Chess forum by Grandmasters

English Fianchetto 10.Bd2

Hi All,

following line: 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.0-0 d6 6.Nc3 e5 7.d3 Nge7 8.a3 a5 9.Rb1 0-0…

Here are 3 Main moves mentioned: 

10.Bg5 f6 Bd2 and now we can safely play Be6 because ng5 not possible (at least my interpretation)

10.Ne1 here we can also play safely Be6 because Ng5 again not possible

10.Nd5 Nxd5 ok easy to understand this plan. :)

But… what to do after 10.Bd2? 

h6 loose a tempo to Bg5 f6 line

Be6 not possible due to Ng5 i assume

engine says Rb8 but the lines looks not really intuitive. 

Can you help understand some ideas here and have a recommendation? :)

Thank youu

Replies

Dear Fred,

In the given position, the main idea for Black is to make d5.

I would advise after 10.Bd2 h6 - to be able to go Be6 and d5 and fight for the center again.

Since White is not on time to prevent it with Ne1-Nc2-Ne3, Black tries to play in the center.

How do you balance school and chess

Hi guys im a very ambitous chess player but at the same time im in high school do you guys have any advice of how you guys balance chess school or maybe even work? around what time of the day do most of you guys study chess?

Replies

Hello friend, nice question.😃

I study chess after school classes and in the weekends.

You can balance chess and school by making your schedules.

Here is what I mean.

For example:

If your school dismissal ends at 4:30 pm, and let's say you arrive at home 5 pm. Here's what you should do.

First of all, finish your work; every school has assignments. Maybe dance practicing, study, do homework, and more.

Then, once you're done, schedule yourself.

1. Check when do you sleep?😴

Maybe 9:30 can do, or even 10 or 10:30 pm if you really want to.

This can adjust your time schedule for chess and school.

2. When are you probably gonna finish your assignments?📚

If you want to study chess, just do assignments, no distractions, just straight to studying or “doing homework”.

3. How to plan?⏰

Just do your assignments then do your chess, that's all what you need. Also, adjust! Do not make yourself very tired, do not make yourself sad, frustrated, because we have our own reaching points. Just don't overwork. It will give you anxiety and sad stuff. Maybe make your work 3 hours only. Also, maybe when you are working, to not make you get distracted or tired, eat something delicious like a snack for one time. Just not too much ‘fun’ activity.

To summarize, follow these 2 steps:

Step 1: Do assignments and do NOT waste any time on playing phones or whatever distractions you're having.

Make it fast if you are a chess lover but also, focus on your school too.

Step 2: Do your chess, follow what your parents say like it's time to sleep. Always know when are you going home, sleep, and have dinner.

Additionally, here is a very important note.

Focus on your academics, not 100% chess. Always understand that your parents pay for your tuition or provide education for YOU to learn. School is the #1 priority. Not chess. Academics are curricular while chess is non-curricular. Chess is #2. 

Here's another one.

Be happy.

📅 Weekends

Weekends are the times when you have a lot of fun activities to do. You can have fun in the weekends, but maybe study more on chess and do your school assignments too. This is also the time when you can relax, unless you really study chess everyday and that is fine with us.

That's all I have to say and goodluck for you and to everyone reading this!⭐

Best regards, Jayden Fide

???

Who is giving drugs to the chess.com engine ???

Replies

🤣🤣

Question regarding Endgame Mastery Course

I can see that for all courses under Endgame Master, it says 1500-2600, does it mean that this content is enough study till 2600?

Replies

Anyone?

Yes, it should be more than enough for all levels as there are already all theoretical endgames you could think off included. 

I wouldn't recommend you studying them though (except the U2000 one) as long as your elo is below 2300 because you probably have more important areas to improve. Even a lot of grandmasters don't know some of these theoretical endgames.

Benko 4 b3 with Nc3 Rb1 ideas

Hi,

Any thoughts after the capture on c4 (4. b3 bxc4 5. bxc4) and g6 White plays 6. Nc3 and 7. Rb1 to control the b-file before us. I'm assuming this is why 4… g6 which is more complicated gets suggested in other courses even though practically the difference doesn't matter at club level.

