Chess forum by Grandmasters

Identifying updates in the courses

I've found some practical problems in developing/maintaining the pgn files (actually .cbv chessbase files) and wondered how others manage this.

So I start with a database I call "1.e4 repertoire" and create a game in it called "Sicilian".  I go through the videos, once just listening and then I go though it more slowly, adding the moves, variations and comments.  This game file includes alternative moves for white, and also the errors that white makes.  It includes arrows, evaluations, highlighted squares etc.   This is intended as a permanent detailed file, including copied in GM games etc.

Then I copy the game to my "White Repertoire" database which I store on the chessbase cloud.  Now, I want to upload it to the chessbase web app "My Games", and create the file that helps me drill the lines using the Chessbase Openings app.  For the app to work well, I have found that I need to:

1. Where Avetik has given a choice, I need to choose which line I prefer and delete the other, otherwise the drill app seems to get confused

2. Delete the lines that showed what white should NOT play, otherwise the drill app will include them (I don't want to be sitting in a game and trying to remember whether that line I remember was the one to play or not to play!)

3. Shorten the lines down to the core moves, otherwise I will be drilling lines down to move 40 or so, which is an impossibility for the human brain.

4. Make sure there are no "hanging" black moves - each line needs to finish on a clinching white move.

4. Mark the lines with a "my move" mark so I will be drilled on them.

And then...….  Avetik adds some new videos, or I want to go back and view the advanced material and add it to my databases, or I play a game and find I want to add a new line to counter what my opponent played. 

Firstly, it is really hard to identify which videos are new since I made the original .cbv file.  Avetik, any way to better identify such new material, so when we come back to that opening a month later we can see what is new and what we have to cover?  And secondly, moving new variations through that whole process above causes me incredible brain pain.  It is just impossible to follow each through.  It seems to me that there is benefit in having 2 files (one that is complete as a reference for the detailed material, and one that is stripped down for using the drilling app) that stay synchronised as I cover new material, but doing so is doing my head in.

What do you guys do?  How can I simplify the process to make it more manageable, but still retain the goal of having a detailed file, and a drilling file?

Nigel

Replies

Hi,

I don't know about chessbase opening trainer, because I haven't tried it. I am using an opening trainer that is built in chesstempo site. And as far as I can adress the problem, three things come to mind:

1. If you're creating an opening repertoire, let's say for white, you can add many variable white moves. During the drill, the opening trainer asks for a specified move, and if you play other possibility it states that the move is correct but will not proceed until you find the exact one. So actually you achieve it by process of elimination.

2. You can deactivate variants - this way the opening trainer wont consider them during the drill. So you create a repertoire with long lines and many variables but train as many as you wish during the drill. 

3. Making arrows and highlighting squares is not possible as far as I know. Opening trainer has an engine, but it is limited to some extend for non-premium members of chesstempo.

I have found it to be useful to create an Opening Repertoire Study (private) in Lichess and to keep adding lines (the opening explorer in Lichess is handy). This way all of Chessmood's opening lines can be captured and studied upon.

Hi Nigel,

When you are in Lichess, go to the learn column and then click study. You can add whatever you like and label it accordingly. If you would like to keep it private, go to the 3 horizontal  lines left top corner of board and when you click it , you'll get get "edit study". Then you can change it to private, otherwise everybody can see your notes (unless youre ok with that).

Hey champions! Please read this post and share your thoughts.
https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/software-for-memorizing-the-lines 

We are going to build something crazy and super-useful for you! 

Well, as far as I know, building your repertoire (let's say for white) means that for white you have ONLY ONE response to every response that black gives. You don't need to know the variations that don't work. The lessons provide several ideas mainly for the general understanding of the opening.

First you work with the general ideas of the opening and see where the pieces go, typical tactics and motifs. Then write the continuation that you liked most.

You should chose one continuation for white, and if possible in depth, and examine each possible response. That means that you don't need all 3 plans provided in the lesson (sometimes in advanced section another continuation is examined). Chose the one that suits you better. Same goes for black.

My little trick, not to get lost, is creating one pgn for each opening and each video is added as a game in the pgn. The name of the white player is the line (preferably the name of the video). So I don't have one file with all the analysis, but many small files. This helps me remember the lines easier and also I can find the files that are added later. If you want all the lines in one file you can merge them later, but it's not practical.

Question on Anti-sicilian Nc3

There are 2 lessons on Nc3 for both black and white(Anti sic by Avetik Grigoryan and Crushing sic sidelines by Hovhannes Gabuzyan). In a game, if both white and black follow chessmood lessons, which will win? 

Replies

This is a feature of chess.  You always have to play BOTH sides of ONE line.  Nothing you can do about it :)

@Congkai

The side that plays better will win or maybe it ends in a draw. :)

If black plays correctly and know how to stop white's attack, and if both players have watched the advanced sections, then in my evaluation: 86% draw, 7% white wins, 7% black wins.

slav defense

hi ineed to know more about slav defense

Replies

If you have chess.com account, I will advise you to read this article:https://www.chess.com/blog/slobodan007/qgd-vs-slav-vs-semi-slav-vs-botvinniks-gambit-system made by me because I play that variants. If not this is a short resume:

Slav is quite better than QGD( for both sides ), but black has many traps that he must avoid in order to stay active and equal. Black's idea of 2...c6 is not to block c8 bishop by moving 2...e6 like in QGD. But that idea can give black some big troubles if he doesn't know traps and tricks that can be used against him like:

• Tempo jackpot for white or even a losing c8 bishop if you put your c8 bishop on g4 too early.
• Losing b7 pawn or really bad structure if you put your c8 bishop on f5 too early.

There are many, but that's main stuff about traps.

In the article: https://www.chess.com/blog/slobodan007/qgd-vs-slav-vs-semi-slav-vs-botvinniks-gambit-system you can find some my games examples, lines as well or what to do if...

Slav is a very big topic! 
It's the same I tell you now I need to know more about stock market :D :D :D 

Here is a good course made by my friend IM Tigran Petrosyan 
https://www.udemy.com/chess-openings-learn-to-play-slav-defense-for-black/

I have good results against the slav with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4. Qc2 / Qb3  recommended by Hilton & Ippolito in "Wojos Weapons Vol 1"

.... because few opponents play the main line used by masters 4.... dxc4
but  answer stereotyp like semislav with 4. ...e6

I never had good results when playing slav so against 1.d4 I prefer Benko Gambit King's indian defence, modern benoni and rarely Nimzo indian.

Free Tickets

Hey Champions! 
Our Italian friends organize a strong online tournament, with 1000 euro prize fund, where many Grandmaster will participate. 
As ChessMood is one of the sponsors of the tournament, and organizers are our friends, we got FREE tickets for our ChessMood PRO Members. 
Here you can find more info about the tournament - https://www.facebook.com/events/789658141566159/ 

If you would like to participate, please write your nickname in chess.com and your real name. 
And join this group.  - https://www.chess.com/club/anti-cheating-blitz-chess-tournaments 
Before 1 hour of start, the registration will be opened. 

The tournament starts tomorrow (Wednesday) at ChessMood's streams time :) , 8 AM PST. 

Replies

I would love to be bale to play, but I will have to work, so sadly will miss it :(

Hey Coach, I would like to play. 

EsotericPA

Matt Hammons

I would like to play, 

my real name : Nguyen Doan Giang

Nick name chess.com: giangdoan0804

hey coach, how can I join the tournament??

I don’t know where the link to tournament is

Hello coach! I would like to participate in the tournament. Here is my details:

Chess.com username: Mykelpagz

Name: Michael Joseph Pagaran

Hey Coach

I am going camping with the family today, so I cant play.

/Kim Skaanning

chess.com -abhi_chess_gm

real name- Abhi yadav

Hello coach! I want to participate in the Tournament 

Chess.com Nickname: HeinichessPY 

Name: Heinechen John 

Hi there!

Thank you a lot, it looks appetizing. But I am not registered on chess.com, just on lichess. Can I play on my friend´s nick? :)

Ah! Please remember me to lose the first games, be the last of the tournament classification on round 5. Then I need to let loose, drink, and just concentrate on playing chess... and finally win. I read Hovannes sensei article today... Did I get the instructions right??

