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Chess forum by Grandmasters
Taking too much time on a puzzle
Today daily puzzle took me 32 min to find out the solution ! I knew what I needed to do but how to do it was the difficulty for me ! I did put it on the board to verify my first idea and played the moves . I refuted my first solution so kept on working on it . How useful is it to take such time compare to try for 5-10 min and then check the solution ? Usually , I feel I have to find it by myself , I avoid using any help except moving the pieces after a while . I m afraid it is not efficient .. what are your thoughts about this ?
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Hi Denis,
I believe it's optimal when a puzzle takes max 5-7 minutes. As if it takes much longer, means it's a little complex and you can try to find easier-level tactics to improve your tactical skills. The tactic Ninja course will be a good way to improve.
Good luck!
Wolf of the chess street - section 6 - 9 strong defender
Good morning! Im watching wolf of the chess street course right now and I found some improvement in this position (attached diagram), black can play 1...Rxh4+ 2.Kxh4 Rh8++ and finish game faster. Petrosian64
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I think you are correct ! Well spotted !
Thanks for the note!
I showed a mate in 3 while Rxh4+ is a mate in 2.
The Scotch opening
Hello all I am wishing to use my access to this resource by studying, mastering and implementing the Scotch game. I have an example of having performed this opening with success in my recent chess history. I would like to apply and extend the knowledge and skills that I have gained so far in learning and practising this opening, and its resultant machinations. The example of my game can be found here: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 f6 4. dxe5 fxe5 5. Bg5 Nf6 6. Bb5 a6 7. Ba4 b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 9. Nbd2 Nb4 10. c3 Nd3+ 11. Kf1 Nxb2 12. Qe2 Nc4 13. Nxc4 bxc4 14. Bxc4 d6 15. a4 Qd7 16. a5 c5 17. g3 h6 18. Bxf6 gxf6 19. Rg1 Qg4 20. Nd2 Qh3+ 21. Rg2 O-O-O 22. Nf3 f5 23. exf5 Qxf5 24. Bd3 Qe6 25. Be4 Qb3 26. Bxb7+ Kxb7 27. Qe4+ Kc7 28. Qe3 Qb2 29. Rc1 Qa2 30. Nd2 Qxa5 31. Nc4 Qb5 32. Qd3 Rb8 33. Rb1 Qc6 34. Rxb8 Kxb8 35. Na5 Qa4 36. Qxa6 Qa1+ 37. Ke2 Qxc3 38. Qb7# 1-0 As you can see, I ended with check-mate. Should there be anyone else of this disposition, who wishes to engage me in lively discussion as to how maximisation of learning goals can be achieved - then kindly submit your remarks to my post. Thank you for reading my e-mail message, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards Harry
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Should you even have a chess coach?
Isn't it good enough to study on your own? What exactly is a chess coach good for? It's much more simple to do it without one than with one. I would really appreciate all thoughts on this, I've been thinking about this for a while now.
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It's definitely not necessary to have a coach if you want to improve (at least until 2200/2300 FIDE in my opinion). But it can be helpful: - The coach will be better than you to identify your weaknesses - The coach knows what is useful to study/learn to achieve good results and what is a waste of time (for instance he will prevent the students to spend too much time on opening theory or to read Dvoretsky Endgame Manual if he doesn't have the level etc. and help to focus on the important areas). - The coach can help you with everything related to mindset/psychological pressure etc. - The coach will give homework/tasks to do etc. That can be good for people that have difficulties being disciplined etc. Hence, I think a coach can be considered as a "shortcut" for improvement even if you still have to work hard on your own if you want to achieve your goals. But it's definitely not mandatory with all the great content available nowadays :) EDIT: I just started to reach Advanced Chess Tactics by GM Lev Psakhis and here is what he says in the preface: "Don't forget that improvement (and not just in chess) can result only from independent work. The best coach in the world can only help you with useful advice and a selection of important material - it is still up to you to assilimate it!"
New article: The "Smiling Pillow", Todd Hermann, and the Thief
I would know that today was a great success if at the end of the day I did, said, or felt …
Continue the sentence in the comments.
And if you’re unsure of the answer, check out our just-published article.
You’ll love the concept from the World’s leading expert on the mental game and peak performance.
https://chessmood.com/blog/smiling-pillow-todd-herman
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I did my best ! Hi GM Avetik , this podcast was incredible ! Its amazing to hear from someone who is working with the best out there ! The pillow concept is probably true for everybody ( except maybe for psychopath or sociopath ! ) . I especially liked the last part about older people . Being myself 57 yrs old , I know its hard to change old habits but with the right mindset, the motivation and good work , I feel anything is possible and if I dont succeed , it wont be because I did not try ! Thank you very much for bringing this to us ! 👍
Smiling pillow is such a lovely concept! We all have a child inside of us, we can identify with this :)
Wonderfull article! But words are easy, you still have to do it. How to find the right alter-ego? I am a heavy procrastinator and in my 34 year of playing in a chess club I have not find the right thought proces that I can use constantly for every move I play, so my chess strenght goes up and down with every game I play. Once again, the concept looks wonderfull and beautiful, but like always, I suffer with the start of it and then to continue with it. Or is it because I want perfection from the start, not willing to fail (maybe my biggest mistake).
How to use MoodCoin?
It says that I can buy courses with MoodCoin...But HOW???🤔
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Click Get lifetime access It s over the main quiz of any course . 1 k MoodCoins = 1 $
Study plan- How to stay disciplined?
I created a chess study plan for myself, and I keep going for 1 week, but then at some point I lose motivation and I completely stop. So my question is, how to stay disciplined and stick to the study plan even if I am not motivated?
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Set achievable goals, and then break them down into sub-goals. Track the completion of your goals in a notebook or online tool such as Google Sheets. For example if a goal is to complete a particular course, you could break it down into a chapter per week. Build some slack into your schedule. We're not perfect studying machines.
1 on 1 call with GM (studyplan)
As a Pro member I can choose for a 1 on 1 call with GM to get a personalized studyplan. I can only see available times on june 2th and 9th, both fridays. That is a day I have to go to work and in the evening go to my chess club. So I dont have time those two days. For may and july there isn't a day scheduled. Does this mean I have to wait until august (or maybe even later) to have a 1 on 1 call on a for me suitable time and hour?
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Hi johan You should probably contact support for this , I hope you get your call soon as my personalized plan it was quite different from the general study plan in my case .
Hi Johan,😃
I am sure that we still have to update the event list, but just in case, please send us a private email (since the open forum is not the best place to discuss private matters) or get in contact through https://chessmood.com/contact and we will try to find a good time slot for you.😁
Need urgent answer
Hey chessmood team love your free videos next month i am going to play a tournament biggest in my chess carrier if i will lost it would cost me my whole chess chess so is there any one to help me
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So World Championship then or over dramatic? Why put yourself under so much pressure?
Hi Zayn . You can try to prepare the best you can till the next tournament but , having long term goals is the way to go as chess can be a life long work ! What is your level and the level of the opponents you will face ?
Hey Zayn, In a game, you can always win if you follow these rules: Make Good Opening Moves. Do Not Give Away Pieces For Free. Get Your Pieces In Position. Coordinate An Attack On The King. Watch The Safety Of Your Own King. Always Be A Good Sport!!! If you follow those, you will succeed! (Mostly)
If this tournament isn't over, then just stay calm while playing. If you panic, things will get worse. Prepare, you can fix common mistakes you make, practise and study, and if possible, try to learn about your opponent/opponents.
OPENINGS
i HAVE COME TO HATE OPENING THEORY - IT BORES ME TO DEATH I JUST FEEL LIKE ITS A MEMORY CONTEST RATHER THAN A SKILL I SEE WHY FISCHER INVENTED RANDOM CHESS
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Trading options
One thing that isn't mentioned explicitly in the Wolf course, but may be useful is the enumeration of options you might have when a trade appears. There is a quite a list: .Capture it .Play another move and let opponent capture, or be distracted from capturing. .Move it away so it can't be exchanged for that piece .Reposition so opponent trade is favourable (e.g. repair pawns or open file) . Defend attacked piece to recapture favourably .Interpose with lower value piece, or sacrifice of higher value piece . Pin attacker to stop it exchanging . Alternative trade / tactic to move attacker away . Create other threat/position to make opponent trading bad . Tactic to win attacker . Bluff by offering an alternative piece that appears a better option to capture Others?
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Question about the French exchange?
e4 e6 d4 d5 exd5 exd5 nc3 nc6 nf3. What do we do because we can't go bishop d6 and get the long castle set up because black would take on d5. Thanks for your answers.
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We adapt and we go Bb4.
I've never told you this...
Hello, my friends and champions!
From reading my articles, you might have the impression that I’m made of iron, have super discipline and always have solutions. Which is very far from the truth :)
In reality, I have hard times and hard days too…
Guess how I find motivation to push forward and who helps me?
Yep, YOU…
YOU, ChessMood family!
I should’ve told you this earlier.
How you heal me each time I’m down.
How many of you have a special place in my heart.
But as they say, better late than never.
I wrote a letter to you 20 days ago, but then I decided to send it on Thanksgiving day. Then I changed my mind again, and published it on our Blog, in case you miss the email.
Please take a few minutes to read my gratitude essay.
Thank you for every-every-everything!
https://chessmood.com/blog/thank-you
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Thank you to you and all your staff for working for chess lovers in the way you do👏👏
Happy Birthday to Grandmaster Hovhannes! Thanks for all of your high-quality Instruction videos!!
