Jerald in South Africa, circa 2011. Photo courtesy of Jerald Times.
Jerald Times is a USCF Chess Master, and the 2 time Chess champion of Harlem. Jerald is also a chess commentator, and is probably best known as a chess teacher who recently received the 2021 Chess Educator of the Year award from the University of Texas at Dallas. Jerald has been predominantly based in his native New York City, where he twice was the chess champion of Harlem, and where he has served in different capacities at successful chess programs such as The Dalton School, The Harlem Children’s Zone, and The Success Academy. Jerald also spent a few years as a chess trainer in South Africa, and coached the South African National team. These days, Jerald is launching a new organization, called Chess Across Borders, which aims to use digital tools to enable chess players from all backgrounds to compete in national and international chess championships. Jerald shared insightful comments as he on his own chess journey to a peak FIDE rating of 2400, as well as his reflections on how chess, and chess education has changed. Jerald also highlighted some important instances of racial discrimination that he has seen in his career both in the chess world, and as a teacher. All in all, there is lots to learn from this discussion with Jerald, please read on for more details and timestamps.
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0:00- How did Jerald get into chess in his native New York City in the 1980s and 1990s?
Mentioned: Think like a Grandmaster, My System, Alexander Alekhine, GM Vassily Smyslov, GM Jose Raoul Capablanca, IM Levy Rozman, WGM Alexandra Botez, GM Miron Sher, GM Fabiano Caruana, GM Robert Hess
13:00- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com! Check out their latest offerings here.
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14:00- Jerald discusses his plans to launch a new organization, called Chess Across Borders
20:00- How have chess teaching tools changed in recent decades?
Mentioned: Google Classroom, FM Mike Klein, Chesskid.com
25:00- Jerald’s most recent position was heading the chess program at a New York- based network of charter schools called Success Academy. Jerald discusses both the positive and the negative of his experiences with Success Academy.
Mentioned: Jessica Hyatt
41:45- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by AImchess.com. Check out their site, and if you decide to subscribe use the code Perpetual30 to save 30%.
42:30- Patreon mailbag question: How does chess in South Africa (where Jerald lived, and worked as a chess trainer) compare to chess in the United States?
Mentioned: GM Kenny Solomon, Nick Vandernot, IM Henry Steele, IM Watu Kobese , GM Maurice Ashley, IM Kassa Korley, Tani Adewumi, James Black, IM Justus Williams, FM Joshua Colas
52:00- Where is Chess Across Borders in its launch process?
53:30- Jerald shares stories about his encounters with GM Garry Kasparov and GM Maurice Ashley.
Mentioned: Rochelle Ballantyne, Maurice Ashley to host recaps of the Upcoming World Championship on NBC Sports:
https://twitter.com/FIDE_chess/status/1417258790169321472?s=20
1:01:00- Thanks to Jerald for joining the show! Here is his contact info:
Find out more about Chess Across Borders here:
https://chessacrossborders.site123.me/
Email Jerald at:
jtimes at gmail.com