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Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chess Player and Win at Life
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26Essential life lessons and strategy hacks for success from the world of chess, from making smarter choices to building focus and confidence.
You don't have to be a great chess player, to think more like a chess player.
Two-time US chess champion Jennifer Shahade cuts to some of the most important lessons chess can teach you. She shows how the best players consider not just more but better possibilities by thinking sideways, opening our eyes to smarter choices not just on the board but in all areas of our lives.
From building mind palaces to crafting decision trees, Thinking Sideways reveals how to find options that may seem hidden, have confidence in your decisions, feel comfortable going against the grain and maintain deep focus in the face of distraction. Drawing on her own experiences touring the world as a chess champion, as well as fascinating examples from across business, politics, the arts and sports, Shahade transforms our understanding of what success looks like, and how to achieve it for ourselves.
Thinking Sideways proves that games really can make us better versions of ourselves.
You don't have to be a great chess player, to think more like a chess player.
Two-time US chess champion Jennifer Shahade cuts to some of the most important lessons chess can teach you. She shows how the best players consider not just more but better possibilities by thinking sideways, opening our eyes to smarter choices not just on the board but in all areas of our lives.
From building mind palaces to crafting decision trees, Thinking Sideways reveals how to find options that may seem hidden, have confidence in your decisions, feel comfortable going against the grain and maintain deep focus in the face of distraction. Drawing on her own experiences touring the world as a chess champion, as well as fascinating examples from across business, politics, the arts and sports, Shahade transforms our understanding of what success looks like, and how to achieve it for ourselves.
Thinking Sideways proves that games really can make us better versions of ourselves.
272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 7, 2026
19 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Shahade
7 books28 followersI 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 :)
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 :)
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