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Perpetual Chess Podcast

Perpetual Chess Podcast

By: Ben Johnson
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 Perpetual Chess features weekly conversations with the chess world's best players, trainers and accomplished amateurs about their careers, current projects, best practices and the latest in chess news. Learn more at PerpetualChessPod.com2023 Perpetual Chess LLC
Episodes
  • EP 438- Tony Ballard: Chess, Freedom, and Lessons Learned After 26 Years in Prison

    EP 438- Tony Ballard: Chess, Freedom, and Lessons Learned After 26 Years in Prison
    Jun 10 2025
    In this memorable episode of Perpetual Chess, we welcome back Tony Ballard, who spent 26 years incarcerated and credits chess with helping him change the course of his life. When we last spoke in Episode 289 (2022), Tony was still in a minimum-security facility. Now fully free, he’s making the most of his second chance. He’s working full-time at the Paul Mitchell barber school, has founded a nonprofit—Masters and Mentors—to teach chess to at-risk youth, and has released a powerful memoir, Time Alone: From Isolation to Transformation. The book doesn’t shy away from the trauma and darkness of his past, but ultimately it’s an inspiring story of growth and resilience. In our conversation, we discussed: – How chess fits into his daily routine – His chess improvement philosophy – The best things about life after prison – Tony’s advice for anyone who feels stuck or overwhelmed Chatting with Tony is always uplifting—and this conversation is no exception. 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/ 02:00- Has Tony been playing any chess since getting out of prison? Mentioned: Episode 390 with Russell Makofsky of The Gift of Chess https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/7/9/ep-390-russ-makofsky-how-chess-can-change-lives-from-nyc-to-africanbsp Watch Tony’s interview with Devaughn Croxton of US Chess here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c6OH3NvF6M 06:00- What is Tony’s online chess routine? Mentioned: Chess Psychology: The Will to Win 15:00- What is Tony’s chess improvement philosophy? 20:00- We discuss chess notation and Tony’s approach to game analysis 22:00- What are Tony’s favorite non-chess books? The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Man’s Search for Meaning The 48 Laws of Power 29:00- How is chess perceived in prison? What is the chess scene like there? Mentioned: Agadmator 34:00- Patreon mailbag question: How can prisoners be encouraged to invest time and effort into activities like chess? 39:00- What is the mission of Tony’s new non-profit, Masters and Mentors? https://mastersandmentors.org/ You can support Masters and Mentors here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-masters-and-mentors-youth-enrichment-strategies 45:00- How did Perpetual Chess help Tony win over his girlfriend? 46:00- How did Tony get interested in golf? 50:00- What is the best part of being free? 53:00- Is Tony ever tempted to return the lifestyle from his younger lifestyle? 58:00 Tony’s closing advice for those who feel like they are struggling 1:00- THanks to Tony for sharing his inspiring story! Here is how to keep up with him Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/tony.ballard.900918 Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/tonyballard1977/ Masters and Mentors- https://mastersandmentors.org/ His Book- https://www.amazon.com/Time-Alone-Transformation-Tony-Ballard/dp/B0F252YM48 His LiChess: https://lichess.org/@/TonyBallard77 And Chess.com https://www.chess.com/member/tony_1b If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/notifications Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • EP 437- Coach Jay Stallings and NM Adam Weissbarth talk Chess Teaching, Chess in the Movies and The Challenges and Rewards of Running a Chess Business

