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The Adult Improver series returns to look at both the macro and the micro of adult chess improvement. My guest is NM Todd Bryant. Todd is a software engineer (for Chess.com) and an accomplished player, who has used his analytical skills to gather lots of data about the most accomplished adult improvers in recent US Chess History. Todd shares information about the standout improvement cases at different age ranges. What would be considered an exceptional rating gain for someone over the age of 30? What about age 50? What patterns does Todd notice in looking at the rating graphs of these accomplished amateur? In addition to sharing all of this data that Todd has dutifully gathered, he discusses his own improvement philosophy. Todd plays frequently OTB, and when at home he emphasizes opening study and frequent speed chess play. This approach has been working for Todd as he recently passed 2500 Blitz on Chess.com for the first time! This was a fascinating conversation, and I really appreciate Todd\u2019s gathering and sharing all of this interesting data! Timestamps of the topics discussed are below.\xa0\n\nTodd\u2019s previous Perpetual Chess appearance:\nhttps://www.perpetualchesspod.com/new-blog/2023/6/30/f82nnc8zc3crw6pxaprlkd5rgil5a7\n\n\nIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via the Patreon community you can do so here:\nhttps://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess\n\n\nChess.com\u2019s First #Chesspunks tournament! More info here:\nhttps://www.chess.com/news/view/chesspunks-champs\n\nThanks to our presenting chess education sponsors, Chessable.com. Here are a few of NM Todd Bryant\u2019s favorite Chessable courses and authors:\xa0\nGM Gawain Jones:\n\nFM Kamil Plichta\xa0\nYou can check out some of my recommended courses here: https://go.chessable.com/perpetual-chess-podcast/\n6:00- Todd shares his findings from his independent research into what type of rating gains are seen by the most accomplished adult improvers at different ages.\xa0\n\n13:45- What were the outlier cases of improvement after the age of 25?\xa0\nMentioned: Michael Johnson, NM Philemon Thomas, NM Fred Wilson\xa0\xa0\n\n19:30- What type of rating gains have improvers over the age of 50 achieved?\xa0\nMentioned: Tom Hickenlooper, James Altucher, Skip the Line\xa0\xa0\n\n29:00- Does Todd think there is rating deflation in US Chess and FIDE?\xa0\n\xa0Mentioned: Paul Iinuma\n\n32:00- How does this data impact how Todd approaches chess?\xa0\n\n36:00- Why does Todd choose to focus on speed chess and blitz with his chess time?\xa0\nMentioned: Pre-order My Book- Perpetual Chess Improvement, IM Greg Shahade\u2019s Blog Post \u201cSlow Chess is Dying\u201d\xa0\n\n44:00- Is there a rating below which playing speed chess does not result in an improvement in\xa0playing?\xa0\n\n46:00- Why does Todd still play the King\u2019s Gambit?\xa0\nMentioned: The King\u2019s Gambit by GM John Shaw, IM Ryo Chen\xa0\n\n52:00- Patreon mailbag question: What is Todd\u2019s advice for improving thinking processes at the board?\xa0\nMentioned: The Amateur\u2019s Mind by IM Jeremy Silman\xa0\n\n57:00- Patreon mailbag question: \u201cShould amateurs invest the time to learn antidotes to dodgy but\xa0popular amateur openings like The Stafford Gambit?\u201d\xa0\n\n1:01:00- What other chess books made a difference for Todd?\xa0\nMentioned: Attacking Chess with Josh Waitzkin, Best Lessons of a Chess Coach by FM Sunil Weerumantry\n\n1:04:00- What has Todd learned from watching his son pursue chess?\xa0\n\n1:07:00- Todd\u2019s final chess improvement advice?\n\n1:12:00- Thanks to Todd for joining!\xa0\nFollow him on Twitter here:\nhttps://twitter.com/thestrongchess?lang=en\n\nOr chess.com here:\nhttps://www.chess.com/member/toddbryant\nIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess, you can do so here:\nhttps://www.perpetualchesspod.com/donate\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices