Longer Games #14 Climbing the 2500 mountain... An interesting idea against the Benoni

[@kevingallagher3742]

Hope you don't get discouraged from playing this time limit because it is very instructive. Losing to a computer is no disgrace and it doesn't honestly matter if you lose anyway because it is the insight that is useful.

[@michaelholm4572]

He's only 1600 in blitz and 1400 in tactics yet he played perfectly in a sharp position against a GM. You would think that these idiots would make their cheating less obvious by at least throwing in some bad moves.

[@SuperYtc1]

He threw in one bad move, NC6. 50 centipawn loss. Haha.

[@ChristopherBreeden85]

Today, in how to think like a Grandmaster: "Oh kitty! Hey kitty, kitty, kitty."

[@StephenWhite55]

"I probably shouldn't be playing such a sharp line, without knowing the theory..." Wow! Utterly fearless... I Love This Guy! Bravo, Mr. Williams...

[@chrisd6982]

Great. Thanks for putting the arrows in on this one - I find it hard to locate the squares by number/letter quickly enough. Thus,, the super arrows allow me to really enjoy the 'think along with Simon' session :)

[@missjessgem]

Simon, I love how Charlie plops down right in front of you. So sweet

[@flpsnk4848]

It is so interesting and sharp game I needed to do in depth in 3 hour analysis with asmfish: 7. f4 is awesome attacking idea in Benoni, and although it is hard to play against e4, asmfish considers it inferior to Bb5+, more positional followup. After 9. Ne4 asmfish is convinced black must take on e5 as in the game and 12. Nf3 is correct, although arriving at black being with a slight advantage (less space but better development and a pawn). After that, asmfish has trouble to find Simons refutation - Re8, instead lamenting on Rd8 or e4 (all complicated) saying black is fine, cause indeed after Re8, there goes f5! with chances for white and unclear position - after some time analyzing asmfish is stuck with Kf8 as THE move, tucking the king away, holding on to the pawn and avoiding d6+. 13. d6+ and 13. Bxf4 are both actually fine (with d6+ actually getting more praise, Simon). After correct 14. Bxf4 asmfish finds some kind of draw with 14. .. Nc6. So after 14. .. Bxb2 it is instead calling a blunder and that 15. Bc4! is devastating advantage for white (winning the a8 rook utilizing Simons ideas) - 15. Bc4 Qe8+ 16. Kf2 Qe4 17. Bh6+ Bg7 18. Bd5! Qf5 19. Bxg7+ Kxg7 20. Bxb7 (Ah, yis!) After 15. Be2 there are apparently a few moves that gain equality, Kg7 as a manual castling is hard to find, but it makes sense in the end, the bishop can alwas end on f6. 16. Bh6+ is perfectly fine idea, the line unfortunately goes equal, and after f6 white should sieze the e-file with his rook on a1, instead after 20. Bc4 the file is siezed by his opponent and recently freed rook and every next Simons attempt at attack is simply countered by engine of the cheating opponent easily. Hope someone finds this interesting :P I certainly did. Again, thank you, Simon!

[@benfrydman716]

This and john Bartholomew standard on the same day

[@andrewbrenneman563]

It’s great isn’t it

[@lukacalov1988]

2 most different styles of all time :)

[@WilliamStoner]

Simon's opponent account is now banned, crazy how quickly they catch these guys.

[@NigelDuke]

Only because Simon is a public figure...

[@Stealth995]

Nah, they catch them super fast anyways. Their algorithms are nuts. I don't think the team at chess .com saw this video and made a special case to catch this guy.

[@masaya7]

These are very helpful and informative. As a 1800 player I extract a lot from these. Thanks GM Simon Williams

[@ba8898]

Lol i love the 'buy dvd' sign in the intro. Nice bit of cheeky banter

[@DarshanSenTheComposer]

For a person who plays exf4, Bxa1 is the most expected move!

[@wfcyellow]

This guy is rated 1631 blitz, 1521 bullet and 1449 tactics. Tells you all you need to know. Cheat.

[@pokerface7178]

whyaremeninmyshoes many people cheat online?? Yesterday i play a game with a guy and his move was 100% stockfish moves.

