EP 470- GM Yasser Seirawan on Fischer, Najdorf, Silman & How he Became a GM-Level Storyteller
Perpetual Chess PodcastShow Notes
In the 9 years of Perpetual Chess’ existence, GM Yasser Seirawan is the most requested guest by listeners. It took some time to make it happen, but today the renowned commentator, author, and 4-time US Champion delivers. We chat about:
Yasser is renowned as a storyteller- what does he think the origins are of this skill?
Stories about Bobby Fischer, Bent Larsen, GM Miguel Najdorf, and many others.
The role that IM Jeremy Silman played in helping Yasser craft his popular Winning Chess Series.
Current exhibits at the World Chess Hall of Fame (including “Seirawan Chess”) and exciting renovations at the St. Louis Chess Club
This episode features plenty of laughter and a number of entertaining stories that I hadn’t heard Yasser tell before.
0:00- Here is the link to join the Perpetual Chess Discord:
0:00- Thanks to our sponsors, Chessiverse.com. Be sure to check out the Bots and courses, and use the code “Perpetual30” to receive a 30% discount on courses and premium offerings.
0:00- And you can check out Yasser’s Chessable courses here:
https://www.chessable.com/author/Yasser_Seirawan/
0:02- Yasser joins me! He begins by discussing his storytelling roots, and some of the best raconteur GMs- Bent Larsen and Miguel Najdorf.
29:00- Yasser on his love for books and how he managed to write his Play Winning Chess series in such an accessible style.
47:00- Where do the point values for the pieces come from?
Mentioned: NFL player John Urschel, GM Fabiano Caruana
48- ADD BOARD GRAPHICS LATER IF YOU UP FOR IT
56:00- Yasser’s friendship with IM Jeremy Silman, and his favorite authors
Mentioned: Mikhail Tal, Larry Christiansen, John Nunn, Fred Reinfeld
1:12:00- Yasser describes the renovations at the St. Louis Chess Club and the displays at the World Chess Hall of Fame, including one on chess variants.
https://worldchesshof.org/exhibits-programs/current-exhibitions/
Play “S Chess” or Seirawan Chess here:
https://www.chess.com/variants/seirawan-chess
1:23:00- Playing blitz hustlers in NYC
Mentioned: Vincent Livermore, FM Asa Hoffman
1:35:00- The St. Louis Chess Club’s community outreach and work with first responders
Watch Anita Aronian singing here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUEsLaf3R9w
World Chess Hall of Fame Music Performances:
https://www.youtube.com/worldchesshof
1:41:00- One last Botvinnik story!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More from Perpetual Chess Podcast
John Hartmann is the award-winning editor of Chess Life magazine, a longtime book reviewer, and an expert on ChessBase, engines, and chess technology. He joined me shortly after a visit to St. Louis to discuss the ongoing U.S. Chess Championships, the renovations to the St. Louis Chess Club, the latest in chess technology, and his new AI-assisted chess newsletter, First Look Chess. We touched on:
GM Nikita Vitiugov is a former Russian champion who reached a peak ranking of #15 in the world. He has represented both his native Russia and England at the Chess Olympiad and worked on the World Championship team of his boyhood rival, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. In his excellent new book, Chess Metamorphosis, he candidly reflects on his varied chess experiences.
As a three-time Chess Olympian representing Chile, GM Mauricio Flores Rios, renowned author of Chess Structures, has fond memories of this timeless, biennial tournament. But these days, he is more interested in the instructive quality of the games than in the races for medals.
The Adult Improver series returns to spotlight another guest who has benefited from chess and improved significantly at the game. Chess was recommended to Leah Brown as a healthier outlet for a mind that, in Leah’s words, tends to “torture itself.” Leah began playing tournaments less than two years ago and already has a peak rating of over 1600 USCF. In our conversation, Leah shares the training approach that has helped propel these gains, including:
Jan Henric Buettner is a German entrepreneur, co-founder of Freestyle Chess alongside Magnus Carlsen, and a candidate for FIDE President. In his business career he has worked in technology, venture capital and hospitality.