Apr 17, 2017
#73: Last January, I went to a party at a trailer park that
featured a huge bonfire, a few llamas, and a member of Public
Enemy.
(I realize that sounds like the setup to a joke. Welcome to my
life.)
While I was there, I met a former competitive chess player named
Steve Gossett. Steve is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker who creates
Princess Rap Battle videos for a YouTube channel with more than 1
million subscribers.
But that's not why I invited Steve onto the show.
I asked him to join me on the podcast to discuss the lessons that
chess taught him about money, work and life.
On this fascinating episode, Steve and I discuss:
- Opening Theory: At the start of the game, you have a
limited selection of moves. Yet you can quickly lose the game if
you choose the wrong moves. Don't lose at the outset.
- Muddled Midgame: While the first few moves are (relatively)
simple, even the experts don't quite understand the complexities of
the mid-game.
- Gambit: Sometimes, you need to be willing to give up a piece on
the board for the sake of getting another strategic win.
- Eliminate options: You'll fatigue yourself if you try to consider
every move. Learn how to quickly eliminate options so that you can
focus on choosing between a small handful of optimal moves.
- Think ahead: Don't just think about the consequences of the next
move. Think many, many moves ahead on the board. Also, realize that
every move carries an opportunity cost: once you move a piece on
the board, it's not in that same position anymore -- for better or
for worse.
- Study/practice/knowledge can reduce time pressure: Chess is a
timed game with a ticking clock. You can make smarter, faster
decisions through study and practice. Knowledge is your competitive
advantage.
I hope you find this conversation as fascinating as I did.
Enjoy!
- Paula
Links to the Princess Rap Battle and Whitney Avalon's YouTube
channel can be found in the show notes at http://affordanything.com/episode73