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:

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

Chess.com:

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

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

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