Chess is Autistic

In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast, hosts Dr. Angela Kingdon and Matt Lowry, LPP dive into the timeless world of chess—a game woven deeply into Autistic culture. Through the story of legendary chess player Bobby Fischer and the Netflix hit The Queen’s Gambit, the hosts explore why this game resonates so strongly with the Autistic community.

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

• Why chess belongs alongside trains and Star Trek as quintessential parts of Autistic culture.
• The way chess rewards deep focus, pattern recognition, and monotropic thinking—all classic Autistic strengths.
• Bobby Fischer’s story: a chess prodigy whose intense focus, logical worldview, and social differences mirror many Autistic traits.
• The Queen’s Gambit’s Beth Harmon: a fictional but autistic-coded character whose love for chess feels powerfully familiar to Autistic audiences.
• How chess creates opportunities for authentic socialization without the burden of small talk—connection through shared strategy instead.
• Why Autistic excellence in chess highlights cultural virtues of fairness, morality, and respect for an opponent’s skills.
• Angela’s reflections on proving value through accomplishment and Matt’s celebration of the info-dump joy that comes from finding Autistic community.

Resources:

• The Queen’s Gambit and the Beautifully Messy Future of Autism on TV
• Ten reasons your autistic child needs to learn chess
• Asperger’s and Intimacy Through Chess | Organization for Autism Research
• Did Bobby Fischer have Aspergers Syndrome? - Chess Forums - Chess.com
• Devon Price’s book

Related Episodes:

Pokemon is Autistic

Dungeons & Dragons is Autistic

Parks and Rec is Autistic

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🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.

🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Eleanor Collins, Emily Griffiths, Hannah Hughes, Jennifer Kemp, Jonas Fløde, Kate F, Katie N Benitez, Kendra Murphy, Lisa Dennys, Logan Wall, Louise Lomas, Melissa Nance, Nicola Owen, Rebecka Johansson, Sam Morris, Sarah Hannah Morris.

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