Chess Improvement Deep Dive with GM Raven Sturt: Board Visualization, The Bird Opening & Book Recs

[@GunnHillfiger]

I remember being a kid and seeing Raven walking around the Marshall with a bent up copy of My System.. GM was well deserved

[@gmraven]

Thanks for having me! It was fun speaking with you 😅

[@paddaman2003]

Is that KZbin video you mentioned on the podcast, of your book reviews out yet?

[@Sitbear]

Lifelong Bird player, and I often get an advantage because people at my level (~1300 USCF) play 1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6?! like total dinguses. Something about that opening just shakes some screws loose. I will be checking out his channel for Bird content!

[@Kubooxooki]

Lots of honesty and insight in this conversation. Very enjoyable and instructive ❤

[@christinemurray1444]

I have a much easier time with blindfold when I have an empty board to picture the pieces in. I wonder if there's any routine to improve that more effective than just keeping the grind with calculation.

[@Opferschach]

Do chapter 7 everybody. The game against Morales is actually also shown in the introduction and even in the free preview. Still, do chapter 7.

[@perpetualchesspodcast9143]

I promise I watched the intro! (and a few of the chapters) But I guess I didn't catch which game was which. :)

[@timwoods3173]

Thank you

[@lordjosephleetownley7742]

Italy has overated players LMAO! Now I know why the Botez sisters are playing there in May/June hahhahaaha

[@christinemurray1444]

In Europe you can find tournaments full of veterans who are taking it easier and declining more easily than in countries with a younger contingent like India, Armenia, China and to some extent even the USA. But people who are very active in Italy are fairly rated just like in Germany or Spain where there are *a lot* of rated tournaments.

[@olliert4840]

People play in tournaments all over europe all the time though

[@Yornek1]

2250- amateur level 😳

[@pifflesticks]

This was a particularly interesting conversation! Thanks Ben and Raven. I appreciated the shoutout, Ben! :D

[@perpetualchesspodcast9143]

Thanks Ben, hope the chess grind is going well!

[@kwhd559]

A real pity Sturt couldn't present the Bird course himself.