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Chess with Mustreader

Greg Mustreader

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

I interview top chess players (my guests include Nepo, Fabi, Aronian, Dubov etc.), play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement.

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 30 years old, I have a girlfriend, two dogs and two cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. 

Don't forget to subscribe!

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  • 21 episodes
  • Avg 55 min
  • English

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  • Yesterday · 1 hr 16 min

    The END of the Hans Niemann Controversy? | Danny Rensch PODCAST

    Try ChessReps and start learning chess openings from the best: https://www.chessreps.com/ What does Danny Rensch regret about the Hans Niemann controversy? Today I’m joined by Danny, Chess.com’s Chief Chess Officer, to talk about what happened between Hans, Magnus Carlsen, and Chess.com. We discuss why Magnus said he felt gaslit by Chess.com, which parts of Hans’s account Danny disputes, and what he wishes he’d done differently. Danny also talks openly about how the situation affected him, why he was unhappy with Netflix’s Untold: Chess Mates, and what he thinks the film left out. We cover Magnus’s relationship with Take Take Take, why Danny dislikes Reddit, the future of chess, and Chess.com’s ban of Brandon Jacobson (Viih_Sou). And of course, we finish with a blitz game — don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Danny's X: https://x.com/DanielRensch Danny's book Dark Squares: https://www.chess.com/darksquares My previous podcast with Danny: https://youtu.be/E4fGt3MbF0I My podcast with Brandon Jacobson: https://youtu.be/f06eeiRRT0Q My podcast with Chess.com CEO Erik Allebest: https://youtu.be/1cCrMcUTDj8 My video about Netflix’s Untold: Chess Mates: https://youtu.be/dCYhSD9Lyec Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:04 — Magnus, Chess.com & Take Take Take 10:34 — Is Magnus dependent on Chess.com? 18:08 — Netflix’s Untold: "I wasn’t happy" 20:32 — Netflix cut this out 26:11 — Netflix made Chess.com the villain 30:48 — Danny’s regret about Hans 37:30 — Most personal moment 44:36 — Did Chess.com gaslight Magnus? 50:32 — The Chess.com–Hans agreement 53:26 — Why Danny dislikes Reddit 54:39 — Who can challenge Chess.com? 01:00:55 — Chess boom over? 01:03:53 — Brandon Jacobson’s ban (Viih_Sou) 01:06:37 — Can Chess.com get bans wrong? 01:11:52 — More books from Danny? 01:15:08 — Blitz vs Danny Rensch My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 33 years old, I’m married, and I have three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #dannyrensch #hansniemann #magnuscarlsen #chesscom #chesscontroversy #chesspodcast #brandonjacobson #mustreaderchess

  • Monday · 40 min

    "My life is like a fantasy book" | Timur Turlov PODCAST

    Try ChessReps and start learning chess openings from the best: https://www.chessreps.com/ My guest today is Timur Turlov — a billionaire entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and the International School Chess Federation, and now a candidate for FIDE president. We discuss what a FIDE president should be, why every candidate must be willing to answer hard questions, and how Timur is campaigning for the job. He explains how chess can reach a much wider audience, rival tennis commercially, and attract investment from major global brands. We also talk about the other candidates in the race, including one whom Timur addresses directly. On a more personal note, we discuss his love of fantasy books and what it feels like to be the hero of your own story. And of course, we finish with a blitz game: this time, I get one minute and Timur gets five. Don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Timur's X: https://x.com/TurlovforChess My podcast Jan Henric Buettner: https://youtu.be/rimjT4Pj3jY My podcast with Vishy Anand: https://youtu.be/ZqHu5seKDrc Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 00:54 — Timur vs his kids 02:26 — Business during the FIDE race 07:03 — FIDE presidential campaign 11:31 — Competition in the FIDE election 13:33 — How should chess change? 18:10 — Can chess rival tennis? 24:07 — Why brands should sponsor chess 27:15 — The debate incident 29:17 — “Wadim, come debate!” 30:11 — Is Timur a fantasy hero? 36:18 — Timur’s book recommendation 36:53 — Chess = decision-making test 39:36 — Blitz vs Timur My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 33 years old, I’m married, and I have three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #timurturlov #fide #fideelection #chesspolitics #freedomholding #futureofchess #chesspodcast #chessinterview #mustreaderchess

  • September 14 · 41 min

    A CLUB PLAYER Challenged DUBOV… He ACCEPTED! | PODCAST

    Try ChessReps and start learning chess openings from the best: https://www.chessreps.com/ An 1800-rated club player challenged Daniil Dubov to a 100-game 1+0 bullet match — and Dubov accepted. Today I’m joined by Josh Smith — a 47-year-old businessman from Arizona who is completely addicted to bullet chess and came up with the fascinating 100–0 Project. The rules are simple: if Daniil wins all 100 games, he takes home $20,000; but if Josh manages even a single draw or win, Dubov gets only $10,000. What are Josh’s chances? We discuss how this unlikely match came together, what inspired Josh to put so much money on the line, why he chose Dubov, and how an 1800-rated club player reached 2500 in online bullet. Josh also shares his remarkable personal transformation: losing 147 pounds in six months and rebuilding his life after spending years thinking about his goals without actually pursuing them. It’s a story I think many people will find genuinely inspiring — and one that makes the upcoming Dubov match even more compelling. And of course, we finish with a wild 1+0 bullet game. Don’t miss it! Links and resources mentioned in the podcast: 100–0 Project on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBulletGrandpa 100–0 Project on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thebulletgrandpa FIDE rating converter for Chess.com and Lichess: https://chessgoals.com/rating-comparison/#lichesschesscom Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com My previous podcast with Dubov: https://youtu.be/rimjT4Pj3jY Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 00:50 — The Josh vs Dubov match 04:27 — Why 100 games at 1+0? 09:08 — Beating Naroditsky and other GMs 12:36 — Josh’s 2500 bullet rating 14:43 — FIDE vs Chess.com ratings 16:28 — Mustreader vs Josh: 50-game match 17:06 — Why Josh is better at bullet 19:47 — Chess.com vs Lichess premoves 20:50 — Josh’s “bullet bunker” strategy 22:45 — How Josh lost 147 pounds 26:57 — Balance and good habits 29:32 — Years of wasted time 31:06 — The 100–0 Project 33:38 — Is the Dubov match worth $20,000? 35:12 — Chess.com and ASUS sponsor the match 37:39 — What is Josh trying to prove? 39:04 — Why Daniil Dubov? 41:13 — Bullet vs Josh My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 33 years old, I’m married, and I have three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #daniildubov #joshsmith #chess #100zeroproject #thebulletgrandpa #bulletchess #chesschallenge #chesspodcast #chesscom #mustreaderchess

  • September 2 · 43 min

    VISHY ANAND Back in the CANDIDATES? | PODCAST

    Try ChessReps and start learning chess openings from the best: https://www.chessreps.com/ Today I’m joined by an absolute legend of the game — five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand. We discuss where chess fits into Vishy’s life today, how he continues to compete with the new generation, and how both his own game and chess itself have evolved over the years. Could his younger self beat him today? Could the Candidates tempt him into one more World Championship run? Will the classical World Championship remain chess’s ultimate prize, or could the Esports World Cup — or even Freestyle Chess — eventually overtake it? We also talk about the upcoming FIDE presidential election and why Vishy decided to run alongside Timur Turlov. And of course, we finish with a blitz game — don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Vishy's X: https://x.com/vishy64theking Vishy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vishy.mindmaster/ My podcast with Vidit: https://youtu.be/JPQ99az19og My interview with Nihal Sarin: https://youtu.be/gxTx2Oaii6s My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs My podcast with Sagar Shah: https://youtu.be/XzCD_ghaALs My podcast with Arjun Erigaisi: https://youtu.be/3Nvfuk70v6g Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:00 — Who is Vishy Anand today? 05:01 — Competing with younger players 10:00 — How much does Vishy train? 11:48 — How Vishy’s game evolved 13:19 — Chess is different now 15:35 — Prime Vishy vs today’s Vishy 16:57 — Vishy back in the Candidates? 20:31 — Classical world title losing relevance? 25:01 — Esports World Cup vs classical chess 27:23 — A faster World Championship? 29:11 — Chess960 replacing classical chess? 32:25 — A day in Vishy’s life 35:05 — Why Vishy nearly left FIDE 36:41 — Vishy’s role in the FIDE election 38:53 — Why Vishy chose Timur Turlov 41:00 — How Vishy wants to be remembered 42:47 — Blitz vs Vishy Anand My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #vishyanand #viswanathananand #chess #indianchess #candidates #worldchesschampionship #fide #freestylechess #chess960 #chesspodcast #chesswithmustreader

  • August 12 · 46 min

    FIDE Already PICKED the WINNER? | Jan Henric Buettner PODCAST

    Try ChessReps and start learning chess openings from the best: https://www.chessreps.com/ Today’s guest is Jan Henric Buettner — a candidate for FIDE President and co-founder of Freestyle Chess. Jan shares the story behind his unexpected presidential run: why he decided to enter the race after stepping back from running Freestyle Chess, and how Javokhir Sindarov and Bibisara Assaubayeva helped spark the idea. We discuss whether he could bring Magnus Carlsen back into the classical World Championship cycle, why he questions the transparency and fairness of the FIDE election, and what he plans to change if he becomes president. Jan also shares his vision for the future of classical chess, how to make chess more popular, and discusses his position on Russia and Belarus in FIDE events. This one got pretty heated — don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Jan's X: https://x.com/JanHBuettner Jan’s campaign website: https://janhenricbuettner.com Links and resources mentioned in the podcast: FIDE Budget: https://doc.fide.com/docs/DOC/2025_GA_online/GA-202509.pdf Jan’s Chess Manifesto Summary: https://onecdn.io/media/4chessmanifestosummary-ce195d9b-272c-4eca-9af2-ea9cb9036ac6.pdf My previous podcast with Jan: https://youtu.be/4qLJHs2J-KY My podcast with Magnus’s coach, Peter Heine Nielsen: https://youtu.be/bXQAvKUiA7A My podcast with Nodirbek: https://youtu.be/IIQ3eguWJdY My podcast with Boris Gelfand: https://youtu.be/fj5BmOc6Rrk?si=aEkzLvPMmkbdSLZl My podcast with Levon Aronian: https://youtu.be/3EuVAo74L4U Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:11 — Why run for FIDE President? 08:51 — Preparing for the election 10:11 — Weren’t you leaving chess? 12:44 — Who runs Freestyle Chess now? 14:38 — A conflict of interest? 17:02 — Why Freestyle’s model failed 23:01 — What’s going on with Magnus? 24:42 — Can Jan bring Magnus back? 28:43 — Jan’s campaign platform 32:14 — How to make chess more popular? 34:32 — The future of classical chess 38:15 — Russia and Belarus at FIDE events 43:24 — Is FIDE favoring one candidate? My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #janhenricbuettner #fide #fideelection #magnuscarlsen #freestylechess #chesspolitics #chesspodcast #chess #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • June 26 · 49 min

