What is a simul?

In a simul, one strong player plays many games at the same time. The word simul is short for simultaneous exhibition, which means a show of many games at once. The boards stand in a circle or in a long row. The strong player, called the simul-giver, walks from board to board. At each board they make one move, and then they walk on. One of those boards is yours, so you get to play a master for real.

How it goes

• The simul-giver plays White on nearly every board.
• There is no clock, so you think while the simul-giver walks once around the room.
• The normal rules apply, so if you touch a piece, you must move it. And nobody who is watching may give you tips.

Most players lose, so a draw is something to be proud of, and a win is very rare.

Who sets one up?

A simul is set up for you by other people. Clubs hold them, and so do camps, festivals and schools with chess. The simul-giver can be a grandmaster, a coach, or the best player around.

Can a kid win?

Yes, a kid can win: in 1925, a boy of 14 beat world champion Capablanca in a simul. That boy was Mikhail Botvinnik, and he became world champion himself in 1948.

How you get the sticker

Your grown-up or coach checks it and hands you the sticker. Show them your scoresheet, or a photo of you at the board, and say who you played. A win, a draw or a loss all count. If you have no club, show your grown-up at home the scoresheet or the photo. Did you play a simul before you had the passport? It still counts. If you beat the simul-giver, that earns the Simul Win sticker as well.