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Chess forum by Grandmasters
The best games of May, 2025, and the prizes
Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions!
Welcome to the "Best games of May, 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 April, 2025:
Zaid Al-JAY
Edger Schoonhoven
James L.
Samuel Marsden
Nathan Eppel
Replies
https://www.chess.com/game/138025063622
Perfect play against The Caro-Kann!
Ilias_Belhadj vs LamDang: Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation, Rubinstein Variation • lichess.org
https://lichess.org/wM4tiYkgMkHx
https://lichess.org/RhYkJJAc/black#0
simple modern maroczy game
A quick game but ended in a nice rook sacrifice to win the game
Check out this #chess game: ViciousRacoon vs Yawaiot - https://www.chess.com/live/game/138060173472
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138087255936
played by black one of my best king's indian game so far
Just an online blitz game. Nice finish.
https://www.chess.com/game/138088204878
4…Nxd4 Scotch in classical OTB
https://lichess.org/study/asZ7y6Zj/7RcX4e96
https://lichess.org/dTlNoaQG/white#0
strangled opponent in GPA vs pirc
A total domination in The Philidor!
Ilias_Belhadj vs alexey111: Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation • lichess.org.
Not a model game - I forgot what to play in the opening! However it was a tense game and my opponent allowed me to attack his king. Invitation accepted!
nice GPA game
https://lichess.org/Mt1qc3xW/white#0
Schlechter miniature:
https://lichess.org/nC2r6QCpPS1Q
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138203492774?tab=analysis&move=108
First game of ‘I don't care about losing rating- Blitz rating marathon’
Pretty unique piece sacrifice no?
https://lichess.org/OJvvqSOg/white#0
A nice king hunt in a queenless middlegame
https://lichess.org/study/SnHlWENo/Tn5KtmGa
CM Antisicilian
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138293257006?tab=review
Checkmate in the center of the board ;)
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138292044196?tab=review
Caro against Carokann :))
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138295009672?tab=review
Tried b3 against 2400 player! Enjoy
https://lichess.org/oSi9TOI2#17
https://lichess.org/ZNAKStOF/white
Lessons I've learned from this game
1. Anyone can blunder
2. The open file on long castled king can be defended
3. Forgetting the plan of drawing is a good thing
4. Even in a game of many blunders the one who blundered less will win
5. My fav bishop sacrifice works better when the bishop captures the pawn on h6
Maybe that's a lot of lessons, because I hid many more, by many I mean a whole lot more😅
https://lichess.org/MfQcxW4I/black
Nice blitz game where I dominated his queen.
https://lichess.org/U0EERpv9/white
Quick attacking win against the Scandinavian.
Crushing with the Grand Prix in OTB:
https://lichess.org/study/xqVVHdKX/xw9XH49W
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138303305960?username=moonn1234&move=70
Nice game
Smooth win in the Vienna
https://lichess.org/udwIAV4Q/white#139
https://lichess.org/uEHDccy0/black
Playing with all I've learned.
https://lichess.org/RtjhBIQm/white#0
simple wwp with nice mate at the end
Benko against (apparently) an FM, nothing fancy but solid play
https://www.chess.com/live/game/138342709896
https://lichess.org/gwGgiy3R/white#37
https://lichess.org/NtmqprSG/white#0
beautiful attacking game in sicilian Nc3 g6 line
https://lichess.org/UIztgK1E/white#1
My first time facing The Dutch in a very long time and never after 1. Nf3. Until about a month ago, I've been playing 1. e4 since joining Lichess last September. With only one variation prepped that we left after move 2, I was quickly on the ropes. But, I kept the right mood and I'm pretty sure that by move #27, I was being sweared at : )
https://lichess.org/AThpvjuV/black#0
nice tactical game
https://lichess.org/h8wpM1A1ttD4 tactics was made in the games
https://lichess.org/Lr9JbtUhlFNv nice game here
wanted to try a new opening but had to go with this way, I really blundered few times but my mouse has really been slippy, I was seeing what would it be if i had it here and woops, Even after those i managed to win!
https://www.chess.com/game/138407566386
Black's 23th move makes this unforgettable:
https://lichess.org/JmP4gjiktDkk
https://lichess.org/wYTBP9kU/black#0
nice positional game in closed sicilian with 2 positional pawn sacs
Awesome french attack
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138432095366?move=0
Thank you Chessmood family!
https://lichess.org/s3yuDFkhei7u
the perfect accuracy game from both sides!