[@SuedeStonn]

Looking at ratings is only one thing that will help you get a clear picture, it isn't the be all end all of whether someone is cheating. I'm 1917 on Lichess/classical right now, my average would be about 1800 over the last year, and even I get the occasional (one in a thousand) perfect game/nearly perfect game... it doesn't mean I'm cheating, it just means the moon was full, the stars were aligned, and I didn't have my head up my ass and so played good moves. To say that this player, 'I4911', was really cheating one would need to look at multiple games, the more the better, and look for patterns... too many perfect games/nearly perfect games, move times (moves are played at roughly the same time every move), center pawn loss being low, theres so much to look at to really get the big picture of whether someone is cheating. And don't get me wrong, I hate cheaters like no one else. I joined the CIA ('Cheater Investigation Association' on Lichess) and check out players that are posted to possibly be cheaters, and have caught more than a few. My own criteria for a cheater is pretty simple (but effective, I haven't reported anyone yet that hasn't gotten marked as an engine user): multiple perfect games/nearly perfect games in a short amount of time, with move times checked (most cheaters are smart enough to NOT use a program as this is pretty much a dead giveaway of cheating). The thing one has to take into account is how sure one is of whether someone is cheating because we shouldn't waste the site admins time and energy and crying wolf whenever we lose. I have no doubt that Simon is correct in calling his opponent here a suspect, I myself think the player is a cheat, but before pulling the trigger on the report button I would check out multiple games of 'I4911'. Another thing people should know is that cheat detection is very good at ferreting out these clowns, even those that are tricky and mask their use of engines/programs. One player I checked out had alarms going off in my head but I couldn't pull the trigger because the player left enough doubt in my mind as to whether he/she/it was cheating. Given another week or two I did start to see the player rise in rating and his games became increasingly easier to see that an engine was being used... it didn't take long before the user was tagged as an engine user. The point of all that is if you're reasonably sure someone is cheating don't hold back, the cheat detection system for websites is much better than us players and will let us know with very good certainty if someone is legit or a clown.

[@SuedeStonn]

lol, yes, thats ridiculously suspicious, but again I would have to look at the games. Even a lower rated player can make correct moves if his opponent is throwing out bad move after bad move. Conversely, and I know this because I've looked at plenty of my own games, that what looks like a good move is actually an inaccuracy or mistake to an engine, and that is why I would be pretty quick to report a player that only had one inaccuracy in 2 games. Actually, that's one perfect game and one nearly perfect game, which is pretty much not going to happen, like, ever, for a lower rated player.

[@DonFreeq]

Come on dude. It's 100% clear he was cheating. Not only 100% accuracy with TEM 2 but also hillarious time managment. There should be done sth with that but i have no idea what else can be done beside IP ban.

[@pc6663]

You should add a running engine evaluation to these standard game videos you post, where someone is suspected of cheating. It would be invaluable, as we would be given the rare opportunity to get into the heads of both opponents at the same time.

[@ПрикладнаЕкономіка]

but if he will see engine eval during playing he will be cheater too))) So engine will be available only later, like it is now))

[@pc6663]

Прикладна Економіка He can video crop a semi-real time engine evaluation in afterwards. He wouldn't have it up while playing...

[@ПрикладнаЕкономіка]

maybe) but it is not easy, also pairing moves time with eval is needed. After all humans cannot play like a pc and in result of that only human commentaries (like Simon did) are useful for improving players strength)

[@aaronphipps3035]

Love the longer games simon and love how paranoid you get about cheaters 😂😂😂😂

[@prod.byclxm]

great vid

[@knightofthelonelyweb3792]

You played a really good game, Simon! I feel sorry that you have to face all these cheats

[@mariogarciagonzalez4692]

Thank you for your thoughts during the game. Simon Williams, if you don't win a computer tournament using only your brain, don't worry; Carlsen won't do either. If you take into account what you have learned in games like this, you'll beat human players in real tournaments; that's what really matters. By the way, your cat Charlie is very cute. Maybe you should name the c-pawn Charlie and push it forward to win more games! Greetings from Spain; I would really like to play against you; I will play as a human, I promise. All I want is to learn from my mistakes and with your useful comments.

[@giovannid.1955]

Simon why don't you just play the premium members as you once said you would have done? I think it's very unlikely that someone who pays to be a member would cheat thus risking to be banned.

[@giovannid.1955]

Simon Williams doesn't look he is to me, aren't you supposed to have a diamond or a star next to your name if you are one?

[@thetrickster42]

Silver lining then? Maybe the premium idea would work after all...

[@alephnull4044]

Premium members are much less likely to cheat. This cheater wasn't a premium member. I'd definitely recommend only playing premium members.

[@Niko-fj4mo]

It definetely wasn't a premium member Simon! Check your settings again, it may be a good idea to play premium members only after all! :D

[@SyncChrome]

im rly getting annoyed at all those cheaters. Incredibly rude to waste a gm's time like that. Shame on these people. This format is incredible and I rly hope Simon wont stop playing these games. I think we're all learning a lot from these longer games.

[@DarshanSenTheComposer]

Gosh I love Charlie, he's gorgeous!

[@malegupta8404]

thxx a lot for the game and vidoe simon sir.

[@allanjackson4624]

This reminds me so much of my own experience of online chess. I think Simon said every move was Stockfish's no 1 choice.

[@luisg.ontoriaalvarez2334]

Come on Simon, I think you may be getting a bit paranoid. Even if you are right, as many people believe, you should not waste more than one thought in the idea, then carry on and keep playing. You are brilliant, thank you for your videos. p.s.: Could you get a stream with Baadur again? that would be awesome.

[@hellooohowareudoing]

I could see your disappointment , just wanted to say thanks for putting yourself through that for our entertainment!

[@andrewbarber8825]

also I followed it with Fritz and that's who I reckon Simon was playing.....unless it was Vishy in disguise that is

[@vincaslt]

And so the guy was banned: "Closed: Fair Play"

[@Garthwhitney]

I would love to play you in game chess Simon it be honner to play GM. and I learn lot for you. and i do not need computer play my moves too RLOL.

[@meu02136]

I trust this guy, he doesn't even you a computer to check his spelling

[@DonFreeq]

What your friend have told you Mr. Simon is probably Bb5+ Nbd7 and than e5... dxe5 fxe5 Nh5 e6 Qh5+ g3 Nxg3 hxg3 Qxh1 Be3 which is indeed very underrated line for white with imbalance, interesting open position, white uncastled king (in most cases) and white being quite better. But yeah if you play e5 without inclusion of Bb5+ Nbd7 than there is no sense in that "novelty" at all other than fishing for mistakes (which could happen though) xd Or it could be a prank as well xd

[@gghelis]

His cat is ginger too. Makes sense.

[@tommonk7651]

I’m sure it is frustrating playing cheats, but these videos are invaluable to us. These computer cheats do force you to play at a high level and to think at a high level, even though your rating suffers. The on-line rating are artificial anyway. Keep up the good work, Simon, and don’t worry so much about the cheaters. There is a special place in hell for people who don’t appreciate the opportunity to play a GM.

[@Bzzzpuk]

Hi Simon, what do you think about getting into a classical Dutch setup with 1...d6? Would be cool to be able to do this as I play a modern Philidor against 1. e4

[@toequantumspace]

Thank you for sharing! Who cares about winning, I prefer to lose an interesting and exciting game than to win a boring one. On average, everyone but Magnus wins 50% of games not counting draws. This video was disappointing at all, I learned a lot and the game was very good, albeit against computer.

[@andrewbarber8825]

so called Mikenas attack I think, but the early f5 is not mentioned in my old 1980's monograph which reckons the best line is a draw...

[@angkari7244]

Simon the audio levels are low in your newest videos. Can u pump up the volume pls.

[@UR_Excluded]

The guy didn’t use much time either. Simon should just title these “Long Play against human using an engine”

[@-Mohog]

That's right and that's what I was wondering as well about while watching. That alone tells he was cheating.

[@murderousmachiavel6151]

Even his cat is ginger.

[@z17seattle]

Your videos helped me quit heroin, twice.

[@HipHopAn0n]

His videos helped me start heroin

[@gabehennessy-oreilly1177]

Heroin helped me to quit his videos

[@apct7]

Letting the rook go seems to look good bc of the diagonal as you mentioned but once the black king gets within 1 square of the rook on h8 after the check, whenever you recapture the bishop after it takes on a1 the initiative/advantage seems lost bc the king gets safer and prevents material recuperation by protecting the rook and none of the threats created on the next move seem to regain the initiative. Doesn't Rb1 after the bishop captures on b2 secure the initiative and buy time?

[@TB-ih7bg]

You really should have played Qe2 before Bxf4 as the computer suggested.

[@greatwolf.]

Aww, Charlie's so cute!

[@TheSpaceCadetMusic]

13:53 i often stop and think in non critical positions. This isnt really evidence of cheating for me. Even in a position like that where i have only one possible move. I mostly have better positional understanding but i am less tactically sharp than my opponents. I find which of my pieces are garbage, wheres my long term beneficial pawn break etc. My logic is that in that forced move time i think while my opponent usually just sits and waits. as opposed to the critical and tactical positions where we both think during each other's turn

[@jackbyram8495]

Turns out the guy got banned for cheating...

[@Munter2001]

You should try lichess, it's actually a quite fun site to play on

[@westfjords9113]

Miles better

[@juhaalhojoki4747]

I would assume titled players have some kind of a contract with the service provider for promotional purposes so for a GM trying another chess site might not be as simple as it sounds.

[@amgonnabakeyobread]

Chess.com has sponsorships and big prize pools, encouraging great players/personalities to play there. This goes against everything Lichess is about sadly :(. The cheat detection is way better on Li!

[@OddbjrnSjgren]

1450 in tactics and plays a perfect tactical game.. Yeah right :( Chess.com should have some kind of verification badge for players who have proven not to cheat.

[@martinjensen1471]

Why don't you play on lichess? I would love to see you in a bullet tournament :)

[@tylerbrown9631]

Agreed!

[@jacobtarallo4370]

btw, I'm only a class a player, but if you'd like to play a cheat free game, feel free to shoot me a message.

[@ChessWatchesGeo]

I think it's fair to conclude that this player cheated. I do hope though, that you continue this long game series, Simon. It's really instructive. Just make sure they have diamond membership. There will probably be an occasional cheater (or semi-cheater) neverthelessbut whatever. Kill 'em all.

[@-Mohog]

Yes he was a cheater and is now banned. And I agree, the long play games are in any case still very instructive. I enjoy them the most as I'm trying to learn more as well.

[@Stealth995]

What's a semi-cheater?

[@ChessWatchesGeo]

Well, the term might be bad. But I was thinking about those who use an engine only on certain moments in the game. If you are a relatively skilled player and can understand the ideas the engine suggests, you may not have those typical cheating signs such as very consistent move time. When I've played lower rated cheaters they usually use 10-15 seconds per move, no matter how hard or obvious the moves are.

[@pabuttle]

I don't understand. You get a chance to play against a GM and you totally waste it.

[@ImAlwaysR1ght]

But he's still not beating a GM. It's stockfish beating him.

[@-Mohog]

Yeah, but the kids don't think rationally and they want show their friends so they can brag about it. Even older people do that kind of thing surpisingly often in life. Ever noticed how achievements are valued in society and how lots of people are prepared to do almost anything to achive something they can then show to their friends? Surprisingly many people are prepared to cheat and steal and whatever to achieve some fame and glory, not to mention wealth.

[@threethrushes]

How sad it is to lead such an empty life based on lies, prevarication and deceit. Sadly, these are the ¨win at all costs¨ values in a disease which permeates modern society.

[@-Mohog]

Well said Gerhard.

[@wowmegoguik]

Cause those assholes play for Elo points. Not for the love of the Game. Of course we all want to be rated higher. But we do also want to learn good chess principles.

[@inguh7041]

I love the series, but the guy does not seem to be a premium member. There was no symbol next to his nickname, as was Simon's.

[@jamesa54321]

Simon check the bullet and tactics ratings of your opponenet before you play - will let you know if they are cheaters!

[@AgentSmith911]

Please, only challenge known players, preferably titled ones, to your long games.

[@JS-zb9vx]

Thank you Simon! Fun video, sorry for another bloody cheater :D *Maybe you should try mentioning cheating less. Seems to just attract more trolls :P

[@danecarter5454]

It's not the first time he's cheated - he already had a victory against you in which I assume he cheated

[@ПрикладнаЕкономіка]

Looks like GM Williams has too much respect for his opponent)

[@pzkwiia1699]

Playing a very sharp theoretical opening line which you cannot remember is the best way to get yourself into trouble, no matter who you play. To my big surprise you - as a GM - deciced to do so anyway. As a consequence you received a very bad position without much counterplay and resigned soon. The only things your opponent had to do were to play some theory and find a few moves, most of them of logical nature, himself. Is it really him to blame?

[@gabehennessy-oreilly1177]

PzKw IIA He admitted that it was a bad idea at the start. Even so, there is a pretty high chance of an engine considering the players other ratings (not to mention that he was banned for cheating). Either way, very instructive.

[@TalsBadKidney]

simon you rascal

[@andresrossi9]

I feel so sorry for those guys... they don't even realize that cheating does not improve their brain and game level. Also they guaste their chance to play a game with a GM, that i'd pay gold for it

[@bonobozzz]

These cheaters ruin the online chess experience for everyone. Thanks Simon for catching another one.

[@aakashdalvi6556]

simon pls play with ur fans (like me) cause there is 0% of chance of cheating as we really want to learn from u btw my handle is ASD8122002 bullet :2400 blitz : 2300 rapid :2100

[@smar1k359]

33.22 there is Qb5 checkmate

[@Infamous_V.I.P]

I’ve kicked peoples ass before and they start typing cheat cheat etc. it’s a compliment to me. The exception is if you are a putrid cheat.

[@TremendousSax]

Poor Simon. All the cheating you face at this time control must be the GM title putting fear into your opponents. I'm rated similarly on chess.com but am untitled and almost never have a run in with anyone who seems to be cheating. It's a damn shame it keeps happening to you

[@redhaegar]

Whats the point of computer analysis if you let the coumputer think for no more than 2 seconds and then proceed with you own ideas?

[@-Mohog]

He was analyzing his opponents moves mostly to see if he was cheating. Computer finds pretty quickly the top moves in most positions and he left those run a bit longer. You can check yourself with a computer too and he played mostly top computer moves.

[@jacobtarallo4370]

I have much better luck in finding fewer cheaters on lichess.

[@malegupta8404]

bhia phir cheater ke saat h gm khel rha hia cheter shame karo todhaa yaar apne se bhi khel liya karo yaar tum you are playing against very respectable gm simon.

[@marcopalmiro3867]

Cheating. Damn!!

[@JoseyRivera]

why do people waste time cheating, just play the game like a normal person

[@TheRealBenJammin]

What do I think of your opponent's play? Account closed.

[@sooooooooDark]

around 70% cheaters so far 😂😂

[@cutiecutie8609]

why do you do this to yourself simon play someone you know or play on lichess or sth

[@pushkar260]

Cheaters cheater

[@thewariomanofdoom]

Has this player gotten banned yet?

[@-Mohog]

Yes, he is now banned.

[@ПрикладнаЕкономіка]

85 percent stockfish moves)))

[@hammerrama9072]

Cheat

[@angrylundy4862]

Dont play so low ratet players whats the point eather you think thy cheat or you play a man on the ege be a sport and find a challange

[@lukeempty3386]

Because his rating on rapid is under 2000

[@ddmannion]

Too much whining. I don't even care if they're cheating The Whining is so incessant it's unwatchable. Sorry Simon you just lost a subscriber.

[@-Mohog]

Tells a lot about you and your values. Btw, he was cheating and is now banned from the site.

[@ddmannion]

Petteri Heino it says nothing about me and my values that I cannot stand so much whining and simpering. Just man up Simon! If you like to watch a grown man whine non-stop about something so trivial, well then go right ahead.

[@-Mohog]

Oh yes it does, but obviously you don't even realise it yourself. His "whining", as you stupidly call it, was in fact quite minimal and quite restrained and it was more than justified. And you giving up subscription for that... that indeed tells about you quite a bit.

[@_Some_Guy_]

good riddance

[@ddmannion]

we have different opinions about what constitutes whining I guess.

[@trotters6410]

cheats are just ill educated fools ..they will never achieve anything by cheating .

[@nickburggraaf3977]

Two hours study per line... I know what to do!

[@Imalrightma]

Such a shame to run into these arseholes. Keep up the good fight though Simon. Your vids and expertise are invaluable to amateurs like me

[@WilXuH]

Damn opponent

[@brendan817]

Why play him a second time? You had to know he cheated the first game.

[@ernest987987]

I agree the moves at the beginning are suspicious, but come on Simon, Nd7 was clear, c4 was also clear. It is easy to calculate these !

[@ernest987987]

Even blocking the advance of the pawn with Qd7 was also possible to come with, since taking the bishop with Nxd5 would run into d7 followed by a pin...

[@jessevick7369]

His opponent has been banned today.

[@ernest987987]

Yeah, I was more suspect of the early moves, they were way to sharp.

[@fuckingSickOfCreepyG]

Should have picked a different smug pic for this dee vee dee collection, I already have it in the previous one :-)