Chess forum by Grandmasters

The issue of downloading chess books

How do we know whether downloading a chess book (.pdf) is legal or not?

This is a sensitive topic because I want to order a book but it's out of print. And the price at amazon is pretty high...

But if I search the book on Google I can find it pretty easily as a .pdf file.

In the past I've emailed publishers to ask about this, but they do not always answer.

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In general assume it's not legal except for very old books.

Whether that is fair given publishers reluctance to produce online copies, or allow books to go out of print, and extortionists charging many times the cover price on Amazon is another matter.

Freely downloading books is likely illegal, but no one will pursue you for it. Students around the globe probably download thousands of dollars' worth of books every year due to unreasonable costs. Researchers sometimes download papers in shady ways too for basically the same reason. Despite it being technically illegal, it has turned general practice, really. 

I download a hell lot of books whatever i want in pdf files. I have never had any  problem.

Caro-Kann - Bg4 & Qc8 line - the Qb5 novelty

In the line with 6.. Bg4 7. Qb3 Qc8, when black plays 10.. Bh5, delaying castling, we have the novelty of 13. Qb5. Since the queen is anyway going to d3, why not via c2 as usual instead? What's the added value of taking the b5 route?

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as I remember, in that way we don't let black b5 counterplay

In the game 13.. a6 14. Qd3 b5 15. Ng5 b4 - the move 16. c4 is played. The game continues 16... dxc4? 17. Nxc4 18. Qd8?? and we see the Rxe6 tactic winning.

Instead of 16... dxc4, 16... a5 with the idea of playing Qa6 to swap queens is about equal.

Perhaps 16. Rc1 should be considered instead, the idea being if a5 then cxb4 and pinning Nc6, with ideas of Ndf3 and Ne5, with also forks if Nxf7 and Rxc6 are allowed. The a2 pawn can be ignored.

Opening study

Sir,

Can you please recommend a good way to study chess opening book { For example the book which I have , A Strategic opening repertoire for White by IM John Watson.} ?

Thank you in advance

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Personally, I would not study an opening from a book. There are much better online resources nowadays.

Othewise you need to start with the basic ideas and setups. Then you should find master games to see how they play. Them you should play some training games to see if the opening suits your style.

And finally if all goes well, you should study the opening in detail.

You should read " Chess Openings" by Mike Basman.  A well-written, instructive book, targeted to the beginner-novice, focusing on the application of opening PRINCIPLES and techniques.  Does a better than average job explaining not only HOW to play the opening, but WHY moves are made.  Features tutorial overview chapters on the following openings: Giuoco Piano, Sicilian Dragon, Queen's Gambit, Nimzo-Indian Defence, and Morra Gambit.  This would be a good supplement-companion to John Emms' "Discovering Chess Openings..." (above).  See also "Chess Openings for Juniors" and "Winning In The Opening", both by J.N. (John) Walker.

Best Website

This is the best website I have ever seen

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We are happy that you like it! Thanks!!

Move order in Maroczy Bind

I really enjoyed watching the "Marorczy Bind" course :) I have a question regarding the move order: is it possible that we end up having to play this standard English with Nf6?

1. c4 c5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 Bg7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. O-O Nc6 7. d3

If so, is there another move order that would guarantee that we stay within the ChessMood repertoire?

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The current recommendation by chessmood is to play 2…g6 rather than 2…Nf6, as 2…g6 is much more flexible and allows the option of a later e5 and then Nge7 (depending on how White plays). The 2…Nf6 continuation in the Maroczy course is from Febr. 2019 and outdated and was replaced by 2…g6 (please see the videos on the English Opening, 1.c4), as it would take away from Black the option to play a later e5 (because then the N on f6 would be misplaced!)

If you don't like maroczy after 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6

then imo interesting line is 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3

2...Nc6 (this is not recommended in the course cause of 3.e3 but I dont think it's that bad, plus if you know opponent will go for maroczy it's reasonable)

3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 (not allowing e4) 5.Nc3 e6!?

Is chess strength dominated by tactical ability?

I think that chess strength might be dominated by tactical ability. What do I mean by that?

Definitions:
Tactical ability =  pattern recognition, clean calculation, trickiness, etc
Other book knowledge = openings, endgames, strategic themes, classic games, etc

If we could assign an ELO to “tactical ability” and “other book knowledge”, we would notice that chess strength is dominated by tactical ability. Example of two players I know personally:

Player A (2325)
Tactical ability = 2400
Other book knowledge = 2100

Player B (1975)
Tactical ability = 1900
Other book knowledge = 2200

This is the best example I know of, but I don’t know of any real counter-examples. For example, I have never met this player:

Player C (2050)
Tactical ability = 2300
Other book knowledge = 2000

With candidate master strength tactical ability, Player C will be rated 2150 - 2250. The thing is that a strong tactical ability will cause Player C to play the opening, the endgame, strategic themes, etc, much better than a 2000 player. After that, so many games are decided by tactical complications that it makes the difference in favor of the tactically gifted.

I know that saying that:

Tactical ability >> Other book knowledge

is a bit controversial, but if it’s true, it means that tactics should be given lots of consideration.

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Chess strength is determined by a number of combined factors:

1. Positional Understanding

2. Fighting Spirit

3. Health & Fitness

4. Tactical Awareness

5. Theoretical Knowledge

6. Confidence

Creating files for Chessmood openings

Respected sir,

Is it fine if I create my files working video by video or would it be better to work section by section only ?

I choose the first approach mainly because I felt that my memory is not very strong.

Thank you in advance for any feedback

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Yes, it's fine. Sir said in a blog, if your memory is too strong, you can do full course and then create pgn. If it is strong but not super strong, you can do section by section. If it is weaker, then you can do video by video.

Benko delayed recapture mainline

Any thoughts about when Black delays the recapture on a6. This is suggested in both GM Ratkovic's and GM Dhopade's courses. The aim being to capture back at a later moment leaving the flexible option of what and when to capture back with.

So for example:

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. e4 O-O 8. Nf3 Qa5 9. Bd2 Bxa6

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Will probably be looked at in more detail when the courses eventually get updated.

This was an attempt to save the Benko a couple years ago, but as explained in "Advanced Section - Modern Benko Gambit", it's no good either.

Hi David,

Did you watch the advanced section on the modern Benko? This move order is explained there and why Avetik believes that is not so good as it seemed... 

Just in case: https://chessmood.com/course/benko-gambit/episode/635

And the following ones too...

The suggestion against h4 is Bxe5 and after h5, Qb6 tying Black to the defence of the b2 pawn.

GM Dhopade even considers the immediate h5 as ?! so it's probably worth another look if the cloud engine analysis is still available.

10 Bh6 is seen as the critical move by GM Dhopade (GM Ratokic only considers h5) as no Qh6 yet, followed by Ng7 11. Nf3 Bf6 12. h5 d6 e.g. 13. Ng5 Qa5 or 13. Qd2 Qa5

The only thing is there is a lot of analysis some of which is quite concrete, which might make this more suited to stronger players (ones that aren't engines anyway).

As for the other problem 8. a7 Rxa7 9. Nf3 - both GMs consider e6 as the right way to play against , no doubt appealing to the attacker.


NB. In a lot of literature the Modern Benko is used when referring to the e3 variation, which is why I hadn't looked here.

Caro-Kann Exchange Variation Revisited

Alexey Dreev has been quite successful with the Caro-Kann against our (Modern) Exchange Variation in the following line: 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.Ne2 Bg4 7.0-0 e6 8.Qe1 Nf6!? This move was briefly mentioned in the course, but clearly requires more detailed attention in light of its success in recent praxis. I am hoping that our ChessMood GM's can find an effective move-order antidote and share it with us in the Advance Section of the course.

Thanks for all your great work. :)

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Hey Kevin! You know theory much better than many grandmasters :D 
Yeah, Nf6 is a strong move and with GM Gabuzyan we suffered a lot until we found a way to keep the initiative. 
Will record and upload it in advanced section :) 
Thank you for your kind words. 

