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Chess forum by Grandmasters
Positional Chess Course
Still no progress on positional chess course? So many new articles but still no progress on positional chess? why is that?
Replies
Chessmood is currently working on many new courses in parallel and does not provide exact release dates, I guess we just have to be patient - let me refer you to another thread with a similar question, which was answered by chessmood odysseus, where he gives some more information and some tips in the meantime: https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-channel/positional-chess-course
We are on it, but it is not so easy as you may think… We already have selected and tested two big sets of quizzes ready and this is a very good news! 😄But in the meanwhile, check the model games and games collections. Plenty of positional wisdom all around… 😁
Improve tactics
Hi all,
I am J.Pragkya .I am rated around 1600 classical and would like to improve my tactics because I feel I am lacking in them.
Any advice would be welcome.
Thank you in advance.
Replies
Well this is a good question and hopefully our new course on tactics will solve your problems. We worked a lot on building this new course. Avetik already announced it during the streams
Are you enjoying the new Tactic Ninja course? I hope that you are already doing one section per day... ;--) And if you can, keep following the streams with Gabuzyan on calculation!
ChessMood Openings
Is there a way to revise the chessmood opening PGNs in a quick way with getting a lot of the ideas refreshed into our brains?
Replies
Well, you have the quizzes on every opening where we selected the most important moves. You can practice them.
But we do not have the full pgns, this is something that you should do in order to understand deeply the openings. Then these pgns that you created with your notes and understanding can be revised. For exemple you can create studies in lichess for free or you can create your repertoire in chesstempo to practice the lines fast (you just need to import your pgns to chesstempo and have a paide account there, I think it was 25 dollars one year).
😁Also with Chessbase you can also train the lines of your pgns. 😅
This is what most of our students are doing.
My chess improvement journey: week 9
Hi everyone! This is week 9 recap.
I have not much to say, mainly because right now I'm not implementing anything new in my study program, just fixing my weak spots.
I noticed I sometimes lose games because I throw away an advantage, because of a tactic miss (it was a fork back than, now a pin: luckily it was the next thing I planned to study to improve tactic, so this week I'll start) or because a lack of courage when attacking. Also blundering opponent tactics but I'm better than a month ago.
I'm also at my peak elo at 1435, and I've just defeated a 1506! I also played a 1534, I was winning but missed an opportunity to grab a free pawn because of a pin, but overall I'm happy of how I've played.
As said I haven't much else for this week, but I keep going. See you next week, keep studying!
Replies
Congrats on the peak Elo.
You seem to be in a much better place now so … keep doing what you are doing!
The best games of February, 2024, and the prizes
Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions!
Welcome to the "Best games of February, 2024" competition.
Under this post, we invite you to post the best games that you will play this month.
The Prize fund is 350K MoodCoins which is equal to 350$.
The 1st prize - 150K
The 2nd prize - 100K
The 3rd prize- 50K
The 4th prize- 30k
The 5th prize- 20k
Good luck with your games and keep the Right Mood!
#ChessMood
#Right Mood - Right Move
P. S.
Here are the winners of January, 2024:
Chess Donkey
Shubman Gill Fan
Joseph Zaffarese
Manolis Kouk
Jake E.
Replies
https://www.chess.com/live/game/100536301107
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/100512171717?tab=analysis&move=44
a nice attacking game of mine
https://lichess.org/ZwrvowQmbpi7
An equal opening ,a pawn up in middle game, converted the endgame
This was so accurate I feel I will be reported by my opponent.
https://lichess.org/QpN66gM6/black#2
not a right one but a SLP one (with luck)https://lichess.org/7v3KbWFm
There are no beautiful tactics here, but unusually for me I think it's an ok positional game. What do you think? I guess this kind of game will never win a prize, but I was happy with the game.
https://lichess.org/vYFhWM7y
Scandinavian .. right from the course .. likely to be reported with a 100% accuracy !!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/100739536035?tab=review
anti sicilian : missed a mate in one but gets the scalp at the end.
https://lichess.org/oJJosqp3
I feel like I played my immortal game, 0 mistakes, 0 inaccuracies and 0 blunders, with 99 accuracy and a queen sac to end it!
https://lichess.org/wT7jgZkG/white#49
😀
https://lichess.org/1dyDMw2z/white#0
Bishop sac for smothered mate
https://lichess.org/PY4421mdMSMb
I lost the game, but I did something amazing. The game was played in Jan.
P.S Here's a bonus game
https://lichess.org/1qlITsEmZ8JI
[ECO "C45"]
[Opening "Scotch Game: Potter Variation"]
Blacks played extravagantly in the opening, and when they got into a difficult position, they showed tenacity and resourcefulness, but all this was not enough for them to save the game.
https://lichess.org/cXFHBruDpCfH
Great game against pirc defence
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/100970574927?tab=review&move=48
Hi - I was very happy with the result of this French game. I think I was wrong to exchange off White's dark square bishop and found myself defending hard in the middlegame, but after weathering the storm then I got a chance to strike
https://www.chessdrop.com/game/DdHnKeDhMnMJwyQu8
CM Antisicilian 1
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/101011986477?tab=review
CM Antisicilian 2
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/101010728249?tab=review
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/101027020037?tab=review
Just a very solid game where I out played my opponent.
https://lichess.org/CMAwxzdVpJxD
Ow no my queen moment
experimental in dzindzi defense :) https://lichess.org/sTODSo0ZDSMp
https://lichess.org/eD41sRGC/white#53
https://www.chess.com/game/live/98873636739
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101232835413 Beautiful checkmate!!
https://lichess.org/ZoAn0r7I/white#31
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101274068429
One of my favorite chess openings which I learned on Chessmood, Thank you!!
https://lichess.org/Npg7kLQQIaHG
Attack is the Best Defence:)
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101240511621
At the earliest I like to strike .
https://www.chess.com/game/live/100981501305
A great victory for me in the Semi Slav Defense
😉
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/100875746207?tab=review a very strong attack.
i learned some of the concepts and used them in both attacking fearlesly and attack like a viking!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101362929187 A Beautiful Sacrifice punishing my greedy opponent! Also a beautiful smothered mate!!
A nice win against the Philidor with the CM setup
https://lichess.org/U4v4PhYhb8GN
Fast win in Sicilian with opposite side castle
https://lichess.org/KT9bnyEB/black
My victory against a higher rated opponent. I played Slav defense with white pieces. I had a great attack on his king. I had a mating net following a discovered check but surprisingly he resigned the game.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101326883073
A game in the closed sicilian where I sac a pawn for a huge attack. I then win 2 pieces for the rook, and proceed to sacrifice my queen!!! and reached a completely dominating endgame!
33… Nce7 was my one mistake, but I had 8 seconds on my clock, and misevaluated qxh2.
Will_TheRedRabbit vs ARMANDAS_130: Zukertort Opening: Sicilian Invitation • lichess.org
How to exploit dubious play in the scotch. Featuring a very nice mating attack to end the game!
ARMANDAS_130 vs Tombro: Scotch Game • lichess.org
https://lichess.org/5tzLbENT/black
https://lichess.org/5H9PwuNk/white#1
Anti sicilian.
Full of attacking against Sicilian with the Bg2 closed line. Followed our GM method of g3, Bg2, h3, Kh2, g4,Ng3 & f5 break. Nice attack.
https://lichess.org/S6DJ5FfLF3CE
My another win against over 2100 in a Semi Slav Defense Game. I had the opposite side castle and a victorious attack over my opponent.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101332364071
The opponent made a few critical mistakes, allowing a very strong attack.
https://lichess.org/HNvI1f6m/white#7
SLP because of needs (blunder saving) https://lichess.org/BogPzO9b/black
https://lichess.org/lZCSW2FZ/black
a crushing, beautiful win with the black pieces…
tried too hard in a casual game lol:)
This is my crushing otb standard game I recreated with my friend on lichess.
absolutely battered my 1800 fide opponent with 97%accuracy
Note:I was playing with the black pieces.
https://lichess.org/byCmEt1r/black
No mercy against big provocation from black in this scotch : https://lichess.org/xUBJRsEm/white
Crushing a closed system
https://lichess.org/RE0HHQyb/black
Scotch attack
https://lichess.org/hycem1Np
https://lichess.org/3tS4EYhW/white#53
a recreation of my otb game where I played 99% accuracy with the white pieces.
https://lichess.org/2pA9YOE3/white
Another recreation of my otb game where I played 96%accuracy and had a crushing win with the English opening including a neat tactic in the end.
https://lichess.org/LHU9oNdG/white
A really nice game I played with the caro kann. On move 18, I was trying to make possible bxh3 followed by qxd4 tricks work but they didn’t-interesting idea though.
this game includes a very interesting opening idea I actually invented against the bd3 variation in the anti caro kann course on this website! This idea worked well and can be good for black if white isn’t prepared…
MAYBE, Avetik or The chessmood team might want to update their caro kann course to cover this line if it is already not covered as this can work really well especially against a unprepared opponent.
https://lichess.org/LlMayY9u/black#36
93% accuracy on lichess
A nice win with a nice gambit
92% accuracy with 0 innacuarcies, mistakes or blunders!
https://lichess.org/zqECBeIn/white
https://lichess.org/e1NF0JZD/black a nice miniature
https://lichess.org/S14ily5E/black#42
96% accuracy
https://lichess.org/rYX8Ac8sILXQ Just a great attacking game
https://lichess.org/a8JrBgGcG6W0
Simply destroying a Sicilian. There's no other word!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101750503941.
95 precision with a beautiful sequence found in the middlegame
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/101751663591?tab=review
Short and sweet, even the 2000 lichess rated players fall for it
https://lichess.org/hlQOE3Hd/white#15
https://lichess.org/cZ8CyLsO/white#84
https://www.chess.com/live/game/101767368649
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101721094615
Another success in Sicilian with a more higher rated opponent.
After the game computer says," You had a pretty competitive game there. The opening was balanced. Both of you navigated the middlegame well."
Attack in CM French
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/101811282957?tab=review
Again outplaying another Sicilian even if everything wasn't perfect.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101770882641.
https://lichess.org/fEQcPzuD/white
Short and sweet in a fun bullet game
https://lichess.org/ETbnPVOIcM8Z
The immediate next fun bullet game, I had a destruction
https://lichess.org/CHu7wi9smTKa
Fun attack in the French
https://www.chess.com/live/game/101838273045
Here's a nice game where I ground my opponent down in a “boring” queenless Petroff. Chesscom gave me a brilliant move and a 2600 estimated rating!
https://www.chess.com/live/game/101840788495
A nice rook sac in the middle of the board to win the queen https://www.chess.com/game/live/101840189305
My new opening innovation I posted about a few comments ago in one of my other submissions is even more deadly in bullet!
https://lichess.org/eAlqV2j7irJu
https://lichess.org/hGp49oHeZ0Ve
https://lichess.org/VThsiMw7sb7c
Lucky game!
https://lichess.org/GUBtibYTOxS3
A simple attacking game and achieved the target 1-0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101843735615
https://lichess.org/pkITfOTAe72P
https://lichess.org/lznADPQnkRwF a 11 move minature
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101845522837
this game includes a very interesting opening idea I actually invented against the bd3 variation in the anti caro kann course on this website! This idea worked well and can be good for black if white isn’t prepared…
https://lichess.org/j1QG2HKI/black
I really felt that I played a great chess in that game.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101952217749.
Simply wow! Totally dominating a Sicilian in 20 moves.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101953490819.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/101603500611?tab=review&move=65 A simple but great illustration of creating weaknesses and utilizing them.
not the best game, but nice tactics using pins and discover attacks https://www.chess.com/game/live/101988898797
Brilliance!
https://lichess.org/JGDlNeHrUJm1
https://lichess.org/UOMYY02evpLZ
Destroyed the caro kann
https://lichess.org/CwyI3HgLobUZ
https://www.chess.com/live/game/102025581299
https://lichess.org/Cw7U4kOFL5cX
The Chessmood Scandinavian against 2..Nf6 with an early ..g6, I played to keep control of the extra central pawn on d5 as well as building up an attack on his king. Black finally lashed out but my position was now even stronger.
https://lichess.org/a4a0Ks4JGQiV
Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions!
I'm thrilled to participate in the "Best Games of February 2024" competition. Here are some of my most memorable games from this month:
- Crushing 1.b3 Opening with the Dutch Defense: https://lichess.org/Jdpd5URq/black#0 - A showcase of how the Dutch Defense can be a powerful tool against the uncommon 1.b3 opening, leading to a decisive win.
- Countering the King's Indian Attack: https://lichess.org/SALzcna3/black#0 - This game demonstrates a successful strategy against the King's Indian Attack, highlighting key moves and tactics.
- Salvaging a Lost Position: https://lichess.org/eNgbeg3p/black#0 - A testament to the fighting spirit, this game illustrates how perseverance and creative play can turn the tables in a seemingly lost game.
I'm looking forward to seeing the amazing games from our community.
https://lichess.org/lNu4D9meOhYE anti sicilian
https://lichess.org/a1gcrnuX/white#29
https://lichess.org/ZBCsE7d7/white#45 one of my best game ever!! with no inaccuracy, no mistake, no blunder and 96% accuracy
Exciting
Queen f6
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101778173227
Closed ….
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/102159804315?tab=review
https://lichess.org/j1kGjJ3Do9ce
https://lichess.org/ddIFiJCbbM2U
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/101224878713?tab=review
Played in an otb 90+30 game
https://lichess.org/wjd9ZzEk
Played in an otb 90+30 game
https://lichess.org/xL1SSG7N
Another game in the same otb tournament lol 90+30 game
https://lichess.org/rBorRYRg
played in another otb tournament a few weeks back. I was very happy with this game as I struggle with slowly improving in closed positions that are better for me
https://lichess.org/IgjdVT4L
A smooth game in the same otb tournament a few weeks back
https://lichess.org/kdZoJcBR
Played in an otb tournament a few days ago 90+30
https://lichess.org/c0zzg6z2
90+30 nothing too special
https://lichess.org/A1S4KVba
attacking game 90+30 otb forgot which tournament
https://lichess.org/JSMirv8k#0
would've been a very nice game but played too fast and got impatient and threw a lot of my advantage. Luckily I got the win
otb 90+30
https://lichess.org/qnKX1oQt#57
King hunting!
https://lichess.org/Icm2xo0Y#60
Punishing the uncastled king! :D
https://lichess.org/j74RTVW1#0
Found after 20mins d5!
https://lichess.org/ErkBxylQ
Thanks guys !
thanks
CM Caro in OTB rapid. The final part is full of mistakes, we both were short on time but really fun with unusual king march.
Manage Your Favourite Games (chessbase.com)
https://lichess.org/x97uBT9h/black#0
99% accuracy with brilliant bishop sac
Omg, almost obliterated the opponent in Bc4 Sicilian with possibly at least one brilliant move.
https://lichess.org/study/rR63UAn8/iGtkMG20
Check out this #chess game: VinzClortho21 vs PECATUR_OKE - https://www.chess.com/live/game/102300832717
A nice game n the French with a Nice combination in the middlegame
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/102329711949?tab=review&move=49
Benko style https://lichess.org/EaNnuZpl/black
11-move miniature…crushed Philidor's defense.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102348995061
Scotch, “automatic attack” https://lichess.org/RRw3TK3v/white#50
D4 sidelines (Jobava) https://lichess.org/UNE8o1zR/black
Check out this #chess game: VinzClortho21 vs Borkifuse - https://www.chess.com/live/game/102367481363
caro Kahn course is amazing
scotch, another automatic attack: https://lichess.org/bzhTxPma/white#1
Very attacking game.
Another attacking game
Caro kan, was intending a l9ng positional game against IP but black proposed some targets on king shelter. Attack was not right but it brings a point due to blacks blunder: https://lichess.org/da2loKMA/white#37
Another nice game
Used a killer tactic in the endgame
https://lichess.org/oxVCR8k2/black
Defended nicely in the middlegame and used a nasty trap at last to win ( not SLP )
A good Scotch.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102429646209.
I played very aggressive in this blitz game
https://lichess.org/PVoaDjHFXG0U
https://lichess.org/Tjg5kgSU/black
A nice attack against the philidor
https://www.chess.com/live/game/102534709603
Bxd6! With a strong initiative (to play gxf6 and reinforce g7, also clears the 4th rank to play Qh4); and a double sacrifice on h7 to finish him!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/102536487027?tab=analysis
not the most accurate but the position looked incredible haha
https://lichess.org/zUaxIchIofCZ
https://lichess.org/tSrkbLAIDAkG
https://lichess.org/7V8exNI66bKT
Maybe not perfect but it was a nice Caro-Kann.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102547310663.
https://www.chess.com/live/game/102551485333
https://www.chess.com/live/game/102565806841
A scotch with a 93.7% accuracy.
https://lichess.org/1Cqh2tlv#55 - My username is PerceptiveLad
https://lichess.org/xLxlEIpP
A Slav game
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102615717589
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102616889879
I was black in this game. I was able to promote to a knight with checkmate :)
https://lichess.org/xCMpNo3y/black
https://lichess.org/0aJPeUXg#1
A nice Scotch.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102633658949.
A surprise for the opponent he did'nt expect…Gabuzyan style I suppose.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/102654598883?tab=analysis
CM French in OTB classical game
Manage Your Favourite Games (chessbase.com)
https://lichess.org/ZpoLVGlu/black
I lost this game but I played a brilliant tactic I won the queen. However blundered and lost Afterwards
https://lichess.org/ksOeYPluyek0
Hello Chessmood family! Here are my best games of February!
My coach's favorite with a nice b5! to open the queen-side in the Dutch: https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/101389384593
An interesting sacrifice in the carokann. It is not the best according to the engine, but it is still very interesting with an excellent pawn storm. Aren't pawns the soul of chess, after all? https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/102424302499
Typical grand-prix attack free win… not much to say: https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/102115522901
It was the best endgame I ever played with a solid f5!! Found in 3 seconds. That's the one I'm the most proud of: https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/101994235525
It's been a few months since I joined Chessmood, and a few weeks ago, I started working with a fantastic coach from Chessmood. Compared to a few months back, I'm impressed by my progress while watching my game. I learned much about chess and the game's mentality and psychological aspects.
I'm grateful for my progress; hopefully, I'll soon achieve my initial objectives and more. Who knows… Thank you very much, Chessmood & Coach!
https://lichess.org/vq84kucS/white#44
Against Sicilian with 2. …. Nc6. I was really proud of the way I played the game. I used to have lots of problems in that line.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102728447015.
A caro-kan with a passive black structure (c8 bishop inside pawn structure) with a crushing attack on kingside with help of an annoying e5 knight. https://lichess.org/KHYixCnC/white
Eventually A petroff: not expert on this opening and chessmood lines (yet :) ) , but around the main ideas: it was not perfect but it worked https://lichess.org/aiJYxiMv/white
I like to play against the Karo-Can't!
- https://lichess.org/brv59KjGK8d6 (im black)
- https://lichess.org/xerfhB5gm3uX (im white)
- https://lichess.org/ib6YyMimeXNX (im white)
- https://lichess.org/w9NfOyVinGX5 (im black)
Hope you have fun going through my games! :D
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102845492083
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102844859723
https://lichess.org/t7zfw3B8Cigg After six continuous losses , finally made a draw against GM Gabuzyan!!
Playing white against the sicilian 2..d6, black (2140 Lichess) got totally crushed-mate in 14 and my best ever 99% accuracy.
https://lichess.org/h1db6Wmn/white
https://www.chess.com/live/game/102858571115
1.I need to learn more about Openings variation actually I blundered at opening.
2.I used many of Ninja tactics during the middlegame; Deflection & Annihilation (which they got brilliant marks; my first double brilliant as l look for a hattrick😌)
3.Then Pin & Zwischenzüge (which they got Great signs😃)
4.Followed by royal fork with bishop & absolute fork with queen simultaneously (My opponent forced to resign, I was hoping this game never ending💔)
*Thank you very much Avetik and this victory is your birthday gift I waited for; you really deserve more than a ninja game 🎁
A 400 points upset : https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/102868203869?tab=analysis
First, a Berlin Wall endgame where I was able to create enough imbalances to succeed. It's always nice to crack this super-solid defense: https://www.chess.com/game/live/100708414235
I've always struggled to not get blown off the board by the King's gambit, but I've recently achieved pleasant positions with the Falkbeer countergambit. Proud of the tactics in this one: https://www.chess.com/game/live/100631026251
https://lichess.org/3CydoBoC/black
Nice game
Hey, not the best game in the opening but the end is something that is really beautiful and worth looking at! Maybe make this a tactics puzzle! Two Brilliant moves in a row, both sacrificing material. Really surprised I found this!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/102943252183?tab=analysis&move=55
https://lichess.org/i4PhBDFN/black
Intense game with a beautiful mate
https://lichess.org/BzxBZ7NSkjFB
https://lichess.org/TLe29UAvwkj1
https://lichess.org/sV0WZl7FlxBc
https://lichess.org/w2M0tqQOo5oG
A short schlechter
https://lichess.org/hwhWkDJy/white
https://lichess.org/Em2alfesLwKM
https://lichess.org/sBh9tfP0pJ44
https://lichess.org/HHC4W5nruwUi
https://lichess.org/X2fbVFG4gk2s
https://lichess.org/DyKUOuMTsID8
https://lichess.org/s9zaeGeH07pY
https://lichess.org/r3EYLfbbfCCh
https://www.chess.com/live/game/102960056333
https://lichess.org/B5oXhapyhh1N – I couldn't believe I found move 9.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102967935863
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102845492083
Champions, hello! How are you?
Thank you for sharing your games. It was our pleasure to review them. We found many instructive moments and ideas. It brings a smile to our faces to see you implementing what you've studied. Keep it up!
Now, onto the prizes:
1st Prize: Roy Li. It's rare to see a checkmate with three minor pieces, and even rarer in the middlegame! From the isolated pawn sacrifice with 16.d5 to the queen sacrifice with 24.Qh7, followed by the mate – it was all very special. Nicely done!
2nd Prize: Aron Bekesi. You played a fine attacking game, starting with a pawn storm on the Kingside. It looked like Black was somehow surviving. But your Bishop and exchange sacrifice just crushed their position. Well done!
https://lichess.org/3tS4EYhW/white#37
3rd Prize: Samuel Marsden. Black was aiming for a solid setup. You used the standard Qe1-Qg3 plan of the Grand Prix setup and forced the opponent to weaken their position (Rg8 and Nh5). The best part was the Smothered mate, with the Black King getting trapped in the center!
Good game!
4th Prize: Mohamed Tineer. You lost a pawn in the opening. It looked like the Black King would castle and be safe. But your 14.Qe2 move stopped it – an instructive idea! Then later the brave 21.Nf5 was a great decision and so was the exchange sac with Rxe7 to gain complete control of the dark squares. Beautiful game!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102858571115
5th Prize: Regis H. You crushed the position with h6-hxg7 and gxf6. Then the double Bishop and Rook sacrifices just destroyed the Black position. And finally, how you checkmated the Black King with a Queen and Rook was spectacular to watch! Excellent game on how to attack in opposite-side castling positions. Well done!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/102534709603
Congratulations to all of you.
And thanks everyone for sharing your games once again!
Keep the mood. Keep the CoGro mindset!
All the best for the next month’s contest!
2.a3 in the sicilian
Hello, what would be your suggestion against 1.e4 c5 2.a3?
Many thanks!
Replies
Hi, very good question!
A friend of mine plays this 2.a3 system which I don't consider to be so bad anymore.
He has it from a course by Gotham Chess, where 2.a3 against the Sicilian is recommended.
I find it quite annoying to play against it as black.
Here is how our games normally continue. I would highly appreciate any help from you, too.
Thank you!
The chessmood recommendation is 2…g6 and after 3.b4, Lg7 or after 3.d4, cxd4.
There are detailed variations now given in the recently updated course “Countering All The Sicilian Sidelines – Section 9: Rare Moves”, please have a look here: https://chessmood.com/course/crushing-all-the-sidelines-of-sicilian
Dutch against London (Ne4!)
Hello ChessMood students,
wenn I play Dutch against London System and I do the important move
Nf6-e4 how would I react when white is attacking that Knight on e4 by Nb1-d2?
Thank you for responses.
Joachim
Replies
Hi Joachim,
just continue with the normal plan: d6, Nbd7,…
Should White take on e4 an interesting question arises: How to take back, fxe4 or Bxe4.
There is a video here (or an article) where Avetic explicitly deals with exactly this question
(fxe4 or Bxe4) but I can't find it right now. Give me some time. Normally, fxe4 is a good choice, winning time,
opening the f- file,… even though one might be sorry for the Bb7 then…
You can try to follow the plans Thomas explained, but in this specific position Nbd2 loses immediately due to g5 2.Bg3 f4 3.exf4 gxf4 and the bishop is trapped. Always look for tactics!
👍
Thank you very much for showing this combination. That is exactly what I do not see as a beginner :-)
Highest rated opponent I have defeated!
Hello Chessmood family,
Well, I just wanted to share the game of the biggest win yet for me! This is the highest rated opponent (2604) that I have every defeated on lichess.org or chess.com.
I want to say thank you to all the Chessmood coaches for all the courses and events. My rating has not caught up yet but I am learning some great stuff here! Looking forward to some more great things!
Dr. Henry Singletary, CPA
https://lichess.org/O6gWWLdF7MB7
Replies
That's the way to go Henry! 😄
😅Next step is to start learning our openings too 😁💪
Question on Grand Prix
Hi there
In this game, I tried to play in the spirit of Whitemood Grand Prix opening, but got confused. I faced early a6 and e6 from Black, so elected to route my Bishop to g2 and try the pawn storm. 💪
https://lichess.org/study/30xuWe3D/XucuQmvs
I did win the game, but I don't think I handled it right. I have two questions:
- Should I have done something faster to open the game up given how long Black took to castle. In the game my kingside attack started before he had castled, giving him queenside castling options 🤔
- Was I correct to open the h-file when I had the chance? This file haunted me later. 👻👻
I'd be very interested to know how this opening should have been handled in the spirit of Whitemood! Many thanks for any thoughts! 🙏
Replies
Hi Ben!
We don't usually comment on particular games since there would never be an ending to it if every promember asks, we handle more concrete questions on positons from our openings. Still, in this case and since you commented your game with so much detail, I will tell you my personal opinion.
As I see it, you should wait a bit more for the opponent to castle in order to initiate a "pawn storm". We can initiate them without much worries when the king is castled in the other side. In your case, the pawns that march forward, to war, are the same ones that are supposed to protect your king! If they go forward but the opponent's king is not there it makes not much sense, isnt'it? You just sent your defenders to some wild expedition… 😱
So instead of 10.g4, I would play some waiting moves like c3, protecting d4, or Be3, and wait for Black to castle. Then the pawn storm would be correct.😝
As for the other important point to learn from this game was to play Qe1 or Qe2 instead of Re1. The logic is this; The Q did not develop yet and the Rook is already attacking on the f file! By moving it you lose control of the f file and at the same time you don't develop the Queen, your most powerful piece…
💪Regarding gxh5, I don't see any problem with it as you did in the game, you won a tempo with the knight attacking the rook.😁
3... d6 versus the scotch
Hello,
Some players play 3… d6 versus me when I play the scotch. According to you, is it good to play 4. d5 Nce7 or 4. d5 Nb4 5. a3 Na6 ? Which plan should I play versus 3… d6 ?
Thank you for your answers.
Replies
3…d6?! is a bad move, as it locks in Bf8, just play 4.d5! and wherever the N on c6 retreats it will be badly placed!
Chessmood recomends playing 4. Bc5 and not d5, check it out in the philidor section of the simplified whitemood openings course for the full variations(section 3)
https://chessmood.com/course/whitemood-openings
Hi LPDJ! Welcome to the forum! 😁
It seems that it is the first time writing in the forum but since you are not part of the Chessmood staff, could you be so kind to remove Chessmood from your name?😇
Otherwise it can be confusing for the users.
😀Thanks a lot in advance. 😅
Can anyone help me?
Hello!
I have a question, is it possible to improve in chess with chess engines?
Because the computer engines recommend us the best move and this is how we understand why this move came and what was the reason for it.
Replies
I would definitively discourage you trying to get better by just looking at the moves recommended by an engine!
The engine will certainly recommend you a very good, maybe “the best” move, but the engine does not talk to you explaining the “WHY” this is a very good or the best move!
Blackmood Openings, French with 2.Qe2
Has anyone experienced 1 e4 e6 2 Qe2 e5!? 3 f4 ?
This seems like a souped up King's Gambit to me and looks utterly, utterly terrifying.
I think Black has to take the pawn or risk looking like a spineless weasel.
Any thoughts please?
Replies
Do not give White the chance to play in King's Gambit style by taking on f4 - just defend your e5 pawn with d6 when play most likely will continue with 4.Nf3, Nc6 (again defending e5), when Black has complety equalized after only 4 moves!
As coach Avetik explains in the video course, neither 5.Bc4 nor 5.Bb5 nor 5.d4 is possible for White similar to 1.e4 e5 openings due to the awkward position of the Q on e2
NInja Tactics Small Bugs
Greatly appreciate the new tactics on each Tactic Ninja course!
I discovered a few small issues: Some of the newly added tactics I correctly solve do not get the green “done ok" check even if I resolve them correctly several times. The “after each video” tactics I solve shows solved (green) till next time I access the video then the puzzle shows unsolved.
Would like to keep a track which ones I solved correctly, can you please fix this?
Replies
Thanks Ovi, it was in our to do list! 😀We'll fix it as soon as possible.😅
French Defence Advance Variation - defence of queen
Hi there,
OK, I'm playing as black in this game and using the French Defence (Advance Variation). After my Bd7 and a6 moves, looking to trade-off the weak bishop as suggested in the BlackMood opening course, I'm faced with white's Bd5 move attacking my queen.
At the time I considered:
- Be7. Blocks the attack on the queen and also threatens a counter-attack (although white's bishop is defended by the knight on f3).
- Ne7. The knight blocks the attack on the queen but is no threat to white.
- f6. I failed to consider this fully at the time, just looking at the pawn exchanges. However, once those are done, if white's bishop takes the final pawn it is then unprotected and vulnerable to attack by either my g8 knight or my queen. In hindsight, this was probably a better option as we are up in material and have opened-up the position in our favour. (That said, would need to look at casting queenside as king now exposed)
- Qc8. Remove the target!
What move would you make here (and why)?
If it helps with visualisation the game is here:
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/102768650251?tab=analysis&move=8
Replies
Hi! 😃I believe Ne7 is the best move in the position, here is why, in our French Attack we do many King side pawn storms when allowed.
Ne7 should go to f5 in most cases since it's the best square. If White exchanges the Bishop for our Knight then we will have a very good Bishop on e7. If is not exchanged, we can go h6, g5 push the Bishop back and place our knight on f5… We then castle Queen side as in the typical French Attack games.🤠
I, of course, can not explain better than Odysseus, but I will offer my input on why I see …Be7 as inferior to …Ne7. Your plan of ...a6 and …Bb5 is intended to trade off your “bad French bishop” for White's good bishop, agreed? But by inviting the trade of the dark squared bishops with …Be7, you are instead helping your opponent get better pieces than your own! At least, this move to me would seem to be very contradictory to standard French opening play.
Najdorf course
Hello,
Will there be a Najdorf course to complement the accelerated dragon one for Black?
Many thanks
Replies
CM once had offered the Najdorf repertoire, but then decided to drop it, as it is such a big opening that it will make it very difficult to keep it up with. They chose the Accelerated dragon as the best weapon instead which is much easier to play!
There are no plans to re-introduce the Najdorf again as a course - please see chessmood odysseus explaining this in a previous thread a couple of years ago: https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-channel/najdorf
3.Bc4 Interesting line
Hi Chessmood team!
Recently I was playing some training games with my friends and one of our games continued in the following manner :
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. e5 Ng4 5. Qe2 Qc7 6. Bxf7+ Kxf7 7. Qc4+ Ke8 8. Qxg4 Nxe5 9. Qh5+ Nf7 and here coach only covered d3 to show typical plans and give us a clear idea on how to continue.
But my friend played Nc3 with a quick d4 and with the king in the centre it was hard for me to play and while analysing the game I couldn't find a clear way to continue…
So I wanted to seek guidance from the Chessmood team on how to continue after Nc3!? .
Thanks for the response
Regards
Vedant
Replies
No reply?
Sorry Vedant! I thought that I asked Gabu about it but i didn't! My bad! 😇
I asked him now and hopefully he will reply soon after he's recovered. 😅
Hi Vedant,
In the given position after Nc3, I recommend the development with b6-Bb7 followed by some g6-Bg7. If white replies with 11. d4 cxd4 12.Nxd4 Qe5 + leads to an endgame.
As an extra option instead of 8… Nxe5 you can also play with 8…g6.
lol an amusing update from my night
I'm drilling annihilation tactics while listening to Annihilator.
Anyone sense a theme tonight?
Replies
That's a good way to drill the exercices for sure, at least for the annihilation concept! LOL😁
Tactic Ninja - Double Attack
In section 12 Training: level 2, there is an error with problem 19. I think Black can defend the double attack with …Qb2.
Replies
Very good idea!
But after Qb2 there is c3 and you have to play Ne5 to prevent mate on g7. Then White has two pieces for the Rook.
Moodcoins spend
How can i spend moodcoins i cant see price of courses in moodcoins?
Replies
No monthly access to courses? Only yearly? It's not good, sorry.
Hello, some courses can be bought by using moodcoins. Go to the course page and click ‘’get a lifetime access''. Then in the window that will appear click buy the course and then choose “moodcoins". You can see then the price of the course and if you have enough moodcoins you can purchase it. Hope this helps.
My chess improvement journey: week 8
2 months in! (actually, a couple more weeks, but I'm counting studying weeks)
These 2 months have been great. I'm so happy I've decided to study this beautiful game, as this is brining me a lot of little satisfactions and smiles.
24/12 I was rated 1354. Now I'm 1424, with far more experience and knowledge, while also having more fun.
70 points are not that much in 60 days, but the lessons I've learned as far are much more valuable. I'm looking forward to learn even more.
As for this week, I actually haven't done much. I was very busy and I hardly played (in fact, I played just 2 game, but won both of them.). Fixing my weaknesses is always my number one priority, and I'm constantly finding way to improve on that side.
Writing these recaps is keeping me motivated, so I want to thank once again who's reading them. I hope I'll bring some other good news next weeks. As for now, that is it. you can watch my rating progression here (https://www.chess.com/stats/live/rapid/cengia), if you want to see how it has gone.
Thanks again for reading, see you next week and keep studying!
Replies
Keep up the great work - it's encouraging to see other players making progress.
