Seirawan vs. Timman, 1990 | Queen's Indian Defense - GM Yasser Seirawan

Chess Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan presents a lecture covering his 1990 game in Hilversum against GM Jan Timman.
2013.04.24

[@alexanderbrandt9816]

This seems like really high quality material for free on youtube!

[@blairschirmerx1711]

It is, though Yasser really needs to calm down.

[@douwehuysmans5959]

@@blairschirmerx1711 I agree, I don't like that he's screaming all the time and making fun of the class and the audience at home

[@tylermarvets8543]

​@@douwehuysmans5959 the truth hurts

[@robosscoffee859]

Yasser is fantastic.

[@SteveRunciman]

+Roboss Coffee Understatement.

[@Thaumazo83]

His analysis here is just great!

[@GradiusicCyber]

Ahhhh the first game you showcased in this one, Mr. Seirawan...I remember it well. You had used it in your book 'Winning Chess Brilliances' and analyzed it quite well there. I especially loved how you 'tricked' the reader into thinking the pawn move cxd7 was not a good move due to chess principles such as not just throwing in a check for a check and leading to develop your opponent's army. In this case it was the better move out of the other lines you presented in the book and just goes to show that principles are merely guidelines and should never be taken as gospel truth. I have to say that game is one of my favorites of yours that I have seen and taught me a few things about how to look for piece and exchange sacrifices, since those are not easy for chess players to come up with. Also, I compliment you on your analytical style and presentation. Very good-natured, very well presented, and the same goes for your books. I recommend them to those who want to take up chess and learn things because your style is so easy to pick up and understand. :) Love watching your presentations quite a bit because of that.

[@TexasSizzle]

THis is like a $200.00 master class no joke FOR FREE!!!!!

[@trashl0rd]

Can you imagine just strolling down to the chess club and just casually listening to a lecture by Mr. Seirawan? Unreal.

[@mestreale]

What amazing games and analysis! That second game was wild, but what a brilliant and cold active defence by Timman! Glad that Seirawan do not have problems in showing losses :)

[@kiramanell6275]

Such class: showcasing your own lost games! You are one of a kind, Yasser!

[@burekexperts]

[Event "Hilversum 50/564"] [Site "Hilversum"] [Date "1990.??.??"] [Round "5"] [White "Seirawan, Yasser"] [Black "Timman, Jan"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "Yasser Seirawan"] [ECO "E21"] [Title "Lecture with GM Yasser Seirawan (Seirawan vs. Timman - 1990 - Queen's Indian Defense ) - 2013.04.24"] [URL "Lecture with GM Yasser Seirawan (Seirawan vs. Timman - 1990 - Queen's Indian Defense ) - 2013.04.24"] 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.Qb3 ( 5.Bg5 Bb7 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 g5 8.Bg3 Ne4 9.Qc2 Bxc3+ 10.bxc3 d6 11.Bd3 f5 12.d5 Nd7 13.Nd4 Ndc5 ) 5...c5 ( 5...a5 6.a3 a4 ( 6...Bxc3+ 7.Qxc3 a4 ) 7.Qc2 ( 7.Qxb4 Nc6 8.Qb5 Ra5 ) ( 7.axb4 axb3 8.Rxa8 Bb7 ) 7...Bxc3+ 8.bxc3 ) 6.a3 Ba5 7.Bg5 Nc6 8.O-O-O ( 8.dxc5 bxc5 ) ( 8.e3 h6 9.Bh4 g5 10.Bg3 g4 ) 8...Bxc3 9.d5 ( 9.Qxc3 Ne4 10.Bxd8 Nxc3 11.bxc3 Kxd8 { [%csl Rc4] } ) 9...exd5 ( 9...Bxb2+ 10.Qxb2 Na5 11.e4 $16 { [%cal Ge4e5] } ) 10.cxd5 Be5 11.dxc6 Qe7 { [%cal Ge2e4,Gf2f4][diagram] } 12.cxd7+ $3 ( 12.Nxe5 Qxe5 13.f4 Qe6 ) ( 12.e4 dxc6 13.Nxe5 Qxe5 14.f4 Qxe4 15.Bd3 Qe3+ 16.Kb1 Be6 17.Qa4 O-O 18.Rhe1 Qd4 19.Bxh7+ Nxh7 20.Rxd4 cxd4 ) ( 12.g3 dxc6 13.Nxe5 Qxe5 14.Bf4 { [%cal Gf1g2] } Qe6 ) 12...Bxd7 13.e3 ( 13.Rxd7 Qxd7 ( 13...Kxd7 14.Nxe5+ Qxe5 15.Qxf7+ ) 14.Nxe5 ) 13...Rd8 ( 13...O-O $2 ) 14.Rxd7 { [diagram] } 14...Rxd7 ( 14...Kxd7 15.Nxe5+ ( 15.Qa4+ Kc8 16.Ba6+ ) ( 15.Bb5+ Kc8 16.Nxe5 Qxe5 17.Ba6+ ) 15...Qxe5 16.Qxf7+ Kc8 17.Ba6+ Kb8 { #1/100 } 18.Qb7# ) 15.Bb5 Bd6 16.Rd1 O-O 17.Bxd7 Qxd7 18.Bf4 c4 19.Qc2 Ne8 20.Ng5 $3 { [%cal Gc2h7] } f5 21.Qxc4+ Kh8 22.Bxd6 ( 22.Qd5 Qc8+ 23.Kb1 ) ( 22.Rxd6 $4 Nxd6 23.Bxd6 Rc8 $10 ) 22...Nxd6 23.Qd5 Rd8 ( 23...Qc7+ 24.Kb1 ) 24.Ne6 $1 ( 24.Qxd6 $4 Qc8+ $1 ) ( 24.Kb1 $3 ) ( 24.Nf7+ $4 Qxf7 $19 ) 24...Qc8+ 25.Kb1 Rd7 26.Qxd6 $1 ( 26.Qxd6 Rxd6 27.Rxd6 $18 ) 1-0

[@connormonday]

Obscure fun fact: the opera was Bellini's "Norma," a wonderful piece

[@oscarmaldonado7067]

This was so much fun to watch. Seirawan is such a boss, love his videos

[@alansong4754]

oscar? bcc?

[@fess04]

that was fun!!!!! great analysis from the self effacing and humble and supremely talented Yasser .....i leaned alot more than just chess on this one....thank you for posting : )

[@MsUncleKevin]

Most gentle voice Ive ever heard lmao.

[@darnellwyke5364]

Holy one of the most complicated games I’ve ever seen wish more games were played like this

[@giuseppeindelicati7845]

great games and great lesson!!

[@Thom176]

Just saying hello from Hilversum, Holland 👋

[@fischernilsen6864]

Really dude, how nice of a guy is Yasser??

[@Hypercube1729]

It's funny when Seirawan goes all Homer Simpsons and just D'OH!

[@Jehag2]

Amazing game. Amazing explanation. :)

[@saeedyarahmadi9913]

I didnt think you lost thi game master.cos you been attaking him all the way.thank you for ur honest analysese.

[@Guitare_picking]

Amazing content. My favorite part is 35:45 :D i like this guy, it's always an amazing moment to listen to him.

[@Summanininruhu]

Best chess teacher on the planet.

[@KF1]

that was one hell of a video

[@mohbw3]

Jan Timman is a legend!

[@Giovanni1972]

Playing a game of chess at the Opera House is on my bucket list.

[@martevius]

Mesmerizing Game

[@Jehag2]

Amazing game! :)

[@merrikceadall4620]

That was a very interesting game

[@jeffgreen3376]

At the 35:30 mark, there was a question from one of the people in the audience about you giving up the rook. The rook was trapped anyway, so it was pointless to move it. Rd7 Ne5, forks the queen and rook. Any other rook move just loses the rook outright.

[@garrysekelli6776]

Just saw the first aka 5th game on historical chess videos.

[@johnrobbins917]

In the second game, rather than pawn a5 what about knight a5 threatening knight b3 (c pawn pinned and Q cant defend a3), then...Bxa3, pxB, Qxp...followed by knight to a4 checking the white queen...this line seems compelling, but I have not looked at it over a board

[@jeffgreen3376]

Also, at the 31:32 mark, white had QxN QxQ, Nf7ch Kg8, NxQ (winning the knight and white should have a fairly easy end game win). Your method gets rid of the rooks too though, after Rd8ch, so it's an even easier end game win.

[@Lmi109]

After QxN there is Qc8+ winning the queen

[@dprodds]

at 46.00 why not nb4 instead of qa4?

[@guitarinmybelly]

Can you share the link to the facebook sight?

[@gagi3470]

Remi was 46m42s after 23.Kb1 23...Nxd4 24.Rc1 Nxc2 25. Rxc2 Bc5 26. Bc1 Bd4 (26.Rh2 d4) or 24.Bg5 hxg5 25.Rxd4 Qb3

[@marshallkupka-moore2046]

How is that initial position at 2:00 checkmate? The queen can be captured by the knight, no?

[@niqwalshensemble9164]

At 34:56, wouldn’t it be better to capture with the knight instead of the king, thus attacking the pawn on f7?

[@gagi3470]

Last chance for draw was after 54m45s 29.Qg6 instead of 29...Bc5 draw was 29...Be6 and 30...Bf5 31...Bxc2

[@silas4853]

the very first game was not a Checkmate because night takes Queen

[@jeffgreen3376]

At the 27:35 mark, why not just Qd2, attacking the pinned bishop again? Maybe because of the pawn sac, c4-c3?

[@kristofferkarlsson4260]

@Jeff Green Yes, your analysis is correct. The natural move 20.Qd2 will be responded just as you say with the pawn sacrifice 20...c3! Then if 21.Qxc3 black can get out of immediate trouble with 21...Qe7 (or even continue with something like 21...h6). Or if 21.bxc3? black will actually have the advantage and the initiative after simply 21...Bxa3+ 22.Kc2, Qa4+. However, the move you suggest 20.Qd2 is still playable and after the first variation (20...c3, 21.Qxc3) white is still better and will probably win in the long run. But 22.Ng5! (and so on) is a killer.

[@Wemdiculous]

Gotta do some alpha zero queens indian

[@Magworld0]

There's a great missed tactic at 29:40! Rook takes the knight on d6(!) . If the queen takes the rook, Qg8+ Rxg8 Kf7#

[@sagov9]

instead of Rxg8 black has Kxg8

[@geitekop507]

At 21:10, why is Qd5 not a thought? My idea is: 1. Qd5 Nxd5 2. Bxe7 Nxe7 3. Nxe5. I think black would resign here. (My rating is quite low, about 1200, so please, don't hate me if I am wrong here. :/

[@Veaseify]

Aram Hassan Interesting idea, I think black just plays d6 after Qd5? c7 is nothing because of Bb7 and now that the bishop on e5 isn't hanging there isn't a direct combination i can see..

[@Veaseify]

How can black play Bc5+ from e5?

[@kristofferkarlsson4260]

@Aram Hassan "That is an interesting idea!" However, black will instead get a slight ending advantage after 12.Qd5, Bxb2+! 13.Kxb2, Nxd5 14.Bxe7, Nxe7 (15.cxd7+, Bxd7 16.e4, f6 and so on).

[@robertehrenworth3310]

Wonder if combo still works if, instead of Rd8, black plays O-O-O!

[@trevorsmith8950]

21:52 *excited Yasser noises*

[@leyubar1]

2:00 you have to take with the rook, not the bishop for q b8 to be checkmate

[@leyubar1]

@@raagedenizesse9726 you are 100% correct and I am ashamed

[@agnelaaron1728]

queen takes d6 was similar to kasparov blunder against vishy

[@svenkraattz7725]

i do not know if i had the guts to play this myself, but looking from outside at 39:34 why mr. seirawan did not take the pawn a3 instead of the knight? i know he is already down material but i think it is a strong move

[@sauryasircar5326]

...bxa3 b3 cxb3 cxb3 a2 Kb2 and I don't see any attack for black to on the queenside. If a2 isn't played then Na2 blocking the pawn from advancing

[@user-dg9ki6vo6r]

@@sauryasircar5326 Black going cxb3 hangs his own queen also b3 is not correct. White needs to block with the knight immediately. also the commenter is correct that Yasser taking a3 instead of the knight would have been a better move.

[@BahadirSimsekMD]

Wouldnt it be good to play Qb5 at 20:49? rather than cxd7+

[@kristofferkarlsson4260]

@Bahadir Simsek Yes, 12.Qb5 looks intriguing at first sight, because of 12...dxc6? 13.Qxc6+ and 14.Qxa8. However, black saves himself with either 12...Bc7 (13.e4, d6) or 12...a6 13.Qd3, Bc7 (14.e4, d6).

[@darrellphelps9552]

@39:38 why not bxa3-

[@erbalumkan369]

What if @ 37:28 instead of taking the rook, White plays Nc5, Queen has to move and then Nc3 to a4 ?

[@chrisMuc1966]

According to MegaBase2015 game 1 of this match ended in a draw. However according to this video, there was a resignation. How can this be?

[@Agingacio]

This video is about game five, or close to game five, acording to Y.S (min3:45)

[@user-dg9ki6vo6r]

It's game 2

[@chrisMuc1966]

@@user-dg9ki6vo6r Thank you very much for the feedback.

[@carlescamps9412]

hey, at 29:45 want there rook takes knight, and after queen takes rook, queen g8 check leading to smothered mate?

[@BahadirSimsekMD]

Carles Camps after rook takes Knight,black queen takes your night. if you go for queen g8 check, he doesnt have to take your queen with his rook he could simply take it with his king and you would have to lose. But there is a similar option,I guess there is a possibility to take black knight with white rook,after black queen takes my rook i will play Nf7 check.He have to take my knight or else he would lose(Nf7+,Kg8,Nh6+ double check,Kh8, Qg8+ Rxg8,Nf7#) so after rook takes knight ,queen takes rook,Nf6+ only logical move would be Rxh7,Qxh6 then black gotta do something to prevent check mate and support pond on f5? but i think it makes white lose its chances. yasser's move is better.

[@sagov9]

@@BahadirSimsekMD Rxd6 Qxd6 Nxf7+ Rxf7 Qxf7 Qc6+ followed by Qc8 next and white has no advantage

[@jacobeckert1308]

At 28:35 why not knight to f6?

[@RNLafferty]

I think at 29:45, he had Rxd6 because if queen takes, he'd have the very pretty Qg8+ Rxg8 Nf7#

[@RNLafferty]

I must have been high or something when I came up with this move. it's terrible xD

[@MK-13337]

The very pretty Qxd6 Qg8+ Kxg8 0-1 ;) It took you 3 months to realize how high you were :D

[@RNLafferty]

I'm also currently about 1000 rating points higher now than I was when I made that inital comment xD So at least I'm learning!

[@MK-13337]

1000 rating points in a year is a ton (literally). Do you study chess a lot? And do you enjoy the studying? Just curious^^

[@mberg1974]

Nb4 looks good at 44:49, after Bd2, white has back rank issues and black is threatening both Na2+, winning the queen, and to take on c2. It seems unlikely that it's a good move since both Yasser and Jan missed, but I can't see why it should be bad...

[@sagov9]

Probably just Kb1 and the knight has to leave again. With Qa4 included this is no option as c2 would be hanging too

[@martinkubli6773]

18:14 Rook E5?

[@johnrobbins917]

Rather than cxd7, please consider RD5, which does not allow...dxc6, as RxB, which wins the black Queen. R at d5 cannot be captured by knight as it is pinned by the bishop...So, Rook holds the center...

[@yanair2091]

If Rd5, black plays d6, and then attacks the rook with light bishop.

[@kristofferkarlsson4260]

@John Robbins Yes, 12.Rd5 looks interesting at first sight. However, black can also save himself with 12...Bc7 and now if 13.cxd7+ black can easily take with his Bishop 13...Bxd7 while black darksquare bishop is nomore under attack by whites Knight on f3.

[@kevinsanto4407]

After Qg6 why not try Be6 with the idea of Bf5 which attacks the queen and creates the pin on c2 again and the knight on D4 protects the bishop and also attacks the c2 square which just looks like it is winning for black or at least a draw.

[@bigbrauner1775]

+Kevin Santo I thought so too, but if white tried Be6, I think black can trade bishops on B4, leaving a discovery of white rook takes knight on D4, which ruins the bishop on e6 and f5. Or am I missing something?

[@kevinsanto4407]

BigBrauner after black plays Be6 and white plays Bxb4 black plays Bf5 attacking queen and pawn on c2 with the knight on d4 and its just to much to deal with. He has mate or a perpetual if he wants

[@johnrobbins917]

d6 is followed by Qb5...a6...qxb6...if not...a6, then white plays?

[@johnrobbins917]

the above was reply to fares gaming notion that the replay to RD5 is ...d6

[@zRayGun]

At 28:26 Mate in four? F4xD6 - E8xD6 D1xD6 - D7xD6 C4G8 - F8xG8 G5F7

[@sagov9]

too bad he can play h8xg8 at the end there

[@agentmh007]

What software is he using?

[@Scy]

+Matthew Hansen i think its fritz

[@rommelflorencio2716]

in 27:20 it looks like for me, that white wins easy endgame with QD2 =winning a piece.. (if black tries c3 then QD3!)

[@Jehag2]

That deserved a close look. I believe you are right (although Ng5 with the double threat seems stronger). But I checked out the engine and i doesn't agree with us. (ignore the move numbers) 16.Qd2 c3 17.Qd3 Qa4 18.Bxd6 Nxd6 19.Qxd6 Qb3 20.Qb4 cxb2+ 21.Kd2 Rd8+ 22.Nd4 Qa2 23.Ke1 h6 24.a4 and then an equal (albeit a very engine-like) position.

[@debury]

Rd5 looks interesting at 18:14

[@kristofferkarlsson4260]

@Sean Lightbown Yes, 12.Rd5 looks interesting at first sight. However, black saves himself with 12...Bc7 and now if 13.cxd7+ black can take with his Bishop 13...Bxd7 while black darksquare bishop is nomore under attack by whites Knight on f3.

[@rowelpo]

you mis calculating man! there is a king take after C4G8.

[@STLChessClub]

facebook(dot)com/CCSCSL

[@raowls]

so nice person i am affraid if he gets angry like in chess :)

[@MagicSmoke11]

Qb5 !!. (Instead of cxd7)

[@clarkgoldentyer2185]

31:52 I thought, 1 Ne6 Rc8+ 2 Kb1 Rc6 and all is well. But ... Nd8!

[@caseybroadfoot5227]

at 21min what about RD5

[@caseybroadfoot5227]

at 21min move rook up next to bishop, horse cant take cause its pinned to queen, and now theeatening to take the dark squared bishop with rook and pinning queen to king

[@caseybroadfoot5227]

i dont have best rating either jw about that idea, RD5 feels like a cool move

[@fares8005]

after Rd5? d6 threatening Be6

[@svfox]

coming after your king like a maniac! hhahahah. Now that was funny

[@mohbw3]

21:51

[@Deth0]

"Another interesting way of losing my queen" haha

[@kellybrown6988]

Haha! " Nut Breaker" !!!

[@joyaldendiaz4229]

manoling morato look alike

[@jaccoschuttercornelis5384]

Jan was best of the west.

[@Neueregel]

Actually Math is a bit more helpful IRL

[@carlescamps9412]

no, damn. King takes queen. I said nothing haha

[@joselopezforque8745]

F8xG8 no, KxG8 no mate

[@kaydim5921]

Anyone else finding it hard to keep up with him??? He's talking too fast! :p

[@florisverweij7487]

nice content but please do not misuse the Name of God

[@dionlindsay2]

If I listen to a lot of Yasser Seirawan's commentary in one go, I get annoyed by his bumbling style and the gentle humour and patience doesn't compensate for it. By the end of the first game here the commentary feels like nails on a blackboard. And although I can see after a while why Jan Timman resigned, the editing rushes on instead of allowing the explanation why.

[@tejodipto]

He resigned because the threat is Rd8 and checking the king and attacking the queen. If queen moves Rd8 is mate. If Q*R then N*Q and white has an easy end game win with the knight and pawn up.

[@kellybrown6988]

Well it is an intermediate class. Although the tactic of why he resigned is quite easy to spot in a second. Maybe u should start with the videos for beginners who are just learning the game, and a different speaker.

[@niqwalshensemble9164]

I believe he says that he himself (Sereiwan) resigned-not Timman.

[@yanair2091]

Nicholas Walsh You believe that even after reading Tejodipto Panda's explanation?

[@Neueregel]

Actually Math is a bit more helpful IRL