end of last week's Dojo Talks, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about women's chess and the upcoming 2024 FIDE Women's Candidates to determine who will face the c…

1
EP 112 | Ranking the 2024 FIDE Candidates 56:01

4M ago56:01

56:01

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Who will be the next World Chess Champion? How do the 2024 FIDE Candidates stack up? GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess weigh in and rank the 2024 FIDE Candidates. Want to support the c…

1
EP 111 | Openings 55:58

4M ago55:58

55:58

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop The Dojo (IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai) discuss openings and blitz chess in this podcast episode of Dojo Talks. This episode dives into the critical aspects of chess study, partic…

1
EP 110 | The FIDE Rating Boost ft. ChessNumbers 1:17:04

4M ago1:17:04

1:17:04

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and ChessNumbers (Tai Pruce-Zimmerman) talk about the FIDE rating conversion/update and deflation, and the statistics and math involved. Want to support the channel? Find…

1
EP 109 | Ranking the Best Money Spent on Chess 1:39:39

4M ago1:39:39

1:39:39

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Not sure how to spend money on chess? GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess rank the best and worst ways you can spend your money on chess, and share what they believe are the top investme…

1
EP 108 | Spaced Repetition 56:43

5M ago56:43

56:43

The ChessDojo sensei, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai, talk about using spaced repetition in chess training (the next topic from NM Ben Johnson's book, "Perpetual Chess Improvement"). Get your copy of Ben's book here: https://amzn.to/3I3PjrM. Want to support the channel? Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) …

1
EP 107 | The Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge 1:02:08

5M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about Magnus Carlsen's tournament, the Freestyle Chess GOAT Challenge, the future of Chess 960/Fischer Random/Freestyle Chess, World Champion Din…

1
EP 106 | Once Great Chess Companies 53:36

5M ago53:36

53:36

GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about chess companies that were once great. Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with ChessDojo merch: https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel? Donate here - https://s…

1
EP 105 | How Much is Enough? 54:15

6M ago54:15

54:15

GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about how much is enough - How do you know when you have done enough work, or how do you know you have achieved enough? The Sensei discuss life and chess today, and what it means to pursue things. Find all of our chess book recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.…

1
EP 104 | Handshakes 50:31

6M ago50:31

50:31

Watch "Closing Gambit" https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07DPWCW7C/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojolive Join the training program - https://dojoscoreboard.com Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojolive Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdoj…

1
EP 103 | Can Neal Bruce Make Master? 1:05:23

6M ago1:05:23

1:05:23

Neal Bruce of #chesspunks fame has been diligently studying and pursuing chess as an adult improver. The ChessDojo sensei GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy discuss whether Neal Bruce will be able to make his goal of National Master (NM) in today's episode of the DojoTalks Podcast. 0:00 David vs Coffee 0:18 Chess Rating Gains …

1
EP 102 | 2024 FIDE Candidates Drama 32:04

7M ago32:04

32:04

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy talk about the drama leading up to the FIDE Candidates Tournament, including FIDE and the tournament involving GM Alireza Firouzja. Interested in a full training plan and a community to help you improve? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://dojoscoreboard.com Chess is more than a game…

1
EP 101 | Vladimir Kramnik on Cheating 1:22:09

7M ago1:22:09

1:22:09

Former World Chess Champion GM Vladimir Kramnik comes on the DojoTalks podcast to talk cheating in chess! Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: dojoscoreboard.com Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with ChessDojo merch: https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel? Donate here - https://strea…

1
EP 100 | Ranking The Best Podcast Episodes 47:00

7M ago47:00

47:00

GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy celebrate their 100th episode of the DojoTalks Podcast by ranking their favorite episodes of the podcast, and chatting about the past, present, and future of the pod. Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: dojoscoreboard.com Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. …

1
EP 99 | GM Hikaru on The Chess Economy 1:12:57

8M ago1:12:57

1:12:57

GMHikaru joins GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy in today's episode of DojoTalks where GM Hikaru Nakamura talks about professional chess life and joins the Sensei in a discussion of professional chess economics. Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club Chess is more than a game, it'…

