Show notes
EP 442- GM Johan Hellsten: Why Defending Is So Difficult — And How to Improve At It GM Johan Hellsten returns to Perpetual Chess for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked yet essential chess skills: defense. Johan is the 2006 Swedish National Champion, and a renowned author and coach, best known for his Mastering Chess series. In this interview, he shares insights from his latest book and Chessable course, Mastering Chess Defense (also available in print,) reflecting on why defending is often harder than attacking, which players are best to study to improve your defensive play, and key concepts like “the lifeline.” Johan is a true professional, and always a pleasure to talk chess with. Timestamps of topics discussed 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:https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=proAnd you can check out their new offerings here:https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partnersCheck out Johan’s separate course on defense for Chessmood members:https://chessmood.com/course/chess-defense 21:00- Patreon mailbag question: “How should amateur players incorporate chess defense into their thinking processes?”Mentioned:El Viejo by GM Zenon FrancoNajdorf X Najdorf by Liliana Najdorf Kasparov vs. Najdorf Bugojno 1982https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1069983Mentioned: GM Emmanuel BergCheck out Johan’s Youtube videos about Petrosian and Ulf Andersson here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYAkeoP9TTshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDo--EPHnfcMentioned:Timman’s Triumphs:https://www.amazon.com/Timmans-Triumphs-100-Best-Games/dp/9056919172Speed Demon:https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Demon-Fascinating-Tragic-Vyzhmanavin/dp/9493257819GM Judit Polgar’s Quality Chess TrilogyMentioned:GM Hellsten’s Chessmood article about it:https://chessmood.com/blog/lifeline-chess-tacticOr move 32 of this Korchnoi-Fisher 1962 Curaco game:https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044560Mentioned: GM Josif Dorfman’s “The Method”https://www.abebooks.com/Method-Chess-Dorfman-Iossif-Sarl-Game/31453994460/bdMentioned: Boris Spassky’s Best Games https://www.amazon.com/Boris-Spasskys-Best-Games-Rising/dp/1784832006https://lichess.org/study/1AlpJ6gn/3b3ZdebDSpassky-Geller move 35-https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1049395Carlsen-Duda 2025 is included and annotated by NM Anthony Levin for Chess.com here (as well as in the LiChess study):https://www.chess.com/news/view/2025-cct-chesscom-classic-playoffs-day-1Thanks to Johan for joining me again, you can reach him via his Chess.com page:https://www.chess.com/member/jhellstenAnd check out his Chessable courses here:https://www.chessable.com/author/JohanHellsten/And his books hereIf you would like to join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community for access to ad-free episodes and other perks, you can do so here:https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
