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hosted by Chess Queen™ & 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk
Thursday, December 11, 2014
US Chess Girl Jen Shahade in €100,000 Poker Win!
Hello chess blog friends, former US women's chess champion GM Jennifer Shahade has made history - the Philadelphia chess grandmaster has won the €10,000 Open-Face Chinese Poker World Championship High Roller organized by TonyBet Poker at King's Casino in Prague. Shahade walked away from the tournament room with the €100,000 top prize and the honors of bringing home the richest open-face Chinese (OFC) poker event in history.
The event attracted 23 players, generating a total prize pool of €218,500 — the largest ever registered in a live OFC poker event.
Jason Mercier, Sorel Mizzi, Alexander Kostritsyn, two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner Rafi Amit, and eighteen other high rollers turned up for the first-ever live OFC poker World Championship €10,000 buy-in event, but none of them could outdo Shahade. The event, which was streamed live, not only broke the record in prize money, but in the number of viewers as well.
The 13-hour event rewarded four players with cash prizes, with Shahade, the two-time American women's chess champion, bringing down the €100,000 first-place prize and an impressive celebratory belt.
The three-handed final table featured Shahade and two Russian players, Ilya Bulychev and Iakov Onuchin. In the end, it was the Shahade who proved to be the best.
"It was the biggest buy-in event I ever played, and I'm really happy I won," said Shahade right after earning the victory. "I loved it and had a great time. I almost busted several times, and I wasn't so happy with how I played in the beginning, but then as I got more tired, I got to play better. I have played regular open-face Chinese poker in a live tournament before, but never pineapple. It was fun. I thought it was great and hope there will be more tournaments like this."
She added, "I was definitely slower than other players in fantasy land, because I realize that even though it’s fantasy land, it’s very easy to make a mistake. I think people have this false sense of security because they’re in fantasy, and they think they’re not gonna make any errors, and I think it’s very wrong."
During the tournament, Shahade engaged in a long battle against the 2013 EPT Grand Final OFC event winner Jason Mercier. When asked about his game, she said that playing against Mercier was not easy.
"Jason Mercier is really good," said Shahade. "I played a lot against him during the event. I think he got tired at one or two instances where he might have made an error, but he’s obviously very strong."
Here are the final TonyBet OFC World Championship High Roller payouts: PlacePlayerPrize 1 Jennifer Shahade €100,000 2 Ilya Bulychev €58,250 3 Iakov Onuchin €33,500 4 Maxim Panyak €20,195
Former US Chess Champ Jen Shahade plays Chess and Poker Multi-Table Video!
Hello chess blog friends, The UKIPT is holding the first official Chess and Poker combination tournament at this stop. In honor of this event Chess Master Jen Shahade took on three heads-up poker matches and three chess matches at the same time! To find out how many she won, you will have to watch.
Chess for Beginners Lecture Video (Pawn Promotion) with WGM Jennifer Shahade at Saint Louis Chess Club
Hello everyone,
You all must know of the Saint Louis Chess Club. WGM Jennifer Shahade presents a lecture at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis for beginners around the idea of tactics and pawn promotion.
Understanding Chess Mastery: Jennifer Shahade at TEDxBaltimore Video
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2014
Hello everyone,
Jennifer Shahade is a former US women's chess champion, author, poker player and commentator. Her books aim to bring more women and girls into chess. She is the editor of the US Chess Federation website, a board member of the World Chess Hall of Fame and the co-founder of 9Queens. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
Anand vs Carlsen World Chess Championship: WGM Jennifer Shahade's Preview for Advanced Chess Players
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
Two-time American Women's Chess Champion, poker star, writer, chess teacher, WGM Jennifer Shahade presents a lecture at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis over the games between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen. Anand will defend his title as World Champion against Carlsen in India this Saturday. A huge opening ceremony will take place on Thursday. Here are the World Chess Championship preview videos by WGM Jennifer Shahade:
Sinquefield Chess Cup: Jennifer Shahade on Reaching St Louis for power-packed Commentary
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013 Hi everyone,
Guess where's former American Women's Chess Champion, writer, commentator and poker player Jennifer Shahade? She's in Saint Louis where America's most high-powered chess event yet is set to take place from today! She is at the Sinquefield Chess Cup waiting for the games to start and her commentary. Here is her update from Chess Life Online of which she is the editor:
"I just arrived in Saint Louis for one of the most exciting events in US chess history, the Sinquefield Cup. The fun here kicked off Saturday with a drawing of the lots, where each player picked a custom designed DGT enabled House of Staunton set to determine pairings. In round one, Hikaru Nakamura (white) plays Levon Aronian while Magnus Carlsen (white) faces Gata Kamsky.On Sunday, the players hosted a Meet and Greet for photos and autographs at the Chess Club, which was naturally packed. Afterwards, all four players went to the Rams game.
It was Magnus Carlsen's first American football game, so GM Maurice Ashley kindly explained the rules to him and concluded, "He catches on quick." No doubt! At the end of the exciting game, the Saint Louis Rams edged out the Arizona Cardinals 27-24. Aronian and Carlsen were both high-fiving and cheering, clearly getting into the Saint Louis spirit. As an organizer and commentator, I predict that game is a premonition of how thrilling the tournament will be! Be sure to tune into my commentary at http://uschesschamps.com/live with GMs Maurice Ashley and Yasser Seirawan--between Maurice's energy and "Yaz's" eloquence, you're in for a treat! The coverage begins Monday at 1 local time/2 EST.
9 Queens Co-Founder Chess Patron Jean Hoffman is USCF Executive Director
Chess Blog for Daily Chess News and Trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
The USCF is pleased to announce Jean Hoffman as the next Executive Director. Most recently Jean has been the Executive Director of 9 Queens in Arizona, an organization started by Jean and Jennifer Shahade. "This is an exciting time for the USCF and chess. I am thrilled and honored to join the USCF during such a pivotal time."
Jean has spent her adulthood serving the game of chess. In addition to 9 Queens, she has served as a Manager of Teams and Tournaments and as an Instructor in the Chess-in-the-Schools programs in New York.
Jean has a B.A. in history with distinction from Yale, and an ED.M. in Urban Education from Harvard. While working and living in Tucson, she was selected as a member of the 40 under 40 by the Arizona Daily Star in November 2012.
Jean has extensive experience with 501(c)(3) organizations, including taking 9 Queens through the IRS approval process. Jean is an experienced fundraiser and brings conviction for chess to the fundraising process. Jean will begin her service to the USCF on November 1, 2013, and her initial agreement with the USCF is for two years.
Meet up with your friends for an after-school frozen yogurt treat! Come on down and get your swirl on at U-Swirl at El Con Mall on Tuesday August 20th from 5-8 pm.
9 Queens will have giveaways for the first 50 people and will have a raffle for chess sets and t-shirts.
U-Swirl is graciously donating 5% of the evenings proceeds to 9 Queens to keep our mission going of teaching chess to our community to strengthen math & science scores, increase critical thinking skills and self esteem. Every dollar counts and the more people who come the better!
WHAT IS 9 QUEENS? 9 Queens is a 501c3, nonprofit organization dedicated to empowerment through chess. Founded by Jennifer Shahade and Jean Hoffman in 2008, 9 Queens offers a range of free chess programs and workshops in Tucson, Arizona.
12th Women's World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk's Chess Blog for Latest Chess News and Trivia (c) 2013
Hi everyone,
The US Chess Scoop headed to the Marshall Chess Club during the start of the 95th Club Championship. This video features GM Pascal Charbonneau, Club manager Dr. Marcus Fenner, NM Justus Williams, FM Asa Hoffman and former club champ FM Brian Hulse. Thanks to former US women's chess champion Jennifer Shahade for the video.
The Scoop on Yoga and Chess with Melinda Matthews, Jen Shahade (Video)
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Melinda J. Matthews, who wrote an article on the connections between chess and yoga shows a quick pre-game routine to Chess Life Online editor WGM Jennifer Shahade. This was filmed at SuperNationals V, which Melinda covered for both CLO and Chess Life Magazine. Enjoy the video!
Ex-US Chess Champ Jen Shahade on 'Hidden Beauty' in Chess
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Here's a 'beautiful' feature from the two-time US Women's Chess Champion with an insight and passion for the sport of chess that only a true chess lover can possess. Enjoy reading.
