Chess forum by Grandmasters

The genius investor

With Black plays one of our investors! 
Try to find his genius move ?

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1..Rxf3!! 2.Bxf3 Qh2+ 3.Kf1 Bg3! - +The key to the puzzle as now f2 is gone and now white cant take our bishop too. Nice position ?

Having read the previous posts, I was thinking of 1..Rxf3 2.Bxf3 Qh2+ 3.Kf1 b6 as an improved version of Vedant's solution, with the threat of 4...Ba6+ 5.Re2 Qxf2# or 5.Rd3 Bxd3+ 6.Qxd3 Qxf2#. But of course white gets to move after b6 and there are various options. For example 4.Rd3 Ba6 5.Bxg4 or maybe just 4.Bg2. Anyway, rather than try to solve all the various defences, it struck me that black can play 1...b6 and then the threat of Rxf3 etc is much more potent. I'm not sure that white has any good way of strengthening their king position after 1...b6. 2.Bf4 Bxf4 doesn't help white, and 2.e5 can be ignored as we just go 2...Rxf3 and follow our plan of Qh2+, Ba6+ etc.. And if they play something like Rd3 or Re2 we play Ba6 winning the exchange and we haven't sacrificed anything yet so should be a win. Probably most annoying is 2.b4 Ba6 3.b5 but I think just 3...cxb5 and they can't blockade our pawn so we can play b4 next and the threat is renewed. 1...b6 certainly is surprising, so I think it has a chance of being correct :-)

French Attack Pgn/Pdf

Hi Avetik and ChessMood family, I am a newly member and I am so happy to have found you guys. I am a beginner with one year under my belt but I improved very fast with constant studying 2hrs daily and increase my rating from 500 to 1300 on chess.com. Anyway, my question is I don't see the pgn from the blackmood opening. Specifically, the French Attack? Am I missing something? I have been transposing the variation on chessable but it is a lot of work and time. thanks again! K Btw, I am enjoying the courses very much! K Thanks Avetik and your team for all your hard work!

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Well, we normally add the pgn for homework at the end of the course, when everything is complete, we never do it part by part. 

When we will upload the last sections of the course, we will upload the pgn for homework as we did with the Whitemood openings, but the lines in the pgn are not complete, you need to complete them after watching the course. This way you can check and see what you remember… ?

How to Work Thru Happy Pieces ?

Hi There. Im approx USCF 1400 (Lichess Blitz 1650) Im currently working thru Happy Pieces and have very much been enjoying it so far. At the beginning of each video I pause the video and do my best to solve the position. So far I've been getting about 50% of the problems correct (as far as predicting the first few moves). My questions are: 1. How deeply should I be calculating? Often when I get the correct answer, I see the first few moves (and calculate as deep as I can), but often do not go as deep as the solution. (Is this ok?) 2. When I get a problem wrong how should I respond? Should I review the ones I got wrong a later time? Or is the purpose of this video series to expose myself to new patterns and ways of thinking ? I definitely find myself especially struggling to find answers that aren't forcing moves (this is probably due to my experience with studying tactics)

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Also how long should I spend thinking about the position before moving on to the solution?

At your rating I would suggest Tactic Ninja and Mating Matador first. Happy Pieces is more relevant for 1800+.

Hello Joseph,

We hear you, I asked Avetik and Gabuzyan to reply to you because you had the consultation with one of them. They will know more than anyone your case. 

But as a general rule, when working with any chess video or book, I would recommend you the following:

1. You should spend a maximum of 10 minutes (some people say 15) to find the solution to the problem, in a real game you cannot spend so much time normally, but it is a good advice. Always if possible, write it in a paper.
2. Try to see the whole combination, that's to say until you found a satisfactory solution, if you stop in between and you did not get the whole solution, do not worry, next time try to do it better. Step by step…
3. When I work with problems, I mark the problems that I do not get right. Most of the times with an screenshot since I found out that it is the fastest way. Then you can check the screenshots of every course if you classify them correctly and check them after a while, see if you still miss it.
4. The purpose of Happy Pieces is very clear, to teach you, to show you that piece development is one of the most important aspects of chess, this is basic and at the same time very difficult. It should be unconcious, but many times we start attacking without developing the pieces.
5. By seeing the positions and patterns played you will add new possibilites to your arsenal, and hopefully you will internalize the importance of piece development.
6. I would say that if you identify the piece worst placed and learn how to activate it effectively, it would be a huge achivement. Then the next step is to apply it in your games.

Hey Joseph! 
Interesting question. 
Odysseus answered very nice! 

I would not worry if I solve a position wrongly. You can't solve everything correctly :) If you did, you wouldn't need that course :) 
The most important thing will be to understand the solutions where you went wrong. Then you improve! 
The idea with screenshots is very good. 

Another thing I would do in your case, after finishing the course, I would go to quiz and try to solve them. 
If I fail solving 90% of them, I would rewatch the course and then solve the quiz again. 
Until I solve everything. And when I solve, I understand. 
And that's when I improve :) 
 

Grand Prix a6,e6 lines after b4 - Na4 or Ne2?

Hello CM! Since this has been asked in fb chat, I decided to create a topic for this question. So, the question is about grand prix sicilian a6-b5 lines where black usually goes b4. 2 distinct positions can arise with white having played already f4 or not 1st example 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.f4 a6 and then black goes for b5-b4 with later d5 2nd example 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 a6 3.g3 (we dont hurry with f4 yet) b5 and then b4 with d5 incoming. I played recently blitz game, though I won, should have went Ne2? https://www.chess.com/game/live/40242659747 Is Na4 ok in this case? How not to mix up those positions?

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Hi! 
Na4 is always interesting option. 
When black starts with 2…a6, we could also play Ne2, as we had time for 0-0. 
In the 2nd case, the hybrid variation, we couldn't do it anymore. Because after de4,de4, we should take it back with the king. 
In your game is fine, because after 7…d5 you're in time to play 8.0-0. 

 

Torre

Hello! In the video about d4 sidelines is there going to be a section about the Torre system? (d4 Nf6 Nf3 g6 Bg5)

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Hey! Of course! 
We'll play with Bg7, d6, and then h6,g5, Nh5, grabbing the dark-squared bishop. The same idea we used in London. 

Blackmood OP_exchange variation

Hi everyone, recently I began to play french because I want to have another resource against e4. I find some problem in exchange variation when my opponent use this idea: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Be2 Bg4 6. O-O Bd6 7. Nc3.. my opponent want to play Nb5 and take my good bishop! Now I have two choices: (a) leave it and play... Nge7 Nb5; or (b) Nf6 Nb5 Be7...In this variation my opponent can develop Bf4 and I don't have "pawn storm beacuse my N is in f6. should I change my plan and go to 0-0? because I didn't see a good position with 0-0-0 in this line ..7. Nc3

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PGN Files

Dear,s I noticed that there is no PGN Files for the course #counter the english opening# Are you going to do PGN files for all openings/courses? Thanks, greetings

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All pgns will be added to the courses when finished, I think that there are still some pgns in different courses that we have not yet finished to upload but we will do it soon. Thanks for the reminder!

Abhi left?

I recently remembered one of abhi's Very informative posts. While trying to search for it it said deleted user in place of abhi's name. I tried searching in lichess for his name. Account deleted. Does anyone know what happened to his chess journey?

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Being Dangerous From the Opening

Hi, I am having a (to me) important OTB Tournament by the end of May, and I am trying to improve as much as I can toward that. I am a 1780 FIDE player who is regarded as being very tactically sharp, but a GM saw some of my games and told me "Al, you are too well behaved in the opening phase, you have to learn to be dangerous from the very beginning of a game". I became recently a pro-member thinking that the "100 Classical Masterpices" course was maybe what I needed, but I am thinking now that, timewise, maybe I would be better off following the "100 Classical Attacking Games" course. Any thoughts you would share with me about the former? PS. Highest rated players in that upcoming closed tourney are 1900 FIDE rated

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You don't have to make a choice between the Chessmood courses, enjoy them all! If you look closer, you will see that the "100 Classical Attacking Games" is incomplete yet. So from now until your tournament, you can combine both courses by looking one game per day :) For the rest of your available time, you should watch some others courses from "Middlegame Mastery" (Happy Pieces, Speedboat Adventures, The Power of the Bishop Pair...) and work on your openings. If you didn't use it yet, you could use your 1-1 PRO Call to receive a study plan with one GM from Chessmood!

Hello Al, I support Akiba's answer that no need to choose since you can combine. As well our starter courses can be good kind of opening preparation and if you have more time you can try to follow the main repertoire as well! On top of this to strengthen your chess skills overall take a look at all of the courses in the middlegame mastery section! Good luck )

Blackmood openings - video 16

After ...Ne7 it is mentioned that Ne2-f4 can be countered by ...Bb5, exchanging the bishops. But what if White then plays Nf4-d3?

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Just be happy that White keeps moving the same piece endlessly… :-) The knight from e2, to f4, to d3… 3 moves in a row with the same piece in the opening… You should use this time to develop and follow the normal plan… Did you watch the opening principles course? Piece development is paramount in the opening.

Now taking this into account, let me ask you Thomas Maes: What would you play as Black?

Hello Thomas, First of all, I would like to mention that when white knight goes to d3 our Bb5 will become a good piece overall, playing well on the diagonal. Also often after Nf4, we can pressure on d4 pawn with c5 moves as due to the absence of knight on f3 it can be weakened.

French Exchange (video 22) - when White is the first to attack (queenside)

Hello, I would like to continue discussing with you about GM Jesse Kraai's ideas on the French defense and how to counter some of the lines he suggests with White. On a Youtube video, he handles the French exchange like this: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.c3 Bd6 6.Bd3 Nge7 7.O-O Bg4 8.Nbd2 Qd7 9.Re1 O-O-O 10.b4 ... 11.Qa4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfXLB-XfXV8&t=201s) This is a response to video 22 (7:20). When I watched video 22, I immediately thought that White can come on the black king quite quickly using their initiative. I know the purpose of this Starter course is to draw the main lines and I guess this topic will be covered in the advanced course. That said, I was wondering if anyone had a game that illustrates how Black can defend while still pushing kingside.

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when will the French/Dutch for black be published

Firstly congra with your new site!! I read somewhere that you will start courses for black on the the French and Dutch. When will this courses start/be published

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The French is already published as part of the BlackMood Openings course: https://chessmood.com/course/blackmood-openings. From some of Avetik's comments in the course I got the impression that more advanced French material will eventually be added. I don't think the Dutch has been published yet.

We never provide exact dates but we are working on them. 

The French Attack, basic section has been uploaded in the Blackmood openings course.

The Dutch basic part will be published very soon too as part of the Blackmood openings course.

Then more advanced courses will follow. This is the plan.

In the French - BlackMood, isn't the 2nd option (video 6) a bit weak?

Greetings to all, I would like to discuss with you GM Jesse Kraai's ideas about the French Defense and how to counter some of the lines he suggests with White. GM Jesse Kraai tackles the variation that trades the light squared Bishop in video 6 - 2nd option of the Starter Course - BlackMood Openings with the following line: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Qb6 5.Nf3 Bd7 6.a3 Bb5 7.b4 cxd4 8.Bxb5+ Qxb5 9.cxd4 The whole idea is to grab space on the queenside with the thematic pushed a3-b4 while Black sets up his exchange device. White's next move: 10.Nc3 develops with tempo. I have a feeling Black's plan isn't that effective. I am delighted to see that ChessMood recommends the 3rd option (video 8). I gladly make mine this surprising weapon!

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ChessBase Question

I have a question please for those pro ChessBase users. I see in the videos where GM Avetik will make multiple moves with the same color pieces. For example when showing an ideal position he may move the Black pieces 4-5 times back to back while none of the White pieces move. How is this done and how can I recreate it if anyone knows please. Thank you, Leslie

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This is easy Leslie?, this is the “Enter null move” command. 

In the ChessBase board window, go to file (upper left), and then customize. Here you will see all the commands shortcuts. I always replace the enter null move shortcut so it's the "n" key or whatever you like. Much better than Control + Alt + 0 which is the combination by default.?

Hey Leslie :) Not related to your question, but I've started to use Chessbase recently and wanted to know how good is your experience with it? For my part, I still feel more comfortable to work on my openings with Lichess (DB & studies) and I'm not sure how good was my investment! But maybe I need more time to be well-acquainted with the software! Have a nice day :)

How to see future events on the new site?

Hello friends, When I go to Learn->Events, I only see a list of events that are already completed. Earlier on the old site, I could see the future events along with completed ones. Am I missing something or is it a bug? Also on that page, I do not see dates listed for events, maybe because I am only seeing the completed events. Can someone please help me. I'm attaching a screenshot of how the page looks for me.

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The other day there was a very useful list of upcoming events that were listed left to right but it seems to have now changed, perhaps this is part of the tweaking of the new website? I also thought there was a planned stream this morning on chess psychology but when I went to attend it was no longer there, it may have been cancelled.

5 important updates

Hello Champions! 
After launching the new website and a few sleepless nights, I finally found time to write you ? 

I wrote you emails, but in case you missed it, I'm posting it here too. 
We have 5 important updates. 
Let's go one by one ?

1. Quizzes

On the new website, we’ve added quizzes that are attached to the courses. 
So, after finishing each course, you can solve the offered positions and master the acquired knowledge.  

2. Tactic Mastery 

We’re working on special features to help you to improve your tactics. 

Meanwhile, we’ve added a quiz to our most popular course - the Tactic Ninja. 
There are 777 tactics! 
It’s gonna be super useful for you. After finishing the course, you can spend 5-15 minutes every day to refresh your mind, or warm up before an online session.  

Here is the link: https://chessmood.com/quiz/the-tactic-ninja

Similar warm-up you’ll find in the Mating Matador course. 

3. New events for PRO Members 

We’re going to have more streams, webinars, games with GMs, and interactive lessons (only for PRO Members.) 

Here are the upcoming events: 

March 5 - Interactive lesson “How to counter rubbish over-aggression in the opening?” 

March 8 - Webinar “Questions and answers with a GM” 

On Tuesdays reaching from 1200-2200
On Saturdays reaching from 2200-2800 

Note: They’re separate streams, and based on your level you can attend the one you’re more interested in. 
In both, we’re going to play and stream with only ChessMood openings!  

4. Tech issues 

As we informed you earlier, you pay the same amount you used to pay before raising the prices. 
In case, you have any issues with your plan, please contact us. 
Our tech support girls will help you to resolve any issue you have. 

Yeah, and if you find any bugs, or have suggestions related to the new website, please let us know. It will be very helpful.  
 

5. Terms of service 

Soon we’re going to update our terms of services. 
We’ll add a very important point. 

If any of our students don’t raise their rating (online or offline) after a few months of joining ChessMood, we’re going to sue them. 

Our lawyer prepared the documents already. 

Hahaha ?
Joking ?

But if seriously, 
the best compliment you can have for us, which is more than any nice words, it’s your chess growth, raised rating, or positive changes in your life. 

I officially promise to do my best to help you. 
Hopefully, you’ll do your best on your side. 

With a smile and love,  
Avetik ❤️

#CoGro (Constant growth) 
#RightMood_RightMove 

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Thank you for everything you are doing for us! :)

Uh oh... Champions, we are in trouble now...See point 5.Terms of service & being sued for non rating growth. GM Avetik is getting serious & about to kick my xxxx! I had better start learning & winning some games quick! Failure & non improvement is NOT an option! I do seriously need this kick up the rear & to get moving here and there is many a true word spoken in jest (apparently?!). When the going gets tough...the tough get going (I just have to toughen up!). Thanks for all your hard work & I am sure all these improvements will work wonders for me & every champion! Keep it up coach & Chess Mood team...RMood/RMove & COGRO all!

The quizzes in particular are a significant step forward for ChessMood! I feel fortunate to have joined at a great time (about a week ago).

The new website looks great ! Can you please advise how to get to the tactical mastery (point #2 above with link) from the main Chessmood page? Thanks much!

I hope this isn't a silly question, but yesterday I signed up as a pro member, and when I go to chessmood.com (signed in), it still says things like "Become a pro member" and I do not see any acknowledgement that I am already a pro member. How do I confirm my pro membership?

Where should i solve puzzles and train tactics

I could like to solve puzzles and train tactics but i dont where to do can some of you suggest some good websites or books or pdfs

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Events: how to interact or hear what the others participants say?

I suppose that I have to do something on my PC but what? thanks for your response.

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You need to view the live stream from youtube via the link - participants type in the chat. This is also a problem with the replays now are embedded so the chat is lost. Perhaps the presenter could repeat any questions before answering which would help embedded viewers.

When you follow the event live, you can interact trough the youtube chat (you must log into youtube with your account and it is free). 

Then when watching the replay if you want to see the comments on the chat, you can easily access the youtube page from the event page in Chessmood. You just need to click on the title on the top of the video and you will be redirected to youtube. 

In the pic attached from yesterday's event, https://chessmood.com/event/counter-rubbish-overaggression-in-opening

 you can see the title on top, this is where you must click to go to youtube.

Power-points of Webinar counter over-agression in the opening

Dear champions here is attached the power-point of the Webinar when we talked about how to counter rubbish over-aggression in the opening.

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GM Gauzyan, Excellent stream, I had to watch it on delay but am very glad I did as there were several very valuable learning points. Thank you for putting this on and thank you for the slide with the important take home points! Have a great day! Leslie

Keeping track of progress

Hello, Is there a way that your progress is tracked? After you watch a game of the 100 games you should know, is there a way to see what you have already watched? Similarly, if I watch a video and have to leave before it is complete, is you place kept somewhere? Thank you

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agree, would be extremely useful.

Yes, it would be very helpful! It would also give a feel of completness to have a tracker showing we are working :)