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Enjoy a much more relaxed episode of Back Rank Mates this week as Brendan and Cameron catch up after Brendan returns from his chess tournament in Banff, Alberta! The Mates talk about scenery, getting the black pieces three times out of fives, new highest ratings, Brendan's panic attacks and the Great Canadian Chess Tour!

If you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: backrankmates@gmail.com 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

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In this episode, Cameron and Brendan discuss the (many) things that make them bad chess players, while also discussing the best ways to get better at chess. The Back Rank Mates also debate how good someone can become at chess, and if it's possible to become a National Master, FIDE Master, International Master or Grandmaster when starting your chess journey later in life.

If you'd like to get in touch with the Back Rank Mates you can email them at: backrankmates@gmail.com 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

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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: backrankmates@gmail.com 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

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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: backrankmates@gmail.com 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

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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: backrankmates@gmail.com 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

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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: backrankmates@gmail.com 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

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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: backrankmates@gmail.com 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.