EP 268- GM Joel Benjamin and Harold Scott on How to Win the World Open

This week on Perpetual Chess I am joined by co-authors of a great new book, Winning the World Open, by GM Joel Benjamin and Harold Scott. Joel Benjamin is a 6 time World Open Champion, 3 time US Champion, 2020 US Senior Champion, an Author, a Trainer and a Dad. He has been amongst the top 50 players in the world and battled with many chess legends over the years, as we discussed in our prior interview in 2018. His co-author is FIDE certified trainer, tournament director and USCF expert, Harold Scott. Their book is part historical retrospective, part chess instruction and has lots of fun stories and tons of instructive high stakes games. We discuss the history of the largest open tournament in America and tell some amusing stories involving cheating, alcohol, and, of course, chess. Please read on for more details and timestamps.

0:00- Ukraine related links: 

Photo of GM Alexandr Sulypa here 

US Chess/Kasparov Chess Support for Ukrainian Chess Players Initiative here 

Here are many other ways to support Ukrainians directly, via GothamChess’ Twitter: 

https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/

03:00- Brenda Goichberg who was CCA founder Bill Goichberg’s wife, and a key contributor to the World Open, among many other things, passed away recently. Harold shares a few details about her personality. 

07:30- How did this book come into being? 

09:30- The World Open was founded in 1973. What were the early days of the World Open like? 

Mentioned: GM Bent Larsen 

14:00- GM Joel Benjamin has won the World Open more times than anyone else? What are his most memorable moments? Who were the most impressive competitors? 

Mentioned: GM Alex Yermolinksy, GM Alex Shabalov, GM Alex Goldin 

24:30- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Aimchess collects and analyzes your games and gives you actionable tips based on the data it gathers. Check the site out, and if you choose to subscribe, please use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%. 

25:30- What are the most memorable cheating scandals at the World Open?

Mentioned: GM Alexander Shabalov, GM Nukhim Rashkovsky, GM Igor Glek, “John von Neumann vs. Daniel Shapiro  

39:00- Any memorable stories involving alcohol at the World Open?

Mentioned: GM David Norwood 

42:00- Any tips for playing under pressure and/or in large stakes games? 

Mentioned: GM Ilya Nyznhik 

47:00- GM Eduard Gufeld was notoriously irascible. What memorable stories can Joel and Harold share about his behavior?

Mentioned: Gufeld’s “Mona Lisa” vs. Bagirov 1973, FM Sunil Weerumantry, Weerumantry-Gufeld 1996, Benjamin-Gufeld 1998, GM John Fedorowicz 

55:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. You can check out their latest offerings here: 

New Chess Courses Online - For All Levels- Chessable.com

55:30- Patreon Mailbag Question: “Will Joel sell his stockpile of Chess Chow magazine?”

58:00- Patreon Mailbag Question: “Does Joel have any tips for converting advantages?”

Mentioned: Better Thinking, Better Chess, GM Ilya Smirin 

1:01:00- Do the authors have some general tournament advice to share? 

1:06:00- Patreon Mailbag Question: “Any chance the authors would write a book about the famed US Amateur Team tournaments?” 

Mentioned: Facebook Chess Book Collectors Group 

1:11:00- SIGNED BOOK CONTEST INSTRUCTIONS-

1. Write a review or simply give 5 stars on Spotify to Perpetual Chess 
2. Take a screenshot 
3. Email the screenshot to Ben at perpetualchesspod.com with the subject line “Contest”
4. That’s it! Winners will be announced via email on March 15, 2022. 

1:12:00 Thanks to Joel and Harold for joining the show! Here is where to get their books:

Amazon

1. Ebook via New in Chess App 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices