Best Board Game Blitz Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 241 - Does Size Matter? 32:13

1d ago32:13

32:13

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Mystery Puzzle: The Lost Fire, First Contact, and Gibberish. Then, we talk about the size of our game collection, how it has evolved over our time in the hobby, and what we think the ideal collection size would be. 0:00-Intro 0:42-Announcements 2:03-Recent Games-Mystery Puzzle…

1
Phil Simborg, Mr Backgammon 1:00:33

4d ago1:00:33

1:00:33

Ed interviews Phil Simborg of the Backgammon Learning Centre Learn Backgammon: Backgammon Products, News and Learning Center Backgammon World Championships Backgammon Galaxy - YouTube Backgammon World Championship | Monte-Carlo | Facebook Contact the show: [email protected] InstagramBy Ed Hall

1
It’s not the clubs, it’s not the gloves. Ricky Kalmon, world renowned motivational speaker shows how mindset makes the difference in sports and the boardroom. 32:40

11d ago32:40

32:40

Ricky is the author of two books: Leverage Your Mindset – Overcome Limiting Beliefs and Amplify Your Life and the soon to be released Leveraging Your Mindset for Golf. In this episode, he tells how developing the proper mindset can make you the person you always wanted to be. He speaks of his experience with athletes and executives from teams like …

1
Episode 240 - The End of Games 32:38

16d ago32:38

32:38

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Codenames (the new version), Little Alchemists, and Look at the Stars. Then, we talk about games where players can choose whether or not to trigger the end game, and what we like or don't like about them. 0:00-Intro 0:44-Recent Games-Codenames 3:46-Little Alchemists 7:19-Look …

1
Ep. 161: Resetting the Board (Back in the Fall) 1:02

18d ago1:02

1:02

The Chess Angle will be taking a break for the remainder of the summer. I realized I needed more time to recharge after Season 9, and this pause will allow me to refocus and come back stronger. Thanks for your support - see you in the fall! ♟️🎙️ 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]…

1
Marc Olsen, CEO of Backgammon Galaxy 1:03:08

18d ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Ed talks to Marc Olsen about football, Backgammon Galaxy, Monte Carlo and more. Links: Backgammon World Championship Backgammon Galaxy - Play Online for Free Backgammon Galaxy - YouTube Undercover Backgammon Grandmaster plays in Istanbul Grand Bazaar (FUN TO WATCH!) Contact the show: [email protected] Instagram…

1
Ep. 160: “Old Man” Chess: The Slow, Boring Way to Win More Games 38:05

20d ago38:05

38:05

This week's show begins with some Listener Mailbag questions about opening choices. We then discuss the concept of "Old Man" Chess, which emphasizes a safe, ultra-solid, and risk-averse playing style that is often very effective at the club level. The conversation also explores the balance between tactical and positional play, the advantages and di…

1
Ep. 159: Chess Opening Systems for White & More 39:51

27d ago39:51

39:51

In this episode, Neal shares his experience from a recent night at the LI Chess Club, discussing the challenges of tournament conditions and the nature of 'ugly wins.' The conversation transitions into listener questions, covering topics such as the value of attending chess clubs, the etiquette surrounding draw offers, and the effectiveness of coac…

1
Episode 239 - Midyear Board Game Tag 28:30

30d ago28:30

28:30

Ambie and Crystal got tagged by RollingReggie in his 3rd annual Midyear Board Game Tag, so we take the whole podcast episode to answer his questions about how the first half of 2025 is going so far in our board gaming! 0:00-Intro 0:34-Midyear Board Game Tag 02:02-1. What is your favorite game so far this year? 04:32-2. What is your most played game…

1
Frank Berger, creator of BG Blitz 56:16

1M ago56:16

56:16

Ed interviews Frank Berger, creator of BG Blitz. Download BG Blitz: - Professional Backgammon Software for Windows | Mac | Linux Contact the show: Instagram [email protected] A Lifetime on Planet Groove: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6cmuX2I4cYVJPWm0kOWmsY?si=41ba883f3da14878By Ed Hall

1
Ep. 158: Why Your Fancy Chess Study Plan and Four-Year Book Hierarchy Aren't Working 40:38

1M ago40:38

40:38

Many club-level players follow a highly structured study plan but have poor tournament results. We explore this phenomenon and offer some possible solutions. Referenced: Reset: How to Change What's Not Working (Amazon) Chess for Tigers (Amazon) 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]…

1
Former Yankee and ESPN broadcaster Dave Cohen on the art and science of pitching, why Cooper Flagg is the best he's seen and how Catlin Clarke has elevated women's basketball. 25:44

1M ago25:44

25:44

A multi-faceted broadcaster, Dave Cohen has done play-by-play for baseball (the New York Yankees) pro and college basketball and has covered numerous other sports for ESPN. His knowledge of baseball goes far beyond that of many covering the sport today. Here he describes pitching techniques, the physical and mental battle between pitcher and batter…

1
Ep. 157 (S10 Premiere): 1...e6 vs. EVERYTHING, Does Blitz Mess Up Your Thought Process?, & More 43:02

1M ago43:02

43:02

Welcome to Season 10! This week we discuss 1...e6, blitz chess, using the King in the endgame, and more. Referenced: Blitz is Screwing Up Your Thought Process Ep. 100: The Hippopotamus Defense and Other Chess Opening Systems for Black 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our L…

1
Episode 238 - Top of the Top 30:19

1M ago30:19

30:19

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Rescuing Robin Hood, Tiwanaku, and Holiday Hijinks: The Independence Incident. Then, we talk about our top 5 games that we've played that are currently in the top 100 ranked games on BoardGameGeek.com. Use our affiliate link to get Rescuing Robin Hood (or other things)! 0:00-I…

1
Mike Reiss on writing for the Simpsons, giving jokes to Johnny Carson and traveling to the Titanic on the Ocean's Gate submersible 25:28

2M ago25:28

25:28

So what does Homer Simpson have to do with sports? Don't forget he was the star of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant softball team! Mike Reiss is one of the writers for the Simpsons and has been for over 20 years. He also wrote jokes for the greatest late night host ever, Johnny Carson. And to top it off he took a ride to the Titanic on the Ocean…

1
Episode 237 - Time is of the Essence 31:12

2M ago31:12

31:12

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including The Lord of the Rings, Fate of the Fellowship and ONDA. Then, we talk about setup time - how it can make a game harder to get played, and ways to mitigate that time. 0:00-Intro 0:42-Recent Games - The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship 9:18-ONDA 15:40-Setup Time 29:25-O…

1
Mochy, destined by dice 48:45

2M ago48:45

48:45

Ed interviews Backgammon Super Grandmaster Masayuki Mochizuki. Mochy Backgammon - YouTube New Ideas in Backgammon Contact the show: Instagram [email protected] Ed Hall

1
Ep. 156 (S9 Finale): The THREE Things You Need to Know to Beat 1. d4, Common Beginner Mistakes, Spite Checks, and Stalemate Fantasies 39:35

2M ago39:35

39:35

This is the S9 Finale. S10 Premiere coming soon. In the meantime, check out the Long Island Chess Club YouTube Channel which has instructional videos for busy adult players. We're looking to get the channel fully off the ground and add more content on a consistent basis. Game Referenced: 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. c3 Be7 6. h3 O-O 7…

1
Ep. 155: Why Many Adults Give Up on Chess, and How You Can Be the Exception 37:45

2M ago37:45

37:45

In this episode, we dive into the hidden challenges adult players face when returning to chess after a long break, and the powerful mindset shifts that separate those who thrive from those who quit. Whether you’re battling self-doubt, time constraints, or rating plateaus, this episode offers real talk and practical strategies to help you stay motiv…

1
Episode 236 - KublaCOOL 32:25

2M ago32:25

32:25

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Sherlock: The Game is Afoot and EXIT: The Game - Family: 2 Escape Adventures. Then, we're joined by special guests Dracula and Elphaba to talk about Ambie and her family's time at their local convention, KublaCon! Also, it's our 9 year anniversary, so yay! 0:00-Intro 0:48-Anno…

1
Antoinette-Marie Williams, Backgammon Player and Ambassador 26:02

2M ago26:02

26:02

Ed talks to Antoinette-Marie Williams about her life in backgammon and her mission to educate and inspire future generations of players. Joseph Heled PrimeTimeBG_2023_0709_Vol14N4-1_Antoinette_Williams_feature_nocover.pdf The Moth | The Art and Craft of Storytelling Contact the show: [email protected]…

1
Ep. 154: Wasted Prep? Why Your Opponent-Specific Prep Might Be Useless Below 2000 37:08

3M ago37:08

37:08

In this Listener Mailbag exclusive, we discuss whether prepping for specific opponents is worth it at the amateur level, and a bunch of other stuff too... 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) …

1
Ep. 153: There is NO Advantage to Having the White Pieces at the Amateur Level 39:50

3M ago39:50

39:50

This week is all about chess opening philosophy. We discuss a number of ideas about opening prep and argue that having the White pieces does not provide any meaningful advantage at the club level since most amateur games are littered with mistakes, thus negating any possible benefit of moving first. The basis of this episode is a response to the ex…

1
Episode 235 - So Colorful! 30:40

3M ago30:40

30:40

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Signal, Here Lies, and Awkward Guests 2. Then, we talk about colors in board games - both as a theme and as a mechanism. 0:00-Intro 0:43-Recent Games - Signal 1:58-Here Lies 8:54-Awkward Guests 2: The Berwick Cases 14:13-Colors 29:30-Outro 30:25-Bloopers Join our discord Suppo…

1
Eric Schmidt, Board Maker 26:48

3M ago26:48

26:48

Ed interviews Eric Schmidt of Schmidt Brothers Backgammon. Eric Schmidt (@schmidt_brothers_backgammon) • Instagram photos and videos The Darwin board: Instagram Save the Gammon – Handmade, artisan backgammon doubling cubes Contact the show: [email protected] Ed Hall

1
Hannah Storm, Danny Hurley, Todd Golden, Nancy Lieberman-- a star-studded cast on this episode of Sports Across the Board 23:27

3M ago23:27

23:27

Was UConn coach Danny Hurley serious when an open might caught him saying he’s the “best coach on the planet?” How did ESPN’ anchor Hannah Storm establish herself as one of the best. What does Nancy Lieberman think of “little sister” Caitlin Clark. And is Todd Golden worried about losing members of his championship Florida Gators to the Transfer Po…

1
Ep. 152: Grinding Out Endgame Wins at the Club Level (Game Analysis #14) 38:37

3M ago38:37

38:37

This week we discuss endgame strategy for club players and some other stuff as well. Grinding out a win in an "even" endgame is a mixture of patience, stubbornness, and luck. A .pgn for the game we analyze is below. We reference the highly recommended book The Survival Guide to Competitive Chess (Amazon) by GM John Emms, who was a previous guest on…

1
Ep. 151: You Have 8 Years to Improve, Then It’s Game Over: A Discussion & Debate About Adult Chess Improvement feat. NM Tim Mirabile 47:39

3M ago47:39

47:39

A number of years ago, GM Andy Soltis claimed that once a chess player becomes serious about the game, there is an 8-year window during which he achieves 90% of his maximum chess potential. Anything beyond that time frame is just squeezing out the remaining 10%. NM Tim Mirabile returns to the podcast to discuss this theory and a bunch of other ches…

1
Episode 234 - Wolfgang Warsch 26:31

3M ago26:31

26:31

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Signal and Lure. Then, we talk about the board game designer Wolfgang Warsch and the games he's made. 0:00-Intro 0:39-Recent Games - Signal 8:21-Lure 12:41-Wolfgang Warsch 25:31-Outro 26:26-Bloopers Join our discord Support us directly at https://ko-fi.com/boardgameblitz Or sh…

1
Khasha Naghshineh, Backgammon Player and Organiser 34:09

3M ago34:09

34:09

Ed talks to Khasha Naghshineh of the Canada Backgammon Association. CBGA Links: www.backgammon.ca www.meetup.com/backgammon/events https://www.instagram.com/canadabackgammon https://www.facebook.com/groups/canadabackgammon https://www.youtube.com/@canadabackgammon Ratings and equity links: Ranking (backgammon) players: the case for PR Backgammon FA…

1
Ep. 150: The Jobava London System: A Chess Opening for Busy Adults 40:28

3M ago40:28

40:28

The Jobava London (1. d4, 2. Nc3, 3. Bf4) is an opening system that is easy to learn, yet still has a lot of sting, especially against ...g6 set-ups by Black. It can easily throw off an opponent who's expecting to face a standard London formation. The theory and ideas are fairly simple, making it a great choice for those with limited study time. Mu…

1
Ep. 149: Build Your Technique, Build Your Rating: The Game-Changer You Need 38:05

4M ago38:05

38:05

This episode is a review of the chess.com course "Build Your Technique" by FM Thomas Wolski. This is a highly recommended training module for adult players looking to improve. We also share some chess club stories, dive into the Listener Mailbag, and react to a chess.com article about common online time controls. 📧 If you have a question, comment, …

1
Episode 233 - The Cost of Board Games 24:07

4M ago24:07

24:07

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Top Tier and Bag of Chips. Then, we talk about how the US tariffs might affect the board game industry (especially for publishers and retailers in the US). Post from Ami Baio of Pink Tiger Games 0:00-Intro 0:38-Recent Games - Top Tier 5:57-Bag of Chips 12:35-US Tariffs 22:09-O…

1
Australian Backgammon Special! 58:07

4M ago58:07

58:07

Ed interviews three backgammon players who have all made contributions to the game in Australia: Simon Woodhead, Cindy Belonogoff and Steve Roberts. Australia New Zealand Backgammon Federation ANZBGF Home - ANZBGF BGLOG bgLog NT Warp Gammon Warp Gammon Tournaments Home Page First Internet Backgammon Server FIBS, the First Internet Backgammon Server…

1
Ep. 148: Can An Adult Beginner Reach 1600? 38:35

4M ago38:35

38:35

This week we discuss ratings and improvement for busy adults. You may wish to check out the Reddit post referenced in this episode. 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twitter (X) YouTube (Chess Angle Podcast) YouTube (LI Chess Club) Buy Me a Coffee…

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Ep. 147: Bird's Opening (1. f4), When to Sac a Piece (and when not to) at the Amateur Level, Material vs. Initiative & More (Game Analysis #13) 40:03

4M ago40:03

40:03

This episode is a thematic analysis of an amateur game with takeaways that are instruction rich. Topics covered: Bird's Opening (1. f4) Unnecessary defensive moves Sacrificing pieces Material vs. Initiative Calculation Central Control Referenced: Guide to a Successful Chess Club Game analyzed (G/90;d10): 1. f4 b6 2. Nf3 Bb7 3. e3 Nf6 4. b3 e6 5. Bb…

1
Episode 232 - What Did You Expect? 28:34

4M ago28:34

28:34

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Holiday Hijinks #8: The Easter Escapade, The Case of the Curiously Correct Blueprints, and Café. Then, we talk about expectations we and other gamers have when opening a new game box, how those expectations have changed over the years, and whether they are justified. 0:00-Intr…

1
Tony and Maggie Diamantidis 46:36

4M ago46:36

46:36

Ed interviews Maggie and Tony Diamantidis about the upcoming World National & Women's Teams Championships. 3rd Greek Grand Prix & International Backgammon Championship Champions ⋆ WBGF Member Nation Tournaments ⋆ WBGF Giants of Backgammon Contact the show: [email protected] Ed Hall

1
Dereck Whittenburg discusses his role in the 1983 NCAA Championship game, how his missed shot led to N.C. State's ultimate victory, and who Coach Jim Valvono was really looking for after the game. 24:46

4M ago24:46

24:46

Sidney Lowe, Thurl Bailey, Dereck Whittenburg and Lorenzo Charles were all instrumental in that final game-winning shot for NC State. Hear Dereck describe the closing seconds of one of the most dramatic Finals in NCAA tournament history, won by the Woldpack 54-52.

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Ep. 146: Better Tournaments, Better Chess: Creating Ideal Playing Conditions 36:38

4M ago36:38

36:38

This episode is a response to FM Nate Solon's excellent blog posts I Don’t Like Chess Tournaments and What Would a Fun Chess Tournament Look Like? Neal reacts and shares his thoughts on weekend events including the following: The ideal time control & round times Delay vs. increment Club events vs. weekend tourneys Practical matters 📧 If you have a …

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Ep. 145: Correspondence Chess Success feat. NM Andy Ansel 46:04

5M ago46:04

46:04

In this conversation, Neal and return guest NM Andy Ansel dive into the world of correspondence chess, exploring its nuances, challenges, and Andy’s pursuit of the International Master (IM) norm. They discuss the differences between over-the-board and correspondence chess, the importance of openings, tips for those new to correspondence play, and t…

1
Episode 231 - The 2024 Blitzies 42:08

5M ago42:08

42:08

Ambie and Crystal host the 2024 Blitzies, the annual awards show about our favorite games of the year! Also make sure to check out Ambie’s top 10 list on YouTube. 0:00-Intro 0:34-DTW Recap 2:09-The 2024 Blitzies 03:45-Best Family Game 05:26-Best Kids' Game 07:41-Most Innovative Game 09:38-Most Unique Theme 11:04-Best Cooperative Game 12:52-Best Car…

1
Eran Lambooij, creator of OpenGammon 39:27

5M ago39:27

39:27

Ed talks to Eran Lambooij, creator of OpenGammon. Play backgammon online on OpenGammon: opengammon.com Contact the show: [email protected] InstagramBy Ed Hall

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Ep. 144: Speed Chess Secrets: How 5-0 Blitz Can Supercharge Your Skills 39:02

5M ago39:02

39:02

5-0 blitz games can be an excellent chess improvement tool when used properly and judiciously. In this episode, we offer tips, tricks, and best practices. Referenced: Ep. 122: Online Blitz Chess and Adult Improvement 📧 If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. 🎯 Our Links: Website Twit…

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Ep. 143: Formal Chess Study Plans: Essential or Overhyped? 43:21

5M ago43:21

43:21

This week we discuss whether highly structured study plans are practical for busy amateurs. Neal concludes by sharing his own plan (HINT: it’s not complicated). Referenced: Ep. 61: Do Chess Training Programs Work? Ep. 105 (S7 Premiere): Declutter Your Chess Study Plan Build Your Technique by FM Thomas Wolski 📧 If you have a question, comment, or to…

1
Episode 230 - CONjecturing 29:44

5M ago29:44

29:44

Ambie and Crystal discuss a couple games they played recently, including Slay the Spire: The Board Game and Flip 7. Then, we talk about our preparations (or lack thereof) for Dice Tower West and board game conventions in general. 0:00-Intro 0:42-Announcements 1:55-Recent Games - Slay the Spire: The Board Game 9:31-Flip 7 15:04-DTW and Conventions 2…

1
James Purtill, Tech Reporter 28:48

5M ago28:48

28:48

Ed interviews James Purtill, a tech reporter at the ABC. Hello AI Overlords Podcast: I for one welcome... Hello AI Overlords! - ABC listen Axel Reichert article: Rough and Ready Rules for Rookies: The First Two Rolls Contact the show: [email protected] InstagramBy Ed Hall

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John Kincade Returns to Atlanta! 35:08

5M ago35:08

35:08

Actually, John is now a top rated morning drive-time host with his partner Andrew Salciunas on 97.5 The Fanatic in his home town of Philadelphia. John discusses the difference in markets between Philly and his former home Atlana, where he hosted the Buck and Kincade Show on 680 the Fan. He also talks about, what else, the Super Bowl success of the …

1
Ep. 142: The Tactics vs. Imbalances Debate 41:32

5M ago41:32

41:32

This week's pod is a dedicated Listener Mailbag episode. We challenge some of the pushback that's out there about IM Jeremy Silman's system of imbalances and discuss some other topics as well. Referenced: Ep. 83 (S6 Premiere): Mastering the Middlegame for Club Players: The Legacy of IM Jeremy Silman Ep. 84: Mastering the Middlegame, Part 2: Are The…

1
Ep. 141: What Actually Wins Chess Tournaments (And What’s Just Noise) 58:23

6M ago58:23

58:23

This week we dive into what separates winning amateur chess players from the rest - and what’s often just noise and distraction. We break down the skills, habits, and strategies that lead to consistent tournament success and explore common misconceptions that don’t actually impact performance as much as people think. Referenced: Ep. 65: Your First …

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