View Transcript
Episode Description
Jordan Himelfarb is an award-winning editor for the Toronto Star and an avid games player who became fascinated by elite chess during the pandemic. That fascination eventually led to his excellent new book, Interregnum : Inside the Grueling and Glamourous Battle to Become the Next King of Chess, a detailed and highly readable chronicle of the 2024 FIDE Candidates cycle.
Jordan traveled to events including the World Cup, Grand Swiss, Candidates Tournament and World Championship match, gathering revealing first-hand reflections from many of the game’s top players along the way.
We discuss:
-
Why the Candidates cycle makes for such compelling sports drama
-
The emotional and physical toll of professional chess
-
Which players and personal stories resonated with him most
-
Ding Liren, Fabiano Caruana, Gukesh and the shifting generational landscape in chess
-
The controversies, chaos and unforgettable moments of the 2024 cycle
I recommend Jordan’s book to anyone looking for “bedtime chess reading”, and this was a really fun conversation.
00:00 Project Origins, Jordan’s Chess and Games Background
03:48 The Structure and Narrative of the Book
07:01 Experiences at Major Chess Events
09:54 Challenges and Insights in Reporting
12:46 The Physical and Mental Toll of Chess
15:58 Gender Dynamics in Chess
19:00- Patreon mailbag question: Which Candidates’ story resonated with Jordan the most?
22:16 The Weight of the Crown: Mental Health in Chess
23:40 Compelling Stories of Chess Players
25:30 The Agony and Ecstasy of Chess
30:07 The Relentless Grind of Chess Tournaments
31:09 Drama and Controversy in the Chess World
36:20 Expectations and Surprises in the Candidates Cycle
38:13 The Future of Young Chess Players
39:54 Personal Reflections on Chess
40:00- Thanks to Jordan for joining me, here is where to get the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Interregnum-Inside-Grueling-Glamorous-Battle/dp/1639369910
Audiobook:
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices