A simul is one of the most fun chess events you can run. One strong player takes on a whole room at once, walking from board to board, while everyone else gets to say they played the coach, the club champion or a visiting master. Kids love it, parents love watching it, and it needs nothing but boards and a bit of space. Here is how to run a chess simul, from setting up the tables to the certificates at the end.
1 What Is a Chess Simul?
Simul is short for simultaneous exhibition. One player, called the simul giver, plays many opponents at the same time. The opponents sit at boards arranged in a ring. The giver stands inside the ring and walks around it, making one move at each board before moving on to the next. The opponents get a whole lap to think about their reply.
Simuls fit almost any group:
- Schools: the chess coach or a teacher against the whole class.
- Clubs: the club champion against members, or a visiting titled player as a special night.
- Fundraisers: charge a small fee per board to play a local star. More ideas in our charity chess tournament guide.
- Family nights: a parent or older sibling against a row of kids.
2 Choose the Number of Boards
The number of boards depends on how strong the giver is compared with the players, and how long you have:
| Simul giver | Boards | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Coach or parent against beginners | 10 to 15 | 1 to 1 hour 30 min |
| Strong club player against club members | 15 to 25 | 2 to 2 hours 30 min |
| Titled player against a club | 25 to 40 | 2 to 3 hours |
Each lap takes the giver about 10 to 20 seconds per board, so a 20 board lap is around 5 minutes. Kids' games often end in 15 to 25 moves, so a simul against children is much faster than one against adults. Start small for your first one: 12 boards is plenty.
3 Set Up the Room
- Tables in a ring: a U shape or a hollow square, with the players sitting on the outside and the giver walking on the inside.
- Leave a gap of at least one chair's width between boards, so the giver can see each position at a glance.
- Same colour facing in: set every board with the giver's pieces on the inside edge. The giver usually plays White on every board.
- Number the boards and keep one spare board for anyone who arrives late.
- A route: the giver always walks in the same direction, so players know when their turn is coming.
Need more sets or clocks? Our chess tournament equipment list covers what to buy and what to borrow.
4 Announce the Rules
Read these out before the first move. They prevent almost every argument:
- The giver moves first on every board on the first lap.
- Move only when the giver is at your board. Have your move ready, play it when they arrive, and wait for their reply.
- No moving pieces between laps. You can think, but do not try moves out on the board.
- Touch move applies to both sides. See the touch move rule if anyone is unsure.
- Passes: if you allow them, give each player 2 or 3. Say pass when the giver arrives to get one more lap.
- No help: no phones, no advice from friends or parents, and no switching seats.
- Resigning and draws: only when the giver is at your board. The giver may offer a draw at any time.
Against young beginners, a kind giver plays fast, offers a draw in long, level games, and points out a blunder once. The goal is that every kid leaves wanting to play again, not a perfect score for the giver.
5 Fun Variations
- Consultation boards: two or three beginners share one board and decide each move together. Great for very young players.
- Tandem simul: two givers take turns making moves without talking to each other. Players love watching them disagree.
- Odds simul: the giver starts without their queen or a rook on every board, which gives beginners a real chance to win.
- Clock simul: every board gets its own clock, and the giver's time runs on all of them while they walk. Keep it to 5 to 10 boards. Short of clocks? Any phone can run the free online chess clock.
6 Plan the Timetable
A simul for 15 kids after school looks like this:
- 15 minutes: sign-in, seating, boards set up.
- 5 minutes: welcome and the rules.
- 60 to 90 minutes: play. Finished players can watch the last games quietly.
- 10 minutes: the result, photos and certificates.
Write the final score as wins, draws and losses for the giver, for example +12 =2 -1 means 12 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss. Anyone who beats or draws with the giver deserves a special mention.
7 Certificates and What Comes Next
The free chess certificate maker prints a certificate for everyone in one go. Type a custom award like "Beat the Coach" or "Drew With the Champion" for the heroes, and a participation certificate for the rest.
A simul is the perfect spark for a regular event. The week after, turn the excitement into a proper tournament. ChessHost is free school chess software that pairs every round of a Swiss or round robin, shows the standings on a TV and makes the certificates. Players join from their phone by QR code, no app and no account. ChessHost does not run simuls itself: the simul is played on real boards with no software at all. For more event ideas, see chess event ideas.
Turn the Buzz Into a Tournament
ChessHost pairs every round, handles byes, keeps the standings on a TV and makes certificates. Free for one event a month of up to 12 players, no credit card. Bigger events need ChessHost Pro.
Create a Free AccountFrequently Asked Questions
What is a simul in chess?
A simul, short for simultaneous exhibition, is when one strong player plays many opponents at the same time. The opponents sit at boards in a ring, and the simul giver walks from board to board, making one move at each.
How many boards should a chess simul have?
A school coach or keen parent can handle 10 to 15 boards. A strong club player can take 20 to 30. Titled players often play 30 to 50. For a first simul, start small: 12 boards is plenty.
How long does a chess simul take?
A simul against 15 kids usually takes 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes, because many games end early. A simul of 20 to 30 boards against club players can take 2 to 3 hours. Plan for the last few games to run long.
Does the simul giver play White?
Usually yes. The giver plays White on every board and moves first on the first lap. Some givers take Black on every other board to make it fairer.
Can you pass in a simul?
Only if the organiser allows it. A common rule gives each player 2 or 3 passes: when the giver arrives, you say pass and get one more lap to think. Announce the rule before the start.
What is a clock simul?
A clock simul gives every board its own chess clock, so the giver has to win on time as well as on the board. Because the giver's clock runs on every board while they walk, clock simuls have fewer boards, usually 5 to 10.