NM Max Farberov is a 27-year-old chess instructor, Chessable author, and online speed-chess specialist with a Chess.com blitz rating north of 2600. He joined me after a busy chess summer that included his first European open and one of his best OTB results to date: winning clear first in the Under-2300 section of the Washington International. As Max explains, this breakthrough came only after months of frustration and plateau, making the success all the sweeter.
In our conversation, Max and I discussed:
<ul>
 <li>
Why he stays motivated to pursue tournament chess at an age when many slow down
</li>
 <li>
How he built an opening repertoire around the offbeat 1…d6
</li>
 <li>
What he gains from following lesser-known professional tournaments
</li>
 <li>
Why speed chess is underrated as a tool for improvement
</li>
</ul>
Max’s passion for chess is infectious, and our conversation is full of helpful chess improvement advice. Timestamps are below.
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:
<a href="https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro">https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro</a>
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0:02- What led to Max’s recent result, where he attained the best result of his life? 
10:00- What keeps Max going when many players in their 20s stop playing tournaments? 
12:00- The College Chess League
13:00- Congrats to IM-elect Tatev Abrahamyan 
14:00- Was Max tempted to quit after earning the NM title? 
20:00- What was it like for Max to play in his first international tournament? 
Mentioned: More on the Vila de Sitges here:
<a href="https://open.penyaescacscp.com/">https://open.penyaescacscp.com/</a>
22:00- The dangers of overpreparing for an opponent 
24:00- Max’s approach to openings 
26:00- GMs and top engines don’t like openings like the Philidor and the Pirc due to the concession of space. Has this been an issue for Max in his games?
28:00- Does Max consider himself a speed chess specialist? How can one get better at speed chess?
33:00- How to combat the London
35:00- Back to speed chess advice- Max’s advice for clock management 
38:00 Opening prep war stories 
40:00- The benefits of following and playing through the games from  professional (non-elite) circuit tournaments. 
43:00- Max’s friendship with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez 
Mentioned: EP 409 with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez
<a href="https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/11/19/ep-409-gm-fidel-corrales-jimenez-a-tireless-tournament-circuit-grinder-on-overcoming-setbacks-managing-energy-the-risks-of-otb-cheating-amp-his-love-for-the-scotch-openingnbsp">https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2024/11/19/ep-409-gm-fidel-corrales-jimenez-a-tireless-tournament-circuit-grinder-on-overcoming-setbacks-managing-energy-the-risks-of-otb-cheating-amp-his-love-for-the-scotch-openingnbsp</a>
46:00- How Max became a chess teacher, advice for getting into chess teaching 
49:00- Max’s next chess goals
50:00- Is Max a regimented chess studier?
52:00- Max’s chess improvement hot takes and book recs 
Mentioned: 
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Chess-Exercises-Lessons-Strategy-ebook/dp/B001FSK3H6/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Practical%20Chess%20Exercises&qid=1629916467&s=books&sr=1-3">Practical Chess Exercises</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Evaluate-Like-Grandmaster-Eugene-Perelshteyn/dp/B0BHNF5CWB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JU96QWNJMP56&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.q1W8VgHtdnWCItnVI_J-jV0Yatmr9ZdGMnfWQRniRSAYCE-HnguQs7LvmZjSiLF7SQY-u3-RfM6zbWDUiiQEcqXx7qZfdUXVbbt7DomWYSkKZnGnZm20pVEAxu2cxDi8.yXtFr70pyPZfY3UQscgWdE3Q1cNn-nq-m8LyFPsO34Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=evaluate+like+a+grandmaster&qid=1738355219&sprefix=evaluate+like+a+%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-1">Evaluate like a Grandmaster </a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Attack-Mikhail-Cadogan-Chess-Books/dp/1857440439/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MWGJMFFUOW5F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.78wdVgZCYgjmBND-ivQ1bk3kOUeglfglV5fGrEhhlWQZJr-FjBorqJ7LCQeYhiFJ.ACz-4aAdNPRwSQ4V1rY6hg3trUJnjv7PN9luYZ1WPzE&dib_tag=se&keywords=attack+like+mikhail+tal&qid=1755890786&s=books&sprefix=attack+like+mikhail+tal%2Cstripbooks%2C85&sr=1-1">Attack with Mikhail Tal </a>
56:00- Thanks to Max for joining me! 
Here is how to reach him:
X:
<a href="https://x.com/chessgainz?lang=en">https://x.com/chessgainz?lang=en</a>
<a href="http://chess.com">Chess.com</a>:
<a href="https://www.chess.com/member/chess_gainz">https://www.chess.com/member/chess_gainz</a>
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EP 448- NM Max Farberov on Beating Plateaus, Springing Opening Surprises, and Why Speed Chess Matters

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