Chess forum by Grandmasters

Crazy maroczy game against GM Narayanan

Hi guys,

Just finished RTU open tournament and started analysing my games. I want to share my 1st round experience against 2600+ GM.

I want to ask how to play against this maroczy Bd4, Qe3 idea as I don't think this was covered in the modern maroczy course (correct me if I'm wrong).

Anyways in the end I missed big chance to gain an edge (time pressure and stress mostly) and blundered horribly. Here goes, any insights are highly welcome!

Replies

I raised this question on more than one occasion so maybe it will be covered eventually. :)

See my penultimate post in the following thread: https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/na4-in-modern-maroczy

In any case while waiting on an update I did a deep study of the variation myself and determined that 13.Qe3 is best met by the counterintuitive 13...Bd7!, a key line being 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Bxd4 16.Qxd4 e5!? 17.dxe6 Bxe6 18.Qxd6 Rfd8 19.Qf4 Rd2 20.Bf3 Rxb2=/+ and Black is slightly better.

I know I just scratched the surface, but hopefully that little tidbit pointed you in the right direction.  Your game was very instructive by the way and maybe 14...Rfe8 was slightly more accurate than the immediate 14...Nd7,  nevertheless as the game went and with a little more luck you almost caused a big upset.

First, let me congratulate @Paulius_Juknis for being -4 with the Black pieces against a  such a strong GM on move 36! You told us that you were in time trouble and nervous, we feel you! You played a very good game until your unfortunate Rg8. I am sure that next time you will be more lucky.

Being on the move 36 with such a good position and not making any big or medium mistake during all the game means that you are playing very good! One thing for sure is that it is not about the opening, because you reached a very good position. I spent a couple of hours analyzing your game and learned a few things.

I also always appreciate @Kevin_D suggestions and you sure posted a good reply too.

I believe that the position after Qd3 is very interesting and I do not see anything wrong with the moves Be6 and Ne7 or Ng4 attacking the Queen and forcing some trade (kind of usual moves here)

Let's see, after Qd3 Black would like to play: 13... Nd7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 with equality, but the problem is that White can play Nd5: 13... Nd7 14. Nd5 with a decisive advantage to White. That is why by playing Be6 before Nd7 solves the problem: 13... Be6 14. .. Nd7 15. Nd5 and 15... Bxd5 captures the knight. We see that Nd7 becomes a serious threat after playing Be6.

Paulius, you played very good moves all the time, maybe on move 20...Nf6 would have been better than h6, but nothing major here either. I liked your Qc5 very much.

I also found your game on the chessbase website in their coverage of the RTU tournament. :-)

Reaching 2000 fide rating as quickly as possible

How much time does it take for a 1200 to reach 2000 fide elo,if he spends 6 to 8hours a day,what all should the 1200 player work on exactly to reach the 2000 rating barrier as quickly as possible,chessmood gm team,please reply if u guys see this,everyone are requested to share their opinions

Replies

Hi!

This is the age old question that everyone wants an answer too, but the truth is, no one has a crystal ball and can see the future.

Everyone has a unique journey to partake in for their chess improvement. The things I have learned to apply at 1400, or 1600, or even 1800, will be different then the concepts you have learned to apply at those same levels.

That being said, there are many basics we all need to not just learn, but learn to apply in our own games. We need to learn to develop our pieces, castle early, not give away our pieces for free (maybe this one is just me hehe) etc.

So what can we do to accelerate our growth, when we dont even know which things we personally need?

First we need to be playing games, and immediately analyzing them. We need to check our openings against our PGNs. We need to find the patterns of our mistakes and work to eliminate them. We need to break down what we are thinking during our games and fix the deficiencies in our thought process. And we need to do hundreds, maybe thousands, of other things as well.

Since there is no "one size fits all" method of improvement, we need to find trustworthy sources for material in all aspects of chess, and work hard on the material aimed specifically at your personal needs. As an example, for me personally,  this would be middlegame planning and ideas, as well as recognizing tactical patterns. 

It also helps to have a supportive community to encourage your development and show you that you are not the only one working on getting better, and at times struggling to improve. 

The piece that most people want to skip, but I personally find the most important, is having a coach to help guide you in the direction you need to improve in. We may see something in our games that needs to be worked on, but because we are often times emotionally tied to our games (I am sure I am not the only one like this, right?) we often times find it harder to be objective with our selves, where a coach will realize that the issue we see in our games is actually just a symptom of a larger problem, and he can help us fix it faster.

We are blessed here at ChessMood, that we have such a visionary in @GM_Avetik_Grigoryan, and that he put the pieces together for all of us to grow in just this way.

So in conclusion, it is my opinion that the fastest way to get from 1200-2000 is to focus on your particular games and use the ChessMood methods to improve. Take advantage of the material that you need to improve with first. Hopefully you have a coach to help you narrow this down quicker, but even if you dont, I am sure many here in our community will give you feedback to help you work more efficiently. 

Good luck and #COGRO!

GM Jay

I would focus more on practical matters. The most you can get from a victory is +18elo and the most from a draw is +9, only if you have these results with a +400elo player! That means that you get +18 if you beat a 1600 fide. Can you do that?

In practice you can get +30 maybe +60 in every tournament if you improve and play above your elo rating. How many tournaments do you play per year? So you need about 10 carefully selected tournaments where you will get +40 each to reach your goal. And that takes time and a lot of effort!

I got +117 in 4 tournaments since I started here. I used chessmood openings in most games (more than 60%) depending on the opponent (I haven't memorized all the openings yet). And I played only regular time control tournaments, over the board.

My point is, if you play good chess you will get there. If you study as hard as you say, you will play like a 2000 player and then you will need more games!

Don't become obsessed with rating, concentrate on mastering the fundamentals and enjoying the learning process. 

Error in English 5 Nf3, video 17 analysis

At 4:55 it mentions the knight is being trapped with Qb6. The knight isn't trapped as it can go back to e4. I suspect the move f5 has been missed before rounding up the knight with the queen. Looking at it, the queen will probably then go to f6 rather than b6 with fxg4 added first (depending on what White plays) since capturing the f2 pawn is then a threat if the knight sacrifices itself for the b pawn.

Replies

Most likley not trapped, but after Ne4, white will still struggle to find decent responses to Ng2 followed by Qb7, in which white will fail to hang on to the d5 pawn, as well as having to address light square hollowness caused by Ng2 prior, which I suppose will be just responded to by building a wall of pawns on light squares. (f3, e4 etc, similar to topical catalan lines where white goes Bc6 and then f3 and e4 to cover up the light squares)

Yes, I had the same question. ...Qb6 does not trap the knight. Stockfish says ...f5

Thanks for the answer. I have another question in the same section 5.Nf3, in the 6.d3 with 7.Nd2 idea (video 20).

As you can see here: https://imgur.com/PNkRrQc

This was one of the options mentioned by GM Gabuzyan. After Bd2, he says "As well, we can be trying to go for more active variation with ...f5" But as you can see Stockfish doesn't seem to like it. Is this a mistake?

By the way, I'm learning a lot with this course, one line even seems to refute what an IM once told me!

Alternatives to sicilian against 1.e4?

In a previous forum post, I asked if we should have alternatives to ChessMood openings.  GM Gabuzyan said that we should, once we master CM openings.  I am looking for an alternative to the sicilian against 1.e4, got any ideas?

Replies

Why not ask first what replies to 1. e4 (ChessMood repertoire for White) do you find most difficult to play against (besides 1. ... c5) and start exploring this reply a bit further. 

