The December edition of “Cover Stories with Chess Life” is now live! This monthly podcast, hosted by Senior Director of Strategic Communication Daniel Lucas, goes in depth and behind the scenes with the author of each month’s cover story. This month, we talk to Jennifer Vallens, who wrote our cover story about the challenges of chess parenting. Jennifer founded OFF da ROOK Entertainment in 2013 and runs scholastic tournaments in Southern California. 

Jennifer serves on the Board of the Southern California Chess Federation, the Karpov International Chess School, and Chess Journalists of America.  She is the author of several published articles in New In Chess and Chess Life magazines, as well as articles in ChessBase.  She manages worldwide events,  publicity and promotion for GM Timur Gareyev.  She has a background in marketing and enjoys creating opportunities to unite the chess community. When she is not working in chess, she teaches Yoga and runs Mental Health support groups for those in Treatment and Recovery.  She resides in Westlake Village, California with her husband, two sons, and dog.

Extra features include “Checking in with Jen” in which our Senior Digital Editor Jennifer Shahade discusses what is new and upcoming on CLO at uschess.org/clo as well as our social media networks, including YouTube, where you can find the video of Timur Gareyev "chess-diving." This month, Jennifer recaps the World Chess Championship and the upcoming National K-12 Grade Championships. Dan and Jennifer also talk about the new job opening at US Chess for a Digital Editor.  

And don’t miss your chance at winning a $50 gift certificate to USCFSales.com! Send in your question to podcast@uschess.org, and if your question is selected as the Best Question, you will win the gift certificate. Next month we cover the Silver medal winning US Olympiad team with GM Maurice Ashley, so send in your questions for him or anything about Chess Life that strikes your fancy.