Blitz Match: GM Levon Aronian vs. GM Yasser Seirawan

Two days before Grandmasters Levon Aronian and Hikaru Nakamura squared off in a match, Levon warmed up against Yasser. These are the first two games they played. When they stopped, Aronian was superior at 6-5.
For the Aronian-Nakamura match: uschesschamps.com/nakamura-aro...
2014.11.18
Aronian as white: B10 Caro-Kann, anti-anti-Caro-Kann defence
Seirawan as white: D38 Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin variation

[@aaronmkari]

love the gentlemanly trash talk

[@amigosXcorrespondenc]

Fuck you, Sir.

[@ElNightmareYT]

@Jakob Jones It's all in good banter and terms mate, nobody trynna hurt nobody.

[@cpt.prolapsor5121]

@Jakob Jones you don't know what you're talking about. They knbow each other very well, not friends but i see a lot of respect between each others... and that kind of trash talk is VERY common in the chess world... Not arrogant in any way, jsut a little bit of mental warfare, very polite and kind mental warfare...

[@jjk15]

@Jakob Jones Don't get your panties in a bunch. It is just their way of making the game more fun since it wasn't such a serious game. It's not a tournament, just a friendly game so dont get butthurt. 😉

[@juniorandre379]

Play the app "Paper Toss" You will know how well they in the video are talking, but as Non-Trash-Quiet-Toss!!

[@waynemiller6070]

My highest praise for the production value. Camera angle capturing both players and the superimposed chess board CLEARLY showing the moves with no delay! Video could not have been produced any better.

[@rhpmike]

wayne miller Agreed! I contemplated being mildly perturbed in game two as we couldn't see the clock, which cameraman realized and fixed it!

[@canefan17]

wayne miller Ditto

[@TheCodingProject]

+Sava Vukovic There was no need to use the f word. Respect pls.

[@thegeekypants]

TheCodingProject the f word portrayed enthusiasm, not disrespect. smh

[@sibakanta1739]

absolutely correct

[@patrickjmt]

I had a chance to meet Levon at the 2011 London Chess Classic; when I asked if I could take a picture of him he suggested we have one taken together and it totally made my day. He is a class act all the way. Good luck in the match, Levon!

[@hovhanneshovhannisyan3777]

patrickJMT One day he was walking next to me,too bad I was shy.

[@ocudagledam]

I've only seen him on-screen, but he did leave an impression of a really nice guy. I'm glad to hear that he's like that in person as well. :)

[@arhattuladhar4366]

patrickJMT I watch your math videos helped me through calc

[@simohayha6031]

Math

[@planetsharks4746]

Woah you watch chess too!

[@timothystewart5911]

Yasser should make a series called "Coffee Shop GM" where he sits down and plays this style of casual game(blitz with gentleman trash talk) against other GMs over a cup of coffee and tells old tales and gets them to reveal secrets or just interesting stuff about their lives in general, outside of the chess world.

[@Grovesie35]

I would watch that for sure.

[@serohartounian7564]

that is a great idea

[@xanderpauls]

this is actually an insanely good idea. top-tier story telling and personality alongside two people just casually playing some of the best chess on the planet lmao

[@RyuQ]

2 million IQ

[@tonymiller6847]

Yes!

[@cfytcf]

This shows how all chess games should be televised: side shot of the entire scene with the board inserted into the negative space between players. Efficient and natural.

[@hdjsui]

I like when the players talk to. I hate watching games were everyone is quiet.

[@andrewcady9443]

In rated competitions the rules forbid them from talking.

[@pandookrb]

Do you know why

[@methanbreather]

because it is distracting and could be abused for psychological mind games or to distract an opponent during a critical stage.

[@macnolds4145]

Agreed!

[@davida.5683]

I LOVE YASSER....Such a gentle spirit.

[@christopherkalonji7056]

Nobody who plays chess is a gentle spirit, lol. At least in my opinion they aren't--it's just deceptively hidden.

[@Sabertooth994]

David Amonett Absolutely, me too. And it goes to show that you can be a fierce fighter over the board AND a gentle spirit as well at the same time.

[@ARIGROSSMAN]

David Amonett I'd be honored to call Yasser my teacher.

[@hikkenwayans]

David Amonett Me too!!!

[@ARIGROSSMAN]

Such a wonderful unselfish man. The best in the game.

[@tharkanzox1493]

Seirwan is an all time great player who has beaten Kasparov, Evans, Korchnoi, Tal, Bisquier, Larsen, Short, Karpov and Portisch. Also one of the nicest and most humble people in chess. Here, at 56 he wins against world number 6 Aronian at his peak! These may be "casual" games but Aronian is a killer, he isn't wearing kid gloves. Amazing!

[@macnolds4145]

I thought the same. I was pleasantly surprised by Seirawan's play.

[@bryandandoy885]

@@macnolds4145 yeah that game2 end game was brutal

[@staryoke]

Theyre both great players. This isnt Aronian at his peak. Aronian was number 2 for awhile with a rating over 2800.

[@polg0003]

the trash talking is so polite

[@cloongeorgy7553]

Yasser Seirawan is the Mr. Rodgers of chess :D

[@lonewolfstone6383]

Trash talking is never polite my friend.

[@Amoeba_Podre]

@@lonewolfstone6383 except in this case

[@the0cool0guy]

I loved how GM Yaseer came back from the dead in 2nd game to win! I also loved how the video showed 2D board along with the players, awesome work guys!

[@jamesknox64]

I'm sitting with my morning tea here in England and loving this.

[@TheSLK66]

+the0cool0guy It was bound to happen, I'd be terrified if I saw an army of pawns rushing towards my king in the endgame.

[@jonneet2126]

I was born and raised in the Sealle area, and am older than Yasser (I'm now 61). An old friend of mine happened to run into Yasser in a bar one time. His name was Glen. He struck up a conversation with Yasser, and Glen told me they talked for like an hour. My friend said that Yasser is as friendly and dwon to earth as can be. I never got to meet Yasser, but did drive up to a tournament somewhere North of Seattle to watch him play. I think he was maybe 14-15. I ,also saw him play at a large tournament at a big hotel by SeaTac Airport. I have met a few grumpy, nasty chess players in my time. Wish I'd have met Yasser, a real gentleman.

[@lollipophugo]

mcpartridgeboy Are you suggesting you've never met a single chess player with an unlikeable personality? I know at least 2 of the highest rated players in australia who are total egomaniac dicks. Yasser seems to me to be an exception, I don't think I could picture him being sore making someone feel bad after a win and I don't think that is entirely true of many people.

[@jonneet2126]

I think it was in Vancouver, Wa., I was watching a tournament game. One player was an older gent with a Russian accent. His wife was sitting nearby watching also. This guy, when he promoted his pawn, he promoted to a Bishop, in an obvious attempt to belittle the playing ability of his opponent. His wife was very upset at this show of bad sportsmanship. I've had players refuse to shake my hand after games. And not because I look like a sasquatch or have some terrible disease. One was a much higher rated player that I was about to checkmate, when he found a perpetual check and went for that draw. One was a National Master that, though he beat me, was upset because it was his the first game in the tournament, he was rated way higher, but had expected to polish me off very quickly. Instead the game went long, and his superioer endgame skills neeted hoim a pawn up which he then converted.

[@crazyim5]

Jon Neet A wonderful story. Thanks for sharing!

[@Urza26]

Jon Neet My friend is a regular tournament player. He told me a player literally flipped the table over upon losing lol. I asked him if he meant just hitting and banging the table. No, the guy literally just turned the table upside down in anger right after losing. So I guessed there was no handshake then.

[@dw8460]

mcpartridgeboy murica fuck yeah!

[@Detherocable]

Even for a warm-up match, beating someone of Aronian's caliber is no joke. Seriously though, that last game was pure genius.

[@Ronbo710]

Pure pawns :)

[@samuelrosenbalm]

Totally surprised Yasser was able to compete against a top Super GM of today. That's freaking awesome. Way to go Yasser.

[@profd65]

+Sam Rosenbalm Yasser won the World Junior Championship, and handed players like Korchnoi, Karpov, and Kasparov defeats when they were in their primes. Maybe learn some history.

[@samuelrosenbalm]

profd65 There is no reason for your disrespect. I know very well the history of Yasser and the extent of his greatness. I was referring to his age. Holding your own in blitz with the black pieces at his age against a super-GM is damn incredible. Maybe you should learn some facts on how the spatial ability of the mind begins to slow after 30 and continues to slow at faster rates the older one becomes.

[@rahulbalachandran5437]

+Sam Rosenbalm i feel what you are saying i play chess AND while I play blitz I am able to beat people far higher rated than me but in a classical game I struggle to defeat a player of my same rating. I think it is the same case here with all due respect to Yasser Seriwan if both of them play a classical game their rating differences will be visible i guess but is a blitz game rating differences dont come into place that much unless you play Magnus Carlsen in any format you are pretty much screwed.

[@samuelrosenbalm]

Rahul Balachandran Yes, sometimes players do better in blitz than in slow chess. But when it comes to a 30 year old and a 55 year old in blitz, the 55 year old is at an even bigger disadvantage seeing as how the 30 year old will be able to calculate and process information much faster than a 55 year old. So with such an age discrepancy it would be better to play slow - that way the 55 year old GM can have more time to work through the variations.

[@nikkifield595]

+Sam Rosenbalm one of the best burns ive read on youtube

[@karamelizesogan]

This is one of the most entertaining chess videos on KZbin

[@abhinavsuresh4303]

Man, Yasser.... sometimes you say you're too old to keep up with chess but I think it's just the opposite! How many people can say they went 5-6 against Aronian? Keep playing Yasser, I think I speak for all of KZbin when I say that you've still got it!

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

Such a great ambassador for the game Yasser is. Love this format, blitz with friendly conversation regarding their thought process. Hope to see more of these! Actually this would make a fantastic series, Yasser playing blitz and conversing with other GM's.

[@NOMVrewq]

Yasser Seirawan is an inspiration. I aspire to become a well rounded chess player like him.

[@TheAntiChr1st]

+Eight Pawns Are you kidding?! He can't even adjust a chess clock.

[@thenpguy5852]

+I play the role that I am he's a grandmaster and one of the greatest us chess players. He's also a great and kind person. Anyone would aspire to be him

[@TheAntiChr1st]

I was merely joking of course. I know of Seirawan, his capabilities and personality. Great person indeed.

[@swagatopablo]

I like him. Although he is not the top of the top in terms of strength (I am talking about Nakamura, Anand, Carlsen league) he is really a jolly nice guy and a great teacher, commentator. But I don't know why is he talking so much while in a blitz game himself. No one talks to the opponent during his own game. Maybe it was a fun game and he was also led by Aronian.

[@thenpguy5852]

It was a fun game between the two

[@zacharygardner2469]

It's nice to see some light conversation during a game. Very lighthearted and playing the game for what it is, a good time. Props to GM Seirawan who is a great personality to learn chess from!

[@cmck362]

I think a rematch should be uploaded. Both players are so much fun to listen to.

[@V8SupersQirreL]

Yasser Seirawan is such a sympathic person - i like the way they played this match, so friendly and full of respect. That's the way it should be!!

[@johnrainmcmanus6319]

I can't believe how resourceful Yasser was in the second game. It looks like Yasser is simply dropping a piece - and not just to my amateur eyes, but apparently to Aronian, too. But then Yasser creates complications and picks up 4 pawns for the piece. Woah!

[@TheGrandmaster1]

That's why a generation of chess players in the US, myself included, pretty much grew up and learned from Yasser Seirawan.

[@John-thinks]

Aronian: “nobody puts the queen here” Yasser: “well isn’t the queen useful on a5” Aronian: “probably not”

[@stepanhrbek8151]

the queen never went to a5 though? Could you provide a time stamp? (sorry for a 1 year response lol)

[@dbrown251]

OMG game 2 was hilarious how Yasser was completely laughing at how he swindled Aronian. I couldn't stop laughing especially when he started dancing as he was pushing pawns up the board lol.

[@sotospan8409]

Levon was waiting for the perfect time to sip that tea

[@aramp]

Good one

[@arightscepter]

That was cool, with only seconds on the clock playing with one hand and drinking tea with the other

[@jonathanbeeson8614]

Fantastic...the way Yaz comes back in the second game against a top five player after seeming nearly busted right out of the opening....simply breathtaking.

[@sainanan]

Yasser is so resourceful, how many people can beat Aronian a piece down?

[@danikdude1]

Yasser played wonderfully, but he did win the piece back after playing the Qc2 and attacking both knights. Aronian defended one but had to give up the other with dxc6. Great tactic by the former US champion.

[@jeffgreen3376]

A piece to 4 connected passed pawns though. That's an advantage to the side with the 4 pawns.

[@AkshaySinghJamwal]

He had pawns as compensation. It's wonderful watching games played out at this level.

[@Eeeff]

Umm... this was fantastic! It's so great to see players of this caliber casually discussing their game while playing AND having the board window showing the position. Please upload more videos such as this. Gleams of chess wisdom came through in those remarks and are completely missed in games with commentary, and especially those without commentary!

[@elasiduo108]

Levon and Yasser are two wonderful ambassators for chess. They're so nice. It's great to see them playing.

[@chessislive2790]

here we have what I would like to call, the most of humanity you can probably get right now, on one hand, we have Yasser Seirawan, an extremely nice and humble person and on the other hand, we have Levon Aronian, one of the gentleman's of chess, watching them play is not only entertaining because its educational but also because these two are some of the very nicest and respectful individuals

[@gtrmusic69]

Please post the rest of these. This was the most fun, to watch, of all your videos so far. Chant: We want more, we want more.......

[@Veaseify]

Nice to see Aronian's tea addiction in full flow...what great people, you would never believe the astonishing brilliance both of them have at chess!

[@Immortalassassin1]

Yasser is awesome.

[@nathanael2572]

GM Seirawan's end game play, in particular, seems very strong to me. This was delightful to watch.

[@NotTheWheel]

Yasser may never have been a World Champion, but I'd say his contribution to Chess as a Teacher makes him a World Champion Mentor.

[@ernsthaft9397]

i like the charakter of Yasser Seirawan. thumbs up!

[@haribahadurrana350]

6:33, GM Yas - "Saw it too late im afraid" (proceeds to reach out to inter-dimension species )

[@Reza254]

Yasser is no push over, he's playing a world champion contender and in spite of his age, is playing high level chess.

[@DanieleCarolloIt]

22:53 "Nobody puts the queen here" "Right, but...isn't the queen useful on a5?" "Probably not" *Yasser laughs"

[@TheSLK66]

+Daniele Carollo Yeah, that was amazing XD

[@Tompsf1]

We didn’t see this part of their game?

[@FlourescentPotato]

@@Tompsf1 at the end`

[@jerry9634]

That line is lost from black in anyway ... The bishop is lost no matter what. Black can resign already.

[@Yornek1]

Yasser Seirawan is just a pleasant guy, always a pleasure to watch and listen too, Yasser you are a boss!

[@rickdynes]

Ok...Kent is Not a national treasure

[@skkoloa]

17:06 "you take my breath away" lmao.

[@TheGhostEU]

You're

[@ZoeTheCat]

...But isn't there some advantage to having the queen on A5?....."Probably not." HAHAHA

[@TheStupidLama]

+Zoe TheCat I laughed so hard as well :D

[@aramp]

+Awkward Alan when was it?

[@terrabitic7090]

Levon was angry that he lost.

[@TheSLK66]

Yeah, he was upset but he might have a point though. In this position the queen on a5 might have less useful moves.

[@ModularLanding]

That was hilarious :-)

[@thiseasathens]

your presentation is the best I have seen so far... We see the players and the board perfectly. Congrats and thank you

[@peristiloperis7789]

I remember those old times when I used to read Yasser's books. The idea of watching him play a game could never cross our mind.

[@karun0109]

loved seeing seirawan win :) awesome video.

[@adeather]

I love watching all of the videos but this is by far my favorite. That last game was so wild and entertaining

[@TheKrazyLobster]

Two fantastic players having fun. I wish we could see more of this kind of video.

[@adamhasson8927]

wowww!!! this is soo good. thank you for filming and uploading

[@pjoden]

Wow, this was such an excellent video! More of these an I would die of happiness!