    EP 437- Coach Jay Stallings and NM Adam Weissbarth talk Chess Teaching, Chess in the Movies and The Challenges and Rewards of Running a Chess Business
    Jun 3 2025
    This two-part episode of Perpetual Chess features two of the most impactful figures in American chess education: Coach Jay Stallings and Adam Weissbarth. First up, Coach Jay shares insights from his decades of experience teaching over 30,000 students,and also discusses his recent work consulting on the chess scenes in the new Hollywood blockbuster The Accountant 2. Additionally, Jay reviews some of the teaching tools he currently relies on—including a fun new one that he recently created himself. Following Jay is Adam Weissbarth, founder of Silver Knights Chess Academy, one of the largest after-school chess programs in the country. Adam recounts the immense challenges his company faced during the pandemic, when it lost all of its revenue sources overnight. He explains how he rebuilt the organization and expanded into elite coaching with grandmasters. Together, these conversations offer a fascinating look at the state of chess instruction—from classrooms to Zoom screens to movie scenes. Timestamps of guests and topics are below. Check out the special offers mentioned at the beginning of the show below: Chessdojo- https://www.chessdojo.club/signup Chessmood- Free one Week Trial- Chessmood.com/Ben Chess.com-Free Premum One Week Trial- http://go.chess.com/Perpetual 0:02:00- Coach Jay joins the show! We begin by discussing chess and movies, Jay recently consulted on the chess scenes for The Accountant 2. Mentioned: Check out my recommended books here: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/book-recommendations Order Coach Jay’s Books for Kids here: https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/collections/coach-jay-starter-packs Coach Jay’s prior interviews: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2017/9/12/episode-39-coach-jay-stallings https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2018/5/14/episode-72-coach-jay-stallings-returns Also mentioned: Searching for Bobby Fischer 14:30- Why did Jay wind down his chess non-profit after the pandemic? 16:00- Jay’s report on Supernationals, the giant scholastic tournament where he coached? 25:00- Jay discusses his new chess educational kit for kids, “Triple Check” Get it here: https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/collections/triple-check-the-chess-puzzle-game-that-needs-no-wifi 37:00- Jay shares a few new teaching tools he has been using. Mentioned: Lichess studies, Chess.com Arena tournaments 40:00- Thanks to Coach Jay for joining, you can reach him via his website: https://store.coachjayschessacademy.com/ 44:00- NM Adam Weissbarth joins the podcast! What was the biggest challenge his organization has faced? Adam’s prior Perpetual Chess Interview: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2018/4/9/silver-knights-chess-founder-adam-weissbarth 58:00- What has Adam learned from working with GM coaches like GM Johan Hellsten and GM Lazaro Bruzon? Mentioned: Mastering Chess Strategy 1:02::00- Why has Silver Knights expanded its offering to stronger scholastic players? 1:06:00- Did Adam meet people from the US Chess Federation at the Nationals? 1:10:00- What resources does Silver Knights use for intermediate students? 1:14:00- Adam’s advice for growing a chess teaching business Thanks to Adam for joining, you can reach the Silver Knights academy via the following page: https://chessacademy.com/pages/contact-us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • EP 436- Adult Improver Torkil Jara Bårdsgjerde on How Workplace Trash Talk Sparked a Lifelong Passion for Chess

    EP 436- Adult Improver Torkil Jara Bårdsgjerde on How Workplace Trash Talk Sparked a Lifelong Passion for Chess
    May 27 2025
    EP 436- Adult Improver Torkil Jara Bårdsgjerde on How Workplace Trash Talk Sparked a Lifelong Passion for Chess In this inspiring and relatable installment of the Adult Improver Series, we meet Torkil Jara Bårdsgjerde, a 39-year-old father of two, from Norway who discovered competitive chess after a bit of playful banter with a workplace rival. That exchange sparked a fascination with the game—and when the pandemic hit shortly after, Torkil suddenly had the time to dive in. Five years later, he's a regular tournament competitor and recently completed an impressive FIDE rating jump from 1400 to 1800 in just one year. In our conversation, Torkil shares his favorite resources and offers thoughtful advice on how to make the most of limited chess time. He also reflects on how chess has influenced his off-the-board habits—from health and mindfulness to goal-setting—and why he hopes his chess journey is still just beginning. Spotify Adult Improver Playlist You can volunteer or suggest an adult improver guest here: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adult Links to special offers and new courses: Chessdojo use- the code “Ben40” at checkout. https://www.chessdojo.club/signup Chessmood Free one Week Trial- Chessmood.com/Ben Check out FM Nate Solon’s new Chessable course here: 0:00- Torkil’s unique chess origin story 12:00- What resources helped Torkil early in his pursuit of chess improvement? Mentioned: Hanging Pawns, Gotham Chess, Daniel Naroditsky, Anna Cramling, Anna-Maja Kazarian, Chessable Starter Pack 27:00- When did Torkil transition to tournament chess? What were the biggest adjustments? 40:00- What led to Torkil’s big rating jump? 49:00- Patreon mailbag question- “Where might the limit be for Torkil’s potential improvement?” Mentioned: Silman’s Complete Endgame Course, Sherevsky’s Endgame Strategy 59:00- More recommendations from Torkil ADD IMAGES Mentioned: The Seven Deadly Chess Sins, Move First Think Later, Chess Principles Reloaded, The Art of Attack in Chess 1:02:00- Torkil’s final reflections and advice 1:05:00- Thanks to Torkil for sharing his story! Here is his new, non-secret Lichess account where you can message him: https://lichess.org/@/TorkilJaraBard If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 23 mins
All stars
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If you like chess, then this is the best podcast.
The adult improver series is perfect for people like me, who started playing in their 40s, while all the other discussions with GMs, etc. are interesting.

Great host and great guests

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