    Is Vidit QUITTING Chess? | PODCAST

    Try Chessreps and check out my lines here: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek7 Today I’m joined by Vidit Gujrathi — one of India’s strongest grandmasters, a Chess Olympiad winner, and a Candidates Tournament participant. We haven’t seen Vidit at many major classical events lately, so we talked about where he’s been, why he decided to step back, and what his future in chess might look like. We also discussed Sindarov and the new generation, why Gukesh is struggling, and the upcoming 2026 Olympiad. And as always, we finished with a blitz game. Don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Vidit's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@viditchess Vidit's X: https://x.com/viditchess Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital My podcast with Nepo: https://youtu.be/sW-i4CPCa_w My podcast with Daniil Dubov: https://youtu.be/rimjT4Pj3jY My podcast with Arjun Erigaisi: https://youtu.be/3Nvfuk70v6g My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs My podcast with Anish Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 00:57 — All world champions in 60 seconds 03:02 — Chess openings in 60 seconds 04:35 — Why Vidit took a break 07:42 — Two years all-in on chess 12:01 — The cost of going all-in 14:31 — How much did Vidit train? 15:22 — Building a team 17:55 — The shower test 19:06 — 1,830 days of meditation 21:26 — Vidit’s chess training routine 23:02 — Vidit’s favorite chess legends 24:24 — Sindarov, Gukesh, and the new generation 27:36 — Why is Gukesh struggling? 30:46 — Vidit has no chess goal? 33:20 — Vidit at the UzChess Cup 36:33 — Vidit working with Anish? 37:09 — Vidit as a future coach? 38:33 — Vidit builds chess apps 44:47 — Will Vidit build a startup? 45:53 — Who wins the 2026 Olympiad? 47:55 — Blitz vs Vidit My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #viditgujrathi #gukeshdommaraju #indianchess #chessolympiad #javokhirsindarov #chesspodcast #chessinterview #mustreaderchess

  • May 29 · 53 min

    HIKARU, HANS, Future of US Chess | Awonder Liang PODCAST

    Try Chessreps and check out my lines here: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek7 Today I’m joined by a young super-GM Awonder Liang. We talked about his matches against Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann, the 2026 Candidates, and the discontinued Webster chess program. Awonder also shared his thoughts on chess mindset, playing under stress, what it takes to become great, and his own training routine and goals. And of course, we finished with a blitz game you don’t want to miss! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Awonder's X: https://x.com/awonder676 Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo My podcast with Peter Svidler: https://youtu.be/qVpKE0mTVsI My podcast with Erigaisi: https://youtu.be/3Nvfuk70v6g Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:11 — Match vs Hans Niemann 03:25 — Playing under stress 07:31 — The Chessreps discussion 11:12 — Awonder’s chess mindset 14:50 — Recent troubles in Awonder’s play 17:07 — Did beating Hikaru matter? 20:53 — Confidence in chess 24:42 — Sacrificing everything for chess? 29:01 — How much does Awonder train? 29:52 — What does Awonder train? 33:06 — Do chess books matter? 35:42 — Pattern recognition 38:49 — Plan to become World Champion 41:34 — Awonder’s chess goals 42:56 — Webster chess program discontinued 45:46 — Chess support in the U.S. 50:08 — Candidates 2026 53:06 — Blitz vs Awonder My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #awonderliang #hikarunakamura #hansniemann #uschess #candidates2026 #chesspodcast #chessinterview #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #cwm

  • April 23 · 59 min

    What happens when MAGNUS IS GONE? | Peter Svidler PODCAST

    Try Chessreps and check out my lines here: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek7 Today I’m joined by chess legend GM Peter Svidler — World Cup winner, former World No. 4, elite commentator, second, and one of the most fascinating voices in chess. We discuss his career path, the dreams he never fully achieved, and why GYM matters more than most players realize. We also talk about whether Kasparov could still compete with the very best today, and what happens to chess once Magnus is gone. And of course, we finish with a blitz game you don’t want to miss! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Peter's X: https://x.com/polborta Peter's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/plbrta Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs My podcast with Grischuk: https://youtu.be/EfwA420_1bo My podcast with Boris Gelfand: https://youtu.be/fj5BmOc6Rrk?si=aEkzLvPMmkbdSLZl My podcast with Jan Gustafsson: https://youtu.be/7gV7nxBaoQs My podcast with Erigaisi: https://youtu.be/3Nvfuk70v6g My podcast with Kramnik that got me blocked by him: https://youtu.be/YKzes4eteb4?si=5nUg3RNqeHXnqANK My podcast with Nodirbek: https://youtu.be/IIQ3eguWJdY My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 00:56 — Who is Peter Svidler today? 05:00 — Peter as a Candidates second 05:55 — Why Peter commentates less 08:39 — Does Peter still want 2700? 14:56 — Why Peter doesn’t play online 16:16 — Will Peter become a streamer? 18:48 — Hearthstone and chess 19:29 — How Peter works on chess now 21:22 — Why gym matters so much 24:24 — Can Peter still compete? 31:44 — What about Kasparov? 34:58 — Unexpected doggo 35:14 — Back to Kasparov 36:45 — Pressure against young players 39:36 — Back to the Russian team? 41:19 — Peter never had goals? 47:02 — Chess in Peter’s life 49:17 — Must chess cost everything? 53:54 — How long will Magnus last? 58:53 — Blitz My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #petersvidler #magnuscarlsen #garrykasparov #futureofchess #chesspodcast #chessinterview #chess #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess

  • March 27 · 42 min

    NODIRBEK Abdusattorov: Magnus, Gukesh, Candidates | PODCAST

    Try Chessreps and check out my lines here: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek7 Today I’m joined by one of the strongest GMs, World No. 4 Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Everyone has been wondering what changed — why is Nodirbek suddenly crushing everyone and winning tournaments? We talked about his training, his mindset, and his plans to fight for the chess crown. We also covered some of the hottest topics in chess right now: what makes Magnus so great, why Gukesh is struggling, and of course the 2026 Candidates tier list. And at the end, we played a blitz game you absolutely have to watch — it won’t disappoint. Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Nodirbek's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abdusattorov_nodirbek_official Nodirbek's X: https://x.com/NodirbekGM Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital My podcast with Kramnik that got me blocked by him: https://youtu.be/YKzes4eteb4?si=5nUg3RNqeHXnqANK My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo My podcast with Boris Gelfand: https://youtu.be/fj5BmOc6Rrk?si=aEkzLvPMmkbdSLZl My podcast with Nodirbek’s former coach, Jacob Aagaard: https://youtu.be/VHJejuic5qQ My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs My podcast with Wei Yi: https://youtu.be/TeQ-yS9EWRY My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:05 — What changed? 04:30 — Last game vs Gukesh 07:22 — Why ambition is harmful 09:04 — Mistakes come from emotions 11:37 — How Magnus handles pressure 13:14 — Magnus: gift or hard work? 13:38 — “I don’t believe in mental coaches” 15:39 — Gukesh’s real problem 17:53 — Gukesh needs to lose the title 19:32 — Do you agree with Kramnik? 21:24 — Bring the crown to Uzbekistan 22:14 — World No. 1 or world champion? 23:24 — Who will surpass Magnus? 27:05 — Nodirbek’s training routine 32:01 — Are you intuitive or technical? 33:44 — Candidates tier list 41:31 — Blitz vs Nodirbek My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #nodirbekabdusattorov #magnuscarlsen #candidates2026 #gukeshdommaraju #chess #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • March 19 · 52 min

    "BAD FAITH from Hikaru", Candidates HOT TAKES | MVL PODCAST

    Try Chessreps and check out my lines here: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek Today I’m joined by one of the best chess players in the world — GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. We dive into the biggest topics in chess right now: the 2026 calendar clash, Hikaru’s criticism video, chess as part of esports, the 2026 Olympiad, and more. MVL also explains what went wrong in his attempt to qualify for the Candidates, and together we build a Candidates 2026 tier list — with some very spicy takes. And of course, as always, we finish with a blitz game — don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com MVL's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MVLChess MVL's X: https://x.com/Vachier_Lagrave MVL's website: https://www.mvlchess.com Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital My previous podcast with MVL: https://youtu.be/6sIBWByqqG8 My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo My podcast with Magnus’s coach Peter Heine Nielsen: https://youtu.be/bXQAvKUiA7A My podcast with Wei Yi: https://youtu.be/TeQ-yS9EWRY My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:13 — How have you changed this year? 03:30 — 2026 calendar clash: MVL’s take 08:24 — MVL on Hikaru’s criticism 11:09 — Will organizers find a compromise? 12:59 — Esports World Cup or Sinquefield Cup? 13:53 — Has Vitality changed you? 15:24 — Chess as an esport 18:01 — What went wrong with Candidates? 22:23 — “The most talented player is…” 25:14 — Back to Candidates qualification 26:33 — How to reach next Candidates? 28:09 — Olympiad 2026 29:47 — Candidates 2026 tier list 30:52 — Don’t underrate Bluebaum 32:19 — Esipenko plays incredible chess 33:57 — Sindarov’s great future 35:56 — Wei Yi: “it’s controversial, but…” 37:32 — Hot take on Pragg 41:29 — Anish impressed in 2025 43:09 — Fabi: six Candidates later... 45:37 — Hikaru: his best chance? 49:25 — Last takes on Candidates 51:37 — Blitz vs MVL My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #maximevachierlagrave #candidates2026 #chess #hikarunakamura #mvl #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • March 11 · 1 hr 6 min

    The TRUTH about FREESTYLE Chess | Jan Buettner PODCAST

    Try Chessreps and check out my lines here: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek7 Today I’m joined by Jan Henric Buettner — co-founder of Freestyle Chess, one of the boldest projects in the chess world. We talk about why chess, in its current form, may never truly become mainstream, what has to change, and what chess can learn from Formula 1. We also discuss the difference between classical chess and Freestyle Chess, and why Jan believes the future belongs to Freestyle. We dive into the FIDE vs Freestyle conflict and why Hikaru Nakamura, one of the biggest names in chess media, is not part of the project. Don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital My podcast with Levon Aronian: https://youtu.be/3EuVAo74L4U My podcast with Fabiano Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo My podcast with Wei Yi: https://youtu.be/TeQ-yS9EWRY My podcast with Anish Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q?si=kJmwzyxph6XJ2Jdp My podcast with Erik Allebest: https://youtu.be/1cCrMcUTDj8 And other LEGENDS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkAzovIvBvGxzaDCVwmo-ZJDtrilrJLjS Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:16 — Freestyle World Championship 03:14 — “It turned out very differently” 04:30 — How Freestyle Chess began 08:58 — What went wrong with Freestyle? 12:53 — What’s next for Freestyle? 17:48 — Why the Freestyle Tour struggled 21:01 — Chess is not interesting? 24:14 — Freestyle more interesting than classical? 26:43 — Freestyle struggles with funding 29:18 — What Freestyle achieved in 2.5 years 31:35 — Can chess be Formula 1? 35:55 — How to make chess watchable 39:52 — Why not rapid instead of Freestyle? 41:04 — Magnus’s choice 41:27 — Freestyle or rapid: same thing? 44:15 — Chess media is just getting started 45:58 — FIDE vs Freestyle 50:50 — World Championship without Hikaru 53:06 — Gukesh took Hikaru’s place 55:41 — World Championship qualification 57:23 — How can chess become profitable? 01:02:54 — ChessCom — the most successful chess company? 01:04:13 — Jan on his own chess level My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #chess #magnuscarlsen #freestylechess #fischerandom #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • February 25 · 44 min

