Top 5 Chess Improvement 🙂 Shortcuts! - GingerGM Simon Williams [Master Method]

GM Simon Williams says YOU can become a master studying as little as an hour a week - and he reveals how in his 15 hour Chess Improvement Secrets (GingerGM Method). Get instant digital access - with 35% off! ► ichs.co/2AJw9U0
Build a Solid Foundation with GM Simon Williams! (aka GingerGM)
GM Simon Williams (aka GingerGM) delivers the perfect blend of entertainment and education in this chapter from Chess Improvement Secrets for Busy Players (GingerGM Method).
As the name suggests, the guiding principle of Simon’s course is to help you make serious rating gains - even if you don’t have much time to train.
Many chess improvers think they need to spend hundreds of hours checking the chess openings database, trying to build a complete repertoire. Not so! In this video, Simon explains the basics of the training method he used to reach the IM title - spending WAY less time on chess than his rivals did.
Incredibly, Simon reached IM level playing just TWO chess openings! How? By absorbing so many related chess patterns that he knew how to get the positions he wanted and how to play them perfectly.
Take a look at the simple attacking pattern that allowed Simon to win tons of games (26 minutes into the video).
Analyze the position for a few minutes and find an attacking plan for Black.
This is an incredibly powerful attacking formation and one well worth remembering. Black simply plays …Qe8-h5, …f4, …Bh3, …Ng4 and then mates! Ridiculously easy to play; ridiculously tough to stop!
After these moves, the threats of …fxg3,…Rxf3 and …Bxg2 make the h2 pawn impossible to defend.
But, of course, this is not the only chess opening shortcut Simon has for you. Watch this video to learn powerful attacking formations you can master in no time.
See this FREE preview to discover:
• Two attacking patterns to crush your opponents right from the opening.
• How to use these attacking patterns (or whatever other patterns you feel comfortable with) to create an opening repertoire that gives you positions you know how to win.
► Corresponding article from this video with extra goodies: www.ichess.net/blog/gm-simon-...
► Learn the English Opening: www.ichess.net/blog/english-o...
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[@dipulbharalua]

Salute to this man for making everything crystal clear to me. I have seen watching a lot of videos to improve my chess but every time I was confused because I did not understand where to start.

[@locutusdborg126]

YOU are a great teacher, Ginger. I like the way you teach, I have always been for shortcuts and underlying principles, rather than memorizing games by the masters.

[@thehammerman4436]

I've watched/heard other GM's pontificate upon this subject before, rather endlessly in some cases. This is the first time it's made sense. Remarkably well organized presentation. Whoever wrote the script for this.. give them a raise. Teaching is the transfer of information in a clear/cogent manner that can be directly applied to the activity described. (my wiki :) All too many GM's, while great players, are CRAPPY teachers. You sir are not crappy at all at all. Good job and I look forward to more of your vids.

[@ChesscomGames]

Fide master William Stewart sat down with Simon Williams in Barcelona and put the course together based on customer surveys. Part of the reason is we are starting to work much closer with GMs on the content produced. Rather then just pay them to produce whatever topic they are interested in, we've been surveying our customers and figuring out what their strongest pain points are and providing solutions to the problems in an organized manner. We've been putting a lot more effort into making sure the content is relevant to club players in our new Master Method courses vs Empire Chess. Of course not every course is a big hit but we are doing our best.

[@directedbyerick1652]

my elo is 2200 and stronger players crush me with the Sicilian! what's the best defense against it. it gives black so many good positions to those who know all the lines

[@sleepy4x]

I had the same problem and now I play 1.c4 and the problems are gone.

[@ChesscomGames]

we just released a fantastic 15 hour series on the Sicilian by no other than Judit Polgar, you missed the sale, but message [e-mail] for a 50% coupon. About 2/5ths of the course is dedicated to defending against the Sicilian so i'm sure you will enjoy it. Here is a free 60 minute preview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZWmmWZvh7CCf5Y

[@gustavobedoya3864]

Gentleman from Ichess.net, the Master Method courses are great, some of them good, some very good, while others are wonderful, for example the Judit Polgar one. I just have one thing I do not like in all of them: it is the Q & A video. Please change the questions, even better, ask different questions every time, because the ones in the videos are not so helpful, otherwise wonderful job

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

That Garry Kasparov masterclass ad preceding this video is the first time I've ever watched an entire ad.

[@navyad8856]

Alejandro Sosa Same lol

[@MrSupernova111]

Its tempting, isn't it? lol

[@investreus]

This is the most logical and sensible chess improvement video I have seen, out of Many. Great style! Like the other comments said before - way too many GM's are great players, but poor video teachers/trainers. Simon makes pretty complicated concepts easily understandable, and frames them in a Common Sense, rather than a chess PhD thesis, manner

[@dennisharrell2236]

I'm getting back into chess after decades away. Now we have KZbin, which is a great help for learning openings. Instead of physically playing through dozens of openings in MCO you can watch videos teaching you the openings.

[@kerryreopel6991]

Simon Williams has to be the best teacher there is when it comes to attacking chess. Well done.

[@paulsebastian3987]

GM williams does a very good job of explaining chess moves . He is my favorite chess instructor

[@-_Nuke_-]

I can't thank more Simon for these lectures and pretty much every chess grandmaster that uploads in depth analysis videos on his / her channel, because it's one too fun to watch and two, just too informative, especially to a 1200 player like me! I feel I'm getting better every time I watch one of those videos!

[@FirebirdAD]

I find Ginger GM's approach to Openings the best and I really like being taught by him!!! You are the best!!! I wish I got a few more free Chess lessons on opening ideas by You Sir!!!

[@mastersplinter3901]

I'm a mere, scantily rated 1700 player and these pointers were extremely helpful and easy to understand. I appreciate his easy to understand approach and simple explanations. Thank you for this!

[@MadderMel]

Yes , very good results ! I used to play it almost religiously when I played in the Bristol and District league in Bristol , England , I would mainly try to play on the Kingside with stuff like h3 , kh2 , f4 etc. I was rarely beaten when I played that system , also in county matches , and now online , though my repertoire is much broader these days , I still play it quite often .

[@harryyap4893]

This is one of the most logical and simple to follow type of chess understanding. I like the ways you presented those games and after going through I realized those moves or replies are actually "forced". I love this and I tried these ideas and won all the games against those players that I never win against them before. I picked a very old book that I bought from UK back in 1985, titled How to Think Ahead in Chess by I.A. Horowitz and Fred Reinfeld. Actually this book too advocated the same principal but at that time the book remained in the shelf , only when I picked them up from the shelf recently as well as listening the fantastic presentation by GM Ginger , everything begin to make sense. Thank you GM Simon you definitely going to make my rating to reach at least 2200 before the end of the year. Thank you you really put more meaning to chess play in the most enjoyable method. Pattern... pattern and planning to reach that pattern and recognizing the opponent threat and plan are indeed really very solid foundation. I enjoyed playing chess for the last two months that I never lost a single game yet over the 45 games that I played. Very effective teaching and I must said I have bought lots of chess videos but nothing compared to GM Simon teaching method and blended into my chess playing style only for two months. Million and billion thanks, May God Bless You for the all the helps the chess players will get. You are a great man..... Ginger is BEST for health and Chess !!!!!!!

[@pokerknight1]

Excellent stuff.I really got some good ideas from this. I like the new mature Simon Williams who learns from his mistakes.

[@Imalrightma]

Enjoying ur vids Simon thanks for sharing ur tips I feel they will improve my game analysis

[@chumicox]

I really liked it! Super useful! Thank you Master! You have a new student here, hope I play you someday and use everything I´ve learned and will lear from you!

[@erikdevries4597]

Really awesome video!! I definitely learned a lot from this!

[@FruitCakeReaper]

Lesson 1: If your pieces are sleeping.....get yer pieces out of bed! :D

[@raisethecurve]

Top notch and practical. I have, unfortunately, fallen into many training traps opposite this sage advice.

[@KF1]

Simon is a great teacher. I love his explosive play style

[@V8SupersQirreL]

Good foundation! The "Sagrada familia" in the background is may be not the best example, it's not ready after 100 years, but it's so beautiful... You are the best teacher for aggressive chess, and together with Ben Finegold the most funny...

[@JishnuChatterjee]

Seriously, an awesome video!

[@Nibras_Alhadidi]

You are amazing Grand Master. Watching you from UAE. I enjoyed the lesson a lot. Thank you.

[@dracd235]

the best teacher

[@LedatorSchach]

Excellent video!! Thank you very much for it! It improved my chess a lot, thank you! Greetings from Germany!

[@Hybridman7]

Thanks for the useful piece of advice :)

[@ChesscomGames]

You're welcome!

[@williams5009]

I just ordered the course. I also have Simon's Lion and London System DVD's. Both are very informative and fun to watch. Keep up the great work Simon!!

[@ChesscomGames]

thanks for the support Will

[@StreetFighterChess]

i hava a lot of Simons videos.But i dont have the London System.Can i ask you some Questions about the content ? i plan to buy it but i need some feedback first.

[@ChesscomGames]

message our VP [e-mail] for any questions.

[@dancruz7845]

How have you enjoyed the course? How much was it?

[@deanarond5264]

Thanks!! I am thinking of playing Reversed Grand Prix vs. English which looks similar to Dutch! Enjoyed the video! Thanks again!!

[@jetfighter2426]

Great video! Thx Simon :)

[@cotter516]

fairplay simon, great guidance

[@ldeans5620]

Thanks for the presentation, sir. You're good at making and delivering chess commentary.

[@ChesscomGames]

lDean S Thank you. Ginger GM is one of our best element and one of the best teacher on Earth. We're lucky to work with him 😊

[@hubert6786]

56:30 that was a golden quote from GM William with I totally agree. Dont play blitz games if you wanna be better player, or try to understand your mistakes from the previous lost. And of course I also often fall into this trap, I want to play art of cuperb combinational play instead of simply plan (when they are winning).

[@MrSupernova111]

Thats funny. I went from 1200-1600 on chess com strictly playing 5:0 blitz. A couple of weeks ago I tried 15 minute plus 5 sec increment time control against a couple of 1500 players. On both instances I won with more time than I started. lol I agree that calculating ability is very limited in blitz. However, I study a lot of games online and its there where I take the time to analyze winning combinations. I can set up game positions and recall mating combinations as deep at 8 moves by heart. I'm assuming 99% of blitz players don't do that.

[@MrSupernova111]

I'm now trying to figure out how to get to 2000. I realize I'm going to have to add longer time controls for one. However, I'm not sure what else other than keep studying. If you at least over 1800, any ideas?

[@Lazy.y]

this is useful :) goodjob Mr.Simon

[@mejva]

Excellent instructions.

[@nezarammari]

Brilliant!

[@oussamagh9932]

I recommend people watch the whole video, it is very insightful.

[@realchessimprovement6572]

Another great video! I'm definitely showing this one to my students at our chess club for the additional motivation!

[@ChesscomGames]

Real Chess Improvement Thanks a lot. Glad to see your comment and I hope your students will enjoy it as you did 😊

[@cobaltsoap]

I bought the second master method my gingergm, it was the wisest investment in my chess career, at every point in the game i remembered what simon said, and havent lost a game since. Seriously. Thank you simon!

[@abdulazeezal-dhafeeri1853]

Simon is not only a GM, he is a rare GM who can teach in effective way. I apply his method in french defence and i was like a GM and i always smile when seeing white play e4 :) Simon keep teach us in (Stages) I like the the Idea.

[@ChesscomGames]

It surely is a pleasure to listen and learn from a GM like Simon 🤓

[@ralphbuschmann740]

Fantastic lecture!

[@jugglingbeast]

41:28 Brilliant improvisation

[@ChesscomGames]

Thank you!

[@proxirr1509]

GREAT VIDEO SIMON THANKS : }

superb pedagogic skills Sir!!

