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

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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

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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

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