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Azel Chua is a 21-year-old Singapore-based self-taught Candidate Master who has built his own chess skills from the ground up. As Azel explains, he began working on his visualization skills as he sought a way to study chess during high school classes that did not especially interest him.. From there, Azel has developed a unique framework for calculating in chess that he calls \u201cThe Burger Technique,\u201d as covered in his popular Chessable courses on Calculation.\xa0 In our interview, we discuss this technique, as well as hearing Azel\u2019s thoughts and experiences with utilizing resources such as YouTube, and Dvoretsky\u2019s Endgame Manual. Azel also shares some helpful tips on ways to improve one\u2019s chess intuition, and he delves into his background and the chess scene in Singapore. As always, timestamps of topics discussed can be found below.\xa0\n\nThanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock additional features, be sure to use the following link:\nhttps://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro\n\n03:00- What did Azel learn from studying the classic book Dvoretsky\u2019s Endgame Manual during high school classes?\xa0\nMentioned: Calculation Masterclass with Chessgoals\n7:00- What was Azel\u2019s approach to chess improvement?\xa0\n10:00- Why does Azel think that the common tactic-solving advice of looking for \u201cchecks, captures and threats\u201d might be bad advice?\xa0\n12:15- What is\u201dthe Burger technique?\u201d\xa0\n17:30- Where did he come up with the name for \u201cthe Burger technique?\u201d\xa0\n21:00- What was Azel\u2019s mix of studying vs. competing as a tournament player?\xa0\n22:00- How does Azel describe the chess culture of Singapore?\n25:00- What were the biggest contributors to Azel\u2019s improvement?\n27:30- What can we do to improve our chess intuition?\n32:00- What was Azel\u2019s approach to openings?\n36:00- Does Azel follow professional chess? Or read about chess history?\n37:00- How does Azel find teaching material?\xa0\n39:00- What is reciprocal thinking?\xa0\nMentioned: IM John Bartholomew\u2018s Video: The Power of Reciprocal Thinking\xa0\n45:00- Thanks to Azel Chua for joining me! You can check out his Chessable courses here:\nhttps://www.chessable.com/author/AzelChua/\nIf you would like to help support Perpetual Chess via Patreon, you can do so here:\nhttps://www.patreon.com/perpetualchess\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices