WGM and IM Irene Sukander is one of the top players in Indonesia, the two-time Asian Women’s Chess Champion, and she earned a Grandmaster norm at the Asian Continental in 2012. Although her numerous chess accomplishments required an investment of time, Irene did not shirk her studies. She studied English literature in Indonesia, and Irene earned a Masters Degree in International Relations at chess powerhouse Webster University in St. Louis. Irene was already a well-known and accomplished chess player, but we saw her fame explode when due to an unusual set of circumstances she participated in a live, high stakes chess match with 1.25 million online viewers! Irene reflects on that match, and the ways it changed her life both for better and for worse. We also discuss Irene’s current chess goals, the unique chess culture in Indonesia, ways to popularize chess for women, and many more topics. There is much to learn from Irene, so I hope you enjoy this conversation as I did. Please read on for more details, timestamp and related links.
0:00- We begin by discussing the latest on Irene’s chess game. Is she studying? Is she planning on chasing the GM title? This segment also touches on chess in Indonesia.
Mentioned: Ray Robson, Eric Rosen, Ilya Nyzhnik, Le Quang Liem, Susan Polgar
Ladies Knight Podcast interview with Jen Shahade:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/108CgkISEvilraOmayh887?si=9df44dab494b4bb1
Biel Open,
Jakarta Post article about Irene:
https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2021/04/09/meet-irene-kharisma-sukandar-the-grandmaster-thrust-into-the-spotlight.html
10:00- Irene was a bit of a prodigy as a child. She delves into the intense study regimen that helped her earn her chess success.
Mentioned: GM Mikhail Botvinnik, Chess Informant’s, Hort-Karpov 1981
27:00- Irene answers a question from the Perpetual Chess Patreon mailbag relating to ways that more women can be inspired to pursue chess.
Mentioned: GM Judit Polgar, GM Maia Chiburdanidze, GM Hou Yifan, GM Ju Wenjun, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk
33:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. You can check out their latest offerings here:
New Chess Courses Online - For All Levels in all - Chessable.com
34:00- Irene reflects on the experience of participating in the most viewed chess match of all time, an event which came about under quite unusual circumstances.
Mentioned: IM Levy Rozman a/k/a Gotham Chess , Dewa Kipas, Here is Peter Doggers’ Chess.com story- Cheating Controversy Results in Most Watched Chess Event of All Time-
https://www.chess.com/news/view/most-watched-chess-stream-in-history-dewa-kipas
43:00- What content advice has Irene been given from her friend IM Eric Rosen?
Mentioned: Episode 36 with IM Eric Rosen, Episode 130 with IM Eric Rosen
47:00- Patreon question- was the $14,000 Irene received for her match with Dewa Kipas her biggest chess payday? She also reflects a bit more on what she will remember from this landmark chess match.
58:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Aimchess.com. Check it out for free, and then, if you decide to subscribe, use the PromoCode Chess30 to save 30%.
1:01:00- We talk a bit about Irene’s life and interests away from the board.
Mentioned: Reykjavik Open Chess Tournament- https://www.reykjavikopen.com/, Kopi Luwak
1:08:00- Thanks so much to Irene for joining the podcast Here are the best ways to keep up with her:
Instagram-
https://www.instagram.com/irene_sukandar/?hl=en
Twitter- https://twitter.com/irene_sukandar?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Twitch- https://t.co/tIJGJkZzLp?amp=1
Chess.com
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