1
EP 98 | Endgames 52:07

8M ago52:07

52:07

IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai discuss the importance of studying endgames, which endgames to study, and much more in this episode of Dojo Talks. Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with ChessDojo merch: https://www.chessd…

1
EP 97 | 2023 Junior Draft 36:25

9M ago36:25

36:25

Who are the top junior chess players in the world? IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai draft their top picks of young chess grandmasters. In one year, the ChessDojo Sensei will reconvene to see how their top picks did, and select a new draft. Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club C…

1
EP 96 | 2023 U.S. Championship Recap 1:04:01

9M ago1:04:01

1:04:01

In this episode of the Dojo Talks podcast, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk all the details of the 2023 US Chess Championship Tournaments! Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with ChessDojo merch: https://www.chessdojo.…

1
EP 95 | Are Quick Draws A Serious Problem In Chess? 59:45

9M ago59:45

59:45

Chess tournaments have always had draws, but sometimes these draws seem too convenient and prearranged. Is making a draw quickly in chess ever OK? What role do draws play in chess culture? GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy get to the bottom of this in today's episode of the Dojo Talks podcast! Interested in improving? Check o…

1
EP 94 | The Airing of Grievances: Differences in Training Philosophy 1:13:55

9M ago1:13:55

1:13:55

Chess Dojo sensei IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai hash out their differences in chess training philosophy in today's episode of the Dojo Talks podcast! Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with ChessDojo merch: https://www.c…

1
EP 93 | Does FIDE Want to Ban Transgender Players? 1:04:43

10M ago1:04:43

1:04:43

FIDE has passed regulations that beg the question: Does FIDE want to ban transgender players? GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess discuss the latest in FIDE's regulations about transgender players and what it means for chess at large in this week's episode of the Dojo Talks podcast. Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo T…

1
EP 92 | Remembering Jeremy Silman 52:10

10M ago52:10

52:10

IM Jeremy Silman was one of the best known and regarded authors in the chess world. GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, and IM Kostya Kavutskiy share their memories of Silman and their thoughts on his legacy. Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club Chess is more than a game, it's a lifestyle. Live it with C…

1
EP 91 | Does U.S. Chess Need Reform? 43:56

10M ago43:56

43:56

Does U.S. Chess need to be reformed? GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about the ongoing problems and controversies with the USCF and whether the organization needs serious reform in today's episode of the Dojo Talks podcast. Interested in improving? Check out the Dojo Training Program: https://chessdojo.club Chess is mo…

1
EP 90 | Hans & Chess.com Settle, U.S. Chess in Crisis 1:19:55

10M ago1:19:55

1:19:55

Hans Niemann, Magnus Carlsen, and Chess.com settle? Lichess cuts ties with U.S. Chess and the St. Louis Chess Club? IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai talk about the latest in the crisis of chess in the United States. To watch the episode on YouTube, check out: https://youtu.be/dEMq94KcCzQ 0:00 Intro 2:41 Hans, Magnus, and Che…

1
EP 89 | What Does It Take To Win The U.S. Senior Championship? 58:49

11M ago58:49

58:49

What does GM Jesse Kraai need to do to win the U.S. Senior Chess Championship? How can he use the Dojo Program? The Dojo sensei GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess talk about the details of what prep Jesse needs to do to win. Check out the full video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/6v7CYCHfrKg Interested in improving? Welcome to…

1
EP 88 | 2023 Women’s World Chess Championship 1:30:23

12M ago1:30:23

1:30:23

GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess join together to discuss the Women's World Chess Championship, women in chess, and more in today's episode of DojoTalks. To view the episode on YouTube, check out: https://youtu.be/vHyyVo-6Co8 Interested in improving? Welcome to the Dojo! A structured plan to hold yourself accountable to and …

1
EP 87 | Who Were The True World Chess Champions? 1:16:23

1y ago1:16:23

1:16:23

GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess discuss the history of the the World Chess Championship - its many different formats, organizations, and qualifications. What makes someone the real world chess champion? Out of all the world chess champions, who are the real ones? To view the episode on YouTube, check out: https://youtu.be/M…

