In the demanding world of competitive chess, records are constantly being challenged and redefined. The latest notable achievement comes from Belgian Grandmaster Daniel Dardha, who has reportedly established a new world record in a highly challenging format: the clock simultaneous exhibition.
Unlike a traditional simul where the grandmaster dictates the pace by moving from board to board in sequence, a clock simul introduces a significant time constraint. Each participant has their own clock and can make moves whenever ready. This forces the simul player – in this case, GM Dardha – to manage their time across numerous boards concurrently, demanding rapid calculation and execution under continuous pressure. It`s a true test of speed, accuracy, and endurance, making it a significantly more strenuous undertaking than its non-clocked counterpart.
The record attempt took place at the Brielpoort concert hall in Deinze, Belgium. Dardha faced a substantial field of 50 opponents. The average Elo rating of his competitors was 1834, indicating a level of play well beyond that of casual enthusiasts. These are club players with solid understanding and, crucially, experience using a chess clock to their advantage.
Against this considerable challenge, Dardha delivered a performance bordering on the extraordinary. He secured victory in 40 games, drew 7, and suffered only 3 losses. This resulted in a total score of 43.5 points out of a possible 50, achieving an exceptional success rate of 87%. To maintain such a high percentage while constantly battling the ticking clocks across 50 boards requires a level of focus and speed that few possess.
This score comfortably exceeds the previous benchmark for a clock simul world record. The prior record was held by Dutch Grandmaster Sipke Ernst, who in November 2022 faced 47 opponents. Ernst`s performance resulted in 35 points, equating to a 74% score. Dardha not only increased the number of opponents but also significantly improved the overall success rate, underlining the dominance of his performance.
The pressure in a clock simul is uniquely applied to the grandmaster; failing to reach a board before their clock runs out results in a loss. It`s a race against 50 individual timekeeping devices, each managed by an opponent actively trying to exploit the time factor. Successfully navigating this minefield with an 87% score is a technical marvel.
While the achievement has been widely reported, the new record is currently considered unofficial. The necessary application and documentation have reportedly been submitted to the Belgian Chess Federation for formal verification and ratification.
Assuming official confirmation follows, Daniel Dardha`s clock simul performance in Deinze stands as a remarkable feat, setting a new standard for simultaneous exhibition play under time pressure. It highlights his formidable abilities and redefines the parameters of what is achievable in this taxing chess format.
