The Adult Improver Series returns to spotlight the inspiring story of another amateur chess player. This week’s guest is Supraja Padlamani. Supraja is a Canada-born, Uganda-based economist who learned to play chess just a few years ago. Her interest intensified during the pandemic, and through some unusual circumstances, Supraja got the opportunity to play in the Olympiad for Niger. Supraja has also made impressive chess progress in just a few years, reaching Chess.com blitz and rapid ratings of 1800 and 1750 respectively. In just a few years, Supraja has improved her game immensely and crossed paths with the likes of GM Fabiano Caruana and IM Eric Rosen. In our conversation, she shares her unique chess story and hard-won improvement advice. Timestamps of topics discussed and links of resources referenced can be found below. 

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0:1:30- Supraja joins the podcast and shares her chess origins.

Mentioned: IM Eric Rosen, WGM Tijana Mandura, GM Igor Smirnov, Chessmood.com, The Russo Gambit 

13:00- What has Supraja’s approach to speed chess been? 

16:00- Life in Uganda 

19:00- Patreon mailbag question: Is chess supported by the government in Niger? 

21:00- how is the chess scene in Uganda? 

24:00- Supraja details her fierce chess rivalry with her boyfriend 

25:00- Olympiad reflections and sightings

Mentioned: GM Fabiano Caruana 

32:00- Supraja’s tournament plans 

39:00- How much time per week does Supraja study chess? 

43:00- Does she follow professional class 

44:00- Supraja’s favorite and least favorite aspects of chess

44:00- Supraja’s  favorite openings 

Mentioned: Maia bots

47:00- Supraja completes her IM Eric Rosen story

Mentioned: Cameo.com 

51:00- Supraja’s closing chess advice. 

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