    You WON’T BELIEVE Magnus’s Next Opponent | PODCAST

    Learn the rare Four Knights with a3 on Chessreps: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-4-a3-in-the-four-knights-vbnf1t0 Imagine a future Magnus match nobody expected — one that could grab the entire chess world’s attention and attract new sponsors. Sounds wild, right? My guest, Oleg Skvortsov, is a major chess patron and tournament organizer who’s deeply involved in how modern chess is marketed and funded — and he’s ready to make it happen. We talk about what chess is missing for mainstream appeal, why “drama” matters, and what one change could make the game far more exciting for casual viewers. Oleg also shares his blunt take on freestyle chess, what he plans to discuss with Jan Buettner, and whether he could end up leading the project. We finish with a quick chess game — don’t miss it. Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Listen on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1745521337 All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:05 — A future Magnus match idea 05:39 — Why this opponent? 07:07 — Does he even have a chance? 10:48 — What does Magnus gain? 11:27 — Why not Hans vs Magnus? 12:27 — “This will be like Fischer–Spassky” 14:10 — Is chess not interesting anymore? 15:48 — One change to make chess WAY more exciting 17:28 — Oleg’s FIDE-approved idea 19:27 — What’s wrong with freestyle chess? 22:12 — What will Oleg discuss with Buettner? 24:10 — We need drama 25:02 — Draws kill the excitement 27:58 — Has the level of play dropped? 31:49 — Magnus lost to the Grob Opening?! 34:33 — Calendar clash isn’t the problem 35:52 — Is Freestyle the future? 36:51 — Why Buettner is stepping back 38:43 — Could Oleg replace Buettner? 40:14 — Will Dvorkovich get sanctioned? 40:50 — Many want Freestyle to grow 42:45 — Our game My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #chess #magnuscarlsen #freestylechess #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • February 13 · 27 min

    Wei Yi: CANDIDATES, Ding’s Comeback & Gukesh | PODCAST

    Learn the rare Four Knights with a3 on Chessreps: https://www.chessreps.com/course-creator/mustreader-s-4-a3-in-the-four-knights-vbnf1t0 Today my guest is one of the world’s top GMs and a 2026 Candidates participant — Wei Yi. We talk about his preparation for the 2026 Candidates, the mental struggles he had to overcome, and whom he sees as the main favorites. Wei also shares why Gukesh hasn’t looked as sharp lately, plus his honest take on Ding Liren — is he actually considering stepping away from chess? We finish with an intense blitz game with a surprising result — don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com My previous podcast with Wei: https://youtu.be/080CuetikLE Nepo’s 2026 Candidates Tier List: https://youtu.be/Kk1u6caPMW8 My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo?si=AtUforPE0YYsWbhi My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q?si=kJmwzyxph6XJ2Jdp My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs?si=j_GBgdtZKywBKEfc Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 00:48 — Meet Wei Yi 01:22 — Surprised to be in the Candidates? 02:15 — The plan to reach the Candidates 04:35 — Last year’s mental struggles 05:35 — Why the World Cup "clicked" 07:51 — Wei Yi's Candidates tier list 10:35 — What matters most at the Candidates? 11:49 — When did you start preparing? 12:28 — Candidates prep plan 13:26 — Does fitness matter in prep? 14:06 — Chess training vs gym 14:35 — Is Ding Liren helping? 15:27 — What’s going on with Ding? 17:06 — What happened to Gukesh? 20:06 — Will Gukesh bounce back? 21:43 — Wei Yi’s goals 22:48 — Who beats Gukesh in a title match? 24:48 — Chess as an esport 26:55 — Blitz vs Wei Yi Wei Yi: CANDIDATES, Ding’s Comeback & Gukesh | PODCAST Wei Yi Wei Yi podcast Wei Yi interview Wei Yi Candidates 2026 Candidates 2026 FIDE Candidates 2026 Candidates predictions Candidates favorites Candidates tier list how to win the Candidates Candidates preparation chess preparation chess training chess improvement mental game in chess chess psychology pressure in chess World Cup wei yi Ding Liren Ding Liren comeback Ding Liren retirement what happened to Ding Liren Gukesh Dommaraju Gukesh Gukesh form Gukesh struggles World Championship match who beats Gukesh title match prediction chess as an esport top chess players chess podcast chess with mustreader mustreader chess mustreader greg mustreader cwm My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #weiyi #candidates2026 #chess #candidates #dingliren #gukesh #chesspodcast #chesstraining #chessimprovement #chesspsychology #worldchampionship #blitzchess #chesstalk #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • February 5 · 41 min

    Bots that PLAY LIKE HUMANS — Future of CHESS TRAINING? | John Bartholomew PODCAST

