Chess Bitch: Women In The Ultimate Intellectual Sport

by Jennifer Shahade

In the game of chess, the strongest piece, the Queen, is often referred to as "bitch," and being female has been long considered a major disadvantage. Chess Bitch, written by the 2004 U.S. Woman's Chess Champion, is an eye-opening account of how today's young female chess players are successfully knocking down the doors to this traditionally male game, infiltrating the male-owned sporting subculture of international chess, and giving the phrase "play like a girl" a whole new meaning. Through interviews with and observation of the young globetrotting women chess players who challenge male domination, Chess Bitch shines a harsh light on the game's gender bias. For those who think of chess as two people sitting quietly across a table, Shahade paints a colorful world that most chess fans never knew existed.

Genres: Chess, Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Feminism, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2005

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 :)

Reviews

[Jennifer Shahade]

I'm tempted to give this book five stars to artificially inflate my rating, but that would be childish, right?

[Thais · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read which I'd highly recommend, but only to those who really like chess. It's partly autobiographical, but the author writes mostly about her professional rather than personal life. It's also, like the title indicates, a historical account of the role of women in chess, which also exposes all the sexism in this subculture.

Even though I'm a low-level amateur chess player, I really love this game. I've never been to a tournament, and I only play online. But that was enough to give me a glimpse of what female professional players must go through. I mean, I had to create a new profile on Chess.com because, when I started playing, I made the mistake of using my own picture on my profile. I've had guys make passes at me, ask me to "turn on my webcam", and even this douche who changed his nickname to something like "women-play-badly" in order to invite me to play and then constantly hassle me after I beat him.

So... yeah.

Maybe because I could relate, the book was a very nice experience. I felt "connected" to these women and I really enjoyed learning more about them.

[Jack Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

Thanks for this book -- one of the best I've read on chess players. Fascinating insight into what it takes for women in the 20th century, from the intellectual efforts to the social battles. Playing chess like a girl, from socialites to exotic dancers, is rough.

[Lina from Israel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An upbeat, fresh look on women who in today's world might be mistaken for being dull. Couldn't be further from the truth! An inspiring book for the aspiring female chess players :o)

[Miimir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rating I've given is probably higher than most people would award this book with.

At the time of the writing, the author's been 22 years old. Playing chess and taking first steps into the poker world. At the time of the reading, the reader (me) is 22 years old - former chess and poker player.

Those two games have no doubt shaped my psychological views and the way I look on "life". People who have mingled with those two do know, and know from their own experience that:

- Balancing overconfidence with fear is crucial for success
- Tactical thinking is much different from strategic, balancing them both is an art
- Sensing the moment when intense concentration is NEEDED is crucial, resting and saving moments for those moments - VITAL
- That in chess as in general is "far better to err on the side of overconfidence than underconfidence"

Those two games (chess and poker) are quite good for developing mental stability flair. They do represent constant struggle, ups and downs, handling of them, continuing, constant need of improvement, moments when feelings should be silenced, moments when feelings should be let burst.

So.... why only 3% of the top chess players are women? I like to joke around that if you leave me on a poker table with people from different nationalities who had just learnt the rules (be it American, Spaniard, Scandinavian etc.) I will need no more than 50 hands to determine who's who. The over-deliberate style in the American will shout out, the mystery around the Scandinavian will scream, the hot blood of the Spaniard will boil enough not to be confused.

That said, yeah, your country traditions, your family's values do shape the way you think. The city will form the thinking of a person different from the way a village will.

SO... why the meager count of women at the top chess levels? Do gender form thinking too? What is stopping them being at the same level with men?

Women surely DO think different, they surely are raised in different way from men and have different outlook. Does these things make them "more stupid" for thing like chess?

The book goes through the life of great female chess players and explains the difficulties they have coped with, criticize how female players have been treated in the past and shows that despite thinking differently, women may be able to provide a "world champion" some day.

[Gavin Claugus · Rating 4 out of 5]

WGM Jen Shahade writes a circumspect novel regarding female chess players from around the globe, though most of the players she discusses come from slavic countries. This is no coincidence, especially in light of Russia having the most titled players of any country and supporting the strong chess culture there.

WGM Shahade's book contains even-handed characterizations of these chess players. She makes note of the rough edges in her interview process. One of the Polgar sisters, for example, feels uncomfortable during Jen's interview.

The only problem I had with this book is its editing. My copy contained many typos, not just in the odd word but also in names of some chess players. These mistakes are not repeated, so it did not cause me serious problems reading the book.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read with a feminism-heavy lens. A notable number of typos in the actual text, but otherwise good writing.

