Premier Chess: Conquer the Game; Master Your Life

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In Episode 243, I have the honor of conversing with Grandmaster John Emms, World Senior Team Champion and Prolific Author. In addition to tying for first in the English Championship in 1997, John was the captain of 2002 English Oympiad team. He has written over 40 chess books.

We speak about my book recommendations for his Attacking with 1.E4 and Survival Guide to Rook Endings, the explosion of opening theory, top tips for chess improvement, the English win at the 2022 World Senior Team Championship, the importance of repetiton, nuances, the philosophy of draws and more. 

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In Episode 242, I converse with Lorraine Novack, the Regional Director of our partner DOROT Westchester.  DOROT has been a leading provider of social services to older adults for 45 years. To achieve its mission of alleviating social isolation among older adults, DOROT’s staff and trained volunteers ensure that 6,200+ older adults throughout Manhattan and Westchester are socially connected, engaged and aging well in their own homes.

We facilitate an Intergenerational After School Chess program, which is all about strengthening skills, while making a friend across the chessboard, building mutually beneficial relationships in the process. Once a week during the academic year, seniors and students in grades 9-12 teach and learn chess from one another in person. The program enables all participants to play chess, share stories and create meaningful connections.

We speak about non-profit management, benefits of chess for seniors, chess connections, ways to get involved and more. 

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In Episode 241, I converse with International Master Yaacov Norowitz, who has taught chess for 20+ years. He learned chess from our Westchester Instructor and 180th Podcast Guest Dr. Richard Lewis and Grandmaster Roman Dzindzichashvili. He won first place in the 2003 Jerusalem Championship. In 2013, Yaacov achieved norms in the Philadelphia World Open, Bahamas Open and Reykjavik Open, thus securing the title of International Master (IM).

We speak about the nonsense of ratings, blitz, last-round situations, Jewish education, Nittle Nacht, dacha, his Chessable courses, endgames, opening preparation or lack thereof, book recommendations, confidence and more.

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In Episode 240, I have the pleasure of conversing with Greg Giusti, President, Chessable & Train @ Chess.com. 

I met Greg through Meetup CEO David Siegel, who I met at a JICNY networking event, hosted by our 79th Podcast Guest Jodi Samuels. 

We speak about his experience playing on the Saint Francis Prep Chess Team, Meetup's partnership with Play Magnus Group, the benefits of chess in career, teamwork, data and analytics, communities based on passion and more. 

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In Episode 239, I converse with John Hartmann, Chess Life/Chess Life Online Editor.
John became editor of Chess Life in February 2019 and has been writing for the magazine as a freelancer since 2013. Before working for US Chess, he brewed coffee for fun and profit, and taught philosophy at two universities as a PHD candidate.

We speak about the My Best Move article I wrote for the January 2023 issue of Chess Life,  Nebraska chess history, consistency, book recommendations, world champions, time management, Bill Wall Chess, the philosophy of chess, the Niemann-Carlsen cheating scandal and PR, Queen's Gambit mania, Chess Life contributors and more. 

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In Podcast Episode 238 with International Master Rusudan Goletiani, 2005 US Women's Champion and  Foreign Exchange Trader at BlackRock. Rusudan Goletiani is a Georgian-American chess player with the FIDE titles of International Master and Woman Grandmaster. She is the 2005 U.S. Women's Champion. She is the Co-Founder of the Westchester Chess Academy.

We speak about the Georgian chess culture and cuisine, coaches, preparation, fun, exercise, consistency, motivation for more women to play chess, confidence, applications of chess in finance, game analysis and more. 
 

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In Episode 237, I converse with Michelle Nedelec, Founder of Awareness Strategies. She helps entrepreneurs fufill their dreams by strategizing and systemizing revenue growth through sales and marketing. She is also the Host of Business Ownership Podcast.

We speak about top tips for new entrepreneurs, common mistakes, marketing technology, stages of business development, value, strategy versus tactics, offer for complimentary website audit and more.

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In Episode 236, I converse with Robert Kern, Counsel at Masur. Robert Kern focuses his practice on corporate and commercial transactions. His practice includes:

• Startups, joint ventures, venture capital and private equity financing
• Mergers and acquisitions
• The formation, structuring and governance of business entities
• Outside general counsel services and commercial and contract matters

Robert’s corporate experience includes providing legal services to businesses and individuals in the fashion, lifestyle, hospitality, consumer products and entertainment industries.

We speak about relationship building, advice for new entrepreneurs, applications of chess in law, improvisation, happiness and more.  

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In Episode 235, I converse with Richard C. Schoenstein, Partner, Vice-Chair of Litigation and Co-Chair of Securities and Financial Services Litigation Group at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP.

Drawing on 30 years’ experience navigating corporate and employment disputes, Rich has represented a wide range of clients — including sole proprietors, emerging companies, public corporations, and financial institutions. 

He has a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio State University and a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University.

We speak about his practice handling disputes, center control, his acquaintance with our 51st Podcast Guest Gary Ireland, civil litigation as a chess match, the Niemann-Carlsen drama, defamation cases, life skills through chess, recommendations for new chess parents and more. 

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For a Thanksgiving special, in Episode 234, I have the pleasure of conversing with my dear friend, mentor and marriage officiant Rabbi Levi Welton. Loyal listeners may remember his first apperance on Podcast in Episode 66 with Reverend Gregory Livingston. 

Rabbi Welton is passionate about sharing the values of Torah with a global audience. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, he holds degrees in medicine, education, and film. He was ordained by Chief Rabbi of Haifa, Rav She'ar Yashuv Cohen Z"L, Rabbi Weinberg of Machon LeHoraah, and Rabbi Warhaftig of Machon Ariel in Jerusalem.

He stays busy as the rabbi of Lincoln Park Jewish Center, Chaplain at Mahattanville College, Captain in the United States Air Force, physician assistant, writer and more.

He recently published Be Like the Moon: A Chassidic Memoir, a transformative book, with insights on every page and an inspiring message of optimism, hope, and yes, heroism—minus the superpowers!

We speak about his experience marrying Stacey Ehrlick and I in Montreal, the open Jewish home inspired by Abraham and Sarah, ambition, time management, the sanctity of Shabbat, promotion, Nittle Nacht, hidden heroes, Ufarazta, divine providence, confidence, faith and more.