Daniel Dardha sets new world record in clock simul

by ChessBase
6/20/2025 – Over the Whitsun weekend, young Belgian grandmaster Daniel Dardha set a new world record in a clock simul in Deinze. He faced 50 opponents and scored 47.5 points, surpassing the previous record held by Sipke Ernst. | Photo: European Chess Union
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Unlike a traditional simul without clocks, participants in a clock simul can make their moves and hit the clock whenever they like; they don’t have to wait for the simul player to arrive at their board. The simul player, on the other hand, must move quickly at each board to manage their time effectively.

Dardha won 40 of his games and drew seven, losing just three. With a total of 43.5 points—or an impressive 87% score—he surpassed the previous record set by Dutch grandmaster Sipke Ernst. In November 2022, Ernst played a clock simul against 47 opponents and scored 35 points, achieving a 74% success rate.

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Daniel Dardha’s clock simul took place in the concert hall De Brielpoort in Deinze. His opponents had an average Elo rating of 1834. 

The record has not yet been made official. The Belgian Chess Federation has submitted the necessary application.

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