Chess forum by Grandmasters

Chess.com Puzzle Algo Change

Recently Chess.com changed it's algorithm for puzzles.  Previously, you got puzzles pretty close to your rating, within say 200 pts.  So if you're 2000, you'd get a puzzle between 1800 and 2200.

With the change they randomly give you any puzzle rating.   If you're 2000, you can see a sequence looking like this 700, 2400, 1365, 1820, 354, 1900, etc.

I have noticed something when I look at my history.  I often take more time on an easier puzzle than a hard one.  Just today, I starred at a 861 puzzle for over 5 minutes until I realized the solution.  The next puzzle was 3000 and I solved it in 12 seconds.  That's crazy, but what does it tell me.

I'm curious if the GMs could shed some light on how puzzles are scored.   Does this mean anything, can we use this algorithm to push our studies further somehow.  Here are links to the two puzzles today:

Easy:  https://www.chess.com/puzzles/problem/1082026

Hard:  https://www.chess.com/puzzles/problem/2038604

KT

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Dear Kory,

I looked at the puzzles.

The easy one is really super easy, but the hard one was super easy as well, just a few forcing moves. This puzzle's rating evaluations are not really objective, and no need to focus or rely on the rating written nearby - just use them to train your tactics.

This is one out of many times, where I am seeing puzzles with a totally unmatchable rating-difficulty level.

Silent Strategy and 7Q Method

Hello! GM Gabu

Is the silent strategy and 7Q method course related or how do they both help each other to make it easier to understand. Thank you!

Sincerely, Pawnbishop

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Hey Pawn Bishop,

It would be nice to watch Silent Strategy before the 7Q method, because in the second one, GM Avo explains through which questions to understand the plans, and the knowledge of Silent Strategy will be very helpful.

New podcast with Sagar Shah: Why Magnus Carlsen is the #1 Player in the World

Sagar Shah joined us for one of our deepest and most spiritual podcasts 😍

He shares how books and an 8-day walk without phone or money by the Narmada River changed his life, why ChessBase India became more than a company, and why Magnus Carlsen is not strict with discipline.

Dive into the full conversation here:
https://youtu.be/vHJE-X-ZspQ

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Some nice new graphics for my chess.com alt

Looooove this skin

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Benko Gambit 6: b3 option white

Hello, 

I played this game recently and in a lot of other benko games I face this 6. b3 move. I have placed the game below for reference. Can you please explain the ideas and plans for black. I face lot of trouble in it.

The game: https://www.chess.com/game/live/142169936882?move=0

Thank You So MUCH!!!! 

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It's a move given in some very old books, before better ways of dealing with the queenside pressure were found.  Normal play is fine.

In this game on move number 6 I liked both c4 and e6 options for Black,  playing in the center and on the Queenside. 

D4 Sidelines (Anti-Colle variation)

Hello, Coach Gabu

In the d4-sidelines course london system, Jobava line, and trompowsky was covered. But how do we play as black against Anti-Colle variation. 

Sincerely, Pawn

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Hi Pawn Bishop,

We are going to have more additions to 1.d4 sidelines. 

Transpositions D4-sidelines

Hi, 

When playing black against d4 I face lot of sidelines and at times find it hard to understand the transpositions like maybe it goes from London to Jobava. From trompowsy to something else. Please, a explation would help a lot.

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Hi Pawn Bishop,

This question is not clear to be honest, if you can clarify I will be able to help.

Master games analysis in chess training

I have recently been perfecting my chess training plan and wanted to know whether it is OK to include more than one classical game/In Grandmasters mind game into my chess training if I want to get a deep understanding of the core ideas in each game.

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Dear Andrew,

Include a maximum of 2 per day - watching too many can be overwhelming, while in this case, you can focus and learn key ideas and concepts introduced in the games.

What do we play as black against the Bird opening?

Hello 

I played in a tournament this weekend and the 1st game was against an expert and he played f4. He played it the entire tournament against other players as well. Can someone help me what to play as black against opening move f4 the Bird opening?

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We play 1…c5, or 1…Nf6 followed by 2…c5 if you prefer.

Dear Henry,

As Chess Player mentioned below we can continue with c5 - and now building our setups with Nc6-g6-Bg7 that should eventually transpose to one of our opening lines.

Hello again Coach and everyone in Chessmood family,

I thought I saw a little segment on the Bird opening in one of our courses. Do you remember which one?

A question about the Scotch Game

I just started the Scotch Game but when it came to the first section, I was a bit confused about Game 1 or Video number 2. In 6:17, what comes next or what is the plan after Bxc5 then Be6+?

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After this trade you:

1. created doubled isolated pawns which are obviously weakness
2. entered an opposite colour bishop middlegame scenario which favours the side who is attacking in the current moment(which ,luckily, happens to be white)
3.  Thanks to point 2 you weaken white squares around the enemy king because no enemy piece can control them in return
4.  You get a monster bishop on e6 which cannot be challenged by another minor piece.                                                                                          Now your plan is not to trade your pieces and attack the monarch: put your rooks on the e-file, consider f4-f5 pushes and bring the queen closer to action. 

Scandinavian Defense - 3.c6 option for black

Hello, 

How do we play against this 3.c6 move after bb5+, the position is posted below. In course is covered Nbd7 and bd7 but it seems after c6 black gets an okay position, how do you think we continue and what would be our ideas and plans. 

Thank you for your time!!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/24j8QoUcXY/analysis

Sincerely, Pawn

Replies

In this video, GM Avetik also speaks quickly about the 3…c6 move https://chessmood.com/course/10-crushing-the-scandinavian/episode/1077

It is not a dangerous sacrifice, as Black doesn't get enough compensation.

Scotch game question

😞

what to do against 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Nb3 Bb6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Qe2 Be6 8.Be3 Qf6 9.0-0-0 Nge7 10.h3 10…0-0-0?

I have tried Bxb6 and lost and I don't know what to play here!

after takes b6 axb6 black play Nd7-Nc5 and I lost trying to find a way to attack blacks king.

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Dear Eli,

There is one interesting alternative to 10.h3 - to play 10.Nd5 - where White gets a slightly better position with a space advantage in the center. 

Stafford course comment

after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6 4.Nxc6 dxc6 5.Nc3 Bc5 6.h3 isn't so simple because if you watch eric's video you will see that there is an amazing and kind of complicated move g5!

The idea is if Be2 there is Qd4! and if Rf1 Nxe4 and black equalizes and if 0-0 then g4 hxg4 h5! and black is better.

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But we are not playing with 5.Nc3 setup Eli - if you check in both simplified and advanced openings, we are playing another way, which refutes the Stafford gambit.

Scotch variation 4...Nf6, 8h4 variation

Hi, in the Scotch game video analysis after this position 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. e5 Qe7 7. Qe2 Nd5 8. h4 h6 9. c4 Ba6 10. g3 g6 11. h5 g5 12. Qe4 Nb4 13. Nc3 Bg7 14. a3, we looked at 14…f5, 15Qxf5 Bxe5, 16Be3 and White is up, but what happens after 14….d5, which is also suggested by computer analysis? After 15cd5 Bxe5. White cannot take the Knight because of 16…Bxc3+ winning the White Queen on e4. A sample variation is 16Kd1 Bxf1 17axb4 Bxc3 18Qxe7+ Kxe7 19bxc3, and it looks about equal. How do we get any edge in the line after 8…h6?

Replies

Hey Luke,

After 14…d5 15.cxd5 Bxe5 16. Kd1 is the only move - and there Black has some option - that position is super-super deep and advanced - so if you want to play that probably against some very strong opponents, it will be a good idea to do some work with a strong engine and dive deeper in the lines.

Benko g3 line early b3 setup question

👍

Hi chessmooders!

Enjoyed the new benko course. Recently I played a rapid game in the fianchetto system where my opponent employed rare early b3+Qd2 setup which I found weird during the game and didn't know how to react properly.

Can you give insights what to do against this setups, I checked with engine but didn't find concrete plan, often it can transpose to Bb7+Qa7 stuff. Thanks! 

https://lichess.org/broadcast/international-chess-tournament-in-memoriam-n-a-buzas-2025/round-6/CfsvHdzg/0fOKSD2z

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Caro-Kann Opening Course Questions

I have a question in Section 3 5…e5!? move. After e5, you have suggested 6.dxe5 Nxe5 7.Qe2 Qe7 8.Bb5+ Bd7 9.Bxd7+ and 9…Kxd7 line has not been analysed. After Kxd7, It is very uncomfortable for White. Can you please come up with a solution or a different idea from White side…

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Fair enough, but there's nothing wrong with 7.Bb5+ which yields a slight advantage.

What about the Dutch and e4?

If whites last move was e4, do I transpose

back to the French attack now?

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That's a blunder. You can simply take the free pawn and play Nf6. If allowed protect your pawn with pawn d5. If not 0-0. And you have a great game 

i think the idea is to drive you mad and make you blunder, if you trust yourself and go for the free pawn, and you play calm afterwards your opponent will go mad-CHECK 4X FOR BLUNDERS AFTER THIS! and yes, well, he fell into his own trick!

Maybe it is even better to just dont play the Dutch if white plays e4 and than Nf3 ???

(I do not know what to play that is better but it looks like the Dutch is a very bad choice in that particular case)

here the e4 move is very bad because it is free by the way I like nc3 better dont play is as white 👍

Guys when are you gonna update or add an advanced French and Dutch attack? 
thanks 

This move doesn't make sense.  Just play 3…fxe4 with an advantage.

Take e4 and try to defend the center, keep the advantage

Don't play into these opening video traps. Especially at 1100. Focus on the opening principles whenever they deviate and if yuou want, create some mini-plans in your repertoire whenever those moves bother you but DO NOT make it overly complicated. Keep the defense sound until the middlegame and eventually, the endgame.

Do bare in mind that in GingerGM's games come from a level where high opening preparation is absolutely required. On these levels, there are other openings by CM that are better fit on that level + way more prepared to have these deviations. On lower elos i highly doubt one will remember this exact variation and the niches. Stick with tactics, opening principles when the repertoire is deviated, and the endgames. Only then when you go up you focus on specific opening niches, but absolutely not now as they are taking more time for the same improvement you will have if you would focus on the fundamentals. There have been a lot of articles here in CM about those, read them and work on those. 

benko 4.Nf3

I liked your suggestion on d4 Nf6 c4 c5 d5 b5 Nf3 when you suggested b4. but isn't g6 instead of b4 just tranposes to the other lines of benko?

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Possible but 4…b4 is a better move.  Also if your opponent didn't take 4.cxb5 there's a good chance they wouldn't do so in the future.  After 4…g6 5.Qc2 you'd have to play …b4 eventually.

Dear Eliya,

It is a possible alternative, I did recommend b4 in the advanced section as it gives very interesting chances for the fight as well.

Acheived!

CFSL-Gampaha tournament, my first rated game with rated player and  i win, in the end i got 2 points out of 5 against rated players! 4 above 1460(1win 2draw 1 loss) and one above 1597(loss) Just a half point more this year and i get rated!

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👏

Congratulations! 

Nice going, Zaheem.  I guess hard work pays off ; )

thanks

Missed blunder in the Caro-Kann section

Hi, in the “Attack Against Caro-Kann with the Exchange Variation” course, section 5 - 4…Nf6, The transpositions video you did not mention that if the opponent plays 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. Bd3 Nf6 5. c3 Bg4 6. Qb3 Qd7 7. Bf4 e6?? we should not play Nd2, instead we can win a piece by playing 8. Bxb8! if the opponent takes the bishop Rxb8 we win the queen by 9. Bb5

I had missed this chance in my tournament game and ultimately lost the game. 

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Yes, thanks for telling this