Her Live Twitch Streaming for Her Community
Her Live was created to “encourage [Her Move Next] members to watch us, play games with us, and even have their games reviewed from previous Her Move Next tournaments.”
BY MAYA DORON-REPA - STUYVESANT HIGH SCHOOL - COACH & COLUMNIST
Imagine watching a streamer continuously beat her chess opponents 20 times in a row while the viewers dub her “Flag Master,” anticipating another win while on the edge of their seats. This type of exciting action and much more can be viewed on the Her Live Twitch channel. In the words of co-founder Simone Morden, Her Live was created to “encourage [Her Move Next] members to watch us, play games with us, and even have their games reviewed from previous Her Move Next tournaments.” Every Tuesday from 1:30pm to 3pm EST, Indira Raparthi and Simone stream Her Move Next content, play chess against eager viewers and, with their enthusiasm and positive attitudes, show viewers why they should continue (or begin) to have a love for chess.
Indira, Simone, and Simone’s sister Rose came up with the idea for Her Live streams while watching and being inspired by other chess streamers on Twitch. Already active members of the Her Move Next community, they took action and made their desire come to fruition with the help of Her Move Next co-founder Benjamin Morden, who is also Simone, Rose, and their sister Estelle’s father. Since its creation, Her Live has become yet another exciting aspect of the Her Move Next movement.
During the first couple of streams – the first one being on March 20, 2022 – Her Live grew into a vastly greater entertainment program than just chess reviewing and playing: from lighthearted arguments about whether a Taylor Swift or an Imagine Dragons song is best (which viewer Aliya has said she’s enjoyed) to interactions and conversations with chatting viewers, Her Live streams are a place for all who want to have a good time. Aliya noted that “anyone interested in chess or even just interested in participating in a conversation can join and have an awesome time,” meaning even viewers with limited knowledge of chess can have an awesome time watching. In fact, Simone said that one of their “most loyal viewers (besides Aliya) is someone we met over Twitch.” Not only do they love to play chess on the Her Live Twitch, but they also love playing chess variants, including bughouse, blitz, bullet chess, and even progressive chess. They’ve played viewers and random opponents online via Chess.com as well as against each other in person.
Her Live typically streams from Simone’s home. The first time Her Live streamed from a different location was during the April 2022 All Girls National Chess Championships in Chicago, which several Her Move Next community members attended. Aliya was able to participate in that stream and recalled that it was “my favorite stream […] and probably one of my best memories of All Girls Nationals.” Their stream in Chicago was one filled with many chess variants and in-person and online playing, as well as a ton of giggles.
Her Live can help connect the Her Move Next community by sharing a love for the game of chess as well as by having a good time. Viewers can connect with Her Move Next streamers through the chat by discussing certain moves, openings, and endgames; asking to play against the streamers with the variant of their choice; or asking the streamers to review their games. In addition, the streamers are open to any topic of discussion (and they seem to be especially fond of ranking songs). Simone finds it “really heartwarming to see people you know taking interest in something you are passionate about,” which is just what Her Live helps to do. At around 30 followers already, Her Live is looking to climb the ranks and reach 1000 followers soon on Twitch. Feel free to tune in even if it’s for a bit, and if you like the streams enough, be sure to follow.
PS: A big thanks to Simone and Aliya for their input and the information they shared about the Her Live initiative! Simone was the one dubbed Flag Master :).
