In this first-ever episode of Ono Another Chess Podcast, Ono (@TheOnoZone) interviews Lichess community manager: Chris Callahan.

In this episode:

[1:21] What Chris loves about the game of chess + what drew him to chess

[5:48] How to speak up about women being abused in chess if you're not a woman

[12:33] Why it's bad for the chess world if women leave chess

[16:19] The issue of women feeling unwelcome at chess clubs

[18:48] Why Women's Chess Events are important

[20:35] Where Chris finds his chess journalism sources + the chess 'village'

[24:26] Why chess federations + organisations should coordinate way more

[26:43] Why Chris thinks an independent chess news media channel is fertile ground

[30:43] Ono + Chris discuss if top-level chess is harder to follow than other sports

[35:02] Chris shares whether Lichess will start commentating on chess events more often

[36:06] Chris explains the behind-the-scenes organisational structure of Lichess

[38:51] Questions for Chris submitted by Patrons of TheOnoZone

[39:13] How is it going with Lichess getting the 501(c)(3) US charity designation?

[41:21] Are there any plans to offer extras to Lichess Patrons? And what are Chris' thoughts on AI tools like ChatGPT to provide more detailed analyses of games on Lichess?

[48:17] Chris' plans for his chess coaching

Join the conversation in the informal Zoom Hangout with Ono + other Adult Improvers like you! Sign up to www.patreon.com/TheOnoZone (free trial available) and join us every other Friday + get other Patron-exclusive perks.

TheOnoZone blog article related to this podcast episode:

How To Be A Man In Chess https://lichess.org/@/TheOnoZone/blog/how-to-be-a-man-in-chess/uxZNeaDO

Jennifer Shahade's post about resignation:

I Am Leaving US Chess https://jenshahade.substack.com/p/i-am-leaving-us-chess

Chris' articles mentioned in this episode:

Breaking the Silence https://lichess.org/blog/ZNTniBEAACEAJZTn/breaking-the-silence⁠

5 Centimeters of Hair: Iranian Chess in 2023 https://lichess.org/blog/Y73kBhAAAHxja3WN/5-centimeters-of-hair-iranian-chess-in-2023

Recommended viewing for every adult chess player:

The Experiences of Women in Chess (Roundtable) ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFpC17WFNOU⁠

Follow Lichess:

Website www.lichess.org | Twitter @Lichess | Discord discord.com/invite/lichess | YouTube @LichessDotOrg | Twitch @LichessDotOrg

Follow Chris Callahan:

Lichess @NoJoke | Twitter @NoJokeChris

Follow TheOnoZone:

Patreon ⁠www.patreon.com/TheOnoZone⁠ | Twitter ⁠@TheOnoZone⁠ | Lichess ⁠@TheOnoZone⁠ | Email ⁠info@theonozone.com | Website www.theonozone.com

On the website, you can download a free Study Plan Template + Wordy Chess Book List, find out more about Ono's Adult Improver chess coaching + book a free trial lesson with Ono.

Thanks to TheOnoZone Patrons who supported this episode: Marcus Buffett | Dan Bock | Dawn Lawson | Glen G | Mikey Wells | NoSir100 | Michael Shpizner | Michael G | Karen W | Gregory C | BowiE | Yara V | Stefan K | Ché Martin | Andrew M | Ben Johnson

Thanks also to Chris Callahan for being the first-ever repeat podcast guest before the podcast even launched, my wife Yara for being the other half of TheOnoZone, Ché Martin for creating the legendary intro, and Zach Shpizner for applying his audio engineering skills to this episode.

Make sure to follow Ono Another Chess Podcast on your favourite podcast app + give us a 5-star rating if you like it. Thanks for listening!