Thank you to you ! I was not among the people who helped you 6 months ago as I m here since 3 months . With very good results in the first 3 tournaments after joining the chessmood family , I had one more ordinary and this WE , I having a bad one ! 0.5/3 . But I had good games with chances to win in everyone , but it s just not working so far . I feel some deception but I m not discouraged at all and still feel I can score pts tomorrow . Whatever the final results , I m confident in the long run that I will improve and it will show in my results thanks to chessmood . I m patient and plan to work hard to get there eventually ! 👍
Can we download pgn from file courses because it is unlocked for 28 hrs
I am not a pro member Can we download pgn from file courses because it is unlocked for 28 hrs? Also Belated Happy birthday to Gabuzyan Sir
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Sorry, the videos are unlocked, not the pgns. Enjoy them! 😀
e4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 b4?!
Had this tricky gambit in an informal game and lost. Should this be handled by the sharp cxb4 d4 d5 exd5 Qxd5 c4 Qa5 etc (Qh5 didn't work out for me) or by the safer 3... Nxb4 c3 Nc6 d4 cxd4 cxd4 e6 lines?
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I think this has been discussed before and ..Nxb4 was suggested.
Hi David!
This was debated and replied in the following thread> I think that this will be a good line for the next time…
https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-channel/delayed-wing-gambit
Right Mood?
ChessMood talks a lot about right mood right move, and how that will help you. I think this is a smart approach but I am reading "Thinking, Fast and Slow" and in it it says that if you smile or are in a good mood System 1 kicks in. He says something like "System 1 is more intuitive and creative, but it lets down it's guard, is not that vigilant, and does not think that deeply" So in Right Mood-Right Move, doesn't System 1 kick in? And is that good? Or is it bad? Thanks for your help!
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Hello ebk Chess! What it probably means is that you don't want to rush. System 1 is the system that is not focused and will help you make more blunders. Also, it is ok to have fun while your playing. Just don't let that fun distract you from your practice. Also, I'm almost positive that system 1 doesn't get involved because it will make you unfocused, and focus is, in my opinion, is the key to winning a game. I hope you can understand.
Candidate moves or Instinct led?
In https://zwischenzug.substack.com/p/play-chess-like-a-firefighter an FM talks about 2 different approaches to how to find a move. How am I supposed to do it? Should I analyze different candidate moves or should I stick to one unless I can prove it wrong?
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what's your rating? I'm sure the answer will differ from 1000 to 1500 to 2000 to 2500+
Can also depend on the time control and the nature of the position.
Analyze different candidate moves so that you can manage your time when playing a game
d4-f5 (not d4-e6), what else should I learn except Staunton?
If I as black do not want to play French, I should play on d4-f5 (not d4-e6), right? (I am e4-e5 player with black and I have also added e4-c5 now, but e4-e6 is not my choice currently). I understand that then I need to learn Staunton gambit (d4-f5 e4). What else should I learn additionally if I start with d4-f6 and not e6 that is not mentioned in the course?
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2.Nc3, 2.Bg5, 2.g4, 2.h3., 2.Qd3 Lots of tricky stuff in there.
Older Player Improving Thinking Process
Background: Learned chess at age 5, but did not play seriously until my first tournament at age 30. Now retired and trying to improve at age 66. Trying to correct two bad thinking habits. (1) Failing to identify my opponents' reasonable responses to my threats (responses that are well within my ability to spot rather than being beyond my tactical ability) and (2) Stopping my calculations too soon (after checks and captures are complete, but missing certain threats at the end). Seeking: Suggestions for study techniques, exercises, etc. to help address the two bad thinking habits. Playing more obviously will help, but I slip back into my bad habits during games with the typical fast internet time controls. I need some way to establish good habits before I try to apply them quickly. Thanks for your suggestions.
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Very interesting question. Here's what I try sometimes: when doing serious solving, I setup the position on a real chess set. This gets me out of that "must move quickly" online mindset. When I think I've solved it I'll write down my solution on a piece of paper, trying very hard to cover a few defensive options. Sometimes, particularly if I'm unsure about things, I'll take a break and come back to it later with a clear mind to see if I've missed something.
Hi Randall , I think the answer is within your post . To improve this , you need to play slower pace game maybe ! And just take more time to spot what your opponent can do and try to see what the position will be after the calculation you made , like 1 more move for each player and not just stopping after you took a pawn on tactics . Is the final position worth winning anything ? My best games , I often delay taking a pawn or even a piece which could ruin my position.
DAILY PUZZLE
Hello Chessmood, I tried to find the solution to today's puzzle. I found the first good move, but then the following moves seemed obvious to me. However, I tried all possible black moves, but none of them worked. Is it a bug? Thank you very much for giving me an answer. Informally,
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The puzzle worked perfectly, plus it was White to move… I just did it and still 5 hours left on the puzzle…😅
It was definitely broken for me earlier too. But worked just now.
I looked at it 4 different times today but only tried to solve it 10 min ago as I was not seeing the solution . I finally got it on my first try but its the first time I have so much trouble with a daily puzzle but still get it right on the first try ! So if it was not working properly at the beginning , I got lucky to have avoided the problem ! 😅