I enjoyed having the PGNs annexed.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennifer Shahade, herself a two time US Women's Chess Champion and Women's Grand Master, writes about women in competitive chess and their successes and limitations. She covers women in the 20th and 21st centuries who have played at the highest levels of chess professionally, including her own competitions and games.
Several women were familiar to me like the Polgar sisters: Judit, Susan and Sofia who were trained by their father Laslzo to be chess champions through a rigorous focus on chess theory and competition. I also knew of Lisa Lane, who was the first chess star to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated , also has a section in the book.
Many others were new to mean particularly women's chess players from the eastern European state of Georgia who for many years dominated women's chess. Shahade also covers the rising stars coming out of China, where chess is supported by that nation much like men were supported in the Soviet Union.
Shahade analyzes the reasons, both true and false, given for the reason why women have not done as well as men in chess. Mostly it seems that it comes down to have opportunity to devote oneself to the game. Shahade notes that at least in the case of the Polgar sisters, particularly Judit, that women can compete on an equal basis with men. Perhaps we will see a female World Champion one day coming out of places like China or India where there has been state support for chess players.
Recommended for those who enjoy reading the history of chess and the lives of those who devote their skills to it.

[Clifton Franklund · Rating 4 out of 5]

The game of chess often seems to mirror the thoughts, beliefs, and values of those that play it (and support it). This has been true of Weltanschauung, artistic expression, and in this easy read - gender equity. I am still of two minds about the need/value of women-only chess tournaments and separate titles (e.g. WGM). All of these players would easily crush me over the board, so I approach the whole topic as an informed amateur. I could appreciate, but not fully endorse, the straight-up feminist approach of the author. I was a little puzzled over her critic of the Polgar sister's upbringing. Most people the aspire to the absolute best at something have to make sacrifices. I don't think that Polgars have made any more sacrifice to their craft than any other expert. Still... this was a good read and I plan to read it again as I mull over gender equity in the STEM fields.

[Arzikia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look into the world of chess from another woman's perspective. It's good to know we're out here together enjoying the game, defying the odds and seeing the beauty of life through the many the many angles of chess.

[Kaitlin Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional peek into the world of women's chess, with games spelled out in the back of the book. Love it!

[Sarah]

This book was really interesting. I learned a ton about chess, something I know little to nothing about, and about a rich area of women's history that I also knew nothing about. While I had wished that the author had organized her thoughts a little better (she seemed to skip around quite a bit), overall Shahdae is a great narrator and her feminist voice is engaging to read. Also kudos to whomever put this cover together. It is excellent. A fun read for feminists even if they know nothing about chess.

[Mariana LJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing trip to the inside of the minds of brilliant women in chess. While it reminds us why there are so few female chess players, it doesn't tells us exactly why, however, the reason may not be as important as the experiences of this Woman Grand Master and her colleagues. I recently started learning to play chess and this book left my fingertips itching to reach the board.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually was in a book club with the girl who wrote this book. She is obviously a professional chess player. I thought this book was interesting to see the competitive and professional side of something I consider just a game.

[Orin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently discovered goddess. This is a remarkable ramble through the world of chess and women's role in it. It will help to care about chess, but Jennifer is a remarkable woman. She's a woman who is finding her voice.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

INSPIRING!!

Shahade's book is a light in the dark. Learning about the fascinating history, culture, and personalities of women's chess has made me proud to be part of that tradition. I wear this knowledge like an armor and take inspiration from the great women players out there leading the way!

[Joël Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great review of some of the top players in chess, and the pressures and joys of chess from a professional, worldly player. I very much enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone interested in the ancient and exciting game of chess (well exciting to anyone who would read this review!)!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful glimpse into chess history with feminist lens

Insightful, uncompromising, entertaining as hell, and informative on chess history.

Would recommend to anyone, regardless of level of chess enthusiasm.

[Bob Peatman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book would be interesting to everyone, not just people into chess. Her perspective on women at the top of their profession relates to many fields.

[Jenny Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to learn about the history of women's chess and more about the game itself--but the book need a good proof read. There were enough errors to be really distracting.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11545790

[Melanie Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with the historical information in this book. Well written and Interesting on so many levels. I still think about it many years later. Highly recommend.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever wonder why there aren't more women chess players, Jennifer Shahade explains why. Opens your eyes up to the blatant sexism in the competitive chess world.