EP 448- NM Max Farberov on Beating Plateaus, Springing Opening Surprises, and Why Speed Chess Matters from Perpetual Chess Podcast

Perpetual Chess Podcast

Ben Johnson

Episodes

EP 448- NM Max Farberov on Beating Plateaus, Springing Opening Surprises, and Why Speed Chess Matters

1 hour 1 minutes Posted Aug 26, 2025 at 7:00 am.

What led to Max’s recent tournament outcome, where he attained the best result of his life?

What keeps Max going when many players in their 20s stop playing tournaments?

The College Chess League

Congrats to IM-elect Tatev Abrahamyan

Was Max tempted to quit after earning the NM title?

What was it like for Max to play in his first international tournament?

The dangers of overpreparing for an opponent

Max’s approach to openings

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?

Does Max consider himself a speed chess specialist? How can one get better at speed chess?

How to combat the London

Back to speed chess advice- Max’s advice for clock management

Opening prep war stories

The benefits of following and playing through the games from professional (non-elite) circuit tournaments.

Max’s friendship with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez

How Max became a chess teacher and advice for getting into chess teaching

Max’s next chess goals

Is Max a regimented chess-studier?

Max’s chess improvement hot takes and book recs

Thanks to Max for joining me!

0:00

1:01:43

Download MP3

Share at current time

Show notes

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 feeling that he had reached a plateau, making the success all the sweeter.

In our conversation, Max and I discussed:

Why he stays motivated to pursue tournament chess at an age when many slow down

How he built an opening repertoire around the offbeat 1…d6

What he gains from following lesser-known professional tournaments

Why speed chess is underrated as a tool for improvement

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:

https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro

And you can check out their new offerings here:

https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/

Check out special offers for free trials and/or discounts from our partner websites including Chessmood, ChessDojo, and Chess.com, via the link below:

https://www.perpetualchesspod.com/partners

Mentioned: More on the Vila de Sitges here:

https://open.penyaescacscp.com/

Mentioned: EP 409 with GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez

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

Mentioned:

Practical Chess Exercises

Evaluate like a Grandmaster

Attack with Mikhail Tal

Here is how to reach him:

https://x.com/chessgainz?lang=en

Chess.com:

https://www.chess.com/member/chess_gainz

If you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here: https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

← See all 533 episodes of Perpetual Chess Podcast