TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsitePhil is joined by WIM Natasha Regan and Matt Ball, co-authors of 'Zwischenzug!', a new course on Chessable. Find out how much looking at the little in-between bits has been inspired by other games, and

There Was An Audible Hush - World Championship round-up

May 4th, 2023 45m 5s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsitePhil is joined by England performance coach, snooker fan, and token Frenchman Benji Portheault to round off our series on the 2023 World Chess Championship. Please also see below for details of Benji's

The Cannonball and the Cannibal - Games 10-11 Recap

Apr 25th, 2023 33m 45s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsitePhil and Robin offer a brief summary of the latest two games of Ding Liren vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, and then go into detail of the context this World Championship can be placed in, and what it means for c

From A Game Theory Perspective - Games 5-9 Recap

Apr 23rd, 2023 34m 22s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteThis time Phil and Robin are joined by Dan Gallagher to dissect the middle tranche of games in the 2023 World Chess Championship. How exciting has it been, gang!Dan's twitter is @BishopPair.

The Empty Chair World Championship - Games 1-4 Recap

Apr 14th, 2023 39m 48s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsitePhil and Robin are back to give you their thoughts on Games 1-4 of the 2023 World Chess Championship between Ian Nepomiachtchi and Ding Liren. Come back next week for Games 5-9!

What About Jan-Quiztof Duda?

Nov 2nd, 2022 35m 45s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteOur late-night recordings are often tired and always somewhat beligerent. This one is no different! We pay tribute to Mike Basman, espouse the delights of Chess 960, and argue whether dragons exist.

Where Does West London End?

Oct 10th, 2022 37m 26s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteThe guys are back with more of the usual. The usual, in this case, being everything BC (Before Cheating). So expect a smattering of chess alongside a helping of romance, nostalgia, geography and etiquet

He Needs To Log Off

Sep 23rd, 2022 31m 52s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsitePhil and Robin add to the dodgy chess journalism going round at the moment by giving an update to The Drama/The Beef/THAT. We promise we'll talk about something else soon but for now, here you go.

He Lived in a Suitcase

Sep 8th, 2022 46m 11s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteFor the brand new Season 4, Jon and Phil are joined by new semi-regular panellist Rhys Cumming to discuss the Carlsen-Niemann furore, what it says about the modern game, and why chess seemingly always s

On The Floor in Dublin

Jul 21st, 2022 34m 47s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteWell, then. Magnus Carlsen has confirmed that he won't be retaining his World Championship crown in 2023. Phil and Robin round up the Candidates in the knowledge that the top two now qualify for a title

He's Just Been So Lucky - Candidates Rounds 7-9 Recap

Jun 29th, 2022 27m 13s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteJon and Robin are joined by Dan Gallagher to review Rounds 7-9 of the Candidates in Madrid, where everything appears to be falling into place for Ian Nepomniachtchi to repeat. You can find Dan's twitt

Smell Blood in the Water - Candidates Rounds 4-6 Recap

Jun 24th, 2022 30m 39s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsitePhil and Robin are fresh from Round 1 of the Pimlico Open as the world takes a breather from the Candidates. Hear what all three guys think of Rounds 4-6 as we approach the halfway stage. Can Nepo do it

Dings Can Only Get Better - Candidates Rounds 1-3 Recap

Jun 19th, 2022 20m 6s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteHear what Jon, Phil & Robin made of the first three days of the Candidates in Madrid, with particular focus on Hikaru Nakamura who's certainly helping worldwide popcorn sales.

A Milkybar in your Pocket - Candidates Preview Special

Jun 16th, 2022 52m 47s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteOur candidates preview special is live! We give in-depth assessments of each player's chances, as well as wondering whether the extreme heat in Madrid will have an effect.

The Oldest Person I Know

Jun 2nd, 2022 45m 46s

This week, Jon and Robin spend a lot of time talking about age, Jon moving back to London and Robin's ongoing travails at the board.TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsite

Fit In With Your Lifestyle - Choosing a Chess Club special

May 26th, 2022 36m 12s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteThis week Robin and Phil quite simply want you to join a (good) chess club! Hear about their own experiences and follow their advice of what to look out for, and what to avoid.

Managing to Perform Human Parthenogenesis

May 19th, 2022 37m 6s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteThis week the guys discuss how they could tutor a child in the ways of chess righteousness, while also offering adults tips on their first serious tournament games. A full lifespan in one episode! Also

Maybe People Are Burning Out

May 12th, 2022 37m 29s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteThis week the guys plumb new depths of dorkery while wondering whether the chess boom is diminishing. Silly questions are back, and the Rookbusters clues might be somewhat familiar...Here's the articl

Good Luck Finding Some Raptors

May 5th, 2022 50m 28s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteThis week Robin is a reasonably-established adult, while Phil and Jon are both nervous about football. We discuss the Candidates qualification process, being accused of being elitist, and the demographi

Injecting It Into His Veins

Apr 28th, 2022 41m 3s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsite0:00 Intro3:40 Phil has a quiz5:01 Online chess as a gateway drug14:11 Robin played a tournament22:15 Mandatory women's/girls' boards in national league teams34:37 Phil has quiz answersThis week

A Pirate Eating a Lemon

Apr 21st, 2022 54m 6s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsite0:00 Intro7:37 Phil has a quiz8:30 Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding15:44 Player pronunciations19:52 Russian Exodus32:56 Robin has a tournament51:22 Phil has quiz answersThe guys are back together for th

Actors and not Professional Footballers

Apr 13th, 2022 57m 6s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteJon and Phil are joined by chess analytics human and resident Frenchman Benji Portheault to discuss chess on film, snooker, and whether Phil's French Rookbusters are better than Robin's English ones.3

Repression is a Weird One - with special guests JJ Lang & Julia Rios

Apr 7th, 2022 1h 1m

This week Phil is still yanking around the US of A, so Robin and Jon welcome a couple of very special guests: JJ and Julia of the chessfeels podcast. We kick off with some nonsense about names before talking about the psychology of chess. Jul

Men Clutching Their Plastic Bags - with special guest Jim Stevenson

Mar 31st, 2022 46m 48s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteThis week Phil is yanking around the US of A, Jon is hibernating during football's international break, but Robin is here in his cave to hold the fort. He's joined by his good pal Jim Stevenson to tal

You're Tuned Into Beefcake FM

Mar 24th, 2022 41m 19s

TwitterFacebookTwitchYouTubeWebsiteThis week Phil has been to the seaside, Robin has been in a moving van, and Jon has simply stayed at home. Hear the guys discuss the latest FIDE sanctions against Sergey Karjakin, the latest from the Gr