Chess forum by Grandmasters

calcuman section 1 puzzle

Here, how we can call it as a perfect example. Because playing with the stockfish, it is showing the other move as shown in the 3rd image? But in the course quiz it is showing as in the 4th image. And this is totally winning for black i think. From my end i think the puzzle solution is not correct. Please look into it and give me the solution, please>>)

Replies

I don’t think it’s wrong as the position is still winning for white as after Kxf3 black can‘t take the queen because of the pin and after Rxg1 Qxh5 white will win 

😜

Thanks Josh! Well done!

E-certificate

�😫😫😫😫🤬🤬🤬🤕🤕🤕�

Why doesn't the picture of the E-certificate come ????

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What e-certificat?

Thanks for reporting this!

Just to clarify, by "E-certificate," do you mean the Course Completion Certificates (for finishing quizzes)?

If yes: We are actually aware of a technical issue affecting the certificate generation right now. Our tech team is already investigating why the images are not appearing on your account.

We will fix it as soon as possible!

New article: Good Thing, Bad Thing... Who Knows?

What if your worst day…was actually your best?

What if the things you thought were setbacks…were the exact moves life needed to make?

New article is out:

Good Thing, Bad Thing… Who Knows?

It starts with Einstein. Ends with Michael Phelps. 

And somewhere in between… maybe you’ll see life differently.
https://chessmood.com/blog/good-bad-who-knows

Replies

😀

I remeber discovering chessmood on a low , this si relatable .

WOW! I used to play b3, g3 or b6, g6 all the time i mastered it. But it was then that the marathon from 400-800 chess.com rapid had some type of a big obstacle in between. A plateau. At 650. For all that time in a row i didnt even lose 1 game that made an impact. Then white and, first loss, still happy. 2nd white, loss, little dull but more excited that i play bigger rated. 3rd white, loss, i decided that i shouldn't play anymore that day. Next day, white loss. I felt so bad after my 5th loss and still i was white. I calmed, did some puzzles and stopped for the day. next day, came and oops pressed 1+0 instead of 10+0. I was white. i didnt want to resign so i played. I wanted to try push e4. but i only had 45 seconds then. he pushed e5. I instinctively played the scotch game for the first time, my current best opening. queen go long castle… check! check! Mate! since then i changed from fianciatto to french and scotch. looking back, those 2 days were the days to give me courage to try e4. or i would be like, lets play it safe, b3.😭🥺☺️'i see now'

Chess is magical because it is a difficult game to learn and also addictive...

Good article Avo….so glad you have taken the long road to the metaphysical, mindful existence. And the fact that you can weave it into chess discipline. It's certainly very powerful when used and hope that lots of Chessmood students will take advantage of it. 

And a great help in being the best person one can be also!

Thank you and keep the flowing journey continuum!

Thank you for this great article, Avetik!

I once had a “bad” tournament, where I lost games to opponents I'd normally beat. In the moment it felt awful but after analysing my games with a coach I found out that I have problems with positional play which made me work on it more and eventually improve my game a lot (my rating noticed it 😁) . The same was with calculation and WWP. So for me (and probably for most chess players) every bad game or tournament is and opportunity to find “where the leak is” and fix it

By the way, could you please write an article on your chess books recommendations?

Very interesting article - this idea of ‘good thing. bad thing, who knows?’ can be a very comforting thought.

However, I don't think it's the case that the ‘Universe’ is friendly, rather this effect you describe is due to the love of God, who by His divine providence can bring about a greater good through things which may seem bad at the time.

Have a good day all! :) 😀

thank you for spreading SHrikumar Rao's teachings. A lot of people can benefit from them!

Bb4+ line in Scotch

My opponent (OTB league game, both players have ECF ratings around 1900-1950) played the following as black against me:
1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 (thanks for the tip!) e5 3.d4 ed 4.Nxd4 Bb4+ 5.c3 Bc5 6.Be3 Bb6 7.Nf5 d5.

8.Nxg7+ seemed risky especially as my opponent was clearly in preparation. I went for 8.Qxd5 but wasn't particularly happy after 8…Bxf5 9.Qxd8+ Rxd8 10.Bxb6 ab 11.ef Nh6.

It turns out 7…d5 is actually the top computer move in this position. I know we're not supposed to worry about moves just because they are the computer recommendation, but this is early on in one of the main lines and if the move is getting played in league competition at my lowly level, it probably means it should be covered in the course? What to do against it?

Replies

Interesting comment. I believe that you did not play 8.Nxg7+ due that you thought it was specially risky, but it is the best move since Kf8 is the only move. 

I reached this position below several times with an interesting game and from here on, all kind of different moves were played. 

Can you understand how I reached this position (previous moves)? I like having the Black king on f8.

A warning about AI

Listened yesterday to this Podcast from the Guardian, 

while being still sceptical about all the AI ideas for chess,  

well it confirmed my biased ideas with AI, but may be i am just too old 

for such new things. 

Would like to share and know your ideas.   michael  

Is AI making us stupid? – podcast
https://www.theguardian.com/science/audio/2025/dec/02/is-ai-making-us-stupid-podcast?CMP=share_btn_url
 

Replies

Dear Michael,

In my opinon AI is the future, and on our side as well, we are trying to build a strong AI coach that will be very helpful for our students.
I think with the right use, AI can be a very helpful tool in any area :-) 

As someone who is constantly reading AI claims in their own industry, much of what we see right now is hype often from non-experts and promotors (of AI or companies needing to be seen as being horses in the race). AI has existed for a long time, but aside from 'simple' pattern recognition tasks or very narrow problems that especially can be converted to statistics, AI for the ability to replace experts is a long way off.

Most of the current hype is on LLMs (chatGPT et al), which are glorified Google. They don't reason, they predict likelihood of following tokens based on training data similar to how text completion works, and are very dependent on that training (which can be mediocre). When they are used for professional tasks the output is usually at best an average student. To a non-expert this might look amazing, but to most professionals who are experts the deficiencies are clear. This is whether it's art, writing, summarising or programming. There are some uses such as prototyping, unsticking or an initial orientation when the subject matters is not so familiar as accuracy is less important (but it's a very rough start). Relying on AI though will indeed make us more stupid, not just because of the quality issues, but it's the same analogy as a calculator. If you overuse it you never gain an understanding or mental model yourself. Imagine if you used an engine to solve tactics puzzles for you.

As for chess, I'm yet to find any sort of AI that can replicate a coach beyond the basics. Chess.com had a go, and if anything I think their coach will more likely prevent improvement than help it. We can't even replicate a realistic 2000 strength player because to train it there aren't enough games, and even if we could it still would be based on pattern recognition across thousands of players, not on individual knowledge, nor contain faulty logic etc which explains why the player is that strength. Nor can we ask a strong engine to explain its moves or strategy without solely picking out obvious things based on patterns we have to supply or human made heuristics. Unfortunately chess is too complex.

I wish Chessmood luck in providing a decent AI coach, but I'm very sceptical that it will do any better than an amateur quoting principals they read somewhere. The main reasons being that no one knows how to do the appropriate reasoning given an arbitrary position and a list of moves and some patterns, and if you were capable of building (real) AI to explain chess moves, there are a few companies that would have already hired you for millions. You'd probably save money hiring a bunch of 1700s to answer questions. I hope I'm wrong here because I can see the potential.

Permanent Saving Of GM Avetik's Videos On French and Dutch Attacks

Last Week, Avetik had 2 streams in which he went in great depth over the French and Dutch openings.

Can these 2 videos be made permanent somewhere on the CM website? They are of great significance IMO and I imagine a year from now it would be difficult to find in the past streams section.

These videos are so important that I think I'd like to refer to them at least weekly to remember the many lines discussed.

Hope this will be made possible and thank you in advance!

ovi

Replies

Hi Ovi,

Yes, absolutely! These videos are permanently saved on the site.

You can always find past streams by going to the Events page and scrolling down to the "Completed Events" section.

But for quick access, here are the direct links you asked for:

French Attack: https://chessmood.com/event/french-attack-advanced 

Dutch Attack: https://chessmood.com/event/dutch-attack-advanced 

GM Analyzes Games: https://chessmood.com/event/grandmaster-analyzes-your-games  

Enjoy the study!

Different moves

Looks like for all the puzzles, the engine is showing another move

Replies

Exchange Line Advice

I'm planning on testing the French Attack repertoire, and really appreciate the style of the lines in the course! My one question: it appears that the typical long castle setup isn't doable with the 4. Nc3 move order. Is there still a way to achieve the long castle in that variation? Or is that just the one variation where we are short castling? 

Replies

It depends on the concrete moves of the rival but against 4.Nc3 I like Bb4 and then castling short or long will depend on the rest of the moves. We must be flexible always, but we cannot aim for long castle all the time… Sometimes White has the pawn on c3 and then the attack comes pretty fast, we must be wary of the opponent moves. That said, normally we will castle short against Nc3 if needed.😀

WhiteMood Question in 2...e6 3...f4 Sicilian

What to do against 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.f4 d5 4.Nf3 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Qe2 Nh6 8.b3 Nf5 9.Bb2, here, when black plays 9…Be7. This isn't mentioned in the course, and it's the most played move, and it looks logical - not taking immediate action - simply developing.

Also, in here - https://chessmood.com/course/sicilian-defence-part-3/episode/803 , around 04:20, GM Avetik suggests Ng5 as a strong move. However, my engine immediately frowns and shows -1 advantage for black! GM Avo's explanation is that after 14…Nf5, we can play 15.d3, but after 13.Qh8 Nh6 14.0-0, black will play 14…d3 immediately!

Replies

Dear In The Mood,

Please if you are a PRO member, which I believe you are, label this question as for the PRO channel. 
Our GMs give priority to our PRO members always, otherwise you may have to wait for the answers of fellow students… Thanks!!! 😅 

matador png

please, as a newby, regarding the use of Matador PNG. download on Lichess?

tank you

Replies

What do you mean with your post. What are you asking for?

😅

The best games of November, 2025, and the prizes

Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions! 
Welcome to the "Best games of November, 2025" competition.
Under this post, we invite you to post the best games that you will play this month
(up to 5 games per person accepted).

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 October, 2025:

Vladimir Bugayev
Armandas
Dmytro Shulzhenko
Angelo Sifaleras
Thomas Maes

Replies

Hi,

I am posting for the first time. I liked the move Knight e2 check and queen takes d4 check. Somehow, I felt the tactic was replication of one of the puzzles in tactic Ninja.

Check out this #chess game: YANSHAODONG vs google_vir - https://www.chess.com/live/game/144982575694

After a long run of sloppy games, I managed to put together  another nice Sicilian rout.

https://lichess.org/gBBf40wf/white#1

c3 alapin Bxf7 sac game https://www.chess.com/game/145109761248

knowing the benko ideas https://www.chess.com/game/145110631226

My highlights from Lithuanian blitz ch:

https://lichess.org/study/fP8jYMJQ/HE9eWs7W

https://lichess.org/study/fP8jYMJQ/W4gVJaCg

https://lichess.org/study/fP8jYMJQ/iSFceIqi

Beat a GM in closed Sicilian with a 99.9 accuracy (guess who it is) 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/145110940980?move=0

Wrong sacrifice but still managed to win played as black

https://lichess.org/dZoGrQ6Ky0A6

A Sicilian Alapin game.
https://lichess.org/M3BDBW8M/white

I see it a distinguished example of an attacking game. An inaccuracy of the opponent at the early opening stage was utilized & accumulated till the end.

Nearly every move done by me was a threat had to be responded to, increasing the chance of inaccuracies and mistakes.
Most of the opponent's pieces were paralyzed. Even his last move …Nc4 was a checkmate-in-one blunder, his position was in trouble concerning pieces mobility (Engine gives +6.0 with just a pawn increase in material).
 

A French Attack with the Funky Queenside Pawn Matrix, which has been backfiring for me.  However, this time I managed to entomb my opponent's dark-squared bishop and keep it buried, which gave me great joy and a nice advantage!

https://lichess.org/I0tizkko/black#1

A model game against Caro-Kann !

https://lichess.org/bkRE0XGj

The engine didn't like this game much but I think the ending was quite pretty.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/145227073014

https://www.chess.com/game/145250230600

I saw a game of fischer before playing this, used a few ideas like bad but defending g2 bishop and giving it more scoop by traveling of the e pawn on diagnol.
https://www.chess.com/game/145250703534
 

A Petroff model game 

https://www.chess.com/game/145261515992

https://lichess.org/2SoCN3BE

Win against carokann https://lichess.org/Nflb5obkUD8E played as white 

Hello, this is my attack to a Philidor with a clever queen sacrifice.

Here you go:

https://www.chess.com/game/live/145294556538

Dutch attack with sacrifices mating attack https://lichess.org/MtongWyfw2ub

In this Advanced French Attack, I chose not to pawnstorm the kingside as per the model games, but instead reverted to the original French Plans with my opponent's dark-squared bishop sidelined.  After I drew first blood, my opponent retaliated with full-aggression SLP Mode, but I managed to hold the fort.  

https://lichess.org/yhmYwKwc/black#1

Hi ther, Chessmood family!

It's been a while since my last post, but I wanted to share with you my last game in an OTB tornament against a player that was over 200 Elo points above me (1485 vs 1702). I used my beloved French attack, for which I will be eternally grateful to CM teachers.

https://lichess.org/IdoJwh9m

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/145348124448/review?move=26

Not a Chessmood opening but mate in 15 with 4 brilliant moves in a row-a record for me.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/145361496988
 

mating matador is paying off 

https://www.chess.com/game/145400763804
 

nice mate using the en passant gambit thanks Avo

French attack

https://lichess.org/PeeO66dHqVSc

https://lichess.org/Q820WIES/black#0

A beautiful sacrifice of a rook in a quiet dragon for black.

https://www.chess.com/game/145474076556
 

missed easy tactic in the opening 

but found a nice sac and mate to finish it off 

https://www.chess.com/game/145486743320
 

a model game in the Grand Prix 

https://lichess.org/Ybbr7qjY

3 brilliant moves in a dubious opening.

https://lichess.org/raSN79vh
2 brilliant moves in the Sicilian.

https://lichess.org/YyiSjXSy/black

Not an ideal game, but an epic comeback achieved by trapping the opponent's Queen. Additionally, the highest-rated win in my Rapid history.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/145528171552?move=0

Got home late from a Friday night of enjoyment with friends and I beat the highest rated player that I have ever managed (Lichess 2003) in a Sicilian where they took me out of prep on move 2.  Yes, I missed a fork and a pin, but the good times only got better :D

https://lichess.org/FfwjAWGM/white#1

https://www.chess.com/game/145551642594
 

caro Kahn destroyed by the course!

thanks Avo!!

https://www.chess.com/game/145572130868

Black Champion GAMBIT!!

I played cleanly against my opponent's French with the Schlechter.  This opening variation has won me several games since joining Chessmood.

https://lichess.org/f2Cgiqga/white#1

https://www.chess.com/game/live/145603566898?move=0

Maybe not a brilliancy, but I believe every victory over the despised Jobava London should be celebrated.))

https://lichess.org/gY9eLAzL/black

Defeated a CM rated 200 points higher rated than me in the g3 Benko Gambit. Proud that I was able to execute all of Coach Gabuzyan's ideas including Qa6 and Ng4-e5-d3

After a desastrous OTB game yesterday, glad to be able to win a nice attacking game online today:

https://lichess.org/Gyec9lC9mAKC

Scotch game https://lichess.org/ZSdZUUrjbAGT

- https://www.chess.com/game/live/145683374142
 

Inspired by Jospem at the World Cup:

https://lichess.org/LzbZGyAzfLen

Inspired by Coach Gabu!

https://lichess.org/d5sFnTHJ/white

what is the tournament?

https://www.chess.com/game/145754056166

I am playing the Scotch Game as White (weixinchess) in this game, and my opponent went for 4…Bb4+. I think this is the move I faced the first time. However, my opponent made a mistake a few moves later, and I found the continuation to remove Black castling right and also make him having the ugliest triple pawn. I think from that point onwards, I have a very good endgame to play on.

https://lichess.org/8HwVozAk

loved this game https://www.chess.com/game/live/145806534860

destroying with the vienna https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/145819517610/analysis

https://www.chess.com/game/145801580282
 

missed an early mate but good game 

OTB 70+15. Short and one-sided game in Caro-Kann exchange. Black resigned before the final breakthrough, but his position was hopeless. https://lichess.org/study/Y0hpFcZB/kiJVWeXK

classical game in the last round of chessdojo open classical u1900 - crazy attack, bbeautiful endgame manoeuvre and chessdotcom gave me 3 brilliant !!! 

https://lichess.org/LOR4NjYk

I also played a beautiful alien gambit game 

https://lichess.org/g9ytg4C1#53

https://www.chess.com/events/german-university-chess-championship-rapid-blitz-2025-blitz/03/Wagner_Dylan-Mazurtsova_Margarita

My highest-rated win ever, played OTB in the German University Blitz Chess Championship using the Grand Prix from the WhiteMood openings course against the Sicilian

best game of november

My best caro-cann https://lichess.org/buCDBp5R

Nice dutch attack: https://lichess.org/kUNaVvEK/black#37

Scotch 8. h4 ! https://lichess.org/6lH6RC6C/white#66

French attack no castling https://lichess.org/8fK2zBQC (2350 elo)

A nice d4. counter against a kind of Jobava london: https://lichess.org/KtrEbnG7/black

3 Brilliant Moves: https://lichess.org/1YJ9F6Fq

100% accuracy: https://lichess.org/bze8Cleage64

THE ROOOOOKKK!!!: https://lichess.org/jYoe0bUSHgpF

THE BISHHOOOPP!!: https://lichess.org/sWXHEBQB

Crazy Gameplay but lost on time…: https://lichess.org/khsqgKn4

https://lichess.org/oPy9Y82z6S8c

French advanced with 4 c4 destroyed

Scotch Paul Morphy style:

CosmicKnightmarez vs. cALEB256444 | Analysis - Chess.com

French Attack McCutcheon Gambit

nice little short Grand Prix game just played (26.11.25) in the Lake Geneva Team championship Round 3 

I played this bullet game about two weeks ago and I loved how the game went, especially for my rating.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/145366575888/review

Finally getting the hang of the French 3 Nd2 line

https://www.chess.com/game/live/146004864332

Over here, I sacrificed the queen to win.

Skak: LTC1864 vs TinaTinzee - 146072806112 - Chess.com

https://www.chess.com/game/146074026694?move=0

I played the Bryne variation and managed to win material in opening but it was hard drilling conversion in to a win, requiring quite a bit of precision in the end. It was played against an IM; casual game online.

Another one played earlier this month on chess.com. Played the Smith Morra as white. Guess what? Trapped the black queen first by sacrificing the knight on d5 then sacking my own queen to win the game.  

https://www.chess.com/game/146093475628

A short game in which my opponent haven't played well, but still I think it was a very good attack ended with two sacrifices.

perfect game no mistakes no miss no blunders

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.11.27"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Glumpkins"]
[Black "UltraChessNoob2025"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[WhiteElo "1610"]
[BlackElo "1477"]
[Termination "UltraChessNoob2025 won by resignation"]
[ECO "B10"]
[EndTime "3:32:55 GMT+0000"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/146008113602"]

1. e4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Nc3 Bg4 4. e5 d4 5. Ne4 Nd7 6. Bc4 e6 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3
Nxe5 9. Qb3 Nxc4 10. Qxc4 Nf6 11. Ng3 Be7 12. d3 Qd5 13. Qxd5 Nxd5 14. O-O Nb4
15. c3 dxc3 16. bxc3 Nxd3 17. Be3 Nc5 18. Rab1 b6 19. Ne2 O-O 20. Nd4 Rfc8 21.
f4 Bf6 22. Ne2 Ne4 23. c4 Rd8 24. g4 Nd2 25. Bxd2 Rxd2 26. g5 Bd4+ 27. Nxd4 Rxd4
28. Rbc1 Rad8 29. Kf2 Rd2+ 30. Kg3 Rxa2 31. Kg4 g6 32. Ra1 Rdd2 33. Rac1 Kf8 34.
Kf3 Ke7 35. Ke4 Rh2 36. c5 Rhc2 37. cxb6 axb6 38. Kd4 c5+ 39. Kd3 Rh2 40. Rf3
Ra3+ 41. Rc3 Rxc3+ 42. Kxc3 Kd6 43. Kc4 Kc6 44. Ra3 b5+ 45. Kd3 Rxh3+ 0-1

French Exchange. Typical kingside attack.

https://lichess.org/NvKFIBHJ/black

Here are four of my best November games, without any commentary this time (let the chess speak for itself 😜)

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

https://lichess.org/rhiXZ6uw/white#0

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/145678270998/analysis

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/146001119162/analysis

https://lichess.org/3dTx38Bq/black#0

https://lichess.org/xC0pRdiy/black#0

Caro-Kann - Knight checkmate https://www.chess.com/game/live/144812662646
GPix Attack - tracking https://lichess.org/ifAshmtI
Model setup 1 Brilliant - https://www.chess.com/game/live/156452023845
Trying Benko 
https://www.chess.com/game/live/146124837922
https://www.chess.com/game/live/145668631368

Here's my game;https://www.chess.com/game/live/146178858796?move=0.I played white and won here.I played the Scotch Game.

 https://lichess.org/73Hs0Fgx

    1. d4 e6 2. e3 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nd2 a6 6. Bd3 Qc7 7. O-O Nc6 8. N4b3 Ne5 9. Be2 b5 10. f4 Ng6 11. f5 Ne5 12. fxe6 dxe6 13. Nf3 Nc4 14. Bxc4 bxc4 15. Nbd4 Bc5 16. c3 Bb7 17. Nd2 O-O 18. Qe2 Rad8 19. Rxf6 gxf6 20. Nxc4 Kh8 21. b3 Rg8 22. g3 Rg6 23. Bd2 Rdg8 24. Be1 e5 25. Nf5 Qc6 26. b4 Qh1+ 27. Kf2 Qxh2+ 28. Kf1 Qh3+ 29. Kg1 Qxf5 30. bxc5 Rh6 31. Nd6 Rh1# 0-1

And this one on chess.com, with white

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Nf3 c6 5. Bg5 d6 6. e3 O-O 7. Bd3 a6 8. a4 a5
9. O-O Bg4 10. h3 Bh5 11. g4 Nxg4 12. hxg4 Bxg4 13. Be2 f6 14. Bh4 g5 15. Bg3 h5
16. Nh2 Bh3 17. Bxh5 Bxf1 18. Qxf1 Bh6 19. Qh3 f5 20. Bg6 Kg7 21. Bxf5 Rf6 22.
Ng4 Qf8 23. Bd3 Nd7 24. Nxf6 Qxf6 25. Ne4 Qg6 26. Nc5 Qe8 27. Ne6+ * 

I like systems involving e6 for black but I often end up being pretty imprecise.

Thanks!

Hello Champions!
How are you?

Thanks a lot for sharing your top games this month!
You demonstrated creative ideas, solid strategic play, and earned some really impressive victories. We found many instructive and valuable moments to learn from.
Great job! And now, let’s get to the prizes!

1st Prize: Jayden Fide
A fantastic Scotch model game!
You gained the Bishop pair right from the opening, and with opposite-side castling, you started a fast, powerful attack. It all culminated in a brilliant Queen sacrifice that led to a beautiful checkmate!
An outstanding performance, especially against such a strong opponent!
Fantastic job!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/145294556538?move=46

2nd Prize: Raj KK
You crushed with the Stonewall!
In the closed structure, you used your Kingside space advantage, mobilized your pieces, sacrificed a Knight, and finished the game with a beautiful checkmate!
Great game!
https://lichess.org/dZoGrQ6K/black

3rd Prize: Thomas Maes
Right from the opening, you built a strong center and began gaining space. With your opponent’s pieces completely paralyzed, you kept the pressure on their King and finished the game with a cute Rook, Bishop-and-Knight checkmate.
Well done.
https://lichess.org/Gyec9lC9

4th Prize: Jioh Park
A good game played with the right attacking principles.
After completing your development, you confidently sacrificed a Bishop to start the attack, and later calmly ignored the hanging Rook to break through against the weakened opposing King.
Fearless Warrior!
https://lichess.org/1YJ9F6Fq#29

5th Prize: James L
You crushed the Jobava Line!
You fought for the center from the very start, developed your pieces to strong, healthy squares, and began targeting the opponent’s weakened dark squares. From there, you launched a powerful attack on the King and finished the game with a stunning checkmate.
Very impressive!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/145528171552?move=59

Congratulations to all of you!

Thank you once again to everyone for sharing your games.
All the best for next month’s contest!

New article: SLP Method - How to save lost chess positions?

What do you think it takes to save lost positions?

Of course, having a deeply-ingrained fighter attitude helps. But saving a lost position (SLP) is also a skill anyone can learn.

We've launched a mini-guide on using this topic where GM Avetik talks about:

✅ The 11 strategies to save lost positions 

✅ Why following normal rules in a lost position doesn’t work

✅ Why playing the engine’s best moves in a losing position might be a bad strategy

✅ The golden question you should ask before resigning

✅ How to train and improve your SLP skills, and much more!

Read it here👇

https://chessmood.com/blog/slp-method-how-to-save-lost-positions

And you can share your thoughts and ideas under this forum thread.

Replies

this game - https://lichess.org/O8VDCbNmudWp

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/86128211857?tab=analysis

Currently a rating of 1700 on chess.com

Played against an even rated opponent. I blundered a piece. Still won it, because of SLP ;)

I was like so broken at this game, as i thought rooks are one of my best strengths when opponent has a queen but this game showed me i'm wrong
https://www.chess.com/game/live/121189271580

same in this one as well
https://www.chess.com/game/live/121168432450

 

An slp position: I succeed (or does my opponent help me) to fight back to slight inferior position, activate my bishop, and finally push my opponent to fault. https://lichess.org/g8P10VZ8/black#0

a nice slp after bad position from opening: https://lichess.org/lkaqXlb1

This one was really a good slp spirit game: after 10…bb6? The black queen is trapped!! So slp, keeping the chess mood: https://lichess.org/kCxHXCuB/black

https://lichess.org/sSfiQxAl/white

Saving the half point one piece down!!

Middlegame planning and strategies

While playing the game, once Opening theory is completed, I get stuck in Middlegame planning and strategies. Please help me in understanding how can I make long term plans and strategies in Middlegame.

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Hey there.

Depending on the level - For U2000, but will be definitely good for players 2000+ - Silent Strategy, 7Q Method - explaining how to find a plan.
 

For 1500+ levels - up to 2600 online.

Courses like Happy Pieces, Speedboat Adventures, and  Power of the Bishop Pair.

And of course - 100 Strategic Masterpieces, and courses of In Grandmaster Mind sections.

Benko 5.e3 advanced early Bg5 without Nf3

Hi Chessmoodteam,

i had this game in benkoline 5.e3 where i thought i played principled like learned in advanced course. But somehow i didnt managed to free myself completely.. Do you have any recommendation where i can improve/change the original plan of playing e6? I felt this Bg5 without Nf3 was bit annoying. Engine also even thinks e6 was a mistake.. :( Thank you! 

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Dear Fred,

I have also come across this specific sequens recently, probably the only line that I didn't in the advanced sections.
Considering adding it.

After the Bg5 move, there is the Qa5 idea, and if Bd2 - Qd8.
But planning to work more concretely on this.

French Attack Advanced

Dear ChessMood students ♥️
You love French attack, but have questions in some variations? 

I’m going to record an advanced French course, but before that, let's get your questions answered during the live event! 

Also, we’ll go a little bit deeper and into some nuances, so you can enjoy French even more! 

Please, post your questions here, and see you during the live event! 

Love,
GM Avetik (or Avo, as my friends call me)

P. S. Usually, our live events are for PRO Members only.
This one is open for Essential students as well.

See you on Dec 4? 😊

Replies

Would like to know something aggressive against 3.Nc3 Nf6 e5 (something playable unlike kinder surprise variation (: )

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bd7 4.Nf3 a6 5.Be2 Bb5 6.0-0 and now white wants Nc3 and force us to capture on e2 and they take Nc3xe2. 

Probably 6..Bxe2 is needed but white is kinda leading in development, their ideas are after 7.Qxe2 Rd1 and maybe c4 how to continue for black, what's the plan? 

Imo this is one of the best ways to play against this Bd7 setup as white.

Can you cover the Steinitz variation?

1.e4 e6
2. Bc4  ….?

Hi Avetik 

Can we have a line for the tricky 1.e4 e6 2.b3? 

Thanks

A year ago, a GM destroyed my “early bishop swap variant” (Chessmood French) singlehandedly…

In the Steinitz, McCutcheon Gambit: 1.e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 h6 5. Bf6: Qf6: 6. ed5: Bb4 7. Bb5+ is much more unpleasant than 7. de6:  How should this be played?

Many thanks in advance

😀

In the Exchange Variant, Monte Carlo Variation, after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. ed: ed: 4. c4 Nf6 5. Nf3 the move is Be7, but with the remark “Bb4+ in the main course”…. Please give us more information about this main course…. Thank you, Avo

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bd3 c5 7. c3 Nc6 8. 0-0

Would you recommend 8…g5 or 8… a5 here, at 2000+ level? Seems like g5 used to be pretty popular - but doesn't seem like this line is “alive” nowadays…?

Hello Ave, hope you are fine. what do you play is such games when white goes with e4, d3, g2, Bg2 and so on 

https://lichess.org/YpXkcrZ562Py

In BlackMood advance variation, after 1.e4, e6; 2.d4, d5; 3.e5, Bd7, 4.f4,c5; 5.c3,Nc6; 6.Nf3,Qb6; 7.Be2,Nh6; 8.O-O, cd4; 9.cd4,Nf5 the course explains that white cannot defend the d4 pawn. 

Instead of Be2 and O-O, if white played Be3 to defend d4 before Nf5 was played, would white be able to defend the pawn on d4?

Thanks a lot.

In the Mccutheon gambit I don't think we get enough compensation or the plan really works as after 8:nf3 the plan is to go nc6 and castle long, but it doesn't work and is not practical at all maybe a different suggestion. Thank YOU - https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/2Rno2pXiA2/analysis?move=14

please can you cover the idea and explan position of black after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. exd5 Bb4 7. Bb5+

Hi all and thank you for your excellent effort.

I have a variation for advanced French Attack!!!

1e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 Bd7 4 Nf3 a6 5 c3 Bb5 6 Bxb5 ab5 7 O-O Nd7 8 a4 attacking my b5 pawn.

Do you have any suggestions how we continue from this position?

Thank you in advance.

I have some problems with these lines when White can bring their bishop to c2. It might happen like this or through some transposition.

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bd7 4. c3 a6 5. Bd3 Bb5 6. Bc2 ,

We often reach this position and I don’t know what plan to follow.
 

I get some trouble after exchange 3…….ed4   he play f4 and what next ?!

Im having trouble with the exchange variation. 1. e4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4. d4 Nc6 5. Nc3!? (now, black can't play 5…Bd6 due to 6. nxd5) I tried 5… Bg4 and white plays 6.Bb5 and black can't get the normal set up with Bd6…. how to deal with 5. Nc3!? 

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/5mafhnvdXU/analysis

In exchange French line it looks like we are attacking but whites attack is faster, I have lost so many games like this.

I am not sure what to play if white plays early Bb5, for example: 1. e4, e6, 2. d4, d5, 3. exd5, exd5, 4. Nc3, Nc6, 5.Bb5. This setup is very irritaiting, because if black wants to castle long black can't allow damaging pawn structure by Bxc6. However if we play Qd7 or Qd6 it stands in the way of one of the bishops. If we play Bd7 we can't move the queen to d7, where it usually stands. If we play Nge7 we can't deveop the bishop from f8. Also the fact that the pawn on d5 is attacked by the knight on c3 means that ideally we should play Be6 first and only later Bd6 and Nge7. I tried 2 ideas in this line. One was to ignore Bb5 and if white takes on c6 just to play short castle and later c5, but it isn't as good as these sharp positions we typically get with long castle. The second plan was to play Nge7, develop the queenside and castle long , but then getting the bishop from f8 developed isn't easy and this setup seems a bit too passive.

Thanks so much for doing this! I can't be there live but am looking forward to watching it as soon as I get home from work :)

In an OTB game, I reached 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.ed5 ed5 5.Bg5 with Qd2, 0-0-0, h4 and attack on the kingside.
Can you recommend an effective counterstrategy?

Thank you in advance

I just watched a video with 3. Be3 so called Alapin Gambit. Are you familiar with this line and ideas against the French? Nelson posted a video on it recently, so I am sure to face it soon.

Here are a few of his sample lines/setups:

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Be3 dxe4 4. f3 exf3 (4... Nf6 5. fxe4 Nxe4 6. Bd3 Qh4+ (6... Nf6) 7. g3 Nxg3 8. Bf2 Bd6 9. Qf3) 5. Nxf3 Nf6 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qe1 b6 9. Qh4 Bb7 10. Bg5 c5

Dear Avo,

I have got some questions one to the Tarrasch Variation (Sd2) and one for Sc3

Sd2: 

how do we continue, if white goes for the Setup Le2, Sf1, Se3, 0-0 and c4?

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Sd2 Sc6 4. Sf3 Sf6 5. e5 Sd7 6. Le2 f6 7. exf6 Dxf6 8. Sf1 Ld6 9. Se3… 

or 6. Sb3 with idea of Lf4

Sc3:

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Sc3 Sf6 4. Lg5 h6 5. Lxf6 Dxf6 6. exd5 Lb4 and now Lb5 for white?

Thank you so much in advance Avo!

Hi Avetik

Can you please explain in the French exchange what to do when white goes for an attack on our king castled on the queenside such as in a blitz game I played today? I seem to lose many games as I don't seem to respond correctly to this.

https://lichess.org/RVQMMn1h/black

thank you.

Not sure if anyone is so well prepared to know this, but 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Ng8 5.a3! is a very strong move: 5…c5 6.dxc5 Bxc5 7.Qg4 seems to yield a very pleasant position.

After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bd7 4.Nf3 a6, I wasn't sure about two reasonable variations:

first, 5.Be2 Bb5 6.Nc3! Bxe2 7.Nxe2 with the standard advanced French ideas (including that …c5xd4 cxd4 …Bb4+ is met by Kf1), I wasn't sure about the postion.

second, 5.c3!? Bb5 6.h4 is quite liked by the computer, although I can tell that it isn't so easy to handle for either side in a practical sense.

in Kinder surprise variation after Ng8,  what do you reccomend after Be3.  Is it best to keep the centre closed and not play C5.  I have seen some ides with nc6, Bb7 Qd7 and castles long with h5 and nh6.

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 Nc6 4. c3 e5 5. Bb5 dxe4 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. Nxe4 Qd5  i dont fell confortable about this postion pleas explain thos postion

Hi Avetik and everyone, 

I have a question about white attacking the b5 pawn the advance variation of the French Attack. I have had games where white goes c4 in combination with preparatory moves like b3, Nd2, Qe2, Rc1, which breaks through the shield. 

Thanks.

😍

hi avo 

can you cover 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Bb4 just the idea and pale for black as you said in the corse you will cover it in the main french cours also  Bb4 early 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 and thanks  as well as this main  line what is the idea if we want to play 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 becous i crouched  in the OTB as i play the recomended move Ng8 back  

�😍😍�

final q 

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. exd5 Bb4 7. Bb5+    that best c6 or Bd7 and what next 

Thank you GM_Avetik for the French and Dutch Advance Streams. These were very instructive, especially on positions not covered by the course. 

Thank you very much: I watched the live event & this is a great lesson, exactly what I've been waiting for. I've been playing BlackMood for nine months now, and I've already encountered many of these new variations.

I recently got completely destroyed in a French game, but I probably didn't find the right plan:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bd7 4. Nf3 a6 5. Be2 Bb5 6. O-O Ne7 7. a4 Bxe2 8. Qxe2
Nf5 9. c3 c5 10. Rd1 Nc6 11. Na3 Qb6 12. g4 Nfe7 13. a5 Nxa5 14. dxc5 Qc7 15. b4
Nb3 16. Nb5 Qb8 17. Nd6+ Kd7 18. Rb1 Nxc1 19. Rbxc1 Nc6 20. Nxf7 Rg8 21. c4 Nxb4
22. cxd5 Nxd5 23. N7g5 h6 24. Nxe6 Kxe6 25. Qd3 Qd8 26. Qg6+ Ke7 27. Nd4 Qc8 28.
Nf5+ Kd8 29. Rxd5+ Bd6 30. Qxd6+ 1-0

😢

thanks for the seminar, was great. 

Just last week, I was shocked with the variation in a rapid tournament and misplayed it 

it was:  1) e4 e6 2) c4 d5 3) cxd5 exd5 and instead of 4) Qb3 (discussed in the course and the seminar)   

my 2050 rated player choose 4) Qa4+ ..   (which shocked me) and i lost some time already) and replied Bd7 

and after this 5) Qb3 and again after long time thinking I played Qe7? ( instead of dxe4 Qxb7 Bc6  and Bb5  (did not see that Bxb5 Qxa8 Qd3 would be great for black ..so white should take Qb5+ Nd7 which looked too strange .. )     

what followed was 6) Qb7 Bc6 and well Qc8 Qd8 and Qxd8 and I had lost a pawn .. and after some desperate tries and x moves I lost the game. 

Weak squares and utilisation

Is there any videos teaching weak squares any books to suggest

Replies

Hey there,

You can find that in the Silent Strategy course - in the Rating Booster section :-) 

New Dutch Lesson

I just watched the New Dutch Lesson for Pro Members.

I had to work and could not watch it live.

This Lesson is Gold!

Thank you!

-Mike

Replies

Thanks for kind words :-)

Will share this with GM Avo :-) 

french problem

To Avo and anyone who is recording the french advanced course. Thank you so much for recording the advanced course on my beloved openings (french and dutch attack.) Please, include how to play against 1.e4 e6 2.e4 e5 3.Nd2 Nc6 4.Ngf3 Nf6 5.e5 Nd7 6.Bd3 f6 7.Ng5!

Thank you, 

Eli Se

Replies

Hi Eli,

If in the advanced lines we keep the same continuation, this line, I think, should be included.

Issue..

In whitemood i noticed in french section, right after a video finnishes and a quiz starts if we by mistakenly press the forward key for a second GM's voice plays.

Replies

Bro ,Kindly tell exact chapter and name🙂

Can you check if my kid is using Tactical Ninja patterns?

My kid has started Tactical Ninja again. Every day he completes one section and plays nine games. Can you please check whether he is applying what he learned? Here is his Lichess ID: devsai_58

Replies

Dear Devansh,

I am glad your kid is playing the games and trying to use the Ninja patterns, but we are not checking the students' games - and finding such mistakes, as that is a specific coaching approach. We do have thousands of students, and that's impossible on our side.

If you want someone to check the games, finding a coach is a good idea. This article might help you as well https://chessmood.com/blog/find-the-right-chess-coach-guide