EP 394- GM Jacob Aagaard- The Story Behind the Big Chess Publishing Merger, plus his Latest Thoughts on Rating Deflation, the World Championship Cycle, Chess Improvement, & more

As the co-founder of Quality Chess Books and Killer Chess Training.com, GM Jacob Aagaard is always a busy man. This year, the award-winning author and trainer has been even busier. It was recently announced that his company, Quality Chess Books is acquiring two of the biggest chess publishers (New in Chess Books and Everyman Chess) from Chess.com. Jacob joined me to tell me the story behind these acquisitions, as well as the decision of his co-founder, GM John Shaw to retire. Jacob is always insightful and opinionated about professional chess, so we also got the opportunity to hear his takes on Ding-Gukesh, rating deflation, and IM Levy Rozman’s quest for the GM title, among other topics. As always, Jacob was very generous with his time, and you can find timestamps of topics discussed below. 

Jacob’s prior appearances on Perpetual Chess: 

Episode 111

Episode 166 (with GM R.B. Ramesh)

Episode 296

Bonus pod on the Carlsen-Niemann scandal

Thanks to our sponsors Chessable.com. Be sure to check out new courses by GM Raven Sturt (with Simon Williams) and CM Can Kabadayi. 

If you sign up for Chessable Pro, please use this link:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

0:03- What events led to Quality Chess Books acquiring New in Chess Books and Everyman Chess? 

Mentioned: GM John Shaw, IM Dmitry Schneider, GM Matthew Sadler, Silicon Road YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq06gd_5HTiG8IIu5-enWyA

Also Mentioned: Remmelt Otten

28:00- Patreon mailbag question: “Does Jacob think chess book sales will grow over the next 10 years?” 

32:00- Patreon mailbag question: ”Will Everyman continue its “Starting Out” series?” 

36:00-Jacob discusses the future of “New in Chess” magazine

Mentioned: FM Nate Solon

44:00  Patreon mailbag question: Should beginner to intermediate players focus on challenging puzzles or basic pattern recognition? 

Mentioned: 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know, 100 Tactical Patterns You Must Know  Workbook

54:00- Jacob discusses the story of his friend and colleague GM Renier Castellanos attaining GM in his 40’s.

Mentioned: Perpetual Chess Episode 379 with GM Renier Castellanos 

58:00- Does Jacob think Gotham Chess can make GM? 

1:02:00- The raging feud between GM Jan Gustafsson and Jacob Aagaard continues!

Mentioned: Prior comments here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4EI6rH7Mt4

1:03:00- What does Jacob think of rating deflation?

1:11:00- Jacob’s thoughts on the World Championship match

1:20:00- Does Jacob think someone from the younger generation could become a dominant World Champion?

1:24:00- GM Sam Shankland update

1:26:00- Books we are excited for:

Tiger’s Chaos Theory, The Woodpecker Method 2 

1:30:00- Thanks to Jacob, as always! You can find him at Killer Chess Training:

https://killerchesstraining.com/

Or follow him on X here:

https://x.com/GMJacobAagaard

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