Chess. Com tournament

I've won chess. Com Monday tournaments many times but never got any prizes... How to claim help please

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To get your prize, you need to contact chessmood.com/contact mentioning the email you used to register in chessmood.com.

Congratulations ChessMood for $200,000 funding

Congrats to GM Avetik and the entire chess mood team for this journey. I really like the chess mood concept and hoping that they will compete with big market giants soon!

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Thanks, man! 

Opening Tree

Hello All,

I came across this open source site that was in Lichess forum this week and wanted to share it with you.

https://www.openingtree.com/

The reason I found it helpful was that I created an Opening Tree from Coach Gabuzyan's Chess.com games and matched the moves with the Chessmood files I had created. I am certain to do the same from Coach Avetik's games that he streamed in the 1600-2400 series. It seems to be helpful in reinforcing move orders in all the openings from courses here. I am wanting to see if you folks can see it's potential and come up with anything that I haven't checked as yet.

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Thank you !!! Very useful.

I knew about his, but somehow forgot about it. I'll use it also in prepartion against the opponents.

Thanks for sharing @Sriram_M. I did not know it and it  seems quite interesting!

At first sight it could be useful for:

- Preparing against a known opponent

- Review your own openings and check the lines with worst score

- Compare the score of different openings you may use. For example I have just compared my score against 1.d4 2.c4 with my two main weapons (Slav and Benko).

- Review opening moves of top players who suit your style

Ohhh I didn't about this, for such things I use only my chessbase :)

Thank you! It seems useful. I haven't got Chessbase, so this can be used together with Lichess Studies. Got to find out the best way

Thanks a lot Sriram,

This is very useful and interesting and shows lots of things in a simple way! That's what I love about it!

About checking your own stats, this is cool too, I always thought that I was winning lots of Accelerated Dragon games as Black, and I am only in the main line, the rest of variations even being better I mess up since I do get lost in the plans... As for the Benko, I win a lot more games, in fact Scotch, French and Benko are 2 points making machines...

Added to my favorites!

great resource, thanks for sharing! I would love to see more tools like this. Seems to work well and doesn't force you to get an account to check it out

Thanks for sharing, super! 

Hi Sriram, this in deed a very helpful tool. I use it at the moment while starting the second iteration of the repertoire videos. After watching the video I check what I was playing the last year and try to find out where my most typical mistakes are (and than I try out to understand the reasons for them).

Blindfold chess Training

What are the methods you guys use to improve blindfold. I can play now blindfold using lichess blank board but only in simple positions I am able to play. In sharp openings I miss things. I do well with Ruy Lopez Exchange Structure.

I really wants to work on my visualization

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I also do alright when there are less pieces on board and positions are quiet. I do not see well in complex positions.  Or I can say I do so well when the structure is stable. Unstable structures confuse me. Some people on internet says try to break board into four parts then try to imagine them and make a full board in mind. But I do not know how it works. 

So, it will be cool to know how experienced players worked on their blindfold skills.

The idea in Caruana's Kf2! Modern Maroczy Bind

[Event "La Roda op 46th"]

[Site "La Roda"]

[Date "2019.04.18"]

[Round "2"]

[White "Ladron de Guevara Pinto, Paolo"]

[Black "Salazar de la Cruz, Jose Maria"]

[Result "1-0"]

[ECO "B36"]

[WhiteElo "2429"]

[BlackElo "2099"]

[PlyCount "129"]

[EventDate "2019.04.17"]

[EventType "swiss"]

[EventRounds "9"]

[EventCountry "ESP"]

[SourceTitle "CBM 189 Extra"]

[Source "ChessBase"]

[SourceDate "2019.06.03"]

[SourceVersion "1"]

[SourceVersionDate "2019.06.03"]

[SourceQuality "1"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 d6 8.

