Fresh off of commentating the match for Chess.com, Award-Winning Podcaster, Author, and 2-time US Women's Champion Jen Shahade joined me to reflect on GM Ju Wenjun's dramatic comeback. Jen shares what it was like to cover the decisive Game 12, and describes the moment when she realized we might not be going to rapid tiebreaks after all. We also discuss the historical context of GM Ju Wenjun becoming just the 6th player to win the Women's World Championship 4 times or more. After discussing the match, we catch up with Jen on her many ongoing projects, and her upcoming book, Play Like a Champion. Finally, Jen reminisces about the life and legacy of Isabella Choko, the Holocaust survivor and French Women's Champion who Jen had the honor to meet and interview. As always, the timestamps of topics discussed can be found below.

0:01- We begin by discussing the entertaining and instructive clinching game. When did Jen realize we might see a decisive result? 

Mentioned: Game 12,  J. Shahade-Perelshteyn 2003

10:00- Were the opening choices surprising? 

Mentioned: GM Jovanka Houska, GM Judit Polgar, GM Daneil Naroditsky, GM Alexander Kosteniuk, GM Wei Yi  

14:30- Should the prize fund be higher? 

Mentioned: Norway Chess to Sponsor Women’s Tournament with Equal Prize Fund to Open

20:00- Who could be the next potential challenger to Ju Wenjun? 

Mentioned: IM Alice Lee, GM Alexandra Goryachkina, GM Harika Dronavalli, GM Humpy Koneru, GM Lei Tingjie, IM Vaishili R.  

22:00- Jen discusses her upcoming book, Play Like a Champion! 

Mentioned: 700 Chess Problems by Edith Baird, FM Yosha Iglesias 

27:00- Jen shares her memories of Isabella Choko who recently passed. 

Mentioned: Ladies Knight Episode 33 with Isabella Choko 

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