FM Símon Þórhallsson is an Icelandic chess player known for his calm, methodical approach and a love affair with long, thoughtful duels. Awarded the FIDE Master title by FIDE, he has carved out a solid niche in weekly online battles and daily practice, where patience often wins the race. He favors the Daily time control, embracing its steady tempo as a perfect stage for deep calculation and quiet humor at the board.
As a competitor who blends steady discipline with a touch of adventurous spirit, Símon has become a familiar name to followers of online circles who enjoy a well-placed fortress and a timely kingside breakthrough.
Career highlights
Holder of the FIDE Master title from FIDE.
Peak Blitz rating reached 2679 in August 2025.
Longest documented winning streak: 23 games.
Strong performer across multiple time controls, with notable activity in Daily chess.
Playing style and openings
Símon is known for a measured, strategic mindset with a knack for turning small advantages into lasting pressure. He enjoys a balanced repertoire, with particular activity in the Sicilian family and allied systems, often steering complex positions where incremental improvements matter.
In the most recent period, your performance shows positive momentum in the short term. You’ve been picking up steam over the last month and sustaining it into the past few weeks, with continued improvement over the last few months. Over the last year there have been some ups and downs, but the near-term trajectory is encouraging. Keep building on the steady gains you’re making in the moment and aim to carry that momentum into longer stretches.
What you’re doing well
You handle solid, defensive setups confidently. The data shows strong results when you deploy sturdy structures that resist early simplifications and invite your counterplay.
When there’s an opportunity to activate your pieces, you seize it. You coordinate pieces actively and put pressure on the opponent’s structure, creating practical chances.
You have a good ability to simplify when you have a clear advantage, which helps convert small advantages into a win or a stable endgame.
Your piece development tends to be smooth and purposeful, with a focus on king safety and solid central control before launching major operations.
Opportunities for improvement
Strengthen post-opening plans: in some games, having 2–3 ready middlegame plans for typical structures (central tension, flank attacks, or queenside play) can help you transition more smoothly from the opening to the middle game with a concrete goal.
Improve calculation under pressure: practice quick, disciplined calculations to verify candidate tactics and avoid getting overloaded by forcing lines. Regular 1–2 move tactics drills followed by short 3–4 move analyses can help.
Time management during games: set internal checkpoints to avoid spending too long on non-critical moves. For example, allocate a fixed chunk of time for the opening and early middlegame, and reserve a separate block for critical decision moments in the center or opposite wing play.
Endgame technique: continue building familiarity with common endgame patterns (especially king and pawn endings and rook endings). Being able to convert a small edge in the middlegame into a win in the endgame is a repeatable separator at your level.
Repertoire balance: solid openings are working well, but consider deepening a couple more flexible lines to avoid being surprised by unusual responses. This helps you maintain a clear plan even when your opponent deviates from your expected line.
Plan de entrenamiento para la próxima semana
3 sesiones de táctica de 20–30 minutos para sharpen motifs like forks, pins, skewers, and discovered attacks.
2 sesiones de estudio de apertura centradas en defenderuous setups you’re comfortable with (defensive structures) and one flexible counterplay plan for typical responses.
1 revisión de tus 2–3 partidas más recientes para identificar dónde perdiste la iniciativa y qué cambios de plan podrían haber cambiado el resultado.
1 ciclo de práctica de finales básicos (rey y peones, y finales con una torre) para fortalecer la conversión de ventajas.
