Sandy Staab has had an extraordinary journey from a technology programming veteran to a chess mentor extraordinaire in the scenic landscapes of Idaho. After decades in the tech field, Sandy shifted gears to run a serene ranch, where he found an unexpected calling in the game of chess.
From receiving a chess set and…
A dedicated chess player, coach, and influential figure in the chess community, Josh Sinanan has devoted much of his life to transforming the lives of thousands of children through the game of chess. In this Spotlight interview, Josh shared insights into his chess journey, his passion for teaching, and his initiatives aimed at making chess more accessible and impactful…
Siva Sankrithi has had a diverse career and lifelong passion for chess. From his 10-year stint as a high school math teacher at Lakeside School in Seattle to his early retirement to focus on homeschooling his children, Siva has truly embraced a unique path.
Chess has been a constant companion in Siva's life, starting…
If you looked up “serving others” in an encyclopedia you just might find a picture of Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson. Orrin is an Air Force veteran and a former state trooper who founded Be Someone, an organization that helps kids develop leadership and life skills through chess one move at a time.
Just what inspired such a massive career change?…
The transition from college to career can be a challenging time. Since the beginning of the pandemic it can be even more difficult for recent graduates to make the necessary connections to find employment. At the same time, the challenge of recruiting reliable workers has become an expensive and at times frustrating process for employers.
Common interests are a great way to make connections with potential employers or employees – whether you went to the same college, came from the same hometown, or root for the same sports team. These connections provide an “in” from which to build a meaningful relationship. These genuine network connections can lead to the right-fit employees getting matched with the right-fit employers.
Chess is a shared interest that communicates unique strengths a player is likely to have. For example, a chess player who meets another chess player knows that person probably has practice at problem solving, planning, strategic thinking, extended focus, managing and allocating resources, and sportsmanship. What better way to connect with a potential employer or employee?
Florian Helff sees these advantages to chess and its practical application. Few people will grow up to have chess be their direct career path but many chess players can reap the benefits of chess in their careers.
Read about the steps Florian is taking to bridge the gap between college and career here!
Breck Haining is the father of two children who participate in chess competitively. He learned from his father to play chess when he was 8 or 9 years old. Breck’s dad taught him how the pieces move and the general goal of the game. His brother got into learning tactics and Breck observed how much this improved his brother’s ability…
