C-Squared Podcast

Cristian sits down with one of the most underrated chess legends of all time. Grandmaster Peter Leko was a prodigy who sacrificed everything to become a professional. He left home at 9, dethroned Judit Polgar to become the youngest Grandmaster in history, climbed to World #4, and came within ONE GAME of becoming Classical World Champion against Vladimir Kramnik in 2004. Today he's the coach behind...

Fabi and Cristian break down a wild stretch in chess. Hans Niemann wins his first ever super tournament in Warsaw to kick off the Grand Chess Tour, but admits he felt like the rabbit being caught by the turtle as Fabi closed the gap in the final rounds. We dig into the American trio's standout performances, Alireza's secret conflict between the GCT and the Esports World Cup, and Magnus winning Tep...

Fabi and Cristian are live from Warsaw ahead of the Grand Chess Tour’s first leg, breaking down the biggest stories in chess. Magnus Carlsen returns to classical at TePe Sigeman in Malmo and faces 14-year-old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus for the first time ever. Webster University shuts down the legendary SPICE program, ending one of the most decorated collegiate chess dynasties in U.S. history — and Susan...

Fabi and Cristian break down the biggest stories in chess right now. Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus becomes the youngest player ever to cross 2700, smashing Wei Yi's record by nearly a year after a dominant 5-1 demolition of Topalov in Monte Carlo. Hans Niemann is back in the Grand Chess Tour with a wildcard slot in Warsaw. And Take Take Take's new Lichess partnership puts Magnus's app on a collision course...

The 2026 Candidates is over, and Javokhir Sindarov is heading to the World Championship match against Gukesh. Fabi breaks down Sindarov's magical run and insane opening prep, reflects on his own Candidates dream, and weighs in on Hikaru's opening disaster, the state of Titled Tuesday, and who takes the title in Gukesh vs Sindarov. Episode sponsored by our friends at https://www.chessreps.com/ ♟️Pl...

Fabi gets real about Gukesh's controversial cheating comments, reveals how his Candidates camp is shaping up, and we dive into the E-Sports World Cup threatening to clash with the Grand Chess Tour. Plus: Why are Super GMs suddenly playing in open tournaments? And our full Prague Masters preview. 📌 The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament starts March 29 in Cyprus. Fabi plays White against Hikaru Nakam...

The boys connect to talk about the biggest news of the week. The chaotic Speed Chess Championship is over, and we unpack everything that happed in London, and much more. Episode sponsored by our friends at https://www.chessreps.com/ ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com/ ☕Buy Us A Coffee : buymeacoffee.com...

♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com/ ☕Buy Us A Coffee : buymeacoffee.com/c2pod 🐦Twitter/X : https://x.com/CSQpod 📸Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/csqpod/ 💬Discord : https://discord.gg/XeP3tENMTr 00:00 Intro 00:42 Comeback 03:30 Grand Slam & Wimbeldon of Chess 04:44 Wijk aan zee History 07:50...

The boys are joined by @movingwithmat and @JamesCantyIII to discuss the recent happenings in the exciting world of Chessboxing. Matt is the moving force behind the Chessboxing movement in the US, while James just recently became the heavy weight Chessboxing World Champion after defeating his Russian foe in Serbia earlier this year. We discuss a wide range of topics, enjoy! Episode sponsored by our...

Fabiano and Cristian react to the World Cup semifinals craziest moments. The blunder that changed history and handed Wei Yi his candidates ticket, as well as the tense clash between the two Uzbek superstars are discussed. Here is our full breakdown of the 2025 World Cup Semifinals! Watch the episode with video analysis directly on our Youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@csqpod Episode spons...

Follow this Masterclass analysis by checking the video on our Youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@csqpod Check this episode's sponsor, Chessreps, at chessreps.com

Consider Donating to the Daniel Naroditsky Memorial Fund | https://givebutter.com/naroditsky Fabiano and Cristian react to the World Cup's most insane matches and unexpected upsets so far. Almost all the top favorites are out, and the intense final battles for the Candidates are underway, here is our breakdown as we go into the semis! Episode sponsored by our friends at https://www.chessreps.com/...

