EP 470- GM Yasser Seirawan on Fischer, Najdorf, Silman & How he Became a GM-Level Storyteller

Perpetual Chess Podcast

Perpetual Chess LLC

Leisure, Sports, Hobbies

4.8 • 706 Ratings

🗓️ 3 February 2026

⏱️ 113 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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1:34.2	Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Perpetual Chess.
1:36.6	We have a much-anticipated guest on the pod today.
1:40.0	Grandmaster, yes, or Sarah Wan.
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