1
EP 86 | The Best Chess Players Who Never Became World Champion 1:28:06

1y ago1:28:06

1:28:06

Who are the best non-World Champion chess players? GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, and IM David Pruess discuss and rate great chess players of yesterday and today who have never been world champions, but have an outstanding legacy. To view the whole episode on YouTube, check out: https://youtu.be/-1AP4U1eEeM 0:00 Intro 3:40 Chigorin 12:24 Tarr…

1
EP 85 | The Best Chess Puzzle Books Ever 1:29:48

1y ago1:29:48

1:29:48

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess) rank the top 10 chess puzzle books of all time, with a help from bibliophile Ben Johnson, the creator and host of the Perpetual Chess Podcast (https://www.perpetualchesspod.com) . 0:00 Intro 0:12 How and Why Books Were Chosen 8:50 Puzzle Book Rankings All books linked below (these are …

1
EP 84 | Will AI Replace Chess Coaching? 53:13

1y ago53:13

53:13

AI, the invisible grandmaster, is changing the game of chess. Join the ChessDojo sensei - IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, and GM Jesse Kraai - in talking about the impact of artificial intelligence in chess and life. 0:00 Intro 4:15 Can AI give meaningful chess feedback? 21:45 Could AI be a chess coach? 35:20 Personalized AI chess coaches and…

1
EP 83 | Inside The First Year of ChessDojo’s Training Program, & What’s Next in 2.0 1:13:40

1y ago1:13:40

1:13:40

The Dojo reflect on their first year of running the Dojo Training Program, what's new in 2.0, and their plans for the future. 0:00 Intro 2:13 Launching the Dojo Training Program 2.0 9:13 "10x" Thought Experiment 39:33 Should Dojo offer discounts? 57:40 Future Dojo plans Join the Dojo Training Program 2.0 here: chessdojo.club/training Interested in …

1
EP 82 | A New World Champion? | Nepomniachtchi - Ding: Final Recap 42:06

1y ago42:06

42:06

The Dojo discusses the end of the FIDE World Chess Championship Match between Ding Liren & Ian Nepomniachtchi, as well as some future considerations. Check out the full episode on YouTube 0:00 - Intro 0:09 - Brief recap 5:53 Who's the World Champion? 20:22 Carlsen's interests 36:59 Will there be a Chinese chess boom? Interested in improving? Welcom…

1
EP 81 | Best World Championship Ever? Ding - Nepo Recap 2 37:11

1y ago37:11

37:11

The Dojo discusses the latest news and developments in the Ding Liren - Ian Nepomniachtchi FIDE World Championship Match. Streamed live & recorded towards the end of Game 9, April 21, 2023. To view the episode on YouTube, check out: https://youtu.be/4XC2Ari_uhQ Interested in improving? Welcome to the Dojo! A structured plan to hold yourself account…

1
EP 80 | Ding’s Back! | 2023 World Chess Championship: Games 1-4 Recap 49:34

1+ y ago49:34

49:34

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) break down the first four games of the 2023 FIDE World Championship match between Ding Liren & Ian Nepomniachtchi. To view the episode on YouTube, check out: https://youtu.be/gacY5vo8qpg 0:00 Intro 0:31 Quick match recap 2:01 Initial thoughts 7:42 Who will collapse first - Ding or Nepo…

1
EP 79 | Breaking Down the Nepomniachtchi - Ding FIDE World Championship 1:11:52

1+ y ago1:11:52

1:11:52

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) discuss the upcoming FIDE World Championship match between Ian Nepomniatchi and Ding Liren. 0:00 Intro 0:16 Info/background 2:35 "Real" World Championship? 26:12 Most political match in history? 41:12 FIDE Marketing Skills? 50:08 Will Dojo provide coverage? 56:59 Which winner would be …

1
EP 78 | The Greatest Chess Games Ever 1:18:47

1+ y ago1:18:47

1:18:47

The Dojo ranks the Top 10 greatest chess games of all time. To view the episode on YouTube, check out: https://youtu.be/myK_xHwWOpo Part 1 (pre-1920) - https://youtu.be/hWcfL48Xpqw Part 2 (1920-1972) - https://youtu.be/c0mNZw20yFQ Part 3 (post-1972) - https://youtu.be/vUmOR_1oUU0 Link to the games: https://lichess.org/study/GkAjt9gu 0:00 Intro 2:36…

