Simon Williams

Simon Williams became a IM in 1998 and a GM in 2008. For the last 15 years he has concentrated on teaching, playing and making instructional chess DVDs. He also has a lot of experience commentating about chess. Being the regular commentator at the strongest and best open tournament in the world, Gibraltar. Simon Williams is the author of numerous chess books. His first chess book. 'Play the Classical Dutch' got voted, in New in Chess, as one of the top 10 chess books of all time. His playing style is very aggressive, preferring attacking chess to positional grinds. No wonder he produced two widely acclaimed ChessBase DVDs on the King's Gambit. More information about Simon Williams can be found on his website. 

Recent news

Simon Says: A Quick Guide to the Jobava London System

11/16/2020 – In this "Simon Says" show the Ginger GM takes a look at another interesting and dangerous opening weapon: the Jobava London System. | Watch "Simon Says" on-demand and with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (19:00 CET / 14:00 ET).

Simon Says: The Queen's Gambit: A life-long love affair

11/9/2020 – The Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit" continues to be popular with critics and public alike. For Simon Williams, the Ginger GM, the title of the series evoked memories, and in this "Simon Says" show he looks back to his experiences with the Queen's Gambit, an opening that has been part of his life. | Watch "Simon Says" on-demand and with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (19:00 CET / 14:00 ET).

Simon Says: An aggressive and modern variation in the English Opening

11/2/2020 – In this "Simon Says" the Ginger GM takes a look at an aggressive and modern variation in the English Opening. | Watch "Simon Says" on-demand and with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (19:00 CET / 14:00 ET).

Simon Says: Karpov's Best Moments

10/26/2020 – In this "Simon Says" the Ginger GM takes a look at the many skills of Anatoly Karpov, World Champion from 1975 to 1985 and widely considered as one of the best players of all time. | Watch "Simon Says" on-demand and with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (19:00 CET / 14:00 ET). | Photo: Georgios Souleidis

Simon Says: Lessons from recent Endgames

10/19/2020 – In this "Simon Says" the Ginger GM takes a look at a number of interesting endgames from recent tournaments. | Watch "Simon Says" on-demand and with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (20:00 CEST / 14:00).

Simon Says: The King's Indian Attack - The Bobby Fischer Way

10/12/2020 – In this "Simon Says" the Ginger GM shows you how Bobby Fischer used to mate his opponents with the King's Indian Attack. | Watch "Simon Says" for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (20:00 CEST / 14:00). | Photo: Bobby Fischer

Simon Says: Should one play systems or openings?

10/5/2020 – In this "Simon Says" the Ginger GM takes a look at some games from the Pro Chess League and wonders whether it is better to play a system or to play specific openings. | Watch "Simon Says" for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (20:00 CEST / 14:00). | Photo: Bobby Fischer at the Candidates Tournament Portoroz 1959 | Photo: Tournament book

Simon Says: Richard Rapport in the Bundesliga

9/21/2020 – Simon Says: Today, we look at some games the highly original and creative Richard Rapport played in the Bundesliga Team Championship that ended on Sunday. | Watch "Simon Says" for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (20:00 CEST / 14:00). | Photo: Georgios Souleidis

Simon Says: Unique Ideas

9/14/2020 – Simon Says: Today, we look at some of the most influential opening and early middlegame ideas that have left a major influence on me over the course of my career. Ideas that were unique at the time in history when they were played. | Watch "Simon Says" for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (20:00 CEST / 14:00). | Photo: Bobby Fischer 1970

Simon Says: More Highlights from the Online Olympiad

9/7/2020 – In this "Simon Says" Simon looks at a selection of highlights from the FIDE Online Olympiad 2020 and presents a number of fine examples of fine chess. | Watch "Simon Says" for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (20:00 CEST / 14:00).

Simon Says: Highlights from the Online Olympiad

8/24/2020 – In this "Simon Says", Simon looks at a selection of highlights from the FIDE Online Olympiad, including games by the likes of Baadur Jobava, Alexei Shirov and Gawain Jones, among others. | Watch "Simon Says" for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 18:00 UTC (20:00 CEST / 14:00). | Photos: Rupali Mullick / Lars OA Hedlund

Simon Says: Ulf Andersson with the Black pieces

8/3/2020 – In this "Simon Says" Simon continues to look at the games of Swedish Grandmaster Ulf Andersson who is famous for his endgame technique and his smooth solid play. The show is an extension of Simon's previous show, but this time Simon looks at Ulf's play with the Black pieces. | Watch "Simon Says" for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EST). | Photo: Ulf Anderssen at the Hoogovenschaaktoernooi, Wijk aan Zee 1971 | Photo: Bert Verhoeff / Anefo / CCO

Simon Says: Learn from Ulf Andersson

7/27/2020 – In this "Simon Says", Simon leaves the sharp tactics aside and focuses on simplicity. In order to do so, he analyzes four games by Swedish endgame virtuoso Ulf Andersson! | Watch "Simon Says" for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EST). | Pictured: Andersson playing Anatoly Karpov in 1983. | Photo: Rob Bogaerts / Anefo

New: Simon Williams - The Exciting Budapest Gambit

7/23/2020 – Are you tired of playing d5 against 1.d4 or c4? Grandmaster Simon Williams, one of the most creative GMs in the chess world, has tackled the flamboyant Budapest Gambit. Williams' typically fun and entertaining way of teaching is paired with serious theory, as he is always very well-prepared to show extraordinary variations. The English Grandmaster honestly reflects on how this opening can backfire, and goes over several traps that can be triggered against White.

Simon Says: Resilience pays off in Leon

7/20/2020 – In this "Simon Says", Simon looks at the Masters section of the Chess Festival in Leon, Spain. Since he was giving commentary for the official website, we get to enjoy a number of insights from the very strong rapid tournament that was played online this year. | Watch "Simon Says" for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EST). | Photo: Georgios Souleidis

Simon Says: Carlsen vs Caruana, The Final of the Clutch Chess Champions Showdown

6/15/2020 – In this Simon Says we look at the final of the Clutch Chess Champions Showdown. An event where the two highest-rated players in the world, Carlsen and Caruana faced each other for the title. | Watch for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EST).

Simon Says: Online games and thoughts about the Fajarowicz Variation

6/8/2020 – In this Simon Says I show you a couple of fun games that I have had online. We then look at a new opening that I have been trying, 'The Fajarowicz Variation'! | Watch for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EST).

Simon Says: Recent Games

5/25/2020 – In this Simon Says we will look at some recent games. The focus is on another stunning idea by Daniil Dubov! | Watch for free and on-demand (for a limited time, or forever with a ChessBase Premium account). (Normally 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EST).
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