Ok, folks! I fid the registratuon and made my self couple of rating points. If nessasary to have >2300, give me 30 minutes, pls. My nick is SunceMamino. Real name is Martin Machata.

Great. I will join: rogerrein Roger Rein

Good mood - lot of fun :)

2305, hope it will be good enough at the moment. ;)

Hello coach .iam a new member.    Username:mahdi2302                                         reel name:abdelhadi aassim                           please the time of tournement(gmt)  

Guys, we (italian organizers) are having trouble with manual subscriptions to the tournament! I'm having the person who is in charge of subscriptions to the tournament to manually add you all, i hope we manage to! I put "added " to all of you who were added alredy to the tournament!

I will like to play

Mr real name: Moemedi Machobane

Chess.com username: machobanemoemedi

I would like to play. Mateo Jackson , MateoJackson

Hey,

I would like to participate, 

my real name : Cyrille DIMEY

Nick name on chess.com: onerouslawyer

Bye,

I would like to join 

my chess.com account is SuperBubbleBee

Hi 

i like to play 

  Chess.com account : mikhailtal68    real name : arman shahzamani

Guys, it seems you should go here and click join:
https://www.chess.com/live#t=1234613

Sorry, guys, is there a link or a direct way on chess.com to join the tournament? Pls give me info...

It does not work. They want us to register and pay 8 euro. Nevermind.

I would like to play

Real Name : Robick Vohn Villa from Zamboanga PH

Nickname : RVKVilla_14_Zambo

I think the registration is closed or they are just busy ?

pls help me join the group

Guys, if you wrote your nickname recently, the organizer will not have manually add you in the tournament... 

I am not the organizer, I am just helping you to get spots in the tournament. Hopefully, all will be good. 
Nicolo, let us know, when you find time. 

"The art of exchanging Bishops in the openings."

Hello, champions! 
In two hours we start the interactive lesson. 
I opened this post, where in the comments section I offer you to write down all the things you learned today. 
Even if it just 1 thing,  no worries, write it. 

Replies

My main takeaway is just how early in the game you can make a good positional decision on which bishop to exchange based on what color the pawns are committed to.  While some of these examples I knew about, especially the French Advance, and Carlsbad structures, it was nice to see just how many other examples there were.

I was also impressed just how fast the members were in answering questions, even though they show sometimes ratings around 1500-1600.  I guess the lesson was full of instructive material and presented well.

Fantastic webinar coach. 

1. Keep an eye out for which pawns are locked in the center. Trade off your bad bishop, which is same color as your pawns that are locked up, for the opponents good bishop. 

2. Most openings have some version of this. Pay attention to move order and try to exploit this (example with Ne2/Bf4)

3. Look for opportunity to try and force the exchange of the bishop, or if the opponent avoids it then your bishop becomes strong, such as the example where if black played c5 and we exchanged our d4 pawn, thus making our dark square bishop good. 

4. Be creative in how you go about exchanging. For instance, if the opponent can stop you with g3/h4 don't forget to look for other options (Qb8, Bd8, Bb6 example)

The main thing I learned is we should be looking for the right trades from the very beginning of the game. The pawn structure will tell us which Bishops (both sides!) need to be traded, or avoided! Just be careful the pawn structure isnt easily changes before making the trade! Also to be aware that there is always exceptions, for example, when you have less space, it can be ok to trade your good bishop to gain more spaces for your other pieces.

I am sure there is even more I learned, but these are the things that stand out to me the most right after attending the stream!

It was a great session. I learnt a lot about the following things:

1) Opening bishop Trade: bottom some examples that I remembered well.

1. Trades of bishops when pawn formation in the center is fixed.

2. Trades of bishop in different openings such as:

- In Queen gambit exchange variation- Black must try to trade LSB for white's good LSB bishop. So he chose the plan the Nbd7-Nf8-Ne6-g6-Ng7-Bf5 an amazing Carlsbad plan.

1)  Bad DSB in philidor for black.

2) In caro kann white have excellent bishop on d3 an it's reversed carlsbad and black can't successfully change the LSB with white's good one.

3)  French exchange- trade LSB as black and trade DSB as white.

4) French advance then trade bishop by two route

Qb6 Bb7 Bb5 and second one by coach a6-Bd7-Bb5 and confusing route hehehe.

5)  In benoni it's good to trade LSB  for white if he can and white must not allow Bg4 Bxf3 (capture of knight) Bec knight is useful on Nfd2- Nc4 maneuver to target the d6 and b6 complex.

6) Closed Benoni trade DSB as black with Be7 Bg5 or h6 Bh6.

7)  Kasparov's King's indian plan with Kh8-Ng8-Bh6 ( when pawn is on e5)

8) In benko b4 and closed e5 structure black can play with Bh6 again to trade of his bad DSB.

9) Carlsen's approach with Bb4 to trade his bad DSB even by damaging pawn formation bec c5 was not possible due to dxc5 and it make white DSB super and with bad hanging pawn formation for black.

10) Gabu sir Bh3 to trade off his bad LSB for his opponent's good one on c8.

11) Qh5 in french advanced line to stop black's plan of Bf5 to trade off our good LSB

12) Trade of DSB is favourable for white if he is playing stronewall formation and trade of LSB is better for black if he play stonewall.

That's above all about general opening bishop trade themes I learnt. Some were known to me but some were new to me.

2) In the middlegame section I learnt how to apply these concepts in practice by numerous examples that coach showed us.

3) Learnt so much about pawn formation decide trades.

That's all the things I learnt from this session. Sorry If I missed something. 

Nice and funny webinar :-)

I like the relaxed, but instructive and serius way you/we do things here at ChessMood. 

I learned some creative ways of exchanging my bad bishop for opponents good bishop, and I had a fun time. 

I think Matt H write some of the importent takeaways in the webinar.

I also agree that it was a terrific seminar, than you Avetik and all for the great feedback.

Can someone please explain to me the KID?

Thanks in advance...

Hello coach.in the  accelerated  dragon  there's  a line D×d4 that's  not  covered  in the  course.                                                                I have  same  idea  but  it's  not enough, so  I hope  for your knowledge.                                  With  best  wishes.                                                       Abdelhadi aassim

Super closed game...any is it possible to continue?

 I recently drew this game because I didnt know what else to do. Any ideas anyone?

Replies

Should be draw. You actually play without your bishop :) 

Books with PGN Format

Hello ChessMood Family! 
How are you doing?

Guys, I have a question. 
Do you have books with PGN format, so I can open it with ChessBase? 
Or do you know where I can buy? 

Thanks in advance!

Replies

I have some, Which one you're looking for? 

Sir I have many books. Even Kasparov's predisors. Sorry for spell. I have almost 200+ books in pgn format.

Email me the book or anything u want.

I will be happy to share.

I am not active on your web because of time issues and i am preparing for my exam. I will be available for email response.

abhiiyadav1997@gmail.com

I will def. do my best to help you in case of book.

I think that you are looking for something like the everyman books, almost have the pgn digital download edition. If you want to buy them originals here is their web, they are the ones that have "My great predecessors series"

https://everymanchess.com/

What about : my best chess games by Anatoly Karpov?

Unexpected win on move 5

I was recording a course about this position and remembered that this is one of the most strange things I've seen in the last time. 
With the last move Black played g6, with the idea to go Bg7, Nge7... 

Can you imagine that g6 is a big mistake and White can get almost winning position? 
Can you find the way? 

Replies

Nd5!

Nd5!, Nf6
Bg5 Be7
Nxe7, Qxe7

White is +~1.5 and for a 2000+ rated game is this winning.  For those of us at 1300 this is just another game :)

Good Food = Good Mood= Good Move

After seeing Jay's pic in facebook forum about his food before training chess, I thought I could say something regarding diet and sports performance, but then today a good friend of mine published a really good article, and before you ask I did not suggest the title of the article, it is pure chance. Please take a look I am sure that some of you will find it useful.

https://foodrevolution.org/blog/nutrition-and-mental-health-connection/

Replies

Nice article! Really lots of useful stuff. 
Thanks for sharing it, Edo! :) 

King and two knights vs king and a pawn

Hi

In todays's lessons we talk about tabelbase and king and two knights vs king and a pawn. I found this nice video on that endgame. I watch it in oktober 2018 :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM9JWGbBQ4s -
What is Troitsky's line? An instructive endgame lecture

At 4.10 he show us the Troitsky's line. I did not know about the Troitsky's line before I saw this video.

Here are a link to the free tabelbase
http://www.k4it.de/?topic=egtb&lang=en

/Kim Skaanning

Replies

Thanks Kim! 

Nice! Thanks Kim! 

Posting games on the forum

I would like to post some games but not sure how to do it. I notice some games are posted by some of you really cool, with the entire board , moves by hitting arrows, side notation,  etc.

Not just the link...

How to do that?

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!

Replies

Hi Ovi, in the bottom left there is the button to "add new file" and there you can add your PGN file.  I am not an expert at adding them like Kevin D, as I can't seem to get my sub-variations to populate, but I am sure that is a user error and that is easily done. 

ProMember coaching

A big thank you to GM Avetik Grigoryan for getting me some coaching with Nicolo Pasini. Our first lesson was tonight and it was better than excellent...Thanks Avetik & Nicolo best wishes to you both :-)

Replies

Super! Looking forward to seeing your fast growth. 

chessmood scotch 1 - MVL 0

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4726346985?username=kevin_goh

Way to go GM Goh!

Replies

Yeah!!! 

Congrats GOH on beating one of the best players in the world!

Looked to me that there was a mate , move #38...Qa8!

About PGN files

Hello sir

I want to become pro member before i wanna ask you something that the pgn files you give at the end of each course is a draft file or the whole analysis that you teach us??

Replies

Any pro member here??

Please rply

It's a draft file + homework. 

Hi Diksha Garg

The pgn files are not af full draftback of the hole course. They contains the importent lines. ChessMood's idea is to make us work with the openings. If we get a full pgn, most of us will get lazy, and we will sit back and watch, and not work. We update our own pgn after we have watch the course. I have also watch the course again and played the lines into the pgn. I use the traning mode in Chessbase to remember the lines. We also update our pgn, when we play a game, get an idea ect.

We had a nice webinar today with GM Grigoryan, maybe it is the reason why many of us PRO Members did not have the time to answer you.
The courses are very high quality.

I have found it immensely helpful to build your own PGN files of the lines :) 

Yes, very important to spend time watching the course and build the pgn up yourself.  Then you come back to it, develop it, add games, use it to learn the variations.  The pgn in the course is just a skeleton.

SLP and CM openings

I played GM Jorden Van Foreest today in blitz and utilized the valuable SLP method to sneak out a win ;) 

Replies

Oh!! You won a GM? :) 
Is it the 1st time? :) 

Hi Matt H

Nice win, and thanks for sharing :-)

/Kim Skaanning

Nice ! That's a big fish to catch!

That is very very cool!

NEW ARTICLE: It’s Never Too Late to Resign

Replies

Hi guys, today I blundered my queen but my opponent sidn't see it. He continued with the game... Until today, I resigned immediately when I made a blunder :) But now I know that I must wait. Notice that I was playing bullet and I am 1900.

Garry Kasparov made a similar mistake in Game 2 of his 1997 match against Deep Blue. He resigned right after Deep Blue made a blunder that allowed him a draw by perpetual check. He was so trusting of the machine's ability to calculate that he did not even bother to look for a perpetual check.

There have been several times when my opponent resigned and I had to turn on the engine to find out why!

Missed mate in 1#

I really wanted to resign today when I saw my opponent had a mate-in-1. I kept playing, and ended up flagging him in a drawn position.

Also happened to me many times, sometimes I wait and sometimes I don't...Now I'll ALWAYS wait!!

Great article.

Philidor Defense

Hello, champions! 
I started to record a new course about how to get an advantage against Philidor Defense.
The 1st section is ready.
https://chessmood.com/course/philidor-defense 

If you have any questions, feel free to post it here.
With best wishes,
Avetik  

P.S COGRO! (Constant Growth)

Replies

Hey Champions! The 2nd section of Philidor Defense (the main line) is uploaded!  Lots of credits go to Levon Aronian, who told me about g3 strong move, otherwise, I was suffering to find a clear advantage.
Check it out, you'll love it!

Hey Champions! 
The 3rd section of Philidor Defense is uploaded. Enjoy! :) 

Hey Champions!
Who couldn't wait for Hanham Line in the Philidor Defense??
Here we go!
https://chessmood.com/course/philidor-defense
The 5th section is uploaded, around 1-hour material to learn
COGRO! Even if tomorrow is your birthday  :D :D :D 

Hey Champions!
The 5th section of Philidor Defense is added.
Another half-hour material to learn
https://chessmood.com/course/philidor-defense/episode/1159 

Hey Champions
How to play against Modern Philidor or Modern Hanham line, which also Simon Williams calls Black Lion?

The 6th section is uploaded! 
https://chessmood.com/course/philidor-defense/episode/1167  

Hey Champions! 
I have good news for you!r you!
​ 
Philidor Defense course is completed! 
Just uploaded the last section - how to play against gambits. 
https://chessmood.com/course/philidor-defense  

Now you will Rock N Roll​ everyone who plays Philidor Defense :) ​

With best wishes,
GM Avetik 

Hey, champions! 

Today I've added 50 minutes material in the advanced section of Philidor Defense. 
https://chessmood.com/course/philidor-defense/episode/1371 

Hey champions! 

We've added almost one-hour material in the Philidor course! 
When Black plays with 3...Nc6 

Philidor Defense, Section 8. ​
https://chessmood.com/course/philidor-defense/episode/1390 

Enjoy :) 

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 d6?!

Often played by weaker players and occasionally even by GMs. What's your recommendation here? 4.dxe5 Nxe5 5.Nxe5 dxe5 6.Qxd8 Kxd8 isn't quite as bad for Black as one might think.

Replies

Most strong e4 players would just go 4.Bb5 there, transposing to the Ruy Lopez - Steinitz Variation which doesn't have a great reputation for Black. 4.d5 also looks reasonable, but 1.e4 e5 players for  White tend to prefer open positions to closed ones. 

Peter, you go 4.Nc3! 
The key is after 4...Nf6 5.Bb5 Bd7 to take 6.Bc6 Bc6 and 7.Qd3! (7.Qe2!? is also good!) 
Now e5 hangs. And after 7...ed 8.Nd4 you play Bd2 and 0-0-0 with a great position. 

This I'll add in our courses, just can't understand in which one? :) 
Is it Scotch or Philidor? :D :D :D 

Here we go! 

Philidor Defense, Section 8. ​
https://chessmood.com/course/philidor-defense/episode/1390 

Chess Training Regimen

Hello all, would like to ask if anyone would like to offer their daily chess routine or even training regimen as Abhi posted on a different thread. Understand if it's a highly classified secret, wont post it anywhere else:)

This might help others to improve their chess training  regimen.

So, I offer my daily routine. I am about a 1600 chess.com player , higher on li chess. Would very much like to achieve 2000 USCF.

1, Tactics for about 1.5 hours first thing in the morning. That way I feel that patterns and ideas set in better.

2. 1-2 hours Chess Mood videos on opening repertoire. This is sometimes spaced out during the day so I can remember the ideas better.

3. 1 hr game play afternoons. Avetik suggested that I ought to play less and the 9 game rule is a good one IMHO.

4. 1/2-1 hr Game study and analysis evenings.

I try to keep this about 4 hours a day every day.

Cheers and thanks in advance for any ideas!

Replies

Fischer would never go against Spassky if...

"Fischer would never go against Spassky if he had a girlfriend."
From which movie is this? ????  
The right answer will get a prize :) 

Replies

"Money Heist" not movie but TV Series. I think...

I am not sure maybe from the movie " Pawn sacrifice".

if I win then where is my prize ;)

Pawn sacrifice