Alex Yermolinsky 'Overwhelmed' By Chess Community Support After Life-Saving Surgery

Two-time U.S. Chess Champion GM Alex Yermolinsky says he is “overwhelmed with emotions” at the outpouring of support from the chess community after he underwent life-saving heart surgery abroad.

The legendary 67-year-old grandmaster, born in the Soviet Union, has been hospitalized in Tekirdag, Turkey, since April 16. Two days later, he underwent a four-way heart bypass surgery. On April 29, a second emergency repair surgery was performed for sternal wound infection and respiratory failure.

As medical bills mounted a GoFundMe campaign was launched by his friends to help cover the costs. 24 hours later, nearly 200 donors have raised more than $41,000, closing in on the $64,000 target.

"I am overwhelmed with emotions. I feel so blessed with the outpouring of friendship," the grandmaster wrote in a WhatsApp message to Chess.com.

I am overwhelmed with emotions.

—Alex Yermolinsky

Yermolinsky, a frequent visitor to Turkey, has been told by his doctors that it will now be at least six months before he can return to the United States. He will require a prolonged hospital stay with antibiotic therapy, but his long-term prognosis following the bypass surgery is excellent.

"I am much better," he added, describing the care in his two-room suite as a "sultan's treatment." He has his dressing changed twice daily. "It's the whole nine yards."

Asked to describe his spirits, he responded: "I just spoke with the surgeon, and he told me I won't die here. I'd say it lifted my spirits!"

I just spoke with the surgeon, and he told me I won't die here. I'd say it lifted my spirits!

—Alex Yermolinsky

The grandmaster, known by friends and colleagues as "Yermo" or "Uncle Yermo," had his first major success when he won the 1985 Leningrad City Championship in the old Soviet Union. He became a grandmaster in 1992, then won his first U.S. Chess Championship the following year, and again in 1996. He also won the World Open in 1993, 1995, and 1996. He was inducted into the U.S. Chess Hall of Fame in 2012.

His book The Road To Chess Improvement, also available on Chessable, is known as a classic and won the Chess Journalists of America Cramer Award for Book Of The Year in 2000. It was described as a "masterpiece" and "one of the most exciting and provocative works to appear in years." 

GM Gregory Kaidanov, co-organizer of the fundraiser together with GM Alexander Shabalov, reflected on his friend's legacy and character:

"He is so well known and liked. He became famous as a player, author, coach, and commentator. Not many grandmasters can list all those things on their resume—and he was, and is, among the best in each of them."

Kaidanov recalled their deep personal and professional connection, which began in their youth in the Soviet Union:

Yermo and I have known each other since we were teens, so needless to say, we played lots of games—most of them decisive. But more importantly, we played side by side on the U.S. national team at five Olympiads, two World Team Championships, and three World Senior Team Championships.

In several of those events, he was a real leader—not just on first board, but as a teammate. His great sense of humor, his kindness, his support, helped me tremendously during those tournaments. Those who know him closely know he can be a bit grumpy sometimes, but on the team he was completely different—always optimistic, always cheering everyone, always joking.

I hope he fully recovers, and that we’ll play more World Senior events together.

Yermolinsky sends a heartfelt message to the chess community for its support: "Love to everyone in the chess world. You are my heroes and saviors."

Love to everyone in the chess world. You are my heroes and saviors.

—Alex Yermolinsky