Today I’m joined by one of the best chess players in the world — GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. We dive into the biggest topics in chess right now: the 2026 calendar clash, Hikaru’s criticism video, chess as part of esports, the 2026 Olympiad, and more. MVL also explains what went wrong in his attempt to qualify for the Candidates, and together we build a Candidates 2026 tier list — with some very spicy takes. And of course, as always, we finish with a blitz game — don’t miss it!
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My X: https://x.com/mustreader
My channel with podcast highlights: https://www.youtube.com/@CwMClips
My chess.com club: https://go.chess.com/MustreaderClub
Collabs: mazdrid@gmail.com
MVL's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MVLChess
MVL's X: https://x.com/Vachier_Lagrave
MVL's website: https://www.mvlchess.com
Listen on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chess-with-mustreader/id1745521337
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mU5WbBXgDklyN3jm6GMSN
All platforms: https://mustreaderchess.mave.digital
My previous podcast with MVL: https://youtu.be/6sIBWByqqG8
My podcast with Caruana: https://youtu.be/1LMPYFf1iLo
My podcast with Magnus’s coach Peter Heine Nielsen: https://youtu.be/bXQAvKUiA7A
My podcast with Wei Yi: https://youtu.be/TeQ-yS9EWRY
My podcast with Pragg: https://youtu.be/LYURIPGuMjs
My podcast with Giri: https://youtu.be/eFWwfFySx2Q
Many thanks to my Patreon supporter: Sarterus
— Intro
— How have you changed this year?
— 2026 calendar clash: MVL’s take
— MVL on Hikaru’s criticism
— Will organizers find a compromise?
— Esports World Cup or Sinquefield Cup?
— Has Vitality changed you?
— Chess as an esport
— What went wrong with Candidates?
— “The most talented player is…”
— Back to Candidates qualification
— How to reach next Candidates?
— Olympiad 2026
— Candidates 2026 tier list
— Don’t underrate Bluebaum
— Esipenko plays incredible chess
— Sindarov’s great future
— Wei Yi: “it’s controversial, but…”
— Hot take on Pragg
— Anish impressed in 2025
— Fabi: six Candidates later...
— Hikaru: his best chance?
— Last takes on Candidates
— Blitz vs MVL
My name is Greg Mustreader, I am a Candidate Master in chess, an entrepreneur and host of several podcasts.
On the Chess with Mustreader channel, I interview top chess players, play against chess AIs, analyze the most interesting chess games and combinations of today and of the past, as well as show you my path in chess and the way I work on my chess improvement (including recaps from the tournaments I play).
I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan and travel the world extensively (been to 50 countries). I'm 32 years old, I have a girlfriend, three dogs and four cats. I speak English, Russian, German, and a bit of French and Chinese.
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