GM Spotlight: Sam Shankland

                                     

Hikaru Nakamura, Wesley So, Fabiano Caruana. Many ChessKids will recognize these names as top players in the United States as well as three of the strongest grandmasters in the world. They aren't just any Chess players.  They are Super Grandmasters!  

But there's another grandmaster who has steadily powered up the ratings list.  For several years, he was already a very strong 2600+ grandmaster.  But in May of 2018, Sam Shankland reached "super" status by breaking through the 2700 barrier!  And he continues to climb up the American rankings list where he's currently #4, as well as the world ranking list where he's now one of the top 30 ranked players in the entire world.  AMAZING!

 

                    

                                 The sky is the limit for Sam Shankland, Super Grandmaster.

Many of us have heard stories of Chess geniuses like Magnus Carlsen, who learned how to play Chess at the age of 4 or 5 years old.  Sam started tournament Chess when was 11 years old, a bit late by prodigy standards.  But his journey proves that you can become amazing at anything as long as you put your mind to it.  

                                                     

                                                             Sam was a ChessKid once, too!

ChessKid had a chance to catch up with Super Sam.  Here's what he had to say about Chess, school and life!

ChessKid: What lessons has Chess taught you outside the game of Chess?

Sam: Chess has taught me resilience, emotional control, and how to apply myself to my maximum potential and stretch my limits!  Overcoming adversity as a player and reaching levels I never thought were possible gave me the confidence to try to better myself in other ways. For example, I never thought I could run 3 miles in under 20 minutes. While this is far from a truly elite time, the confidence and drive I got from chess led me to improve my fitness to a level I didn't think was attainable for me.

ChessKid: What your Chess journey has been like?

My chess journey has taken me all across the world, has shown me my highest highs and lowest lows. When you dedicate your life to a pursuit of passion to the extent I have dedicated mine to chess, pouring your heart and soul into the game and not improving is unbelievably frustrating. But it makes it that much more rewarding when you finally power through. Winning the US Championship was the happiest moment of my life, and I would not have felt nearly so elated if it had come easily or if I had not tried and failed so many times before.

          

                                     A very happy Sam after he wins the US Chess Championship

ChessKid: What are your interests outside of Chess?

Sam: I love anything physical. I like to play sports, go hiking, and just be outside in general. I'm also a major foodie and I try to cook new recipes all the time.

                   

                    Sam catches a big one!  During his Chess journey, he certainly has a lot more "fish to fry".  

ChessKid: What did you study in college?  

Sam: I was an Economics major. I don't think there was much if any connection with chess. It felt like two different subjects completely. While the same natural set of skills can help in both Chess and Economics, I'm not sure studying one really helped me improve at the other.

 

ChessKid: What do you hope to do in the future?  

Sam: My goal is to be World Champion. I will almost certainly fail this goal, but I can guarantee I will fail if I don't try. By setting the loftiest goal possible for myself, I leave myself with plenty of room to be satisfied if I fall short. I think it would be much nicer to aim to be World #1 and peak at #5 than it would be to aim for #10 and peak at #10.

                     Super Sam holds the winner's trophy as Team USA wins the 42nd Chess Olympiad in 2016.  

ChessKid: Anything you'd like to share?  

Sam: I'm always glad to see young kids being introduced to the game I fell in love with. ChessKid, keep on doing what you're doing!

             

                                            Super Sam teaches Chess to other kids when has time

Thanks, Sam.  We're sure a lot of ChessKids will continue to follow your progress.  We wish you continued success on your Chess journey!  

Oh, and best of luck on the upcoming Tata Steel super tournament, where you'll be in fine company with folks like Anand, Carlsen, Ding, and bunch of other Super Grandmasters.