Want to get your reps in and play the perfect opening? Make sure you check our friends at https://www.chessreps.com The World Cup is one of the most exciting events of the chess calendar, and this year's edition has not disappointed. The boys get together to chat about the favorites, give their predictions, and discuss the big surprises of the first rounds. ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/jo...

♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com/ ☕Buy Us A Coffee : buymeacoffee.com/c2pod 🐦Twitter/X : https://x.com/CSQpod 📸Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/csqpod/ 💬Discord : https://discord.gg/XeP3tENMTr

Magnus stops to chat with Cristian after returning to St. Louis for the first time since the infamous episode from Sinquefield Cup 2022. He tells us how fatherhood changed him, his training for Clutch Chess, and more. ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com/ ☕Buy Us A Coffee : buymeacoffee.com/c2pod 🐦Twitte...

Episode 3 of Fabiano's Masterclass focuses on the incredible King's Indian idea shown by Grandmasters Maurizzi MarcAndria in his game against Luca Moroni Jr. This idea, when implemented in your games, will allow you to get dynamic position that will surely prove difficult to handle for your opponent. Thanks to this episode's sponsor, Chessreps.com ! Want to learn openings faster and more efficient...

A rollercoaster ride that started in Brazil and finished in Arlington, Texas, comes to an end. We got together for an in depth reaction to the chess world's new controversy, Hikaru's King toss against Gukesh, as well as the comprehensive analysis of the Grand Chess Tour's finals. ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https:/...

Welcome to Fabiano's Masterclass! This new series aims to provide the highest level of chess analysis, presented by none other than one of the greatest chess players to ever play the game, Fabiano Caruana. Episode 2 focuses on the battle between Grandmasters Anish Giri and Hans Niemann, who met in the last round of the FIDE Grand Swiss, with a candidate ticket on the line. ♟️Play With Us: https://...

♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com/ ☕Buy Us A Coffee : buymeacoffee.com/c2pod 🐦Twitter/X : https://x.com/CSQpod 📸Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/csqpod/ 💬Discord : https://discord.gg/XeP3tENMTr 00:00 Intro 00:57 Grand Swiss Recap 09:10 Alireza skips World Cup 14:30 Chess World Cup Participants...

The final round of the crucial FIDE Grand Swiss is upon us. With everything on the line, we discuss the journey so far, the possible scenarios, and who is the most likely to become the next Candidate. Enjoy! If you'd like to support the channel, these are the best ways: ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com...

Welcome to Fabiano's Masterclass! This weekly new series aims to provide the highest level of chess analysis, presented by none other than one of the greatest chess players to ever play the game, Fabiano Caruana. Episode 1 focuses on the battle between 16 yo Abhimanyu Mishra, and WC Gukesh. Consider supporting the channel: ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH:...

♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com/ ☕Buy Us A Coffee : buymeacoffee.com/c2pod 🐦Twitter/X : https://x.com/CSQpod 📸Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/csqpod/ 💬Discord : https://discord.gg/XeP3tENMTr

In this episode we address Hikaru's reaction to Fabiano's statement regarding Titled Tuesday, and the cheating that goes on in that event. Fabiano shares his candid reaction to Hikaru's charged statement, and we also discuss the most recent chess events - Esports World Cup, and the STL Rapid & Blitz. CHECK HIKARU'S REACTION HERE- https://youtu.be/_kRpo0JI54w SUPPORT THE CHANNEL 👇 ♟️Play With...

We sat down with the CCO of @chess Danny Rensch, in a tell all conversation about his upbringing in a cult, how chess.com became the biggest chess platform in the world, the current cheating plague and how the platform is working to combat it, his relationship with Hans, and much more. Pre-order Danny's upcoming book, Dark Squares, here: https://www.chess.com/darksquares ♟️Play With Us: https://ww...

The boys reunite to discuss the lost Freestyle chess interview, the aftermath of the changes in organization that were implemented in Vegas, Hans Niemann's ascent, and the incredible victory of Levon Aronian. ♟️Play With Us: https://www.chess.com/join/csqpod?ref_id=207174611 👕MERCH: https://c-squared.shop/ 🌐 Website: https://c2pod.com/ ☕Buy Us A Coffee : buymeacoffee.com/c2pod 🐦Twitter/X : htt...