Be3 Bg7 9. f3 O-O 10. Qd2 Be6 11. Be2 a5 12. Rc1 a4 13. Kf2 Nd7 14. Rhd1 Qa5

15. Nd5 Bxd5 16. Qxa5 Rxa5 17. cxd5 Nc5 18. Rc2 Rc8 19. Rdc1 Kf8 20. b4 axb3

21. axb3 Ra1 22. b4 Rxc1 23. Rxc1 Bb2 24. bxc5 Bxc1 25. Bxc1 Rxc5 26. Bd2 Ke8

27. Bd3 f6 28. f4 Kf7 29. Ke2 h6 30. g3 Rc8 31. Bb1 Ra8 32. Bc3 Ra3 33. Kd2 b5

34. Bc2 g5 35. e5 gxf4 36. gxf4 fxe5 37. fxe5 dxe5 38. Bxe5 b4 39. Bf5 Ra2+ 40.

Kd3 Ra7 41. Kc4 Rb7 42. Bc8 Rb6 43. Kc5 Rg6 44. Be6+ Kf8 45. Kxb4 Rg2 46. Kc4

Re2 47. Kd4 Re1 48. h3 Re2 49. Bg4 Re1 50. Bg3 Rg1 51. Bh4 Ra1 52. Ke5 Ra4 53.

Bf2 Ra5 54. Be6 Ra2 55. Be3 Kg7 56. Kf5 Ra4 57. Bc5 Kf8 58. Kg6 Rh4 59. Be3 h5

60. Bg5 Re4 61. Kxh5 Re1 62. Kg6 Rg1 63. h4 Rg2 64. h5 Rg1 65. h6 1-0

What if black plays this setup, and after Rc8 has an idea b7-b5-b4? Is it an equality?

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Not absolutely... White is still pressuring a bit. 
Our Qe5!? Novelty is very practical now. 

Pasini Variation in Modern Pirc

Hey champions! 

We have uploaded my most favorite section from our courses. 
Pasini Variation in Modern Pirc. 

There is a very funny and nice story behind this variation. 
I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we did, when we found this strong way to play against Modern Pirc. ​​​​

https://chessmood.com/course/modern-pirc  

Check it out sections 4-6. ​


​​

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I have enjoyed learning this line. Thank you!

In case anyone else (like me) wondered what to play in this move order:

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5

then we have it covered in the AntiSicilian g6 move order starting with this video

https://chessmood.com/course/6-anti-sicilian-with-nc3-part-5/episode/815

(we play dc5)

Question in Rossolimo Variation

Hello I played a game vs a FM a few hours ago and he played our Rossolimo Variation and on move 6 I think the FM didn't play a move that was in the chessmood repertoire. The moves the FM played were: 1.e4, c5 2.Nf3, Nc6 3.Bb5, g6 4.0-0, Bg7 5.Re1, Nf6 6.c3.

Can you please help us find a variation?

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It should transpose I believe to our normal variations. Just castle and you are in our repertoire. c3 is analyzed in move 5 and in move 6 should just transpose, being the main moves covered in the videos.

I think it is good for white to take on c6 after g6

Crossed 2100 on Chess.com

Hello Chessmood Family,

Yesterday I crossed 2100 on Chess.com during a playing session. Originally I tried to follow Coach Avetik's rule of 9 games, but when I won 7 in a row I decided to keep going. I ended up playing 12 games, 10 of which were wins. In one of them, I beat an IM using SLP! 

I couldn't have done all this without watching the Daily Lessons on Youtube, and the Classical Games! They do wonders for your middlegame and I highly recommend both of them. 

Thank You Chessmood Coaches and Family!

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Great! Congratulations. And do not forget to reward yourself ☺️ I have just bought 4 T-Shirts after completing the first iteration of the repertoire videos. Right now I am also fighting for the 2.100 on lichess. The reward will be a blunder hoodie (or was it called differently?).

Well done mate. No easy feat I am stuck just below 2100 on lichess and can't seem to break through. Deffo need to spend more time on middle game course tbh myself

Don’t sleep on the . . .

Happy Pieces, Middle game and Endgame courses.  They are a lot of fun, better for your chess than studying openings for hundreds of hours.  I thought they were for beginners and lower rated players.  Uh, WRONG! ????

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Yes you are right.

So true. In any tournament, chances to play any opening line that you remember until move 20 are close to zero.

Anti sicilian

Hello 

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Welcome to the family Vinay!

I checked your move order and also the section that you mentioned and they are different. What is the exact move order that you are asking for? Because if it is the move order that you wrote, we play differently with d3 instead of d4. If it is the move order of the section that you mention, please update the post and write the correct move order and we will get back to it...

Hi, I found a game, which leads to forced draw, so you could have it as a backup in case your opponent chooses this move order.

Hello Vinay,

This is a bit rare set up for black, but in case of facing it I think white has a good game after 11.f5 e5 12.Nf3

As a Sicilian player, I can tell it's harder to play for black, white pieces are very active. Engine may be doing something, but from human perspective I would always choose white in this spot :-)

Issue in Grand Prix

Coach recently I was playing online and faced this line. Now I do not see any advantage for white side here. Can you kindly share long term plans for white to gain something. According to database black scores decent in this line.

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I also checked my files. This line is not covered. But if I missed something kindly let me know.

This line has already been discussed in the forums. Grand Prix 2...d6 lines - Giri's Chessable course on the Sicilian - ChessMood

It doesn't give any advantage to White, on a contrary Black could be slightly better.

As it has been recommended by Anish the likelihood of facing this line for sure increases.

French 3.Bd3 b6

Question about this position: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Bd3 b6 - looks weird move but french idea to exchange bishop via a6. Here's example game I played https://lichess.org/d5wIinOFZStM , but I dont think i got much from the opening.

I think should have played 3.Nf3 and now 3..Ba6 doesnt quite work 4.Bxa6 Nxa6 5.exd5 gives white substantial edge according to stockfish 12, because of the weakened squares and lack of dev for black.

Any ideas about this, guys?

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I think after b6 white can try to play exchanged line with exd5, while Bd3 is staying very strong pawn on b6 looks like a big-time waste for the black side.

I faced this 3...b6 at the National Open a few weeks ago. I didnt handle the opening very well, but was somehow able to pull a win out. I probably (Definitely heh) got lucky. I will try GM Gabuzyan's exchange idea next time.

I am attaching the game I played for reference.

Taking on d5 and then Bf4 looks interesting to me.  Exchanging on a6 is really slow.

Dragon Question

Hi family, I have been looking at positions in the dragon and looking to get some feedback in this one: 

r1bqr1k1/pp3pbp/2nppnp1/8/3NPP2/1BN1BQ2/PPP3PP/R3K2R b KQ - 1 11

Sorry it's an FEN, I am at work and can't upload a board or anything.  

My notes say "Very sharp position. Next we will aim for Na5, b6 and Bb7 or Ba6. Our c8 bishop is a lot stronger on b7 now because the pawn is on f4 and not f3" 

However, when I am playing it often I will play Na5, white plays 0-0 and then I capture on b3 and I can't ever get the b6/Bb7 plan to work, and it seems Bd7 is more natural to my eye.  Does anyone have any experience with this or can offer any feedback? 

Thank you!

Matt

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No need to rush with capturing on b3 the Bishop isn't running away. After .....Na5 you could follow up with b6 and Bb7 before capturing on b3 or sometimes you can dispense with capturing altogether and go ....Rac8 intending ...Nc4.  You should be able to find Model Games played by Chris Ward and Sergei Tiviakov with this setup.

Thank you Kevin, you always have such great answers. I will look into these players! 

anti-sicillian move order Q

Hi everyone! Just played a game which started:

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 d6 3. f4 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bc4 e6

Was wondering why the 5...e6 is inaccurate here? Does anyone know? Engines suggest you play a d4 rather than d3 in response, but again I can't see a clear reason why.

Grateful for any thoughts.

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It is understood that anytime black develops e6 and g6 (in this system or any similar setups) white should rush for d4, resulting in an immediate exposure of the d6 weakness, which white will keep asking questions about by means of something like Bf4, Qd2 and Rd1 or 0-0-0. 

The Bc4 is now blunted so the f5 fxg6 plan isn't as strong since there is no need to open the h-file as the pin is broken. d3 is a bit passive aiming to hold e4 while a kingside attack takes place (not so easy now) and doesn't fit well with e5. Thus d4 opens a front against the centre.

How to find the right coach recent article

GM Avetik

Thanks for your comprehensive article on finding the right chess coach with lots of good points.

Interestingly, just today I was thinking of my own chess coaches (& chess study & training) & thought I would add a timely comment in the light of your article.

I have been "lucky" to have had two good chess coaches, but even they have serious limitations, that I shall briefly mention!

I will also add that I am a qualified Squash Rackets Association coach (level one for beginners, but I ceased actual practical squash play & coaching a few years ago) & I have had teacher training experience (though I never completed my teaching qualification exams, I did a lot of work toward that). As an amateur (lowly rated) chess player, I have even coached beginner junior chess players (in the main, an enjoyable activity!). Right now, I am creating my own beginner chess course (based off a beginner chess course I made about 6 years ago).

So, one of my main points, is that I believe all coaches should have had at leat some teacher training experience or undertaken a recognised qualification for coaching. Many turn to coaching with no idea of teaching, learning & educational  practices, which, imho, is not good. In squash, I myself, took coaching from some fine international squash players, who only coached to fill their time & make money & were not even good coaches & this happens in chess too, as you know & state! Very sad.

I also believe it is important that a coach has experience of actual play at & above the level they coach at, but high rated players certainly do not necessarily make good coaches. Now back to my chess coaches.

My first chess coach, taught me the openings he played as a very good experienced chess club player (& secretary of the local adult chess club & organiser of the junior chess club). I learnt lots, but when my learning progress slowed down, he told me it was because I was not doing what he told me!! Well, need I say more? A nice guy, but not a good, supportive, helpful coach....

My next coach was an online coach (via FB Messenger calls), a WIM Olympiad chess player. She taught me her specialised openings (1.b3 as White & Grivas Sicilian as Black), which was very enjoyable, but she had played these almost exclusively her whole chess career & I found I kept running into new lines all the time when I played these, especially as I had no previous experience of these. Lastly, I have to say that neither of these coaches, gave me a defined structured customised (for me), training plan & schedule, which, imho, is a basic essential requirement for good coaching. I can go on & on about this point & many more, but I will leave it here for now.

Now on to Chess Mood coaching. Is it good? Well, it might be for some, but, so far, since I have been here, I am not yet convinced it is for me! I paid my next subscription here recently & I told myself, I would spend more time & effort with the resources here, but the weeks go by & I still find it hard to do this! Well, this should give me a prompt to do better. Briefly, I have had little success with a training partner or coach here & I feel all alone & yet (strangely?!), that it is simply up to & down to me to get any improvement & that is actually fine for me! I like challenges!

Alright, onwards & upwards, COGRO, right mood, right move, no hoodie blunders!

Best coaching & play y'all! :-)

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Alas, the two links are not connecting for me.  It is as if the website disappeared.  Perhaps some data limit was reached?

@Richard_Dickinson  Some difficulties I think with Chessmood which you might be experiencing.

1> It takes a lot of time and effort - it's not just here are some resources and you'll be great as you dip in and out. I know you know this of course. I feel there is a little bit of overexcitment in the marketing, what is here is extremely good but only if you can put in the time. I think once you get past the 'Crush your opponent with this opening' excitement (which sometimes happens of course), it's very honest and down to Earth and there feels like genuine interest in your improvement. Chess takes a lot of time and regular work to get better once you cross over the 1800 boundary.

2> I think there is sometimes a bit of a divide on the type of member who can spend 5+ hours every day on their study, and those that are only able to get in 5 hours a week. While the first category are the budding champions of tomorrow, there has to be the recognition that many players cannot put that sort of time into chess. Chessmood has both sorts, but listening to the interview on Sunday, it was all very well mentioning Anand spending 8+ hours a day to encourage the student to put a lot of time in, but that's completely impractical for most (particularly as anyone living in a high cost country will on average be scraping the pennies from a chess career unless they get really really lucky to get into the top 20/30 compared to studying and putting that time into say IT, law, medicine or some other career. Add in already got a job, a family, and getting 5 hours in a week can be a task (I'm lucky to have a very understanding and patient (just about) wife, but once we have kids, spending a couple of hours each evening on chess simply won't wash). So I think there needs to be a little bit of thought (and to be fair this is something across chess) in how best to help those that have limited time - so short cuts, study optimisations and prioritising material - they might not end up a strong GM, but many of us would settle for master. Unfortunately much of the education and advice around chess is for those who have a lot of time coming from those who spent a lot of time (to be fair this is one of the purposes of the chessmood openings not being highly theoretical choices, and the call with a GM to tailor study plans). Hopefully in the interview series there will be some examples of coaches who took a late (18+) starter in chess and got them to FM/IM despite a full time job - that would be interesting to see the differing approach from the young budding next-WC coaching. I think chess in general though needs to serve those amateur players better as so many end in the 1500-2000 bracket with no hope or help getting off that plateau.

3> Community interaction is a little limited which why you feel on your own unless you reach out. I still think official discord, etc would help a lot here. Sometimes having a quick conversation with a fellow student can spur you on. I would say to take part in the Saturday tournaments as there is a fair bit of camaraderie between the regulars.

Richard, in this many years we have many-many big success stories, people who've raised 200, 300, 500 and 600 points in a few months. 
ChessMood is just a source to help everyone who wants to improve. 
The rest is personal effort. 

When I see these huge successes, I still think, ChessMood role is just maybe 50%. 
It was their determination, action quality of their training and how they spend time on training. 

We started "chess growth hacking" interviews series, and I'm going to interview everyone who succeed. So everyone who don't, will see how many things they do differently. 

Also there are cases, when hard work payoff a little later. 
And I truly hope, this will be in your case. 

@Richard_Dickinson

From observation many students are obsessed with rapid improvement and memorising Opening lines. The role of understanding Openings and ' Chess understanding' in general is often minimised but it is vital, in my experience if you cannot properly articulate what you are doing or trying to do in the Opening or Middle Game then it points to a training need. Take the following position:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.h4: Many of our members are having big problems coming to grips with this line, and understandably so as the position is strategically and tactically very complex.

My challenge to you is in addition to memorising the chessmood lines move by move, take a step back and articulate your thoughts on the position after 8.h4, be as specific and detailed as you like and post them here for feedback. This exercise is similar to annotating and analysing your own games and will help you fix such problems as getting move orders right etc. 

Thank you!

Dear ChessMood, I am glad to report that with help of your expert support and positive chess philosophy I succeeded to become a Vice Champion of my country in Rapid chess! It happened quite unexpectedly for me right after the end of the COVID tournament fasting, for I have left behind me almost 200 players, many of them experienced masters or young, fast improving players with all together 6 wins, 3 draws and without single loss. Thank you, coach Avetik, coach Hovhannes and all others for giving me the chance of reaching the best individual success of my entire chess life:  https://chess-results.com/tnr556748.aspx?lan=13&art=1&rd=9&fed=CRO&fbclid=IwAR24GUyfbNhqqgIKaWRel-cs49lBKn5_uj11x53Lm2HgtbcA0wKmZnfNtZ8

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Martin, this is indeed a great feat! Very impressive! We are very happy to hear about your 2nd place! If you have the time it would be great if you can post some games with some comment. I suppose that you analyze your games anyways... 

Congrats!!!!

Congrats Martin!

Proud of you and very happy to hear about your success. Good luck in the future and let us know about your next victory since we are really excited to know about your chess growth!

Wow Martin! 
You've left many IMs behind you. Congraultions! 
Such posts are like fuel that adds to our motivation to make ChessMood even a better place. 
Thank you! 

Well done martin, I'm envious. :)

Congratulations!!

Congratulations Martin! It is a great feat, I know Croatia has some strong titled players you have left behind!

Matter of Taste!

Lets imagine a situation. You were kidnapped. The kidnapper gives you a time machine and ask you to do one of the things-

a) To meet Karpov in 1983 and show him the Berlin Defense in order to withstand Kasparov                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    b) To meet Kasparov in 1999 and show him the Scotch opening in order to withstand Kramnik.                 Note that-                                                                                                                                                                                           You cannot call the police in the past as he doesn't know what you are saying.                                                    If you don't do anything, kidnapper will kill you

I just want to know the likes of your

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Well in my case, this is easy, I will go and teach the Scotch to Kasparov, I am from Chessmood, Scotch is my weapon and my pride!

Kasparov was a top exponent of the scotch already i think at this point.

I do not mind playing scotch but only line which I dislike is h4 one. I do not like to play super messy chess like in h4.

It will be wonderful if chessmood coaches can provide a second weapon  instead of h4 line. Any other line which is simple to understand

But, it is practically very nice. I have lost only 2 games out of the 12 games I got to play.

I would teach Kasparov the Scoth game, and especially the Mieses variation. 4. ... Nf6 !

I would tell Karpov about the Berlin

Being Anthony Miles

Now Sethu's e4 courses has been released its creating a lot of headache just to see the short and sweet only don't you guys have any problem? if i know that my opponent has his courses then probably i have to be anthony miles (you understood probably)  Specially against such mainlines like Taimanov how one can find such g4 move, against the najdorf i saw a queen sac i was not aware of from black side and against acc dragon the Na4 move and lots more. How you people gonna deal against these

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Article: Rook vs Pawn Endgames: 8 Must-Know Concepts

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"Out of all chess endgames, which is the most frustrating one for you? 

If you’re like most chess players, you’d probably say “Rook endgames!”"

for me, the most frustrating endgames is same-colored bishop endgames (bishop + pawn vs. bishop). The problem is it is a little hard to remember when you can promote the pawn (assuming the pawn is quite advanced). The annoying part is that sometimes when you get really excited like "Wow! I'm in a winning bishop endgame because of blah blah blah", and then you notice that you just missed a free diagonal for your opponent. :( 

Rook endgames, (at least for me) are not that difficult. You just have to remember the basic rook endgames, and then try to get to one of them even if you are in a different type of position. 

Any thoughts about what I said? 

Na4!? in Modern Maroczy

I was recently checking Sethu's Repo against accelerated dragon and he recommended this line. I do not know how to respond against it and I also did not saw any video on it in chessmood course.

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Look at the scoring of white here. more than 67%. The main plan of a4 follow by Qa5 is stopped here. and black can't get his pawn breaks also. Any suggestion will be useful.

Hi Abhi,

If I am not mistaken when white plays with f3 instead of Be2 aren't we going for the regular Maroczy already without playing a5?

But when white has played f3 (not Be2) the move in the course is 10....Be6 not 10...a5

Modern Maroczy video 37

Very interesting discussions. 
First of all 6...Nd4 is the wrong move order, which was explained in the course. 
We play 6...d6. 
After 7.f3 we have options, and after gaining more and more experience, I recommend switching to Classical Maroczy Bind, where White's early f3 move isn't the best move.