The Chess Pit
Latest Episodes
S5 Ep5: Zwischenzugs & Rock & Roll
Phil is joined by WIM Natasha Regan and Matt Ball, co-authors of 'Zwischenzug!', a new course on Chessable. Find out how much looking at the little in-between bits has been inspired by other games, and how much it's inspired them in their own chess.
S5 Ep4: There Was An Audible Hush - World Championship round-up
Phil is joined by England performance coach, snooker fan, and token Frenchman Benji Portheault to round off our series on the 2023 World Chess Championship.
S5 Ep3: The Cannonball and the Cannibal - Games 10-11 Recap
Phil and Robin offer a brief summary of the latest two games of Ding Liren vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, and then go into detail of the context this World Championship can be placed in, and what it means for chess going forward.
S5 Ep2: From A Game Theory Perspective - Games 5-9 Recap
This time Phil and Robin are joined by Dan Gallagher to dissect the middle tranche of games in the 2023 World Chess Championship. How exciting has it been, gang!
S5 Ep1: The Empty Chair World Championship - Games 1-4 Recap
Phil and Robin are back to give you their thoughts on Games 1-4 of the 2023 World Chess Championship between Ian Nepomiachtchi and Ding Liren. Come back next week for Games 5-9!
S4 Ep4: What About Jan-Quiztof Duda?
Our late-night recordings are often tired and always somewhat beligerent. This one is no different! We pay tribute to Mike Basman, espouse the delights of Chess 960, and argue whether dragons exist.
S4 Ep3: Where Does West London End?
The guys are back with more of the usual. The usual, in this case, being everything BC (Before Cheating). So expect a smattering of chess alongside a helping of romance, nostalgia, geography and etiquette.
S4 Ep2: He Needs To Log Off
Phil and Robin add to the dodgy chess journalism going round at the moment by giving an update to The Drama/The Beef/THAT. We promise we'll talk about something else soon but for now, here you go.
S4 Ep1: He Lived in a Suitcase
Jon and Phil are joined by new semi-regular panellist Rhys Cumming to discuss the Carlsen-Niemann furore, what it says about the modern game, and why chess seemingly always seems to eat itself.
S3 Ep27: On The Floor in Dublin
Well, then. Magnus Carlsen has confirmed that he won't be retaining his World Championship crown in 2023. Phil and Robin round up the Candidates in the knowledge that the top two now qualify for a title match, and ask what Magnus's abdication means for ch