EP 385- GM Eugene Perelshteyn: Recent Online Cheating Drama, Tips for Facing Dodgy Gambits & the Future of Professional Chess

This week I got the chance to catch up with author, trainer and Chessable author, GM Eugene Perelshteyn. We begin by discussing a recent online cheating controversy. An anonymous account was banned from Chess.com after beating GM Daniel Naroditsky in an online bullet match using only the “Meadow Hay” Gambit. Is this gambit so bad that it makes cheating likely? This controversy served as a springboard to discuss both online cheating and dodgy gambits. Eugene has recently released a course “Every Gambit Refuted” so he also shared general advice on how to react when you face an unknown gambit. These days, gambits can be particularly dangerous, as creators like IM Eric Rosen and GothamChess teach their audiences tricky openings. Finally, Eugene and I discuss some issues from the world of professional chess, including a lack of affordable opportunities to compete for the non-elite, the FIDE Candidates (which Eugene attended) and “the great eval bar debate.” Eugene is always insightful and it was great to catch up with him! 

ERROR CORRECTION- In the podcast, I said that the online match that led to the Viih_Sou account getting banned was a bullet match, but it was 3 0 time control. My apologies for the mistake- Ben

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0:01- Eugene Perelshteyn joins me! We begin by discussing recent cheating controversies. This includes a recent controversy involving an account being banned after winning a bullet match against GM Daniel Naroditsky. GM Brandon Jacobson was playing the Meadow Hay Gambit. Is this gambit any good? 

More info on Chess Reddit: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1claxsm/its_me_viih_sou/

https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/1ctu6qc/question_what_happened_in_full_with_brandon/

Mentioned: Jospem on Chess.com, Episode 368 with Erik Allebest 

18:00- How have creators like IM Eric Rosen changed the paradigm when it comes to gambits?

Mentioned: Fight Like Magnus, Lifetime Repertoires: Hyper Accelerated Dragon 

22:00- Patreon mailbag question: What is Eugene’s advice for how to approach playing against gambits you don’t know? 

Mentioned: Eugene’s Chess.com Lesson plan on Gambits is here:

https://www.chess.com/lessons/every-gambit-refuted

32:00- What is different about how a player like Pragganandhaa uses surprise openings compared to club players?

37:00- Eugene shares his own perspective on attending the FIDE Candidates in Toronto. 

42:00- Does Eugene think evaluation bars should be used during chess broadcasts?

48:00- Has Eugene been pleased with the reception of his collaboration with FM Nate Solon Evaluate like a Grandmaster? 

51:00- What else is Eugene working on?

Mentioned: Chess Openings for Black explained,GM Lev Alburt, GM Roman Dzindzichashvilli 

55:00- What does Eugene think of recent discussion about a lack of financial opportunities for “middle-class” Grandmasters? 

Mentioned: GM Jorden van Forreest tweet here:

https://x.com/jordenvforeest/status/1790333612874666440

 1:08:00- Thanks to Eugene for joining me! 

Check out his Chessable courses here:

https://www.chessable.com/author/EugenePerel/

Contact him via Twitter

https://x.com/EugenePerel?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Or Chess.com

https://www.chess.com/member/eugeneperelshteyn

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