[@clumma]

Two masters and gentlemen. What a pleasure. Thank you!

[@COSerd]

That was wonderful!! loved it, thank you!

[@EdSuastegui]

What a great video, showing two kind gentlemen playing some great chess. Such a treat.

[@MassimilianoFarris]

awesome people. Thank you so much for the videos and the lessons.

[@BentHestad]

Thanks St. Louis! That was an amazingly good & nice video of two extremely clever gents playing chess ! Our noble game at its absolute best I would say! I would gladly pay to see more like this.

[@edtapia8580]

This is THE BEST way to watch chess matches. Specially blitz.For classical: same camera angle but with two boards instead of one: one for the actual game and one for analysis

[@bodhisattvaFM]

This video is a real gem. Thanks SLCC

[@AliMasri91]

One of the best videos. Many thanks for sharing.

[@MSKChess]

that was awesome, many thanks for uploading :D

[@extremepietbh]

Cannot at all wrap my head around the noise Yasser Seirawan made at 6:36, Levon Aronian seemed to be audibly suppressing laughter immediately after, the whole noise was just insane and I have no idea how or why he made it

[@teo5146]

I thought we all made more or less that noise when managing to get our queen and rook skewered, haha

[@pinkrey4277]

Lol

[@campbellhutcheson5162]

This was a great video. I really appreciate how nice the players are and how dynamic their game was; the second game was especially interesting from the misplaced Queen to the endgame technique.

[@RYANTHEGREAT2000]

Go Yasser! It's so great to see these GM's play after watching all of the lectures. Cool to see him actually beat someone like Aronian!

[@bilalon]

what a great match Yasser , it is the bes game i have ever seen in my life

[@AndBeyondYT]

so relaxing and so fun watching these two playing :)

[@ishanjoshi1350]

Probably the only match I've seen between 2 GMs (albeit non competitive) where they talk to each other about the moves they're making on the board and joking/taunting each other about it. Are there any more such matches ?

[@maddyganesan5891]

Ishan Joshi They are playing a non competitive game for fun.This literally happens all the time everywhere.These guys are just having fun. It is just competitive matches where players stay quiet. I guess it may be because it's for Saint Louis... Do you even play chess?

[@kwilley9287]

Go look up Coffee Chess...

[@virid6819]

@@maddyganesan5891 what is this rude ass comment rofl. the person is obviously asking if there are any other such videos on youtube, not if this has happened or happens off camera

[@maddyganesan5891]

@@virid6819 Sorry but I don't remember when I wrote this comment.Its been 3 years.

[@ReapingTheHarvest]

@@maddyganesan5891 Are you a GM yet?

[@FrancoE6]

Man, even Levon's trashtalking is polite!

[@startupeco2257]

I love Yasser's explosive laughters! They are so innocent and sincere.

[@herrschnupke4044]

Wow, how nice. More of it please :-) Yasser is a great player, teacher and gentleman!

[@tisoddguitar6080]

A great video. So fun to watch.

[@PhilippeCarphin]

Such a nice young man that Yasser Seirawan.

[@briddhiman1729]

This is beautiful.

[@kristof80able]

one of best chess vids on YT !! , two great chess players and great personalities !! thanks !!

[@sergioalonso3118]

My new favorite chess video. Great players, nice vibe and very good production.

[@scolley0616]

Really enjoyed this video. Loved the interaction and the play of the games was good, too! :)

[@adnandev_]

What an honor to hear that you played in one of the best games Seirawan ever played!

[@MarkDavidBuckles]

That was one of the most entertaining blitz videos I've ever seen

[@xvnbm]

That's pretty impressive result. I really enjoyed watching this.

[@TheSpyroMiner]

i just looooove to see stuff like this + graphic board , man those gentlemen having fun is just awesome

[@hgeorgh]

A thoroughly enjoyable video!

[@mariobriseno5093]

awesome video production

[@sleepyeyeguy]

Refreshing to watch! Great entertainment! Thank you!

[@testthewest123]

Real entertaining watching them play and banter!

[@MrQmason]

Please do more of these !! Yasser, thanks for your videos .... :)

[@whithaw]

Great games and great players. By the way, this was a very well done production with the cgi board shown as they played their game. Really nice work.