Regards,
Avetik 

Thanks Kevin D

Dreev seems to have some success with Black in the Caro Kann.

This game(Lendermann vs Dreev) has some analysis at this ChessBase link: https://en.chessbase.com/post/dreev-dominates-gabuzyan-dragoons

Why did Lendermann here play Rae1? and not Rxf3?

A game I like, is:

YuYangyi vs Dreev Blitz Caro Kann Exchange (Chess Mood line) 2016 1-0

[Event "World Blitz Championship"]
[Site "Doha QAT"]
[Date "2016.12.29"]
[EventDate "2016.12.29"]
[Round "4.7"]
[Result "1-0"]
[White "Yu Yangyi"]
[Black "Alexey Dreev"]
[ECO "B13"]
[WhiteElo "2729"]
[BlackElo "2652"]
[PlyCount "67"]

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Qc7 6. Ne2 Bg4
7. O-O e6 8. Qe1 Bxe2 9. Qxe2 Nf6 10. Nd2 Bd6 11. g3 O-O
12. f4 Rae8 13. Nf3 Nd7 14. Bd2 f5 15. Ne5 Nf6 16. Kh1 Ne4
17. Be3 a6 18. Rg1 Bxe5 19. fxe5 Qf7 20. Raf1 h5 21. c4 dxc4
22. Bxe4 Qd7 23. Bg2 b5 24. Qxh5 Nb4 25. Rd1 Nd3 26. Qe2 Rc8
27. Rgf1 Nb4 28. a3 Nd5 29. Bd2 Rfd8 30. Ba5 Re8 31. Bb4 Qf7
32. Bxd5 exd5 33. Qf3 g6 34. g4 1-0

(How do you add the pgn viewer to posts/comments?)

Hey guys! 
Just recorded it! :) 
Before we edit and upload I offer you to find a crazy and most unhuman move I have ever seen, that Engine offers in this position. Black to move. 

Hey guys! We uploaded an advanced section, "Dreev Line".https://chessmood.com/course/caro-kann-defenceHopefully you'd love it :) 

https://chessmood.com/course/caro-kann-defence 

Hey guys! Just uploaded a new advanced section in Caro Kann, "Dreev Line".
Hopefully, you love it. 

Hello Everyone,

New PRO member here.  Hope someone can help me here.  In GM Lev Alburt's book "Chess Openings for White, Explained," (second edition), in the line 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 Qc7 6.Ne2 Bg4 7.f3[ why 7.f3 instead of 7.0-0? AIburt does not explain 7.f3] Bd7" (p.410).

Would you mind helping me understand why 7.f3 might be preferred in this line?  Thank you.

What a splendid game, GM Gabuzyan!

Congratulation to our mighty coach Hovhannes for todays beautiful win on European Championship in Reykjavik against our Croatian top seed Ivan Saric for the leading position in the tournament! And moreover, he did it in true Chessmood style... :)                                   

https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/european-championship-2021/5/1/3

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You see, it is possible to win against the Maroczy Bind. :)

I have been working and analyzing Gabuzyan's games but yesterday game was simply extraordinary. Very well played even if he did not play a5, and knowing him, he just forgot about it. We will have to wait the video of the game, because this game belongs to the "Gabuzyan's mind " Collection.

I do not want to write about Gabuzyan's performance in order to not break or jinx his concentration, but look at the following stats from his last game with Saric in the picture.

He played like Stockfish NNUE. Saric also helped a bit with Bh3 instead of Bf3 allowing the LSB to become a SU35 like in the lesson 2 of the daily lessons:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWArPpAstF0&t=2s

https://lichess.org/study/vCYeFLhn

We will have to call him Gabuzyan NNUE!!!
The only innacuracy made according to stockfish NNUE, was not even real, because the line suggested by the engine leads to a draw!!! Gabuzyan played a perfect game we can say!!!

I also enjoyed watching the game yesterday. I was a bit worried for Gabuzyan as he tends to play too quickly but in this case time pressure was helping him as the oponent made a mistake on the move 40.

Why do we miss tactics?

I've been working on tactical problems (50 a day which takes 2-3 hours). I've noticed that certain problems are harder to see than others so am trying to work out what is it about a puzzle which means a solution can be seen quickly, or in other cases can't or a mistake made.

We'll assume someone told us there was a tactic or it's a puzzle. Otherwise "I wasn't looking (hard enough), or gave up too soon (including the urgency from the clock)" are common reasons to miss tactics in games, perhaps also I thought there might be something but couldn't see enough and didn't want to risk it. Plus there is the blunder problem of being so self-absorbed in your ideas you overlook what the opponent has.

For a puzzle, let's assume there is a real solution and not an error. Many, particularly older, collections of tactics, not only have some errors, but overlook that the obvious line has a deviation line that is just raw calculation to a better position, and we didn't solve the position because of that (we are assuming there is something more or the raw calculation without winning something isn't the point, particularly if the position is already superior).

I think the following are common categories of why after staring at a puzzle (as opposed to being too quick) we miss the solution:
1. Didn't evaluate all the resources / hazards for both sides
2. Didn't re-evaluate after moves being made (how does the position change - the 'delta')
3. Cut-off too early
4. Overlooked quiet moves when the opponent is helpless
5. Assumption of move (particularly recaptures) when it is not forced
6. Incorrect visualisation / forgetting
7. Lost material count / sticky pieces
8. Inexperience with the theme / resources
9. Ignoring 'impossible' or illegal moves

I should really post examples of each, but I don't have the time to do so. However after the explanations anyone working through tactical problems will probably notice these issues.

1. Resources are important (problems with the the position or advantages). The recent solve with a grandmaster event (there is another this Tuesday) helped me see this. I really think there is no course or book that properly states this either, at best they will talk about themes, or loose pieces etc, and not really about evaluating the landscape before solving. Worse too is 'laziness' conditioned by solving puzzles that are too easy and of the sort sacrifice the queen and mate which makes us assume that tactics are just about forced sacrifices that the opponent must capture. Noticing all the resources are important, and perhaps it's worth having a list of what to look for. Similar to resources are hazards, and again only one place has every mentioned about hazards http://www.neoneuro.com/downloads/chuzhakinssystem.pdf

So off the top of my head (probably not a complete list) resources are:
. Bad king position (back rank, open files to king, under-protected king, king in the open, mating net, lack of moves) - also useful for stalemate tactics not just checkmate
. Open lines (or controlled lines) that can be exploited either to attack something, move pieces into attacking positions (including change of direction of rooks to occupy a 7th rank / get behind pawns / double along a rank against a target, and access of a different diagonal of the bishop ('Karpov's billiard balls') again as attacking or making batteries) - lines that can be opened, especially discovered / double attack
. Useful squares and outposts
. Pieces in forkable positions, or with 'one leg in the fork' that needs another move to attract another piece into the fork. One or both of the legs may be attacks rather than just capturable pieces
. Pins / potential pins, pieces vulnerable to skewers (rooks / knights / pawns / kings from diagonals, bishops / knights / pawns / kings from files/ranks)
. Material build up against a point
. Running pawns (either to attack or promote) and pawn promotion, especially pawn on the 7th
. Defender can be diverted, captured or replaced with less effective defender, or lines of communication closed to cause under-protection of pieces or key squares
. Overloaded (or vital) pieces or pieces that can be overloaded, helpless positions where nothing threatening can happen so pieces/pawns can be brought in for free or zugzwang

Not all resources may be exploitable, some might be impossible due to another piece in the way for example (see impossible moves)

Hazards overlap with resources, but the main ones are (not covered under resources):
. Un/under defended pieces (loose pieces drop off)
. Equal attackers and defenders (or if more defenders, the defenders are precariously places or easily dealt with)
. Pieces with limited mobility
. Pieces deep within the position / hovering around key tactics (especially the king) including cutting it off

One example of not considering all resources is seeing there is a piece that can be captured in sacrifice which is helping defend the king, but to occupy the now available spot takes two moves with the queen. Failing to see that a first possible move with the queen attacks a loose rook prevents the solving of the combination.

2. Similar to missing tactics is not looking how the position changes after moves are made. For example squares might become available, defenders move or disappear, pieces move into spots they can be attacked. For example a clearance sacrifice could free up a key square to perform a double attack. See impossible moves.

3. Cut-off too early is when we stop calculating a line, when keeping going would have yielded something. This can be down to problems visualising and missing changes in the position, but sometimes it's also tiredness (there must have been something simpler). The converse is going down a rabbit hole when something simpler is available. This is a problem with searching depth vs breadth. Some of this is helped by evaluating resources which otherwise might have to be discovered by unnecessary search and the temptation of seeing something new and going back to an earlier position arises. Practice and better intuition help here. Cut-off is also a problem when we think we've won something but the position isn't quiet and a counter-attack that needs dealing with now (or earlier) is available.

4. Some tactics are very difficult because they require 2 or 3 quiet moves and with the usual 'I go here, he goes there' are very easy to miss. Recognising the opponent can't do anything and asking questions like if I had 2 moves, what would I do, are useful.

5. Assumptions about opponent's moves particularly recaptures can lead into a false solution. There is the question about rechecking for things missed vs checking the solution there and then. Also by evaluating the opponent's resources, opportunities for defence or counter-attack can be better spotted.

6. Not an easy one to solve though practice helps. Visualising is harder for some than others, particularly those who don't think in pictures and so other parts of the brain may appear to occlude the visual feed. Forgetting resources or discovered ideas is easy given human's can't track more than about 4 pieces of information. Being able to pay attention to what is important and what isn't as well as being organised with the search and when to go back and recheck/recalculate are part of this.

7. Lost material count is similar to forgetting or bad visualising. Have we got an advantage of material yet, or did we sacrifice too much? I find instead of trying to work out what is left from the position, 'cross off' pieces that have gone from the initial position (without mentally moving them) which is easier as you can see it. Sticky pieces are pieces that have been moved or captured but are still in the mental image. Sometimes rechecking or working out the material count can help eliminate them. This is also related to noticing what has changed in that new lines will be open and closed, defenders will be moved or captured and so on.

8. Inexperience with the theme is more due to building intuition and knowing what to look for. Having solved many problems before helps.

9. Impossible or illegal moves are worth considering. Purdy mentions jump moves for example. Questions such as if this piece wasn't there or moved, or if the pin was broken, what could be done are useful to ask even when they are not possible right now. The opportunity for discoveries and clearance sacrifices may be possible.


Finally remember the basics of working out tactics which get overlooked - at each move look for checks, captures and threats - it's often easy to overlook this.

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Add to 5. Failure to consider alternatives e.g. if a king check, assuming the king will only go to a particular square or ignoring a potential interpose.

Can we really beat comps?

I defeated Daniel Naroditsky bot with black pieces with my favorite KID. I felt  happy because i  just woke up and defeated Danya. But on the otherside it seems quite strange. Can we really defeat comps? This game is not baked.

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We might be able to beat comps at a low level like 2200 or 2300.  But it is next to impossible to beast stockfish or leela at its full strength.

Just so you know in King's Indian defense there is no mate for Black on the kingside (that is if leela is white) and white is always slightly better

Benko Gambit and 2.Nc3

Hi!

I've been trying out the Benko Gambit and really liking it so far. I have run across a couple of players who play 1.d4 -> 2.Nc3 and I was curious if there is a way to steer the game into a similar flavor somehow. I didn't notice anything in the course or via forum search.

My best idea at the moment is if I know 2.Nc3 is coming maybe try 1..c5 instead.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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Sorry about that, the Opening Courses haven't been updated in awhile.

Crazy maroczy game against GM Narayanan

Hi guys,

Just finished RTU open tournament and started analysing my games. I want to share my 1st round experience against 2600+ GM.

I want to ask how to play against this maroczy Bd4, Qe3 idea as I don't think this was covered in the modern maroczy course (correct me if I'm wrong).

Anyways in the end I missed big chance to gain an edge (time pressure and stress mostly) and blundered horribly. Here goes, any insights are highly welcome!

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I raised this question on more than one occasion so maybe it will be covered eventually. :)

See my penultimate post in the following thread: https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/na4-in-modern-maroczy

In any case while waiting on an update I did a deep study of the variation myself and determined that 13.Qe3 is best met by the counterintuitive 13...Bd7!, a key line being 14.Nd5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Bxd4 16.Qxd4 e5!? 17.dxe6 Bxe6 18.Qxd6 Rfd8 19.Qf4 Rd2 20.Bf3 Rxb2=/+ and Black is slightly better.

I know I just scratched the surface, but hopefully that little tidbit pointed you in the right direction.  Your game was very instructive by the way and maybe 14...Rfe8 was slightly more accurate than the immediate 14...Nd7,  nevertheless as the game went and with a little more luck you almost caused a big upset.

First, let me congratulate @Paulius_Juknis for being -4 with the Black pieces against a  such a strong GM on move 36! You told us that you were in time trouble and nervous, we feel you! You played a very good game until your unfortunate Rg8. I am sure that next time you will be more lucky.

Being on the move 36 with such a good position and not making any big or medium mistake during all the game means that you are playing very good! One thing for sure is that it is not about the opening, because you reached a very good position. I spent a couple of hours analyzing your game and learned a few things.

I also always appreciate @Kevin_D suggestions and you sure posted a good reply too.

I believe that the position after Qd3 is very interesting and I do not see anything wrong with the moves Be6 and Ne7 or Ng4 attacking the Queen and forcing some trade (kind of usual moves here)

Let's see, after Qd3 Black would like to play: 13... Nd7 14. Bxg7 Kxg7 with equality, but the problem is that White can play Nd5: 13... Nd7 14. Nd5 with a decisive advantage to White. That is why by playing Be6 before Nd7 solves the problem: 13... Be6 14. .. Nd7 15. Nd5 and 15... Bxd5 captures the knight. We see that Nd7 becomes a serious threat after playing Be6.

Paulius, you played very good moves all the time, maybe on move 20...Nf6 would have been better than h6, but nothing major here either. I liked your Qc5 very much.

I also found your game on the chessbase website in their coverage of the RTU tournament. :-)

Reaching 2000 fide rating as quickly as possible

How much time does it take for a 1200 to reach 2000 fide elo,if he spends 6 to 8hours a day,what all should the 1200 player work on exactly to reach the 2000 rating barrier as quickly as possible,chessmood gm team,please reply if u guys see this,everyone are requested to share their opinions

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Hi!

This is the age old question that everyone wants an answer too, but the truth is, no one has a crystal ball and can see the future.

Everyone has a unique journey to partake in for their chess improvement. The things I have learned to apply at 1400, or 1600, or even 1800, will be different then the concepts you have learned to apply at those same levels.

That being said, there are many basics we all need to not just learn, but learn to apply in our own games. We need to learn to develop our pieces, castle early, not give away our pieces for free (maybe this one is just me hehe) etc.

So what can we do to accelerate our growth, when we dont even know which things we personally need?

First we need to be playing games, and immediately analyzing them. We need to check our openings against our PGNs. We need to find the patterns of our mistakes and work to eliminate them. We need to break down what we are thinking during our games and fix the deficiencies in our thought process. And we need to do hundreds, maybe thousands, of other things as well.

Since there is no "one size fits all" method of improvement, we need to find trustworthy sources for material in all aspects of chess, and work hard on the material aimed specifically at your personal needs. As an example, for me personally,  this would be middlegame planning and ideas, as well as recognizing tactical patterns. 

It also helps to have a supportive community to encourage your development and show you that you are not the only one working on getting better, and at times struggling to improve. 

The piece that most people want to skip, but I personally find the most important, is having a coach to help guide you in the direction you need to improve in. We may see something in our games that needs to be worked on, but because we are often times emotionally tied to our games (I am sure I am not the only one like this, right?) we often times find it harder to be objective with our selves, where a coach will realize that the issue we see in our games is actually just a symptom of a larger problem, and he can help us fix it faster.

We are blessed here at ChessMood, that we have such a visionary in @GM_Avetik_Grigoryan, and that he put the pieces together for all of us to grow in just this way.

So in conclusion, it is my opinion that the fastest way to get from 1200-2000 is to focus on your particular games and use the ChessMood methods to improve. Take advantage of the material that you need to improve with first. Hopefully you have a coach to help you narrow this down quicker, but even if you dont, I am sure many here in our community will give you feedback to help you work more efficiently. 

Good luck and #COGRO!

GM Jay

I would focus more on practical matters. The most you can get from a victory is +18elo and the most from a draw is +9, only if you have these results with a +400elo player! That means that you get +18 if you beat a 1600 fide. Can you do that?

In practice you can get +30 maybe +60 in every tournament if you improve and play above your elo rating. How many tournaments do you play per year? So you need about 10 carefully selected tournaments where you will get +40 each to reach your goal. And that takes time and a lot of effort!

I got +117 in 4 tournaments since I started here. I used chessmood openings in most games (more than 60%) depending on the opponent (I haven't memorized all the openings yet). And I played only regular time control tournaments, over the board.

My point is, if you play good chess you will get there. If you study as hard as you say, you will play like a 2000 player and then you will need more games!

Don't become obsessed with rating, concentrate on mastering the fundamentals and enjoying the learning process. 

Error in English 5 Nf3, video 17 analysis

At 4:55 it mentions the knight is being trapped with Qb6. The knight isn't trapped as it can go back to e4. I suspect the move f5 has been missed before rounding up the knight with the queen. Looking at it, the queen will probably then go to f6 rather than b6 with fxg4 added first (depending on what White plays) since capturing the f2 pawn is then a threat if the knight sacrifices itself for the b pawn.

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Most likley not trapped, but after Ne4, white will still struggle to find decent responses to Ng2 followed by Qb7, in which white will fail to hang on to the d5 pawn, as well as having to address light square hollowness caused by Ng2 prior, which I suppose will be just responded to by building a wall of pawns on light squares. (f3, e4 etc, similar to topical catalan lines where white goes Bc6 and then f3 and e4 to cover up the light squares)

Yes, I had the same question. ...Qb6 does not trap the knight. Stockfish says ...f5

Thanks for the answer. I have another question in the same section 5.Nf3, in the 6.d3 with 7.Nd2 idea (video 20).

As you can see here: https://imgur.com/PNkRrQc

This was one of the options mentioned by GM Gabuzyan. After Bd2, he says "As well, we can be trying to go for more active variation with ...f5" But as you can see Stockfish doesn't seem to like it. Is this a mistake?

By the way, I'm learning a lot with this course, one line even seems to refute what an IM once told me!

Wouldn't it be better?

Wouldn't it be better if the tournaments are on different days rather than Monday or Wednesday

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I mean like on Sunday evening or Saturday night am just telling my opinion as am a student and has classes Monday - Saturday so..

Daily Study Updates (Started from 17-08-2021)

I liked the idea of Abhi Yadav. It is a good way to get motivation for work. Link to his forum: https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/daily-study-updates

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How to take my prize if i won prize tournament.

Yesterday night(Timeline Asia/Calcutta) I have stood 2nd in prize tournament.so can anyone tell how to take my prize(15K Moodcoins). and also can we use  it for pro membership. If yes then Please tell me how to use it for pro membership?

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you can  contact chessmood.com/contact mentioning the email you used to register in chessmood.com but do this after getting confirmation message to your chess.com account from chessmood

Anti Sicilian with Nc3 !? Part 1 Mistakes in Section 1

Hello CM family!

I found a mistake in the Anti Sicilian with Nc3 !? (Part 1) Section -1  video 14 8... e6 ,minute 1:14.

GM Avetik play Be3 ,but it's a mistake ,because of the strong d5! and we  lose  material.

I hope this could help.

Bye!

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