I watch a lot of chess videos. I am rated an embarrasing 750 on chess.com, playing 5 minute blitz. I have played chess on and off in my life. Mostly off, because I get frustrated. And out of all the chess videos I watch, I find yours the most educational. Somehow you present the ideas and lines in a way that makes sense to me. Even if I don't use the ideas directly, it's the thought process I learn from. So thank you very much for all your work
+Michael Bauers Try your best not to get frustrated... analyze and try to learn from those "frustrating moments" so that you can repair the errors you are making. Even GMs do this as even they make mistakes!
Michael, I'd recommend not playing 5 minute games if you're trying to improve. Especially in the beginning, you can't trust your instincts and short time controls rely on intuition/opening knowledge.
Nothing to be embarrassed about. Play blitz, but use it to test out a strict set of openings. So you can get used to the tactics and strategies that arise. Mix in longer 2 hour, 1 hour, 30 minute, 10 minute games once or twice a week. Or even correspondence, and get a bunch of games going. Blitz will help your intuition, but only if you use it with the openings you need to study. So if you like this video, buy his course, study it, play a hundred blitz games using it. Remember the themes and the defensive moves black and white use in the game. Mix in long games. You will improve naturally. Also, mix in some tactical puzzle time too. Tactics, endgames, blitz games in the openings you study, correspondence and longer games to study strategy and practice planning. You'll be good to go.
Well done Simon for covering the Lion - which so many of the Chess Elite Class look down on - I just bought your Killer Dragon for the Accelerated Dragadorf - which you present brilliantly - I am now off to get your Killer D4 - Cheers from Kansas !
I did a search for Black Lion and got a lot of pubs. I did a search for Black Lion Williams and still got a lot of pubs - more in fact! Is there a DVD yet on it?
5:55 what can I do, if white prepares taking f7 with Ng5, because that is what the engine stcokfish does and the engine says I should casteling after Ng5, but that means I have to rethink the whole strategy.
Inspired by this video, I've been playing the Black Lion in blitz on chess.com, unfortunately without great results so far, although I assume that's a function of my not being very familiar with the opening yet. Still, it's nice to have something new to play!
This is great stuff but I'm left slightly unsure whether or not the reason you didn't go for g5 is because he didn't play h3 or because he played b3 for Bb2 or both? Also, if my opponent plays Bg5 and I play h6, should I go for g5 after Bh4 despite my Knight having issues getting to f4 because of the pressure by his Bishop on g3 and his c3 Knight on my e5 pawn?
2:16 vid start. I love you Simon but I was literally yelling inside my head for you to start the vid after like 1 min of this sales pitch and it went on for over 2 minutes. xD Funny thing is I noticed you actually did another cheeky sales pitch for the black lion dvd at that time frame. xD
i tried this defence, but after Knight bd7, if the white play e5, it's wrong, if exf and exf what do you do with your knight on f6 ? and if you take back whith knight, then queen exchange and you lose your castle privilege. is someone could show me the right line ?
+Simon Williams (Ginger GM) Simon you are my favorite chess player. I show my non-chess playing friends (which is most of them because I the chess scene in Seattle fell apart years ago) your videos so they can see the real chess personality!
alalee, did the chess scene in Seattle fall apart because Kurt Cobain died? I hear everything fell apart except for coffee and hipsters when he passed.
I have a question concerning the weak f7 square early in the opening... especially after Be7. What is there to stop a very basic attack against tihs pawn with Ng5?
After Be7, if Ng5, Black can simply castle and if White keeps taking on f7, he has traded his only 2 of his 3 developed pieces in order to trade two minor pieces for a rook and pawn (which is a questionable trade to begin with). So the philosophical question is this: Was it worth White spending three moves (Bc4, Nf3, and Ng5) in order to trade two of his active pieces for a pawn and a piece that Black hasn't even spent 1 move developing? Does White actually have any attacking chances? Not for a long time - after the variation you speak of, White has no checks, White still hasn't castled, and Black has better development. In other words, spending multiple moves to exchange those pieces for pieces which your opponent hasn't invested any moves in tends to be a losing strategy.
It's aggressive because it opens lines against the opposing king and aims to checkmate, rather than simply equalize and enter an endgame. An opening doesn't have to be fast to be aggressive
I still don't agree that this opening is aggressive. It's a variation of the philidors defense which is known to be utterly passive. Honesty I cant recommend playing this setup if you want to improve. You should strive more for dynamic play
Also, the lines with g5 are only recommended if your opponent plays h3. In most cases white won't even do that and then your best option is to just castle kingsside
I really tried - i can't push the "like" -button, but i like your videos ( all of them!) i like the black lion, i like your playing, - i like you! But not with a button!
That manly sneeze, great stuff mr. Williams !
The sneeze had me dead on the floor. Hahaha great video as always. Thanks
I watch a lot of chess videos. I am rated an embarrasing 750 on chess.com, playing 5 minute blitz. I have played chess on and off in my life. Mostly off, because I get frustrated. And out of all the chess videos I watch, I find yours the most educational. Somehow you present the ideas and lines in a way that makes sense to me. Even if I don't use the ideas directly, it's the thought process I learn from. So thank you very much for all your work
+Michael Bauers Try your best not to get frustrated... analyze and try to learn from those "frustrating moments" so that you can repair the errors you are making. Even GMs do this as even they make mistakes!
Michael, I'd recommend not playing 5 minute games if you're trying to improve. Especially in the beginning, you can't trust your instincts and short time controls rely on intuition/opening knowledge.
Nothing to be embarrassed about. Play blitz, but use it to test out a strict set of openings. So you can get used to the tactics and strategies that arise. Mix in longer 2 hour, 1 hour, 30 minute, 10 minute games once or twice a week. Or even correspondence, and get a bunch of games going. Blitz will help your intuition, but only if you use it with the openings you need to study. So if you like this video, buy his course, study it, play a hundred blitz games using it. Remember the themes and the defensive moves black and white use in the game. Mix in long games. You will improve naturally. Also, mix in some tactical puzzle time too. Tactics, endgames, blitz games in the openings you study, correspondence and longer games to study strategy and practice planning. You'll be good to go.
@4:41 - Bless you!
+Jessica Crawford That was the lion roaring...
Jessica Crawford what is he saying? "blooming egg"? thx
bloomin' 'eck!
I bought a book and a DVD, Both were super useful. I like that Simon expains the ideas instead of just having me memorize the moves.
Well done Simon for covering the Lion - which so many of the Chess Elite Class look down on - I just bought your Killer Dragon for the Accelerated Dragadorf - which you present brilliantly - I am now off to get your Killer D4 - Cheers from Kansas !
I find myself playing the same openings again and again so this is right up my street Geez,totally wicked.
Ha! I love your laid back style. Who says effective teaching can't also be entertaining?
Thanks Simon. You are the guy!
Epic video and epic sneeze!
Oh my god, andyisyoda and nobody liked. What do you mean. You are a great content creator, love your minecraft videos man
NIce game Simon, looks like I have another DVD to pick up.
great videos!
Good presentation Simon!
I've been watching this over and over from of minute 4:35 and every time I laughed harder and harder.
Really looking forward to the Chessbase DVD! Thank you
+Simon Williams (Ginger GM) Looks like Topalov has been watching your videos on Harry the h pawn, Simon!!!
+Simon Williams (Ginger GM) I got it from Chessbase -- it is really excellent instruction in the Black Lion -- thank you!
I did a search for Black Lion and got a lot of pubs.
I did a search for Black Lion Williams and still got a lot of pubs - more in fact!
Is there a DVD yet on it?
5:55 what can I do, if white prepares taking f7 with Ng5, because that is what the engine stcokfish does and the engine says I should casteling after Ng5, but that means I have to rethink the whole strategy.
So basically the black way to do the Leonardis variation! I like it!
I play this opening against d4, but my light square bishop pins the knight on f3 on the fourth or fifth move. This opening avoids most traps.
Nice game! Nice Tutorial. Which colorful feline would you suggest against 1. d4?
look at 0:01 what does he do?
Hahahahaha... So glad you didn't edit out the sneeze! 🤣🤣🤣
I bought you Killer dutch book which is awesome.
Is there a book/DVD for the lion in work ?
Playing video on full volume, enjoying the chess video, even his strong British accent, and that was when the sneeze nearly made me deaf. XD.
Like no.374 I think your videos are underappreciated.
Inspired by this video, I've been playing the Black Lion in blitz on chess.com, unfortunately without great results so far, although I assume that's a function of my not being very familiar with the opening yet. Still, it's nice to have something new to play!
Black Lion sounds like heraldry. Is it your family crest Simon? Or the local tavern? :)
i like the presentation and stuff, but can you tell me how this opening is "aggressive"? for me it looks like a pretty slow setup
Why did it take so long to publish the DVD?
@4:45 I saw Bain matter shotgun blast! 😂😂
4:22 This opening defense looks miserable if white responds with 4. f4 and an eventual 0-0-0 if black opts for 3...Nbd7 like Simon does here.
re cool names came across the "hyperaccelerated pterodactyl" the other day..
thanks ginger good stuff!
please add another variation black lion video too thks
I'd say Ginger the G pawn!
This is great stuff but I'm left slightly unsure whether or not the reason you didn't go for g5 is because he didn't play h3 or because he played b3 for Bb2 or both? Also, if my opponent plays Bg5 and I play h6, should I go for g5 after Bh4 despite my Knight having issues getting to f4 because of the pressure by his Bishop on g3 and his c3 Knight on my e5 pawn?
I was going to ask a similar question lol
Very good
how do you attack their king when they fianchetto king side?
What do you suggest if white play 8.h3 h6 Nh4!
2:16 vid start.
I love you Simon but I was literally yelling inside my head for you to start the vid after like 1 min of this sales pitch and it went on for over 2 minutes. xD
Funny thing is I noticed you actually did another cheeky sales pitch for the black lion dvd at that time frame. xD
What after 4. f4? e5 runs into 5) fxe5 dxe5 6) dxe5 Nxe5 7) Qxd8 Kxd8... Or am I missing something?
can i play d6 when white opens with d4 to get to the black tiger??
Have u got any endgame videos
Simon W. is interesting about this Lion, only a bit too much advertising.
Simon can you do the black lion vs. The London system
WoMentos draw
Why you dont have this lion in shop?
i tried this defence, but after Knight bd7, if the white play e5, it's wrong, if exf and exf what do you do with your knight on f6 ? and if you take back whith knight, then queen exchange and you lose your castle privilege. is someone could show me the right line ?
its not clear that white cant still play d4xe5 followed by Nxe5 and still get the exchange of queens ???
Where did that come from, too much garlic over the weekend maybe. shocker! 😂😂😂
Yo Simon what's the link for the chessbase vid?
+Simon Williams (Ginger GM) Simon you are my favorite chess player. I show my non-chess playing friends (which is most of them because I the chess scene in Seattle fell apart years ago) your videos so they can see the real chess personality!
alalee, did the chess scene in Seattle fall apart because Kurt Cobain died? I hear everything fell apart except for coffee and hipsters when he passed.
And whenever white is playing Pd5 black doesn't care about that and would let white exchange on c6?
What about e4 d6 2.f4 ..
I have a question concerning the weak f7 square early in the opening... especially after Be7. What is there to stop a very basic attack against tihs pawn with Ng5?
After Be7, if Ng5, Black can simply castle and if White keeps taking on f7, he has traded his only 2 of his 3 developed pieces in order to trade two minor pieces for a rook and pawn (which is a questionable trade to begin with).
So the philosophical question is this: Was it worth White spending three moves (Bc4, Nf3, and Ng5) in order to trade two of his active pieces for a pawn and a piece that Black hasn't even spent 1 move developing? Does White actually have any attacking chances? Not for a long time - after the variation you speak of, White has no checks, White still hasn't castled, and Black has better development.
In other words, spending multiple moves to exchange those pieces for pieces which your opponent hasn't invested any moves in tends to be a losing strategy.
at 4:44 bless you
Nice game, but isn't that just the Hanham variation of the good ol' Philidor?!
Tricky move order, though!
I think Black castles kingside in the Hanham variation -- not in the Black Lion
What makes this opening aggressive? for me it ´looks like a slow setup
It's aggressive because it opens lines against the opposing king and aims to checkmate, rather than simply equalize and enter an endgame. An opening doesn't have to be fast to be aggressive
I still don't agree that this opening is aggressive. It's a variation of the philidors defense which is known to be utterly passive. Honesty I cant recommend playing this setup if you want to improve. You should strive more for dynamic play
Also, the lines with g5 are only recommended if your opponent plays h3. In most cases white won't even do that and then your best option is to just castle kingsside
Legend :)
no actually 0:00
Came for the Philidor, stayed for the sneeze.
I really tried - i can't push the "like" -button, but i like your videos ( all of them!)
i like the black lion, i like your playing, - i like you! But not with a button!
I feel the same 😁
Mega🖖
4:43 ROTFL 😂
bwahaha loved the sneeze.
Garlic ... ehhhhh... ?
20 excellent moves 3 good moves 0 inaccuracies 0 mistakes 0 blunders in my very first game
Talk too much about nothing. Thats not chess, its radio station.