EP 448- NM Max Farberov on Beating Plateaus, Springing Opening Surprises, and Why Speed Chess Matters cover art

EP 448- NM Max Farberov on Beating Plateaus, Springing Opening Surprises, and Why Speed Chess Matters

EP 448- NM Max Farberov on Beating Plateaus, Springing Opening Surprises, and Why Speed Chess Matters

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NM Max Farberov is a 27-year-old chess instructor, Chessable author, and online speed-chess specialist with a Chess.com blitz rating north of 2600. He joined me after a busy chess summer that included his first European open and one of his best OTB results to date: winning clear first in the Under-2300 section of the Washington International. As Max explains, this breakthrough came only after months of frustration and plateau, making the success all the sweeter. In our conversation, Max and I discussed: Why he stays motivated to pursue tournament chess at an age when many slow down How he built an opening repertoire around the offbeat 1…d6 What he gains from following lesser-known professional tournaments Why speed chess is underrated as a tool for improvement Max’s passion for chess is infectious, and our conversation is full of helpful chess improvement advice. Timestamps are below. Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ Check out special offers for free trials and/or discounts from our partner websites including Chessmood, ChessDojo, and Chess.com via the link below: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners 0:02- What led to Max’s recent result, where he attained the best result of his life? 10:00- What keeps Max going when many players in their 20s stop playing tournaments? 12:00- The College Chess League 13:00- Congrats to IM-elect Tatev Abrahamyan 14:00- Was Max tempted to quit after earning the NM title? 20:00- What was it like for Max to play in his first international tournament? Mentioned: More on the Vila de Sitges here: https://open.penyaescacscp.com/ 22:00- The dangers of overpreparing for an opponent 24:00- Max’s approach to openings 26:00- GMs and top engines don’t like openings like the Philidor and the Pirc due to the concession of space. Has this been an issue for Max in his games? 28:00- Does Max consider himself a speed chess specialist? How can one get better at speed chess? 33:00- How to combat the London 35:00- Back to speed chess advice- Max’s advice for clock management 38:00 Opening prep war stories 40:00- The benefits of following and playing through the games from professional (non-elite) circuit tournaments. 43:00- Max’s friendship with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez Mentioned: EP 409 with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/11/19/ep-409-gm-fidel-corrales-jimenez-a-tireless-tournament-circuit-grinder-on-overcoming-setbacks-managing-energy-the-risks-of-otb-cheating-amp-his-love-for-the-scotch-openingnbsp 46:00- How Max became a chess teacher, advice for getting into chess teaching 49:00- Max’s next chess goals 50:00- Is Max a regimented chess studier? 52:00- Max’s chess improvement hot takes and book recs Mentioned: Practical Chess Exercises Evaluate like a Grandmaster Attack with Mikhail Tal 56:00- Thanks to Max for joining me! Here is how to reach him: X: https://x.com/chessgainz?lang=en Chess.com: https://www.chess.com/member/chess_gainz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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