Simon Says: Should one play systems or openings?

by Simon Williams
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 Williams presents the London System, providing the theory you need for your games (7 h 16 min). In addition Williams also introduces into typical tactics and patterns in a seperate product. (53 games, 96 training questions and 3h 14 min)

The Pro Chess League and the advantage of playing 'systems' over 'openings'

Simon Says: "In this Simon Says we take a look at some games played by top players online. I also talk about the advantages of playing 'system' setups over deep theoretical openings. Touching upon Bobby Fischer's favourite opening, the King's Indian Attack."

Here's the warm-up: "White has just played 21.Rfe1, how did Wei Yi break down White's position?"

 
A. Tari - Wei Yi, Pro Chess League 2020
Position after 21.Rfe1

(See the full game and the solution below)

This week's show

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Simon is on air most Mondays at 16:00 UTC (18:00 CEST / 12 Noon EST)

Previous shows on-demand

View all past shows, with a ChessBase Premium Account.


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

Simon's latest DVD series, "The Exciting Budapest Gambit" is now available. Check it out, starting with the sample below: 

Video sample


Wei Yi wins

 
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MoveNResultEloPlayers
Position not in LiveBook
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Bd6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 0-0 7.cxd5 Nbd7 8.Be2 Nb6 9.Bg5 Be7 10.Bxf6 Bxf6 11.Qb3 Bg4 12.0-0 Bxf3 13.Bxf3 Bxd4 14.Rad1 Be5 15.d6 cxd6 16.Bxb7 Rb8 17.Bf3 Qf6 18.Ne4 Qh6 19.g3 d5 20.Nc5 Nc4 21.Qc2 Rxb2 22.Qd3 Nd2 23.Rfe1 Bd4 24.Bxd5 Bxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Ne4+ 26.Kf3 Nxc5 27.Qf5 Qxh2 28.Qxf7+ Rxf7+ 0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Tari,A2634Wei,Y27320–12020C01PRO League KO Stage 20204.3

Simon Williams presents the London System, providing the theory you need for your games (7 h 16 min). In addition Williams also introduces into typical tactics and patterns in a seperate product. (53 games, 96 training questions and 3h 14 min)


Links


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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