Simul: Chess simultaneous exhibition

Simul

Definition

A simul (short for “simultaneous exhibition”) is an event in which a single strong player—often a titled master or grandmaster—plays multiple opponents at the same time, walking from board to board and making one move per visit. The format is typically informal and unrated, designed for outreach, education, and entertainment, though “clock simuls” and blindfold simuls add competitive and spectacle elements.

How It’s Used in Chess

The word “simul” is both a noun and an adjective in chess circles:

“She gave a 30-board simul at the club.”
“He played the world champion in a simul and drew.”
“It was a clock simul, so each board had a timer.”

Simuls are common at clubs, schools, festivals, and charity events. The exhibitor (the one giving the simul) generally moves in a set path around the room; opponents think while the exhibitor is away and are expected to move promptly when the exhibitor arrives.

Formats and Variants

Traditional (no clocks): No individual clocks on the boards. The exhibitor circulates; each opponent plays a move when the exhibitor arrives.
Clock Simul: Each board has a clock. The exhibitor’s task is harder because time is tracked on every game; stronger opposition and more fighting chess are typical.
Blindfold Simul: The exhibitor does not see the boards, announcing moves from memory. This is among the most demanding feats in chess.
Odds Simul: The exhibitor gives material or time odds (for example, knight odds or reduced time) to increase the challenge.
Thematic Simul: All boards start from a specific opening position (e.g., a typical structure in the French Defense).
Online Simul: Hosted on chess servers, usually with a pairing list and a master playing many boards in parallel from one interface.

Strategic and Practical Significance

Simuls have long been used to popularize chess, showcase champions, and raise funds. They also have practical training value:

For the exhibitor: Repetition of structures saves time; steering games into familiar territory eases cognitive load. Forcing lines and attacking setups can produce quick wins and minimize prolonged endgames on many boards.
For the participants: Solid, safe setups and early simplification increase drawing chances. Trading queens, avoiding weaknesses, and maintaining a compact position often pays off against a fatigued exhibitor.

Tips and Typical Plans

Exhibitor:
- Unify openings: for example, as White, play 1. e4 on most boards to reach familiar structures.
- Favor initiative: choose lines that force decisions (e.g., active Sicilians, open games after 1. e4 e5).
- Keep track: mentally tag “critical” boards that need extra attention.
Participant:
- Play reliable systems (e.g., the Caro-Kann or Slav) and avoid overextending.
- Use the exhibitor’s absence to calculate critical responses in advance.
- Head for simplified endgames when possible; the exhibitor’s time and energy are finite.

Examples

Club Night: An IM gives a 24-board simul, scoring +20 =3 −1. The lone loss comes from a participant who traded queens early and reached a rook endgame with an outside passed pawn.
Clock Simul: A GM faces 12 experts with 45 minutes on each board to the opponents’ 60. The time pressure is severe, but the GM scores +9 =2 −1 by launching direct attacks and avoiding time-consuming technical endgames.
Blindfold Feat: A master plays 10 boards blindfold, announcing moves verbally. Assistants relay moves on physical boards. The exhibitor relies on visualization and consistent opening choices to maintain orientation.

Famous Simuls and Records

Paul Morphy (Paris, 1858): Morphy awed Europe with blindfold simuls at the Café de la Régence, helping to cement his legend as the strongest of his era.
José Raúl Capablanca: Known for massive simuls in the early 20th century, often scoring overwhelming results and contributing to his popular appeal as world champion.
Bobby Fischer (1964 U.S. tour): A nationwide series of lectures and simuls drew huge crowds and media attention, inspiring a new generation of American players.
Guinness Record (Largest Simul): In 2011, GM Ehsan Ghaem-Maghami conducted a record-breaking simul in Tehran against over six hundred opponents, an all-day endurance marathon.
Blindfold Record: In 2016, GM Timur Gareyev played 48 games blindfold in Las Vegas, an extraordinary test of memory and concentration.

Etiquette and Logistics

Opponents typically move only when the exhibitor arrives; stalling is discouraged.
The exhibitor usually takes White on as many boards as practical to press for wins.
Breaks are minimal—large simuls can last many hours and require the exhibitor to walk several kilometers.
In clock simuls, time controls are announced in advance; fair play and prompt moves are expected from all sides.

Common Patterns Seen in Simuls

Quick central breakthroughs: For example, after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4, open positions allow the exhibitor to generate initiative rapidly.
Classic mating motifs: Smothered mates, back-rank weaknesses, and the “Greek Gift” (Bxh7+) often appear when defenders misplace their pieces or neglect king safety.
Endgame technique: On boards where the exhibitor cannot break through tactically, grinding small advantages (better structure, active king) decides the outcome.

Interesting Facts

Pronunciation: “Simul” is typically pronounced “SIM-uhl.”
Physical endurance matters: World-class exhibitors train not only their chess but also stamina; some wear pedometers and hydrate like endurance athletes during large simuls.
Teaching tool: Coaches use small simuls with students to observe opening choices and recurring strategic mistakes across multiple boards at once.
Psychology in play: Opponents who defend patiently and avoid time trouble often outperform their rating in simuls.