GM SImon William, aka “The Ginger GM” is an entertaining and popular commentator, YouTube Creator, Twitch streamer, and, of course, prolific Chessable course creator (often collaborating with IM Richard Palisser). Simon also recently launched a chess platform, called GChess, which allows you to store and analyze your games and to work on your openings using many popular chess resources. It had been 5 years since I had done a long-form interview with Simon, so it was great to catch up with him on the topics of his OTB plans, current opening trends, the British chess scene, his latest Chessable course, and, of course, many amusing anecdotes from Simon’s decades around top level chess. Please read on for lots more details, timestamps, and links.
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Prior Interviews with GM Simon Williams:
Perpetual Chess Episode 5 with GM Simon Williams
How to Chess 06- How to Know When to Attack with GM Simon Williams
0:00- Simon will be playing in the Reykjavik Open in April. Why did he choose that tournament?
How does he prepare for it?
07:00- What was Simon’s approach to earning the GM title?
Mentioned: Episode 228 with GM Ben FInegold, Episode 217- “IM to GM” Special
14:00- As an up coming player, what was Simon’s approach to chess improvement?
17:00- Patreon mailbag question: How did Simon pick the Classical Dutch and the Iron English as staples of his repertoire?
21:00- Patreon mailbag question: Who is Simon’s favorite player ever?
22:00- Patreon mailbag question: Favorite tournament venue?
Mentioned: British Chess Championships, Hastings
24:30- Perpetual Chess is brought to you in part by Chessable.com. Check out all of their latest offerings here: New Chess Courses Online - For All Levels in all - Chessable.com
25:00- How did the idea come to be for Simon and IM Richard Palliser’s British Grand Prix Attack course? What else is Simon working on?
32:00- What did Simon learn about openings from chatting with Super GM Daniil Dubov? What did Simon think of the opening choices in the World Championship?
36:00- What strikes Simon about the chess talent of GM Luke McShane?
Mentioned: McShane-Cheparinov 2009, GM Michael Adams
40:00- Patreon mailbag question: How does Simon see the state of British chess?
Mentioned: GM Ravi Haria, IM Marcus Harvey
45:00- Patreon mailbag question: What was it like to visit the Mindsports center in London, and to drink a flaming sambuco with Alexandra Botez?
47:00- Aimchess has a brand new feature called Aimchess recap! It summarizes your year in chess a la Spotify wrapped. Check it out here:
https://www.aimchess.com/recap
48:00- Patreon mailbag question: Simon has launched the website Gchess.com recently? What is the vision for this chess site?
55:00- Patreon mailbag question: Any chance Gchess could link to books that mention specific positions?
59:00- Patreon mailbag question: What are Simon’s thoughts on the Elephant Gambit and the Papa-Ticulat Gambit?
Mentioned: Howell-Williams 2007, Episode 176 with GM David Howell
1:04:00- Any Magnus stories?
Mentioned: The Hillbilly Attack
1:08:00- Simon is a small investor in The Good Knight Pub in Oslo. How did that come up?
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