July 30, 2023

Ep. 75: Jessica Hyatt, the Highest-Rated Female African-American Chess Player (with NM Tyrell Harriott)

32 minutes

Meet high school student and Candidate Master Jessica Hyatt, the highest-rated female African-American chess player, and National Master Tyrell Harriott, her coach and mentor. Be intrigued as the duo sheds light on Jessica's inspiring journey from her initial rating of USCF 350 in fifth grade to her current rating of USCF 2100, and her quest to achieve the title of National Master (USCF 2200). Advancing in chess is a long trek, but it's filled with numerous exciting turns, as Jessica recounts her experiences at recent tournaments and the time she won the prestigious Daniel Feinberg Success in Chess Award. We'll also learn about her recent victories against GMs Michael Rohde and Abhimanyu Mishra. Are you eager to gain insights into strategies for today's faster time controls? Well, Jessica has you covered. She shares her game plan, emphasizing the importance of mental toughness and strategic thinking. You'll be amazed by Tyrell's unique teaching style, which involves playing even the most disadvantageous positions and embracing the art of resilience. Listen to how he motivates his students using his own tournament experiences, pushing them to become stronger while enjoying the journey. It's all about focus, discipline, and determination. Join us for this engaging conversation with one of the rising stars in the chess world and learn what it truly takes to achieve your chess goals! Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 02:33 - Marshall Chess Club 06:31 - College Aspirations 08:27 - Discovering Jessica's Talent 10:27 - Beating Two GMs - Tyrell 12:54 - Beating Two GMs - Jessica 15:48 - Tyrell on Coaching & Improvement 19:12 - Jessica on Coaching & Improvement 25:05 - Jessica's Chess Beginnings 31:24 - Outro Links for Jessica Hyatt: