Fresh off her third consecutive (and fourth overall) U.S. Women’s Championship title, I was honored to catch up with 22-year-old IM Carissa Yip. Carissa has taken a gap year from Stanford University and is immersed in a demanding schedule of training and competition. She’s had some excellent results this year and is now ranked #21 among women in the world.
Despite her success, Carissa has also experienced the emotional ups and downs that every serious chess player can relate to. In our conversation, she discusses:
<ul>
 <li>
Her personal recollections of GM Daniel Naroditsky, including how he once went out of his way to help her prepare during a major tournament.
</li>
 <li>
The helpful opening advice recently shared with her by her friend and coach, GM Awonder Liang.
</li>
 <li>
How she overcame sluggish starts to win both the 2025 U.S. Women’s Championship and the Cairns Cup.
</li>
</ul>
Carissa shared a mix of funny stories and thoughtful reflections on her training regimen, the gender gap in chess, and her advice for improvement. She even recommended a novel to read and touched on her passion for writing. I really enjoyed catching up with Carissa and am excited to see her bright future continue to unfold. 
0:00- Thanks to our sponsor, Chessable.com! If you sign up for Chessable Pro in order to unlock discounts and additional features, be sure to use the following link:
<a href="https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro">https://www.chessable.com/pro/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=benjohnson&utm_campaign=pro</a>
And you can check out their new offerings here:
<a href="https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/">https://www.chessable.com/courses/all/new/</a>
0:02- Carissa joins the pod. She begins by sharing her recollections of GM Daniel Naroditsky 
Mentioned: Zatonskih-Yip 2020
<a href="https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2011266">https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2011266</a>
0:05- Carissa had slow starts at both Cairns Cup and this US Champs- why? 
0:07- Carissa’s training regimen
Mentioned: Killer Chess Training
0:09- Carissa’s Opening Approach
Mentioned: GM Awonder Liang
Check out Carissa’s US Championship Games here:
<a href="https://lichess.org/study/etqoyX0E/QRi8cCdw">https://lichess.org/study/etqoyX0E/QRi8cCdw</a>
17:00- How to approach a new opening
19:00- Carissa’s approach to training games
22:00- <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess">Patreon mailbag question</a>:
Would Carissa prefer a corporate career or to pursue chess professionally? 
24:30- Carissa retells the story of a funny bet between GM Awonder Liang and GM Sam Shankland
Mentioned: February 2025 Chess Life Magazine
<a href="https://new.uschess.org/magazine/feb-25-chess-life">https://new.uschess.org/magazine/feb-25-chess-life</a>
28:00- <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess">Patreon mailbag question</a>: How can overcome a slow start, as Carissa has done repeatedly? 
36:00- Carissa’s fiction recommendation:
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Small-Things-These-Claire-Keegan/dp/0802158749">Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan</a>
38:00- Carissa’ passion for writing 
40:00- What was the e-sports experience of the recent USA vs. India match like? 
48:00- <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess">Patreon mailbag question</a>: Why does Carissa think no female player subsequent to Judit has reached her level of dominance? 
54:00- <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/perpetualchess">Patreon mailbag question</a>: If Carissa could ask men in chess to do one thing differently, what would it be? 
57:00- Carissa discusses her friendship with rising American star, IM Alice Lee
59:00- Carissa’s upcoming tournaments
1:01- Carissa’ chess improvement advice!
Thanks to Carissa for joining me again! Be sure to follow her on X and Instagram:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/carissayip/">https://www.instagram.com/carissayip/</a>
<a href="https://x.com/carissayipchess?lang=en">https://x.com/carissayipchess?lang=en</a>
Image in thumbnail by Lennart Ootes via St. Louis Chess Club
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/stlchessclub/54876804247/in/album-72177720329882462">https://www.flickr.com/photos/stlchessclub/54876804247/in/album-72177720329882462</a>
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EP 457- IM Carissa Yip: Remembering Danya, Pursuing Chess Professionally and Reflecting on her 4th US Women’s Championship

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