Jessica E Martin

Jessica Era Martin achieved her MFA from Queens University in Charlotte, NC. She is the founder of Over the Chessboard, an organization dedicated to promoting chess for everyone. Jessica has taught chess in three states for over 20 years, bringing students and teams from absolute beginners to state and national champions. She has a special focus on retaining girls’ interest in chess. A scholarship was created in her name at the International School of Tucson in Arizona.

Jessica’s poems have appeared in Vital Sparks, Poor Yorick, Sheepshead Review & more. A collaboration with Historical Southend Charlotte displays her work outside the Charlotte Art Gallery, C3 Lab. Her poetry is also displayed in a rotating exhibit around the city by Charlotte Poetry Stop. Jessica won Honorable Mention in the 2022 NC State Poetry Contest. She is the author of four chess books for children and adults.

Jessica is also a mother and enjoys struggling to play Beethoven on the piano. @JessEraMartin on Twitter.