In Chess, a simultaneous exhibition, or Simul for short, is a variant of Chess where one player plays against multiple games at the same time, each game with a different opponent, each game with their own clock as well.
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Origins of Chess
Chess is considered one of the oldest yet most popular board games throughout history. It was first noted to appear during the 6th Century AD in India and later on, around the 10th Century, spread through Asia. As time pass by, Chess spreads out around the world. In the 15th Century, it was considered the “royal game” due to its popularity, especially among nobles.
Initially, it was meant to be played by two opposing players. It uses its checkered made board with specifically designed pieces with two contrasting colors, black and white, having their roles. The game’s only goal is to ensure you capture your opponent’s King while ensuring that yours is safe.
Due to its popularity, many versions and revisions were made to make Chess more unique and exciting. One of which is the creation of a chess simultaneous exhibition game. You can read a simple “Chess simultaneous exhibition Total Guide” to know more. For more information, see the guide on the history of Chess.
What is a chess simultaneous exhibition game?
Chess simultaneous exhibition game, or Chess Simul Game, is a type of chess game where one host player assigned to the white team will play multiple chess games. This means that the host game will fight multiple players simultaneously by moving from one table to another.
History of Simultaneous Exhibition Games
Tandem Simultaneous Exhibition or “Tandem Simuls” is the earliest form of chess simultaneous game ever recognized. As the name implies, this type of chess game occurs when one player, usually the chess grandmaster, plays against multiple players simultaneously. Even though Tandem Simul is considered the earliest form, the idea of Tandem Chess is not new as it appeared fifty years ago.
How Are They played?
Since this type of Chess requires the grandmaster to play multiple chess games simultaneously, many rules, regulations, and formations are needed to ensure a seamless game.
First, during these games, the tables are arranged in either circle or square form, where the grandmaster remains at the center and will only move in a fixed direction.
Second, players can only touch any cheese piece if the host player is on their table. Opponents only have 5 seconds to make their moves. Then the host will go to the next opponent. The participants have a one-touch move rule except for the host player. Their move is only deemed final if they touch the chess piece as they make a move for the next opponent in the following table.
Third, all players are entitled to have three passes that indicate the host to skip your table. The fourth rule is that all host’s opponents or even the audience are not allowed to communicate and help each other in beating the host player except if the participants signed up as a duo during the game and played as one. Fifth, all players must take notes. Lastly, if the host player has any other rule, those will be announced before the game start and subject to approval.
How to play other types of Chess Simul?
There are other types of chess exhibition simulations other than the good old-fashioned one. This is called the Kasparov’s Super Simul. This type of chess simul follows the same protocol as the usual simulation game with additional changes that fit the game’s mechanics. The first change is it adds time as another element of the game. The game is time-bound. The game in each opponent will be timed, but some adjustments are made since the host needs to spend time walking toward each opponent. The second is the players. In this game, all players, including the host, are game masters. So this game is tough than the usual chess exhibition. The third is the player’s point of view. In the original Chess simulation exhibition, the host plays the white pieces. On the contrary, in this type of game, the host player can either play the white or the black pieces of the game.
Blind Simulation Games
Blindfold Chess is difficult and reserved only for players who reach an Elo rating of at least 1800. As the name implies, this player performing the simul plays while blindfolded. This means they cannot see the boards, at least not physically. The player has to memorize each board’s position and see the board in their minds. The mediator calls out the Chess notation of the moves to the player.
A mediator is assigned to move the pieces on the chess boards. Chess masters memorize each piece and square of the chessboards to learn this type of game. This will help them recognize the moves of their opponents as well as know what move they have to do. Playing this type of game is challenging but extremely impressive if you do this during simulation exhibition games because you will face not only one but multiple opponents at the same time. So basically, you are playing a traditional chess simultaneous exhibition game without using your sight.
Advantages of Chess Simuls
If you decide to explore this side of chess games, there are many things you can learn. For starters, if you are a player that belongs to the beginner or intermediate level, this will allow you to face more vigorous opponents and learn more. Your quick and precise thinking skills will be improved. Also, if you are part of the opponents, it will allow you to change the odds of the game and use this in your favor.
On the other hand, if you are the host player, this will give you an opportunity to see new chess stars and create a fresh perspective. You can learn from them while they are learning from you. The only drawback of this is that you will not be able to fully immerse yourself in the game as you need to cater to all opponents.
Where to Play?
You can play Chess wherever you are. The most common place you can play with it is at your school. Usually, schools have chess clubs. Joining one will allow you to join many chess events. You can join our chess tournaments that facilitate this kind of chess exhibition in other places.
But with the help of technology, opportunities to participate in this exhibition game become greater. Furthermore, due to the pandemic, gatherings were limited due to health concerns. With this, one best place for everyone, either a newbie or a grandmaster, to continue playing Chess is through the internet.
Chess.com is one of the famous internet sites accessed by over 70 million players worldwide. This site is the best for the following reasons. If you are a beginner seeking to learn chess exhibition or just regular Chess, this site has a training section that will help you learn Chess. It has puzzles, battles, terms videos, and even articles that will help you grasp chess games’ overall idea. If you want to play Chess with different people at different levels, this site can also do this. Chess.com is the most active chess community online as it is the most accessed by players worldwide. The site is designed with different levels of expertise so everyone can learn and enjoy it.
How to Play Simultaneous Exhibitions on Chess.com
Did you know that you can play simuls on Chess.com? The site allows chess players to play this game regardless of their level of expertise. All you have to do is visit the site and change the game’s setting by turning on the Play Multiple Games at a time. This will allow you to play the simultaneous chess event and receive new challenges even though you are already playing at an event. You can also turn on the Auto Switch Game. This setting enables the site to incorporate the time element automatically.
The site is designed to put each game on a different tab for playing multiple games. You will be able to access the different games you are in through the setting found in the upper right corner of your screen.
There are two ways for you to play this game. First, you can challenge the specific player by inviting them through a match. You can share it through different social media sites. Second, you can create a URL open for all where everyone in the chess.com community can access it and challenge you in the game.
Frequently Ask Questions about Chess simultaneous exhibition.
Why do chess masters win in simultaneous exhibitions?
Most of the time, people who engage in simultaneous exhibitions are grand chess masters. The time, effort, and skills are usually far behind their opponents. Even though they are facing multiple opponents at once, the confusion, pressure, and mental exhaustion can easily be overcome as chess grandmasters are considered professionals, and they have spent a lot of time with this; thus, for them playing with multiple players is just like playing while sleeping.
When playing, do experts use different openings on opponents or the same one across all opponents?
It will depend on the expert as to how they will view the game. Factors such as motives and preference also affect. It’s safe to say that most will use different openings.
How hard is it for host players to play simultaneous exhibitions?
It’s easy for them to play this type of game, usually due to the difference in skills and experience, especially if no time element is included.
I hope this guide on simultaneous exhibitions in Chess helped you. If you want to get better at Chess, make sure to read the guide on how to get better at Chess.