Simon Says — Pawn Power!

by Simon Williams
4/29/2019 – Pawns are the "soul of chess", as well all know from François-André Danican Philidor. In this Simon Says, Grandmaster Simon Williams takes a look at games from chess history where pawn power was on full display! Live today at the usual time: 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EDT).

Most amazing moves Most amazing moves

The interactive format encourages the viewer to study and find the brilliancy, following the footsteps of some of the greatest players of the game.

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Who are you calling "lowly"?!

After Magnus defeated Svidler with a pawn checkmate I thought that it would be amusing to find other examples where pawns have made a major impact on the game. After all, they are 'the souls of chess!'

To get started: Magnus is not the only World Champion to have checkmated with a pawn! What move did Petrosian play to finish the game here?'

 

Give up? You'll find the game below!

This week's show

Live today at the usual time: 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EDT). If you miss the show, you can watch it in the archive with a ChessBase Account. Don't have an account? You can register a free 90-day account to watch!

Previous shows on-demand

View all past shows, with a ChessBase Premium Account.

Simon is live most Mondays at 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EDT)

About Simon Says

In early 2015 Simon Williams launched his own show called "Simon says" after producing the first of his ChessBase video series. On a weekly basis (with breaks for tournaments and chess events) Simon entertains the chess world with attacking ideas, play strategies and witty manoeuvres on the chess board.

ChessBase Premium members have permanent access to the videos in the archive. Over 60 shows and counting have been published to date. Their lengths differ but most of them run for about 60 minutes.

Read more in Meeting Simon Williams.

Much more from Simon's shows in the archive at Videos.ChessBase.com

Recent Simon Says shows

Still more Simon

On another note, Simon recently published his newest DVD "The Tactical Chigorin". 

Here's a teaser:

The Tactical Chigorin

Opening with the Chigorin shows your intention to play for a win right from the outset. After 2...Nc6 Black's pieces fly into the game putting pressure on White's position from a very early stage. This opening is ideal for the type of player who strives for an unconvential yet attacking game right from the start.

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Solution to the puzzle:
 

Links

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Topics: pawns, Simon Says
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 Williams can be found on his website.
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See also

Simon Says - The modern development of h4!?

7/22/2019 – In this Simon Says, Grandmaster Simon Williams, himself a great fan of 'Harry the h-pawn' examines the modern theoretical trend of launching h2-h4 earlier and earlier in the opening. Watch live for free (for a limited time) starting at the usual hour: 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EDT).

See also

Simon Says — King Magnus

7/8/2019 – In this Simon Says we take a look at the all mighty Magnus, who has just won his eight consecutive tournament, exhibiting the kind of domination we used to associate only with Garry Kasparov. Watch on-demand for free (for a limited time) starting at the usual hour: 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EDT).
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Video

Beat the Slav the classical way

The Slav has become one of the most popular defences against the advance of the d-pawn on the first move, and every ambitious d4-player faces the question how to successfully tackle this opening in tournament practice. The strongest attempt is considered to be the move 4. Nf3, leading to interesting positions which promise White good chances to get an advantage. Black's main replies are 4. dxc4 and 4. e6. On this DVD Rustam Kasimdzhanov investigates in detail the line 4. dxc4, in which he has great experience. Showing selected grandmaster games, the ex-world champion shares his knowledge with the viewer to explain how White has to place his pieces and which plans he has at his disposal.Learn the secrets of the dxc4-line and improve your chances of success with 1.d4

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