Perpetual Chess Podcast
Perpetual Chess Podcast
Ben Johnson
EP 475- Matt Biancuzzo (Byredofantome) on Keeping Chess Fun, Ignoring Rating, and Making Viral Chess Videos
1 hour 25 minutes Posted Mar 10, 2026 at 3:39 pm.
Introduction to Chess Improvement and Content Creation
Matt Biancuzzo joins the show! We begin by discussing how he got into chess in college.
The Role of Community in Chess Improvement
Coaching and Learning Strategies
The Impact of Online Chess and Content Creation
Getting a chess coach
Personal Growth Through Chess
Final Thoughts on Chess and Community
The language and habits of chess players
Content Creation in Chess
The Art of Subversive Commentary
Impressions and Mannerisms in Chess
Translating Chess for the Average Person
Inspiration from Online Trends
Monetization and Content Creation Challenges
Entrepreneurial Ventures in Chess
Colliding Worlds: Chess and Consulting
The Nature of Content Creation and Recognition
0:00
1:25:47
Download MP3
Show notes
This week’s guest on the Adult Improver Series is Matt Biancuzzo. Matt is a 31-year-old New York City consultant who is very active in both the local chess scene and on social media. He has taken full advantage of New York’s many chess opportunities, regularly attending chess gatherings and pub nights while also competing in tournaments locally. Over the past few years he has improved from below 1400 USCF to a peak of over 1800! Matt has worked with multiple coaches, grinded tactics, and consumed countless chess videos, but he credits the majority of his improvement to building a social network that made chess fun for him.
Speaking of fun, Matt has also built a large online following thanks to his hilarious short-form videos. Posting as “byredofantome” on Instagram and “fantomechess” on TikTok, Matt creates impressions and humorous shorts that lightly satirize chess culture. In the second half of our interview, we shift our focus from chess improvement to the story behind Matt’s videos. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to check out the bonus video breaking down some of Matt’s best clips here.
Join the Perpetual Chess Patreon community here:
Ben Johnson | creating Perpetual Chess Podcast | Patreon
Join the Perpetual Chess Discord here:
 https://discord.gg/gUPSsHMK
Check out Chessable’s Women’s Day sale here:
https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/all/offer/f/
Check out Chessiverse.com, use code “Perpetual30” to save 30% on premium offerings. 
Mentioned: GM Robert Hungaski, IM Denys Shmelov, Alex Pickett,  IM Jan van der Mortaal, Jonathan Williams, Pobo Efikoro
Mentioned: MaddiePlaysChess, GambitMan
Mentioned: IM Sam Khanin, IM VIktor Matviishen
Mentioned: Matt’s article about Where to Play Chess in NYC
https://www.chess.com/blog/byredofantome/where-to-play-chess-in-nyc-and-how-to-gauge-a-good-club
POV When you are Prepping for the 2002 World Under 12 Championship:
https://www.instagram.com/byredofantome/reel/DT6A_OHDqTi/
What I learned Playing 130 Chess Tournaments in 2 Years
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ-fgbeDmHY/
POV You are Spassky in 1971
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTOntmlDlEM/
Matt’s Yasser/magnus video is here:
https://www.tiktok.com/@byredofantome/video/7240979768525573418?_r=1&_t=ZP-94OfoAItpk7
Mentioned: POV Chess Players Training at the Gym
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRqJ2x_jvKs/
Matt’s linktree is here:
https://linktr.ee/byredofantome?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnKZHTvXc3y6vDxPUApYvPDxbUFpbNtVLXr58nVATFdTyrdu7mR6xgzob8An4_aem_SjGs6svkY3aTt1lbEPnWOg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices