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Chess forum by Grandmasters
Few doubts....
in whitemood-scotch game, … Qf6, Be3 what if Be7
or Nd4 Nd4, Qd4 what if c6? getting a shield before going gun on gun?
Just asking…
Replies
The Chess Prodigy Who Beat a Billionaire
In the glittering towers of New York City, a teenage chess prodigy from Queens challenges the elite and proves that true power comes from courage, not privilege. Discover how a pawn became the king in this inspiring story of class, strategy, and hope.
A Classic story of The Pawn Who Toppled a Queen.
Here is the Link (Below):
https://bedtimestoriesforall.com/the-chess-prodigy-who-beat-a-billionaire-the-pawn-who-toppled-a-queen/
Replies
Question regarding 1.d4
After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3, are there any recommendations by Chessmood in the courses? Such sidelines have become so common above the 2000 FIDE mark. Would appreciate some advice!
Replies
Hi there, this move order is covered in d4 sidelines corse > in London system chapter. So after 2.Nf3 you can play g6. If 3.Bf4 it's already covered in the course. If 3.c4 then I suggest you can try d6….Nbd7 followed by e5 at the right time. Playing similar structures and ideas
New opening courses
Chessmood, could you please make new opening courses that are as funny as the rise of champions. I gotten used to the funny things at the end of the rise of champions videos and I find the advanced opening courses just a bit unfunny.:)
Replies
What you don't find it funny to crush your opponent with the Sicilian defense or by channeling the a viking helmeted Gabu with a glorious attack.
True story: I was playing a friend and he played the winged gambit. In the chat I said: Gothem vs Gabu. My friend and I still laugh about it. BTW: Gabu won :D
Benko Gambit (Bg4 - Bxf3 or Ba6 exchange idea)
In the Benko Gambit In some sections we have seen the idea of trading our pieces because we are the side with less space. We were given two options.
- Bg4 and then at some point take on f3.
- Ba6 and trade of bishops from here.
I personally prefer option 2. But which one would you say is stronger.
Replies
Hey Pawn Bishop,
Both options are very practical, and just if it’s a matter of taste I like Bg4 idea.
New Benko course PGN file
Hello guys. As many of you are too I am very excited by the new course. Just checking, Is there a Pgn file as creating your own one on chessbase take years
Thanks Ashwin
Replies
😀
The benko is a fun opening
If you have access to the course they already provide draft file. All you have to do is learn by watching videos and create the remaining lines and variations. Good luck
Also this was elegant. Rare shape I don't see in games much.
The rook was the business end of the battery but it worked because the king had nowhere to go
Replies
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This makes me feel better about my blunders lol
someone shit the bed here
Replies
New Success Story: From Lost Momentum to National Champion: Zoubaier's Comeback Story
No coach. 10 years of struggle. And still, he came back as National Champion. 🏆
Huge congratulations to our student, FM Zoubaier Amdouni🎉
A story of quiet resilience and a comeback no one saw coming. Here’s how he did it 👇
https://chessmood.com/success-stories/zoubaier-amdouni
Replies
Wow, bravo!
Yes sir!!!
Inspiring, amazing work, wish you a bright future.
Benko Gambit
What are the starting moves of the Benko Gambit course, it starts from a random position.
Thank You,
Replies
The new version is just uploaded a few hours ago.
https://chessmood.com/course/benko-gambit/episode/7969
In that link, you can see the starting moves!
Benko Gambit re-recorded!
Same gambit. New weapons!
One of the very first ChessMood courses, Benko Gambit, returns, reimagined with fresh ideas, sharper lines, and hidden traps to keep the pressure alive 🔥
And the promise remains the same:
Give a pawn… and take your opponent’s breath away 💪
https://chessmood.com/course/benko-gambit
Replies
New course: In GM Banusz's mind
A new GM records a course for our platform.
Please welcome GM Tamas Banusz! 🎉
Peak Elo 2641. Multiple Olympiad appearances.
He breaks down his best games.
Watch here:
https://chessmood.com/course/tamas-banusz-best-games
Replies
The best games of July, 2025, and the prizes
Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions!
Welcome to the "Best games of July, 2025" 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 June, 2025:
Francesco Brighenti
JP JP
Thomas Maes
Tomas Hanak
Eyden Zinder
Replies
https://www.c4355.com/game/live/140241167090?move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140249353570
Schlecter variation. I hadn't prepared against 5…Bd6 but managed the win anyway. I intended 25.Qb4+ to win a rook with a fork, but opponent's reply gave me a fun mate in two instead. The engine seemed happy enough! Opponent was rated about 100 points higher. https://lichess.org/vTlOR7qH/white#1
A caro can with a passive light square bishop for black.
https://lichess.org/QCaQ3KJZ/white
A good game after I had played a sicilian opening which for me is unknown
https://lichess.org/oiWW4aC2/black
https://lichess.org/4uUI03Pw
Rating never matters…..
https://lichess.org/Pv5uFrnq#0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140338316488
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140340008752
https://lichess.org/Ju2A0eBp/white#1
Good Sunday afternoon,
I played very interesting game in 3 knights opening as white!
Please enjoy!
https://lichess.org/IPDFHo7F/white#0
Me vs The rated- my school best
“Size doesn't matter, rating or rank doesn't matter, only moves matter” -My father
a messy sicilian but an accurate one
one of my fine attacking games , credit goes to coach avetik for sure
I was happy to score a very accurate win in a tricky opening I wasn't comfortable with
https://lichess.org/study/SnHlWENo/CGPLy0zE
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140437950070
Very proud of how I managed to attack in the exchange Caro (as white). I made a mistake going into middlegame, but found a cool sacrifice and played very well in the complications while low on time :)
One of the first time that i play the stonewall dutch attack. It ended in a draw but i've been very accurate, i saw the sac leading to it and i took it, recognising well what was happening in the position. I would not have been able to do that a few months ago.
NightOwlisLit vs. Lijumaru | Analysis - Chess.com
I minimized his attack and got an exchange advantedge but then blew it to time trouble https://lichess.org/HMRDuNcw/white#94
https://www.c4355.com/game/live/140466687688?move=0
https://www.c4355.com/game/140494203032?move=0
https://lichess.org/UJPCobhx/black A very crazy game with a ton of ups and downs. I used the Dutch Attack when playing this game.
Winning won positions.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140503762838?move=0
https://lichess.org/d6V4oNJv/white#0
https://lichess.org/4oDoT2KJBvUC
I sacrificed three pawns for activity and won the game in 20 moves.
https://lichess.org/ZMwHhuSIneD4
One more where I sacrifice a pawn on three occasions and then a rook. Win in 22
https://lichess.org/inOxEq8C35jj
A positional grind, for a change.
A nice scotch game that resulted in a queen and bishop sacrifice
Check out this #chess game: ViciousRacoon vs ncarney - https://www.chess.com/game/live/140547677892
punishing an opponent in The scotch using whitemood openings
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140537985918?move=0
A nice Caro kann that resulted in a rook sacrifice to win the game
https://www.chess.com/game/140653438256
Despite the yawn of 4... Kf6, the game turned out to be a good example of the importance of tempo in a chess game, a strong attack
https://lichess.org/09s5hHaI/black#0
French Attack!
https://www.chess.com/game/140656789942
https://www.chess.com/game/140704316666
https://www.chess.com/game/140697967594
kinda proud of Bf1 at the end
zatchmop vs. Lijumaru | Analysis - Chess.com
quick knockout in jobava attack https://www.chess.com/game/140690240962
and another one https://www.chess.com/game/live/140760010976
still jobava crushes https://www.chess.com/game/live/140760292572
some CM french magic https://www.chess.com/game/live/140690671326
one for benko fans, benko vs London, white didnt seem to know what he was doing https://www.chess.com/game/live/140761377740
Qxd4-d3 Sicilian positional N vs B https://www.chess.com/game/140798822292
e5 french adventures as white https://lichess.org/0GpvDZnr0mjP
attacking the pirc https://lichess.org/uuVmiTWrjeeE
dutch crusher https://www.chess.com/game/141211615288
jobava for the win https://www.chess.com/game/live/141249083846
another mess in jobava https://www.chess.com/game/141251789662
french h6 sac variation grind as black https://www.chess.com/game/141253256536
Dutch Attack!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/140704000880/review?move=61
Alekhine's Defence - ChessMood gambit!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/140713577824/analysis
My first time facing the Nimzo-Larsen Attack in months, but I vaguely remembered 2. … Bg4. Thanks for spending some time on this in the starter BlackMood course!
https://lichess.org/pPgn7tSH/black#1
My first chance to launch a proper Dutch Attack. Success! My opponent cracked under pressure and resigned on move #38. I don't know how to not show my subsequent play versus the engine.
https://lichess.org/0uIagFRL/black#1
After I finished the course of { Attacking the Pirc defense}, this is My best game ever against Pirc defense. Engine showed accuracy 99%.
https://lichess.org/uHs6r73r
https://lichess.org/SyKplAIF6IHV
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140779227632
was watching fearless warrior
sac section
thanks Gaz
Power of the bishop pair (and centralised rooks 😁):
https://lichess.org/zWX5CHkAYWvB
Nice win vs. the Catalan:
https://lichess.org/CiYcYvbeAaMh
Develop!
https://lichess.org/OU2Fm59eK4ax
https://lichess.org/ED01TXrs
I got to play against karpovs second lev gutman
Nearly perfect versus a Caro-Kann. The minor pieces dance around an isolated pawn.
https://lichess.org/nDHQ76sG/white#1
https://lichess.org/study/tfrLfGDX/Z8qE2HEY
Here is a nice attacking game I won with the Benko Gambit - it was the 5…e6 line in the 5.Nc3 variation, when I started attacking the center right away, later continued to push in the center and finally attacked the white King
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140807563592
nothing special just a solid game
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140817209896
solid attack with a good rook sac
bringing the pieces
i finally broke the fear, and past the barrier of 900
https://www.chess.com/game/140834408662
This is an old game I played when I was 700 ELO. Now I've improved thanks to this family! :-
https://www.chess.com/game/live/85837852289
PS: Ah the ad bots suck.
Scotch rules!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140867847548
I'm switching to ChessMood against Scandi (Nf3). I rarely face this (my second game) and I don't know the opening well, but I played this against a higher-rated opponent:
https://lichess.org/B2Ar0MKYpz9X
I'm very happy with my longer calculation at the end. I got to say “oh no, my bishop" while hanging a mate-in-two ("oh no, my checkmate?") :) And all that after sacrificing a pawn.
Win in 31 moves.
https://lichess.org/4ADC0lCbaZZU
I drew this with lichess stockfish 8! Fifty moves without progress but it trolled me on the last move😅
First time playing Catalan!(being an e4 player myself). Actually made a century(100moves exact)!😂
Please hit like 🥺
I play black here. My questionable sacrifice paves the way to a quick victory.
https://www.chess.com/live/game/140890993456
Benko model game (played with black)
https://lichess.org/lHtcO2JdAfjs
😀
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. d4 c6 5. c4 Qa5 6. Nc3 e6 7. h3 Bb4 8. Bd2
O-O 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 Qc7 11. Bd3 Nbd7 12. O-O b5 13. cxb5 cxb5 14. Bxb5 a6
15. Bd3 Bb7 16. Re1 Nh5 17. Qc2 Ndf6 18. Ng5 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Nf4 20. Kg1 Nxd3 21.
Qxd3 h6 22. Ne4 Qe7 23. Nxf6 Qxf6 24. d5 Qg5 25. Qg3 Qxg3 26. fxg3 exd5 27.
Rad1 Rad8 28. Rd3 f6 29. Red1 Kh7 30. Rxd5 Rxd5 31. Rxd5 Kg6 32. Rd6 Re8 33. Kf2
a5 34. Bxa5 Re5 35. Bc3 Rf5 36. Kg2 Kg5 37. g4 Rf4 38. Bd2 1-0
I played white against the scandnavian
😀
https://lichess.org/study/OaXlI2Mu/P3sFKYp4
OTB game played in US Amateur Team West Round 1
Some of the best games of July 2025 really raised the bar! I was especially impressed with how immersive the new strategy titles were—great storytelling and insane graphics. The prize pools for online tournaments were also massive this month!
Ironically, while trying to keep up with these releases, I fell behind on my coursework. I had to turn to finance assignment help to catch up on a few deadlines. If anyone’s in the same boat, this helped me out: https://myassignmenthelp.expert/finance-assignment-help.html
Balancing gaming and studies isn’t easy, but thankfully some academic help saved the day 😅
Anyone else juggling school and gaming lately?
https://lichess.org/F7FdbTHDHOjT
The brilliant blunder
https://lichess.org/GNKqbKRB/white simple game. Shows how to use pressure and rapid development of pieces. Made sure black's pieces were inactive in the game and start attacking to create pressure as pressure is priceless. He cracked and I crushed him. 28 moves resignation. 😀😀😀
https://lichess.org/OaHgEsqy9GjJ
FM brings his queen out early and resigns in 15 moves
https://lichess.org/jQpAzO7OODBs
Never resign!
Hi all! The games have been awesome so far! :)
I’ve just finished the first course and am currently working on Tactic Ninja. With all the puzzle-solving, especially the daily Chess Mood puzzle, I feel my understanding is growing day by day.
This month, I’m proud to say that I found 17. Nxc5:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140311391128
Good luck to all - and most important: Enjoy the journey :)
Matthias
https://lichess.org/PoTfz4Xp/black#0
This endgame line is underrated
Miniature for the Milner-Barry gambit
https://lichess.org/2Ay5NGHuwsYB
I hoped to put the smothered mate on the board at the end, but sadly the opponent allowed #1 instead.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/141061023012
https://lichess.org/ffArgBvj/white#30
Nice sicilian D6 line
1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 a6 3. g3 b5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. a4 c6 6. a5 d5 7. O-O c5 8. c3 cxd4 9. cxd4 Ne7 10. Bd2 Nec6 11. Re1 Bb4 12. Bxb4 Nxb4 13. Ne5 O-O 14. e4 dxe4 15. Bxe4 Bxe4 16. Rxe4 N4c6 17. Nc3 Nxe5 18. Rxe5 Nc6 19. Re4 Nxa5 20. Rh4 Nc4 21. Qh5 h6 22. d5 exd5 23. Nxd5 Qd6 24. Rf4 f6 25. Re1 Ne5 26. Ne3 Qd2 27. Rd1 Qxb2 28. Nf5 Kh7 29. Nxg7 Kxg7 30. Rd7 Rf7 31. Rg4 Kf8 32. Rxf7 Nxf7 33. Qc5 Ke8 34. Rg8 Kd7 35. Qd5 Kc7 36. Rxa8 Nd6 37. Qc5 Kb7 38. Ra7 Kb8 39. Qc7#
Messed around a bit in the opening, but some nice sacrifices won me the game, courtesy of the Fearless Warrior Course :)
2 rooks, and a knight sacrificed!
Winning with an opening advantage
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141087510980/analysis
Winning with a pawn up without risks.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141088090700/review?move=94
Crushing with chessmood openings.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141088541464/analysis?move=36
Give a pawn for activity and try not to stay worse (20.Ne3).
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141088912636/analysis?move=39
😀
https://lichess.org/simul/mn4KzFXM Had to include this
This game felt like a slow win, grinding away move after move, resisting an early king-side attack.
https://lichess.org/DUDHx0lQ/black#1
https://lichess.org/m4FpR2Nz/white
very solid straight forward attack
Tearing apart White's weakened pawn center in the Alekhine Four Pawns. Note that on move 13 is infinitely much better to take on d4 than to take the exchange when after 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Qxc6 Ke7 White has a big edge due to my dubious king position and bad development. 17…Bb4 was a funky move when I was already winning, but it worked. Just had to be careful not to play 33…Ka6?? when 34. Rc6# would come.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141209336626/analysis
Dominated a Scandinavian Defense using WhiteMood counter. Didn't even need to think too deeply. Thanks so much, Avo!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141228143386/analysis
Sudden end to a miniature. White resigned because in the final position he is unable to defend f3 and h2 simultaneously
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141232357656/analysis
And the last one for today, punishing some bad opening play
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141232689078/analysis
Grand Prix with sharp attacking play
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140255188550
Scotch Attack
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140474268262
Crushing Owen defense
https://www.chess.com/game/live/141060642380
https://lichess.org/9AWxDvKxqk7m
Not sure if simul games count, but this was probably my best game this month:
lichess.org/FZ32vb0MZJtu
https://lichess.org/3ZsybTyc
https://lichess.org/study/4EO1sxxz/Rhg29BoD
One of my best OTB games at my club to date :) Although I did blunder in the middle game, which did cost me the game essentially. From that moment on I tried to put as much pressure on my opponent as possible.
https://lichess.org/broadcast/ecf-english-championship-2025--open/round-4/xfk55zKy/30uCCI09
nice endgame grind in caro kann
https://www.chess.com/game/live/141071738122?move=0
https://lichess.org/LJ4Ed2VX/black
I played online. I played as white. Time control was blitz(5min + 5sec).
This game turned into a Grand Prix Attack vs Pirc Defense.
I played the Grand Prix Attack against the Pirc Defense for practice, and the game followed a typical pattern.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140281418804
Starting my SLP training https://lichess.org/Mz04E7TH/white#25
I've got a pawn for a rook with two pairs of minor pieces off.
I'm not that trappy yet - I usually don't make bad moves on purpose - but I'm getting there. I offered a pawn as a bait and it worked :)
The opening was rocky - they refused the sacrificed knight (twice).
Also, my SLP account is higher rated than my real account. Probably won't last, but the opponent was also higher rated than me (on my main account).
I played online. I played as white. Time control was rapid(15min + 10sec).
This game turned into typical closed sicilian.
The content in daily lesson 83 was helpful.
https://lichess.org/cinl1HSqm6nX
https://lichess.org/veXMt8Fb/black#46
I was black, and a mouseslip on the first move turned it into the barnes defense, apparently. I improvised and I ended up with some beautiful sacrifices and an arguably more beautiful pawn checkmate.
Thank you coaches, I could never have calculated or been fearless (haha!) to play these daring moves before this.
Sincerely,
Ananth
SLP Chess is more fun
https://lichess.org/IHzPltgi/white#34
Hi there! My name is Gabe Hoffman, and this was my best game of July. I played against an 1800-rated player named Aaron Peakmease, and I was rated 1272 at the time. This game was played at the Cornhusker State Games in Lincoln, Nebraska, on July 19, 2025. The time control for this game was G120 d5. I played White in this game.
[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.08.01"]
[Round "?"]
[White "rpmfast"]
[Black "sicilianlover32"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]
[WhiteElo "924"]
[BlackElo "958"]
[Termination "sicilianlover32 won by resignation"]
[ECO "B70"]
[EndTime "2:11:12 GMT+0000"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/141344176664?move=0"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd3
Nc6 9. O-O-O Ng4 10. Be2 Nxe3 11. fxe3 Qa5 12. Kb1 Be6 13. Nd4 Nxd4 14. exd4
Rfc8 15. d5 Bd7 16. Nb5 a6 17. Na3 b5 18. c3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rxc3 20. Qd2 Qxa3 21.
Ka1 Rac8 22. Bd3 b4 23. Rhe1 Bb5 24. Bb1 b3 25. Re2 bxa2 26. Qxa2 Bxe2 27. Qxa3
Rxa3+ 28. Kb2 Bxd1 0-1
A sicilian with 2 outpost in f6 and d6.
https://lichess.org/eCgiyi7h/white
Hello champions!
How are you?
Thank you for sharing your best games. It was a pleasure to review them. You scored some beautiful wins, and we found many instructive moments and ideas. Now, on to the prizes…
1st Prize: Super Pawn
Amazing win in the Anti-Sicilian. 9.Bb5 was an important move that kept the Black King in the center. The final move added a touch of class to an already beautiful game. Nicely done!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141088541464/analysis?move=36
2nd Prize: Ash Pv
Super game in the Benko! Using the half-open file, collecting weak pawns, and setting up tactics, you completely outplayed your opponent. Well done!
https://lichess.org/9gIEGujX/black#73
3rd Prize: Norbert R.
A beautiful game, showing how to attack in an opposite-side castling position. Superb execution of important ideas!
https://lichess.org/3ZsybTyc
4th prize: Sarah Chess.
Fantastic game and a big victory! Coach is proud :) Well played!
https://lichess.org/FZ32vb0M/black#48
5th prize: Angelo Sifaleras.
Super game in the Sicilian with the Grand Prix Attack! You nicely punished Black for ignoring development and King safety in the opening. Well done!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140255188550
Congratulations to all of you!
And thank you once again to everyone for sharing your games.
All the best for next month’s contest!
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New article: The Fork Tactic in Chess Explained
Hello champions!
Today we’ve launched an article that covers everything around the fork tactic that beginners should know. You’ll learn:
- What’s a fork, it’s different types.
- Why are Knight forks hard to visualize (as shared by a neurologist)?
- How to get better at noticing Knight forks?
- 5 ways to get out of forks and so much more!
Read it here👇
https://chessmood.com/blog/fork-in-chess
And you can share your thoughts and the solutions of the puzzles under this forum thread.
Replies
Excellent article as usual ! My answers are 1- Nb5 aiming at c7 2- Nd5 aiming at e7 after rook avoid attack 3- Qxd8 Qxd8 Bc4 + followed with Nf7 + 4- Qxe7 if Qxe7 f6+ and a royal fork on d5 or h5 with an exchange up
Knight forks are also hard to see as there are 6 patterns (ignoring reflections and rotation) and can happen between lots of pieces. With a pawn on e4 a knight can fork that and 26(!) light squares together. Doing knight training and coming up with some of my own improved me about 100+ points and helped me win the British U125 (~1500) championship with 5/5 long ago (2 games involved knights significantly IIRC).
1.nb5 forking c7 2.nd5 idea of both nb6 and ne7 3.qd8 qd8 bc4 kh8 nf7+- 4.qe7 qe7 f6 kf6 nd5 if qf6 nh5
- Nb5 +- (winning at least a pawn and getting a big attack; or winning a pawn and an exchange)
- Nd5 +/- (winning at least an exchange)
- Qxd8 Qxd8 2. Bc4+ Kh8 (2…Qd5 3. Bxd5 +-) 3. Nf7+ Kg8 4. Nxd8+ Kh8 5. Nf7+ Kg8 6. Nd6+ Kh8 7. Nc8 (winning a knight and a pawn) +-
- Qxe7 Qxe7 2. f6+ (Qxf6 3. Nh5+ +-) 2…Kxf6 Nd5+ (winning a Rook for a pawn) +-
Thoughts on Scotch Gambit?
I plan to keep Scotch Game as my main, but I also have learned to like elements of the Scotch gambit. I'm curious what the Chessmood coaches think about this opening.
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Hey Joshua
We are not offering that opening in our repertoire, but I think it is an interesting variation and you are welcome to play it if you enjoy it as well :-)
Identifying Weaknesses
People say that to improve, you should work on your weaknesses, and to find those weaknesses, you should analyze your games.
I analyze my games, and I can see when a move that I played was bad, but often don't see why. As far as I've seen, engines aren't much help here unless the reason is tactical. How can I pinpoint my weaknesses if I don't understand my mistakes?
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Here’s how my journey has gone.
In the beginning my biggest issue was blundering pieces so my analysis was about deciding by it happened. I didn’t need an engine for that since the issue was in my process.
The second step was looking at missed tactics. You’ve already mentioned that the engine works there.
The third step was trying to see potential tactics. The engine works there by looking a earlier moves and seeing how they could leaded up to the tactic.
Then it got hard. What I’ve found is first I learn new things studying a course. The more I learn, the more often I can see where I went wrong. Finally I am able to see it on the board and change my play. For me this last part is a slow, incremental process. It’s not been linear at all, more like a roller coaster.
Dear Sarah,
It's usually very tough for a player to perfectly understand their own mistakes in the games. That's why people are having coaches - stronger players to point out what was wrong and why. However GM Avo has this article, at least helping on the topic about analyzing your own games - https://chessmood.com/blog/analyze-blitz-chess-games
Beginner GPA against g6 and e6
Sorry if this is posted already and I cannot find it. I really enjoy the GPA lines, but I have found that at my current level (15+10 rapid ~1500 chesscom) that my opponents very often go for an early e6, without having played d6. This is usually in response my playing Bc4. After 0-0 and d3 getting the usual set up, black generally plays d5 gaining a tempo on my bishop, and this seems like a really good position for black.
Is there some general guidelines for this sort of line (outside just studying the higher level course?). I find with blacks pawns on e6 and g6 that the usual white f5 break isn't as effective. If there was a way to bait out the e6 move early than I would just develop my light squared bishop to b5 instead, but this doesn't seem possible to me.
Many thanks!
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Dear Patrick,
That Bc4 GP is an under 2000 simplified set-up. However, if you are constantly facing the right d5 setup and you are unhappy with those positions, in the advanced opening courses step by step openings for White, you will find much more concrete playing ideas for the White side.
Scotch Game Step-by-step h4 variation
Is there an alternative to the h4 move shown in the position below which was covered in the course.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/4hVKv3UUdc/analysis
It is very hard to play and can’t even understand most of the arising position how much every I practice and analyze.
My stats in this variation -
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Dear Pawn Bishop,
There are some alternatives in that position - c4 is one of the main moves.
Our h4 is uniqe and interesting, positions are also hard for Black. I have tried it in so many games myself. If you are playing it against strong opponents, some deeper engine work can be required on your side as well. It's impossible to include much more in the courses as then the materials will become 20-30h hours+ and will be super hard to learn. My advice is to check your games carefully and keep practicing.
At a distance, it can be quite reasonable.
e4 g6
Hey all, in which section of the chessmood white openings this is covered? I think it’s called modern Defense. Have problems finding it.
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Hi Ulrich,
I seem to recall asking the same question a while ago. I then found it when I went back through my notes - it is covered within the Pirc section. 🙂
Thank you for the answers, gonna check this section out!
Schlechter variation against French - analysis query
In the Schlechter variation against the French course, Section 4. 5….Nbd7, Sub-section 4.Nice Checkmate: Avetik says after 14. Qxf3 Nf8 that we play 15.Nh5 and Black's best move is to come back with 15…Nd7 (time 02:09) and defend f6 which then allows the spectacular 16.Qf6. However Stockfish says that instead of 15…Nd7 Black plays 15…Nf5 with equality - a move not considered in the video. Instead of 15. Nh5, Stockfish gives the immediate 15. Qf6 with a winning advantage - this can transpose back to the line in the video after 15…Nd7 16 Nh5 but Black has other options. If the above is correct then perhaps you can consider this for any future revisions.