[@Lamarr168]

Great video! Lots of useful information presented here, and this GM is fun to listen to. I read his books on the Dragaondorf and Classical Dutch and have found his books to also be instructive and entertaining. Tis guy would be great to have as a trainer and drinking buddy.

[@ChesscomGames]

Lamarr168 He is a Wonderful guy. Glad to see you enjoy the course 😊

[@delboy9234]

Simon makes it look so easy.

[@rodelgonzales8505]

Thank you for this wonderful share for the humanity. 🥳

[@cucurulo1945]

Great explanation GM Simon, congratulations! simple , direct without reservations Ala Alexandros The Great! Thank you!

[@northzealand]

the Boris Gelfand game was great. but d4 is a often played move

[@patrickc3000]

Just purchased the course. I can't wait to start it. Simon is the best instructor out there!

[@ChesscomGames]

patrickc3000 Good luck and good work with your new course. I hope you'll enjoy it :D

[@stanjer8573]

Loved it, great video. 35:30: I don't go into pacific openings either

[@stevesolun5315]

Nice video. I like the idea of learning patterns of specific openings. Can you give specific examples from your own games?. For example you mentioned that you played the english (Botvinnik system?) could you go over a few of those games and perhaps mention where key points or patterns are?

[@anualex4695]

Nice video

[@junglednute4003]

Simon Williams is awesome 💪

[@rubersonmartinscasseano78]

Very good class tis!!

[@manmoth_1990]

The Sagrada Familia! I've been up in those towers!

[@aonarchs7023]

Great!

[@BenNCM]

Simon's choice of board reflects the colour of his beard!

[@jimrobinson4500]

I'm just wondering how he got the letters at the bottom of his board to be absolutely backwards.??

[@tshiamomathetha7575]

thanks for the leasson

[@locutusdborg126]

This has been a tremendously helpful video and I am considered a decent player. My favorite is Kings Gambit, which is similar to your opening for white. I am a bit more reckless than most, as I sac pawns and pieces to get at the king, but it is not how many pieces you have, but how many ACTIVE pieces you have. If I make it to the end game I consider it a failure even if I win. My goal is to win in middle game. Thanks again for a helpful video. This is my style of play.

[@jasonsteves734]

Locutus D'Borg do you have an email

[@smontana840]

Out of hundreds of chess videos that I've watched this has to rank as one of the most informative and useful. Are the next lessons on youtube?

[@ChesscomGames]

This is a preview from his course, check it out on iChess.net and contact [e-mail] and tell them I said a huge discount must be given to you 🤓

[@charleshayden7408]

thank you so much!!,smiley face

[@MadderMel]

I use the exact same setup when I play the English opening !

[@ChesscomGames]

And do you have good results with it?

[@leskobrandon8454]

@@ChesscomGames I'm guessing he didn't. RIP

[@capnlunch1537]

Where do you even get a chess board app with A through H left to right from black's perspective on the 8th rank? confused to how thats even possible

[@anualex4695]

I love it

[@ghussws1403]

is the discount time over ? thanks for your efforts

[@Vague2121]

Great video (even though, somehow, the files are labeled wrong at some points, like when he plays the Botvinnik variation of the Slav).

[@qwertycorno]

Yes but what if your oponent ALSO follows the lessons of GM Simon Williams?

[@ChesscomGames]

Gazpacho King it should be a draw

[@trevbarlow9719]

lol

[@yerlibilgin]

Which means the actual winner is Mr. Williams :)

[@sohamshirode8699]

​@@ChesscomGames Haa! LOL

[@retiredkidbuck]

Then, study longer and harder than your opponent and broaden your studies to include ideas from other places.

[@rsquared905]

I liked the video, it helped me become soo much better at chess, but at 26:15 I noticed that the files were switched! (f-file was switched with the a-file) I really loved the video and I don't think it's that big of a deal, becuase GingerGM noticed this and used the correct files! Thanks for the video anyways!! :)

[@cengizyldrm2428]

Buy the DEEEVVEEEDEEE :d

[@x1134x]

Did it bother anyone else that his board labels were backward, like when he points out the bishop on c8, at 27:20, the a-h is backward, looks like f8. Simon, what program are you using that has that error in it?

[@ronaldvl636]

Yes, it bothers me too (I'd rather use a chess board without labels than one that's upside down). At the chess club there's always some fellows who wanna play blitz all night and can't be bothered to turn the board around for every new game either, and it always annoys me too... If something is worth doing then it should be worth doing it right.

[@davidsim9839]

What's up with the bottom left square for black being labeled A8? Shouldn't it be H8?

[@cherylglick8477]

I tried the 8 move opening, but when I play against an engine, I almost always am down a pawn or 2, or a bishop blocks the D3 move. Will the course mention work arounds for this?

[@Fluxion11]

I have same issue. 😕

[@kewkabe]

The letters at the bottom of the board at 05:00 are backward... how did whoever made that software not notice that?

[@emiliobaltazar1534]

Botvinnik formation,I play it as well

[@kelvinmagtunao1542]

salamat!

[@trevbarlow9719]

When people give their chess ratings, should we assume that they are talking about the Chess.com or Lichess ratings? Also, which type of chess should we assume they're talking about, i.e blitz, classic, rapid, correspondence?

[@ChesscomGames]

Most of the times the rating is FIDE ELO for Classical time control.

[@blackrachmaninov]

Do you live in Barcelona Simon?

[@matthewserth4502]

What is the best way for players to find out what their strengths and weaknesses are?

[@ChesscomGames]

You can see it by playing. Try to see in which part of the game you commited a mistake and try to find why (time troubles, lack of concentration, lack of knowledge in this part of the game, is it during the opening, the middlegame, endgame? etc). Then try to determine what are your different weaknesses and try to work a lot on it!

[@isqueirus]

Very good! But there's an irony. GM Simon is talking about Building a foundation in front of a Cathedral that started to be built a 100 years ago and, and it's not finished yet. Viva Gaudí!

[@iChessde]

haha yes simon met us to record the intro's in Barcelona in front of La Sagrada Familia. i think the view was inspiring his faith in chess!

[@MrSupernova111]

Yep. He also says ignore theory but starts off with a game opening he studied elsewhere before taking advantage of the poor schmuck in game one . lol

[@someoneelse293]

No I think the imagery is apt.... even magnus is still building his skills... we are never finished

[@shaundeckon3179]

Let me tell you for what it's worth this guy is the real deal. No Danny Rensch showing off how quick and smart he can be no Sebastian somebody slow and sending you to sleep. I am not here to big up Simon and blow smoke up his arse but this guy is the Connor McGregor of teaching chess. Talk about cutting out the BS. This guy has taught me more in 1hour than all the rest put together. If you are like me and do not have too much disposable income and want value for your money or you don't have too much time please check this guy out. I put just under 100 points on in a week where I had been stuck at the same figure for best part of a year winning some and losing plenty. Real Talk I won 12 out of 13 games, after watching 1 hour of this guy., Yeah I know it's no Gary Kasparov but for a recreational player like me it was a fantastic feeling knowing I am at last making progress

[@ChesscomGames]

Shaun Deckon Thank you for your very great review. I am glad to see you enjoyed thz course and I hope you'll continue to improve thanks to it. See you !!

[@mikecantreed]

Ah come on Danny Rensch is a great teacher as well.

[@MySisterIsASlytherin]

Great video, but why are the coordinates backwards? i.e. black's kingside rook should be on h8 not a8 and vice versa for the queenside rook? He keeps quoting coordinates that don't make sense until I mentally flip the board

[@ChesscomGames]

You are right! That was a bit strange.

[@tsjissetilma4689]

At 16:08 In my (old) book it says 9...Nf6-d5?! is a bad idea (as you mentioned). but after 13...Nb8-d7white should not play 14.Be2 but rather 14.0-0-0! White's king is relatively save there, while white keeps the exchange. Still he must defend well. So play can continue: 14.0-0-0 Nxe5 15.Qe1! Qg5+ 16.Kb1 Qg7 17.f4 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Nxf4 19.Qg3! Qxg3 20.hxg3 Pd5 21.Kb2 Ng4 22.Rde1 analyses by Minew (not me!). But .... would I be able to memorize all these moves. Not a chance!

[@ChesscomGames]

Great comment. We can see sometimes we think a variation is "bad" but in fact it is not the case because there is some hidden ressources with a move we forgot. Anyway you can try to memorize it, with some training it's possible :)

[@hype1980]

Just clicked on the link but i missed the sale, will you be doing another one??

[@ChesscomGames]

hype1980 Subscribe to the newsletter on ichess.net to stay informed about it :)

[@hype1980]

Done. Great video by the way :)

[@parthapratimnath1998]

Sir can u please suggest some good books to improve how to think in chess. So that I can play like a GM. Regards Sir.

[@ChesscomGames]

ParthaPratim Nath Hi. You'll find many courses on iChess.net and lot of free videos on our KZbin

[@benblomfield5537]

Is this only available on dvd or can you buy and download it electronically?

[@ChesscomGames]

ben blomfield yes you can

[@nsritz999]

Did anybody notice that the letters are flipped on the board?

[@Ratva666]

I love Dutch.

[@angel_machariel]

HI mr. Williams. You said in a video that you only used a few openings throughout a large part of your career. It's in one of your books or videos where you seem to cover them. But which one is it? I'm in need of a limited yet comprehensive opening repertoire for white and black, preferably aggressive (and tactical) ones.

[@ChesscomGames]

These are the courses available, feel free to check them out! www.ichess.net/shop/presenter/gm-simon-williams/

[@angel_machariel]

@@ChesscomGames Yeah I know that. But I asked for a book which covers the aforementioned specific topic. You can't extract it from the titles, otherwise I would have found it myself.

[@gmpillo604]

Freethinking Влади́мир buy his DVDs “Killer Dutch”, “Killer French” and “Killer d4”, there you have his main repertoire... and aggressive as well

[@JohanStendal]

oh god the description

[@BenNCM]

Simon Williams is the Derren Brown of chess!

[@yerlibilgin]

Long later I realized that the letters were incorrect when he uttered Qe8 (28:20). Then I realized that its always incorrect when playing black.

[@yvesleroy5740]

at 55.08 Queen takes knight on g7 followed by bishop e5 is mate ...why Qh2 ??

[@ChesscomGames]

If Qxg7+ Kxg7 Be5+ the Black King can escape to g8

[@jbennett1618]

At 29:15 rather than NxN, Bd8 is my suggestion

[@pankajnegi2397]

Classical Dutch is the best!!

[@MadderMel]

And I would certainly recommend it , for one thing , it clamps down on the central light squares , and black players can find it hard to get their game going .

[@AshikUzzaman]

Here is the full list of chapters from iChess.net website - www.ichess.net/sale/chess-improvement-secrets-gingergm-method/ 1. Building a solid foundation 2. Secrets of the opening as White 3. Secrets of the opening as Black 4.From the opening into the middlegame 5. Finding the correct middlegame plan 6. When and how to launch an attack 7. When to trade pieces 8. How to improve your positional play 9. Maneuvering to win 10. How to improve your tactical play 11. Efficient calculation technique 12. Know your enemy 13. Defensive play - building a sense of danger 14. Improving your endgame instinct 15. Essential endgames 16. Have fun! 17. Next steps: improvement tips

[@ChesscomGames]

Thank you for sharing these informations :D

[@cdelvallecruz]

Skip the first 7:30 minutes ... and enjoy

[@Cruz0e]

25:00 anyone else noticed the letters are on wrong spot? its going A to H instead of H to A ?:D

[@nickpeavy6554]

Literally scrolling comments looking for this ha

[@proxirr1509]

AT 12:20 the board is the wrong way round

[@MrNiceHk]

great video but seems like somewhat of a jump for the player who has gone through the first few developments in chess and by player I mean me ; )