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.
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Episodes
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
Tuesday Mar 17, 2020
Chilean singer, songwriter, chessplayer and artist Juga joins Jennifer Shahade for the March 2020 edition of Ladies Knight. Juga’s hit single, “Oh Capablanca” is the theme music for this podcast, and in her appearance, Juga talks to Jennifer about the inspiration for many of her hit songs, including Caruana Oh Na Na, which she wrote with IM Anna Rudolf.
They also discuss the origin of “Oh Capablanca”, the thrill of singing the song at the 2018 Chess Olympiad, and why she admires the Cuban World Champion so much.
Juga also talks to Jen about her dramatic video, “Tactical” celebrating Mikhail Tal.
They also discuss bringing chess to more people, how the flow experience of chess compares to music and Juga’s recent appointment as an Ambassador for Make-A-Wish in Chile.
You can find more about Juga on https://www.jugamusica.com/ and follow her on instagram, twitter, YouTube and linkedin.
Find our full family of US Chess podcasts here. To support Ladies Knight, subscribe and if you like it, rate five stars on Apple Podcasts and review. Find full archives on US Chess or ladiesknight.org
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
World Chess Hall of Fame chief curator Shannon Bailey joins Jennifer Shahade on the latest episode of Ladies Knight. Shannon talks about some of her favorite exhibitions and chess sets over nine years of leading the intersections of history, chess and art at the WCHOF.
They also delve deep into the 2015-2016 art show, Ladies Knight, featuring chess related art from female artists, that inspired the title of this podcast. Yoko Ono, Barbara Kruger and Rachel Whiteread were headliners of the show which also featured art by Jennifer and Crystal Fischetti. That show also kicked off a now longstanding series of Thursday night chess and wine classes at the Kingside Diner, in the heart of the Saint Louis Chess Campus.
They move on to some of Shannon’s most memorable World Chess Hall of Fame experiences, from meeting the legendary photographer Harry Benson to supporting local artists.Check out the World Chess Hall of Fame on twitter, instagram and their website.
Ladies Knight features music by the artist Juga, who went viral when her song, Oh Capablanca, dropped in the Fall of 2018. You can find more about Juga on 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. To make a donation to support US Chess Women programs, go to https://new.uschess.org/give/donate-online/ and select “Women’s Initiative.”
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
In the first anniversary episode of Ladies Knight, Jen Shahade interviews the multi-talented FM, entrepreneur, gold medalist, author and lawyer Alisa Melekhina. Jennifer talks to Alisa live in Philadelphia, where both grew up, about a wide range of topics, from Alisa’s corporate chess league, to lessons behind her first book, “Reality Check: What the Ancient Gameof Chess Can Teach You About Success in Modern Competitive Settings.”
Alisa founded the Corporate Chess League in 2018 with Yuanling Yuan and Alex Wiener. Goldman-Sachs took down this year’s event, which was hosted for the second year in a row at Debevoise & Plimpton’s offices in Manhattan. Jen and Alisa talk about how events like the Corporate League can help with retention for adults, who may be too busy to play chess on the weekends, or who may even fear losing rating points due to the “K” for kids factor. Corporate Chess Leagues exist in other cities in the United States, including Saint Louis, as well as Washington State Corporate Chess League. The Chicago Industrial League, founded in 1957, also features team chess between Chicago area organizations.
Alisa herself had a strong showing at this year’s event as the board one MVP. She detailed one of her favorite games from the event, a victory in a pet-line of the c3-Sicilian.
Former US Women’s Champion Rusudan Goletiani of Deutsche-Bank was the League MVP, with a sizzling 10.5/12 performance. You can find out more about Alisa on her website, twitter and Instagram. Find an excerpt of her book, Reality Check, on CLO and purchase it here.
Tuesday Dec 17, 2019
Tuesday Dec 17, 2019
WGM Sabina Foisor joins Jennifer Shahade on Ladies Knight to discuss her recent work coaching our youngest players in International competition, and how she balances kindness with her ferocious approach over the board. Sabina and Jennifer also relive Foisor’s emotional triumph at the 2017 US Women’s Championship, and how chess skills translate into life skills. Sabina describes her final round at the 2017 Champs against Apurva Virkud, capped with a glorious queen sacrifice.
This game was just re-enacted at the K-12 Chess Championships girls club human chess game, featuring Jennifer against WIM Carolina Blanco, and emceed by Krista Alton. Jennifer and Sabina explore ways to approach coaching confidence in young women, and the dangers of over-emphasizing female players’ looks. Find out more about Sabina on her website, twitter and instagram. To make an end of the year donation to support US Chess Women programs, go to https://new.uschess.org/give/donate-online/ and select “Women’s Initiative.”
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
Tuesday Nov 19, 2019
The November episode of Ladies Knight features Carla Heredia Serrano, a Women’s Grandmaster from Ecuador, who now lives in California. A member of the Ecuadorian Olympic team, Carla recently graduated from Texas Tech with a Masters in Sports Management and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Now Carla works with the Berkeley Chess School on many projects including the organization and marketing of the Summer IM norm tournament, a women’s event designed to offer IM norms. Annie Wang tied for first with Grandmaster Irina Krush, while Irina took the title on tieberak. Find articles on the event from Carla, with Frisco Del Rosario, as well as a story by GM Krush herself. Carla is also teaching for the BCS in a Title I school in the Bay area, as part of one of 11 grants that are part of the partnership between US Chess and the Saint Louis Chess Club.
Find another in-depth interview with Carla about her time at Texas Tech here and follow Carla Heredia Serrano on twitter and Instagram.
Ladies Knight features music by the artist Juga, who went viral when her song, Oh Capablanca,dropped in the Fall of 2018. You can find more about Juga on 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.
Consider a donation to advance our Women’s Programs at https://new.uschess.org/give/donate-online-women/
US Chess Sales has also recently unveiled a suite of new US Chess Women themed merchandise, which helps support US Chess Women.
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
Tuesday Oct 29, 2019
It’s Podcast Tuesday on Chess Life Online, and since this month we have five Tuesdays, we have a Ladies Knight bonus clip for you. Jennifer Shahade talks to podcast host, author of 20 books, investor and blogger James Altucher about something his followers may know a little less about: James is also a US Chess master. He explains to Jennifer his swan song in chess two decades ago, at the hands of now seven-time US Women’s Champion Grandmaster Irina Krush. Jennifer also talks to James the importance of tough female competition and how much of an influence Irina had on her career.
This podcast episode was recorded at James’ comedy club in New York City, Stand Up NY,where, Jennifer recorded a longer interview with James for her other chess inspired podcast, the pokergrid.
Podcast Tuesday at US Chess is Cover Stories with Dan Lucas on the first Tuesday of the month, One Move at a Time on the second Tuesday of the month, Ladies Knight with Jen Shahade on the third Tuesday and The Chess Underground with Pete Kariaganis on the final Tuesday.
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
In the October edition of Ladies Knight, Jennifer Shahade speaks to IM Dorsa Derakshani about her childhood in Iran, her TED talk and what surprised her most about living in the United States.
Dorsa Derakshani is an International Master, Women Grandmaster, three time gold medalist at the Asian Youth Champs and a pre-med student at Saint Louis University. In 2017 she switched federations to the United States after she was banned from playing the Iran National team for her decision not to wear hijab when competing internationally. Her brave choices were reported on all over the World, from NPR to CNN. Dorsa wrote a memorable op-ed for the New York Times in December 2017:
“In this sense, America at its best reflects the best values of chess. Chess doesn’t care how old you are or what you wear. It doesn’t care about what gender you are, or how much money you have. It is blind to all of that. It cares only about merit. That’s why I’m applying for United States citizenship and why I hope to someday represent this country in the Olympics. And it’s why barring people from the game based on their ethnicity, religion or clothing is so wrong.”
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.
Consider a donation to advance our Women’s Programs at https://new.uschess.org/give/donate-online-women/
US Chess Sales has also recently unveiled a suite of new US Chess Women themed merchandise, which helps support US Chess Women.
Wednesday Sep 18, 2019
Wednesday Sep 18, 2019
The September episode of Ladies Knight features International Master and commentator Daniel Rensch, known to many as the Chief Chess Officer at chess.com. Danny, the first male guest on Ladies Knight emphasizes the importance of men speaking up and advocating for women in our culture and sport. Jennifer and Danny also talk about gender ratio statistics on chess.com and US Chess and initiatives like the US Chess Women Program and this year’s Women’s speed chess champs. They also talk about how to shutdown toxic and circular chatter on streams led by or featuring women, including the example set by two of the site’s most popular commentators IM Anna Rudolf, and our first Ladies Knight guest, Alexandra Botez.
Danny and Jen recorded this episode of Ladies Knight in Saint Louis, where they also competed in a Crossfit Blitz game outside the World Chess Hall of Fame.
Keep up to date with Danny on the chess.com Youtube channel, where he is hosting World Cup game highlight recaps, as well as his official twitter and facebook pages.
Find a full index of US Chess podcasts here. To support the 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/ US Chess Sales has also recently unveiled a suite of new US Chess Women themed merchandise, which helps support US Chess Women.
Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
Wednesday Aug 21, 2019
The August episode of Ladies Knight features Maureen Grimaud, chair of the US Chess Women’s committee. Maureen is a vocal proponent and supporter of bringing more women and girls into chess, from her work with the girls club’ rooms and Regional women’s events. In a Sports Illustrated article about women in chess, Maureen said, “It’s a numbers game, It’s a total and complete numbers game. What the women’s committee is trying to do is to grow the base.”
Maureen, who is a successful franchise owner, got into chess through her husband David Grimaud. In her interview with Jennifer, she explains how she uses lessons from business to help her grow chess for girls and women. They also discuss the popular Girls’ Club Rooms at US Chess National Scholastics, a concept that Maureen Grimaud was instrumental in executing.
Maureen, who is a successful franchise owner, got into chess through her husband David Grimaud. In her interview with Jennifer, she explains how she uses lessons from business to help her grow chess for girls and women. They also discuss the popular Girls’ Club Rooms at US Chess National Scholastics, a concept that Maureen Grimaud was instrumental in executing.
Monday Jul 15, 2019
Monday Jul 15, 2019
Writer, army veteran, influencer and US Chess member Charlotte Clymer joins Jennifer Shahade on Ladies Knight live from Las Vegas, where Charlotte participated in her first women’s event, the US Women’s Open. Charlotte and Jennifer talk about Charlotte’s experience in the Armed Forces Championships, how to make chess more inclusive and why every chess game is like a movie.
They also tackle tough questions like whether or not gender fluidity threatens Women’s chess tournaments (spoiler alert- Charlotte says NO!) and how even well-meaning allies can go wrong when heaping flattery and attention on marginalized groups.
Charlotte also talks about her goals in chess, her chess heroes and the injustice of ageism.
Follow Charlotte on https://twitter.com/cmclymer and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cmclymer/.
Stay up to date with US Chess Women on https://twitter.com/USChessWomen and at https://new.uschess.org/give/women-chess-initiative/.