Perpetual Chess Linkfest #160, March 27, 2026

Hey all, the Candidates is just days away and I have about 50 more Candidates preview blog/videos to share with you, along with the usual array of chess improvement think-pieces and news stories.

Minor programming note- my kids are on spring break next week, so I am going to take next week off from the newsletter. (Perpetual Chess Podcast episodes will continue though, hopefully with a few bonus pods covering the Candidates.)

I’ll be back in your inboxes in two weeks.

Leonard Barden writes about the ongoing Reykjavik Open, and shares a fun story about a simul he almost organized between peak Bobby Fischer and a team of future British young stars. “The juniors to face Fischer would have been the five trained by the national coach, Bob Wade, who all became grandmasters: Tony Miles, Michael Stean, John Nunn, Jonathan Speelman and Jonathan Mestel, plus David Goodman.” (The Guardian)

Is this year’s Candidates more important to Nakamura’s legacy than to any other player’s? FM Andy Lee says “yes.” (Lit & Chess)

GM Eugene Perelshteyn also weighs in with his thoughts on the year’s biggest chess tournament. “Sindarov’s trajectory to the top reminds me of Mikhail Tal. He is playing non-stop, and he is improving non-stop!” (Grandmaster Secrets)

Reuters provided a brief preview of the Candidates touching on Fabi’s attempt to take the crown and the dicey geopolitical backdrop. (Julien Pretot for Reuters)

JJ Lang alsogives a detailed Candidates preview, with a particularly insightful overview of the Women’s Candidates (Chess Life Online)

Chris Wainscott has been grinding away at OTB play and game review, and shares a few lessons he has learned along the way. (Road to Chess Master)

Kevin Scull is trying to adapt a mindset where he works to falsify his favored candidates moves rather than confirm their greatness. (Chess Journeys)

The Chess Dojo guys also previewed the Candidates, I was surprised to see Kostya and Jesse relatively bearish on Nakamura, but I get the reasons. (Chessdojo YouTube)

IM John Bartholomew and NM Matt Jansen also chatted about the Candidates and other topics. (Chessgoals and John Bartholomew YouTube)

This newsletter is committed to remaining free but does use affiliate links. One way to help support it (and your chess!) is to sign up for special offers using the following links:

Chessdojo- Great chess community for dedicated improvers, use- the code “Ben” at checkout for a for a 10% discount on your membership.

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GM Noel Studer-

GM Studer has published two popular courses- one with the goal of getting you to 1200, and the second designing a study

Check out Noël’s updated course on studying chess the right way here (https://courses.nextlevelchess.blog/courses/simplified-chess-improvement-system?ref=bc4be0)