Photo courtesy of FM Yuriy Krykun
FM Yuriy Krykun is a young and accomplished chess player, graduate student, trainer and author. As a player, Yuriy was the 2018 Under 20 Champion, is rated nearly 2500 USCF, and in 2019, he attained 2 IM norms. Since Yuriy’s hopes to earn one more IM Norm have been delayed by coronavirus, he has been focusing on churning out quality opening courses and books.
I was particularly eager to discuss Yuriy’s new Chessable course, The Dynamic Italian Game, which focuses on the Evans Gambit. As we discuss, modern chess engines have made lots of new discoveries in the famed Evans, so it was a fun course for him to write, and it’s a fun opening to play if you are a club player looking for dynamic positions. Lastly, since Yuriy is norm chasing himself, and is also an active coach, he had lots of good chess improvement recommendations. As always, you can find lots more details, timestamps and relevant links below.
Click here to download the episode.
0:00- We begin by discussing how Yuriy has been impacted by coronavirus. He got stranded when visiting his native Ukraine, but now he has returned to St. Louis, where he can train with the powerhouse Webster University Chess Team. Yuriy also discusses why he decided to study at Webster.
Mentioned:Webster University, Yuriy’s Chessable Course page, A Complete Repertoire for Black after 1. e4-e5 , Squeezing the King’s Indian Defense
GM Ilya Nyzhnyk, GM Lázaro Bruzón Batista, GM Alexander Lenderman, GM Peter Prohaska, GM Aram Hakobyan, GM John Burke,GM Emilio Cordova, GM Yuniesky Quesada
10:00- Yuriy shares his reasons for designing a Chessable course on the historic Evans Gambit, The Dynamic Italian Game,
Mentioned: Stacia Pugh, GM Jan Gustafsson
22:00- As always, Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. In addition to Yuriy’s courses, FM Kamil Plichta is out with a new course on the Budapest Gambit (free preview here) and there is tons more to check out on the site.
22:45- We discuss Yuriy’s approach to engine use, as well as his advice for how much improvers should be using them.
Mentioned: Stockfish, AlphaZero, LeelaZero, Fat Fritz, GM Patrick Wolff, Stockfish NNUE
29:30- What study tools did Yuriy use during his quick ascent up the chess-rating ladder? What study advice does he have for current adult improvers of different levels?
Mentioned: GM Alex Yermolinsky’s The Road to Chess Improvement, Zurich 1953, Endgame Strategy, Yusopov Chess School Series, Logical Chess Move by Move, How to Reassess Your Chess
40:00- What are Yuriy’s current chess goals and plans?
Mentioned: Charlotte Chess Center
44:30- What is next for Yuriy, chess-content wise? How is life in St. Louis?
Mentioned: Check for Yuriy’s YouTube Channel here
49:30- Despite coronavirus, FIDE has announced that the 2020 Candidates will resume in November. What does Yuriy think about it?
Mentioned: GM Teimour Radjabov
53:00- Thanks to Yuriy for joining the show. He has lots more stuff coming out, so it would be wise to keep up with him the following ways:
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