I do prefer one more opening in cm. I prefer Najdorf or Classical . It's not full course but can be full if all support my request. Najdorf is cool opening if coach provides us amazing lessons on it. 

https://chessmood.com/course/2-sicilian-defense-najdorf-variation

Hi Brody,  I have thought about your question for way to many years and it has hurt my progress.  I would highly, highly recommend playing something.  Like the accelerated Dragon (its all ready mapped out for you.  and you will learn how to study an opening if you listen) for at least 1 year.  Then change if you and your coach are honest about the following suggested questions to ask yourself.  Best way to answer it:  1. What is my rating now?   2. How Long have I been playing?  3.  what positions do I think I like and understand?  These 3 questions are better than which Opening to play.  Why Like GM Avetik wrote in his article about changeing your repertoire, you can't go to the doctor and ask what are the best pills.  They don't exist as they are specific.  You can play the caro Kann sharply or positionally.  I would also suggest having a strong player help you with question 3.  They may say hey you do like to attack.  Or wow how do you know about triangulation in the endgame?  Then you play openings and positions that give you the opportunity to get those positions.  So, if you are maybe below 1600 and just starting out like under 5 years playing STAY WITH CHESS MOOD OPENINGS!!  If you are 1600 to 2000 Ask GM AVETIK who may ask you another question Like: (I don't know for sure but) How well have you learned whatever you play now?  and What don't you like about what you play?  Also like one person wrote they are 66 been playing for a long time AND are 2166 or something high like that.  They will answer the above questions easier for themselves.  Why? Experience!  Another harder example is I am 1867 and play the Accelerated dragon for 2 years and chess for 7 and always loose to Moroczy Bind even if I studied it a lot vs stronger opponents.  NOW that is a question!  If you like "attacking play" and have learned the anti sicilians well, then I would choose a sharper sicilian like Sveshnikov.  I am coming back to the family because I believe in GM Avetik has a plan and well thought out products. Though sharp and good for developing players I would play 1...e5 to 1.e4 and Open Spanish, 2 knights vs Giucco Piano ect.  Why?  Open positions don't close!!  again open positions don't close!  In French you have to play closed, semi open and Open positions and learn about levers ect.  If you miss 1 move playing a common sense move in 1...e5 is probably more correct then say a "common sense move" in a Najdorf position.  But I would recommend really learning what you are paying for and after a few years of playing it you will know what you like and don't like THEN ASK.  So the question maybe the main line with Nc3, Be3 and attack is too sharp or Moroczy I have bad results and have studied it throughly and tried many lines and still loose now what to try?!!?  Good Luck in the "Black and white Jungle".  

Wouldn't it be better?

Wouldn't it be better if the tournaments are on different days rather than Monday or Wednesday

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I mean like on Sunday evening or Saturday night am just telling my opinion as am a student and has classes Monday - Saturday so..

Daily Study Updates (Started from 17-08-2021)

I liked the idea of Abhi Yadav. It is a good way to get motivation for work. Link to his forum: https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/daily-study-updates

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How to take my prize if i won prize tournament.

Yesterday night(Timeline Asia/Calcutta) I have stood 2nd in prize tournament.so can anyone tell how to take my prize(15K Moodcoins). and also can we use  it for pro membership. If yes then Please tell me how to use it for pro membership?

Replies

you can  contact chessmood.com/contact mentioning the email you used to register in chessmood.com but do this after getting confirmation message to your chess.com account from chessmood

Anti Sicilian with Nc3 !? Part 1 Mistakes in Section 1

Hello CM family!

I found a mistake in the Anti Sicilian with Nc3 !? (Part 1) Section -1  video 14 8... e6 ,minute 1:14.

GM Avetik play Be3 ,but it's a mistake ,because of the strong d5! and we  lose  material.

I hope this could help.

Bye!

Replies

Lost OTB game in caro recommended line, any improvements?

Hi chessmood,

I'm participating in strong RTU open in Latvia and played this game against IM in the caro-kann variation. Played mostly as recommended in the courses but I think this variation is strategically dodgy for white, especially after white's g4,f4 black played quick b5 with very fast minority attack I just didnt know what to do.

So please any improvements in this variation, txs

Replies

You should have played g5 right after b5 and then Qxb5! Actually he can't play b5 immediately, he should bring his rook first Rb8.

I think you missed the point of the opening! I am an intermediate player, but as far as I know this pawn structure means that black goes for a queenside attack (minority attack to create weaknesses) and you go for a kingside attack. I didn't see the kingside attack! All your forces were ready but you never created any weaknesses at his king!

Next time attack the king and create weaknesses there! That will make him forget his attack and he will start to defend!

Hi Paulius, according to my notes you played according to the repertoire until 16. f4 where the repertoire ends. In the game Kotronias-Olsen, 2018 Black first played 16. ... Rab8 and White responded with Qb5-d3 and played f4-f5. So I am wondering whether White can risk answering 16. ... b5 with 17. Qxd5 Rab8 18. Qd3 Rxb2 19. f5. If not, I think White should temporarily stop b5-b4 with a2-a3. And maybe it is better to play the queen on the b1-h7-diagonal where it supports f4-f5.

I think that I can help here because I prepared this line as Black for a simul against Avetik 10 months ago. This move 16...b5 was a novelty 12 months ago. It is the line offered against our line by Erwin l'Ami in his chessable Lifetime Repertoire.

16... Rab8 is in our repertoire but not b5. Still we will reach very similar positions.

Against 16...b5, without knowing the best moves Avetik, facing this line for the first time, played during the simul f5, which is the best move by the engine (I also checked it with very powerful engines after the game).

https://lichess.org/VIfWFxiv#35


f5 is good because it (VERY IMPORTANT too: is not analyzed in said Black Repertoire)


• threatens to play fxe6

  • ⚫ 17. f5 Qc7 and 18. fxe6 captures the pawn. Thus f5 eliminates the threat of Qc7
  • ⚫ 17. f5 Rab8 18. g5 Nh5 19. Qd1 g6 and 20. fxe6 captures the pawn. Thus f5 eliminates the threat of Rab8
  • ⚫ 17. f5 Rfb8 18. g5 and Black cannot play 18... Nd7? because after 19. Nxf7 Kxf7 20. Rxe6 Qxe6 21. fxe6+ captures the queen. As a result f5 eliminates the threat of Rfb8
  • ⚫ 17. f5 and Black cannot play 17... Rab8? because after 18. g5 Nh5 19. fxe6 captures the pawn
  • ⚫ 17. f5 .. 18. fxe6 Qxe6
• enables f6

  • ⚫ 17. f5 and Black cannot play 17... Rab8? because after 18. g5 Nd7 White can play 19. f6
  • 
    
  • 
    

  This line is becoming trendy, but after f5 I have some analysis, 17... exf5 18.gxf5 which threatens to play Kh1. 

  We are getting a good attacking position with attacking possibilites. I am attaching a picture with some arrows as it highlights the following moves for White...

  I hope that this helps... And remember after f5 Rab8, which is the usual move, is not good for Black... I hope that this helps and next time you will know more about this line than your opponent for sure...
  

Chess Psychology

I am so new in Chess Psychology so my teammate suggested me to read this amazing book. It was like boom for me. Now I feel more confident about my future chances of getting 2000 elo in 2022. I strongly recommend reading this book. It will change your life.

https://www.ichess.net/shop/champion-psychology-a-book-for-future-chess-champions/

If anyone knows more books on chess psychology then kindly write the names with author. I learnt  a lot chess and still learning and slowly but surely results are coming online because there are no OTB in India. So learning about psychology with chess will be boom for me and others also .

Replies

There is a book, Mind Master by none other than Viswanathan Anand. It is his autobiography, but he shares a lot of tips about psychology.

Where did I make a Mistake

Yesterday I played a rapid game. I gave a Piece in the Opening with thinking to open his king.  So was that sacrifice correct or wrong.

https://lichess.org/vWw1DtBHY21U

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H3 was the blunder. If you didn't push, it would be about even I think

The sac you made... You have no backup plan and no conpensation

Rossolimo - 5. O-O 6. c3 leaves a hole

Preparing for a potential opponent. Against the Rossolimo he has two games that go 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg6 6. c3?! which I imagine is quite common from lower rated players.

Computer suggests the amusing 6... Qd3 occupying the hole, now 7. Re1 (the move he played after 6... Nf6/Bg7 in the two database games) 7... Bg4 8. Re3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Qd7 10. Re1 Rd8 11. Rd1 (fourth move with the rook) f5 = to slight Black favour.

Replies

Hi David,

This line with the move Qd3 after c3 is also in the Rossolimo repertoire but one move before, I do not remember the exact video but it is there since I have the following analysis... Playing it one move later does not change the incorrect timing of c3 and the good move Qd3 as you pointed out.

Where should I practice my endgame?

I can practice my opening and middlegame by playing online, but sometimes, the endgame is just winning for me or it doesn't even go to an endgame. How should I practice my endgame?

Thank you

Replies

Simple endings can be practised against a tablebase app e.g. (7 piece) Lomonsov Tablebases . For more complicated endings try requesting a sparring partner. Also try a book such as Rate Your Endgame.

Can I Become a Pro Member using Chessmood Coins

Hi,

Is it possible to become PRO Member using ChessMood Coins.

Replies

An idea for the ChessMood coins

First a disclaimer, I don't have a lot of CM coins :) only 68k.

Now, in the past some people were asking how to spend them and there aren't too many options. I have a idea!

ChessMood could propose one to one training sessions that could be bought by CM coins. Different session options, could have different prices. 

To make it more interesting the training sessions would be streamed/recorded for others to watch as well, which would even more enforce the sense of community.

What do you think?

Replies

I am not sure why do you think a personalized training seession with a GM should be free. It takes many years of hard work and sacrificies to get the title. 

Actually paying with CM coins is close to free as you can not exchange them for the real money anyways.

Yes,

This could be benefits of Earning ChessMood Coins

Rossolimo for black OTB, early c3 system for white

Hello Chessmood,

Had a game in the rossolimo variation as black vs 2450 IM. He played rare early c3-d4 setup:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 4.c3 Bg7 5.d4 Qa5 (remembered this move from the course) 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.0-0 Nf6 8.Re1 0-0 9.h3 and here I was stuck for plan as black. In the game I went 9..h6 with idea Be6, but I think white had small edge and in the end I got outplayed.

So please suggest improvement/plan for black, txs

Replies

Hi Paulius!

I believe that it is better to take 6...bxc6 with our Queen already on a5, 7.0-0 cxd4, 8.cxd4 and Nf6, our bishop can go to a6, the b file is open for the rook and we have no problems and lead in development... That said, I asked Gabuzyan to check it out too... He will get back to you soon...

Hi Paulius,

I agree with @Chessmood_Odysseus

3. Bd3 Nf6 line and black plays 7...a5!?

Hello chess friends,

I played the following game and wanted to know what the chessmood line is for 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Bd3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Ne2 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. a3 a5 preventing b4? What are the ideas and plans?

Just for completion my game went

[Event "5m + 0s"]

[Site ""]

[Date "2021.08.04"]

[Round "?"]

[White "Kay"]

[Black "Mentre"]

[Result "1/2-1/2"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Bd3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Ne2 c5 6. c3 Nc6 7. a3 a5 8. a4 Qb6

9. O-O f6 10. exf6 Nxf6 11. Na3 c4 12. Bc2 Bd6 13. Nb5 Bb8 14. Bf4 O-O 15. Bxb8

Rxb8 16. Qd2 Na7 17. Qf4 Bd7 18. Nxa7 Qxa7 19. Qh4 Rbe8 20. g4 Ne4 21. f3 e5

22. fxe4 exd4 23. exd5 d3+ 24. Nd4 dxc2 25. Rxf8+ Rxf8 26. Rc1 Qc5 27. Rxc2

Qxd5 28. Rf2 Rxf2 29. Kxf2 Qf7+ 30. Kg2 Bxa4 31. Qd8+ Qf8 32. Qd5+ Kh8 33. Qxc4

Bd7 34. h3 h6 35. Qd5 Qc8 36. Qd6 Bc6+ 37. Nxc6 Qxc6+ 38. Qxc6 bxc6 39. Kf3 Kg8

40. Ke4 Kf8 41. Ke5 Ke7 42. Kf5 Kf7 43. Ke5 Ke7 44. Kf5 Kf7 45. Ke5 Ke7 1/2-1/2

Thank you

Replies

Actually, I have the same question.  Perhaps instead 8.Ne2?

after 7..a5 I think you can just go 8.Be3 preparing Nd2, 0-0 and f4 and if 8..Qb6 then you can actually sac on b2 cause after Qxb2 Nd2 black is way behind in development with queens stuck and f4-f5 coming

Hi Kayode, 

This is an interesting question. Let me express my thoughts. If instead of going a3 white plays Bc3 and tries to protect the pawn on d4, black is all the time having cxd4 and after cxd4 - Nb4 moves to bother the bishop. But if we include a3 and a5 I think it favors white since now we can go Bc2 and protect the pawn on d4 without consequences. As well I think a5 move weakens b5 square and in some spots when we get our knight to c3 square it will be a nice outpost.

4NCL online congress this weekend

Thinking of entering.

5x45 15 games over this weekend (bye available if Friday's game is too late) - quite sparse in the open/under 2000 sections and no one particularly strong yet, so players of ~2000 FIDE are good contenders to win, though the prizes with the current number of entries is more beer / (juice?) money. Good chance to try out chessmood openings in long play settings. Anyone interested?

Entry is £7.50 +£5 (non-ECF) (credit card/paypal)

https://www.4ncl.co.uk/fide/online/arrangements_10.htm

Replies

I need a coach- any recommendation?

Hi guys - after never having a coach I have decided that it is time to get one.

However, it is difficult since there are many coaches available online. Do any of you have any recommendations? or are any of you interested in coaching me? 

I am currently 2050 FIDE and have been working hard in the last years, I am already 33 years old, so not young by any means... but still with a lot of intentions to improve! 

Thanks in advance,

Pablo 

Replies

Good luck in getting a nice coach . Would you like to join my team? We need serious people like you. In my team I am 1465, another guys are 1650 and fide 2200 .

I know a good coach whose Lichess ID is DeepRabbit. He is also a registered coach on Lichess and Chess.com.

Good luck in improving and I wish you the best!

Hey Pablo! 
Have you read the article about finding the Right coach? Have you filled the form? 

Hi Pablo, 

I am Adrián, 32 years old, also working hard (as much as possible...) and looking forward to improve and enjoy doing it!! :) 2000+ FIDE and 2450+ lichess blitz... I would be interested in playing some training games with longer time controls. For instance, a "match" of 3 15+10 games, once a week or twice a month. Would you be interested?

See u! 

Adrián

Benko Mistakes in the g3 line

Hello CM family!

I found a mistake in the Benko gambit videocourse: section 2 - g3 line, video 18 "theory of the main line g3", minute 2:32.

GM Avetik has just said that b3 was not possible due to N:d5 and the pin on the a1 Rook. However, due to the move Qc2, now the rooks can be connected with a tempo on the black Queen, as showed by stockfish:

1.b3 N:d5?? 2.N:d5 B:a1 Bd2!! attacking the Queen and the a1 Bishop. White wins two pieces for a rook. 

I hope this could help.

Bye!

Replies

PS: in that position b3 is the best move sugged by the engine! White seems to resolve the problem of the c1 bishop. 

You're right... My bad... 
This course is being re-recorded, where we'll add many model games to help you to understand the ideas better. 
Instead of 12...Nd5?? blunder, I would recommend now to use the main downside of b3 move in most of the Benko positions. Which is...
12...c4! and getting a strong counterplay. 
In the course when White doesn't go with early Rb1, I'll recommend early Nb6, instead of Qa5, with the idea to play Bc4 at some point and grab the d5 pawn. 
Or Nc4, Qa5...