Marcel Duchamp is best known as an artist, and he is revered at the World Chess Hall of Fame, which is directly across the street from the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis. Duchamp, also a chess master, famously said, “In chess there are some extremely beautiful things in the domain of movement, but not in the visual domain. It’s the imagining of the movement or of the gesture that makes the beauty.”
Jennifer Shahade and Yasser Seirawan are providing live play-by-play commentary of the U.S. Chess Championships to thousands of viewers online.
Indeed, much of the beauty in a chess game lies in hidden variations that are imagined in a chess player’s mind but not played over the board. Play-by-play commentary unveils this magic to a larger audience and is one of the reasons insightful and entertaining live commentary is key to making chess popular in America.
The St. Louis Chess Club is at the forefront of chess innovation in America, and this year’s approach to coverage and commentary is yet another example. Spectrum Studios is covering the 2013 U.S. Championship and U.S. Women’s Championship for FOX Sports Midwest and will produce a one-hour recap special that will air at 6 p.m. May 25. This is an important step toward increasing the popularity of chess and a sign that we are nearing a tipping point.
The live show streams daily at 1 p.m. on the website of FOX Sports Midwest, and also on the main tournament event website: www.uschesschamps.com/live. Every round, I join Grandmasters Maurice Ashley and Yasser Seirawan to unravel the mysteries of the 17 games for thousands of viewers in hundreds of countries across the world.
Maurice Ashley interviews Gregory Kaidanov, a recent inductee into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame, after his first-round victory at the 2013 U.S. Championship.
Both Ashley and Seirawan are among the most renowned commentators in chess history. Both have appeared on ESPN, and Ashley even joined Garry Kasparov in commenting on “Magnus Carlsen vs. the World” at a G-star Raw fashion week event in September 2010. Four-time U.S. Chess Champ Seirawan has commented on chess tournaments all over the world, and fans adore his soothing voice and instructive strategic analysis.
I’ve also focused on chess commentary in my own career, serving as a commentator for the U.S. Championships each of the five years they’ve been held in St. Louis. Another special project of mine was a TV show pilot called Extreme “X Chess” Championships, where games played out to checkmate so viewers could see every bloody finish.
This year’s approach to commentary is a little different: Yasser and I supply a steady stream of analysis while Maurice breaks in with key moments and beautiful variations.
So far, viewers have been pleased with the coverage, though there is always room for improvement. As I tweeted (@jenshahade) after yesterday’s round: “Need some more jackets for live shows. Color suggestions? Feeling dowdy next to two best-dressed GMs Seirawan & @MAURICEASHLEY!” Leopard print was the public vote, but I’ll be looking for the perfect combination of black and white.
Come see the action in person at the Chess Club on the Central West End, or catch the play-by-play for the remaining rounds online at uschesschamps.com/live. I’ll keep working with Maurice and Yasser to explore the hidden variations lurking in the minds of the country’s best chess players.
Jennifer Shahade is a Philadelphia-based writer, gamesplayer, author and commentator. She is a two-time U.S. Women's Chess Champion and is the editor of Chess Life Online at uschess.org/clo. Shahaded is on the board of directors of the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis and was a commentator and organizer for the 2009-2013 U.S. Chess Championships.
Chess at Any Age: Chappells Brighten Boards in Reno - Must-Read Feature
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
Here is a lovely chess story about an equally lovely chess couple! Jennifer Shahade interviewed the Chappels for the US Chess Federation website. Here's the must-read write-up.
Photo courtesy Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
Irene Chappell started working with kids and chess in Reno in the late 80s, reaching thousands of kids over a decade of teaching. Irene loved working with kids and had a lot of success with fundraising. “The Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Abuse even gave us a grant because they saw chess as a drug prevention program.” Irene was honored by then President George H. W. Bush, as one of the "Thousand Points of Light.”
Then she suffered a tragedy-her husband was murdered in her apartment, still an unsolved case. Though she took some time off, she never lost her passion for chess and children. A few years later, she went to a meeting for widows and widowers. She used the perfect conversation starter, “Do you Play Chess?” The first two gentleman said, “I used to be but I’m not good anymore”. Then she saw a man sitting in a chair and asked him. He responded far more enthusiastically: “I’m a lifetime member of the US Chess Federation.” Irene thought “Wow, I hit the jackpot.” The man was Alan Chappell. They went on a few dates, to lunch and to the movies. “Before you know it, we were married.”
Photo courtesy Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
Irene and Alan decided to do something positive and started work with the Boys and Girls Clubs. Three days a week they teach students aged 6-12 from 2:30 to 5:30 pm. Alan, now 77, ups the incentive by offering $15 to any kid who can beat him. Among the kids who attended their program is Phillip Wang, now an International Master.
Photo courtesy Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
Last September Alan suffered a stroke. Irene relates his extraordinary progress in rehab: “The first couple days he was out of it, but he started to come back, and he wanted me to bring a couple chess sets. He started to play against therapists and other patients. When it got time to discharge him, the doctor said he showed no sign of having a stroke. The only thing he could attribute it was brain therapy. Alan was constantly exercising his brain via playing chess.”
Irene and Alan both hope that his story can help other stroke patients. This spring, they began working on Saturdays with stroke patients. They use a DVD chess lesson series, Campaign & Conquest (developed by Irene’s grandson) and hope that the rigorous mental challenge will speed other recoveries. You can find more about the DVD and get in touch with the Chappells here.
Irene, 93 years old, said, “Chess keeps me young (though) I have some of the same problems that a 93-year-old does.” Irene lost part of her sight to a stroke a few years ago, “But it’s so much fun to watch these kids and how hard they work. They stand in line to play Alan. Naturally they’d like to win that $15. But the kids keep trying, that’s what I love about them. They never quit.”
US Chess Scoop Video with Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk at SuperNationals
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hi everyone,
GM and 12th Women's World Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk kicked off the SuperNationals festivities with a simultaneous exhibition, scoring 36 wins and one draw. CLO editor Jen Shahade talks to her about why she loves this event. Stay tuned for more updates on Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk's personal blog at www.chessqueen.com.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2013
Hello everyone,
We found this cool cellphone advertisement with WGM Anna Sharevich in an article by WGM Jennifer Shahade for the United States Chess Federation website. Must watch for a cool chess Sunday!
Ladies' Chess Class every Thursday with Resident GM Jennifer Shahade at St Louis Chess Club
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Talented chess champion and chess writer WGM Jennifer Shahade is the Resident GM until February 21 at the Saint Louis Chess Club. In addition to the normal chess lecture schedule, WGM Shahade will also be conducting a special Ladies' Beginner Class at 6 p.m. on Thursdays. Click here for a complete class schedule.
Jennifer Shahade is a Philadelphia-based writer, gamesplayer and commentator. She is a two-time U.S. Women's Chess Champion, editor of Chess Life Online at uschess.org/clo, creator of roulette chess with Larry List and hula chess and naked chess with Daniel Meirom. Jennifer is on the board of directors of the World Chess Hall of Fame in Saint Louis and was a commentator and organizer for the 2009-2012 US Chess Championships, all held in Saint Louis. She also created the chess mini-series, the Extreme "X Chess" Championships. She has also performed chess exhibitions and lectured on chess, culture and strategy all over the World, from Amsterdam to the Philadelphia Art Museum to MIT.
She is also particularly invested in promoting chess to girls and women, both through her books and in teaching 9 Queens Academies in Philadelphia. She is particularly looking forward to getting more Saint Louis women and girls into the game!
Cool Chess, Poker Video at 2012 World Series with Jen Shahade, Jim Geary! (Video Link Updated)
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Former US Women's Chess Champion and writer Jennifer Shahade and Jim Geary play 17-card Chinese Poker Chess at the "Math-house" party at the 2012 World Series of Poker.
In this game, they each set one five-card high hand, one five-card low hand, one badugi hand and one three card high hand. Whoever sets first presses the other player's clock. The slower Chinese player can only move after setting the hands. Scoring= 1 point for each poker game, 4 points for chess, four point bonus for sweeping all five games. Video courtesy Rodney Chen, editing by Daniel Meirom.
Hunger Games Chess Today in Tucson (Aug 18) - Are You Playing?
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
The Hunger Games Chess Tournament is today to celebrate the worldwide DVD release of The Hunger Games with 9Queens and the Pima County Public Library at the Murphy Wilmot Library (530 N. Wilmot Ave, Tucson, AZ).
The event is free and open to the public. Check-in will begin at 10 am; there will be 3 rounds held throughout the day. Free lunch will be provided to all participants. For more information visit website or email jhoffman@9queens.org.