    Check out the King's Gambit and other openings on Chessreps: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/kings-gambit Today my guest is IM John Bartholomew — one of the original chess YouTubers, chess coach, and a former co-founder of Chessable. We talk about what chess YouTube was like back in 2014, the gap between IMs and GMs, and whether Levy aka GothamChess can still make the GM title. We also discuss how online courses changed the way people learn chess, plus John’s new project Chessiverse and what “human-like” training bots could mean for chess improvement. And of course, we nerd out about the Scandinavian Defense (one of John’s signature openings) and then finish with a blitz game. Don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com John's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnBartholomewChess John's X: https://x.com/fins0905 John’s project — Chessiverse: https://chessiverse.com Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 00:50 — John: IM, educator, Chessable co-founder 01:51 — How Chessable started 04:44 — Was Magnus in the meetings? 05:33 — Chessable valuation? 08:33 — Chessiverse: best for beginners? 10:34 — Chessable vs Chessiverse: what’s different? 14:30 — Who is Chessiverse for? 16:39 — What “human-like bots” means 19:30 — The future of Chessiverse 20:30 — Chess.com bots vs Chessiverse 22:30 — Chess YouTube in 2014 25:20 — Competition in chess content 28:59 — Competing with GothamChess? 31:40 — Did John ever chase GM? 33:55 — Can Levy (GothamChess) become GM? 35:27 — How John trains now 36:34 — Splitting time between projects 38:24 — Why the Scandi works 41:12 — Blitz vs John 42:33 — Scandinavian tips for beginners 46:03 — Blitz begins Bots that PLAY LIKE HUMANS — Future of CHESS TRAINING? | John Bartholomew PODCAST John Bartholomew John Bartholomew podcast John Bartholomew interview IM John Bartholomew chess training future of chess training chess improvement improvement in chess how to get better at chess chess coaching online chess courses chess courses Chessable Chessable co founder Chessiverse Chessiverse bots can GothamChess become GM GothamChess GM Levy Rozman Scandinavian Defense Scandinavian defence how to play Scandinavian Defense Scandinavian Defense tips chess podcast chess with mustreader mustreader chess mustreader greg mustreader cwm My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #johnbartholomew #chess #chesstraining #chessimprovement #chesscoaching

  • January 19 · 1 hr 25 min

    "I almost QUIT CHESS" | Anish Giri PODCAST

    Try Chessreps and check out the gambit against the French: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek7 Today my guest is one of the world’s top players and a 2026 Candidates participant — Anish Giri! We cover all the hottest topics: how Anish is preparing for the Candidates, who he thinks are the main favorites, why the Candidates matter so much for Hikaru, Fabi’s road to the world title, and a few spicy thoughts about Magnus. We also talk chess improvement, whether Freestyle could replace classical, and what it takes to win the Candidates. As always, we finish with a blitz game — followed by Anish’s post-game review. Don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My X: https://x.com/mustreader My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Anish's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnishGiriOfficial Anish's X: https://x.com/anishgiri Anish’s project — Chess Monitor: https://www.chessmonitor.com Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:08 — Candidates qualification — surprised? 02:34 — Why 2025 clicked 06:08 — “I almost quit chess” 08:57 — What went wrong in your classical chess? 12:19 — Did the WC dream bring you back? 17:22 — Fabi and online chess 19:42 — The most important tournaments 21:44 — Anish on the WC cycle 24:22 — Are Candidates bigger than the WC match? 25:28 — Are Candidates everything for Hikaru? 27:38 — Who’s most motivated to win Candidates? 29:57 — What score wins the Candidates? 32:05 — Candidates strategy: solid or sharp? 34:50 — Anish reacts to Magnus’s Candidates tier list 39:52 — Anish’s Candidates tier list 45:17 — Who are Anish’s seconds for Candidates? 45:59 — Best way to improve in chess 49:28 — How Anish adjusts his prep 52:04 — Everyone hides prep for Candidates 54:21 — Why Anish skipped Freestyle events 01:00:24 — Could Freestyle eclipse classical? 01:05:16 — Anish’s new project 01:10:44 — A must-have chess app 01:17:41 — How players trained before apps 01:18:41 — Why Anish believes in the project 01:24:51 — Blitz vs Anish 01:30:22 — Game review with Anish "I almost QUIT CHESS" | Anish Giri PODCAST Anish Giri podcast Anish Giri interview Anish Giri Candidates 2026 Candidates 2026 FIDE Candidates 2026 Magnus Carlsen tier list Anish Giri on Hikaru Nakamura Anish Giri on Magnus Carlsen Anish Giri on Fabiano Caruana Anish Giri on Candidates 2026 chess podcast chess with mustreader mustreader chess mustreader greg mustreader cwm My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #chess #anishgiri #candidates2026 #magnuscarlsen #hikarunakamura #fabianocaruana #worldchampionship #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • Dec 29, 2025 · 50 min

