Greg Mustreader

Chess patron Oleg Skvortsov, who pioneered the “fast classical” format, has passed away. Very sad news. We spoke a few times, and Oleg was a guest on my podcast. A small consolation: just yesterday, FIDE announced that the World Cup will adopt his time control: 45+30. RIP.

Video of the game with my commentary: youtu.be/PvXr64XVW4I

I won a blitz game against the former World No. 2 (peak FIDE rating: 2820), GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov! It was a crazy game with multiple Queen sacrifices. Check out the video 👇

@hellokostya @PHChess Great content! And congrats on the jubilee!

Was cool to talk with @PHChess about the FIDE election, even if we are completely powerless as chess players 🥲 Cheers to 200! 🥂

@Eljanov If you are hinting at the Kramnik discussion, we did talk about that! But I don’t think that it’s fair to compare Grischuk’s adequacy with Salov’s, not even close

@mustreader I usually enjoy your content but I suspect I can already guess the script this time. Valery Salov next? 😂

New podcast with Alexander Grischuk coming soon. Are you looking forward to it?

@Polite85B @Garudapura2 If Black takes with on e8 with the Queen or with the Rook, white Bishop will take on f6 with checkmate next. And if instead Black takes on e8 with the Knight, white Queen will take on f8 with mate (alternatively, white Bishop could take the black Queen, also good enough).

@Garudapura2 @mustreader Please explain to a beginner why this is a good move. I can't see/understand Newbie/ beginner trying to understand the game. Thanks

Got this in a blitz game today, White to move

Recording a podcast today with GM Alexey Sarana @GMSarana, who just won the KazChess Masters. Drop your ideas for non-obvious questions and topics to discuss with Alexey in the comments!

@viditchess 🔥🔥🔥

Didn’t see this coming! Pleasant surprise :)

Amazing performance by IM John Bartholomew @fins0905 at the Naroditsky Memorial Creator Invitational! 9 out of 9 - great job!

A heartwarming moment! Congrats to @GMJSindarov on winning the Naroditsky Memorial Rapid! Great story about Danya in the interview, by the way!

Video on YouTube: youtu.be/xFucNsnis18?si… Bilibili: bilibili.com/video/BV1MnTZ6…

The video where I analyze my games from the 2026 Kazakhstan Senat Cup (where I got the 1st place out of 9000 participants) is finally out! Check it out. I'm now not only on YouTube, but also - on BiliBili with Mandarin Chinese subs. Links 👇

@chesseverapp The queen sac on c1 after Nd3+ cxd3 Rgxg2+ Ka3 feels so morally satisfying!

GM Kantans thought he was pinning the knight and Rc4 is the next move.

New FIDE rankings are out. Gradually, I’m gaining classical and rapid rating (played almost no blitz this year). I hope this trend continues!

@askavrukh Thanks! Playing blitz at the end of my podcasts against the best of the best definitely helps a lot!

@mustreader Congrats! Maybe you are just improving from interviewing strong players? 🧐

I won the Kazakhstan Senat Open 2026! 9,000 players across Kazakhstan took part in all stages; 250 made the final. I tied for 1st with two others, but won gold on tiebreaks. Video tomorrow — lots of wild games. For now, accepting congrats!

New podcast with Vidit Gujrathi @viditchess is out! We discussed why he stepped back from classical chess and what his future might look like. We also talked about Sindarov and the new generation, Gukesh’s struggles, and the 2026 Olympiad. Watch the full episode👇