EP 456- GM Andy Soltis on Plateaus, Dual Careers, and his Many Brushes with Chess Legends

GM Andy Soltis is a U.S. Chess Hall of Famer, prolific author, and longtime Chess Life columnist who has left a lasting mark on American chess while balancing a decades-long career as an editor at the New York Post . His recent memoir, Deadline Grandmaster , retraces those parallel paths and shares remarkable stories such as playing a 16-year-old Vishy Anand, meeting Mikhail Tal, corresponding with Irving Chernev, and unknowingly crossing paths with Bobby Fischer. In our conversation, Andy revisits several of these moments and reflects on the challenges of chess improvement. We explore why players plateau, how to identify their own chess styles, and what today’s players can learn from history’s greats. Toward the end, Andy mulls his next project and discusses how chess publishing has evolved through the decades. It’s always a privilege to hear Andy’s stories, and I highly recommend Deadline Grandmaster for many more of them. This episode was recorded on October 16, 2025 and thus does not discuss the tragic news of GM Daniel Naroditsky’s passing. 0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link: https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro And you can check out their new offerings here: https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/ 0:00- Perpetual Chess Improvement is finally available on Audible! https://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-Chess-Improvement-Practical-World-Class/dp/B0FHWWC2ZX/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0 0:02- GM Andy Soltis joins! He begins by sharing his thought on rating plateaus. Mentioned: Note on FM Nate Solon’s unusual rating gains: https://substack.com/@zwischenzug/note/c-166416052?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1juy4 11:00- We discuss Andy’s excellent memoir Deadline Grandmaster - did Andy ever seriously consider becoming a chess professional? Mentioned: 14:00- How did Andy earn the Grandmaster title? Mentioned: IM Norman Weinstein, IM Sal Matera, IM Jack Peters 16:00- Vishy Anand stories Mentioned: More on Andy’s early encounter with Vishy in Calcutta here: https://en.chessbase.com/post/vishy-anand-a-passionate-portrait-part-three 20:00- Mikhail Tal stories 22:00- Patreon mailbag question : What is a good first book about Soviet Chess history? Mentioned: Soviet Chess: 1917-1991 by GM Andy Soltis 24:00- Andy’s recollections of the famed Lone Pine tournament 30:00- GM Walter Browne stories 35:00- Patreon mailbag questions: a) Why didn’t Alekhine play a rematch with Capablanca? b) Can Andy recommend an Alekhine biography? Mentioned: Alexander Alekhine- THe Russian Sphinx: Volume 1 The Real Paul Morphy 38:00- Patreon mailbag question : Are there any plans to do an updated edition on Andy’s US Championship? https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Chess-Championship-1845-1996/dp/0786402482/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2DC5Q7FF5MKY6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IYZoPqWvJ0bdS3_2d3Qewg.tinoi7uw9EjPATAcLC1Pqdxp0hjkvFqcFvkoPdUzENc&dib_tag=se&keywords=soltis+us+championship&qid=1760732231&s=books&sprefix=soltis+us+championship%2Cstripbooks%2C87&sr=1-1 40:00- Bobby Fischer stories Mentioned: GM Peter Biayasis, IM Anthony Saidy 42:00- Andy’s interactions with legendary author Irving Chernev, also mentioned Fred Reinfeld 50:00- What can we learn from figuring out our chess styles? Mentioned: Reveal Your Chess Style Reveal Your Chess Style: Soltis, Andrew: 9781849949965: Amazon.com: Books 57:00- The state of chess book publishing Mentioned: GM James Tarjan If you are interested in joining the Perpetual Chess Patreon community, you can find out more information here: Ben Johnson | creating Perpetual Chess Podcast | Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices