Meeting Simon Williams

by Nadja Wittmann
5/1/2018 – As we are privileged with so many interesting visitors and authors coming to the ChessBase office in Hamburg and frequenting our studio, we often try to grab them for a few quick questions to see how they are and what's new. This time it was GM Simon Williams who visited us in Hamburg in order to prepare two new FritzTrainer video series. Of course, he also took time out for an impromptu interview. | Photo: ChessBase
The interactive format encourages the viewer to study and find the brilliancy, following the footsteps of some of the greatest players of the game.

A short interview with Simon Williams

Which is your favourite DVD (of your own) and why?

I did enjoy filming my DVD on the London System. This was not an opening that I really understood. But preparing and playing the variations in the DVD really advanced me as a player.

An example from Simon Williams´ DVD "The London System"
 
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1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.c3 e6 8.Qb3 Qc8 9.Nh4! At the first possible opportunity Kramnik goes ahead to create an imbalance. Once he achieves that he will have a much easier task in outplaying his opponent. Bg6 9...Be4!? 10.f3 Bg6 11.Nxg6 hxg6 should have been considered. The move f3 doesn't do anything constructive for White's position. 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.Bd3 Nh5 12.Be3 Bd6 13.0-0-0 a6 14.Kb1 b5 15.Qc2 Na5 15...Nf4 16.Bf1 16.Nf3 Nc4 17.Bc1! First this bishop retreats to its initial square and after a few moves the other one also retreats! Qc7 18.Ng5 Nf4 19.Bf1! Quite a picturesque position. Both bishops on their initial squares. 0-0-0?! A bad decision by Sanan whose king is not at all safe on the queenside. Kramnik must have been glad to see the sight of 0-0-0. 20.a4 Qb7 21.axb5 axb5 22.b3 Na5 22...Na3+ 23.Bxa3 Bxa3 24.g3 Nh5 25.b4± and the bishop on a3 has come too far from home. 23.Qa2 Nc6 24.g3 Nh5 25.Bd3 Kb8 26.Qe2 Na7 27.Bd2 Rc8 28.Kb2 Rc6 29.Ra1 Rf8 30.Ra2 Ra6 31.Rxa6 Qxa6 32.Ra1 By methodical play Kramnik has got everything in his favour. The bishops are wonderful defenders and at the same time attacking the black queenside and the rook has controlled the open a-file. Qb7 33.b4 Nf6 34.Ra5 Bc7 35.Bf4 Bxf4 36.gxf4 Qc7 37.Bxb5 Qxf4 38.Nf3 Ne4 39.Ne5 The knight, bishop, rook, and queen will launch a deadly attack against the black king. Rh8 40.Nc6+ Nxc6 41.Bxc6 Nxc3!? A desperate attempt to complicate the position. But Kramnik is alert and up to the mark. 42.Kxc3 Rh3+ 43.Kc2 Qxd4 44.Qb5+ Kc7 45.Qb7+ Kd6 46.Qb8+ 46.Rxd5+! exd5 47.Qd7+ Ke5 48.Qxh3+- was another way to win. 46...Ke7 47.Qa7+ Qxa7 48.Rxa7+ Kd6 49.Ba4 Rh4 49...Rxh2 50.Rd7+ Ke5 51.Rxf7+- 50.Kb3 Rh3+ 51.Kb2 Rh4 51...e5 52.Rxf7 Rxh2 53.Kc3 Ke6 54.Rxg7 Rxf2 55.Rxg6+ Kf5 56.Rd6+- 52.Rd7+ Ke5 53.Ka3 Kd4 54.Rxf7 Rxh2 55.b5 Kc5 56.Rc7+ A great game by Vladimir but it must be said that Sanan made his task considerably easier when he castled long. 1–0
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Kramnik,V2796Sjugirov,S26461–02015D02Qatar Masters op8

What is your all lifetime motto over the board (and maybe also in life)?

Not sure I really have a ‘motto’. I do try to maximise the enjoyment I get from the small amount of time we have on this earth. You could say the same about my chess, try to enjoy it and keep things fresh.

What is it that you like most about playing chess?

I find the process of getting lost in a one’s own thoughts to be very therapeutic. I suppose you could say I find it to be an intense form of meditation.

Do you think that you have enough time to spare also on non-chess-related activities?

I most certainly do. Yes. [I guess we should be giving Si more work! -Ed.]

Which is the ChessBase program that you use the most (and what for)?

Every serious chess player must have a copy of the ChessBase database and features. When I am at a tournament I rely on the search tool! 

Chess-wise speaking: What is crossing your mind these days?

Mainly nowadays it is trying to show the world, and especially people who in normal situations who would not touch a chess board; that chess is fun, cool and exciting. The tools of my trade are now YouTube and Twitch. 

Simon Williams at the ChessBase office

Simon Williams | Photo: Nadja Wittmann

What are you currently working on in the ChessBase studio?

I just finished two DVDs on the Torre and Colle. I now try to pick openings that rhyme as it makes my job a lot easier.

What will be on your agenda next?

Keep trying to produce good training videos that will help people improve in a factual but fun way.

Links

Chief editor Spanish ChessBase website es.chessbase.com, tutorials, marketing.

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