How To Chess

The final episode of Season 3 of How to Chess is a rare solo pod, where Ben succinctly summarizes the key lessons about chess role models that were imparted by the How to Chess guests. As Ben notes, the guests have highlighted role models ranging from elite players to local players to renowned endgame specialists, and luckily we don't need to choose just one person to learn from in our chess studies. In closing, Ben highlights a few of his own chess role models and the lessons that he learned from them. Thanks to all of the brilliant How to Chess Season 3 guests, be sure to check out their courses, and thanks to you all for listening!

Luciana Morales is a Peruvian Woman International Master with a resume full of impressive accomplishements! She has won the Pan-American Youth Championship no less than 3 times. She also won the Zonal Tournament 2.4 in São Paulo. The win qualified her for the 2004 Women's World Championship, making her the first Peruvian player to do so. And when she studied at the University of Texas - Brownsville, she helped the team outperform their seeding, and break into the final four of the 2008 Pan-American Team Championship. But, what does she have to say about role models in chess? Queens of the Chess Board: https://www.chessable.com/queens-of-the-chess-board/course/102010/ Luciana's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/LucianaM/ Luciana's socials: X: https://twitter.com/LucianaMorales Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Alex Astaneh is an Irish International Master, chess coach, and author. Astaneh's chess journey began at a young age, and he quickly found success on the Irish chess circuit. At the age of 11, he represented Ireland at the World Youth Championships, which got him hooked on the game. His successes continued, having won the Irish Championship on three separate occasions (2010, 2017, 2018) and has represented the Irish National Team four times at the Chess Olympiads (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018). In addition to a lauded chess playing career, Astaneh stands out as a world-class coach, including a stint as the official coach of the Irish junior team in the World Youth Championships 2010. As Alex explains, he learned from studying the typical legends like Fischer and Tal, but his Spanish coach, IM Roberto Paramos Dominguez taught him a ton about attacking and visualization. In our conversation Alex shares tons of helpful tips for improving calculation. My First Grünfeld Opening Repertoire: https://www.chessable.com/my-first-grunfeld-opening-repertoire/course/134696/ Alex's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/Astaneh/ Alex's socials: X: https://twitter.com/astanehchess Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexastaneh/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/astaneh/ Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Jorden van Foreest is a well accomplished Grandmaster from the Netherlands. Some of the highlights of his career includes winning the Dutch Championship in 2016, winning the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament in 2021, and serving as Magnus Carlsen's second in the 2021 World Championship. But what does he have to say about role models in chess? Lifetime Repertoires: Tarrasch Defense: https://www.chessable.com/lifetime-repertoires-tarrasch-defense/course/128906/ Jorden's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/jordenvforeest/ Jorden's X: https://twitter.com/jordenvforeest Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1

Laura Smith is an American chess teacher and educator. She began learning the game at the fairly young age of 5, taught by her father. By the time she was 6, she was already enrolled in chess classes. Her accomplishments include becoming the highest-rated 13-year-old, male or female, in the US in 2002. She competed in the US Women's Chess Championship in 2006, earned a silver medal in the Girls Under 14 category in the Pan-American Championship, and earned a spot on the US Youth Chess Team for 8 consecutive years. Laura discusses what she has learned from female role models like Judit Polgar, Irina Krush and Jennifer Shahade. Forcing Moves for Beginners: https://www.chessable.com/forcing-moves-for-beginners-/course/123996/ Laura's author page: https://www.chessable.com/author/LauraSmith/ Laura's socials: X: https://twitter.com/lauraloveschess Instagram: instagram.com/lauraloveschess Twitch: twitch.com/shaunandlaura Email: [email protected] Ben's X: https://twitter.com/Bennyficial1