‘GM Simon Williams is an expert on this opening and his confidence in the defence and material is evident throughout the entire disc. His presentation skills are excellent. He is relaxed in front of the camera, maintains steady eye contact with the viewer and speaks very clearly.’
‘The graphics are impressive too, with footage from various chess events being played before each chapter starts. We see snippets of chess boxing, open-air chess with huge pieces at Trafalgar Square and various other bits and pieces. The production values are very high and the presentation is never allowed to become dry.’
‘Killer Dutch’ is an excellent DVD and one which I feel will genuinely help viewers develop a much better understanding of this tricky and demanding opening. A well prepared player should be able to look forward to a lot of very interesting – and successful – games against 1 d4.
I hope there will be more DVDs from Gingergm very soon. What can we expect? Perhaps something on the French Defence or King’s Indian Defence. We’ll see!’
Well a great review!! Thanks Sean! This certainly made myself and the crew happy. I thought that I would tell you how we came about to the idea of making the DVD…
It all started on a lazy Sunday afternoon over a beer in a quiet pub. I was meeting my friend Gary O’Grady and one thing led to another.
An idea was born… let’s make a chess DVD!
Neither of us were particularly impressed with the quality of some of the DVDs out there and it seemed like a challenge to try and make the best and highest quality chess DVD that the market had ever seen.
The reality of the project set in the next day. Was it just pub talk or could we actually bring out a top quality product? Well, a quote that Ernest Hemingway made sprang to mind,
‘Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut!’
Interesting words and how different the world would be if everyone stuck to them! So the challenge started…
Fortunately for me, I was in good hands as Gary has a friend by the name of Clive Simmons. Clive’s track record in the industry was very impressive. Clive has his own production company, ‘Chilli Pepper Films’. He had worked for ITV for 20 years and some of his productions had won awards – all in all, a perfect person to go into business with.
Myself, Gary and Aly met up, (surprisingly in a bar again!) to discuss the idea and I immediately found that Clive was a top bloke, a bit mad maybe, but a top bloke nonetheless! From the start, it was clear that he had some great ideas and I was fully confident that I would enjoy working with him!
So then the hard work started. We started to film the DVD in a makeshift studio at the bottom of his garden. This was a mission in itself as no one in the group had ever embarked on a project of this magnitude before and, like with most new ventures, it was more a case of trial and error at the start but in the end, I think we created a fantastic product.
Below are some more early comments that I have received concerning the DVD, they have all been positive so far which is a great sign.
Watch a trailer of Killer Dutch here
Andrew Martin, IM – The Right Move – English Chess Federation Junior Magazine
‘It’s an excellent and highly entertaining piece of work. Williams is known for his dynamic and unorthodox attacking style and his character comes right out over six and a half hours of Dutch discussion.’
‘One’s first DVD can often be a nervous affair, but Williams has no problems at all. He’s in full command of the material throughout and will teach you a lot about the fighting Dutch Defence. He holds nothing back and gives his own ideas. The production quality is first-rate and so this all adds up to a tremendous package. I highly recommend the DVD.’
John Anderson – British Chess Correspondence Association Magazine
‘The benefits of using a professional production company are immediately apparent in the excellent design, format and graphics. It really is a pleasure to watch.’
‘Williams is, of course, the strongest player in the world to regularly employ the Classical Dutch so you couldn`t wish for a better teacher.’
‘Williams wants his viewers to understand the reason behind every move played and does a great job in patiently doing just that’
‘Highly recommended!’
Some comments from people who have purchased the DVD:
Mattias Hedlin
‘I must say it looks great! Even my 11-year old son liked it and understood most of the comments.
We even have a nice laugh when you crushed the swedish GM Agrest 
’
‘A really nice product and I´m looking forward to see more dvd´s from you. Thanks!’
Kevin Bailey
‘Just finished looking at the DVD and wanted to say an excellent effort well done. True value for money I think.’
Andy Jolliffe
‘Thanks for what looks like an excellent DVD. Have only watched first hour so far but much prefer it to the couple of Chessbase products I have seen. Maybe because I am a casual player (not even been to chess club yet) it’s certainly more accessible and interesting from what I have seen so far.’
‘I love the DVD and am very pleased with my purchase. Engaging presentation and good production values make it a pleasure to use – well done and thanks again.’
And to finish this piece of an extract of an email by the famous chess hustler extraordinaire, general good guy, Mr Russell Manning!
‘Well done Simon! when’s Gormallys DVD coming out?
‘You’ve put Holland back on the map with your dvd. With all due respect, I’m sure your dvd is excellent, however i have a few others I will get first. Not because I believe they are better but it’s just that I’ve been meaning to get them for a while. I’m sure you’ll understand that my hierachy is not based on quality but waiting time, as all queues are. I’m afraid you’ll have to go to the back of the queue. I could make a revision of the rules were, combines with your, no doubt brilliant, efforts!’
I agree with the very favourable feedback already expressed.
Until now I’ve relied on books as my key instructional aid – as CDs/DVDs have always seemed too expensive – so this is my first purchase of this format. I’m a definite convert – particularly given the completeness of the coverage given.
I found a lot of interesting and useful material. The selection of illustrative master games was particularly effective in reinforcing the points you were making. My personal favourite from your recommendations – the one against White’s (Tromp type) 2.Bg5 move – as this is one I know I’ll get to bash out against my club mate who always uses the Tromp against the Dutch (and well anything else he can really). On your comment about your preferred initial move order, will I have to ‘book up’ on the French just in case?
I have one small carp…? I play the DVD through the TV and the the sound level increases noticeably when the film clips – eg of the Chessboxing – are running.