Piece Talks
Piece Talks
Rob Shields
#33 - Jim Eakins and Mari Black
1 hour 49 minutes Posted Feb 15, 2026 at 6:39 pm.
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Show notes
What happens when you combine the analytical mind of a physics educator with the precision of a world-class violinist?
You get a partnership that shares a single competitive brain to deconstruct jigsaw puzzles at a cellular level. In this episode, Jim and Mari break down their unique roles: Mari provides the world-class "hands" while Jim serves as the analytical "eye in the sky," spotting patterns and pieces from a distance that you just can't see when your hands are on the board.
We dive into Mari’s "Type A Plus" competitive spirit and their shared pedagogical approach to mastering the table. Whether you're a casual fan or a hardcore sprinter, this episode is a deep dive into the thoughtful puzzling that defines elite play.