Perpetual Chess Linkfest #166, May 15, 2026

Hello!

I really enjoyed putting together this week’s compilation, as I am often catching up on several days of chess writing when I dig in. This week touches on chess and AI, chess improvement, a kid being good at chess, Hans Niemann, and books. In other words… the usual! Have at it…

Chess Improvement

Brilliant post by IM Junta Ideka about what he calls “the upstream problem” Money quote below 👇

GM Serper is back with another great post about prophylaxis, including a great Ivanchuk story. (Chess.com)

GM Eugene Perelshteyn shares some hard-won advice about dealing with losses. (Grandmaster Secrets)

Even GM Magnus Carlsen sometimes loses the plot in a game. GM Alex Colovic walks you through an uncharacteristic mistake vs. MVL in a blitz game. (GM Alex Colovic’s Blog)

A recurring topic in conversations on The Perpetual Chess Podcast is the race to create an AI coach that explains engine analysis like a human GM would. FM Dalton Perrine and his partner Varun take you under the hood of their product Chessalyz, which is improving with each update. (Chess Chatter)

Chess News

“Paris-based GM Alireza Firouzja is often absent from what many consider ‘can’t-miss’ international tournaments. French captain GM Laurent Fressinet recently spoke out about his absence from French national teams.” (NM Anthony Levin for Chess.com)

GM-elect Faustino Oro got his final GM norm, becoming the 2nd youngest Grandmaster ever! (FM Dennis Monokroussos for The Chess Mind)

GM Hans Niemann had an impressive, $50,000 result at the GCT Warsaw. Leonard Barden convincingly argues that while his professed goal of world #1 is far-fetched, he now has a realistic shot at becoming the top-ranked American player. (The Guardian)

Books

One topic deserving of more attention is the Niemann-Carlsen saga. Never fear, a new book has arrived! Jokes aside, this interview with famed Bringing Down the House author Ben Mezrich is genuinely insightful. “"I really like Hans. Hanging out with him is fun. The guy is nuts. He's fun, confident and crazy." (Tarjei Svensen for Chess.com)

Ben Graff interviewed Jen Shahade about Thinking Sideways, and writes “Thinking Sideways is truly destined to be one of the best chess books of 2026!” (English Chess Federation)

Misc.

Alekhine-Euwe is one of the most fascinating World Championship matches, because a) upsets are pretty rare

b) how drunk was Alekhine anyway?

c) the actual chess.

Sam Kahn digs deeper. “The question then presents itself if Euwe was, in fact, a better player than Alekhine, and, based on the play in the match, there’s a surprisingly strong case that he was. In prescient remarks before the match, Capablanca said, “Dr. Alekhine's game is 20% bluff. Dr. Euwe's game is clear and straighforward. Dr. Euwe's game is not as strong as Alekhine's in some respects but is more evenly balanced." (Chess.com Blog)

Improve Your Chess and Support this Newsletter!

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

https://www.chessdojo.club/signup

Chess.com-

Tons of unlocked features and videos, use the following link for a free one-week trail, or you can also use it when renewing your already existing premium membership:

http://go.chess.com/Perpetual

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)

That’s all for now, catch you all next time- Ben