Jennifer Shahade
@jenshahade
3x National Chess Champ and PokerStars Pro Newsletter: New book: How to Beat your Mom at chess videos:
Fabian and I discuss the SOFA technique S: Sleep O: Organize F: Focus A: Active Learning
Strategy games like chess (and poker for adults!) are a pushback against the "cognitive surrender" that we risk if we cede our critical thinking to social media algorithms and LLMs. 💡
The article includes the famous Duchamp-Eve Babitz photo, which I reversed.
I signed 300 copies of my book in Baltimore, mostly to young readers. I told them Thinking Sideways would be of more interest to their coaches and parents but many disagreed, insisting they LOVE advanced books. Then a 7-year-old asked me a question about chess and AI from chapter 4. 😮
Brought out the Flyers colors for PHL17 this morning, where I talked about the skills chess can teach littles (and all of us!). Slowing down, getting into a flow state, and realizing you’re not the only one who has dreams and plans. And of course, Thinking Sideways! phl17.com/phl17-news/c...
Thinking Sideways, Playing Sideways. Try a game of chess with pawns that move sideways: jennifershahade.com/sideways-che...
I'm in Boston for the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, so I stopped by the local NPR station to appear on "The Curiosity Desk" to chat Thinking Sideways and skills from chess that we can all use. I also played the host live on air!
Writing a book is so fun! Three years of agony punctuated by two cool moments: the cover reveal, and getting author copies in the mail. (My UK author copies are here!!) Get yours: geni.us/ThinkingSide...
Next month, I'm in London for the UK launch of Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chessplayer and Win at Life. On Friday the 13th 😱, I'll give a 960 Chess Simul and signing with the delightful @yasqueenchessclub.bsky.social 👑
Women in chess foundation author panel starting soon with me, Susan Polgar and Danny Rensch!! Hosted by Keti Tsatsalashvili ‼️ www.twitch.tv/lularobs
Position from Grandmaster Felix Blohberger's lesson for the Women in chess Foundation fundraiser. Can Black play ...d2 here? Tune in: www.twitch.tv/lularobs
I made day FIVE of the North American Poker Tour event! 16 remain! Updates here: www.pokernews.com/tours/napt/2...
Today’s costume: a six million dollar banana Tomorrow: tens of millions of Americans at risk of losing access to SNAP benefits/food stamps 💔
New video! Learn how to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat! jenshahade.substack.com/p/never-resi...
Speaking of which-- Thinking Sideways pre-orders are now 25% at Waterstones in UK! Great deal for anyone ordering from across the pond! www.waterstones.com/book/thinkin...
Thinking Sideways Cover Reveal ‼️ Chessplayers are known for thinking really far ahead. But great players THINK SIDEWAYS: chess is the art of the possible. It's been a lifelong dream of mine to write this book, and I can't wait to share it with all of you! www.simonandschuster.com/books/Thinki...
LIVE calling the monthly Hippodrome event! www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVOi...
My latest guest on the GRID is poker player Claudia Salinas, a lawyer for the Innocence Center! We talk about a hand from her very first livestream appearance, a Ladies Night at the Commerce Casino and discuss Claudia's October 2nd benefit, All-In-For-Justice. thepokergrid.com/2025/08/10/t...
But ...b4 instead draws! Because now the black rook activates on a5 and Black can play ...f5+ pushing the white king back. Congrats to Tan Zhongyi on the first decisive game of the match!
This position from today's Women's World Championship (Black to Move and Draw) is an instructive example of the unique powers of king and rook in the endgame. ...Ke8 was played and White wins after Ke4.
You can listen on all the usual places. Let me know if you have any dream guests. And yes, we'll definitely be featuring some chessplayers in bonus pods! 🥰
My brother @gregshahade.bsky.social and I took on 30 kids in a tandem simul, including little Fabian. So much fun! 😀
Boston for MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference Tomorrow: I'm moderating a panel on "Hot Hands" in poker with Nate Silver, @xxl23.bsky.social and Alex Botez. We'll talk about some pivotal hands, and balancing math and psychology. Share any burning inquiries!
Great commentary by Grandmasters Pontus Carlsson and Maurice Ashley for the Zero Requiem Chess for Change Charity Event. I'll be joining the broadcast in about an hour!! twitch.tv/chess2change
Chess puzzle from my latest post jenshahade.substack.com/p/checkmate-... Sonja Graf/White to Move and Win