WGM Jennifer Shahade is a two-time US Women's Champion, an all-star commentator for top-flight chess events, an avid podcaster for both chess and poker, a published author, and an icon for gender equality in our game. In fact, had I not watched Jennifer (along with GMs Maurice Ashley, Yasser Seirawan, and Cristian Chirila) commentate the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz 2017 with such enthusiasm and insight I might have never become a chess player myself!

On this episode of 64, WGM Shahade and I talk about growing the game for female players and discuss a wide range of topics, from chess history to poker and everything in between. As a final note, I had been trying to get WGM Shahade onto the show for many months, and we found time to make our schedules work just before I flew to Copenhagen. I thank Jennifer from the bottom of my heart for stopping by, and I hope you all enjoy this episode of 64: A Chess Podcast.

Some highlights from this week's episode:

• We talk "Girls' Club", an event Jennifer organizes with US Chess Women, and pivoting from in-person to online events

• Jennifer discusses how has the OTB landscape changed with regards to gender equity over the last two decades...

• Focusing on anti-harassment policies in US Chess and beyond to continue making social progress in the chess world

• The case for renaming "Alekhine's Gun" to "Polgar's Power Punch"

• Advice for growing the chess "pod-o-sphere" and embracing gimmicky podcasts

• Discussing the overlap between chess and poker -- especially the allure of poker to many chess players

• The "generational shift" we are seeing in the chess world right now for female chess players

• "Aimchess Instant Insights", a new sponsored section of my podcast :-)

64: A Chess Podcast is sponsored by Aimchess. Use code "DAVID30" to get 30% off your first month with Aimchess.

I also want to say "Rest In Peace" to GM Evgeny Sveshnikov, who passed away on the day this episode was recorded.

Join my Patreon!

Thanks again to WGM Jennifer Shadade for joining the show -- follow her on Twitter! And listen to Ladies' Knight, Jen's chess podcast.

Follow the podcast on Twitter: @64Podcast

Follow David Vizgan (the host) on Twitter: @davidvizgan