Passion and Positivity: WCM Maddie Weber

WCM Maddie Weber - known online as madchess - exudes positivity and optimism about chess. She began competing at age 10 and has continued through high school and through her undergrad program at NYU. Having just finished her Bachelor's, she continues to compete and coach chess while working on her Master's in Accounting at NYU's Stern School of Business. She is most well-known for streaming in Washington Square Park, where she is one of the "family" of chess hustlers there. Now even a punch to the face from a random man can keep her away from there! To improve chess, Maddie recommends: 1. doing whatever we can to keep girls playing through high school - time of girls' well-known "adolescent drop-off," 2. eliminating women's-only sections at tournaments and replacing those awards with Women's Prizes for top women in the open section, 3. OR rescheduling women's only sections so they do not conflict with the open section. That way strong women are not faced with conflicting incentives. 4. reminding women to aim high!

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