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Episode Description
Jennifer Shahade is a two-time U.S. Women’s Champion, poker professional, commentator, and acclaimed author. This week, she returns to the pod to discuss her new book Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chess Player and Win at Life. Drawing on chess, poker, and psychology, Jen shares practical tips and memorable stories about decision-making, creativity, and improvement.
We discuss:
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Why she interviewed reformed chess cheaters and what their stories reveal about ambition
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Helpful advice for remembering opening lines
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The “Einstellung Effect” and how to avoid missing better ideas
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How AI is changing the way we learn and think
We also catch up on Jen’s recent travels and upcoming events. There is a lot to learn and plenty of great stories along the way.
0:00- Intro-
Jen Shahade and US Chess announce a settlement:
https://x.com/KenneyBaden/status/2039375140534767852?s=20
0:02- Jen Shahade joins me. How did she find reformed chess cheaters to interview? What did she learn from talking with them for her book?
Mentioned: Netflix Untold Documentary about the Niemann-Carlsen story
https://www.netflix.com/title/81582391
0:10- What is “MTR”?
0:14- Working with legendary trainer IM Mark Dvoretsky
0:18- Lessons learned from interviewing a memory champion
Mentioned: Yanjaa Wintersoul, GM Sam Shankland
0:28- Jen’s experiences coding with Claude
Check out the links to the app she built here:
https://jenshahade.substack.com/p/spin-the-wheel-vibe-a-move
0:36- What is “the Einstellung effect”?
0:40- Jen’s chess-related conversation with legendary psychologist and author Daniel Kahneman
0:42- How chess master and Alpha Zero creator Demis Hassabas “thought sideways” to secure funding for his start up.
0:48- Observations from the recent Sloan sports analytic conference
0:50- What is “the sandwich method”?
0:51- Upcoming book events for Jen
0:52- If you will be in NYC on May 12 and want to support a good cause, come see Jen and I at this event.
You can buy tickets to the Chess in the Schools Poker/Chess Fundraiser here:
0:54- Thanks to Jen for joining me again, here is where to order her book.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Thinking-Sideways/Jennifer-Shahade/9798897100729
https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Sideways-Think-Chess-Player/dp/B0FCDDB8XV
Photo in thumbnail by Maria Emelianova
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