USCF Podcast

The February Chess Underground examines the intrigue and excitement surrounding the upcoming resumption of the 2020 Candidates Tournament in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Host Pete Karagianis takes an in-depth look at some of the matchups that may impact who ultimately goes on to challenge World Champion Magnus Carlsen.

In the December 2020 Chess Underground, host Pete Karagianis looks back on the year that wasn’t, his own best laid plans, and the difference between Chess and Go.

The November installment of Chess Underground's second season, Tournament Life, checks in with Isaac Steincamp, director of strategy at chess.com.

The October Chess Underground checks in with States Cup creator and lead organizer Saumik Narayanan. Saumik gives the inside scoop on the States Cup as it enters into the playoffs for its inaugural season. We also discuss his other endeavors, including bowling and chess, grant-writing, and a visit from a certain kind of raptor to a scholastic chess tournament.

The September 2020 installment of Chess Underground continues its exploration of the theme "Tournament Life" with NM Tim McEntee.

The August installment of Chess Underground checks in with ANTD Jim Hodina, Manager of Environmental Public Health for Linn County Iowa.

Maret Thorpe (courtesy subject)

Chess Underground Season 2 Episode 2 catches up with Maret Thorpe, NTD and FIDE arbiter, about customer service, career changes, and riding a mechani

The Chess Underground is literally underground, in every sense of the word, live (on tape) from the quarantined, sheltered-in-place state of Illinois, where we check in from afar on the only show in town... in the world...

The inaugural season of Chess Underground, Americana comes to a close. The examination of chess in the US began with flash mobs and beer and concluded with a trip back to civil rights era America, with plenty of fascinating stops in between. Join us this month for a brief intermezzo of sorts -  a first look at the 2020 Candidates Tournament, to be held in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

The November Chess Underground catches up with FIDE Master, electronic musician dabbler and treasure hunter Carl Boor. Carl discusses the merits of Bronstein vs. Fischer, defeating a GM over the board vs.

Dr. Henry Getz discusses his pet line in the Budapest, discovered after lining his living room with Ebay-purchased computer towers.

Juett Topalov blindfold match (courtesy subject)

Rook polynomials, mathematicians in burning hotel rooms, chess problem formulas, and the age old question: are chess and math related?

Episode 3 of the Chess Underground features chess set collector extraordinaire Ronald Suarez. For some, equipment is an afterthought. For others, a formality. For Ron, it’s a lifelong passion.