About this episode

GM Ben Finegold discusses the latest happenings in the chess world, including the FIDE Candidates, a Netflix documentary on the Hans–Magnus controversy, and business developments in chess apps.

It has been a busy time in the chess world, as dramas new and old bubble to the surface. GM Javokhir Sindarov is on the verge of winning the FIDE Candidates. A highly anticipated Netflix documentary has just been released about the Hans–Magnus controversy, and there is even some business intrigue, as an app co-founded by GM Magnus Carlsen is set to compete directly with Chess.com. Joining me to discuss it all is the popular and entertaining YouTuber and commentator, GM Ben Finegold. Questions answered include: Is the early Kalshi market correct to make Sindarov a 66% favorite over Gukesh in a World Championship match? Will the Netflix documentary change anyone’s mind about Chess.com, Magnus Carlsen, or Hans Niemann? Is Magnus likely to be directly involved in Take Take Take’s new direction? We also discuss Ben’s recent health struggles, the state of his OTB game, and his upcoming plans. It’s always worthwhile to hear Ben’s unvarnished opinions! 0:00 – Intro + GM Ben Finegold returns 0:40 – FIDE Candidates Discussion (Sindarov’s dominance, Gukesh, Women’s section, format talk) 7:30 – Netflix “Chessmates” Documentary (Niemann–Carlsen) (Impressions, cheating debate, Magnus/Chess.com…

People in this episode

Host: Ben Johnson

Guest: Ben Finegold

Topics covered

• FIDE Candidates
• Netflix documentary
• chess business
• Magnus Carlsen
• Hans Niemann controversy
• chess commentary

Keywords

• FIDE Candidates
• Ben Finegold
• Netflix documentary
• chess business
• Magnus Carlsen
• Hans Niemann
• TakeTakeTake
• Chess.com

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Chess.com, TakeTakeTake, Lichess

Books & works: Untold: Chess Mates, Chessmates

More episodes of Perpetual Chess Podcast

• EP 479 – GM Rafael Leitão on Sindarov’s Historic Candidates Win, His Training Methods & What Comes Next · April 20, 2026 · 1h 2m
• EP 477- Jennifer Shahade on Cheating, AI, and Thinking Like a Chess Player · April 7, 2026 · 60 min
• Bonus Pod: Sindarov’s Historic Start + Inside the FIDE Candidates with Mike Klein · April 6, 2026 · 34 min
• EP 476-Vlad Ghita: Is the Rating System Still Broken? A Data-Driven Investigation · March 31, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Book Recap #38- Silman’s Chess Odyssey + Stories from a Former Student with Gaurav Datta · March 24, 2026 · 1h 22m
• EP 476-  GM Jan Gustafsson previews the 2026 FIDE Candidates · March 17, 2026 · 1h 16m

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