Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

Chart trend

Position in the Games chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#100#199JunJulAugSep

#24

all-time peak

days in the top 3 since Nov 2024

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

EP 201 | Summer Update + FIDE Elections

The ChessDojo sensei reconnect after a busy summer to recap recent tournament runs, European travels, behind-the-scenes FIDE election politics, and updates across the Doj

Aug 24
1 h 14 min

EP 200 | 2026 FIDE Election w/ Peter Heine Nielsen

For our milestone 200th episode of Dojo Talks, we are joined by Grandmaster and long-time second to Magnus Carlsen, Peter Heine Nielsen! The sensei and Peter discuss the

Jul 10
1 h 20 min

EP 199 | Jacob Aagaard Talks Books And The Future Of Chess Training

GM Jacob Aagaard joins Dojo Talks for a deep conversation on chess books, AI, coaching, and the future of chess improvement. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch

Jul 1
1 h 13 min

EP 198 | Is The Queen Worth 10?

The sensei discuss is the queen really worth 9 points, or should it be valued closer to 10? Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdo

Jun 24
53 min

EP 197 | Slumps

Jesse, David, and Kostya discuss slumps. How they happen, why they happen, and how to get out of one. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch

Jun 17
40 min

EP 196 | Chess and AI

In this episode of Dojo Talks, the sensei revisits how rapid advancements in AI are shaping everyday life and changing the way chess players train, coach, and spar. Join

Jun 12
52 min

EP 195 | Who Will Be Top 10 in 2027?

The Dojo Sensei review last year’s predictions, debates which rising stars and veterans will make the cut, and reveals their picks for the chess world’s Top 10 players in

Jun 3
1 h 13 min

EP 194 | Should I Play Up?

Should you play up in chess tournaments? The sensi discuss tournament rating sections, strategy, and best methods for improvement. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.clu

May 29
48 min

EP 193 | The Opening Revolution

Jesse, David, and Kostya discuss the opening revolution caused by powerful cloud engines and modern analysis and it's impacts on the state of current chess at all levels.

May 20
57 min

EP 192 | The Next Generation

The sensei discuss the rise of young players Yagiz Erdogmus and Faustino Oro and the next generation of players and training. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Wat

May 15
1 h 02 min

EP 191 | The New ChessDojo Rating Converter

GM Kraai is joined by Dojoer Vlad Ghita to discuss the new ChessDojo Rating Converter. They break down the differences between Chess.com, Lichess, USCF, and FIDE ratings.

Apr 29
1 h 03 min

EP 190 | Who Won The War? Magnus, Hans, & Chess.com

Jesse, David, and Kostya discuss the recent Netflix documentary on the story behind Magnus, Hans, and Chess.com. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - http

Apr 19
1 h 15 min

EP 189 | Is Sindarov The Real Deal? 2026 FIDE Candidates Recap

The Dojo (GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess, IM Kostya Kavutskiy) recap the 2026 FIDE Candidates, including the historic run the young Javokhir Sindarov. They look back at

Apr 19
1 h 02 min

EP 188 | Will Sindarov Win the 2026 FIDE Candidates?

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo At the halfway mark of the 2026 Candidates, o

Apr 6
45 min

EP 187 | Blitz Quests w/ NM Jeremy Kane

In this Dojo Talks episode, we explore blitz chess with NM Jeremy Kane—what it takes to improve, how time management and openings matter, and whether blitz actually helps

Mar 31
45 min

EP 186 | 2026 Candidates Predictions

The 2026 Candidates Tournament is right around the corner, and this field might be one of the most competitive we’ve ever seen. In this episode of Dojo Talks, we break do

Mar 22
1 h 16 min

EP 185 | Do Kids Ruin Your Chess?

In this episode of Dojo Talks, we explore how having children impacts chess performance, from real examples of world champions to personal experiences as chess dads. With

Mar 19
52 min

EP 184 | Chessboxing and the Dreams of James Canty

FM James Canty III joins Dojo Talks to talk about becoming the World Chessboxing Champion, how he got into boxing, and what it was like competing with Team USA in Serbia.

Mar 16
57 min

EP 183 | Should Draw Offers Be Banned?

A lively Dojo Talks debate on whether draw offers should be banned in chess. The episode covers the history of draw offers, the role of tournament culture and incentives,

Mar 13
54 min

EP 182 | Being a Chess Professional ft. GM Felix Blohberger

GM Felix Blohberger discusses the realities of being a modern chess professional, including balancing playing, coaching, content creation, and course development while pu

Mar 4
59 min

Chart positions

Where Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 2, 2026).

#150 ▼ 34 Games US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I joined the Dojo and quickly took to listening to the podcast version of their talks. The chemistry between Kostya, Jesse, and David is so good. Educational, enjoyable, and essential listening for chess fans both casual and serious. I look forward to every episode!

jcgoody · Feb 2022

I really enjoy the Dojo Talks:A Chess Podcast. As an older adult improver, I especially enjoy Sensei Jesse Kraai’s take on chess. But I found it in bad taste when he referenced Iowa tournament players as “chumps.”

Dr.PopPop · Sep 2025

Most of the time, I’m annoyed with the hosts because they seem to constantly and purposefully misunderstand each other’s points and talk in circles, which frustrates me as a listener. Feels like they’re arguing to win a point rather than trying to understand the other person’s position and perhaps come to a mutual understanding. And Jesse’s and David’s insistence that only OTB classical chess is real chess definitely has a “get off my lawn” vibe. But if you can get through that, there are some great nuggets.

Down in P-town · Dec 2023

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.