KibBlitzing with
9 Queens Co-Founder Jean Hoffman

Photo: Hoffman and former student Daniel Alvarez at the 9 Queens Knockout Invitational in NYC.


- Where is the coolest place you have ever played a chess game?

The Chelsea Art Museum in New York City. Last summer, 9 Queens and Chesspark hosted the 9 Queens Knockout chess tournament at the Chelsea Art Musuem. The tournament featured students, hip hop stars and professional chess players (including Irina Krush, Jennifer Shahade and Pascal Charbonneau). I loved this event because it fused chess, music and art and challenged stereotypes about traditional chess tournaments.

- When did you get started playing chess?

I learned how to play chess in first grade.

- How would your life be different if you hadn't learned to play chess?

Chess has played such a large role in both my personal and professional development, I have no idea what my life would be like if I hadn't learned to play chess. Through chess, I developed self-confidence in my ability to solve problems, concentrate and think.  As an educator, I am constantly inspired by the power of chess to strengthen relationships and create connections between students and teachers.

- Who are your role models?

Author and educator Herbert Kohl,  Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, IS 318K chess teacher Elizabeth Vicary, and my first chess coach Jim Tallmadge.

- If your life depended on winning a chess game with the White pieces, what first move would you play?

1.d4

- What kind of music do you like?

I listen to everything. Last year, after RZA launched WuChess.com, I started listening to a lot of hip hop that had chess references. Right now I am really into old country music like Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline.

- If you had the choice between playing a 4-game match with Vishy Anand or being on your favorite game show, which would you pick?

I just started listening to the NPR game show "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me," so my first choice would probably be to go on with Anand. Otherwise, although  I would probably have better chances on a game show, I would choose to play the match against Anand-especially if he agreed to go over the games with me afterwards.

- Who is cooler, Garry Kasparov or Steven Colbert?

Garry Kasparov. Despite all the stereotypes about chess and chess players, I've always considered chess  cool. As members of the chess community, we need to start acknowledging  the inherent coolness of chess.

- Kramnik seems to think you must look good to play well. How important is a chessplayer's wardrobe? 

Not very. I love clothes, but I can't say I have ever won a game because of my wardrobe.

- What words of advice have filled you with the most confidence?

"You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win," -- Jose Capablanca. ♦

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