Ladies Knight Chess
Two-time US Women’s Chess Champion Jennifer Shahade hosts the official podcast of US Chess Women, where she interviews female chess champions and leaders.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 29, 2020
Tuesday Dec 29, 2020
In a bonus episode of Ladies Knight, William Horberg, the Executive Producer of The Queen’s Gambit, talks to Jennifer Shahade about the long road to creating the hit Netflix series. He also talks about his first chess project, “Searching for Bobby Fischer” which he described as a “cult classic.”
Bill moves on to discussing some of his favorite parts of the Queen’s Gambit, and some things that may surprise you about the star of the Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor Joy, from her voracious reading habits to her Argentinian heritage. Lucky members of the US Chess Women community got a chance to know Anya a little more, when she gave some words of encouragement to our girls club.
William Horberg was also a producer on many projects you’re likely to have heard about including The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain and the Kite Runner. See a full listing on his IMDB and follow him on twitter at https://twitter.com/WilliamHorberg.
Find all episodes of Ladies Knight on Apple, our website or ladiesknight.org. The show features music by artist and singer Juga of Jugamusica.com. Learn more about the US Chess Women’s Initiative and everything we do to support girls and women in chess at uschesswomen.org.
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Award-winning author, New Yorker writer and psychology PHD Maria Konnikova joins Jennifer Shahade on Ladies Knight to talk about her first book, Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes. Maria is also the author of the recent bestseller, “The Biggest Bluff“, a chronicle of her poker journey, when she went from newbie to champion in a year.
Jen and Maria talk about the challenge of deep focus in both chess and poker, and how thinking like Sherlock Holmes is also similar to thinking like a child. Maria also talks about her work with Walter Mischel at Columbia University, where she got her psychology PHD. Mischel is widely known for his work on the “Marshmallow” Experiment, which challenges children to either eat one marshmallow immediately, or receive two marshmallows if they can wait 15 minutes. Konnikova reveals a little known fact about that experiment that takes Jennifer aback.
They also touch on Konnikova’s book, “The Confidence Game” about con artists, in explaining how conning goes beyond the desire to win, and into the desire to exert control.
She also reveals her short, but dramatic chess career as a fifth grader and flirts with the idea of giving it another go. It’s never too late to learn, Jennifer assures her. Mastermind is the subject of our December edition of our “Madwoman’s Book Club”, a new community of women around great books and chess, as featured in Vanity Fair and the New York Times. Learn more at new.uschess.org/bookclub and sign up for our December 18th session at https://tinyurl.com/madwomanmastermind.
Find out more about Maria and her books on mariakonnikova.com and follow her @mkonnikova. You can also listen to her appearance on Jennifer’s other podcast, the GRID.
Keep your eye on our YouTube Playlist, which will feature a video from Sabina Foisor to the Girls Club Room, where she talked about the new book she co-authored with GM Elshan Moradiabadi, “Sherlock’s Method.”
Find all episodes of Ladies Knight on Apple, our website or ladiesknight.org. The show features music by artist and singer Juga of Jugamusica.com.
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
In a special edition of Ladies Knight, Jennifer Shahade talks about the Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis. She starts by summarizing her thoughts on the series, and the experience of seeing chess all over the media, including a number of interviews Jen did on the show for Vanity Fair, the New York Times, PocketFives, Salon and the Mic.
She then dives into the Madwoman’s Book Club she started with Adia Onyango, debuting with a reading of the Queen’s Gambit. Almost 200 women signed up for the club, which kicked off on Friday November 13th with a mini chess lesson based on Beth’s early battles with Mr. Shaibel, followed by in-depth discussions of the book in break-out rooms and as a large group.
Shahade talks about Garry Kasparov’s visit to the Girls Club Room, where he talked about his work on the series. Director, co-creator and screenwriter Scott Frank also attended, explaining how badly he wanted to cast Garry as Borgov.
Starting at around the 8:00 minute mark of the pod, Jen dives into the main event of the episode: select readings from the book, and comparisons to those scenes in the series.
To join the book club for adult women, fill out this form, or email jshahade@uschess.org to get on the list. We’ve also started a club on chess.com so our members can interact. Our next session will be on December 18th at 8 PM EST and the book will be Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes by Maria Konnikova.
You can also sign up for our brand new beginner women’s chess lessons, to be hosted by NM Laura Smith.
There are spoilers in this podcast. The content in the series contains mature content, as does this episode.
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Jennifer interviews Robin and Sarah Ramson for the October edition of Ladies Knight podcast. Robin Ramson is the founder of Chess Girls DC and the organizer of the upcoming Chess Empowerment Weekend (Nov 6-8), which will feature a series of chess tournaments and a star-studded line-up of guest speakers.
Sarah Ramson is Robin’s daughter, and a chess player, golfer, dancer and harpist. Sarah and Robin talk to Jennifer about their initiative to give away 300 chess sets in downtown DC, in honor of National Chess Day Month, and the complementary lessons with NM David Bennett to drive new interest in the game.
Sarah and Robin both give tips for parents or coaches looking to retain female players. Sarah is a frequent guest at our US Chess Women Girls Club Zoom events, and she talks about some of her favorite classes, including sessions with Jennifer, Tatev Abrahamyan and the artist and musician Juga, who is also the voice of Ladies Knight’ intro music.
Follow Chess Girls DC on their website, twitter and Facebook. Find out more about David Bennett on chessprofessor.net.
Love the podcast? Subscribe to us and review on your favorite platform,including Apple Music and share favorite episodes of Class is in Session or Ladies Knight on social media or with friends.
Wednesday Sep 16, 2020
Wednesday Sep 16, 2020
The September edition of Ladies Knight features legendary Grandmaster and seven-time US Women’s Champion Irina Krush. Irina and Jennifer talk about Irina’s coaching philosophy and her recent learning experiences at camps with Kramnik and Polgar. They also touch on Irina’s battle with COVID-19, which was featured this Spring in the New York Times. Despite her struggles with the “longhaul”, Irina has much wisdom on what the lockdown period has taught her about self-development and perspective. Irina also gives some great tips for improvement at all ages. Spoiler alert: get off your computer and read a book! Irina was also a recent and very popular guest for our Class is In Session series, instructional videos on our YouTube channel, based on classes taught at the Girls Club Zoom sessions.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate and review Ladies Knight on your favorite podcast platform. We also appreciate your shares of favorite episodes on social media or with your friends. Special thanks to the Chess Journalists of America for selecting Ladies Knight for two podcast awards, including best Episode with the artist Juga.
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
On the August episode of Ladies Knight, Jennifer interviews author, chess teacher and speaker Lauren Goodkind. Goodkind is a popular Bay Area teacher and the author of “Poison Pieces” and “Queen for a Day: The Girl’s Guide to Chess Mastery.” In her latest book, Queen for a Day, readers work through an entire game with the main character, Sophia, who is new to chess.
Lauren also talks to Jennifer about growing up with a speech impediment, and how chess helped her realize her intelligence and become less self-conscious. “Everyone is smart in their own way. You need to find ways to overcome your obstacles.”
Find Lauren and her books on her website https://www.laurengoodkindchess.com/, her chess puzzle site https://www.chessbylauren.com/ and her YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/chessdifference
Jennifer also talks about her girls club classes in this episode, and a special teen girls club for female US Chess members 12-19. Email jshahade@uschess.org to get on the list and find highlights from our Girls Club classes on our YouTube playlist.
