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Chess forum by Grandmasters
My chess improvement journey: week 1
Hi everyone, I wanted to keep you updated about my chess studying journey, with the hope of inspiring other players to do the same.
So week one was kind of a test week. I've played blitz and rapid through the week (in an organized way ofc), analyzing games and collecting my blunders to see where my biggest weaknesses are. I've later come to the conclusion (and thank to who answered my post) that I shouldn't play blitz, rather building stronger chess and playing rapid to consolidate and improve. I've also started practicing some new openings, and I'm starting to get pretty comfortable with them.
For the study part, mainly focusing on tactics right now, as the chessmood study plan for 1000-1500 suggests. I'm not neglecting studying other things as well, and I want to say that the free opening principles course on this platform is very good and helpful (I'm studying it even with my rating because I want to strenght my foundation).
I've also played some game otb and I'm satisfied with how I played.
I'll keep you updated for next week, have a nice day!
Replies
Hey there,
Thanks for the update. I'm impressed by your dedication and determination - keep up the good work!
Amazing story. I just want to say practice the Tactic Ninja on ChessMood. It would change your tactical view forever. I am just 1356 over the board in the USCF. Now I won 2 tournament in row. Just 3 round per tournament. Classical time control 1 hour and 30 minutes and 5 second delay. Here in USA this the default time control you see on local tournament. Now I am 1502. This website It Would help you alot. Keep Practicing
I'm stuck!
I am a 2300 on lichess and i play OTB tournaments regularly. Now i have gotten stuck at this level and from 2350 i have reduced to 2270. I tried taking breaks for !-3 days and it is not helping me. I can't take a longer break as i have to prepare for my next tournament which is classical and it happening on Jan 18th. Can you offer me help?
Thank You!
Replies
Hi Vikrant,
Have you read the following article? The circumstances seem similar to your own:
https://chessmood.com/blog/crossing-the-plateau-and-reaching-3000-on-chess-com
Hello, I think the best way to progress is to analyse your games, find your weak points and work on them. You should also learn the right lessons from your mistakes. And if taking a longer break before a tournament doesn't change anything, you shouldn't do it.
Playing simplified blackmood french against b3 Bb2
I have been playing the blackmood openings and have been really enjoying them so thank you.
I wanted to ask about the b3 Bb2 reply for white. I have actually faced this reply more than any other reply in over the board games at my local club (1400 -1600 classical ECF) . It would be really useful to understand the ideas / plans arising after this.
Thanks
Replies
Did you check section 20 of Blackmood openings?
https://chessmood.com/course/blackmood-openings/episode/6177
New success story: Raising 700 elo with a Simple Mindshift
A fellow ChessMoodian raised 700 elo within 2 years!
How did he do it? Learn from his journey as he shares:
🟢 The strong why he uses to fuel his journey.
🟢 What helped him dominate higher-rated opponents?
🟢 The approach he used to defeat an IM who was 900 elo higher.
🟢 The simple mindset shift that unlocked his potential and much more…
Full story here:
https://chessmood.com/success-stories/vedant-garg
Replies
Well done fantastic performance
Congrats vedant (Vivaan here)
All izz well vedant
Great job Vedant! I'll try to inspire myself from your words! Keep on like that!!
Congratulations for the nice performance . You deserve it all as you worked efficiently for it ! I hope I can get inspire by you !
Weii done Vedant. Hope to see you climbing the ladder to IM and after GM.
Good chess, that is better than good luck ;)
.
Congratulations Vedant! Very inspiring story! And I'm sure the best is yet to come.
Keep up the good work
Hello Chess Lovers. I join to this website the last month. I just start take the test and watch the tactical tutorial videos plus take seriously about ChessMood Repertoire for White and Black. I last 2 tournament I am questing to break the wall of 1300 ELO. I play United State Chess Federation USCF. My current ELO 1356, but taking the tactics tutorial here help me a lot. I won to tournament from 1260 I manage to up my rating to 1356. But last Saturday I play into a Swiss Tournament. I won all my games. Again players between 1600, 1500, 1400 me just only 1356. Now I am 1502 I am happy with my improvement. I am looking to improve more to reach my 2000 ELO over the board on USCF.
Tactic trainer
Hi everyone, do you know if out there there's something (a software or a website) where you can train tactics by selecting the motifs you want? I don't want like lichess where you can select one motif at time, but more than one time. Thank you
Replies
You can try Chesstempo where you can select several motives at the same time. 😁
Worth of a queen
What is the worth of a queen? I learned that it is worth 10 pawns when I was learning chess, but about two years ago, when I started playing chess online, I saw it is worth 9 pawns! I read that it is because when you have two rooks you will win against a queen, but is there any other reason? Also, when did it changed, or I just learned it wrong?
Replies
It would depend on the situation.
For example, a trapped queen wouldn't really be worth anything, whereas an active queen would be worth a lot more.
