Perpetual Chess features weekly conversations with the chess world's best players, trainers and accomplished amateurs about their careers, current projects, best practices and the latest in chess news. Learn more at PerpetualChessPod.com
EP 481- IM Greg Shahade: Inside His Incredible Jeopardy Run
IM Greg Shahade has long been well known in the chess world as a three-time national scholastic champion and the founder of the Pro Chess League and the US Chess School. Recently, however, he reached a much broader audience with an impressive run on the syndicated trivia show Jeopardy!.
Greg amassed over $75,000 in winnings, dethroning 31-time champion Jamie Ding along the way. He joined me after what he described as “the craziest week of his life” to discuss:
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The approach to adult learning that helped him go from trivia novice to Jeopardy! champion in just a few years
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Behind-the-scenes insights from the recording process, plus his reflections on his controversial on-stage mannerisms
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How his background in chess (and poker) shaped his strategy and decision-making under pressure
There isn’t a ton of chess discussion in this episode, but Greg’s approach to learning and performance has clear applications across many domains.
00:00 Introduction
03:00- Greg Shahade joins the show, we begin by discussing adult learning and Greg’s late start to trivia.
Mentioned: Learned League
Thinking Sideways by Jennifer Shahade
Ducksters
07:43 Building Knowledge Structures
10:03 The Role of Intense Study
12:54 Flashcards and Review Techniques
15:43 Betting Strategies on Jeopardy
18:45 Reflections on the Jeopardy Experience
You can review questions Greg faced here:
https://www.j-archive.com/showseason.php?season=42
25:00- Patreon mailbag question- Why does Greg know so little about current events? What is his approach to daily double hunting?
30:44 Daily Double Strategies and Insights
36:57 Patreon mailbag question- Why is Greg so expressive when playing Jeopardy?
42:16 Physicality and Focus in Jeopardy
49:25 Behind the Scenes of Jeopardy
52:40 Facing the Champion: Mental Strategies
55:11 The Weight of Anticipation: Media and Public Perception
57:02 Navigating Fame: Love, Hate, and Public Reaction
59:50 Preparing for the Tournament of Champions
01:03:51 Chess and Jeopardy: Cross-Disciplinary Insights
01:07:20 Reflections on Study Techniques and Memory
01:11:20 Final Thoughts: The Game and Its Emotional Toll
Thanks to Greg for joining me at a busy time. Follow him here:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gregshahade/?hl=en
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