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 Vidit Gujrathi — one of India’s strongest grandmasters, a Chess Olympiad winner, and a Candidates Tournament participant. We haven’t seen Vidit at many major classical events lately, so we talked about where he’s been, why he decided to step back, and what his future in chess might look like. We also discussed Sindarov and the new generation, why Gukesh is struggling, and the upcoming 2026 Olympiad. And as always, we finished with a blitz game. Don’t miss it!
Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader
My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP
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: mazdrid@gmail.com
Vidit's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@viditchess
Vidit's X: https://x.com/viditchess
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 Nepo: https://youtu.be/sW-i4CPCa_w
My podcast with Daniil Dubov: https://youtu.be/rimjT4Pj3jY
My podcast with Arjun Erigaisi: https://youtu.be/3Nvfuk70v6g
My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs
My podcast with Anish Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q
Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus
00:00 — Intro
00:57 — All world champions in 60 seconds
03:02 — Chess openings in 60 seconds
04:35 — Why Vidit took a break
07:42 — Two years all-in on chess
12:01 — The cost of going all-in
14:31 — How much did Vidit train?
15:22 — Building a team
17:55 — The shower test
19:06 — 1,830 days of meditation
21:26 — Vidit’s chess training routine
23:02 — Vidit’s favorite chess legends
24:24 — Sindarov, Gukesh, and the new generation
27:36 — Why is Gukesh struggling?
30:46 — Vidit has no chess goal?
33:20 — Vidit at the UzChess Cup
36:33 — Vidit working with Anish?
37:09 — Vidit as a future coach?
38:33 — Vidit builds chess apps
44:47 — Will Vidit build a startup?
45:53 — Who wins the 2026 Olympiad?
47:55 — Blitz vs Vidit
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!
#viditgujrathi #gukeshdommaraju #indianchess #chessolympiad #javokhirsindarov #chesspodcast #chessinterview #mustreaderchess

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 a young super-GM Awonder Liang. We talked about his matches against Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann, the 2026 Candidates, and the discontinued Webster chess program. Awonder also shared his thoughts on chess mindset, playing under stress, what it takes to become great, and his own training routine and goals. And of course, we finished with a blitz game you don’t want to miss!
Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader
My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP
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: mazdrid@gmail.com
Awonder's X: https://x.com/awonder676
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 Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q
My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo
My podcast with Peter Svidler: https://youtu.be/qVpKE0mTVsI
My podcast with Erigaisi: https://youtu.be/3Nvfuk70v6g
Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus
00:00 — Intro
01:11 — Match vs Hans Niemann
03:25 — Playing under stress
07:31 — The Chessreps discussion
11:12 — Awonder’s chess mindset
14:50 — Recent troubles in Awonder’s play
17:07 — Did beating Hikaru matter?
20:53 — Confidence in chess
24:42 — Sacrificing everything for chess?
29:01 — How much does Awonder train?
29:52 — What does Awonder train?
33:06 — Do chess books matter?
35:42 — Pattern recognition
38:49 — Plan to become World Champion
41:34 — Awonder’s chess goals
42:56 — Webster chess program discontinued
45:46 — Chess support in the U.S.
50:08 — Candidates 2026
53:06 — Blitz vs Awonder
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!
#awonderliang #hikarunakamura #hansniemann #uschess #candidates2026 #chesspodcast #chessinterview #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #cwm

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 chess legend GM Peter Svidler — World Cup winner, former World No. 4, elite commentator, second, and one of the most fascinating voices in chess. We discuss his career path, the dreams he never fully achieved, and why GYM matters more than most players realize. We also talk about whether Kasparov could still compete with the very best today, and what happens to chess once Magnus is gone. And of course, we finish with a blitz game you don’t want to miss!
Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader
My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP
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: mazdrid@gmail.com
Peter's X: https://x.com/polborta
Peter's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/plbrta
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 Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs
My podcast with Grischuk: https://youtu.be/EfwA420_1bo
My podcast with Boris Gelfand: https://youtu.be/fj5BmOc6Rrk?si=aEkzLvPMmkbdSLZl
My podcast with Jan Gustafsson: https://youtu.be/7gV7nxBaoQs
My podcast with Erigaisi: https://youtu.be/3Nvfuk70v6g
My podcast with Kramnik that got me blocked by him: https://youtu.be/YKzes4eteb4?si=5nUg3RNqeHXnqANK
My podcast with Nodirbek: https://youtu.be/IIQ3eguWJdY
My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs
Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus
00:00 — Intro
00:56 — Who is Peter Svidler today?
05:00 — Peter as a Candidates second
05:55 — Why Peter commentates less
08:39 — Does Peter still want 2700?
14:56 — Why Peter doesn’t play online
16:16 — Will Peter become a streamer?
18:48 — Hearthstone and chess
19:29 — How Peter works on chess now
21:22 — Why gym matters so much
24:24 — Can Peter still compete?
31:44 — What about Kasparov?
34:58 — Unexpected doggo
35:14 — Back to Kasparov
36:45 — Pressure against young players
39:36 — Back to the Russian team?
41:19 — Peter never had goals?
47:02 — Chess in Peter’s life
49:17 — Must chess cost everything?
53:54 — How long will Magnus last?
58:53 — Blitz
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!
#petersvidler #magnuscarlsen #garrykasparov #futureofchess #chesspodcast #chessinterview #chess #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess

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 one of the strongest GMs, World No. 4 Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Everyone has been wondering what changed — why is Nodirbek suddenly crushing everyone and winning tournaments? We talked about his training, his mindset, and his plans to fight for the chess crown. We also covered some of the hottest topics in chess right now: what makes Magnus so great, why Gukesh is struggling, and of course the 2026 Candidates tier list. And at the end, we played a blitz game you absolutely have to watch — it won’t disappoint.
Support me on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mustreader
My DISCORD server: https://discord.gg/QYX5VcpTBP
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: mazdrid@gmail.com
Nodirbek's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abdusattorov_nodirbek_official
Nodirbek's X: https://x.com/NodirbekGM
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 Kramnik that got me blocked by him: https://youtu.be/YKzes4eteb4?si=5nUg3RNqeHXnqANK
My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo
My podcast with Boris Gelfand: https://youtu.be/fj5BmOc6Rrk?si=aEkzLvPMmkbdSLZl
My podcast with Nodirbek’s former coach, Jacob Aagaard: https://youtu.be/VHJejuic5qQ
My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs
My podcast with Wei Yi: https://youtu.be/TeQ-yS9EWRY
My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q
Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus
00:00 — Intro
01:05 — What changed?
04:30 — Last game vs Gukesh
07:22 — Why ambition is harmful
09:04 — Mistakes come from emotions
11:37 — How Magnus handles pressure
13:14 — Magnus: gift or hard work?
13:38 — “I don’t believe in mental coaches”
15:39 — Gukesh’s real problem
17:53 — Gukesh needs to lose the title
19:32 — Do you agree with Kramnik?
21:24 — Bring the crown to Uzbekistan
22:14 — World No. 1 or world champion?
23:24 — Who will surpass Magnus?
27:05 — Nodirbek’s training routine
32:01 — Are you intuitive or technical?
33:44 — Candidates tier list
41:31 — Blitz vs Nodirbek
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!
#nodirbekabdusattorov #magnuscarlsen #candidates2026 #gukeshdommaraju #chess #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm

Try Chessreps and check out my lines here: https://www.chessreps.com/opening/mustreader-s-milner-barry-gambit-vs-the-french-6sbbek
Today I’m joined by one of the best chess players in the world — GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. We dive into the biggest topics in chess right now: the 2026 calendar clash, Hikaru’s criticism video, chess as part of esports, the 2026 Olympiad, and more. MVL also explains what went wrong in his attempt to qualify for the Candidates, and together we build a Candidates 2026 tier list — with some very spicy takes. And of course, as always, we 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: mazdrid@gmail.com
MVL's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MVLChess
MVL's X: https://x.com/Vachier_Lagrave
MVL's website: https://www.mvlchess.com
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 previous podcast with MVL: https://youtu.be/6sIBWByqqG8
My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo
My podcast with Magnus’s coach Peter Heine Nielsen: https://youtu.be/bXQAvKUiA7A
My podcast with Wei Yi: https://youtu.be/TeQ-yS9EWRY
My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs
My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q
Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus
00:00 — Intro
01:13 — How have you changed this year?
03:30 — 2026 calendar clash: MVL’s take
08:24 — MVL on Hikaru’s criticism
11:09 — Will organizers find a compromise?
12:59 — Esports World Cup or Sinquefield Cup?
13:53 — Has Vitality changed you?
15:24 — Chess as an esport
18:01 — What went wrong with Candidates?
22:23 — “The most talented player is…”
25:14 — Back to Candidates qualification
26:33 — How to reach next Candidates?
28:09 — Olympiad 2026
29:47 — Candidates 2026 tier list
30:52 — Don’t underrate Bluebaum
32:19 — Esipenko plays incredible chess
33:57 — Sindarov’s great future
35:56 — Wei Yi: “it’s controversial, but…”
37:32 — Hot take on Pragg
41:29 — Anish impressed in 2025
43:09 — Fabi: six Candidates later...
45:37 — Hikaru: his best chance?
49:25 — Last takes on Candidates
51:37 — Blitz vs MVL
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!
#maximevachierlagrave #candidates2026 #chess #hikarunakamura #mvl #chesswithmustreader #mustreaderchess #gregmustreader #cwm