Chess with Mustreader

Try Chessreps and check out my lines here: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek7
Today I’m joined by Jan Henric Buettner — co-founder of Freestyle Chess, one of the boldest projects in the chess world. We talk about why chess, in its current form, may never truly become mainstream, what has to change, and what chess can learn from Formula 1. We also discuss the difference between classical chess and Freestyle Chess, and why Jan believes the future belongs to Freestyle. We dive into the FIDE vs Freestyle conflict and why Hikaru Nakamura, one of the biggest names in chess media, is not part of the project. Don’t miss it!
Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader
My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb
My X: https://x.com/mustreader
My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips
My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub
Collabs: [email protected]
Listen on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN
All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital
My podcast with Levon Aronian: https://youtu.be/3EuVAo74L4U
My podcast with Fabiano Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo
My podcast with Wei Yi: https://youtu.be/TeQ-yS9EWRY
My podcast with Anish Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q?si=kJmwzyxph6XJ2Jdp
My podcast with Erik Allebest: https://youtu.be/1cCrMcUTDj8
And other LEGENDS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkAzovIvBvGxzaDCVwmo-ZJDtrilrJLjS
Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus
00:00 — Intro
01:16 — Freestyle World Championship
03:14 — “It turned out very differently”
04:30 — How Freestyle Chess began
08:58 — What went wrong with Freestyle?
12:53 — What’s next for Freestyle?
17:48 — Why the Freestyle Tour struggled
21:01 — Chess is not interesting?
24:14 — Freestyle more interesting than classical?
26:43 — Freestyle struggles with funding
29:18 — What Freestyle achieved in 2.5 years
31:35 — Can chess be Formula 1?
35:55 — How to make chess watchable
39:52 — Why not rapid instead of Freestyle?
41:04 — Magnus’s choice
41:27 — Freestyle or rapid: same thing?
44:15 — Chess media is just getting started
45:58 — FIDE vs Freestyle
50:50 — World Championship without Hikaru
53:06 — Gukesh took Hikaru’s place
55:41 — World Championship qualification
57:23 — How can chess become profitable?
01:02:54 — ChessCom — the most successful chess company?
01:04:13 — Jan on his own chess level
My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.
On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).
I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.
Don't forget to subscribe!
#chess #magnuscarlsen #freestylechess #fischerandom #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

Learn the rare Four Knights with a3 on Chessreps: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-4-a3-in-the-four-knights-vbnf1t0

Imagine a future Magnus match nobody expected — one that could grab the entire chess world’s attention and attract new sponsors. Sounds wild, right? My guest, Oleg Skvortsov, is a major chess patron and tournament organizer who’s deeply involved in how modern chess is marketed and funded — and he’s ready to make it happen. We talk about what chess is missing for mainstream appeal, why “drama” matters, and what one change could make the game far more exciting for casual viewers. Oleg also shares his blunt take on freestyle chess, what he plans to discuss with Jan Buettner, and whether he could end up leading the project. We finish with a quick chess game — don’t miss it.

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader
My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb
My X: https://x.com/mustreader
My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips
My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub
Collabs: [email protected]

Listen on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN
Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1745521337
All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital

Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus

00:00 — Intro
01:05 — A future Magnus match idea
05:39 — Why this opponent?
07:07 — Does he even have a chance?
10:48 — What does Magnus gain?
11:27 — Why not Hans vs Magnus?
12:27 — “This will be like Fischer–Spassky”
14:10 — Is chess not interesting anymore?
15:48 — One change to make chess WAY more exciting
17:28 — Oleg’s FIDE-approved idea
19:27 — What’s wrong with freestyle chess?
22:12 — What will Oleg discuss with Buettner?
24:10 — We need drama
25:02 — Draws kill the excitement
27:58 — Has the level of play dropped?
31:49 — Magnus lost to the Grob Opening?!
34:33 — Calendar clash isn’t the problem
35:52 — Is Freestyle the future?
36:51 — Why Buettner is stepping back
38:43 — Could Oleg replace Buettner?
40:14 — Will Dvorkovich get sanctioned?
40:50 — Many want Freestyle to grow
42:45 — Our game

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!

#chess #magnuscarlsen #freestylechess #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

Learn the rare Four Knights with a3 on Chessreps: https://www.chessreps.com/course-creator/mustreader-s-4-a3-in-the-four-knights-vbnf1t0

Today my guest is one of the world’s top GMs and a 2026 Candidates participant — Wei Yi. We talk about his preparation for the 2026 Candidates, the mental struggles he had to overcome, and whom he sees as the main favorites. Wei also shares why Gukesh hasn’t looked as sharp lately, plus his honest take on Ding Liren — is he actually considering stepping away from chess? We finish with an intense blitz game with a surprising result — don’t miss it!

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader
My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb
My X: https://x.com/mustreader
My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips
My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub
Collabs: [email protected]

My previous podcast with Wei: https://youtu.be/080CuetikLE
Nepo’s 2026 Candidates Tier List: https://youtu.be/Kk1u6caPMW8
My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo?si=AtUforPE0YYsWbhi
My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q?si=kJmwzyxph6XJ2Jdp
My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs?si=j_GBgdtZKywBKEfc

Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus

00:00 — Intro
00:48 — Meet Wei Yi
01:22 — Surprised to be in the Candidates?
02:15 — The plan to reach the Candidates
04:35 — Last year’s mental struggles
05:35 — Why the World Cup "clicked"
07:51 — Wei Yi's Candidates tier list
10:35 — What matters most at the Candidates?
11:49 — When did you start preparing?
12:28 — Candidates prep plan
13:26 — Does fitness matter in prep?
14:06 — Chess training vs gym
14:35 — Is Ding Liren helping?
15:27 — What’s going on with Ding?
17:06 — What happened to Gukesh?
20:06 — Will Gukesh bounce back?
21:43 — Wei Yi’s goals
22:48 — Who beats Gukesh in a title match?
24:48 — Chess as an esport
26:55 — Blitz vs Wei Yi

Wei Yi: CANDIDATES, Ding’s Comeback & Gukesh | PODCAST
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greg mustreader
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My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts. 