Replies

Hi David,

To be able to answer on your question precisely, can you post it move by move from the beginning, and the position image, as it might occur in different ways, depending also on how Black replies.

But in general, White's Rb1 isn't dangerous, as Black will definitely have many chances to fight for the b file.

BugZone bug that I can't report here because I'm not a PRO member

How do I proceed? I would love to help you improve your product, but I don't understand why I need to pay extra to do that.

Replies

Oh now there is a “Report a Bug” banner to click on in BugZone.  

So I have been able to report the bug after all.

NB the “Report a Bug” banner only appears intermittently (which might be another bug!).

Scotch Game (I need a guide variation)

Hello family!

I am preparing for an important tournament. I have been searching everywhere in the Scotch Game course but couldn't find the solution to this variation because one of my the repertoire of my opponent.

Here's the variation: 1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 d6 ← I don't actually know what's the counter to 3… d6. I do play 4. dxe5 and follow opening principles.

Here's a problem: Sometimes, the variation when I play against other opponents start to complicate, might get deeper in theory, like some moves that I cannot understand. I don't remember their old setups before but I do need some tips how to play. I'd rather learn chessmood openings rather than always watching engines analyze and does some confusing moves.

I used to follow chessable openings and studied them a lot, but they were to complicated but I remembered some lines.

Conclusion:

Please give me a guide to the variation😢😢😢😓😓😓

Replies

Hey Jayden!

The variation you provided is actually a transposition to the Philidor 😀! Avetik covers this in both WhiteMood openings and the Advanced Philidor Defense course!

WhiteMood: chessmood.com/course/whitemood-openings/episode/3734

Advanced course: chessmood.com/course/philidor-defense/episode/1390

Good luck in your tournament! 💪

Today's Daily Puzzle

There is a big problem in today's daily puzzle. It is supposed to be White to Move after black queens. If black were to draw then d1=R is also equal, when. Atleast black has chances. Please check. Date: 05-09-25

Replies

The developers already fixed it according to another message, thank you.

Give me good luck!

Tomorrow my first tournament as a rated player and i want to boost from my start 1567 to atleast 1600. Give me the best of luck please.

Replies

Good luck Zaheem!

Remember that the rating is just a number - goal is to become stronger and the rating will follow :-)

D4 Sidelines

Hi,

In this position in the course is covered bg5 but not bg3 how to play and what are our typical plans and ideas.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/U2QnkPp5C/analysis

Thank you!!

Replies

In the given position I recomend capturing on g3 and playing with Nd7 and e5. 
It's a good idea to wait for Whtie to castle short and then castle short for Black as well. 

Wish Me Luck!!

😀

Hi guys! Wish me luck for my National U13 tomorrow. So nervous especially cause I am aiming for the gold! I really need all the luck I can get. Hehe

Replies

Believe in yourself, don't be nervous :)… and all the best for your tournament

Good luck, you can do it!! 

Good luck 😊

Good Luck Champion - Right Mood - Right move! 

No need for the pressure and being nervous, don't think about the results - think about playing your best possible chess in every game! 

Smile, keep your back staraight and think!

The best games of August, 2025, and the prizes

Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions! 
Welcome to the "Best games of August, 2025" competition.
Under this post, we invite you to post the best games that you will play this month. 

The Prize fund is 350K MoodCoins which is equal to 350$.  

The 1st prize  - 150K
The 2nd prize - 100K
The 3rd prize-  50K
The 4th prize- 30k
The 5th prize- 20k

Good luck with your games and keep the Right Mood! 
#ChessMood
#Right Mood - Right Move 

P. S.
Here are the winners of July, 2025:

Super Pawn
Ash Pv
Norbert R. 
Sarah Chess
Angelo Sifaleras

Replies

Got a near perfect attack with the Scotch tysm!! Chess.com rated 95% accuracy
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141366200162/analysis?move=27

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. g3 Nc6 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bg2 Be6 7. Nc3 Bb4 8. a3 Bd6 9. e3 O-O 10. O-O h6 11. Nb5 a6 12. Nxd6 Qxd6 13. Nh4 Ne7 14. Bd2 b6 15. Rc1 c5 16. Bc3 c4 17. Nf3 Bg4 18. h3 Bxf3 19. Bxf3 a5 20. a4 Nc6 21. b3 Rac8 22. bxc4 dxc4 23. Bxc6 Qxc6 24. Qc2 Ne4 25. Ra1 Ng5 26. e4 Nxe4 27. h4 g5 28. Rae1 Rfe8 29. Re3 f5 30. hxg5 hxg5 31. f4 g4 32. d5 Qxd5 33. Rd1 Qc5 34. Bd4 Qc6 35. Qh2 Rcd8 36. Qh8+ Kf7 37. Qg7+ Ke6 38. Qf6+ Kd7 39. Bxb6+ Nd6 40. Qxf5+ Re6 41. Qxe6#

Played this in a recent tournament and won it,one of the best SLPs ever

2 daily Blitz games, to see how good my instincts are, this one-almost perfect(cause-no time pressure). A best in month indeed!
MasterZaheem +7

0Inaccuracies

0Mistakes

0Blunders

16Average centipawn loss

98%Accuracy

https://lichess.org/3wquZZU4/white

 

https://lichess.org/OdwBb44p/black

Very attacking game with an exchange sacrifice

I didn't actually lose this game: in the final position, with around 10 seconds on my clock, my network connection went down. Well, you can imagine my frustration after such a crazy, epic game…

When I played 19.Nxc7+, I knew it could be a blunder and that taking back immedeately on d2 would be much safer, but I couldn't resist the temptation to play it. And my opponent bought my bluff! 

Later in the endgame, in huge time trouble, I just blundered my rook, but luckily was still winning thanks to the connected passers.

https://lichess.org/xBoTeUne/white#134

This might be the luckiest save I've had this year:
https://www.chess.com/game/live/141442388338

https://lichess.org/UfWsIyrY/white#47
 

CM Fariasov vs anonymousperson101: Torre Attack: Classical Defense • lichess.org

Really nice attacking game with 2 brilliant moves against a CM sacrificing a knight  2 times then a bishop that could be taken but will make the position much worse. This was also a blitz game played on lichess

https://lichess.org/DyRwhBZ2/black
 

https://lichess.org/cnDwDHyO

Goldman strikes gold:

https://lichess.org/FUwgfaaBIhKC

Positional game crowned by tactics:

https://lichess.org/XWij3NcN0quE

The interesting part starts off with 20…Bxg3!, but the best move of the game might be 29…e5! which leaves White without a good response.

https://lichess.org/Tf4NjpWm/black#0

The opening avenger in me is slowly waking up !
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141546538556/review?move=30

french attack against a classical Nc3: https://lichess.org/lfmnveKX/black

https://lichess.org/3LlWVWry

A game which was played very actively by me from the opening and evantually I won an exchange after opponent's errors

https://lichess.org/Uy7xLQYl/white#73
 

Casual game in Exchange Caro-Kan

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nc6 5. c3 Nf6 6. Bf4 Bg4 7. Qb3 Qd7 8. Nd2 e6 9. Ngf3 Be7 10. Ne5 Qc8 11. O-O O-O 12. Rae1 Bh5 13. Re3 Bg6 14. Nxg6 hxg6 15. Nf3 Ng4 16. Re2 a6 17. h3 Nf6 18. Ne5 b5 19. Rfe1 Na5 20. Qc2 Nc4 21. a3 Rd8 22. Nxf7 Kxf7 23. Bxg6+ Kf8 24. Rxe6 Bd6 25. Bg5 (25. Rxf6+ gxf6 (25... Kg8 26. Bf7+ Kh8 27. Qg6 Qg4 28. hxg4 Bxf4 29. Qh5+ Bh6 30. Rxh6+ gxh6 31. Qxh6#) 26. Bh6+ Kg8 27. Bf7+ Kh8 (27... Kxf7 28. Qh7#) 28. Bg7+ Kxg7 29. Qg6+ Kh8 (29... Kf8 30. Qg8#) 30. Qh6#) 25... Ne4 26. R1xe4 (26. R6xe4 dxe4 27. Qxe4 Qd7 28. Qf3+ Kg8 29. Qh5) 26... dxe4 27. Qxe4 Qd7 28. Qf3+ (28. Bxd8 Rxd8 29. Qh4 Qxe6 30. Qxd8+) 28... Kg8 29. Re7 Bxe7 (29... Qxe7 30. Bxe7 Bxe7 31. Qf7+ Kh8 32. Qxe7) 30. Bf7+ Kf8 (30... Kh8 31. Qh5#) 31. Be6+ Bf6 (31... Ke8 32. Qf7#) 32. Bxd7 Rxd7 33. Qxa8+

Student game (~1400 vs 1600) in French after learning basic ideas of 3.Bd3 in Garden State Chess League match (board 4)

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Bd3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. Ne2 c5 6. c3 Qb6 7. a3 a5 8. O-O Nc6 9. Bc2 Be7 10. a4 h6 11. Na3 cxd4 12. cxd4 Bxa3 13. Rxa3 Nb4 14. Bb1 Qc7 15. f4 Nb6 16. f5 Nc4 17. Rg3 Kf8 18. b3 Nb6 19. f6 gxf6 20. Rxf6 Nd7 21. Bxh6+ Ke8 22. Rxe6+ fxe6 23. Bg6+ Ke7 24. Bg5+ Kf8 25. Qf1+ Nf6 26. Qxf6+ Kg8 27. Bf7+ Qxf7 28. Bh6+ Kh7 29. Qxf7+ Kxh6 30. Qg6#

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141618243124?move=0
 

Strong Scotch Attack! Missed a small mating idea, but came back strong!

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141650195032
 

nice when you know the mating patterns 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141682767588

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141689377810
 

good clean chess without utensils 

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141440599692

The computer said I played at a 2000 level, which is much higher than my rating.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141491661444

The computer said I played at a 1900 level, which is much higher than my rating. 

Messy Rook and Knight endgame with nice trap at the end

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141748037348/analysis

Demolishing White in one of my favorite lines. Also missed mate in 1 in time trouble, but fortunately no harm was done :)

https://lichess.org/pzAdS1Gm/black#0

do the games need to be of august 2025 only?

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141354577238


I beat a CM with the blackmood prep!

A 1700 tried to pull some Busch-Gass nonsense on me.  Maybe he was doing SLP training?  Well, it gave me a chance to practice my WWP : )

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141762282930?username=sacmood&move=0

Skak: Hoshaku vs TinaTinzee - 141770469076 - Chess.com

Lovely to see that knight crash the gate at the end.

My top games for the month of August (I've chosen top 3 at the end as coach Gabuzyan instructed)

https://www.chess.com/game/live/149324309353 - titled tuesday crush vs IM

https://www.chess.com/game/live/149325510609 - crazy sac which ended in a draw vs IM

https://www.chess.com/game/142364941006 modern defense Passini attack

The IQP is not always weak…

https://lichess.org/9qqDBAcVCsoo

Apparently 14…Ne4 was also possible.

Winning win positions from the opening.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141824601842/analysis?move=58

Crushing with chessmood openings

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141824740194/analysis?move=48

Succesful SLP No1

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141749239186/analysis

Succesful SLP No2

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141245086150?move=0

https://www.chess.com/game/141887667856?action=createLiveChallenge

I'm quite proud of this game, I was playing Black and I beat an FM in an English opening that transposed to the Maroczy Bind. I somehow was able to use all the concepts Coach Gabuzyan mentioned, like the TV and Room concepts, b5 pawn break, and pressuring on the open c-file.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141904039398/review?move=50
 

engine thought i was 2500!

https://www.chess.com/game/141904388928

Absolutely destroying an 2500 player

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141946995354/review?move=26

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141971541204

Two Brilliant sacrifices into a forced checkmate!

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

Crushing against English Opening a 2450 blitz player.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142019862454/analysis?move=79

A satisfying win using Blackmood against a KIA, vs a 1750 OTB,  90+30 tournment game:

A very short game that punished the breaking of opening principles..  This was a classical OTB game but ended quickly.

I really enjoyed playing this Sicilian with early 2. …. f4.

https://lichess.org/A1qKmJ1X/black#0.

And destroying The Latvian!

https://lichess.org/DaGK5PWU/white#0.

https://lichess.org/XJgJ51Bz/white#49
 

solid win vs caro Kahn 

my best course 

Love the unconventional positions in this relatively new opening:

https://lichess.org/a7OfyyPziueJ

https://lichess.org/48EAnoj1/white#71 He sacrifices the queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful game from Chessmood Scicilian B4 sacrifice Go Chessmood!!!!!!!!!

Guys, I just played one of the most beautiful attacks of mine in the last few years! The thematic rook sac - 11.Rxf6, then 13.Bxe4 and 17.Qxf6 are like nails in my opponent's coffin. I'm just very happy with this game, so I have to show it for you:

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

Exploiting the pawn structure leads to a vicious attack:

https://lichess.org/wE5LNAvMesnx

BlackMood French extended bishop swap. Took advantage of opponent's uncertainty as to what to do about the unusual for French pawn structure. White's only mistake up until they cracked at the end was to trade off a defending knight for Black's normally strong dark squared bishop, which only served to lock down the defenses around my king and hasten my attack. I feel this is almost model game quality. Pretty proud. On review, some of the variations on how best to continue the attack given different responses were instructive for me as well. 🙂

https://lichess.org/Ij8M9s2Z/black

I completely destroyed a 2300 rapid chesscom in 22 moves with the Caro-Kann exchange line.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142160388480/analysis?move=42

Crushing an FM with 2500 blitz chesscom in French with Bd3.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142161586412/review

This was my third game after a long break in a classical tournament. After the opening the game went quickly into an Bishop vs Knight endgame. Due to my opponents rash decision he got an unfavourable pawn structure. A few inaccuraries later the opponents bishop was completely trapped. And after some time I could find the winning manouveur, winning a pawn. 
 

By no means did I ‘crush’ or ‘destroy’ my opponent in the game. We got to an seemingly equal but imbalanced endgame. Just small decisions that led to one side getting the upper hand. (Yes there were quicker ways to win. :|)

https://lichess.org/study/O2Co6m2V/nFeIhqj3

Dear Chessmood friends, as I did enjoy looking at some of your games I hope you will enjoy my game too, in case you look at it. Keep on improving! 💪☺️

I misclicked and lost a queen, then managed to SLP my way to a win anyway. 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/142174772392

One dutch attack 

https://lichess.org/586XGeUe/black

played an unsound gambit and destroyed a 2070 

https://lichess.org/GeZHIQO4

i was losing but then managed to slp my way to victory anyways

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142122107676/analysis?move=71

crushing my opponent with tactics

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142193039086/analysis

Absolutely destroy an 2450 blitz chesscom with chessmood openings in 18 moves.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142227253986/analysis?move=34

H4 Novelty!! Crushing Game in Scotch

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142257797288/analysis

😃

https://lichess.org/cIWlavtA     Great games with many tactics! 

https://lichess.org/OFoAxmvz/black

a brilliant game where i sacrificed a queen and a rook for a great checkmate

one of my best games probably

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142267368762/analysis?move=48

Just an online rapid game. The attack is not sound but the sacrificial finish was nice. https://www.chess.com/game/142289044160

https://www.chess.com/game/live/142290154794

Short game with nice queen trap at the end

https://lichess.org/ZA1sMP9J/black#0

Simply destroying with advance pirc in 22 moves.

https://lichess.org/MVKQCjPV/white#49

Destroying an 2400 in 17 moves with Grand Prix Attack

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

i played the SLP gambit and won with practical moves

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142351098654/analysis

destroying with the grand prix

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142352208560/analysis

Nothing spectacular, just perfectly illustrates the ideas of our chessmood variation.

https://lichess.org/GITnDddH/white#0 

Sicilian Accelerated Dragon Crushing with “The Super Re8!”

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142367258762/analysis 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/142370461942
 

caro crusher my best course 

A Nice game against a Sicilian with 2. …. Nc6.

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

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/39nvA5CWox

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/4sN4e5dSKx

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/7pmd3b2x6

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/52myR8EQLE

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/58PnuAsczS

https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/aNdSdU6fg

In the last game, I give credit to my opponent for doing his best to play SLP. See the nasty trap he laid on move 67. White to move:

a great game where i won a piece and did wwp

https://lichess.org/09avhu9v/black

After a break of 2 months  due to summer outdoor activities a first serious game again in the Grand Prix. The computer gives many other lines after the opening to  win the game but I could not find any serious mistake.

Just a nice middle game position from the opening!

https://lichess.org/9hQIkt5B/white#0

King in the center leads to trouble:

https://lichess.org/sOnp1xvNJF2q

mac cutcheon gambit in the french attack: 

https://lichess.org/SmixugXG/black

Philidor, letting black get in trouble on his own

https://lichess.org/NtY3UKjL/white#51

https://lichess.org/bvmyciGF/black

Dutch attack 

when is the Dutch update coming out? 

https://lichess.org/0beIcsru/white

Quick victory against a 2300 rated

https://lichess.org/Abt3drjs/black

A nice game, I missed clear winning chances in time pressure in winning positions :) , but at last I won the game

destroying with the french and converting the advantage

https://lichess.org/N9zHSoSk/black

i got 95 percent accuracy and 17 average centipawn loss.

https://lichess.org/vOnUnWi7/black

im back to comment! After thinking of the title of this competition i only put the game i found more attaractive, and after a while-i found it!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/142514242298
 

My opponent was brilliant(literaly) if it werent for the blunder and those tiny mistakes

https://lichess.org/oZMoRMkguJto benko

https://lichess.org/NSooxEGH

A good game with a beautiful mate

https://lichess.org/2eHqiu6S/white#45

Blitz game with a little tactic at the end. Could this be another chessmood student? https://www.chess.com/game/142535991558

punished random play in the opening and went on a well executed attack

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142558003178/analysis

https://lichess.org/jPFjiE4k/black    Destroying the board with an attack

A caro kan with a standard model case mate.

https://lichess.org/jruIoKrf/white

Got a bit lucky when opponent got greedy

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142568210596/review

Grand Prix attack, OTB in a 90+30 tournament, against a 200pt higher rated player.  Oh so close - learned a lot about myself, and about finding checkmates under time pressure  🤦‍♂️ 🚑😄

Unconventional opening with some mating matador ideas

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142576539050/review

https://www.chess.com/game/live/142578380354
 

Hello everyone,

Here is Scotch win over 2306 in corresponce so it not a blitz game! Enjoy. THank you Chessmood family and Coach Gabu!

https://lichess.org/nbL2ujJihSpO

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.09.01"]
[Round "?"]
[White "guiu3243"]
[Black "sicilianlover32"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]
[WhiteElo "999"]
[BlackElo "1038"]
[Termination "sicilianlover32 won on time"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EndTime "17:47:21 GMT+0000"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/142605400612?move=51"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 e6 4. O-O d5 5. exd5 exd5 6. Re1+ Be7 7. Bb5 Nf6 8.
Bxc6+ bxc6 9. d4 O-O 10. dxc5 Bxc5 11. Nc3 Bg4 12. Qd3 Qb6 13. Nd1 Rfe8 14.
Rxe8+ Rxe8 15. Ne3 Bxf3 16. gxf3 Nh5 17. Bd2 Qxb2 18. Bc3 Qb6 19. Ng4 Nf4 20.
Qf5 Bxf2+ 21. Kh1 Ng6 22. Rf1 Bd4 23. Bd2 Nh4 24. Qg5 Ng6 25. f4 h6 26. Qf5 Nh4
27. Qh5 Ng6 28. f5 Ne5 29. Nxh6+ gxh6 30. Bxh6 Qd8 31. f6 Ng6 0-1 played as white in the opening I did well but fumbled a bit towards the end. 

Hello champions!
How are you?

Thank you so much for sharing your best games this month.
It was a real pleasure to go through them! Not only did you score some beautiful wins, but we also found many instructive moments and ideas along the way.

And now… on to the prizes!

1st Prize: En Prise With Ease
A fantastic game full of typical ideas!
From sacrificing a pawn to keep the attack going, to using the fantastic idea of the King in the center, and then bringing the rest of your pieces into play, this was an attacking model game.
Very well done!
https://lichess.org/Ij8M9s2Z/black

2nd Prize: Super Pawn
You crushed the Caro-Cann!
The pieces jumped into the attack, and the game ended before Black could even breathe.
A true example of a powerful flank attack!
Very good!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/142160388480/analysis?move=32

3rd Prize: James L.
You played against the King in the center like a pro!
With a pawn sacrifice and the Queen invasion, the pressure was too much.
A clean and powerful win.
Fantastic job!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/library/39nvA5CWox/analysis

4th Prize: Johannes G.
A classic Knight vs Bishop endgame!
You took full advantage of your opponent’s fixed weak pawns. Switching sides and keeping the pressure, you finally cracked their defense.
Great endgame grinding!
https://lichess.org/study/O2Co6m2V/nFeIhqj3

5th Prize: Ilias Belhadj
You crushed the Latvian gambit!
With the monster pawn on d5, you secured the powerful e6-square for your Knight. While your opponent was stuck and passive, you activated all your pieces, and eventually destroyed their King!
Very impressive!
https://lichess.org/DaGK5PWU/white

Congratulations to all the winners!
And thank you once again to everyone who shared their games.
Keep playing, keep learning, and see you in next month’s contest!

Really proud of calculating this in a blitz game

Link to game: rookiewoo vs. piedraven | Analysis - Chess.com

1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. d3 Bc5 4. Ne2 d6 5. a3 Bg4 6. O-O Nf6 7. Bg5 Qd7 8. Bxf6
gxf6 9. Nbc3 O-O-O 10. Nd5 Kb8 11. Nxf6 Qc8 12. b4 Bd4 13. Nxg4 Rdg8 14. Nf6 Rg7
15. b5 Ne7 16. Nxd4 exd4 17. Nd5 Nxd5 18. Bxd5 Qd8 19. c4 Qg5 20. g3 h5 21. Qc2
h4 22. c5 h3 23. f3 dxc5 24. Qxc5 Rc8 25. Qxd4 Rcg8 26. f4 Qg4 27. a4 Qe2 28.
Rf2 Rxg3+ 29. hxg3 Rxg3+ 30. Kh2 Rg2+ 31. Rxg2 Qxg2# 0-1

Replies

d4 openings

Hi, I'm curious if you'll be making a course for white for 1.d4 at some point as an alternative. 

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Honestly, I would be happy if we get a d4 course considering that most of the Chessmood team is very sufficient in d4.

But it would completely destroy the single reason they made and keep supporting e4: It makes sense pedagogically with the curriculum.

e4 is more dynamic and therefore the positions that arise in e4 tend to be more different on average than d4, and experience with multiple positiions tend to make better players, even if the rating don't say so.

But idk, sometimes i just want to play my first 5 moves already premoved. Would like to have that d4 course focus on aggressiveness though.

I think benko is the reason that d4 is kept low, and because its mostly going for locked and draw positions. If you are in a high level and youre opponent has practised for your every e4 move, then i think it might have been useful to had learned d4, just to suprise him. plus i think it would be a lot of complexness as the opening would be quick(predecided)

Fixmood with updated Benko course

When I play the new move from the updated Benko Course Fixmood marks it as an error. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.Qc2 and 4…bxc4 is marked as an error with the suggestion of 4…b4.

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Dear Pim, 

Thanks for the information.
I redirected your inquiry to our technical department, and we will get back to you with the answer :-) 

Video Sound

Recently on Chessmood courses, the audio defaults to mute. So for each section I have to unmute. Is there a setting I can make to default to unmute?

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Dear Barney, 

I did send your inquiry to our technical team.
 

Hi Barney!

Thanks for your question. In some cases, if you're using Safari or Mozilla Firefox, those browsers may have autoplay restrictions that cause videos to start muted, or even prevent the next video from playing automatically.

You can adjust your browser’s autoplay settings to allow sound by default, and that should fix the issue.

If you'd like help with how to change those settings, feel free to let me know — happy to guide you! 😊

Could be helpful...

Hello Chessmood, I was preparing for a tournament, but felt some fear. What if I draw too much, what if i win games and lose the ones which are really worth, have I prepared properly, did i miss something and etc. I was wondering if you could publish an article relating to keeping the mindset properly and how to overcome doubt and fear.
Thank You!

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It would be good to have an article like that, if possible.

Lowering your expectation might work to reduce pressure. This may be achieved with easier goals. 

For example:

Make your goal instead of: Win the tounament

To: Make all games interresting

I hope that helps.

🙂

I think you should take one game at a time… before every game have the mindset that you have to play your best game

I think the most important thing to remember is that mistakes will always happen: Every now and then you'll draw or lose a game you should have won, and every now and then you will miss something or your opponent will do something you didn't expect. Just make sure you give it your all and do the best you can, and try to enjoy playing (after all, you do this because you enjoy playing chess, right? 😉). Then you have nothing to regret. Also - though it's hard - remember that chess is “just a game”, no matter how competitive or ambitious we are: life goes on whether we win or lose. I recently played the worst tournament of my life, not winning a single game, scoring 1/7 and losing 80 rating points, but life goes on and I managed to get over it, analyze and move on.

What to do in French with white if the opponent e5 instead of 0-0 ?

What to do if the opponent plays e5 ?

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Hey Pawn Bishop,

After 11…e5, one of the possible options is Nf5, and if Black takes recapture with the Queen.
Now the pawn on e5 is hanging, as well as some light squares are weakened.

Week-Long Losing Streak

Dear Chessmoodians,

I only tend to play two or three 15+10 online games per day and have been doing well with them for months.  But, suddenly, I've lost my touch.  I started blundering regularly, where I would only do that rarely before.  I am not so much getting outplayed, but am almost single-handedly losing my games.  Has this happened to you? How did you fix it?  

I'm thinking to keep playing one or two games per day with no expectations just to keep in touch with chess and focus on my physical health.  Get my sleep back in order (it has become irregular of late) and get my body moving.  Does anyone have any other suggestions on what else could help?  Should I walk away from chess altogether for a week or two?

Replies

Here is what worked for me from my personal experience.

First of all, you have to understand that these things happen. Magnus Carlson during his record-breaking undeafeted classical run (which went for over 100 games!) suffered a ”meltdown” in blitz around the middle of said run. (My source here is the book Magnus Carlsons 60 Memorable Games) 

After being on such a run (Magnus’ or yours) often what tends to happen is you lose your sense of danger (i.e. You may play more aggressively for the win and don’t sense when the position becomes worse), something similar happened to Fischer in his 1971 match with Petrosian (See game 2). https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044714 

Here also, you may be at a peak rating and are simply playing stronger opponents.

Now for the ‘fix’: I would highly reccomend taking a week off from chess. Limit yourself to daily puzzles and news articles if you must, but no studying, no games, etc. Towards the end of this week, start doing some tactics. This worked well for me, and after some time I was back to ‘normal’.

Anyways I hope this helps, and that all the anecdotes weren’t too boring!

I tried to play blindfold chess, it worked, i began overthinking the board and had to hex-check for blunders and had a good result. 

Nice clean annihilation

Black CAN defend this but that requires throwing their bishop down the toilet

1. e4 c6 2. Bc4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bb3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. O-O e6 7. d4 Nf6 8. Bg5
Bd6 9. Qd3 O-O 10. h3 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Be7 12. c3 a5 13. Nd2 a4 14. Bc2 b5 15. Qd3
Rb8 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 17. Qxh7# 1-0

link: https://www.chess.com/game/142128156810

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That's Nice. Thank you for sharing this site.

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Rb8 is a blunder, i think g6 would be good.