Get ready to sharpen your chess skills with National Master Jerald Times, a revered chess educator and CEO of Chess Across Borders. We'll traverse across the chessboard of Jerald's experiences, from his nostalgic moments playing chess on a Navy ship to his enlightening journey of teaching and transitioning to a more dynamic playing style. Ever wondered about the psychological transformation of chess players? Our conversation reveals the intriguing shift from reactionary to responsive play, emphasizing the importance of harnessing the power of desire and will to succeed.  We'll also analyze the recent world championship match between Ding and Nepo, discussing the match format and its potential bias towards particular player styles. In addition, we'll touch upon the evolution of chess, from its romantic period to the modern era where it's viewed as a data game. Our chat provides a rare insight into the chess culture at Washington Square Park and the importance of tactical skills for adult improvers. Listen in for Jerald's sage advice that when it comes to improving tournament play, the battleground is indeed the learning ground. Tune in for an episode packed with chess strategies, experiences, and transformations. Chapters: 00:00 Intro. 03:52 Opening Preparation 07:11 Chess Eras & Evolutions 14:00 Learning Zone vs. Performance Zone 19:18 Ding/Nepo Recap & Championship Format 26:55 The Journey to Master & Chess as a Data Game 29:31 Washington Square Park stories 35:32 Ratings, Thinking Patterns, & Tactics 42:00 Lawsuit update 46:02 Chess Across Borders 51:54 Outro Referenced: Chess for Tigers (Amazon)Better Thinking, Better Chess (Amazon)Links for NM Jerald Times: TwitterChess Across BordersThe Amazon links above are affiliate links which earn us a small commission on qualifying purchases. This helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you. If you have a question or topic idea for a future episode, e-mail us at [email protected]. Our links: Website Twitter YouTube