Searching for Jeffrey William Sarwer - Chess Network

[KwamiFabu]

Reading an interview in Chess Life of Sarwer is both fascinating and heartbreaking. Jan. 8 2010 issue.

[tropevp33]

Thanks for the video. I had no idea that they movie producers casted Sarwer so incorrectly. Shame that Bruce Pandolfini then, made a cameo and didn't do much to correct Swarwer's true image.

[quathlamba]

The position is a famous one, then? What is the first position resulting in the pawn race and win for black taken from? Is it from an historical chess game? Please tell...

[moviecritic6]

@quathlamba It's from a popular movie called Searching For Bobby Fischer

[reebsskier]

Isnt it odd that in the movie the dad gets really offended at the comparison of cards to chess and yet apparently jeff sarwer went on to become a poker player................. I find that kind of hilarious

[CloneHat]

Hey, I live in Kingston!

[yisacknayrabin]

Ok, that's totally Sarwer narrating this video. i get it dude, you got skipped over media wise, but maybe better to have someone else narrate this video,.

[moviecritic6]

@yisacknayrabin Er, no it's not. Sarwer is a poker player now.

[yisacknayrabin]

@moviecritic6 Er, no. Sarwer is a youtube video narrator now, brah.

Shnarf.

[moviecritic6]

@yisacknayrabin Why would he be making Youtube videos if he is making millions of dollars playing poker?

[yisacknayrabin]

@moviecritc It can be difficult to understand the mind of a madman. In the case of Sarwer, his true love (or lust) for video narration began at an early age, long before his introduction to chess. While he does grind out a comfortable living on the national poker circuit, his true passion is in that final marriage between instructional video and the sound of his own voice. Sarwer himself likens the pairing to a salty cured salami, and a tube of AstroGlide. "Perfection in duality," he calls it.

[moviecritic6]

@yisacknayrabin OK, I realize what's going on now. I'll just leave this here: trollface.jpg

[yisacknayrabin]

@moviecritic6 And, whether or not we can ultimately find peace in the achievement of our loftiest aspirations, it must be said that Sarwer found his "home" in the vocation of narration. Avian foul may come and go my friend, but surly there is nothing finer than the freshly shorn undercarriage of a puffin, in midseason. The truth will out, and when it does, I trust that you will find Sarwer there, sipping his mint julep through a straw, and waxing his mustache along with ALL of his colleagues.

[Odhinn222]

That voice sounds amazingly like Jeff himself. In any case, yeah, Jeff was the true chance at finding a new Bobby Fischer, not Josh, who albeit, is great, could not quite ever be the greatest.

[websnarf]

I was an extra in that movie, BTW. :)

[ChessNetwork]

@websnarf Really? Very cool! What scene...timewise roughly?

[websnarf]

@ChessNetwork : During the scene when Jonathan Poe and the "evil" coach visit Ben Kinsley as Pandolfini at his club and request an application. I am the player in the horizontally striped shirt playing on one of the tables in the background.

It may interest you to know that while most of these extras were just faking it my "opponent" actually played reasonably well. So we were, I believe, the only extras to *actually* be playing chess in the playing hall/club scenes.

[ChessNetwork]

@websnarf That's awesome...it does interest me. It's neat to know little details like that. Thanks for sharing. :)

[websnarf]

@websnarf : They also brought it a few strong American players like Pal Benko, Roman Dzingzihashvilli (or however you spell it) and during some of the breaks Benko played some speed with us -- needless to say, GMs are a little to strong for us mere Canadian patzers. :)

The book "Searching for Bobby Fischer" of course tells the true story and you told it, though with not quite the same optimism about Jeff Sarwer. I remember reading in the paper that his father was kind of "cultish".

[michael2244]

Jeff was playing in the 2010 WSOP Main Event.

[xDirectJABx]

@michael2244 Are you serious?? A move from chess to poker huh?

[johnmrrs]

@michael2244 hes been playing poker for years now i heard he has cashed alot in european tournaments

[Fjaertorslovaark]

It's so neat to see these videos about my cousin, who was a huge inspiration to me when growing up. I only saw him once a year during my youth, as we lived on opposite sides of Canada, but he shared wisdom and taught me about strategy l (whether through chess, football (soccer), or life in general).

Jeff was and still is brilliant and mysterious. I did not know details about the chess history till I was a young teen---at that point, his sister, Julia (also a great player) filled me in.

[poprockssuck87]

My comment: Holy sh*t man! Could you be a bit more melodramatic?

And Sarwer did come back to the 'chess world,' for a short while at least. He played in a tournament about three years ago. He plays poker now.

Seriously though, you make it seem as if someone's died. Lighten up. His father may have made him lose interest in the game, but he had ample time to get back into it, and he chose not to. That's just the way things go.

[bierbuik]

Hmmmm, I will do some research on this man, but the opening text and the overal feel of his own website (why does he have one?) does not feel at all like something someone smarter than Bobby Fischer would make...

I'm kind of sceptical but I'll learn more soon I geuss.

[jcromey7]

Thank you for this...I've always felt indignant about the movie's portrayal of my brother, especially since they cast a kid who looked very much like my brother Jeff did at that age. As another poster here mentioned, I am indeed writing a book about our childhood, and when published it will shed some light on the true child prodigy of that time, Jeff Sarwer. Thanks again for your research, caring, and good wishes. Julia Cromey (nee Sarwer)

[jerkasmo]

In the fake movie game at 0:19 after the black bishop took the knight, I'd think rook to a5 would be a decent move that would at least draw.

[Alceste1977]

The reason why they called Sarwer "Jonathan Poe" is because it is a work of fiction and the character is a composite one. As a plot device it makes more more sense to have Josh's nemesis as someone who is being completely driven by chess to the point of obsession. This is a device to show that Josh's father is doing the same thing and his realisation that he is pushing his son too far is the motif upon which the movie rests. The book may be more of a personal attack on Sarwer than the film.

[Alceste1977]

@Alceste1977 But I think it was borne of a competitive father's frustration that his son was competing with a kid, much haled in the limelight, who didn't have to go to school and could play chess full-time. Btw ChessNetwork, as I am sure you aware, Jeff Sarwer is now a fairly decent (semi) pro poker player who played a rapid chess tournament in Poland where he scored 7/9 drawing with two GMs. They gave him an underrated estimated rating of 2300.

[Alceste1977]

@OtherRb1419 In the endgame you have to get the King working. It's as powerful as a rook and needs to be centralised.

[tommerrigan1956]

Josh and Jeff would both do well to remember it was Bobby Fischer who once remarked, "Blitz is for kids." Oh, wait a minute: Josh and Jeff both were kids. Now they are not, unless it be at heart.

[jessicafischerqueen]

Yep this tournament - in 2007

]

Malbork Castle, Poland semi-rapid

He kicked ass in it too. His sister Julia is currently writing a book about Jeff.

[jessicafischerqueen]

Great video- interestingly, at chessgames Sawrer posted about the last tournament he entered- where he played at full IM strength if not better. It was a few years ago though.

[nblfyb]

Yea, Jeff should return.

Benson and Tonic

[KBoogs719]

@nblfyb he placed 3rd in a tournament in 2007 that had many skilled masters and 4 GM's. He was awarded a provisional rating of 2300, as a matter of comparison, Josh Waitzkin highest achieved rating was about 2450, i think this speaks volumes about how good he is, when he placed 3rd he hadn't played in a tournament in well over 10yrs, this is crazy! I just heard about this kid, I hate how movies can be so misleading. The movie definitely should have been about Jeff.

[nblfyb]

@KBoogs719 Aight. Yea, the media's always misleading people. :@

Benson and Tonic

[KBoogs719]

@nblfyb what is benson and tonic, do u mean the ciggarettes and a drink? r u from london? that sounds like some london shit

[nblfyb]

@KBoogs719 Hahhah Benson is my friend and I am Tonic. Benson and Tonic is our music production team. :D We're from Antigua, America, Kenya. joawww

Benson and Tonic

[KBoogs719]

@nblfyb aight no doubt, Benson and Tonic.

[crockett616]

Interesting person, sad story, how can parents do things like this to their children... Sarwer has been playing poker tournaments and some very good players are praising his talent for the game

[dafeac]

On youtube you can find a lot of josh interviews, on some comments they said he wrote in the book he won that game, werid that as jeff he also stop playing chess

[aadlrp]

This is one side of opinion on the game. Read The Art of Learning as well.

[ChessNetwork]

One-side is implicit to an opinion. What "opinion" am I even having on the game?

[aadlrp]

Perhaps i should have said this video seems to be perpetuating one side of a view. Youre correct. One side does generally signify an opinion. I dont find it my place to tell you what opinion you have. I was merely pointing out that someone elses thoughts on the game (which seem to inspire a different orientation in comments) can be found in the book. No accusations. Just putting it out there.

[solinero]

I heard he is playing poker now a days...

[avp2gold]

@OtherRb1419 Smart. ChessNetwork is at a loss and so was the board.

[colourmegone]

Why the **** did his father make him quit?

[TimeFreeze1]

They found him and interviewed him!

main.uschess(dot)org/content/v­iew/10007/571/

[Breakz]

In September 2007 Jeff resurfaced to the chess scene apparently without training and entered a 30 minute semi-rapid tournament at Malbork castle in Poland. He finished in third place with a score of 7/9 in a group of 86 players including four Grandmasters. Since he had no active chess rating, he was given a provisional Elo rating of 2300 FIDE but seemed to perform above that level.

[alex49carson]

i remember that movie

[ChessNetwork]

@OtherRb1419 Ok.

[ChessNetwork]

@OtherRb1419 Why not? To centralize one's king in an endgame is usually a good choice, this position is no exception in my opinion.

[firmitas68]

I saw the movie at the time and thought it was bizarre. In my opinion the movie portrayed winning and discipline as anti-social traits that emotionally harm a child. Thus, Bobby Fischer: a child prodigy that became a recluse. The movie was a manifesto for mediocrity.

[UnderDog988]

He came back to the chess world.

In September 2007 Jeff resurfaced to the chess scene apparently without training and entered a 30 minute semi-rapid tournament at Malbork castle in Poland. He finished in third place with a score of 7/9 in a group of 86 players including four Grandmasters. Since he had no active chess rating, he was given a provisional Elo rating of 2300 FIDE but seemed to perform above that level.

[rossschcheese]

thanks a lot for the video. I appreciate your kind words for this man who was stripped of something he loved. I hope Jeff returns to the chess world as well.

- Ross

[DrouGluiN]

wow, nice to know about chess history...

[M107CQ]

Chess is a great game. But it is only a game afterall and maybe a different pursuit in life is not a bad thing, though with this kind of skill (Sarwer) it is hard to weight the benefits (if any) of a chess-free life versus a life without playing the game. I for one suck at chess and life too so my choice was much simpler haha.

[colster71]

I wonder why his dad got him to quit?

[NottinghamEngland]

Thanks for introducing us to Jeff. I visited his website - very interesting. Jeff's story sounds much more interesting than Joshua Waitzkin's!

[ChessNetwork]

@NottinghamEngland You're welcome.

[petrosian904]

thanks for the vid, I had no clue about him but he sounds amazing.

I wonder why he still never came back to chess after he left home..

[ChessNetwork]

@petrosian904 You're welcome.

[joshjimjoe]

I'd like to add an opinion inI hopes I don't offend, but I think you give an air of negativity toward Jeff's father by using words like "robbed" and the picture is painted that he was a tyrant for demanding his removal. Unless we know for sure that his father's intentions were malicious I think the FIRST thing we should think instead is that he was doing a fatherly duty which for some reason was very needed. A father knows the heart of his son more than we do, there may have been a good reason.

[ChessNetwork]

Opinions are welcomed. I'm sad to have learned a great talent was taken from the game. I could have used the word "taken" and that would convey my thoughts just the same. That is exactly what occurred...a chess player was taken away from the chess world. The father had his reasons(good/bad) and I address such NOT at all. My comment is specific to a chess player and the chess world, and does not address a father's intentions whatsoever.

[ChairmanKiel]

Fuck his father for robbing him of his passion and talent. It wouldn't have been that hard to allow him to play with/at the club or any where with ANY one.

It's sad when children aren't supported by their parents fully.