1
EP 77 | The Greatest Chess Games of All Time: Part III (Post-1972) 2:10:41

1+ y ago2:10:41

2:10:41

The Dojo rank the Top 10 best chess games played since 1972. To view the episode on YouTube, check out: https://youtu.be/vUmOR_1oUU0 0:00 Intro 6:04 Number 10 17:08 Number 9 22:29 Number 8 28:06 Number 7 36:34 Number 6 46:44 Number 5 1:04:17 Number 4 1:20:10 Number 3 1:42:27 Number 2 1:55:56 Number 1 2:09:38 Final Remarks Interested in improving? W…

1
EP 76 | The Greatest Chess Games of All Time: Part II (1920-1972) 2:17:19

1+ y ago2:17:19

2:17:19

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, & IM Kostya Kavutskiy) rank the Top 10 best chess games played between 1920-1972! To view the full episode on YouTube, visit https://youtu.be/c0mNZw20yFQ Check out Part 1 (Greatest Games pre-1920) here: https://youtu.be/hWcfL48Xpqw 0:00 Intro 4:00 Number 10 10:53 Number 9 18:17 Number 8 23:29 Number 7 32:2…

1
EP 75 | The Greatest Chess Games of All Time (Pre-1920) 1:28:56

1+ y ago1:28:56

1:28:56

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, & IM Kostya Kavutskiy) rank the best chess games played before 1920. To view the full episode on YouTube, visit https://youtu.be/hWcfL48Xpqw 0:00 Intro 4:30 Number 6 13:27 Number 5 33:14 Number 4 43:44 Number 3 1:02:50 Number 2 1:09:10 Number 1 1:23:02 Final Rankings Interested in improving? Welcome to the…

1
EP 74 | The Top 10 Greatest Chess Players Of All Time 1:25:18

1+ y ago1:25:18

1:25:18

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) rank their top 10 greatest chess players of all-time. 0:00 Intro 0:33 Number 10 11:42 Number 9 17:00 Number 8 23:22 Number 7 30:32 Number 6 35:07 Number 5 42:44 Number 4 48:07 Number 3 56:19 Number 2 1:02:38 Number 1 1:22:16 Final Rankings Interested in improving? Welcome to the Dojo! …

1
EP 73 | Who’s Responsible for the Chess Boom? 48:45

1+ y ago48:45

48:45

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) discuss the recent chess boom and the reasons for it. Chess.com article: https://www.chess.com/blog/CHESScom/chess-is-booming-and-our-servers-are-struggling 0:00 Intro 02:48 Kostya On The Chess Boom 08:19 David On The Chess Boom 17:50 Jesse On The Chess Boom 24:43 The Approachability o…

1
EP 72 | The Best Chess Books Ever Written ft. Ben Johnson (Perpetual Chess) 1:26:05

1+ y ago1:26:05

1:26:05

The Dojo debates what the best books written about chess are! The concensus best books are: 1. My Sixty Memorable Games, Fischer. https://amzn.to/3xFfhNb 2. Test of Time, Kasparov. https://amzn.to/3YmqJsB 3. New York 1924, Alekhine. https://amzn.to/3E1OcXZ 4. Tal Botvinnik 1960. https://amzn.to/3K7oC7O 5. My Great Predecessors, Kasparov. https://am…

1
EP 71 | FIDE and Neutrality 50:41

1+ y ago50:41

50:41

Interested in improving? Check out the all-new Dojo Training Program - https://chessdojo.shop/training Want to support the channel? Donate here - https://streamlabs.com/chessdojolive Follow ChessDojo here: Website: https://chessdojo.shop Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojolive Discord: https://discord.gg/sUUh8HD Twitter: https://twitter.com/chess_d…

1
EP 70 | Sponsorships 56:42

1+ y ago56:42

56:42

In this episode of dojotalks, Jesse, David and Kostya discuss sponsorships and how they are perceived within the chess community. 00:00 intro 04:45 Sponsored Events & Crypto 16:10 Crypto & NFTs 29:24 Can we have large events with "Clean" money? 35:57 Should someone promote something they don't believe in? 43:02 How far should we separate the player…

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