Play Like A Girl 9 Queens co-founder Jen Shahade's latest book, Play Like a Girl! was just released from Mongoose Press. The book is filled with chess puzzles and combinations, all executed by female chess champions. The book is available at 9queens.org and all author royalties go to 9 Queens initiatives to bring chess to those most in need of its benefits. (Phone:520-344-7495) Photos: Jeff Smith.
Strongest-Ever Chess Teams from US for Chess Olympiad 2012
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Two strong teams are set to represent the United States at the 40th Olympiad in Istanbul from August 27th to September 10th, according to the US Chess Federation. The overall team is led by reigning US Chess Champion and World #5 Hikaru Nakamura. The team also includes GMs Gata Kamsky, Alexander Onischuk, Varuzhan Akobian and Ray Robson. GMs Yury Shulman and Ben Finegold will coach the team. Captain IM John Donaldson said, “The 2012 Olympiad will be super strong but our team, the first ever from the United States to average over 2700 FIDE, will have its chances if we play to the best of our ability.”
The women’s team includes reigning US Women’s Champ Irina Krush, Anna Zatonskih, Sabina Foisor, Tatev Abrahamyan and Rusudan (Rusa) Goletiani. FIDE Senior trainer Michael Khodarkovsky will be the captain and GM Melikset Khachiyan will coach. Khodarkovsky said, “I feel very good about the team, we all worked together before and I believe we have established a strong bond. Teams like China, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, India among favorites, but we will do our best to join them in the quest for medals.”
USCF Executive director Bill Hall said, “With the Olympics going on in London, this is a thrilling time to see our top players represent our country and root them on on their quest for medals. ”
Chess Life Online (CLO) editor Jennifer Shahade (former double US Chess Champion, writer, chess promoter, and more) says, "Look for CLO coverage throughout the Olympiad from award-winning journalist FM Mike Klein."
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
We have exciting news for all the subscribers of the US Chess Federation's flagship publication: Effective with the August 2012 issue of Chess Life, available now for USCF Members via the online viewer or pdf download at uschess.org, the USCF's flagship magazine is in full color after six years as a two-color publication. The magazine will be arriving in Premium Members' mailboxes soon.
A few items have been added to take advantage of the new look:"Faces Across the Board" (p. 9) by Al Lawrence will celebrate class-level players who have a chess accomplishment of note or interest. "Knight's Tour" (p. 46) is a tournament travel section that will highlight one or more of the events in each issues' Tournament Life section. "My Best Move" (p. 72) will look at a chess, business, or celebrity personality each month and ask them to describe either their literal or figurative best move. Daniel Lucas, USCF Director of Publications, says, "We hope you enjoy Chess Life's refreshed design and the same great chess coverage you've come to expect. If you would like to be featured in "Faces across the Board", please email facesacrosstheboard@uschess.org. If you are an organizer who would like to have their event featured in "Knight's Tour", write to letters@uschess.org. If you wish to suggest someone for "My Best Move", write to letters@uschess.org." Two-time US women's chess champion Jennifer Shahade is the Chess Life Online editor.
Karpov-Seirawan Chess Exhibition: Karpov Pulls Off Win in Blitz Section
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
Former World Champion Anatoly Karpov defeated four-time U.S. Champion Yasser Seirawan in a match held from June 10-13 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. In the first three days of play, two classical and two rapid games were drawn, increasing the tension as the players headed into a 10-game blitz match held on June 13.
Karpov-Seirawan
Karpov drew first blood in game one when he prevailed in a razor-sharp pawn endgame. But the match was far from over, as the two traded victories. Seirawan won a particularly nice game in round five, highlighting the weakness of Karpov’s second rank.
But after a half-time break, Karpov came back sharp and hungry, and he won three games in a row to clinch the match victory and $10,000 first prize.
The final score of the blitz match was 6-4 in Karpov’s favor while the overall match score (one point for each of the four draws in the classical and rapid) was 10-8.
At the post-game press conference both players spoke highly of the overall quality of the blitz match and the playing conditions. The tournament concluded with a cocktail party and tandem chess exhibition at the World Chess Hall of Fame. Karpov was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame in 2004, while Seirawan was inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame in 2006.
The blitz games with commentary by GM Ben Finegold and WGM Jennifer Shahade.
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12th Women's World Chess Champion
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