Maverick Chess Podcasts

I take one final look at Vladimir Kramnik’s two official statements following the tragic death of Daniel Naroditsky. I analyze his key claims, legal threats, and the ethical questions surrounding his actions, while examining FIDE’s response and their repeated failures in managing public crises within chess. I also draw parallels between Kramnik’s current controversy and Hans Niemann’s case, revealing how both highlight systemic issues in FIDE’s governance. This will be my final video on Kramnik until the results of FIDE’s official investigation are released.

In this podcast, I break down the newly announced Total Chess World Championship Tour, officially approved by FIDE and organized by Norway Chess. We’ll explain the format (fast classical + rapid + blitz), the timeframe (pilot in 2026, full season 2027), the prize structure, how qualification will work, and what this means for the existing world championship ecosystem. Importantly — we also analyze how this could influence Magnus Carlsen’s possible return to world title contention under a format he might prefer. If you’re serious about chess’s future, this tour is your must-watch.

After months away from over-the-board competition since the 2025 South African Open Chess Championships, I’m officially returning to competitive chess. This video marks the next step on the road to chess glory as I prepare for the UJ Chess Trials on October 11 and the UJ Open 2025 (B Section) on October 18. I break down the format, time controls, prizes, and what these tournaments mean for my return to form. Follow along as I share insights, expectations, and the excitement of getting back into the competitive chess arena.

Hikaru Nakamura’s dramatic celebration at Checkmate: USA vs India — where he tossed Gukesh’s king into the crowd — has ignited one of the most polarizing debates in modern chess. In this video, we explore the full controversy surrounding Hikaru’s actions, from the passionate defense by commentators like Nemo to sharp criticism from figures like Kevin Goh Wei Ming. Was it enthusiasm in a high-energy exhibition, or did it cross the line of sportsmanship? We break down the reactions from the chess community, including insights from John Bartholomew, Neetu Khandelwal, and others, to understand what this moment means for the fu...

The highly anticipated Checkmate: USA vs India 2025 chess showdown brings the game back to the stadium stage in Arlington, Texas. Featuring superstar matchups like Hikaru Nakamura vs Gukesh Dommaraju and Fabiano Caruana vs Arjun Erigaisi, along with Carissa Yip, Divya Deshmukh, Levy Rozman, Sagar Shah, Tani Adewumi, and Ethan Vaz, this unique event combines world-class chess with the drama of live sports. With fast time controls, no resignations allowed, and a fan-friendly festival atmosphere, Checkmate: USA vs India promises to redefine how chess is experienced around the world.

Episode 11 takes a deep look at FIDE’s newly announced “anti-farming rule,” effective October 2025, which directly targets players rated 2650 and above. By removing the 400-point cap when calculating rating differences, the regulation makes it far riskier for elite grandmasters—such as Hikaru Nakamura—to face much lower-rated opponents. We break down exactly what the rule means, how it impacts tournament strategy, and its implications for rating integrity, inflation, and fairness at the very highest level of chess.

In Episode 10, we dive into one of the hottest debates in chess right now—Hikaru Nakamura’s controversial pursuit of a Candidates spot for the 2026 FIDE World Chess Championship. Rather than depending solely on traditional elite events like the Grand Swiss or World Cup, Hikaru has been accused of strategically facing much lower-rated opponents to secure rating points. We break down the arguments from both sides: is this smart strategy within the rules, or an abuse of the system? We also explore the impact on casual players unexpectedly paired with the world number two, the fairness of the current qual...

In this debut episode of the Maverick Chess Podcast, we review the dramatic conclusion of the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. GM Anish Giri claimed clear first in the Open with a brilliant final-round win, while GM Matthias Bluebaum secured the second Candidates spot on tiebreaks. In the Women’s section, GM Vaishali Rameshbabu repeated her 2023 success, edging out GM Kateryna Lagno to take the title and book her place in the 2026 Women’s Candidates.

We break down:

🔝 How Giri outplayed Niemann to clinch victory

🏆 Bluebaum’s tiebreak heroics against Firouzja & Keymer

👑 Vaish...

We’re at the halfway point of the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, and the tournament is heating up! After six rounds, we take a deep dive into the leaders in both the Open and Women’s sections, evaluating their chances of securing qualification to the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔝 The current frontrunners and their performance so far

📊 Who has the best shot at making the Candidates from here

🆚 Rising stars outside the world’s top 20 vs. the established elite

🏆 Predictions for the second half of the event and possible winne...

The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 and FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2025 are just around the corner, running from September 3–16 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. These tournaments are part of the World Championship cycle, with top spots in the Candidates on the line.

In this episode, we break down:

📋 The format: 11-round Swiss, classical time control

💰 The prize funds ($230,000 for the Women’s) and distribution

🏆 Who qualifies and what’s at stake — 2 Candidates spots from the Women’s event, with elite names like Tan Zhongyi, Kateryna Lagno, Anna & Mariya Muzychuk, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and more

🌍 The location: the...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most heated debates in modern chess: is Gukesh Dommaraju a “true” world champion? After Garry Kasparov’s controversial comments questioning the weight of Gukesh’s crown, the chess world has been divided. We look at the history of the world championship title, Kasparov’s criticism, Gukesh’s impressive 2025 results, and the bigger question of what it really means to be champion in today’s chess era. From comparisons with Fischer, Karpov, and Carlsen to the pressures of being 19 and carrying India’s hopes, this is a discussion you won’t want to miss.

The Esports World Cup 2026 is back, bigger than ever, with a year-round qualification cycle that changes the landscape of chess esports. In this episode of the Maverick Chess Podcast, we break down everything you need to know: the expansion of the Champions Chess Tour, new qualification routes through Titled Tuesday, the Speed Chess Championship, and the Global Championship, plus what it means to have Magnus Carlsen defending his crown. With huge prize funds, live finals, and nonstop action, this season promises to be the most exciting in chess history.

In Episode 4, I take a critical look at the FIDE Candidates qualification system in both the Open and Women’s cycles. From the FIDE Circuit—where rapid and blitz events can count towards qualification and closed, invite-only tournaments can heavily influence results—to the Grand Swiss and World Cup pathways, I explore how different formats shape the field of challengers. I also examine the successes of the system, highlighting the players who have already secured their spots, while questioning whether the current approach always produces the best possible challengers.

For the first time ever, chess is part of the Esports World Cup — and it’s a massive milestone for the game. In this debut episode of the Maverick Chess Podcast, we break down everything you need to know about the EWC Chess 2025 event: from the $1.55 million prize fund and intense format (LCQ, Group Stage, Playoffs) to the star-studded player list featuring Carlsen, Nakamura, Firouzja, and more. Whether you're a chess fan, an esports follower, or both — this is one event you can’t ignore.

In this episode of the Maverick Chess Podcast, I take you inside my preparation for the South African Open 2025 B-Section. I break down the tournament format, share my personal goals, and highlight potential rivals to watch out for. If you're playing in the event or just love South African chess, this preview gives you an honest look at what’s coming and how I’m getting ready—both on and off the board.

Chess is more than just moves on a board—your mindset can make or break your game. In this first episode of the Maverick Chess Podcast, we explore the mental side of chess: how to stay focused, handle pressure, and bounce back from mistakes. Whether you're stuck in a losing streak or trying to level up, these tips will help you stay calm, think clearly, and avoid tilt at the board.