Chess forum by Grandmasters

Benko Artificial Castling variation with a2-a4-a5

I recently played a blitz game against one of those lichess super-GMs and against our standard Qb6 & Na6 maneuver, he played a4 and immediatley a5. After analyzing it, it looks very solid indeed for white, and black doesn't seem to get any of their usual Benko play. Looking forward to the CM coaching team's input.

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Hello Yair,

We had the chance to meet with the Chessmood GMs team and I am replying to your post. This move is very advanced, we do not know your ELO but we always say that the Benko works very good until 2400 FIDE or in blitz. This is one of the latest engine moves played by very strong GMS.

That said, we reached the conclusion that instead of 15.Nd7, the move ...Qa6 looks very interesting, the variation could go along the line: 15...Qa6, 16.Qe2 Nc2 and if the queen takes, we take on c4... The position is not bad and we have to bring the other rook to the game too. Please tell us if you ever meet this move again...

Super dedicated Training Partners Needed

Hi everyone, after a long time I am seeking partners for training. I need some partners who can read chess books with me. I do not mind your rating but all I want is super dedication. I am working from 8 am to 12 am  because there is an event in May. I wanna perform well so I need to finish some chess books. Text me if you can afford daily an hr to two hours of study. Dedication can benefit both of us!

But please serious people can text me. I need help because I want to change my life but without partners it's tough. I am 1465 rated only and working to reach 2000 by the end of 2021.

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Always think at that rating, focusing on the right things makes the most difference in the least time. Usual is tactics, basic endgame and getting to a playable position in the opening, but not knowing much more. Players with that much and the right attitudes (post I made about players from 1500-1750 or so) should be able to reach 1800 easy enough. You will need long play experience, just playing blitz isn't enough. I went from about 1400 to 1800 in 2 or 3 years while holding down a job.

The commitment is great, but there is the danger of doing a lot of work which won't be of benefit yet or will provide less dividends than when you do it at 1800 or 2000 rating.

As for the regular training commitment, as much as I'd like to, I have far too much on both professionally and even keeping up playing games and the weekly chessmood tournament study. I guess that's the same for many, so having a pool of available people interested in helping but not signing up for any commitment might get you more.

What are the books you are working on/planing to study? I do like the ChessMood courses. But being born in 1971 I do miss to work with book and board. My regular study time is early in the morning (5:30 Berlin time) for about 90 minutes. 

LINE AGAINST NF3 C5 AND 2.B3

Hi chess mood family, in the last Liga tournament I played against a Gm and he played the following game I attached. I just want to know if I played the right line against this setup because when I play offline tournaments many strong players having fide Elo above 2200 are playing this setup and I often find it difficult to play. Is there any chess mood course against this maybe in the future.? Can somebody also tell me where I went wrong because I am having difficulties in analyzing such positions with the engine 

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I do not like to be the bearer of bad news, but from my understanding, any Nf3+c4 start to the game has no actual opening theory. They are the ultimate test of your middlegame skills. One possible option would be, in the words of Coach Avetik, to "parrot" the moves of your opponent. (Minimum you can get away with "parroting" until end of opening/Mopening).

This has transposed into an English double fianchetto (c4, b3, g3 in some order) which isn't covered. And yes I've had this played against me. After Nf3 c5, generally it'll transpose into one of the other openings. It would be worth asking during the webinar a line for this, though getting aggressive with  e6 d5 d4 to block one of the bishops is scoring well.

How about 2.. g6!?, similar to the proposed repertoire against 1. e4 c5 2.b3?

Regarding this topic, we discussed with the CM team and it is very clear to us that we should use the following move as in the English section 6:

https://chessmood.com/course/english-opening-1.c4-how-to-play-for-black/episode/2323

I am attaching a pgn and also let me remind you that this line has been played in several streams. Do not forget to check them regularly if you cannot follow them live...

Smart cheating

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Great view

Even Magnus Carlsen won't play re1 intuitively (but who knows :)

You pointed it right that we should play fairly as we are playing chess for brain development and not for external profits (which is a by-product of our playing skills)

On a similar topic to smart cheating, but not in this case, there is an app advertised on Steam that lets you play chess against others with a choice of the engine's first or second move. I'm not sure what you really learn or what the enjoyment is with that. A lower rated player might benefit when one choice is a blunder and another a good move, but a choice of two good moves the player doesn't understand...?

Anti Sicilian Part 3

Hello GM Avetik again 

I am using your great anti sicilian courses . so when i have some problems i ask them here . so this time there is problem in this variation ( this time i use english symbols !! ) :

1. e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.f4 d5 4.Nf3 de4 5.Ne4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Qe2 Nh6 8.b3 Nf5 9.Bb2 a6 10.Bc6 Bc6 11.d3 Be7 12.0-0-0 Nd4 13.Qf2 Nf3 14.Qf3  0-0 15.g4 

so here what if black plays 15.....f5 ???

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Indeed computer says no here.

15. h4 retains the attack with f5 getting Qg3 and Ng5.

Queen’s Gambit Declined - Nimzo Indian move order

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Anti-sicilian system part 4 (White repertoire) Unusual move order

Hello, tomorrow I have one game in a championship where the opponent (KM and rated more than 300 points higher than me) usually plays the anti-sicilian system on the part 3, but on the move 6 it deviates... I already looked at his games and at the engine(s) suggestions, but I was wondering if someone faced already such a development and how did they tackle it.

The opening variation is in the pgn, along with some comments. If anyone has some suggestion, it will be more than welcome. Thanks!

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Stockfish likes the line you gave, if your opponent goes there he will be in trouble.

Fantastic! :) 

Heavy piece endings + defensive Nb3 in the French

A couple of points from this game. The first is the opening. In the French dxe4 line with c5, there is the Onischuk game which (Ne5 and Be7) which runs 9... Be7 10. Qe2 Nxf3 11. Qxf3 O-O 12. O-O-O Bd7 and now 13. g4 Qa5

In a similar line of the game Black delays Nxf3 with 10... O-O (computer prefers Bd7 with Rc8) 11. O-O-O Qa5 and now 12. g4 is marked as a mistake by the computer. True enough the g-pawn does become a problem and getting it to the f-file didn't help start an attack since the knight and bishop can defend g7. I'm being aggressive against opposite wing castling yet repeatedly the computer is saying that the defensive Nb3 to chase the queen instead of g4 is much better, and again later instead of Nf5. How to deal with these sorts of positions where there is a balance between defensive moves and aggressive ones?

Finally the game goes down to Q+R vs Q+R with pawns on both sides. Both sides have their chances plus blunders and it ends in a draw. Particularly in low time (both sides eventually) trying to work with heavy piece endings is really difficult. How to deal with these?

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Hi David,

It's a nice question. Usually, it happens at the end of the game and sides are being in time trouble as you mentioned. There are 2 factors that I think are important. First is the king's safety. For example in the game you posted even being a pawn up white is having issues because of the open king.

Another thing assuming kings are safe is the pawn structure ( weak pawns, passed pawns)

How I usually play this position trying to keep my king safe, and making problems for the opponent's one.

Of course, this question doesn't have a concrete answer because it's always different.

I just tried to share with you my opinion and experience.

Scotch ...Nf6 with 8.h4 Qe6

Hi fellow Chessmood members,

What do we play when Black plays 13...h5 here?

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Hi Thomas,

My recommendation will be 14.g5 with a better position for white. There are many possible options for black after this move, but everywhere white has something. This is too complex but better for white.

If you like this kind of position in order to play it some extra work with the engine will be required.

Or if you want something less complex you play after 8... Qe6 9.Nd2 move also described in the course.

I think this is a mistake

Hello, ChessMood Family! In the course video (https://chessmood.com/course/sicilian-defence-part-2/episode/787) on 1:48, I think White could play exd5 instead of Qxd5. I think White is better after that.

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Yes it's possible, but if we don't change the knights it is stronger because knight goes to b6 

I believe that Black will get themselves involved in a lot of unnecessary hot water regarding their queen if they decide to capture on c2 after Qd5. Qd5 is in line with a positional principle, to never play ed in the presence of that particular pawn structure, so that black's backward d pawn will always be exposed, instead of covered up by white's own pawn. A very notable example is the 6th game from the 1999 WWCC between GM Xie and IM Galliamova. In many analytical sources, white was blasted for allowing black to play Bd5 and covering up the d6 pawn, which ultimately enabled black to focus on launching an all out Kingside attack and win the game. 

Abracadaba requests

Hi everyone,

Don't know about you, but I really loved the new course vs the Latvian Gambit. I thought it might be a good idea for members to post what annoying dubious openings ('Abracadabra Gambits', as GM Avetik calls them) we're having trouble against, maybe as a guide to what we'd like to see covered. 

So my question is: which dodgy openings do you wish you felt more confident against?

For example, recently at fast time controls, I've had a good few people try the Stafford Gambit against me (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 Nc6?!), and this is doubtless because of all the YouTube videos where some high-rated player is 'demolished' with this secret weapon. Personally, I'm happy if my opponent plays this, because it's basically losing by force if you know what to do. If it's giving you trouble, I recommend Daniel Naroditsky's video on how to meet it.

But recently, I tried out the website openingtree.com, which allows you to analyse your results by opening move, and I found that I'd lost an embarrassing number of games against the Grob (1 g4?!). So for me, that's my request. I guess it's not played so often, so probably this can't be a priority, but I'd love to have some ChessMood repertoire against 1 g4.

What do you think? If you could request a ChessMood Abracadabra Antidote, what would it be?

Nick

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I had the borg (1... g5) played against me by a strong player - almost beat them as well. Took it as a waste of time weakening push in the dragon / accelerated dragon and almost beat them (I overloaded a win).

Yes, all kind of abracadabra gambits is on the list of TO DO SOON. Do not worry, our GMs have been very busy winning the Armenian National Championship and they will continue recording all the courses pending very soon. Gabuzyan deserves some rest and I would like to give some days to Avetik too, but the guy cannot stay away from Chessmood more than 5 min. ;-) In the meanwhile I recommend you all to watch the Daily Lesson 42 (if you haven't already) which already gave me 3 victories against 1...b6.

Hi Nick,

First 1.g4 ? haha) I am always happy to see this for black honestly! And I have my beloved system

against it. I play 1...d5 and after 2.Bg2 Nc6. It's leading to positions where black is having big control over the center and followed by e5 will be controlling lot of important territory.

Meanwhile, white pawn on g4 will be weakened and short castle will be an issue.

I would recommend Night on g8 to develop from e7-g6 to use weakened squares by g4 move.

1.g4 d5 2.Bg2 Bxg4 is a near-winning position after two moves and super easy to learn for Black:

my problem is againdt 1.b4

How to play againts e4 e5 Nf3 f5 and e4 e5 Nf3 d5 ?

How to play againts e4 e5 Nf3 f5 and e4 e5 Nf3 d5 ?

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I think these were covered in the courses.

Once again now that we have our 'Ending the Elephant Course' I thought it useful to stimulate conversation by lifting this thread from the archives. Also I would like to take this opportunity to commend Nicolo, Pasini on his successful use of the ChessMood Scotch, albeit with a twist, even against GM opposition: I say twist because Mr. Pasini has been experimenting with the very interesting variant 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.Nd2!? [6.e5 being the current ChessMood recommendation] This was an old favorite of  Saviely Tartakower which Vassily Ivanchuk also seems to have a soft spot for. The idea is to attempt to play for a tiny but risk free advantage due to our better pawn structure, especially after the most popular reply 6...d5, however 6...Bc5 is a more critical test and I leave it to our ChessMood family, and hopefully even Mr. Pasini himself, to explore more fully and share their thoughts with us.

Happy hunting :)

Last ChessMood article

Hello ChessMood family and Happy New Year! Wish you all the best!

"P.S. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the effectiveness of your time management last year? What changes are you going to make this year?"

What is your answer for this questions? :)

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I would rate my time management to the scale of 6. But this year I will definitely try to reach the scale of 10 in time management.

Question

Is 4.Sf3 covered in Benkogambit course?

Kind regards,

Martin

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Yes, it is.

In video 33 4.Nf3 is just mentioned along with 4.a4, 4.Nd2 and 4.Qc2 - when white refuses the pawn sacrifice. It is said that 4.Qc2 is the best of this options, and it is only about this move in the next videos.

But anyway, the Benko course will be revised, when they find the time to do so. I believe this was said in a streaming

Hi Martin,

Yes, it is covered as others as saying as well.

In general, it's not dangerous at all move as it gives black a pleasant choice of developement.

A Very Brave ChessMood King

https://chess24.com/en/watch/live-tournaments/81st-armenian-championship-2021/8/1/6 Is the Black King being lawless or demonstrating true valor? 

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By no means. the Black King is being lawless, but in fact it is demonstrating true valor, because there was no way that white can attack the black king. It was a perfect game played by Black.

Book recommendation

Hello friends

Wilson here, USCF 1318 I guess like 1200 FIDE even less. Please recommend a strategy / middlegame / positional book appropriate to my level I should read cover to cover. Thank you

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Before I recommend you any books, I would first like to read this blog first which will help you immensely to determine which books should you read.

https://chessmood.com/blog/which-chess-openings-books-courses-to-learn

Scotch with 4...Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Ne4!?

Hi, I'm new to the ChessMood community.   I have recently started playing the Scotch in my online games after beginning with the course and I faced this unusual 6...Ne4 in 2 games against the same opponent.  It looks very strange but I couldn't find an instant refutation.
I ended up playing 7. Nd2 Nc5 8. Nb3 Ne6 9. Bd3 and ended up winning in both games in the end but wondered if anyone had already worked out the strongest continuation against this rare move.

Creating my pgn file I added it and the engine seems to think 7. Nd2 is a good response but what's the best plan here.  I went Nb3 because I wanted to prevent Bc5 later and didn't want to restrict my f-pawn.

Any ideas on how to approach this would be welcome!

Thanks a lot!

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Hi Adam,

This is a bit rare move, I checked it out with a strong engine and the recommendation is Nd2 with a better position for white.

If Nd2 we play bd2 and white is ahead in development with space advantage as well.

If Nc5 seems that nb3 is the best response again. 

In both scenarios white is much better.

Book recommendation

Hello friends

Wilson here, USCF 1318 I guess like 1200 FIDE even less. Please recommend a strategy / middlegame / positional book appropriate to my level I should read cover to cover. Thank you

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Probably only ones I can think of for that level are the Winning Chess Strategies, Simple Chess and a skim of My System.

At 1200, you'd be better working on tactics particularly with focus on checkmates (The Art Of The Checkmate), basic tactics (on chess tempo / winning chess tactics for juniors), basic endgames (silman's complete endgame course - the older volume 1 course by Silman will be harder to get I'm assuming this is the same material / pandolfini's endgame course), learning to use the knight to see forks etc, avoiding dropping material in blunders and simple tactics. For strategy just worry about active pieces, good squares and basic opening principles. Develop quickly and try to attack, avoid dropping pieces and take what your opponent drops (checking that it's not a sacrifice with compensation).

Until then (1500 at least) I'd keep the strategy (and opening) work light as is all in vain if you drop material or cannot capitalise on a better position.

Simple chess by micheal stean

Try the steps method. There is a trainer's manual for each step/level one can use for self studying. And there a different workbooks with plenty of exercises. And don't hesitate to start with level 1. The exercises are well chosen and even I (ELO 2000) profit from them when teaching my kids. 

Try blindfolded chess

Have you ever tried to play blindfolded chess ?

Lichess allows this mode , Go to preferences and the last option is to play blindfolded and make it yes,

You will play without seeing pieces on the board

Try it and tell us the results :D

This is the only game I managed to win : https://lichess.org/Qhq5WAbLryiZ

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I used to use a handle BlindDrunk on FICS. I played pretty much like that too.

Caro-Kann Bg4 Qb3 line

Hello,
In the Bg4 Qb3 line, I liked the Ng5 idea. I tried it against my sparring partner and won a good game. When analyzing, he suggested 14...Qd8!? with the idea Ng5 Nh5. I guess this is a novelty and an interesting one ?
The next game he played it, I answered 15.Bg5 but was not convinced. Maybe 15.h3 a6 16.a4 is better ? Then I studied 15.h4 a6 16.g3, in the spirit of the ChessMood course, which is the most promising I guess. The critical line looks like 16...b5 17.a3 Qb6 18.Ng5.
What do you think ?
Thanks a lot,
Sylvain

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Hi Ravot,

Thanks for sharing your question, It's so nice to see someone new utilising the forum. In the diagrammed position the Engines love 16.g3 which is okay I guess, but in positions like this and similar ones, if Ng5 is not working I usually try to switch to the 'Plan B'. Plan B involves Ne5 transferring the Queen to h3 (Not possible in the engine g3 line) and looking for opportunities to plough ahead on the Kingside with a later h5, a crude plan admittedly but not easy to meet and totally in the spirit of the position. I have a Model Game in mind and will post it if I can track it down, 

I agree with you Ravot that h4 followed by g3 as the Engine suggests is definitely the best approach here, and it's very strange that Qd8 has not seen any practical tests as yet.  Thanks for the info about the Dzinzi - Karpov clashes, I think I also may have heard in an interview that Dzinzi was Karpov's coach for awhile.

Hi Sylvain,

This is a very nice question. Up to my records, we should play with h4 after Qd8. The idea as mention g3 - kg2 - rh1 trying to open the h file.

If after h4 black plays Nh5 then Bg5 move is coming.