In this episode expert chess player Jennifer Shahade talks about the world of competitive chess and her motivation for writing her recent book 'Thinking Sideways'. In a wide ranging conversation, we discuss the changes in chess since the events depicted in the TV series 'Queen's Gambit', especially the greater involvement of children, now learning from the age of 4, and also women. We touch on discrimination and abusive behaviour in relation to the game, physical and online, some called out by Jennifer herself. Some figures from the past who were expert chess players get a mention, in fields as diverse as code-breaking (Alan Turing) and art (Marcel Duchamp), both fields in which 'thinking sideways' can be invaluable. We talk about decision trees, memory, visualisation and pattern recognition and an interesting overlap with learning dance steps. Jennifer's other skill, poker, also gets a mention and the way chess skills map onto that as well as the interesting differences. In short, a rare look into the world and mind of the chess master.

Participants:

Jennifer Shahade is a three-time National Chess Champion, PokerStars Ambassador and author: https://jennifershahade.com/

Ken Barrett is an artist, writer and former neuropsychiatrist http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk/

Jennifer's book 'Thinking Sideways: How to think like a chess player and win at life' https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Sideways-Chess-Reveals-Success-ebook/dp/B0CX4X11QS

The Netflix series 'Queen's Gambit':https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10048342/

Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk

Instagram: #brainlandcollective

Sketch by KB

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