WGM Jennifer Shahade

WGM Jennifer Shahade is a two-time US Women's Champion, an all-star commentator for top-flight chess events, an avid podcaster for both chess and poker, a published author, and an icon for gender equality in our game. In fact, had I not watched Jennifer (along with GMs Maurice Ashley, Yasser Seirawan, and Cristian Chirila) commentate the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz 2017 with such enthusiasm and insight I might have never become a chess player myself!

On this episode of 64, WGM Shahade and I talk about growing the game for female players and discuss a wide range of topics, from chess history to poker and everything in between. As a final note, I had been trying to get WGM Shahade onto the show for many months, and we found time to make our schedules work just before I flew to Copenhagen. I thank Jennifer from the bottom of my heart for stopping by, and I hope you all enjoy this episode of 64: A Chess Podcast.

Some highlights from this week's episode:

• We talk "Girls' Club", an event Jennifer organizes with US Chess Women, and pivoting from in-person to online events

• Jennifer discusses how has the OTB landscape changed with regards to gender equity over the last two decades...

• Focusing on anti-harassment policies in US Chess and beyond to continue making social progress in the chess world

• The case for renaming "Alekhine's Gun" to "Polgar's Power Punch"

• Advice for growing the chess "pod-o-sphere" and embracing gimmicky podcasts

• Discussing the overlap between chess and poker -- especially the allure of poker to many chess players

• The "generational shift" we are seeing in the chess world right now for female chess players

• "Aimchess Instant Insights", a new sponsored section of my podcast :-)

64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.

I also want to say "Rest In Peace" to GM Evgeny Sveshnikov, who passed away on the day this episode was recorded.

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Thanks again to WGM Jennifer Shadade for joining the show -- follow her on Twitter! And listen to Ladies' Knight, Jen's chess podcast.

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @64Podcast

Follow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan