In this week's episode, the Back Rank Mates share their thoughts on draws in chess. What is a draw? How can you draw? Did you know about the "50 move" rule? Cameron didn't. Brendan and Cameron also share some fond stories from tournaments in which draws took place. From match fixing to relying on your opponent's fatigue, they discuss it all!If you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: [email protected] or send them a direct message on Instagram under the handle "Back Rank Mates". While you're there, be sure to leave comments on the most recent reel so Brendan and Cameron can become famous chess influencers.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backrankmates/?hl=en See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's episode, Cameron and Brendan welcome their second guest: Cem.Cem is a new chess player who, like many, took inspiration from "The Queen's Gambit". With just eight months of chess playing experience, Cem has become the president of his college's chess club and embarked on the journey to become the best chess player he can be. He offers insight as a once ambitious and naïve chess player who now holds a more grounded understanding of chess development and improvement. The Back Rank Mates share their thoughts on what they think is the best way to develop as a chess player, including a heated debate that sees Cameron and Brendan's friendship come close to it's end.If you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: [email protected] or send them a direct message on Instagram under the handle "Back Rank Mates". While you're there, be sure to leave comments on the most recent reel so Brendan and Cameron can become famous chess influencers.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backrankmates/?hl=en See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cameron and Brendan give you everything you need to know before participating in your first over the board tournament! The boys discuss what not to do, some rules that might not be made clear, transition from online chess to over the board, as well as what to expect (hint: not much).f you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: [email protected] or send them a direct message on Instagram under the handle "Back Rank Mates". While you're there, be sure to leave comments on the most recent reel so Brendan and Cameron can become famous chess influencers.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backrankmates/?hl=en See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's episode, Cameron and Brendan discuss their favorite chess variants, such as: Chess 960, CrazyHouse and BugHouse, among other unique games within chess! The pair also share their thoughts on the pros & cons that chess variants have on the development of chess players, the possibility of competitive tournaments for chess variants, and much, much more! If you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: [email protected] or send them a direct message on Instagram under the handle "Back Rank Mates". While you're there, be sure to leave comments on the most recent reel so Brendan and Cameron can become famous chess influencers.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backrankmates/?hl=en See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's episode, Brendan and Cameron discuss winning: something neither of them know much about but still manage to talk about for over 40 minutes. The two compare the value of wins against weaker vs stronger players, time wins/handicapped wins vs hard fought wins, among other variables that lead us questioning the validity of our victories. If you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: [email protected] or send them a direct message on Instagram under the handle "Back Rank Mates". While you're there, be sure to leave comments on the most recent reel so Brendan and Cameron can become famous chess influencers.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backrankmates/?hl=en See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's episode, Cameron and Brendan discuss their thoughts on tournament prize money. Cameron also explains why he thinks you don't deserve prize money in an attempt to change society's view on rewarding mediocrity, while Brendan does his best to stop Cameron from losing Back Rank Mates' target audience.If you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: [email protected] or send them a direct message on Instagram under the handle "Back Rank Mates". While you're there, be sure to leave comments on the most recent reel so Brendan and Cameron can become famous chess influencers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's episode, Cameron and Brendan discuss what it takes to get someone to resign, and question if giving up is bad. Is resigning in chess related to player maturity, or does it come from lack of self belief? We don't know, and we hope you don't either! If you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: [email protected] or send them a direct message on Instagram under the handle "Back Rank Mates". While you're there, be sure to leave comments on the most recent reel so Brendan and Cameron can become famous chess influencers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this weeks episode, Cameron and Brendan talk about losing, how it affects them and their game, as well as how often a loss affects them and to what degree. They also try to list as many Olivia Rodrigo songs from her smash hit album "SOUR" while discussing today's topic. Can you count how many references were made? If you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: [email protected] or send them a direct message on Instagram under the handle "Back Rank Mates". While you're there, be sure to leave comments on the most recent reel so Brendan and Cameron can become famous chess influencers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In their tenth episode, Brendan and Cameron discuss how players cheat in chess, past experiences with cheaters, and why the pain of being cheated on will never go away. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this week's episode, Brendan and Cameron discuss their thoughts on the varying time controls chess players have played at one point or another. Does playing bullet damage your chess skill? Are rapid time controls the future of competitive chess? Is 10+0 really the best time control for chess clubs? (answer: it is.) All that and more on this week's episode! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.