    PREDICTIONS for CHESS in 2026 | GM Felix Blohberger | PODCAST

    2025 has been a wild year in chess: huge events, big drama, and an insane level of play. So I sat down with GM Felix Blohberger — Austrian Champion, commentator, and content creator — to recap the year and look ahead to 2026. We talk about the dominance of the young generation, the biggest trends in modern chess, and the key events of 2025 — including the World Cup, the Grand Swiss, and the 2026 Candidates. Felix shares his thoughts on the top Candidates favorites and whether Gukesh will keep his crown. As always, we finish with a blitz game — featuring my favorite King’s Gambit. Happy New Year, and enjoy! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My X: https://x.com/mustreader Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Felix's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@febloh Felix's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felixblohberger/ Felix's X: https://x.com/gmblohberger Links to what's discussed in the podcast: Felix’s course — King’s Indian: A Complete Repertoire for Black: https://shop.chessbase.com/en/products/blohberger_kings_indian_repertoire_vol1_and_2?ref=RF5-TYB55LUOVF Rook endgames series (start here): https://youtu.be/EEESoSw164w?si=zULJ6Ur3_ianQCWi Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:29 — What this episode is about 02:08 — Felix’s breakout results: what changed? 04:41 — What separates a GM from a super-GM? 08:28 — Why the new generation dominates 13:06 — Are endgames more important now? 14:03 — Deep prep or broad repertoire? 18:46 — Top GMs are so flexible in openings 20:32 — How many openings do you need as Black? 21:52 — And as White? 22:25 — Mind games in the opening 23:23 — Will 2026 be a draw-fest? 24:57 — Faster formats reduce draws 27:00 — The Candidates lineup surprises 28:42 — Is the rating system broken? 30:20 — Bluebaum: a surprise? 31:30 — Esipenko: the most underrated? 32:14 — Sindarov: the dark horse? 33:13 — Wei Yi: potential world champ? 34:40 — The "Chinese style" in chess 35:42 — Fabi and Giri? 37:32 — Is Hikaru even trying to peak? 40:54 — Isn’t Pragg the best choice? 43:02 — Alireza, Keymer, Abdusattorov, Arjun 45:50 — Will Gukesh lose the title? 49:44 — Name this segment in the comments! 50:34 — Does Felix even like bullet? 51:14 — Secret accounts for openings? 52:28 — Does online blitz help your chess? 53:58 — Blitz vs Felix Blohberger PREDICTIONS for CHESS in 2026 | GM Felix Blohberger | PODCAST gm felix blohberger felix blohberger podcast felix blohberger interview chess podcast chess 2025 recap candidates tournament 2026 chess with mustreader mustreader chess mustreader greg mustreader cwm My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #felixblohberger #chess #chesspodcast #chessnews #candidates2026 #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • Dec 24, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min

    Boris GELFAND: training with KASPAROV, battling MAGNUS | Podcast

    Today my guest is the chess legend Boris Gelfand — a six-time Candidates participant, winner of the 2009 World Cup, and the 2012 World Championship challenger. We talk about modern chess, the young generation, Magnus Carlsen, and the upcoming 2026 Candidates. Boris also shares how he trains his students and what every chess player must understand about decision-making. Plus stories from his prime years training with Kasparov, and a traditional blitz game at the end! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My referral link to chess.com: https://go.chess.com/mustreader My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:13 — What’s happening with modern chess? 04:04 — Modern chess: playing style 06:52 — Boris’s opening repertoire 07:55 — Dubov on World Cup 2025 10:14 — Boris’s goals in chess nowadays 12:22 — Whom does Boris coach? 13:54 — Boris’s training methodology 17:46 — What every chess player MUST understand 19:30 — Two types of chess thinking 22:11 — Solver vs thinker in chess 24:26 — How long will Magnus stay No. 1? 25:32 — Gukesh, Pragg or Arjun? 27:35 — Boris on Fabi’s talent 29:18 — Can Fabi win the Candidates? 30:31 — Is the Candidates system broken? 35:51 — Boris’s prime years 37:03 — "At 40, I worked at least 8 hours a day.” 39:56 — A story about engines 41:34 — THIS is how to use engines 43:33 — Boris still works on chess all day 46:42 — Don’t be a slave to engines 49:39 — Boris on Kasparov 53:59 — Advice for young players 54:33 — Israel Chess Federation scandal 59:52 — Blitz vs Boris Gelfand Boris GELFAND: training with KASPAROV, battling MAGNUS | Podcast boris gelfand boris gelfand podcast boris gelfand interview garry kasparov kasparov training magnus carlsen magnus carlsen preparation how to get better at chess chess improvement improvement in chess chess training chess coaching chess decision making decision making in chess practical chess chess mindset how to analyze chess games how to train in chess chess for beginners candidates tournament candidates 2026 fabiano caruana caruana candidates gukesh praggnanandhaa arjun erigaisi daniil dubov modern chess chess with mustreader mustreader chess mustreader greg mustreader cwm My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #borisgelfand #garrykasparov #magnuscarlsen #chess #chessimprovement #chesstraining #chesscoaching #chesspodcast #candidates2026 #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • Dec 11, 2025 · 1 hr 39 min

    MAGNUS’S COACH on GUKESH, POLITICS and the FUTURE of CHESS | Peter Heine Nielsen

    Peter’s course on Chess Structures: http://go.chess.com/chessstructures My referral link to chess.com: https://go.chess.com/mustreader Today my guest is Peter Heine Nielsen, the legendary coach who worked behind the scenes for both Vishy Anand and Magnus Carlsen during their World Championship reigns. We talk about what life inside Team Magnus really looks like, how Magnus’s preparation has changed since he left the World Championship cycle, and whether he plans to return to the fight for the World Title. We also dive into many exciting chess topics: what Peter really thinks about Gukesh, the impact of engines on modern chess, and what the future of chess formats (including Chess960/Freestyle) might look like. Toward the end we also talk about politics in chess — bans on Russian players and the criteria for excluding federations from international events. We close the episode with a fascinating blitz game – don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Peter's X: https://x.com/PHChess Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:34 — From Anand to Magnus: all achieved? 04:29 — Have engines replaced chess coaches? 07:08 — Using Vishy’s secrets against him? 12:36 — How big is Team Magnus? 15:54 — Magnus’s training after the World Championship 19:40 — Does Magnus have Chess960 preparation? 23:47 — How Peter trains Magnus 30:39 — Dubov’s ideas for the World Championship 31:53 — Does Peter miss World Championship camps? 35:35 — How strong is Gukesh really? 38:27 — Will anyone dominate like Magnus? 40:20 — How neural networks changed chess 44:21 — Is classical chess basically dead? 51:57 — Will rapid replace classical chess? 55:00 — Do we need a “Total Chess Champion” title? 58:19 — Will Magnus return to the world title? 01:03:44 — Should Russians be banned from international events? 01:06:53 — Russian team at the World Women’s Team Championship 01:13:32 — What criteria should ban a country? 01:19:17 — Should innocent players be punished? 01:30:52 — Blitz game vs Peter Heine Nielsen MAGNUS’S COACH on GUKESH, POLITICS and the FUTURE of CHESS | Peter Heine Nielsen Peter Heine Nielsen peter heine nielsen interview magnus carlsen coach anand’s coach Magnus Carlsen chess podcast chess interview chess with mustreader mustreader chess mustreader greg mustreader cwm My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #peterheinenielsen #magnuscarlsen #vishyanand #gukeshdommaraju #peterheinenielsen #chesscoach #classicalchess #chess960 #chess #chesspodcast #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • Dec 1, 2025 · 1 hr

