# EP 185 | Do Kids Ruin Your Chess?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/dojo-talks-a-chess-podcast-3643500/ep-185-do-kids-ruin-your-chess
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/dojo-talks-a-chess-podcast-3643500/ep-185-do-kids-ruin-your-chess.md
Podcast: [Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/dojo-talks-a-chess-podcast-3643500)
Published: 2026-03-19T12:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://ChessDojoTalks.podbean.com/e/ep-185-do-kids-ruin-your-chess/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/gbgad6m6utvqqspd/kids_destroy_1_180brb.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/dojo-talks-a-chess-podcast-3643500/episodes/ep-185-do-kids-ruin-your-chess
Duration seconds: 3132

## Resource

In this episode of Dojo Talks, we explore how having children impacts chess performance, from real examples of world champions to personal experiences as chess dads. With Hikaru Nakamura entering the Candidates as a new father, the question is more relevant than ever. We break down the short-term dip (sleep, focus, hormones) vs long-term recovery—and what it could mean for top players like Magnus Carlsen. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.clubWatch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.clubTwitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips 00:00 Do Kids Hurt Your Chess?00:25 Why Hikaru’s new baby matters02:35 World champions and parenthood06:13 Naka, Magnus, and motivation10:26 How kids changed their own chess17:51 The science: sleep, hormones, and focus28:54 Can top players avoid the dip?33:02 Long-term benefits of parenting?42:50 The dip is real, but varies51:22 Final verdict on kids and chess

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## Transcript

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