“The Queen’s Gambit,” Netflix’s blockbuster series about a chess prodigy, has ignited sales of chess boards and a new national obsession with the game. But, before the glamorous world of Beth Harmon, international master Rusa Goletiani and expert coach, Mike Amori, were fully steeped in the world of chess competitions and coaching.
This program will take you into the real world of competitive, high-stakes chess—drawing on parallels from The Queen’s Gambit to illuminate true tales of confronting gender inequities, competing against masters, and the life skills benefits the ancient game can have.
The live webinar will be presented on Thursday, January 28 at 7 PM EST via Zoom; please register at newcanaanlibrary.org for sign in information.
Rusa Goletiani was born in Sokhumi, Georgia, learned to play chess at the age of 6 and began competing shortly after. She has won World Youth Championships for girls under 14, 16 and 18 and became a Women’s Grandmaster in 1999. After moving to the US in 2000, Rusa became an International Master, won the 2003 Continental Championship and the prestigious 2005 US Women’s Championship, and won individual silver and team bronze medals representing the U.S. in Dresden in 2008. After a long career teaching professional chess Rusa transitioned to a career in finance but still lectures, teaches, and supports her own children’s interest in chess.