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In Podcast Episode 233, I converse with Vishnu Warrier, Sr. Technology Consultant at EY & Author of The Chess Bible – Most Instructive Tips, Axioms, One-Liners & Mantras. He is a National Expert, who tied for first place in the 2022 Chicago Open U-2300 section with a score of 6/7.

With five years of experience in Fintech, Banking and SaaS environments, Vishnu applies analytics, technology, and process optimization to deliver products that perform. He loves to utilize logical reasoning, agile planning, and tactical prowess to solve problems and proactively ask the right questions.

We speak about overcoming artificial barriers, adult improvers, discipline, financial planning, corporate chess, pandemic rooks, organization in chess and consulting, tournament prep and more. 

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In Episode 232, I converse with Scott Eisenberg, Real Estate Attorney, Broker and Founder of Swap the Biz, live from Kosherfest. Swap The Biz is a high-end business networking community, hyper-focused on connecting its members socially. They develop trust so it is easy for members to exchange business referrals on a long-term ongoing basis. Scott Eisenberg & Associates, P.C. specializes in residential real estate transactions focusing on the luxury market.

We speak about organizational management, reacting in chess, law and real estate, value in networking and more. 

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In Episode 231, I converse with Bill Haase, Radio Show/Podcast/TV Host and Retirement Strategist . On his show Innovative Strategies, he discusses how to build a business from concept to hiring that 500th employee, and conversations with a CEO. He develops financial literacy programs for high school and college students, and serves as a retirement strategist at Wela Financial.

We speak about podcaster networking, foresight in chess and financial planning, life skills, rebounding from mistakes, planning and more. 

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In Episode 230, I converse with Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Seventh-Highest Rated Player in History. Maxime Vachier- Lagrave, often referred to by his initials, MVL, is the current World Blitz Champion and second highest rated player in France, behind the country's new recruit Alireza Firoujza.

We speak about chess at Jardin de Luxembourg in Paris, the upcoming World Team Championship in Jerusalem, benefits of blogging, the art of a good team, his road to World Champion, his World Blitz Championship victory, his apperance at our 22nd Podcast Guest Dan Pelletier's Bridgeport Open, the magic of 1990, international recruitment, the Effects of The Queen's Gambit, thoughts about the Carlsen- Niemann controversy, the benefits of studying math in college and more. 

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In Episode 229 , I converse with Rick J. Lasher, Esq, Partner at Buitrago & Associates, PLLC. Rick J. Lasher was admitted to the New York Bar in 2012 and has handled cases in all of the boroughs of New York City as well as in Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester and Putnam counties.

He was born and raised in Dix Hills, New York, obtained his Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School in 2011 and holds a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Law from Binghamton University.

We speak about the typical process of a personal injury case, the power of networking, attorney advertising, contingency cases and more. 

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In Episode 228, I converse with Rachel Kovacs, Professor, Arts Reviewer, Author, and Presenter at City University of New York. She is a feature writer for The Jewish Link.

We speak about her interest in chess, freindship with Grandmaster Boris Gulko, physics' inspiration on Herman Branover's religious journey, sexism, women in chess, the effects of The Queen's Gambit,  critical thinking, and more. 

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In Episode 227, I enjoy conversing with Olawa Gibson, Master Teacher at New American Academy Charter School, one of our esteemed clients.  As part of school's educational leadership team, she uses data to drive instruction and create academic interventions based upon the needs of the students. She teaches small guided reading groups and handles behavioral issues that involve more serious infractions. She's facilitated our New American Academy Chess Club since it's inception in February 2020, a few weeks before the world shut down.

She is also the founder of Tier Pod Program, an online New York State standards aligned learning system that provides personalized instruction, diagnostics, progress reports, weekly consultations, and enrichment in the arts to drive you child's learning goals.

We speak about her dedication to chess, a reflection on virtual learning, a simul with Former World Champion Garry Kasparov in Harlem, our experience being recorded for Chinese television at one of our close partners, The Chess Forum, chess' effects on academics and social learning , the importance of supplemental learning, the universal language of music, her appreciation of Prince and Esperanza Spalding and more.

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In Episode 226, I have the privilege of interviewing Grandmaster Michael Adams, 7-Time British Champion.  At his peak, at an ELO of 2761, Michael Adams was rated 4th in the world. He is a several-time World Championship Candidate.

We speak about the origin of his nickname "Mickey", his thoughts on Queen's Gambit, Michael Adam's impact on my chess style thanks to the late Grandmaster Bill Lombardy, his new book Think Like a Super Grandmaster, the British Team's win at the 2022 World Senior Team Championship, chess cheating, opening repetoire and more.  

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In Episode 225, I converse with Kevin Fite, Founder & Executive Director at Detroit City Chess Club. For the last 18 years, his organization has provided the Metro Detroit youth with quality programs and experiences, which enable them to excel academically in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. Kevin is also a Assistant Director of STEM Enrichment Programs at Detroit City Public Schools.   

We speak about the Detroit Chess Scene, overcoming roadblocks, benefits of learning chess, self esteem, the Detroit Institute of Arts Chess Program, inspiration from Rockstar Charisse Woods, attracting top talent, his mission to make chess mainstream, collaboration among chess coaches and more.  

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In Podcast Episode 224, I converse with FIDE Master Nate Solon, Data Scientist. Nate is a Data Scientist Consultant at Chessable and is a former poker player. He has his Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University.

Nate provides weekly chess improvement insight tips in his newsletter Zwischenzug.

We speak about Michigan football, over-the-board tournaments, blitz as a vehicle for chess improvement, evaluation, simplicity, mathematical decision making, data for opening preparation, Nakamura's recent successes, in streaming and playing and more.