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Home > Perpetual Chess Podcast > EP 470- GM Yasser Seirawan on Fischer, Najdorf, Silman & How he Became a GM-Level Storyteller
Podcast: Perpetual Chess Podcast
Episode:

EP 470- GM Yasser Seirawan on Fischer, Najdorf, Silman & How he Became a GM-Level Storyteller
Category: Games & Hobbies
Duration: 01:56:41
Publish Date: 2026-02-03 09:00:00
Description:

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: 

https://discord.gg/aVWPk6P3

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! 


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