GM Vasif Durarbayli is a former World Youth Champion and two-time champion of his native Azerbaijan. Now based in St. Louis after graduating from Webster University, Vasif has turned much of his attention to ChessEver, an app designed to make following live chess easier.
In our conversation we discuss:
•• Why he believes every serious chess player needs a coach, and how not hiring one nearly derailed his own career.
• Vasif's outstanding performance at the Naroditsky Memorial blitz, including a near-upset of Hikaru Nakamura.
• An unforgettable over-the-board encounter with legendary GM Viktor Korchnoi.
• How chess broadcasting can be improved, and his ambitious long-term vision for ChessEver.
This was a really enjoyable conversation, and I recommend ChessEver to anyone who enjoys following top-level tournaments.
00:00 - Intro
01:16 - Insights from a top 10 finish at the Naroditsky Memorial blitz tournament
Check out Vasif’s Naroditsky Memorial games here:
The Nakamura game is game 13, 35. Rxa7! Was mate in 12.
https://lichess.org/study/UoNAiYdm/TehrviPk
03:52 - Playing Korchnoi
05:02 - Playing style: aggressive opening choices and psychological play
06:45 - The influence of legendary players and their aura on Vasif
09:16 - Off-the-board aspects of chess improvement and coaching advice
12:37 - Strategies for handling lost positions and psychological tactics
15:08 - The significance of coaching and Vasif’s past mistakes in self-improvement
Vasif’s thoughts on Gukesh’s slump here:
https://x.com/durarbayli/status/2079565216413556923
24:52 - The power of strategic preparation stories from chess books
Mentioned: The Random Book that Made me a Grandmaster
https://durarbayli.com/a-random-book-made-me-a-grandmaster/
The Method in Chess by Josif Dorfman
https://www.amazon.com/Method-Chess-Iossif-Dorfman/dp/2957289024
30:00- Why we should not emulate Sindarov’s study approach
Mentioned: Fooled by Randomness
39:06 - The journey from competitive chess to creating Chess Ever
44:50 - The vision for Chess Ever: following games, broadcasting, and innovation
53:41 - Monetization plans and future features of Chess Ever
58:51 - How Chess Ever differs from other streaming and follow platforms
61:47 - The future of chess broadcasting, AI commentary, and competition
63:48 - Final thoughts and encouraging feedback from listenersResources:
Chess Ever App
Road to Mastery by Golovka
Static and Dynamic by Dorfman
Nasim Taleb - Fooled by Randomness
Connect with Vasif Durabayi:
LinkedIn
Twitter
Website
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