    He CREATED the CRAZIEST CHESS GAMBIT | Witty Alien PODCAST

    Volen's Alien Gambit course: https://go.chess.com/aliengambit Referral link to chess.com: https://go.chess.com/mustreader Volen’s email for sponsorships: volen1999@gmail.com If you’ve ever wanted to play totally crazy chess and still win, this conversation with Volen "Witty Alien" Dyulgerov is for you. He explains how he created the Alien and Martian Gambits, why they keep scoring against strong opposition even after “refutations”, and what romantic, sacrificial chess can give to amateur players. We also talk about the dark side of content creation: 30-hour streams, migraines, burnout, and the emotional farewell video where he almost quit chess forever. The episode ends with a gambit tier list and a must-watch Alien Gambit blitz game – don’t miss it! Support Greg on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader Greg's DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb Greg's X: https://x.com/mustreader Greg's channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips Greg's chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collab with Greg: mazdrid@gmail.com Volen's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Witty_AlienClips Volen's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/witty_alien Videos mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/08x2sL7RWjw?si=tXDLVOGfYQwSvHGF https://youtu.be/hCEDjGVPRl4?si=N5ZUHJtJmYekBV4h https://youtube.com/shorts/wdlKuGOvtI8?si=F7XdRK_wF048o5KV Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 1:12 — How Alien Gambit was born 5:56 — What is the Martian Gambit? 7:30 — Witty’s Favorite Chess Gambits 9:45 — How to Play the King’s Gambit? 11:42 — Why You SHOULD Play Romantic Chess 16:44 — Volen’s Farewell Video 25:34 — Witty Streamed 30 HOURS – WHAT? 31:03 — Why Witty’s Family Doesn’t Support Him 32:47 — Content Creation Is Not Easy 35:15 — Does Witty Want to Become a GM? 37:16 — New Gambits From Witty? 37:57 — Tier List for Chess Gambits 49:00 — Mustreader vs Witty Alien: blitz! 59:23 — Something special for the viewers He CREATED the CRAZIEST CHESS GAMBIT | Witty Alien PODCAST improvement in chess chess improvement chess training chess gambits aggressive chess openings fun chess openings alien gambit martian gambit romantic chess kings gambit witty alien witty_alien chess streamer twitch chess chess content creator chess burnout chessable alien gambit chess podcast chess with mustreader mustreader chess mustreader greg mustreader cwm My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #witty_alien #chess #chessimprovement #chessopenings #gambit #aliengambit #romanticchess #chessstreamer #chesspodcast #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

  • Nov 14, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min

    If you DO THIS, you WILL BE a GRANDMASTER! Jacob Aagaard | PODCAST

    Today’s guest is GM Jacob Aagaard — one of the most influential chess coaches and authors in the world. He has worked with players such as Boris Gelfand, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, among many others, and even Magnus Carlsen has studied his books. We talk about the real path to the GM title: what you actually need to do, why so many strong players never get there, and how Jacob’s “four types of thinking” model and views on talent fit in. Jacob also shares a practical training framework and breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of Magnus, Hikaru, Nepo and Fabi — and we finish with a blitz game. Don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X: https://x.com/mustreader My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com Jacob's X: https://x.com/GMJacobAagaard Resources and books mentioned in this episode: https://www.newinchess.com https://killerchesstraining.com Grandmaster Preparation: Calculation — https://amzn.to/3XgbG4Z Grandmaster Preparation: Positional Play — https://amzn.to/48f3Oqk Grandmaster Preparation: Strategic Play — https://amzn.to/4oFrDxx Grandmaster Preparation: Endgame Play — https://amzn.to/49l3urc Grandmaster Preparation: Thinking inside the box — https://amzn.to/44chf87 Matter of Endgame Technique — https://amzn.to/4p53FLS Mastering Chess Exchanges — https://amzn.to/4paU4mT Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus 00:00 — Intro 01:34 — Can ANYONE become a GM? 02:55 — Official requirements to become a GM 07:20 — Why most never reach GM 10:17 — 2700 players don’t know BASIC things 21:32 — Four types of chess thinking 28:01 — Hikaru’s strengths & weaknesses 32:33 — Magnus: strengths & weaknesses 35:02 — Why KASPAROV (not Magnus) is the GOAT 44:11 — THIS is Nepo’s biggest strength 45:08 — What makes Fabi special? 48:15 — Dubov, Fabi & real talent 51:02 — Aagaard’s 3-minute training plan 1:00:45 — Blitz against Jacob My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese. Don't forget to subscribe! #jacobaagaard #magnuscarlsen #hikarunakamura #chess #chesspodcast #praggnanandhaa #grandmaster #gmtraining #chesstraining #chessimprovement #grandmasterpreparation #nepomniachtchi #fabianocaruana #kasparov #chesstalent #chesscoach #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #cwm

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