EP 448- NM Max Farberov on Beating Plateaus, Springing Opening Surprises, and Why Speed Chess Matters

Perpetual Chess Podcast

NM Max Farberov is a 27-year-old chess instructor, Chessable author, and online speed-chess specialist with a Chess.com blitz rating north of 2600. He joined me after a busy chess summer that included his first European open and one of his best OTB results to date: winning clear first in the Under-2300 section of the Washington International. As Max explains, this breakthrough came only after months of frustration and feeling that he had reached a plateau, making the success all the sweeter.

In our conversation, Max and I discussed:

• Why he stays motivated to pursue tournament chess at an age when many slow down

• How he built an opening repertoire around the offbeat 1…d6

• What he gains from following lesser-known professional tournaments

• Why speed chess is underrated as a tool for improvement

Max’s passion for chess is infectious, and our conversation is full of helpful chess improvement advice. Timestamps are below.

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0:02- What led to Max’s recent tournament outcome, where he attained the best result of his life?

10:00- What keeps Max going when many players in their 20s stop playing tournaments?

12:00- The College Chess League

13:00- Congrats to IM-elect Tatev Abrahamyan

14:00- Was Max tempted to quit after earning the NM title?

20:00- What was it like for Max to play in his first international tournament?

Mentioned: More on the Vila de Sitges here:

https://open.penyaescacscp.com/

22:00- The dangers of overpreparing for an opponent

24:00- Max’s approach to openings

26:00- GMs and top engines don’t like openings like the Philidor and the Pirc due to the concession of space. Has this been an issue for Max in his games?

28:00- Does Max consider himself a speed chess specialist? How can one get better at speed chess?

33:00- How to combat the London

35:00- Back to speed chess advice- Max’s advice for clock management

38:00 Opening prep war stories

40:00- The benefits of following and playing through the games from professional (non-elite) circuit tournaments.

43:00- Max’s friendship with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez

Mentioned: EP 409 with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/11/19/ep-409-gm-fidel-corrales-jimenez-a-tireless-tournament-circuit-grinder-on-overcoming-setbacks-managing-energy-the-risks-of-otb-cheating-amp-his-love-for-the-scotch-openingnbsp

46:00- How Max became a chess teacher and advice for getting into chess teaching

49:00- Max’s next chess goals

50:00- Is Max a regimented chess-studier?

52:00- Max’s chess improvement hot takes and book recs

Mentioned:

Practical Chess Exercises

Evaluate like a Grandmaster

Attack with Mikhail Tal

56:00- Thanks to Max for joining me!

Here is how to reach him:

X:

https://x.com/chessgainz?lang=en

Chess.com:

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

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