Perpetual Chess Podcast

This week’s guest, GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez is an accomplished trainer, player, Chessable author and one of the busiest players on the US tournament circuit. As such a frequent competitor, Fidel has had more than his share of successes (including winning the 2023 World Open!), but I have nonetheless often wondered how he finds the time and energy to play at a high level so frequently and consistently. Hearing Fidel’s fascinating life story helped me untangle the mystery. Fidel and I covered a ton of topics, including:  Why he quit his job as a computer programmer in 2023 to work full time in chess His long and winding path from Cuba to the United States  Attending Webster University with GM Wesley So, IM Eric Rosen and others  The most common mistakes he sees by his amateur students  How much he worries about OTB cheating as a frequent competitor for the top prizes His deep love for the Scotch Opening  This nearly 90-minute conversation flew by, and I am confident that you will enjoy it, as I did. Tim