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, a
Try ChessReps and start learning chess openings from the best: https://chessreps.com/mustreader Today I'm joined by GM RB Ramesh, one of India's leading chess coaches and the longtime coach of Pragg, Vaishali, Aravindh, and many other GMs. Can any dedicated young player go from 1700 to 2700? Ramesh believes it's possible — but what are you willing to sacrifice to get there? He explains what it takes to reach the top, why training 6-8 hours a day is only part of the commitment, and the habits and values he helps his students develop. We discuss his approach to coaching, how to become a more…
Follow the 100–0 Project: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBulletGrandpa Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thebulletgrandpa Daniil Dubov, one of the strongest speed chess players in the world and a former World Rapid Champion, is about to play 100 games of 1+0 bullet against amateur Josh Smith, aka BulletGrandpa. The match is part of the 100-0 Project and takes place on November 7 at 12:00 p.m. Arizona time. If Dubov wins all 100 games, he gets $20,000, but if Josh scores even half a point, that drops to $10,000. In this interview, Daniil explains why he accepted the challenge, how he rates…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 —…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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:…
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,…
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: [email protected] 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…
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…
My referral link to ChessCom: https://go.chess.com/mustreader Nepo's course on the King’s Gambit: http://go.chess.com/nepokingsgambit Anish Giri’s course on the French Defence: http://go.chess.com/girisfrenchdefense Sam Shankland’s Chess Calculation WorkBook: http://go.chess.com/shanklandsworkbook Today’s guest is the legendary Levon Aronian — at 42, still one of the world’s strongest players. We discuss his recent Freestyle Chess success and strong run at the Esports World Cup. We dig into his vision for chess, why some top GMs are stepping away from Freestyle Chess, and what rules he’d…
What makes a world-class chess player? Few people can answer that better than GM Vladimir Chuchelov. The coach behind some of the top players talks about working with Fabiano Caruana and Anish Giri, shares insights on coaching and chess improvement, and the conversation turns to the once-heated debate over Caruana’s “natural talent”, including Daniil Dubov’s comments. Vladimir closes by offering a new way to look at the game—one that could change how you study. Don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X:…
My referral link to ChessCom: https://go.chess.com/mustreader Nepo's course on the King’s Gambit: http://go.chess.com/nepokingsgambit Anish Giri’s course on the French Defence: http://go.chess.com/girisfrenchdefense Sam Shankland’s Chess Calculation WorkBook: http://go.chess.com/shanklandsworkbook This is one of the most heartbreaking conversations I've ever recorded. GM David Navara — one of Czech Republic's greatest players — opens up about the darkest year of his life. After being included in Kramnik's controversial statistics, David faced accusations from Kramnik's fans, fell into…
Today's guest is a legend of Kazakh chess — GM Darmen Sadvakasov! Former World U20 Champion who defeated Anatoly Karpov in 2004 and beat the world's strongest grandmasters, he was forced to abandon his professional chess career at his peak. Why did he make this painful decision? How did he return to transform Kazakhstan into a chess superpower and was behind the massive support system for young talents? Watch this fascinating conversation! Following our tradition, we finish with an exciting blitz game — don't miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server:…
Try out for free James' course on Jobava London: https://go.chess.com/mustreader20 In this episode, James Canty III reveals why hitting the gym is the ultimate Elo booster and how he sustained a 2000-day uninterrupted chess streak. Learn his secrets for juggling chess, boxing, workouts, investments, and content creation, along with his plan to earn the GM title. We also duscuss his passion for rap & freestyle, his unreleased tracks and his potential chessboxing participation, and finish with an epic blitz game — don’t miss it! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD…
How to beat the engine? Larry Kaufman, one of the minds behind top chess engines, explains Leela’s odds bot and why grandmasters can’t beat the engine. Learn strategies to outplay the engine and find out if Magnus & Hikaru can stand up to Leela. Larry also shares the thrilling story of his rise to become the top-ranked non-Japanese shogi player and Kasparov’s chess games against the best shogi player. Plus: stay tuned for an exciting blitz game against Larry at the end! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X:…
In this interview, GM Vladimir Fedoseev discusses his recent victory at Superbet Rapid & Blitz and the significant sacrifices he made to compete at this level. We explore Magnus Carlsen's comments about Fedoseev's unique style, his Candidates qualification goals, and insights on the Chess960 / Freestyle Chess format where top players are already developing repertoires. Plus, the hot topic of cheating in OTB tournaments! Don't miss our fascinating blitz game at the end! Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb My X:…
Today my guest is GM Felix Blohberger, the chess champion of Austria. We discussed the dark side of professional chess: making a living with a 2500 rating, the two key areas you must analyze after tournaments, and a psychological trick that instantly boosts confidence. Felix reveals if you need a sports psychologist and how his workout routine enhances chess performance. Plus: blitz 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:…
About Chess with 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, a
Chess with Mustreader is a English sport podcast from Greg Mustreader. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