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Our July Ladies Knight features 18-year-old IM Annie Wang, who captivated the chess world in 2018, when she nearly won the US Women’s Championship at just 15. Since that feat, Annie has continued to raise her playing level. In 2019, Annie won the Pan-American World Junior to earn her IM title and her first GM norm. A recent high school graduate, Annie talks to Jennifer about the college application process, why she’s going to MIT, and her plans for the fall. She reflects on her 2018 US Women’s Championship, and why losing the playoff against Nazi Paikidze ultimately made her a stronger chessplayer than if she’d won. You’ll also find out why Annie Wang’s name on chess.com is “HappyFarmer.” Annie is a future guest in our Girls Club Zoom “Class is in Session” series, and a panelist for our College & Chess seminar.
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Jennifer Shahade welcomes singer, songwriter and former scholastic chess champion, Linda Diaz on Ladies Knight. We play a clip from “Magic” in the middle of the episode, a song you may have heard on twitch.tv/botezlive, where Linda’s music videos have played on breaks during our Saturday US Chess Women fundraisers.
Like twitch, Linda has been blowing up lately, and was quoted in NPR saying that “Black joy is radical.” Linda explains how this quote can pertain to both chess and music, “It’s definitely a radical act to be fighting all these things and to be living your best life.”
They also discuss Linda’s scholastic chess career and how coaches like Sophia Rohde and John MacArthur helped her through a period of stagnation and built her empathy off the board and aggression over it. She also talks about some of her happiest chess memories, from Disneyland for the K-12 to the SPGI.
She also advises how we can make chess more inclusive and anti-racist. Linda finishes with some musical advice to chess streamers and recommends some artists she’s lately enjoyed.
Look for a memorable game by Linda in the “My Best Move” series in the July issue of Chess Life Magazine. Linda’s linktree will take you to her spotify, YouTube, instagram and website.
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Jennifer Shahade talks to 16-year-old International Master Carissa Yip on the newest episode of Ladies Knight. The popular two-time US Junior Girls Champ is a serial record breaker- the youngest female to defeat a GM at the age of ten, and the youngest American female in history to become an International Master.
Jennifer and Carissa talk about her recent streaming activity on twitch.tv/carissayip, where she’s quickly amassed a strong following. They also talk about Yip’s charitable initiative, Chess for COVID-19 and her recent charity event for COVID-19 relief, that featured heavy hitters like Jeffery Xiong and Ray Robson, as well as eventual winner Josh Friedel.
Carissa gives tips for people of all ages looking to improve, from her favorite books to how to break through a tactical plateau. She also talks about her hobbies outside chess, from baking to TikTok. She also talks about two of her most memorable victories, over Grandmasters Dariusz Swiercz and World Women’s Champion Ju Wenjun.
Yip is also a content creator for chesskid.com and chess.com, and has written several articles for CLO, including a piece on earning the IM title.
Yip was also recently a special guest in the Girls Club Room, where she talked about an attack against the uncastled king.
Follow Carissa on twitch, twitter, Instagram and at http://www.carissayip.com/.
Find a full index of US Chess podcasts here. To support this podcast, subscribe and if you like it, rate five stars on Apple Podcasts and review.
Consider a donation to advance our Women’s Programs at https://new.uschess.org/give/donate-online-women/
Tuesday Apr 21, 2020
Tuesday Apr 21, 2020
Our April edition of Ladies Knight features Grandmaster Humpy Koneru, the 2020 Cairns Cup Champion and our May 2020 Chess Life Magazine cover star. She is the reigning World Women’s Rapid Champion, and the second woman in history to break the 2600 barrier. She also defeated Judit Polgar’s record as the youngest woman to achieve the title of Grandmaster, which was later eclipsed by Hou Yifan.
Jennifer and Humpy talk about her brilliant first round victory in the Cairns Cup against Carissa Yip, how she came back from an early loss and how she once reached at a peak live rating of 2623, mostly playing in Open fields. They also talk about how Humpy Koneru met her husband, and Koneru’s biggest accomplishment in the game so far.
Ladies Knight features music by the artist Juga, who appeared on this podcast last month– find out more about her at https://www.jugamusica.com/
Find our full family of US Chess podcasts here. To support this podcast, subscribe and if you like it, rate five stars on Apple Podcasts and review.