EP 319- Dr. Howard Burton- An Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker and Author on the Growth Opportunity for Chess, the Genius of Morphy, Fixing FIDE, and Whether Chess Skills Transfer to Other Domains

Dr. Howard Burton is a documentary filmmaker and author. Howard holds a PhD in theoretical physics and an MA in Philosophy. He is also the founder of the award-winning multimedia initiative Ideas Roadshow. Their latest documentary, Through the Mirror of Chess: A Cultural Exploration, is a 4 part documentary that shows the cultural impact and history of chess from its origins to modern times. It is very informative and well produced, and features many familiar faces including GM Hou Yifan, IM Daniel Rensch, GM David Smerdon and Award Winning Chess Teacher Elizabeth Spiegel. In conjunction with the documentaries, Dr. Burton has written a book of opinion essays about the role of chess in culture, called Chessays: Travels Through the World of Chess. It is enjoyable and provocative and discusses all that is right as well as what could be fixed within the chess world. Our conversation touches on both Howard’s book and his documentaries, and as his work does, helps to contextualize the role of chess in the world. Topics include the shortcomings of FIDE, Howard’s admiration for Paul Morphy, whether chess skills are transferable beyond chess, and Howard’s own history with chess Timestamps of topics discussed can be found below.

0:00- What framed Howard’s approach to separating his book of essays and documentaries?

07:00- As somewhat of an outsider to chess, how would Howard change the chess world if he could?

13:00- What should the role of a chess governing body be? 

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28:00- What does Howard admire about Paul Morphy? Why does Howard think that Morphy isn’t placed on the same level as Fischer? 

Mentioned: Paul Morphy: Pride and Sorrow of Chess 

36:00- How do the misogynistic statements of Fischer and Kasparov affect chess culture? 

Mentjioned: GM Alejandro Ramirez under Investigation for Misconduct 

44:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out their latest courses here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

45:00- How did Howard interview people from all over the world for Through the Mirror of Chess? 

Mentioned: Seven Games: A Human History, Episode 263 with Oliver Roeder

52:00- Does Howard play much chess? 

 Howard’s One Move at a Time Interview 

55:00- What frustrates Howard about suggestions related to the transferable skills of chess? 

Mentioned: Brooklyn Castle featuring Elizabeth Spiegel 

1:02:00- What role can chess play in social empowerment?

Mentioned: Tunde Onakoya, Russell Makofsky of The Gift of Chess, GM Pontuss Carlsson 

Thanks to Howard for joining the show! Here are the links to keep up with him: 

Chess.com Blog (including more thoughts on Fixing FIDE) 

Info on watching the documentary here:

Through the Mirror of Chess: A Cultural Exploration

And Get the Book Here:

 Chessays: Travels Through the World of Chess

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