Also, two rooks won't always win against a queen, because if they aren't working together (eg. defending each other), then the queen would overpower them.
We normally teach at beginners and kids that it is worth 9 pawns. You did not learn this wrong, as engines got stronger, the value of the pieces changed a bit generally. Again as it has been said the theoretical value of pieces change depending on the positions.😃
Benko instead of Modern Benoni
Hi everyone,
several times somewhere here I read that for example
Avetik is a big Modern Benoni fan. Now I am wondering why
the Benko is proposed for 2000+ players.
Is it because it is (much) easier to learn? (This is at least my impression)
I like the Benko and the course here very much but I am interesed in how you made up your choice.
Of course I am interested in anybody's opinion.
Thank you!
Replies
I think it was based on complexity, but I think they underestimated the Benko complexity a lot, hence the reboot/additions in the pipeline.
Dear Coaches,
I am really curious 😉
Thank you!
Sorry Thomas, it skipped my mind! I thought I already replied to this one!
The Benoni is a very, very sharp defense where you need to walk a very thin line of only moves in a few variations. It is also very easy to get steamrolled by White if you do not have a clear positional sense and sharp eye for tactics and mostly for counterattack. In some lines you can even be a couple of pawns down with compensation with development. Still we cannot propose this since we think that it would be too complicated. It is a very good weapon in an must win game (if you have an attacking and sharp style of play) and it is very good for IM level or even for a good prepared FM. The understanding and feeling that you need to play it well is much deeper than with the Benko.
Also the Benko positionally speaking is very sound and the tactics and lines are not so difficult to remember, the patterns repeat a lot and it's much easier to get good positions fast. It also annoys a lot the d4 players, don't forget this point too! 😀
Ruy Lopez
Is there a course to learn the Ruy Lopez?
Replies
No, we offer the Scotch for White as a response against e5. 😃 Why don't you try it?😅
Sharp Positions
i always find it difficult to keep track of everything in sharp positions, i'm 1800 on chess.com and i've been stuck there for almost 7 months
i want to know how my thinking process should be to do well in this type of positions,
like what are the things i should check out first and the things that i should prevent
Replies
Did you check out our course 7Q Method - How to Find a Plan in Any Position?
https://chessmood.com/course/chess-planning-7q-method
This course should help you to find plans, check it out.😀
Change email
Is there any way to change our email for our account
Replies
I don't see a clear way, maybe try contacting the team to see
Yes, please contact us at support and explain your case:
Is there a pgn of all the puzzle in the quiz by the order they appear there?
I try now to solve the quiz but this time when I look at alternatives for the defender that is not in the solution that I know and also try to calculate all the line before the first move so I cannot use tricks like memorizing the move without understanding why and playing it.
For example in puzzle 31 in the quiz you need also to calculate 1.Bxg6 Nxe3 that is not in the solution.
a possible line 2.Bxf7+ Kf8 3.Qxd4 Bxd4 4.Be3 with the double threat against the rook and also Bh6 mate.
I think it can be productive to have a pgn not only with the solution lines but also with alternatives like this(Nxe3 is not suggested by the engine but I think that it is the main alternative that humans should consider except capturing the queen.
Replies
ChessMood Courses
I am a 2265 blitz chess player. Do I have to watch the beginning courses and then the advanced ones or can I directly skip to the advanced ones
Another query, How do I practice the endgames knowledge from the endgame section?
Thank You!
Replies
As for your first question, if you are talking about CM openings, then yes, Chessmood recommends watching the begginer course first and the wayching step by step one at a time.
If you are talking about the middlegame courses, I reccomend going straight to the advanced middlegame courses as the others might be too easy. Although remember to watch Blunderproof and SLP course as they will help you a lot!
If you are talking about the endgame, then first take the U2000 endgame theory quiz, if everything is easy and simple, go to advanced(Make sure to go in order there! You have to learn pawn endgames before say rook endgames!) and watch there.
To practice the endgame knowledge, the best way is to start from a certain endgame position and then play from that position with your training partner. That way both of you will practice both sides of the position!
I hope this heps you!
Time Management
Hello ChessMood family,
So recently I played five OTB games and on all of them, I was under time pressure (I'm rated 1800 btw and the opponents ranged from 1800-2300). This wasn't the first time this happened in an OTB game and I don't know how I can fix this. This cost me three games out of five. I am thinking too much on one move and once I thought for 40 minutes on one move (time control was 90+30). I'm not sure how to fix this. Can you help me?
Replies
Hello H.L.,
this webinar helped me a lot:
https://chessmood.com/event/webinar-time-management Please watch it! The point that helped me tremendously: Avo says that during a game chess is just a game. Only afterwards it is science. You probably know the problem. I was immediately able to understand what he ment, because this is exactly the point why I found myself in time trouble all the time: That I was way to scientific and not practical ON THE BOARD. I am still in time trouble too often, but in the end, this will be exactly the knowledge that WILL help me. Again: Please watch it, it is great! I am also a player who get into a time trouble almost every game. Usually players who do not get into time trouble are the weaker players. You can find the past webinars on the Events page, just use the filter webinar and you will get results like this one: https://chessmood.com/events#6 You will find other topics here. Good luck and good study!😀
I think it is a problem of most players who love chess because they like to think.
calculation
do we have eta on when the new calculation course will come out?? new too chess mood , love the content so far!!
Replies
Soon, very soon! 😁
Advice sought re Lichess puzzle
Hi all,
My noob brain is struggling to see why the moves I made weren't preferable to the Lichess solution.
I play Rxf4 taking the white bishop and putting the king in check. King moves to e3. I play Re4 putting the king in check again and the rook is covered by the queen on g4. White captures the rook with Qxe4. OK, I'm fine with all of this (and so is Lichess!).
Now, my move is Qg5 checking the king again and once the king moves my pawn on d5 takes white's queen and play continues. However, the Lichess solution is for queen takes queen and then Rxe4 so I lose my queen.
What am I missing? 😀
https://lichess.org/training/KeAJ0
Replies
Hello, after your move Qg5+, white can block with Qf4, and we are down an exchange.
After qxe4 rxe4 and pawn takes e4, we are up a piece! (Dont forget the c8 bishop :)
I hope this helps!
Pawn Structure Course
Hello Chessmood fam,
Is there a course here that focuses on proper pawn structure (e.g., when to make pawn breaks / take hook, etc.)?
Thanks so much and keep up the great content!
Replies
Hello, at the moment, no such course exists, mabye in the future though!
We ALL miss things!
In the Dec 5, 2023 Racing to 1500 Part 7 event, I think I caught a big miss.
At close to the 33:47 mark, black plays … Ra6. To my eyes, that is a free rook with Qxa6. No one viewing caught this live, and during the review no one mentioned it.
Even Petrosian hung his Queen once as a GM. But I think the story goes his opponent missed it, because he was …. you know….Petrosian!
Replies
Hey there,
Yes, that is correct :-)
We were all focus on the Kingside attack🙂
Here is the game I was referring to.
Tigran V Petrosian vs David Bronstein (1956) (chessgames.com)
Tactic Ninja Course - Section 4 - Fork - Lesson 11. Fork with a Tempo
Hi guys, I don't understand Avetik's reasoning here on why white moving bishop to e3 is a blunder.
So after the white bishop move...
Black moved his pawn to d5, trying to get the c4 white bishop to move and then ultimately, move his black pawn forward to d4 - forking the white bishop at e3 and white knight at c3.
To stop the fork at d4...
I don't understand why white trading pawns and knights at e5 is a blunder. Avetik said black is up a piece here, but after the pawn and knight trades, both white and black have 14 pieces on the board.
Can someone please tell me why Avetik said black is up a piece here and therefore winning this exchange?
Looking forward to your reply,
Richard
Replies
Dear Richard,
After d5 White shoud take on d5. If White it goes e5 Black can just retreat the knight to e8, and the Bishop is still under attack.
Since the Bishop is under attack, when it moves, the d5 pawn will advance to d4 forking the Bishop and the Knight on e3 and c3.
😁The other option for White is to take exd5, but then Black plays exd5 attacking the Bishop again because White has a pawn supporting this central break and does not take with the Knight! Then again is the same thing: Since the Bishop is under attack, when it moves, the d5 pawn will advance to d4 forking the Bishop and the Knight on e3 and c3.💪
Opposite side castling
I never know what to do when myself and my opponent are castled on opposite sides of the board. I always end up blundering something because I don't know how to navigate. How to fix this and what to study?
Replies
What's your level? Please tell us your ratings, age, etc. the more info the better, 😅to be able to recommend something…
solving puzzles in the chess ninja quiz
I already solved all the puzzles twice and most of them more than twice.
I measure time on a clock and finally I did the first 400 in less than an hour with one stupid mistake when I thought that I won the problem and thought about something else when moving the mouse so promoted to a queen instead of a rook(I did that problem correctly already in the previous tries and of course I memorized that I need to promote to a rook).
Note that I practically “cheat” in solving the puzzles in the quiz because not only that I did not calculate in advance the all lines that I need to calculate(and in problems that you need to underpromote then not considering promotion to queen and seeing the stalemate only because you remember that you need to underpromote is not the idea of the puzzle) but also in the fact that there are cases when I am sure about the first move and play it without calculating the full line before making the first move.
I wonder if it is a good idea to compose a pgn file that has all the solutions(that mean not only the line that people need to play but also the lines that people need to calculate because practically in a game there may be a similiar position when the same tactics does not work and you see it only if you calculate).
There are many problems in the quiz that I expect strong players to see the solution immediately but there are problems in the quiz with many moves that I do not believe even GM's can be sure about the solution in a few seconds assuming they do not memorize the exact position and in a similiar position when one piece is in a different square the solution may be correct or not correct and you practically need to calculate.
