American Chess Magazine Issue 35

American Chess Magazine #35: Jennifer Shahade

In an exclusive interview, WGM Jennifer Shahade explains why she resigned from the position of Women’s Program Director of US Chess and discusses the challenges and attacks she faced after igniting a METOO movement in chess. 

After she quit her playing career, Jennifer Shahade’s efforts were directed mainly in promoting chess to girls, as well as publishing several books she wrote on chess. The developing events that exploded at the beginning of 2023 triggered Jennifer’s reaction on social media with a snowball effect – following plenty of challenges and bold decisions she had to make.

The FIDE World Cup held in Baku was certainly a prestigious event in every way. GM John Burke highlights the key moments from this nearly month-long competition – Carlsen’s probably only missing title in classical chess, Caruana’s consecutive qualification for the Candidates Tournament since 2016, the pinnacle of Praggnanadhaa’s career so far, and a melting point for many a favorite.

GM Emilio Cordova explains how to prepare openings reflecting on the variety of players’ choices from the same event. His main advice is to suggest your own ideas to an engine and then check how reasonable they are, instead of following only the top lines suggested by an engine. Likewise, the same advice is here shared by financial expert Luca Barillaro, who refers to similarities in creating an investment plan and a game plan in chess – “don’t get misled by the statistics and choose your own plan tailored to your own style and preference.”

More analysis of the World Cup games follows in our regular Magnificent Three column. This time GM Sarunas Sulskis has selected two highly combative victories by Black from the Open Section, and a brilliancy from the Women’s Section.

The recognition of chess educators and their impact on the chess community is highlighted here by means of a report on the New York City organization ‘Chess in the Schools’, and their initiative to establish an annual Andy Lerner Award for Excellence in Chess Education. Get to know the inaugural award winners who share personal stories about their dedication, hard work and bonds with local communities across the country.