- WGM Jennifer Shahade released “Thinking Sideways: How to Think Like a Chess Player and Win at Life,” combining chess philosophy with psychology and decision-making strategies
- The core concept challenges the misconception that chess mastery requires calculating many moves ahead; instead, it emphasizes considering multiple options in uncertain situations
- Shahade recently settled a 2023 lawsuit against US Chess and was named the organization’s first-ever Official Ambassador
- The book was released April 7 alongside Netflix’s “Untold: Chess Mates” and has received praise from major publications including the Financial Times and The Guardian
Two-time U.S. Women’s Champion Jennifer Shahade has established herself as a distinctive voice in chess through her work as a player, commentator, author, and competitive poker player. Her latest project extends this influence beyond the board with a new book that bridges strategic thinking and practical life skills.
Redefining Chess Thinking for Everyday Life
In a conversation with Chess.com’s FM Mike Klein, Shahade unveiled the philosophy underlying her new book. The title “Thinking Sideways” deliberately subverts common assumptions about how chess players approach complex situations.
Many people assume exceptional chess players possess the ability to calculate dozens of moves into the future. Shahade dismisses this misconception: “Everybody’s always asking chess players, ‘You think so far ahead… I could never think that many moves ahead,’ and there is a lot of truth that chess players really do think about more options than thinking super far ahead.”
Her argument takes an unexpected turn when addressing modern challenges. Rather than promoting extended calculation, she advocates for something quite different: “In our current world, where there is so much uncertainty… you’re doing it right if you don’t think too many moves ahead.” This philosophy forms the foundation of her approach—expanding possibilities rather than narrowing focus to a single predicted outcome.
The Candidate Moves Framework
Central to Shahade’s methodology is the chess concept of “candidate moves,” a technique familiar to club-level players. The process involves identifying multiple viable options, evaluating each thoroughly, and selecting the strongest choice.
However, Shahade identifies a critical challenge in applying this framework: people struggle at different stages. “Some people are very good at evaluating all their options, but then they’re really indecisive… if you’re good at seeing every possibility, you can easily get frozen,” she explained. “So it makes sense that it’s hard to combine two, and that is why chess is so hard. Life is even harder.”
From Theory to Poker Success
Shahade’s recent achievements in competitive poker demonstrate the practical value of her methodology. Shortly after completing the manuscript, she achieved a career-best performance by implementing these principles directly.
One technique involved mental visualization. “I visualized myself winning… I just made the visuals of me winning a little bit more convincing and vivid,” she said. She also embraced strategic confidence, even when it required overcoming self-doubt. “A lot of the research showed that very high confidence helps you succeed, even if it’s sometimes a little bit delusional.”
An unexpected but powerful adjustment contributed significantly to her success: eliminating distractions. “I banned myself from my phone… my brain was just so much more alert… I was really able to retain things.”
Beyond Competition: A Message About Worth
Shahade emphasizes that her book addresses deeper concerns than performance optimization. “It’s honestly about happiness and making people proud of themselves and their unique skill sets,” she stated. “I think that we’re in such a hyper-competitive world, especially in chess. It’s so competitive and it can be so cutthroat. I want people to be able to step back and say like, ‘Okay, I’m worthy.'”
Timing and Reception
“Thinking Sideways” arrived on April 7, coinciding with significant chess media releases including Netflix’s documentary “Untold: Chess Mates” and Ben Mezrich’s book “Checkmate.” The book has already garnered substantial recognition, with positive reviews appearing in prominent publications including the Financial Times and The Guardian.
Settlement with US Chess
Shahade’s recent career developments extend beyond her literary work. One week prior to the book’s release, she reached a settlement following her 2023 lawsuit against US Chess concerning misconduct and retaliation allegations.
In a joint statement, US Chess acknowledged her contributions, stating: “We thank Shahade for her courage in coming forward with reports of abuse, and recognize that her actions have helped reinforce our commitment to a safe, inclusive, and welcoming chess community.”
As part of the resolution, Shahade was appointed as US Chess’s inaugural Official Ambassador, a position that includes appearances at events throughout the country. Her legal representatives expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting: “We are proud of Jennifer for her fortitude and courage. Her selfless commitment to helping others has been both acknowledged and rewarded through this process.”