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. Timestamps for topics discussed are below.
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0:02- Fidel has a family and a busy work schedule but manages to play OTB quite frequently, how does he manage?
Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen
10:00- Fidel tells the story of how he first got a Visa in the US.
Mentioned: GM Susan Polgar
16:00- Why did Fidel quit his programming job to focus on chess in 2023?
27:00- Advice for getting over a tough loss.
30:00- As someone competing for top prizes, how worried is Fidel about OTB cheating? What about online cheating?
37:00- What are the biggest challenges Fidel sees in his under 1800 students?
40:00- Recommended chess books
Mentioned: Can You Be a Positional Chess Genius? , Magnus Carlsen: Endgame Virtuoso, Improve Your Chess Calculation by GM Ramesh
50:00- Has Fidel ever played with the Cuban legend, GM Leiner Dominguez?
52:00- How did Fidel and his sister, WIM Zenia Corrales Jimenez get into chess?
Mentioned: IM Joaquin Carlos Diaz
1:05:00- Fidel discusses his time at Webster University with stars like GM Wesley So, Ray Robson and Le Quang Liem.
1:10:00- What was it like to play GM Judit Polgar in the World Cup?
1:13:00- We discuss Fidel’s experience with the Scotch Opening
Mentioned:Mayhem in the Scotch: https://www.chessable.com/mayhem-in-the-scotch/course/259795/
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