EP 389-Solveig Friberg (The Rookie Redhead)- A Recent Adult Beginner on Getting to 1500 from Scratch and Finding Community and Audience

The Adult Improver Series of Perpetual Chess returns, as I am joined by Solveig Friberg, who streams on Twitch as “The Rookie Redhead.” Solveig is a relatively new chess player who discovered the game via a Norwegian national TV broadcast of one of Magnus Carlsen’s World Championship matches. A few years later, she has attained a rating of 1570 FIDE, built a large online audience, published her first Chessable course (Breaking 1000) as a Twitch streamer, and has even had the opportunity to interview players like Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana. We begin our conversation by discussing the unique popularity of chess in Norway- it is very popular as a spectator sport, but that has not translated into a thriving competitive chess scene. Why might that be? We also discuss Solveig’s own chess journey. Solveig shares a lot of study recommendations and core beliefs based on her experience as a chess player and her professional background as an educator. Solveig is a particularly firm believer in the importance of finding a community, and did not see her chess take off until she found online “chess people.” Solveig is an inspiration for anyone who is coming to chess as a working adult with a busy life.

Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com- in addition to Solveig’s course, be sure to check out GM Sam Shankland’s latest, and if you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use the link below. https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

2:00- Solveig got into chess by watching coverage of the Magnus-Nepo match on national TV in Norway. What is the coverage like in Norway? What is the OTB scene like there? Mentioned: Solveig on Chess Journeys, Episode 91: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2rwxKkso2M2IPITLOEt4hc?si=86bec8cf1aa34f5d Solveig on Sjakksnakk https://open.spotify.com/episode/1c0FBix4q4OSvPdz6nbGSf?si=63cf7ec45f5f441d

9:00- How did Solveig find a chess community? To find the “chess people” on X, make an account, send a message and conclude it with the #chesspunks https://x.com/hashtag/chesspunks?src=hashtag_click To apply or suggest someone to be a guest on the Adult Improver Series, use this google form: https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/adult

17:00- How did Solveig’s professional background impact her approach to chess improvement?

22:30- What was Solveig’s approach to studying chess?

27:00- We discuss chess pub nights and the Good Knight Chess Pub in Oslo, Norway

29:00- What would Solveig have done differently to improve at chess if she could start over?

32:00- Patreon mailbag question- what are some common mistakes that beginners make, and how can they avoid them?

36:00- Solveig’s resource recommendations Mentioned: Hanging Pawns YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@HangingPawns Build Up Your Chess Series https://www.chessable.com/the-fundamentals-1-build-up-your-chess/course/19145/ Chess Tactics from Scratch https://www.chessable.com/chess-tactics-from-scratch-understanding-chess-tactics/course/27821/ Also available as a book- https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Tactics-Scratch-Understanding/dp/1907982027

37:00- What was it like for Solveig to interview Hikaru Nakamura about gender issues in chess? Mentioned: Watch the interview here: https://x.com/RookieRedhead/status/1801228262170882212

46:30- What is theme of Solveig’s Chessable course, Breaking 1000?

52:00- What are Solveig’s streaming goals? Does she ever stream in Norwegian?

1:00:00- Thanks to Solveig for joining me, here is how to keep up with her:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rookie_redhead/?hl=en X: https://x.com/RookieRedhead And her Chessable Course: https://www.chessable.com/breaking-1000/course/237622/

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