Create your free account

By clicking “Register”, you agree to our
terms of service and privacy policy

Log in

OR

Reset password

Chess forum by Grandmasters

How Chessmood affected me

It's a little embarrassing for me to go into details, but I just want to say...

That phone call with GM (or Jim I think) Avetik really got to me. It is really amazing how that short call affected me much more than any articles or stuff on the internet, even if their quality is good :)

I experienced, for the 2nd time in my life, how powerful an influence a chess mentor could be... (1st was IM Alexandru Manea)

Now I've been working on chess more than I ever have! (Although, I confess not exactly as Jim(?) prescribed...)

I'm gonna break some serious boundaries in my life!!!

Have a nice day, everyone!

Replies

Thanks for the message, it was a pleasure to read, wish you good luck :)

Same in my case, he is the first person who motivated me to work well in chess. My besties do motivated me but they were not Grandmaster. They were just hoping to see me win but I was losing and losing but after I joined chessmood I feel improved daily. Daily I am installing something in my brain and also trying to apply them . Before chessmood I had a dream of becoming 2000 and I thought I won't achieve it because I found no right mentors and I found no useful resources. But once I met coach he not only motivated me well but also his contents made me super nice.

Great, Inguh! 

Classics?

How many classics you watched in the past one year? 

Watched is not mean you and lappy and pop-corn. But focused on video and grasped concepts well.

How many classics you analyzed with your training partners this year?

How many hours you guys spent on one game analysis?


Replies

Now I watch classics from our lovely ChessMood. Recently I was watching Capablanca's games, but I did't finished it

Great move!

Black to move and win! 

Replies

Ng3 simple, but a super unusual way to win. But it's so disgusting that my mind can't remember the player's name. I can remember positions which I saw in past.

Intuition vs Calculation

How much percent of intuition do you use while playing?


Replies

Well after I joined chessmood coach toldme  the importance of learning classics. I did more than 800 classics study in past 8 months so I felt so improved and my intuition is developed too. So in xase of online if I do not mess up in openings then I find best moves most of the time.

In case of calculation. I am working on it with @Jay_Garrison. He is telling me how much I am improving so I am slowly but surely becoming good in calculation. 

maybe about 70% :D 

Anti-Sicilian Part 2


Replies

Black is going to continue with c4 and get clear equality or favourable positions for him, this position has'nt been discussed in the courses, what should white play here.

Ι recommend firstly to play e5, locking up the centre, and then completing the development with O-O and close the "d" file as well if needed. It would be also good to fianchetto the dark squared Bishop if black plays O-O.

~~ Pawn Str. Training effect ~~

I am so interested in studying pawn formations and different pawn formations in depth so I can become a great positional player one day. I do love to attack but when I see positional positions then I feel more comf. in playing them. Even though I am learning just ABC of positional play by learning pawn formations but it still motivates me that one day I will reach my goal and will play positionally well like GMs. Now a days I am working on Carlsbad, Maroczy and King's Indian Pawn formations with my 3 different training partners. But today I got the chance to play a Benoni structure in which I was many tempos up from the very beginning. I lost a game in benko so wanted to try something new so I chose this Nimzo but when I saw this tempo down line a3 I thought to play Benoni and it went well.

Well I am not a benoni player but I knew one thing about benoni from classics is that white place his pawn on e4 and a4 not on a3  and e3. So I knew I am already ok or may be somewhat better because white will have to lose another tempo by playing a4 so I played it anyways. I also knew TV concept so I knew my knight on f6 is not well placed so I provoked weaknesses and then I won this game positionally. 

Concepts: 

1. Playing against tempos.

2. TV concept because white have space.

3. Isolated white's light squared bishop.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5690545391


Note: I do not know theory of Benoni so if I made any mistake in assessment about the game I played today then let me know. Benoni is not for me for now but in future after I reach 2000 elo then I will be happy to learn it

Replies

Chess Quotes

Share your favorite :) 

Replies

Chess is Life - Bobby Fischer.

The reason I follow this one is because I have only 2 besties from US and one real life friend. I am different personality!

It's also my favorite, I use it in some of my social pages :)

But as you already wrote it. I'll share this one.

Play the opening like a book, the middlegame like a magician, and the endgame like a machine. ~Rudolf Spielmann.

“Tactics is knowing what to do when there is something to do. Strategy is knowing what to do when there is nothing to do” - Tartakower

"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat" — Sun Tzu

“You must take your opponent into a deep dark forest where 2+2=5, and the path leading out is only wide enough for one.” ~ Mikhail Tal

Against Smith-Morra Gambit

How can I take advantage against Sicilian Smith-Morra Gambit as black?

Replies

The simplist way is 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 Nf6 and transpose to Sicilian Alapin variation as given in the Anti Sicilian course or you could meet 3.c3 by pushing past with 3...d3, lastly you could accept the pawn but this allows White an initiative and gives him what he wants, having said that I like accepting and then adopting a fianchetto setup which fits perfectly with our Acc Dragon Rep. If you decide on the latter route they are some concrete lines you need to know to avoid early traps, but once you do I think Black is fine, in fact I think the fianchetto line against the Morra is underated.

"Mayhem in the Morra" deviates from the annotated game with 11.Qd2 Nf5 12.Rad1, and offers responses to 12..Qf6, 12..Na5 and 12..Re8.  It doesn't matter at my level, but I thought I add this to answer the comment that Esserman's book doesn't help here. :-)

Funny story- Funny my Life

I wanted to share two funny story about my life. I know it's chess forum but I can make you laugh may be. 

First one: My Brilliant English!!!

So, it was last year of my school, I was new in chess. I learnt ok there are two chess moves e4 and d4 and they are good but had no idea why hehhe. I started playing it. Then my friend told me about Vishy Anand. I said oh one day I will beat him  hehehe. He said he is world champ and I was like huh I can't beat him then. Next day he said you can see videos on chess games on Youtube and I said my internet speed is 3kbps. Then I texted another friend and asked him to download a video on chess for me. He download the video which I am going to share in the bottom.

