PLAY PODCASTS
EP 185 | Do Kids Ruin Your Chess?
Episode 188

EP 185 | Do Kids Ruin Your Chess?

Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast

March 19, 202652m 12s

Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (mcdn.podbean.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.

Show Notes

In this episode of Dojo Talks, we explore how having children impacts chess performance, from real examples of world champions to personal experiences as chess dads. With Hikaru Nakamura entering the Candidates as a new father, the question is more relevant than ever.

We break down the short-term dip (sleep, focus, hormones) vs long-term recovery—and what it could mean for top players like Magnus Carlsen.

Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club
Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo

Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop

Want to support the channel?
Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip

Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo

Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you.

Website: https://chessdojo.club
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo
Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo
Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips

00:00 Do Kids Hurt Your Chess?
00:25 Why Hikaru’s new baby matters
02:35 World champions and parenthood
06:13 Naka, Magnus, and motivation
10:26 How kids changed their own chess
17:51 The science: sleep, hormones, and focus
28:54 Can top players avoid the dip?
33:02 Long-term benefits of parenting?
42:50 The dip is real, but varies
51:22 Final verdict on kids and chess