In this episode of Queen’s Advice Corner, Zara Majid reflects on a tough tournament at the CAC Youth Chess Festival in Puerto Rico, where she finished with 4.5/9. She talks honestly about why bad tournaments are normal, how they don’t define your ability, and shares practical steps to bounce back stronger. This episode is a reassuring reminder that growth in chess and in life comes from resilience, reflection, and never giving up.

In this uplifting episode, WCM Zara Majid sits down with Bahamian sisters Chika and Angel Pride; one a rising WCM and national champion, the other a young FIDE Arbiter and girls-in-chess advocate. They share how they discovered chess, what it’s like growing in the sport together, and the lessons they’ve learned through playing, organizing, and inspiring girls across the Caribbean.

Packed with fun stories, sisterhood, and motivation, this episode shows how family, friendship, and confidence can shape your journey both on and off the board.

In this episode, WCM Zara Majid shares how stepping into the toughest section of the International Cayman Islands Chess Classic taught her the true meaning of confidence. As the youngest and only female player in the Open Section, she pushed past fear, faced stronger opponents, and proved to herself that she belonged there. Zara shows that confidence isn’t about being fearless, it’s about taking the leap anyway. A reminder that with courage, willingness, and belief in yourself, there is always a way forward.

In this episode of Queen’s Advice Corner, WCM Zara Majid shares how chess has helped her make incredible friendships all around the world, from the Caribbean to Canada, India, South Africa, and beyond.

She reflects on being featured in the ChessKid Girls Club, and how the platform has built a true sisterhood in chess, where girls lift each other up, celebrate every win, and remind one another that the best part of the game isn’t just checkmates… it’s connection.

WCM Zara Majid shares a lesson from the Youth Olympiad in Colombia, where time pressure led to a painful blunder.

Learn how to stay calm, use your increment, and think clearly — even when the clock is ticking!

WCM Zara Majid shares a lesson from a recent tournament where she lost a pawn to a simple pin because she forgot to ask herself one crucial question: “What is my opponent’s threat?” Inspired by Anatoly Karpov’s habit of asking this before every move, Zara explains how this practice can help players avoid blunders. She breaks it down into practical steps — scanning for new threats each turn, asking why the opponent made their move, and checking for checks, captures, and threats. She ends by challenging listeners to use this habit in their own games to play stronger and avoid preventable mistakes.

In this inspiring episode, WCM Zara Majid shares the incredible true story of Phiona Mutesi, a girl from the slums of Uganda who rose to become a Woman Candidate Master — and the star of the Disney film Queen of Katwe. Zara reflects on how Phiona’s courage, resilience, and refusal to give up helped break gender barriers in chess and inspired movements like Queens United. Zara also shares her emotional reaction to the film and the impact it had on her own chess journey through mentors and coaches.

With powerful lessons about believing in yourself — even when others don’t — this episode is a tribute to every girl who’s ever been told she doesn’t belong at the board.

New episodes every month on Queens United Chess 👑🎧

Tune in to hear about Martha Fierro, a highly accomplished women’s grandmaster and international master. She won the American Continental Women's Chess Championship in 2009 and won silver at the Chess Olympiad held in Armenia. She is also Vice President of FIDE for eight years and Chairperson of the Women's FIDE Commission.