Photo: © James F. Perry / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Yasser Seirawan was born in Damascus, Damascus Governorate, Syria on March 24, 1960. Public records list Yasser Seirawan as a chess player, non-fiction writer and chess commentator. The age as of 2026 is 66. Schooling on record includes Garfield High School.
My Take
Yasser Seirawan's story moves me because it spans continents and disciplines. Born in Damascus, he became a four-time U.S. champion and won the World Junior title in 1979, proving that brilliance travels well across borders. What sets him apart for me is that he never stopped at playing; he wrote books and became a beloved commentator, translating the game's beauty for everyone watching. That instinct to teach and share is what elevates a great player into a lasting ambassador for the sport. I have deep respect for minds that win on the board and then turn around to bring others in.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Yasser Seirawan
- Name (Japanese)
- ヤッサー・セイラワン
- Reading
- やっさー・せいらわん
- Born
- March 24, 1960 (age 66)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aries / Rat
- Origin
- Damascus, Damascus Governorate, Syria
- Occupation
- chess player / non-fiction writer / chess commentator
2. Background
- High school
- Garfield High School
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasser%20Seirawan
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q319208
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-24
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Yasser Seirawan born?
Born March 24, 1960 (age 66).
Where is Yasser Seirawan from?
Yasser Seirawan is from Damascus, Damascus Governorate, Syria.
What does Yasser Seirawan do?
Yasser Seirawan works as chess player, non-fiction writer, chess commentator.
Chess player — see all → · Non-fiction writer — see all → · More people from Syria →