EP 421- GM Jan Gustafsson and FM Donny Ariel discussion: Can a mid-40s working dad make Grandmaster without doing any work?

This week’s podcast is a discussion among friends. FM Donny Ariel is an NYC based former scholastic champion who has attained 3 IM Norms. These days he is a working dad, who has recently decided to pursue not only the IM title, but the Grandmaster title as well. (Donny is chronicling this journey on his YouTube channel, The Road to Chess Grandmaster). GM Jan Gustafsson, as many of you know, is a renowned commentator, Chessable author, trainer, and frequent guest on Perpetual Chess. Jan and I are skeptical that Donny can attain the grandmaster title given his other obligations, but Donny is adamant that we overstate the difficulty of chess improvement. In discussing Donny’s quest, we tackle such questions as:

Is a coach necessary in the digital age?

How important are openings at Donny’s level?

How much improvement can one attain through changing your psychological approach rather than training?

What is Donny’s “wall of haters”?

What trait do those who have earned the GM title have in common, according to Jan?

If not earning the GM title, what might Donny’s true goal be?

This was an entertaining conversation in which Jan actually gave more earnest chess improvement advice than he has in prior episodes. Timestamps of topics discussed are below.

Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! Be sure to check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ And 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

0:00- Subscribe to my chess newsletter! https://benjohnson.substack.com/

Subscribe to FM Donny Ariel’s YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess

0:02- What is Donny’s “Why?” Why is he pursuing the GM title?

15:00- Does Jan think that Donny needs a coach?

17:00- What is the “Wall of Haters?”

22:00- Patreon mailbag question- “How is Donny approaching studying?”

25:00- Jan’s opening advice to Donny Mentioned: Reimagining 1. E4 https://www.newinchess.com/reimagining-1-e4

42:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Does Donny wish that he started chess later in life?”

50:00- What would my advice be for Donny? What would Jan’s advice be? Mentioned: Ep 415 with GM-elect Mark Heimann

1:00- Thanks to Donny and Jan for joining! Jan will probably ignore any messages you try to send him on social media, but you should buy his excellent Chessable courses. Below is how you can reach Donny:

Chessable Jan Gustafsson

Donny X/Twitter- https://x.com/RealDonnyAriel Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/donny.ariel YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@DonnyArielChess

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