[@Cmcistnt]

Yasser's end game as white was beautiful

[@pauchalo]

I saw Rh6+ really quickly, Aronian must've seen it instantly, he was just checking it worked for a few seconds. Really nice video!!!! Thanks!!!!!

[@williamstaylor5449]

Wonderful video - you have to love Yasser Seirawan.

[@LutherBlissett94]

Nice to see these guys in a friendly game with casual talking. Rare stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[@Brashnir]

sometimes I watch Yasser doing commentary and he suggests lines that the engines disagree with, but then I see him playing actual games like this and I remember that he's a legit GM, and it makes his commentary that much more worthy of respect.

[@hellothere165]

Yasser❤️ what a kind and High morals person. love you man from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦. His laugh makes the air so beautiful.

[@rickdynes]

Wonderful Comment ❤️

[@BoxzerzZ]

This is how the game should be played. Two gentlemen playing a clean game with light trash talk. Perfect.

[@GlobalUnion420]

This is such a great #video! I guess casual #Blitz brings out a little friendly trash talk. I have to agree with GM Seirawan, sometimes you need a warm-up game. So this is the second #game :) [Site "Saint Louis Chess Club"] [Date "2014.11.18"] [White "Seirawan, Yasser"] [Black "Aronian , Levon "] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "D38"] [WhiteElo "2598"] [BlackElo "2850"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. d4 Bb4 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Qa4+ Nc6 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 g5 9. Bg3 Ne4 10. Rc1 h5 11. e3 h4 12. Be5 f6 13. Bb5 Bxc3+ 14. bxc3 Bd7 15. c4 a6 16. cxd5 axb5 17. Qc2 Bf5 18. dxc6 fxe5 19. cxb7 Ra6 20. Nxe5 O-O 21. Qxc7 Qxc7 22. Rxc7 Nd6 23. O-O Rb6 24. Rfc1 Rxb7 25. R7c6 Nc4 26. Nxc4 bxc4 27. R6xc4 Rb2 28. h3 Rxa2 29. Rc5 Kh7 30. f3 Kh6 31. Re5 Rf6 32. Rcc5 Bxh3 33. Rxg5 Be6 34. Rh5+ Kg7 35. Rcg5+ Kf8 36. Rxh4 Bf7 37. e4 Rd2 38. d5 Rb6 39. Rh7 Rg6 40. Rxg6 Bxg6 41. Rh4 Kg7 42. Kh2 Kf6 43. Kg3 Bf7 44. Rf4+ Kg6 45. Kh3 Be8 46. g4 Rd3 47. Kg3 Ba4 48. e5 Bb3 49. d6 Kg7 50. Rf6 Ba4 51. Kh4 Bd7 52. f4 Rd5 53. Kg5 Rc5 54. Rg6+ Kf7 55. Rh6 Kg7 56. Rh3 Be8 57. Ra3 Kf7 58. Ra7+ Kf8 59. Kf6 Rc4 60. f5 Rxg4 61. Ra8 Rd4 62. Rd8 1-0

[@automap]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@haskerzin]

I love watching this video, it's so relaxing and good vibes

[@jeremybowman4847]

Two of the greatest ambassafors for the game of chess. Classy gents!

[@bones343]

Yasser "Isn't the queen useful [here]?" Levon "Probably not." LMAO!

[@c.cortesc.6986]

Best sight of a chess board I have ever seen. The angle is perfect and if that isn't enough, a second board displays in time what's happening.

[@Columbine-en3qc]

What a crazy ass 2nd game :D

[@kentcen6280]

Fun to watch two wonderful players having a nice, relaxing time!

[@ryanjavierortega8513]

It's so cool that you tell they truly like one another because they actually remind each other of one another.

[@asaf2323]

this is a great video! thanks for posting :)

[@gregorygranger4298]

Excellent and Entertaining! I too would like Yasser to review both games as a lecture. Perhaps if GM Aronian is still in St. Louis he could join Yasser at the board.

[@fess04]

Yaz is a fighter!! love with a positional blunder and fights back to win this one game 2 .....beautiful with the pawn march !!!!!! great sports these guys and lots of fun ....thanks for posting