On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play). 

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!

#weiyi #candidates2026 #chess #candidates #dingliren #gukesh #chesspodcast #chesstraining #chessimprovement #chesspsychology #worldchampionship #blitzchess #chesstalk #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

Check out the King's Gambit and other openings on Chessreps: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/kings-gambit

Today my guest is IM John Bartholomew — one of the original chess YouTubers, chess coach, and a former co-founder of Chessable. We talk about what chess YouTube was like back in 2014, the gap between IMs and GMs, and whether Levy aka GothamChess can still make the GM title. We also discuss how online courses changed the way people learn chess, plus John’s new project Chessiverse and what “human-like” training bots could mean for chess improvement. And of course, we nerd out about the Scandinavian Defense (one of John’s signature openings) and then finish with a blitz game. Don’t miss it!

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader

My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/bXZN36xb

My X: https://x.com/mustreader

My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips

My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub

Collabs: [email protected]

John's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnBartholomewChess

John's X: https://x.com/fins0905

John’s project — Chessiverse: https://chessiverse.com

Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus

00:00 — Intro

00:50 — John: IM, educator, Chessable co-founder

01:51 — How Chessable started

04:44 — Was Magnus in the meetings?

05:33 — Chessable valuation?

08:33 — Chessiverse: best for beginners?

10:34 — Chessable vs Chessiverse: what’s different?

14:30 — Who is Chessiverse for?

16:39 — What “human-like bots” means

19:30 — The future of Chessiverse

20:30 — Chess.com bots vs Chessiverse

22:30 — Chess YouTube in 2014

25:20 — Competition in chess content

28:59 — Competing with GothamChess?

31:40 — Did John ever chase GM?

33:55 — Can Levy (GothamChess) become GM?

35:27 — How John trains now

36:34 — Splitting time between projects

38:24 — Why the Scandi works

41:12 — Blitz vs John

42:33 — Scandinavian tips for beginners

46:03 — Blitz begins

Bots that PLAY LIKE HUMANS — Future of CHESS TRAINING? | John Bartholomew PODCAST

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My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!

#johnbartholomew #chess #chesstraining #chessimprovement #chesscoaching

Try Chessreps and check out the gambit against the French: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek7

Today my guest is one of the world’s top players and a 2026 Candidates participant — Anish Giri! We cover all the hottest topics: how Anish is preparing for the Candidates, who he thinks are the main favorites, why the Candidates matter so much for Hikaru, Fabi’s road to the world title, and a few spicy thoughts about Magnus. We also talk chess improvement, whether Freestyle could replace classical, and what it takes to win the Candidates. As always, we finish with a blitz game — followed by Anish’s post-game review. Don’t miss it!

Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader
My X: https://x.com/mustreader
My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub
Collabs: [email protected]
Anish's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnishGiriOfficial
Anish's X: https://x.com/anishgiri
Anish’s project — Chess Monitor: https://www.chessmonitor.com

Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus

00:00 — Intro
01:08 — Candidates qualification — surprised?
02:34 — Why 2025 clicked
06:08 — “I almost quit chess”
08:57 — What went wrong in your classical chess?
12:19 — Did the WC dream bring you back?
17:22 — Fabi and online chess
19:42 — The most important tournaments
21:44 — Anish on the WC cycle
24:22 — Are Candidates bigger than the WC match?
25:28 — Are Candidates everything for Hikaru?
27:38 — Who’s most motivated to win Candidates?
29:57 — What score wins the Candidates?
32:05 — Candidates strategy: solid or sharp?
34:50 — Anish reacts to Magnus’s Candidates tier list
39:52 — Anish’s Candidates tier list
45:17 — Who are Anish’s seconds for Candidates?
45:59 — Best way to improve in chess
49:28 — How Anish adjusts his prep
52:04 — Everyone hides prep for Candidates
54:21 — Why Anish skipped Freestyle events
01:00:24 — Could Freestyle eclipse classical?
01:05:16 — Anish’s new project
01:10:44 — A must-have chess app
01:17:41 — How players trained before apps
01:18:41 — Why Anish believes in the project
01:24:51 — Blitz vs Anish
01:30:22 — Game review with Anish

"I almost QUIT CHESS" | Anish Giri PODCAST
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Anish Giri interview
Anish Giri Candidates 2026
Candidates 2026
FIDE Candidates 2026
Magnus Carlsen tier list
Anish Giri on Hikaru Nakamura
Anish Giri on Magnus Carlsen
Anish Giri on Fabiano Caruana
Anish Giri on Candidates 2026
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chess with mustreader
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greg mustreader
cwm

My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.

On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).

I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.

Don't forget to subscribe!

#chess #anishgiri #candidates2026 #magnuscarlsen #hikarunakamura #fabianocaruana #worldchampionship #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm