Play Like a Champion

by Jennifer Shahade

In Play Like a Champion, Jennifer Shahade showcases the careers and sparkling tactics of some of the most talented and influential players to ever sit at the chessboard, from the first Women's World Champion Vera Menchik and Grandmaster Hou Yifan to Phiona “Queen of Katwe” Mutesi. Learn the powerful moves of family chess dynasties including the Polgar and the Botez sisters. Jennifer walks you through essential and inspiring examples of themes such as Double Attack, Removal of the Guard, and Clearance. You'll get your turn to solve 700 puzzles from the games of more than one hundred pioneering chess champions. The positions are designed to help chess improvers (from beginner to master) to develop their tactical vision. Solve the positions here, and you too will start to Play Like a Champion.

388 pages, Hardcover

Published December 19, 2023

About the author

I love games and I love books and I can't wait to share my passion with you.

I am a three-time National Chess Champion--I won the US Women's Championship twice and was the first female to win the US Junior Open. I've also won poker tournaments all over the World from Prague to London to Las Vegas.

I'm the author of several books including Chess Bitch / Chess Queens, and my upcoming Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chessplayer and Win at Life.

Thinking Sideways distills the lessons I've learned from games while interweaving science and the stories of champions and innovators not only in chess, but also in art, tech, poker and sports. From improving your memory to coping with stagnation to getting the most out of your life and career wins, I want you to be the best version of yourself, whether or not you play games yourself.

I live in Philadelphia.

And I'm open to book club invites :)