The video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6ItLX-q3_I

When I was watching this video I was so irritated. It's not because of the openings or middlegame. But it's because of the name. I thought who is this guy " Queen's Gambit Accepted Alexi Shirov" and how can anyone write so long name in Score sheets. I thought may be they write like QGAA Shirov. Another thing which bother me was variations. The commentator was sharing variations and my poor knowledge of english called it takeback and I felt like wtf they both are doing. They call them world class players but on every move they are doing takebacks. Next day, I met my friend and asked him, who is this " Queen's Gambit Accepted Alexi Shirov" once he heard this he started laughing on me and said hey Queen's Gambit Accepted is an opening and Alexi  Shirov is a player's name. I said ok and next thing I asked to him was about why they are moving pieces back on every move. Then he again laughed and said hey they are showing variations which both players may considered during the game. After I saw him laughing on me I started to find more ways to improve my english and now I am able to speak like native and I can confuse a lot non natives by my accent. 

Damm I forgot the second story. For now enjoy this funny story. 


Replies

NEW ARTICLE: How to Practice with Your Training/Sparring Partner (Part 3)

Hey Champions!

We have this topic in our Blog.
https://chessmood.com/blog/how-to-practice-with-your-training-sparring-partner-part-3
If you have any questions, comments or you just liked it, feel free to share your thoughts here. 

Replies

Wow, coach you gave me super ideas. I tired SLP training in past but I will do it now daily. I am super happy that I have training partners for study!Thanks for your lessons.

Excellent Article !!

Covid 19

2020 was a year of failure for all of us. We lost a lot of time and opportunities to play tournaments and to realize our goals. I played only 2 OTB tournaments this year, it was in January and February. I miss the life we lived before and I miss tournaments so much.

We have a very good article about how to beat Covid boredom. I recommend you to read it https://chessmood.com/blog/how-to-beat-covid-19-boredom 

And what about you, how many tournaments did you play this year?


Replies

1 in January with you :D

Well I played only 3 rated in my entire life. I played a lot local events. I missed them. Yes, this year is painful for those who lost their family members or friends but in case of me it's boom time for my chess life. I worked on all contents of chessmood. Finished 4-5 books already and by the end of this yeat I will finish 4 more books. So in chess studies I did ok and soon will improve my elo from 1465 to min 1800.

Moral is. I got the free time which  I wanted so bad. 

World and Chess

Is chess a popular game in your country?


Replies

I think in our country (Armenia) chess has become more popular in recent years after included in school program. But anyway we had Tigran Petrosyan before and Levon Aronian now, who are the main reason to love and play chess in Armenia.

I think chess is dying.

Or better to say; it died after two matches in 1996 and 1997  between Garry Kasparov and Deep Blue. It is loosing its popularity exponentially everywhere for good reason; The engines!Almost all professionals are using engines as their source of inspiration!! Home memorization/preparation, heavily based on engine analysis is killing chess as an Art.

In some countries governments are still supporting chess, for some reasons... But chess itself is not anymore an indication of intelligence, as it was before. What is the value of memorizing engine based analysis and beating your non-prepared opponent? Does it mean you are more intelligent? Not at all. An engine is playing, not you!

It was totally different 50-100 years ago, most professionals were extremely strong endgame players... 

Nowadays professionals memorize engine analyzed variations..... and after all, they loose to a $100 chess engine. That's the bitter truth.

--------------------

There is still some benefits in playing chess, if we learn to play against pieces, and not against our opponents. 

@David Flynn

Yes, If you look at chess as an entertainment, you are right saying "it was dying long before then.. ". Consider the fact that for a long time chess has been considered as an "indicator of intelligence", and as an "Art" to show human creativity. The difficulty of the game was reinforcing the idea that a good chess player is "Intelligent". The winner was considered more "creative" and more" intelligent" than the looser. 
This aspect is totally false in our days. Still people are trying to show their intellectual superiority to others by showing their titles and ratings, which is false. Chess literature is silent about Engine based preparation methods. It is hidden! Just think about what I am saying. In future that will be revealed to public.

I do not look at chess as boxing, running, or poker. I am looking at it as an Art like Music and literature and as a mean to show beauty, and in this regard it is dying

Thanks everyone for the answers, it was very interesting to read all your comments !

Maroczy Move Order Discussion

https://lichess.org/cGvJaT8jVeKj

Today I played this game. I think from my side I did all okay but still I feel like maybe I messed up in openings a bit.

My first question is about capture on d4. Do you think I captured on d4 in the right time? I remembered that coach explained something when to capture when not. Sometimes early captures gives additional options such as Bd3 f4 and white attacks. 

My second question is about 16th move of white Rad1. In courses Rb1 and Nb5 was explained. I do know coach explained us idea of Qb6 is to prepare Qb4 and a4. My engine also liked my plan but I do not know how to follow it up well and what will be the long term plans. I do not trust engines in positional sense. It was saying Rfd1 Qb4 Nd5 Bxd5 cxd5 b5!? and then so on. So it will be amazing if you guys can see where I messed up.


Replies

Hi Abhi,

I think you captured d4 at the right time, but I like to play Nf6 before Bg7, atacking e4. That forces white to play Nc3, then d6, preventing e5 and making possible Ng4. That forces white to play Be2. If white plays Be3 before Be2, as in your game, black has Ng4, attacking Be3, f2 and threatening Qb6 attacking also b2.

About your second question, I cannot help you. I would analyze the inmediate a4

Hi Abhi,

I believe the exchange on d4 was too early as it gives White an additional option of Qd3 after which he will get in either b4 (after ...Bc6) or f4 (after ...a5). This option is made possible because he no longer needs to spend a tempo with f3 as e4 is guarded by the Queen. To limit his options, the exchange should be delayed until after 10. Qd2 so we can follow-up with ...Bc6 immediately hitting e4 so that White spends time to play f3. Then we immediately play ...a5 on the next move and now we see that both f4 and b4 have been stopped.


Actually your opponent's Bd4-e3-d4 sequence did not make sense to me.. he declined to exchange dark Bs and then later went back (and of course, you did not have to be asked twice to exchange it :) ). Another plan connected to Qb6 besides ...QB4, ...a4 is ..Rfc8, h5, Qe8-f8, Kh7, Bh6 as mentioned in course for Lenic Luka - Le Quang Liem. I'm also not sure about ...b5 in that case. I suppose ...Rfc8 instead is natural and if Rc4 then Qxd2 and ...b5-b4. If Rc2 instead of Rc4, then after Nd7 we reach a position from Van Foreest - Reindermann where Black exchanged a pair of Rooks and Queens, and then prevented white from invading along the c-file with Bd4+ Nc5. This was followed up with ...f5. I dont know if this is better than the ...b5 given by engine but seems easier to handle in a game (at least to me)

My first reward

In verification i was rewarded.

Replies

Benko move order

Hi,

The Benko course is a little different to the others as there is a run of moves to reach the initially discussed e4 lines. I felt the introduction didn't really focus enough on how Black should develop (and why) after bxa6.

There is also the question (maybe for advanced) on whether 5... g6 is more than a tricky move order. It's preferred by both Fedorowicz and Pinski in their books since it stops the b3 lines which are possible after Bxa6. The advanced section does mention the drawbacks of g6, but then what should be done about the b3 lines? Comments such as from Fedorowicz after 5... Bxa6?! (his annotation) 6. g3 d6 7. Bg2 g6 8. b3! Bg7 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Nh3 Nbd7 11. O-O 'This is the starting position of the main lines of the Double Finachetto. Black has tried the following five moves, though it's not clear if he can equalize with any of them: (Nb6 Rb8 Qb8 Ra7 Qb6)'. Pinski is a little more upbeat and quotes Portisch - Geller, Biel 1976 (the point that some people though 'the Benko Gambit was done for' and offers 11... Ra7!? as an improvement and quotes 11... Qb6 in Kovaliov - Vetemaa, Minsk 1981 concluding 'the 5... Bxa6 move order playable, but why give White the extra options?'. Probably this should be looked at in the advanced section.

Also perhaps in the introduction there should be the link to (or in) the side-lines course to mention how White might try to trick Black out of a Benko and into something not prepared for. This would also be applicable to starting with 1. Nf3, g3, e3 and perhaps c4 as well. With d4 and c4 transpositions are much more a factor than in 1. e4 openings.

Replies

The best games of September and the prizes

Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions! 
Welcome to the "Best games of September" competition.
Under this post, we invite you to post your 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 August: 

1st-  Abhi Yadav
2nd- Edo Tokyo
3rd- Captain Hook
4th- Duncan Vella
5th- Kourosh Asgari 


Replies

A very nice win almost sacrificing everything against FM with 3.Bd3 in french 

https://lichess.org/YFJgUXZLL7ZV

Killer Tactic Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5382974226

Closed Game

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5383216515

Nice Game

But Time

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5383354630

Positional Exchange Sacrifice!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5383182780

Clean Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5383435376

Smooth Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5383462890

https://lichess.org/jFHYvAgs

Crushing Chigorin Defense

Long Castle idea in rossolimo with black !!

https://lichess.org/UrOToDwC/black#0

https://lichess.org/sE1eoSww5Vby Played the chessmood recommendation against the London and got a great endgame. Was a nice finish (though I almost gave away a draw unnecessarily).

Edit: scratch that, was played a few days before September. :( 

Positional Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5391863866

Funny Game!

5 Move  Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5391863866

"The Cooolest Game I Ever Game!"

https://lichess.org/nQ29S0xjtORK

Opponent long-castled in Maroczy and got crushed after Queen exchange

Recently thanks to ChessMood I found Benko gambit a very interesting opening for black pieces.
Here is one of my games for September:

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5401205867

https://lichess.org/ib4HAwqyyKLQ good and interesting game

Crushed the sicilian with 2..e6

I think this game deserves a prize

Here's the reason why?

- It was a serious rapid game with time control of 15+10

-I used the chessmood opening

-I beat a real FM rated 600 fide rated points above me 

https://www.chess.com/live#g=5409613159
Crushing Benko win!

Best Ever Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5411164535

And I Play A Brilliant Move

Using opponents mistake

Sacrified a pawn for attack in French

My opponent couldn't even breathe

Beating a FM with strategies

A fine win against a trendy line in the Pirc!

A little sloppy at the end, but always fun to feed the dragon!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5421833467

Won a good game against higher rated player,using Scotch-- chessmood opening,in 5+2nformat.

 https://lichess.org/9JJpYk2q

"Suffocation"

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5426083383

very aggressive grand parix attack!!

https://lichess.org/D7yluBhYdiOS

https://lichess.org/z13vFXCymPEg

Never give up..

Hi, new member here. Yesterday,  in my Lichess 45-45 game I had the opportunity to test my knowledge of the Maroczy Bind course I watched the day before.  I was black in the game.

https://lichess.org/0PwLK3Z8nJrb

Now I am winning almost every game with Scotch

This is earlier game against same opponent with Scotch.

again using our weapon against sicilian ( grandprix attack ) to beat a strong GM !

https://lichess.org/6VRvuZjCX05S

Scotch 4..Bc5

Beautiful Game!

https://lichess.org/ydCgVoP2ktaN

When you follow @GM_Avetik_Grigoryan's positional instructions, games get easier to play!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5437206501

Another quick win, this time in the Petroff!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5437282179

Great & Beautiful Game!

No Counterplay!

Clean Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5439555590

https://lichess.org/Y0iEgx9z

Just practicing chessmood openings..

Beautiful Game!

https://www.chess.com/game/live/5449442991

 Short Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5449504502

Crushing the Pirc.

https://lichess.org/itvW5Lqx/white#55

The first game I've shared, feeling like I'm starting to get the grand Prix 

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5450788827

Oh, I won a game in the Sicilian Maroczy with black!  Impossible!  I still made 5 mistakes????

https://chess24.com/en/analysis/Vj64p8CnR-mCGyGYkXaFTA#15

#SLP - Whites King "Charge!"

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5451514360

https://lichess.org/NwkSDmnvcWJx

Play white Opening Scotch Game 

Smooth win,

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5458852499

I can not understand why my opponent resigned!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5458936890

Chess Academy Cup 2020

Anna Khachatryan 2224 vs Astghik Hakobyan 2168

1-0

A crushing win with another system of 2. Nc3 Sicilian

Typical ROok Sac.

Positional Crushed a 2000 elo player with Anti Sicilian!

https://lichess.org/WslvcUfysYuG

Beating 2100+ player..

Crushing Game!

https://lichess.org/l0H0FuFt7boX

Nice Game
!

https://www.chess.com/game/live/5463620161

Scotch Game 

Beating GM with Anti Sicilian !!!!1

https://lichess.org/uRupBMSIBBl3

i play black - Sicilian Najdorf

https://lichess.org/Y09ZesYa

Only 1 innaccuracy for me estimated by the engine as black

Just testing my positional and KID structural skills.

https://lichess.org/8c4CYQOi/black#55

Scotch Game 

Wining with Fd3 French against strong apponent!!

https://lichess.org/IsptYQQilajZ

Nice attacking game with white. Every move was a threat!

https://chessmicrobase.com/microbases/14167/games/1121629

please take a look

Killer Benko Gambit

https://lichess.org/xX9zjVP2Xx3y

Anti Sicilian -2...d6

https://lichess.org/mzo41NxEQBIj

#accelerated dragon

Textbook Scotch straight from the course  ... didn't even need to think myself!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5478551153

I won this Accelerated Dragon game thanks to a Chessmood stream. And it finishes with a beautiful mate!

Crushed a NM with GP

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5479489290

I play just simple chess, focus on just not to make mistake. In the end my opponent blundered.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/5481149238

Another smooth win 

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5481258386

Perfect Benko

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5481309802

Another simple win

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5481360104

One of my first games with the chessmood French!

https://lichess.org/v4vFZjTj/white

I think decent positional game.

https://lichess.org/4Y5x2ACG1Onj

Passive Scotch Greek Gift.

https://lichess.org/RZgmvIYK/white#22

Anti-Sicilian part 3 2...e6 3.f4 d5 4.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bb5

Crushing whit scotch ! Crazy rook on a5 !!!

https://lichess.org/u1fY7wvopIwW

Tal!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5486789673

Smooth!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5486758892

One of my recent games with 98.2% accuracy. I missed mate in one but still it was winning position.
https://www.chess.com/live/game/5487137720


French Str. 

https://lichess.org/w2t4Fm2Z/black#44

Passive Stonewall Destroyed

https://lichess.org/JvrWoQa6Q3He

Demolished a 2200+ with GP 

https://lichess.org/LrtxDyqQUorS

Victory with Scotch

https://lichess.org/KKtXy0XYosWF

Nice win. During the game I thought about the super isolated LSB in a game in  the stream 1600-2400.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/5490401913

Miniature against the Scandinavian 

https://lichess.org/HmmN4tYs/white

One of my best games so far.

https://lichess.org/eZ1wW0IU/black#72

Epic Mating combination

https://lichess.org/u4IJ6Rgz/white

Exchange sac and great interference tactic as in a game where I never took my foot off the pedal against a computer no less!

https://chessmicrobase.com/g/xuxfvmpf

Exchange sac and great interference tactic as in a game where I never took my foot off the pedal against a computer no less!

https://chessmicrobase.com/g/xuxfvmpf

This match is a part of my structural basics training. I am playing e4 and d4. e4 was a main chessmood weapon and d4 to practice my knowledge of KID pawn formations. Here is a game. Ignore openings because I am sure there will be tons of mistake there but final rook sac was nice I think.

https://lichess.org/Ps1pctgDITNZ

Played this today and it shows a great example of a kingside attack using knights! My proudest game thus far this month.

https://chessmicrobase.com/g/wqpltmvl

I am a big fan of Carlsbad Stru. so sometimes I try to play it online and in this game black was crushed like a melon. I don't say black's opening had issue. His one slight early c6 gave me a tempo so I castled long. Because in normal positions if I castle long with pawn on c7 then black can simply play Be6 Rc8 and direct c5. In this position he already committed that oh I have pawn on c6 so I said to myself let's go for long castle in tempo up line. 

This is what I learnt about it. I feel I am right. That's why I don't like this early commitment because of white's long castles. I like Re8 Nd7 Nf8 then c6 only if white castles short

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5494218858

Scandinavian Defense 

a nice win using accelerated dragon n*c6 and e5 variation

Crushed a 2200+ in 23 moves with GP.

https://lichess.org/kYyCdI47/white

I am not sure how to embed a replayer game yet.

This was nice attack versus some random double fianchetto in the modern.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5453107180

I just follow the ChessMood openings, simple normal chess and some small tactics.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5500444148

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/5500326381

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5500285495

Caro-Kann.
The rook endgame was over my paygrade, but anyway luckily I won.

A very nice game I played at a real tournament on September 5th.
Just creating attack from nothing, pawn storm on kingside.
I can send you a real batch record if it is confirmed as needed.



1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5
5. O-O d6 6. h3 O-O 7. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 a6
9. Bc4 Na5 10. Bb3 Nxb3 11. axb3 b5 12. Nc3 Bb7
13. Nh2 g5 14. Bg3 h5 15. Nf3 h4 16. Bh2 Nh7
17. Qe2 f5 18. exf5 Rxf5 19. Ne4 Bb6 20. Rad1 Qe7
21. Kh1 Raf8 22. c4 Qf7 23. c5 Bxc5 24. Qd2 Bxe4
25. dxe4 Rxf3 26. gxf3 Qxf3+ 27. Kg1 Qxh3 28. Qd5+ Rf7
29. Bxe5 g4 30. Qe6 dxe5 31. Rd8+ Bf8 32. Qg6+ Rg7
33. Qe6+ Kh8 34. Qf5 Qf3 35. Qxf3 gxf3+ 36. Kh1 Kg8
37. Rg1 Rxg1+ 38. Kxg1 Ng5 39. Re8 Nxe4 40. Rxe5 Nd2
41. Re6 Nxb3 42. Re3 Nd2 43. Rd3 Bb4 44. Rd7 c5
45. Ra7 a5 46. Rb7 c4 47. Rxb5 c3 48. bxc3 Bxc3
49. Rc5 Bb4 50. Rh5 Kg7 51. Rxh4 Kf6 52. Kh2 Ke5
53. Kg3 Kd5 54. Kf4 Kd4 55. Kg3+ Kc3 56. Rh8 a4
57. Rc8+ Kb3 58. Kf4 a3 59. Ke3 a2 60. Ra8 Kb2
61. Kd3 a1=Q 62. Rxa1 Kxa1 63. Kc2 Ka2 64. Kd3 Kb3
65. Ke3 Kc2 66. Kf4 Kd1 67. Kg3 Ke1 68. Kg4 Kxf2
69. Kh3 Kg1 70. Kg3 f2 71. Kh3 f1=Q+ 72. Kg3 Qf5
73. Kh4 Qg6 74. Kh3 Kf2 75. Kh4 Kf3 76. Kh3 Qg3#

Applying basics of positional play into practice in my training games sessions

https://lichess.org/VmKb3tjHoEE0

Here is a game I played with Scotch.

- This was one of the "good variations" where Black castles queenside and doesn't castle into White's attack.

-This was a 30-0 classical game in an online tournament.

Here is another game from the same online tournament, except this time I played against a higher-rated player than last time.  It's an Accelerated Dragon. I took all his pawns at the end :) .

Imp. of knowing opening. He missed Nge7 then I play imp. Bb3 not allowing any d5 and I will follow up with e5 after d5. then Be3 Bf2 and Bh4, But he forgot e5 is a blunder and I won.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5504621603

ups and down and finally won

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5504539641

Sicilian Defense - Najdorf 

Attacks and counterattacks in scotch

https://lichess.org/EBafvwuyZLZU

SLP win 

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5507634115

Lost this one but I loved the concepts of dynamic. Applying basics here. Line of Bxd6 acc. to engine is lost for me but I loved to apply Nx6 concepts here

https://lichess.org/RCri8dn0/white#57

Caro-Kann 45m+45s game.  Used chessmood opening. Got advantage and won. Was a bit lucky as both myself and oponent have missed the intermediate Ng8 move, that would lead to drawish ending. 

My first ever Benko gambit:

https://lichess.org/vmx3KqgNm2er

Crushed Sicilian Sidelines

https://lichess.org/l4VOncFsFCEt

https://lichess.org/uApm1hddZCe4

Cool Finish!

Openings violation then win

https://lichess.org/5dH5rmCYbS8C

Demolished him with Kan

https://lichess.org/zXfID39RMBbn

My fav. Carlsbad Str. and I won

https://lichess.org/ui6d7PdIlPBT

Punish your opponents mistakes!

https://www.chess.com/a/2Kit4CmotZwLa

Hello Chessmood! I played a very good attacking game this month with king hunt involving a queen Sacrifice! This was a team match and I had days to prepare for my opponent but still this is a beautiful sacrifice!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5399112890

Total domination with GP

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5512477425

Greek Gift!!!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5512465704

Yeah the combination of Nxg6 was not sound but black had to find only move to save his game  and get a winning advantage so I went for that in blitz. I missed his resource of fxg6 then Kh8 but still I am glad my intuition is improving now a days and once I will see more and more classics I will learn how to find opponent's resources well

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5512484398

Anti-Sicilian

https://lichess.org/8NkzfdwP

Beating the Petroff

Crushing attack against Black lonely king..

Chessmood Grand Prix!

A win against one of the best player from IRAN

Anti-Sicilian

I play White: https://lichess.org/CmF48vgylPo1

A win with the Chessmood Caro Kann!

Caro-Kann! 

I play Black: https://lichess.org/fonbwLUSUmyq

Rook endgame:

I play Black: https://lichess.org/jTljISBAo8bj

https://lichess.org/PWkAsGzT

Winning with the French (sorry no accelerated Dragon yet) in 23 move against the Tarrasch (and an IM).

Simple Chess:

Beating The Morra Gambit: 

I play Black: https://lichess.org/6wENevBM/black

French Advanced: 

I play White: https://lichess.org/DaheO5hP

Hello ChessMood Family! 
We are very excited to see, that each month the quality of the games are becoming better and better. 
Thanks for all the games you've posted! 

The 5th prize goes to @Abhi_yadav for his crushing the Caro Kann. 

The 4th prize goes to @Karl_Strohmaier for crushing the Scandinavian with his nice Nc6! 

The 3rd prize goes to @Ash_Pv for his brilliant game with Modern Maroczy.  The two breakthroughs d5 and b5 and the conversation of  2 bishops advantage was very nice.  The game will be added in the "model games" section of the course. 
(Here is the link: 
https://lichess.org/mzo41NxE/black#79) 

The 2nd prize goes to @Jaylen_Lenear for his nice positional game which he finished with two knight sacrifices. 

And the winner of this month becomes @Keok_Woltek who sacrificed almost all his pieces :) 

The guy who improved the most, comparing to the previous month is @Aayush_Shirodkar
For which he gets 50k. 

Congratulations, winners and everyone who raised their rating improved their game, or enjoyed playing chess this month! 

See you in the next month's competition. 


Suggestion !!!

Hello Chessmood Team

Since you are making a video series on model games of all openings, I would suggest that why not keep different sections for posting our games in the best game prizes post

Games with different titles like scotch, acc dragon, anti sicilian, benko, etc...

So members can post their games directly in that area and your time will be saved as well

For eg - I won a game with anti sicilian part 3, so I will post my game under that section

I hope you will consider this suggestion as it will save yor time and effort as well

Thank you

Replies

Nice suggestion!

Hi dear Devansh,

I didn't quite understand what do you mean?

To create forums for each course and post our games there?

One more suggestion, you can make a video series on SLP games 

I completely agree with this idea.

One of the solutions could be that that any post in the forum that contains a game could be tagged with ChessMood tags. For example, a post could have a tag like scotch or even scotch-nf6. Ideally tags would be defined ahead by the ChessMood.

I would also add additonal tags to describe interesting instructive middle game or end game patterns. 

And finally search function would be necessary to search by tags.

I understand this requires some development, but it would be supper.

The Winners of October (Just wow!)

Hello, champions! 
We just finished checking the games you've posted in "The best games of October"...
and we're amazed!!! We're just wowed! :) 

It's totally different chess, that you've started to play. It's not just attacks and sacrifices. 
You maneuver, you exchange pieces smartly, make smart plans, outplay opponents in the endgames... 

It's also very clear, who have watched the course "Happy Pieces" and who have watched the "Instructional classical endgames."
You'll ask, how do you know that? :) 
But for an experienced coach is so vivid... 

Anyway... Champions, you're doing a great job! 
We're very proud of you.  
Especially 1...e5 and 1...c6 you're just crushing with our openings... 
You know the ideas, the plans, you're attacking much better... 

Just great!!! 

Now, let's go to the winners. 

The 5th prize goes to Derek Simpson, for his attack in the Scotch. 
https://lichess.org/yEFTzXHX#57 

The 4th prize goes to Arman Shahzamani for his attack and his "Happy pieces" 
https://lichess.org/scKdHR5M#0   

The 3rd prize goes to Abhi Yadav for his fantastic game. 
https://lichess.org/fxvZySvF#55 
There is an opening (Qd4 Qf2 idea), straight attack without even castling, and then very nice checkmate with the knight! Bravo! 
By the way, Abhi played another great game with Benko: https://lichess.org/H7S0urbE/black#54 

The 2nd prize goes to Jay Garrison for his crushing attack Sicilian's 2...g6. 
https://lichess.org/RVfyPI3B#35 

And the 1st prize goes to Specter 11 - Jan Chyc, for his Qe6!!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/daily/279917930 

Congratulations to winners, everyone who raised rating, improved their chess and enjoyed this beautiful game. 

See you in the "Best Games of November"


Replies

Thanks a lot coach . In case of attacking my sense is developed by your contents and also my attacking friend  and training partner @Devansh_Shah improved my attacking sense a lot. Our story is same as yours. He loves attacking chess and I am opposite positional player. But we both are learning different styles from each other!

Thanks Coach!

And congrats to all the winners!

Congratulation To All The Winners!

Thanks so much!! :D
And of course congratulations to all the winers!
By the way, it should be written Jan Chyc not Chyk ;D

Congratulations to all !

The best games of October and the prizes

Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions! 
Welcome to the "Best games of October" competition.
Under this post, we invite you to post your 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 September: 

1st-  Keok Woltek   
2nd- Jaylen Lenear   
3rd-  Ash PV   
4th-  Karl Strohmaier   
5th- Abhi Yadav  


Replies

Benko Gambit gave me point against 2400+

https://lichess.org/edaB3w4qnlqg

My First WFM whom I Won!

https://lichess.org/gON3RjNy8pZk

16...Nd2!

https://lichess.org/Qy1f9UcqCRQB

https://lichess.org/IFHO1BwXaykL

King's gambit

An aggresive variation against the Nimzowitsch defence.

A mobile pawn centre crushes everything on its way & nice tactic Bxf7+ !

Rossolimo with c3 and Re1. Entered a favorable variation for Black recommended by Chessmod, however White's active play proved to be challenging.

Exchange Down!


& I Won!

https://www.chess.com/game/live/5541444886

https://lichess.org/CXY4Uroeo3Qk 

Exchange Sac Mate

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5540865722

I knew I am playing with worse imbalances but I won

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5540856794

Nice Queen Trap I think

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5539842887

Crushed a 2300 in the accelerated Dragon endgame

https://lichess.org/G2cnQDYRRcss

KID pawn str. win

https://lichess.org/oziOnsN05mX5

The power of 2 white Bishops

Sicilian Defence 

https://lichess.org/1yZTZ5WR0q4s

Very Beautiful Game!

https://lichess.org/KxHjxwsZ

https://lichess.org/aWbTjV2rNERU

https://lichess.org/6Y5k9ywT 

https://lichess.org/iHoRXmJWNsXB

Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation Accepted

https://lichess.org/CRfb0tmI/white#77

Hi

This is my first OTB game since February, even was a friendly game, I liked a lot.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5554174999

I Have Won With IM. Full caro kann but I missied Qd1 move from Video Section but I Followed Your Ideas. 

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5548792557

Won with GM in c4.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5554389693

Clearing winning with IM lost on Time.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5481475973

Won with FM

Weakness speak for itself...

Insane Game!

Won a nice game against a higher rated player on lichess in 10 min. format.

https://lichess.org/hQEWdmmm

Closed Anti-Sicillian with early g6.

The game first follow the variation suggested by Chessmood. However, when the Black choose another move the White didn't find the best continuation.

Indian Game

https://lichess.org/ubyufKIg/black#4

I felt in control beginning to end, even though I missed a couple tactics along the way that would of ended it sooner.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/5562039449

Power of initiative in Scotch passive Nd5 line!

https://chess.com/live/game/5562322048

New account Slp_chessmood for SLP training. But played a wild game heehe.

https://lichess.org/H7S0urbE1lgz

How not to play Scandinavian Opening with white!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5546708301

Just to try something different I played 1. Nf3 (GM Gabuzyan's influence?) and enjoyed this game!

https://www.chess.com/a/2Pxz9wEfQZwLa

A one-sided game in the Accelerated Dragon Old Main Line

Easy win using Petroff defence

https://lichess.org/YlhQrqsQmTmB

Beautiful Game!

https://lichess.org/soPpulCV/white

King in the center is lost most of the time

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5567274308

Smooth win with Maroczy 

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5568057836

This is game in Scotch with crazy Qxe6 sacrifice! :D

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/daily/279917930?tab=analysis

That game was played a few days before end of September. I completely forgot share it in "The best games of September and the prizes" So I hope that this game will be matter. If not, that's ok, at least I tried.

4...BC5 Scotch

https://lichess.org/9ZLQeci2Ie3O

https://lichess.org/BfB3v0cu7G9V 

https://lichess.org/VFfqgnD9Ei4Z

https://lichess.org/GealV1Bq 

Dismantling the London system in a game with very few inaccuracies!

d4 Sidelines - Jobava Line.

My opponent choose a variation, which I found quite doubtful for Black, while watching the chessmood course. It proved to be true. It is quite a tratherous line. I should not have castled short so early.

Enjoy watching.

Update 2020-10-19: my opponent was found to be cheating on Lichess.org. So basically I have lost against the stockfish :)

Sicilian Defense: Closed Variation

https://lichess.org/Y8VTaGfk/white#8

 Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/hmvnKTPK/white#7


https://lichess.org/o1pmAIi6 

Amazing game in the Modern Marozy Bind.

White have trapped my Queen with a neat tricky move.  I was about to resign. I decided to play some more moves, which turned out to be very good.

Somehow I managed to exchange many pieces and got into a drawish endgame with having three pawns more for an oponents Bishop.

Beautiful Queen deflection, double-pin and checkmate in Sicilian

https://lichess.org/R2PFdzTW 

Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/rZdOBJgE/white#5

Sicilian Defense: Closed Variation

https://lichess.org/oWNlVG0h/white#5

 Caro-Kann Defense

https://lichess.org/4w5ZhU1l/white#7

It was blindfold. I missed Nd5 killer move. Also in the end position all I remembered was pieces but I did not saw pawn formations. 

https://lichess.org/9ufLwg9i/white#0

Lucky me

https://lichess.org/STCPVnO9bv8U

Destroying the French in 16 moves!

Feeding the Dragon! 15 moves!

Piece down SLP

https://lichess.org/g1JAvieP/white#85

Positional plus then he made blunder and lost his queen and then I won.

https://lichess.org/ggkRfIaWeCrd

https://lichess.org/gbBJ3ncT 

https://lichess.org/yEFTzXHXqtkV

Once I made Rd6 move I knew I am losing but rest I did ok. Power of initiative

https://lichess.org/IhxSzye4/white#40

Beautiful Game!

https://lichess.org/y9MLlPxJ/white

3.Bd3 against carokan and a deadly attack in the kingside !

https://lichess.org/scKdHR5MGNqD

Scotch Game against 4... Qf6
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/daily/280898128

People are playing a lot unusual lines so I played with my logic and ideas of chessmood openings

https://lichess.org/tnpTPY2RC3W0

Strange game with Sicilian closed. I am playing with black pieces.

Accelerated dragon, modern variation for a nice win! 

Playing in the event against Scotch game. I always go for Mieses variation and I finished #11 from 27 players.

https://lichess.org/l4zkpXYK/white

Maroczy right pieces trades and win. I think I did alright!

https://lichess.org/3B4JVh2EoM7p

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5535777086

Crushing Sicilian Defense, by getting the opening, positional advantage, and then start king hunting (tactic made it happen....)

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5600625181

Caro kann exchange variation.


Powerfull Anti sicilian

https://lichess.org/D7fMlZkV#57

Grandprix attack with white and a crushing victory against a FM

https://lichess.org/WblwUmWhYH9S

This is a game I played with Pasini Variation against Modern Pirc. From move 32 onward I was in time trouble so that explains the haphazard play.

Positional chess instinct training

https://lichess.org/GVgyce4N/white#57

Positional openings training. I studied ideas for both sides in past and I knew if black achieve c5 then he will be better at some point. Game was drawn acc. to engine but practically I did ok

https://lichess.org/h4iPhse6/black#90

My first Nd5 Sacrifice 

https://lichess.org/UMMmNATN/white#82

King Hunt

https://lichess.org/fmqK14FYtHBX?fbclid=IwAR17C_j_xiIwGYgLrf0Jp6xjSCAfwTilvR-_5X5YAmNc_8NqEJRfPecVQzI

Play the Benko gambit with black and win against IM !

https://lichess.org/zBS5HlPhBj58

Cool Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5610425712

wonderful game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5610393901

Good win by using chessmood opening (Sicilian Defence-Closed Variation)

https://lichess.org/6jE8XmqXIYAG

Nice win through Sicilian closed variation in (10+5) format.

https://lichess.org/OdXfiQallSM1

Interesting game with White using two best engine moves after main Be2 setup in the Modern Marozy Bind. These two moves are not covered in the chessmode course. Would be good to have them included.

As for the game my opening plan (moving the pieces around) was not the best and I was on defensive and being lost most of the middle game. In the time trouble I manged to get counter-attack, but missed two chances to make a draw. Finally the rook-pawn endging was lost.

Nice win against scandinavian in (5+0) format, &

 https://chess24.com/en/game/-GDt7tplRSmA8LTdACdMgA

 Nice draw against scandinavian in (10+0) format.

https://chess24.com/en/game/LFTxS339TUukA2myFh2IXA

Played & win both scotch games in (10+0) format.

https://chess24.com/en/game/OcStM_FMSxqlMwsUuN1tOA

https://chess24.com/en/game/zCbzZh75RIau2dRsgtgCzg

Power Of "Never Resigning"

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5615215339

French Defense

https://lichess.org/9l5njeqI/white#21

Forgot line but still won due to active pieces

https://lichess.org/x13GbWexlRbP

Positional chess training game- To check how much I can play well in unusual and unknown openings.

https://lichess.org/wEephU9CY4Nj

Played aggressively & nice win through closed sicilian. 

https://chess24.com/en/game/82FuE4R4RaOQwNxBVyGAUw

Blitz game with only one blunder in the spirit of the Benko Gambit. Very pleased with my game.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5621781880


Scotch game

Nice attacking game with black in Acc. Dragon

As Coach says, Bc4 on move 3 against our Sicilian is bad!

https://lichess.org/4nxElo55/black

I think my positional understanding is growing slowly. Also my conversion rate of advantage is increasing day by day.

Game by Me

https://lichess.org/gcDYjUGa/white#59

 Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/jDOaTjM8/black#6


Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/ce9B4ts2/black#6

This Bd3 against carokan is just great ! another crushing victory

https://www.chess.com/game/live/5629661914

I trapped his knight and rook in one corner and checkmated the black King in the other corner

Anti Sicilian 

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5631598990

Crunching the Scotch Bc5, Qf6, Ne7:

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5633389175

Excellent win for me against higher rated opponent (487 points more on lichess platform) in (3+2) format using anti-sicilian with Nc3

https://lichess.org/nkrGD0bbXb9U

Nice win against higher rated opponent (200+ points more on lichess platform) in (3+2) format using scotch opening,

https://lichess.org/dap9R2sUF0pG

Nice win in (3+2) format using scotch opening,

https://lichess.org/vKpHdd9MrYmA

I posted this in the "Model Games of Chessmood Openings" forum post as well and I am posting it here as well since I think it might be a good contender :)

Caro Kann positional middlegame without opening theory

https://lichess.org/Ik2DxRgRWatr

When I made Ne5 then I realized I missed a candidate d4 but he msised that then I won

https://lichess.org/e75usDP8/white#33

my first win against 2200 rating above.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5638754227

Beautiful checkmate with white

https://lichess.org/r4d9jZoS 

French Defense win

https://lichess.org/a9xTsSFofPJ2

Unnecessary counterplay I allowed but still super sharp chess. Becoming a universal player!!!

https://lichess.org/fxvZySvFFksV

Engine chess. Yes I forgot Bb5 during I was playing but after the game without seeing my pgn I realized I missed that but still nice game based on initiative

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5644202061

This game has it all.  A brand New Opening! complicated yet instructive middlegame and I capped it off with some great sacrifices! https://chessmicrobase.com/g/ezsusctx

https://lichess.org/64ekYoOs 

Not a perfect game, but the end is very nice!

I play White: https://lichess.org/KLYOEfR30P6Y

I play White: https://lichess.org/x17kyjJSgAhW

Caro Krunch: https://www.chess.com/live/game/5642646742

 Sicilian Defense:

https://lichess.org/OpGDHvWB/black#9


Indian Game: 

https://lichess.org/WN3N2Fzv/black#15

Fun game! 

Dont bring your side lines at me! I will crush you like a grape and make you 'wine'! 

ChessMood openings strike again!

Dutch Positional knockout

https://lichess.org/3ng1Xiuc#15

Some mess up in Carlsbad but still I won in 12 moves

https://lichess.org/KXQjWx7I#17

A nice tactic to finish off the game!

My insane hanging pawns and 3 best replies to my opponent's mistakes. List Rdg1 winning sequence. Anyway, enhoyable game. I adored my hanfing pawns like Anand!

Dragon turned into Maroczy.  Had one bad move, but otherwise pretty solid.  https://lichess.org/Gdw3Laaz/black#1

Interesting Grand Prix Attack with black, where my opponent sacrificed the exchange to press the attack, I sacrificed the exchange back and ended up with all 8 pawns on the board after 57 moves and 5 connected passed pawns!

Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/KnJtWgum/white#5

Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/mz5xDJP3/black#32

 Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/WmpuguaF/white#11

Game against GM Gawain Jones played on October 3rd's Titled Tuesday. The game reflects prophylactic play against blacks c5 break and a  harmony in Whites position on move 21. Later it turns into a time scramble where the b pawn and a dominating Knight on c6 keeps the enemy bishop at bay (from move 47-54) and thus decides the game.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5533596578

Glad to take part in this contest!

Hello, champions! 
We just finished checking the games you've posted in "The best games of October"...
and we're amazed!!! We're just wowed! :) 

It's totally different chess, that you've started to play. It's not just attacks and sacrifices. 
You maneuver, you exchange pieces smartly, make smart plans, outplay opponents in the endgames... 

It's also very clear, who have watched the course "Happy Pieces" and who have watched the "Instructional classical endgames." 
You'll ask, how do you know that? :) 
But for an experienced coach is so vivid... 

Anyway... Champions, you're doing a great job! 
We're very proud of you.  
Especially 1...e5 and 1...c6 you're just crushing with our openings... 
You know the ideas, the plans, you're attacking much better... 

Just great!!! 

Now, let's go to the winners. 

The 5th prize goes to Derek Simpson, for his attack in the Scotch. 
https://lichess.org/yEFTzXHX#57 

The 4th prize goes to Arman Shahzamani for his attack and his "Happy pieces" 
https://lichess.org/scKdHR5M#0   

The 3rd prize goes to Abhi Yadav for his fantastic game. 
https://lichess.org/fxvZySvF#55 
There is an opening (Qd4 Qf2 idea), straight attack without even castling, and then very nice checkmate with the knight! Bravo! 
By the way, Abhi played another great game with Benko: https://lichess.org/H7S0urbE/black#54 

The 2nd prize goes to Jay Garrison for his crushing attack Sicilian's 2...g6. 
https://lichess.org/RVfyPI3B#35 

And the 1st prize goes to Specter 11 - Jan Chyk, for his Qe6!!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/daily/279917930 

Congratulations to winners, everyone who raised rating, improved their chess and enjoyed this beautiful game. 

See you in the "Best Games of November"

Caro...spent the game trying to stop my opponent’s ideas

https://lichess.org/bxqvAm0I

Scotch h4 line, black responded h5!

Scotch h4 line, black replied h5

Hi,

I'm a new pro member and am loving the Scotch repertoire. I played against a 2300 in a 30 minute game and they played 8... h5 against me. Is there a specific move or plan you'd recommend against that idea? I didn't see it in any of the videos. 

The rest of the game went:

c4 Ba6

g3 g6

Bg5 Qb4+

Nd2 Qxb2

Rb1 Qxa2 

And here I made a huge blunder with Bf6, I underestimated their counterplay and lost 10 moves later. Thanks! And keep up the amazing work.

-Ben

Replies

Hey Benjamin,

I think this move cannot be correct, because it just gives us a tempo, it doesn't threaten anything, and with h4 in some lines, I guess we want to play Bg5, so h5 may be only in our favor, but let's wait for an answer from the Coach :)

Hey! 
An interesting question. Susik is right, we should be able to use h4 for our use. With h5 he's just weakening. 
In many-many cases we can use. 
The most simple one is 9.c4 Ba6 10.b3 . Without h4 h5, here Black's main move is g6. 
But now with h4 h5 included he can't because of Bg5 :) And Qb4 check is useless, we can even play Qd2. 

This website uses cookies. To learn more, visit our Cookie Policy.