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Chess forum by Grandmasters
Caro kann defense
In caro kann after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3
The move Bd3 is played so that black cannot play Bf5.
My first question is that after 4. Bd3 Nf6 black can play Bg4 next. Should white prevent this by playing 5. h3 move?
My second question is that some black player plays g6 followed by Bf5. Should white prevent this by a move like Qc2?
Replies
These replies are both in advanced course (https://chessmood.com/course/caro-kann-defence), but here is a short summary for you:
After 4… Nf6, play in the same manner you would as against 4… Nc6:
4… Nf6 5.c3 Bg4 6.Qb3 and if Black goes for Qc8/d7 this will just transpose.
If Black plays 6… Qc7 (preventing Bf4), I like to play 7.Ne2 followed by Bf4. Blacks best reply is 7… Bxe2 8.Bxe2, but this is a pleasant position for us.
After some g6 setups, i would recommend you play in the normal way again (No Qc2 moves for now). When black plays Bf5, it is usually good to respond with Ne5 (or if your knight is already there that is also great) and recapture with the knight on d3 (Bxd3 nxd3). In this pawn structure, the d3 square is really, really (really) good for the knight, so despite exchanging your good bishop, this is still a very nice position.
I hope this helps, and if you have any more questions, let me know!
Opening questions
Hello dear ChessMood Team,
My name is Mustafa Alnajmi, and I am an approximately 1850 FIDE rated player.
For most of my chess life, I played 1.b3 (Nimzo–Larsen Attack) as White. Recently, I decided to switch to 1.e4, mainly because the ChessMood courses are excellent, practical, and very convincing.
As Black, I have always played the Caro–Kann Defense against 1.e4.
While building my new White repertoire against the Caro–Kann, I noticed something interesting:
the specific Caro–Kann line that I play as Black is not covered in the ChessMood 1.e4 vs Caro–Kann course. After studying the position more deeply, I even found that my Black setup might be quite solid against the recommended White plans (I am not claiming an advantage for Black).
So here is the funny part 😄
I actually need help as White when facing my own Caro–Kann line.
I will write the exact variation I play as Black below, and I would really appreciate guidance on:
how White should approach this position,
what plans or ideas White can use to fight for an advantage,
or whether a different setup is recommended.
Thanks a lot for your time and for the amazing work you do!
Here is the variation recommened in the course
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. Nd2 e6 9. Ngf3 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. O-O O-O 12. Rae1 Bxf3 13. Nxf3 Nd7 14. Re3 Rfe8 15. Rfe1 Nf8 16. Qd1 *
And here is what in my reportoire as black agianst this line.
If 12.Rae1.
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. c3 Bg4 6. Qb3 Qd7 7. Bf4 Nc6 8. Nd2 e6 9. Ngf3 Bd6 10. Bxd6 Qxd6 11. O-O O-O 12. Rae1 Bxf3 13. Nxf3 Rfb8 14. Re3 b5 15. Rfe1 b4 16. Qd1 bxc3 17. bxc3 Rb2.
Your help is so much appreciated
Replies
I think rather than re3 I would play with ne5 and let's say same plan with b5 I would play a3 and then when a5 i can get queen back to c2 now if black pushes b4 after capturing the knight is hanging is he takes our knight it is a fork if they don't take and take on d4 simply qc3 and we have strong position. I honestly think it's a nice lines for black but playable for both sides with a slight advantage for white.
Sounds like the question is resolved?
Feedback
I watch the very usefull videos of important historic games, but I encounter rare but serious mistakes in the comment. I would like to give feedback, so you might repair these rare mistakes, to not confuse your students. How can I do that?
Replies
Hi, Dear Vincent,
If you are sure you found a mistake, we would love to hear about that and take it into consideration to fixate.
You can post the screenshot of the game and add your note so we can check it.
Thanks for being concerned :-)
Result for Mr. Avetik
As you asked in the reply for my review in black mood here is the details
youth finals 2025
day1: game 1white(1477 fide)-opponent(-) win
game2black(1477)-opponent(1667 i think) loss-12 or so
day 2: game 3white(1477 fide)-opponent(-) win
game 4black(1477 fide)-opponent(- but blitz format topper) win
game 5white(1477 fide)-opponent(1590 or less) loss -14 or so total -26.2
day 3: game6black(1477 fide)-opponent(-) win
game 7white(1477 fide)-opponent(1550 or so) win +25 total -1.2
day 4:black(1477 fide)-opponent(1600) draw +8-10 or so total-+7-8
white(1477 fide)-opponent(1532 AFM-my first rated opponent and first rated player i ever beat he had been training seriously hard since he lost to me when i was unrated) in a play for win decline draw (because i was playing for a chance to play with foreigners) and take risk for the win i put aside a draw and went for a risky attack and lost the game -15 i think
Replies
when I have an error
I am working on section 2 of Ninja tactics. Ihave a a few-not many- errors on the training positions. I see that I can retry to get a correct answer and I have done that. But I thought that the website stored my errors for me somewhere so that I could review those positions later. Was my thoought incorrect, or can someone tell me how to navigate to the area that in fact does store my errors? thanks
Replies
If you click on your profile icon on the top right of the screen and select “Profile”, you will go to your profile page with a list of options on the left. Select “AI coach”, and you will find a couple of AI tools. Your mistakes will be saved in the “BugZone”, and you can remove them from there by solving the puzzles again.
Thanks for helping, Dylan :-)
Anti-Sicilian part 2
Dear Coach,
In the Anti-Sicilian course part 2 this move e6 isn't covered and I really dislike 6:o-o with nc6 and b3 do you have another way of playing which black is uncomfortable in. Please tell me like 4-5 moves after this and the plans and ideas. Thank you so much!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/HW9JKihtz/analysis?move=9
Replies
Can you please clarify the question? It's for White or for Black?
Fen
does the website provide the Fen for the different positions-for example I am working on Ninja tactics section 2-is there a way to access the Fen of any of those training positions?
Replies
Hey Ronald,
That would be a good addition here (right-clicking on any diagram and getting the FEN).
I’m putting together a pdf with fens and pictures of the positions to help me get through the first few layers of the simplified openings here on CM.
There is a service out there (costs money, of course) that recognizes most diagrams and can even link positions to historical games.
Try doing a web search asking for an app that can recognize chess diagrams and return the fen. i don’t get any commision and i forget the name of it, but i’m thinking i should try to get back to it.
Also, at the bottom of the drop-down menus for most (all?) courses here there are pdfs with lots of good information.
Tell you what … this place (ChessMood) is a gold mine.
Pirc/ Modern Defense Opening Doubt
I have a few questions regarding the Pirc/Modern Defense.
- Please let me know when the courses on modern defense will be completed. Also, please add a few model games for modern defense in the lines: 1. e4 g6, 2. d4 Bg7, 3. Nc3 c6, 4. h3 d6, 5. a4—I understand it is similar to the Philidor defense setup, but there the Black's DSB was on e7, and here it is developed to g7, putting pressure in the center. Since the modern defense is a bit complicated, some more explanation could be useful.
- How are we continuing after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 Nc6 & 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Be3 Nbd7.
- How are we continuing after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 c6
If it takes time to complete the course, at least please explain a few ideas for White in this exact setup with Black's DSB on g7 (referring to point 1), and if you could, please share the link to a model game (if any) played by the Chess mood family.
Also, give a brief explanation on how we are continuing after black plays the sidelines (referring to points 2 and 3, and if I missed any, please mention that too). Because the Modern/Pirc is a tricky opening, and they have options to change the move order and trick us into a position outside our chess mood repertoire.
It would be really helpful if you could provide a brief explanation on how we are continuing until the course is prepared, so meanwhile I can try to work on it by myself until then.
Replies
Hi Aswin,
We are planning, in general, to have additions to the opening lines that are missed. I will struggle to provide advice where it's not covered, as it's not yet decided where we go in the future courses.
If this is that urgent for you, you can try to follow the games of stronger players in those positions - that's what I usually do.
Opening Doubt in Scotch game
Hi chessmood family!
In Scotch Opening:
(a) 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bb4+ 5. c3 Bc5 6. Be3 Qf6 (In the course, only 6. ...Bb6 is mentioned with the model game of IM Torosyan but after 6. ...Qf6, aren't we transposing to 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Bc5 5. Be3 Qf6 6. c3, Another mainline in the Scotch opening, which we don't play? Yes, he wasted a tempos with ...Bb4-c5 and it is should to play here. Is this tempo worth it? How should white continue? Please let me know, or please add a section in the Scotch explaining how to deal with this situation.
(b) Also, please expand on the 4...Nf6-8.h4 a5 line with some additional theory/model games because I think that is recommended by some coaches/authors.
In the course after 8.h4 a5 9. c4 Ba6, is mentioned. But many courses suggest 9…Nb6 as an extra option.
What is the best way for white to continue here?
Replies
(a) - https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3dSGbWkH8r/analysis?move=19
I love this position with f4 it feels like a sort of Sicilian style and we are making use of black poorly deveoloped pieces maybe in future we will play nc2 and trade off bishops, and continue by putting our rook on f3 and Manuvering the other knight to f1 through d2 and then have a strong mass of pieces on the kingside and start a attack slowly with a careful pawn push. It feels like white is doing awesome and for black it looks so weird even though engine gives white slight advantage for me personally it looks like plus 2.
(b) - I also face trouble
Hey there,
In the mainline, we have made our choice, and if you want to investigate the other option further, you are welcome.
Regarding 9…Nb6 move, White can play with h5 - sometimes h6 ideas. If Ba6 then b3. If a4 than there are several moves for White - Nd2, Nc3, h6. Those are practical, playable positions for both sides, and you can dive much deeper as you want.
Opening Doubt - Caro Kann
Hi Chessmood family!
I played a few games recently, and my opponents played early …g6, without committing …Nf6. I got a bit confused at the start because I was not getting our favorite Ne5 ideas in …g6 systems of black as mentioned in the course
However, I got a decent position from the opening, but I wanted to know how the chessmood team will treat this approach.
The game went the following way:
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 and here they played 5. …g6. I continued with 6. Bf4 Bg7 7. Nf3 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9.Qxf3 - This is the main point.
In one game, he played 9. …Nf6 10. Nd2 0-0.
In another game, I faced 9. …Qb6,
and then in another game 9. …e5.
How will Chessmood react to this line?
Replies
After Bg4, you can play with Nbd2 - preparing to recapture with the Knight.
After Black trades the Bishop on f2, White is getting a decent positional advantage due to the pair of Bishops.
1. f4 - Bird Opening doubt
Hi chessmood family!
Please make a course on how to refute 1.f4—Bird's opening, as the line suggested in Chessmood Openings for beginners is a different move order compared to what is recommended in the Step Up Step Opening course. I have noticed with 1.f4, white players have some flexible approach to transpose with 2.d4 3.e3 setup or, they can play 2.b3 but that will transpose to our beloved 1.b3. The problem is when they play 2.Nf3 3.g3, leading to a closed Sicilian g3 system structure, wherein, in the closed Sicilian course, Avetik sir suggested to play ...e6 followed by ...Nge7 against f4 by white, but here our N is already on f6.
Replies
Play c5 against f4, which can often lead to a Sicilian in or close to the repertoire (after e4 and some g3 lines), as well into b3 lines. There are e3 Be2, e3 d4 with or without c3, g3 without e4, c4 and various minor lines to handle. Usually in the independent lines White tries to control e5 with b3 Bb2 or d4, often placing a knight there if d6 isn't played. Some of them are quite tricky.
It's pretty rare despite quite a high profile course on Chessable by GM Raven, but against a strong player who doesn't transpose it can be difficult to win against. Unfortunately been waiting years for a course on f4 here.
If you are playing the simplified repertoire, follow GM Avetik's advice, and if the advanced one, play with 1…c5 - of course, White can play some weird sequences, but it usually transitions either to Sicilian Sidelines, or the 1.b3 Larsen variation course.
Why do top-level players usually avoid the Petroff?
Hi everyone,
I was wondering why the top level GMs mostly prefer 2…Nc6 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3. I was trying to find a promising line to prepare with the white pieces and was quite discouraged by what I found when checking the different lines:
3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 is the ChessMood recommendation, and I understand why, but I am searching for an alternative that keeps as much tension in the position as possible (on principle, I was looking for a line that avoids an early piece trade and opening the position because of the possibility that a very well-prepared opponent can prepare very far down the variations)
3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 is the main line it seems, but everything just seems very easy/simple against an opponent who is doing a decent opening preparation.
There are also several surprise lines (like 4.Nc4 or something, for example), but I guess what I'm saying is that I want a line that A) Keeps as much tension on the board as possible and B) Is solid/testing enough that I can repeat it over a long period of time.
For context, I am around 2200 Fide.
I greatly appreciate any advice, thank you all very much!
Replies
Dear friend,
Petroff on top levels is a solid opening, and in many games, top players are applying it.
Our approach is practical and easy to play, if you are searching for some very very deep prep, you need to investigate the theory played by top players, understand the modern lines, and try to come up with fresh engine ideas ( with very strong engines).
That's the nowadays chess at high levels - no advantage - just a practical, surprising approach for each game :-)
Modern Maroczy - Opening trouble
Hi Chessmood family!
I have studied both Classical Maroczy and Modern Maroczy courses, and I have improved my chess understanding a lot and learned many new ideas.
But when it comes to practical games, especially against weaker or low-rated opponents in certain lines like:
Dry position in 7.f3 line:
- e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.f3 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0 10.Qd2 Be6 11. Be2 Rc8 12.Nd5 (which is not mentioned in the course) 12. ….Nxd5 13. cxd5 Bd7 14. 0-0.
Dry position in 7.Be2 9.0-0 line:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Be2 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.0-0 0-0 10. Qd3 Nd7 11. Be3 Nc5 12. Qc2
(In one game, a lower-rated opponent played 12. Qf3 and I was clueless. According to the machine 12. …b6 is the best move but what is the middlegame plans after that? )
Coming back to mainline 12. ….Bxc3 13.Qxc3 Nxe4 14.Qd4 Nf6 -
In this position, I played couple of games and I faced 15.Bg5 followed by Bxf6 idea, 15.Bf3, 15.Rfe1, 15.h3 followed by Rac1 and b4 with c5.
I understand all the possible logical moves cannot be included in the course, as it will be a very big course, but if you could, please explain the plans and ideas on how to continue for each of the lines mentioned.
Also, there are a lot of model games for section 1 with Be3 and Qd2; after studying that, I feel confident in playing those positions, but for the remaining sections (in both courses as well as in the black stream games), there are not many model games showing how typical ideas and plans are in playing those positions. Even though the ideas may be a bit similar, there are some nuances in the ideas as the variations change in the remaining section
(I am saying this from my playing experience and the troubles I have faced while playing against lower-rated players to play for a win.)
Please help me and give your take on these positions and the mindset when you play against lower-rated opponents and why this is not seen in high-level games.
Replies
Dear friend, this is a part of our repertoire,
I do understand that it can be hard to beat lower-rated guys with this, so you can try to have some side openings as well.
Maroczy is a solid structure, but if White does nothing wrong, they also have a very normal position.
French Nd2
Hi after 1e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4 Nf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nd7 our plan is to play f6 followed by Qxf6. However if White plays 6. Nb3 he allows his Bishop to get to g5 and gain a tempo on our queen if we follow our normal plan.
Should we then play 6. … f6 7 ef gf or is this opening lines against our king? Without f6 black's position looks rather passive as we lack pawn breaks so f6 looks necessary. Should we play our normal plan but on Bg5 play Qf7,Bd6 and castle kingside?
What should be the plan for black here?
Replies
Hi Norbert! Against 6 Nb3 a5 7 a4 Ncb8 is Avetik recomendation and later with the idea of B6 and Ba6 to exchange the bad Light bishop for black. Check this video and about 1h:16min
https://chessmood.com/event/french-attack-advanced
You can see alot of game on chessbase from this position.
I try to play this position for black. I find its intresting and when I play this position White can later play H4 -h5 Rh3- Rg3 ideas it looks to me that White have little bit initiative against black position? This line i guess under masterlevel you will almost never face a White player so updated. So before you check h4-h5 ideas with Rh3-Rg3 ideas like in Machuteon French. You need to study another alternative on move 8 to lern ideas. Cause you can not expect your opponents know rook lift ideas or had checked one good computer line. Thats why i recomend you to see human games and analyse. Study- Practice and fix after every games. Try to analyse understand common ideas. Analyse more lines but shorter than only one long deep variation.
You can also play 6.. f6 7 exf6 most common is to play Qxf6 8 Bg5 Qf7 9 Bb5 Bd6 with later 0-0 ans e5 ideas to open lines for your pieces mostly light bishop against White kings position for the price of a pawn sac on d5. It seems okey for black. I find in surprise value GM Avetik advice with 6.. a5 more intresting cause the knight can stand little bit missplaced on b3. A computer move. In online chess is not so common move and I guess not so common in OTB chess. In Corr chess and when people prepare with computer it is a common move. Do not go so deep to understand this line.
Chess Mood - The French Attack
Hi everyone. I have a tournament coming up. There are a few strong players in there, so I checked their games. While analyzing one player's games, I happened to find that this was the most played line against the French: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.exd5 exd5 5.Nf3.
While aware that this is the Exchange Variation, I am not very comfortable with this line as the knight's ideal position is on e7(BTW, A similar thing happens in 2 knights variation after 1.e4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.exd5 exd5 and 5.d4). I was not able to see anything on this line. Can anyone tell me the piece placements and other ideas? Thanks in Advance.
Sincerely, Vedant
Replies
Dear Vedant,
Here you can play with c6-Bd6 setups, and later on, castling short. The Knight on c3 now is a bit bad, due to the c6-d5 pawns. And it's an easy and equal position to play for Black.
french problem
what to do after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nc6 4.Ngf3 Nf6 5.exd5!? where our knight is on f6 and what plan to choose?
Replies
Here you can try to develop with Bd6 - Bf5 or Bg4, the thing is that Nd2 blocks the Bishop on c1 as well.
Chessmood Refutations 😈😈😈😈
😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈
I saw my opponent playing chessmood line with white, and played the refutation. I enjoyed his crying heheheheheeheheheehe… He played Grand Prix d4 line…
GMs already know, I played a6 Nd4 Nf6 line.
I will come time to time to haunt the forum.
Stay tuned, and scared…
😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈
Replies
YAAAAY HAPPY EXCITABLE PEEING OF PANTS
1700 bullet!
Replies
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Funny Comments
Recently I've been learning the WhiteMood Openings.
I import the PGN Homework into Chessbase, then annotate and add lines.
Then I import into Chesstempo for Spaced Repetition.
However, I've been noticing some ridiculously funny comments that were definitely not written by me, but are showing up in the Chesstempo as I practice the lines, but it shows 0 Comments which means it is a private comment. This means the comment came with the PGN Import into Chesstempo.
However when I go back to Chessbase, I can't find those comments anymore, this is so funny! Maybe a ChessMood Editor threw them in somewhere??
Here are some examples:
1.e4 1...c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Nf3 Nxb5 5.Nxb5 d6 6.d4 Nf6 7.Qd3! a6 8.Nc3 cxd4 9.Nxd4 e5 10.Nf5! g6
Ahahahahahahhahaha!
1.e4 1...c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Nf3 Nxb5 5.Nxb5 d6 6.d4 Nf6 7.Qd3! a6 8.Nc3 cxd4 9.Nxd4 e5 10.Nf5! Bxf5 11.exf5 h6 12.f4! 12...Be7 13.Bd2 O-O Time to Aaataaack!
Replies
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How should I create my own set of PGN files?
During the 1 on 1 call with GM Gabu, he asked me if I analyzed my games. I replied yes, and I do it with Lichess. He then asked me to read the following article after our session:
https://chessmood.com/blog/the-most-effective-way-to-create-chess-pgn-files
After reading it, and watching GM Avetik's video on the files, I realised I am not analyzing my games in the right way. (In the past, I just enter my OTB games online, and then simply analyze with engine).
I realise now I should have a set of PGN files for my openings (which I do not have).
I have tried to create a set of opening moves for the scotch game below from the whitemood openings (see attachemnt).
But I have no idea if this is what GM Gabu and GM Avetik mean when they say we should create our PGN.
Can somebody confirm if what I am doing is correct?
Replies
Dear Eric,
If you split the variations into different files, adding the moves from the course, explanations ( short) just to understand the ideas, and so on, it looks fine to me - the goal is to have files that help you to revise your lines, and also can compare with the games when you play them. Also can use FixMood for that.