[nottybanks7]

same here =(

[ChessNetwork]

The father had "his" reasons for doing this.

[Shiffty05]

wow... I NEVER knew that, and i have been a HUGE fan of that movie. Still love it, but this gives me a greater appreciation to a man i feel like i should know, but was robbed of having the honor of learning about this Amazing chess player... Thanks for posting this!

[ChessNetwork]

You're welcome!

[fatkidonpogo1]

jrobi needs to call out to this kid since he gets more views he has better odds of seeing

[ChessNetwork]

I think it would be great to have a video response by Jrobi on this. Canadian prodigy Jeff Sarwer!

[DionMarinos]

That almost pisses me off!!

I watched that movie tons and have been a fan of Waitzkin, Chessmaster series, Pandolfini and have played for almost 20 years to find that out?. How disappointing that they shroud the truth. thank you for sharing this truth Jerry.

[ChessNetwork]

Glad to share!

[QuakePhil]

I wonder how much better Carlsen at 7 is, then :)

[ChessNetwork]

@QuakePhil Not sure!

[hcalderoniano]

great game...you make cry =D hahaha good game, excelent !!!!

[ChessNetwork]

@hcalderoniano *sniffles*

[dietsnapple89]

I loved Searching for Bobby Fischer, great movie.

[ChessNetwork]

@dietsnapple89 Thanks for the comment.

[BdizzleFaReal]

There is only one reason why you would post a video about this.... YOU are Jeffrey William Sarwer! It's the only explanation

[Virtualwallvirus]

hahahahahahahahahah

[ChessNetwork]

@Virtualwallvirus You agree? =)

[Virtualwallvirus]

@ChessNetwork I just thought it was funny. I dont think so though. You sound alot different in your videos then jeff did in the video on his website.

[ChessNetwork]

@BdizzleFaReal Am i ? =)

[michaelgoeller]

Great video. Thanks for posting this. The Sarwer story is one of many sad chess stories. I think it would have made the film Searching for Bobby Fischer much more complex and interesting to have told the true story -- at least to the extent that it was told in the book. But Hollywood is always under-estimating the audience and simplifying the story. Thanks for the great video.

[ChessNetwork]

@michaelgoeller Thanks for the compliment.

[tacik]

The championship did NOT end in a draw. Yes it is true that Waitzkin and Sarwer did in fact played the last match to a draw, but Waitzkin had tougher matches throughout the tournament and was thus awarded the title. This was why Waitzkin was much less aggressive than his normal games because he was playing to a draw. I watched this exact match with his commentary, and his move of Knight to H1 was the only way he was able to find a way out because as you see he was losing the entire match

[ChessNetwork]

Where did you obtain this information from?

[jcc207]

I think this may be found on the PC software version of Chessmaster with Joshua Waitkin's tutorials and commentaries of his own matches

[ChessNetwork]

I thought so too!

[ChessNetwork]

You're right.

[byakuugan86]

good

[ChessNetwork]

Thanks

[0147896325rubikcube]

After seeing your video, I found and watched the movie. It seems to be meant for people new to chess or those who know nothing about it. All the players move like they only have 5 seconds left on the clock and say "check!" like it is a definite signal that they are winning. I think the makers of the movie got lazy and just decided to make a simple and unoriginal movie.

[ChessNetwork]

Too much emphasis is placed on checking I agree!

[crayrayc]

sucks he left the game with so much talent left unexplored. thx 4 bit of chess history

[ChessNetwork]

Yeah it does!

[TheChessvids]

Jeff actually did play in September, 2007 and actually performed quite well. I do have to ask though, I do have to ask, if Sarwer was so good, how come Nicholas Nip holds the record for the youngest ever UCSF master.

[ChessNetwork]

Nicholas Nip obtained master at 9 years 11 months.

It was March/April of 1987 when Jeff was made to quit chess. Do the math! =) Keep in mind the influence of computers nowadays and how much easier it is to educate oneself as a result!

[TheChessvids]

Ah, now I see. So I take it that Jeff was remarkably close to achieving this. It's a pity his father made him give up chess. He clearly was true talent. Perhaps comparable to Samuel Rehevsky! I wish Australia could have someone to rave about for once =(.

[priapus]

I remember reading that article about Jeffrey in GQ magazIne; in the photo layout both Jeff and his control-freak dad sported shaved heads which was more than a little unsettling. Someone should make a companion piece to the SFBF film about Jeff and his family; I'm sure it would be at least as dramatic and interesting as the Waitzkin bio.

[ChessNetwork]

I agree...would be just as interesting else more!

[PolTehPwnage]

5/5

[ChessNetwork]

Thanks for the stars! =)

[CaptainBlack1]

This may have been the greatest chess video I have ever seen. So inspiring, I got goosebumps, But as for his father, I can't really blame him. Chess is a game of psychological warfare, and for a seven year old it could have lead to issues later. His father was just being a dad.

[ChessNetwork]

Wow...thanks for such a great compliment.

[St3lf]

that father sounds like an idiot, i'd knock him out if i could. that is actually really annoying that he did that...i mean WHY would you do that...

[ChessNetwork]

Sad i know..

[gammyhorse]

Never heared about this kid like most people.Its very sad and unfair that Waitzkin took all the glory afterwards with the movie,advertising etc

[ChessNetwork]

Was taken from the game... =(

[teddster214]

great movie and video =) i was wondering what the final position and stuff likethat was ty

[ChessNetwork]

Thanks!

[nomindchess]

whoa, amazin, thanks for sharing this, i never knew about jeff

[ChessNetwork]

You're welcome. =)

[babaikaushik]

Parents want to do good for there children...but some time they mess it up ...although inadvertently ... this is a classic example

[ChessNetwork]

Wanted to do good yes...

[freeagentfreek]

A very informative video. Thanx for the upload as always.

[ChessNetwork]

You're welcome.

[Sheendude]

Amazing, I just finished watching that movie yesterday, very insightful! Thanks Jerry!

[ChessNetwork]

Good timing! You're welcome. =)

[heraclitus44]

A very beautiful tribute to this young boy who's now a man. Well done.

[ChessNetwork]

Thank you hera.

[barsorrro]

This is a really sad story. Not only because the world has lost such a potentially great chess player, but mainly because the kid was drawn off the passion of his life, something he excelled in. The imprudent father, while seemingly not putting their kids under the pressures of any form of regular education, actually limited their freedom by disallowing them to take it up even willingly.

[barsorrro]

Thinking he was giving them freedom, actually he had enforced a vagabond existence on them. And eventually, brought on a major disruption to their lives what with the compulsory adoption into a foster family and then the escape and life in hiding.

Let's forget about the chess and let's hope that Jeff finds his happiness in whatever his doing.

And let us all find a bit of ours in the year to come.

[barsorrro]

Thank you for this great tribute and a very interesting video, Jerry -- I probably wouldn't hear of Jeff Sarwer if it wasn't for you.

[ChessNetwork]

You're welcome. Glad to open your eyes to him.

[ChessNetwork]

Happy New Year...

[ChessNetwork]

Sad indeed..

[AlterEgo2k8]

Jeff is still around. I heard he plays pro poker now in Europe. Im sure he still plays chess casually and should still be good.

[dontwheynoeko]

Yes thats right he plays in EPT and alredy won about 150k.

[ChessNetwork]

True..

[ChessNetwork]

Yes...poker is his thing now...

[Minieh11]

Well said.

[ChessNetwork]

Thank you.

[badamhell]

that is sad :(

[ChessNetwork]

Yes...

[GenericPurpleTurtle]

Your voice is like a creamy baileys, you should do all the voices in anything which requires voice acting, sorry for sounding like a weird creepy internet pervert but it's true.

[ChessNetwork]

Funny comment! =)

[GenericPurpleTurtle]

Its commpletely true ^^

[Lhurgolf]

I dont understand why the kids are so good at a young age. Prodigy and genius exists, but u still need to learn things that take time dont you? You cant just be born and know how to speak English immediately out of the womb.

[TimeFreeze1]

You know how there are some kids who are just good at math? Well, some kids can just look 20 moves ahead with no problem. Even without learning techniques, that can give you a really good advantage. It's all about memory.

[numbcore]

I think he means, like playing certain openings. Like in this game. Also using certain systems that are developed by other chess players.