White Sicilian smooth win. Looks like I had seen all this in your course and streams. Thanks!
https://lichess.org/abWZtTwt/white#0
Pawn grabbing is being punished in the Schlechter French:
https://lichess.org/pxAu3Muebl3B
I followed the principles laid out in the openings course for grand prix attack, and got a great position😁
https://lichess.org/YLWGzl2B/white#47
I put pressure on the king, while sacrificing a few pieces that led to a checkmate.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138486426576
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138537151532?move=1
I started the SLP course tonight. Earlier this afternoon, someone had switched into SLP Mode on me after I won their knight. But, I had just finished Spartan Shield this morning, so I did not panic. Instead I mobilized and offered trades! I woefully recall fumbling several games after gaining material and the opponent going for my throat, but no longer. My shieldwall awaits the berserkers!
1. e4 1... c5 2. Nf3 2... e6 3. d4 3... cxd4 4. Nxd4 4... a6 5. Be2 5... Qc7 6. O-O 6... Nf6 7. Nc3 7... Be7 8. f4 8... d6 9. a4 9... Nbd7 10. Bf3 10... O-O 11. a5 11... Rb8 12. g4 12... b5 13. axb6 13... Nxb6 14. g5 14... Nfd7 15. Bg2 15... Re8 16. f5 16... Bf8 17. Rf3 17... g6 18. h4 18... exf5 19. exf5 19... Bb7 20. Rf2 20... Bxg2 21. Kxg2 21... Nc4 22. b3 22... Ne3+ 23. Bxe3 23... Qxc3 24. Bf4 24... Rb4 25. Ra4 25... Rxa4 26. bxa4 26... Re4 27. Ne2 27... Qc6 28. Kh2 28... Ne5 29. Ng3 29... Rxa4 30. h5 30... Qc5 31. Kg2 31... Rd4 32. Qe2 32... Qc6+ 33. Kh3 33... Qa4 34. Bxe5 34... dxe5 35. Qxe5 35... gxh5 36. Qe2 36... Rh4+ 37. Kg2 37... Rg4 38. Kh3 38... Bd6 39. Nf1 39... Rxg5 40. c4 40... Qc6 41. Rf3 41... h6 42. Nd2 42... Rg4 43. Qe3 43... Bf4 44. Qe4 44... Qf6 45. Qe1 45... Bxd2 0-1
I was black in this game as a 1900 playing in a fide-rated OTB tournament against a 2200+ FM in FIDE rating. This tournament was a success for me and I raised 90 rating points in this one alone, and over 200 in the past 3 tournaments, and this was my highest rated victory from them with some good defensive moves in the opening and taking advantage of a mistake and infiltrating the position with my major pieces (although not with a ChessMood opening, sorry 😅)
my opp tried to outsmart me in the main line of a4 benko but i outsmarted him!!
https://lichess.org/QX6EzEQ9/black
https://lichess.org/A3nMjFpv/black#0
King in center, I attack it.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138569646944
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138570351004
https://lichess.org/FikX28Cx
OTB, 70+15. I asked which of my pieces were unhappy, and was rather pleased to find 16.Nb1.
https://lichess.org/study/i61uh7Re
Another interesting Schlechter French:
https://lichess.org/hDXQ1rV30D5Y
Black played it really well up to a certain point.
A French Attack, McCutcheon variation. I was pleased to decline the draw offer on move 29 and stay focused on trying to get the full point:
https://chessdrop.com/games/dbe21844-c62e-452e-97f9-25aafc765bac
Let's go !
Positional victory vs. the Caro-Kann:
https://lichess.org/21p2naxn67YK
Another crushing victory in the Schlechter French:
https://lichess.org/eSROueAoNv83
Nothing special, just instructive how I slowly built up my attack.
https://lichess.org/i31umgOV/white#0
Attack like a Viking:
https://lichess.org/U1Xtscu1Aq0W
Thank you to my lichess friends for introducing me to these arenas and thank you chessmood family for teaching me how to play properly, my rating has increased rapidly,
https://lichess.org/pUyLrjFa#1
https://lichess.org/RjuWZJeQ/white#0
nice game trapping opponent's queen
https://lichess.org/phre5Yse/white
https://lichess.org/ZEIztxgx/black#0
Nd2 from me looks like a great move in this game, and this is also the French Attack line taught by GM Avetik.
a nice short win
Planless play by my opponent in the exchange caro-kann punished
https://lichess.org/OwebfOJp/white#0
After having played the simplified openings reaching 2100 on Lichess I have just started the “step by step” (more advanced) openings and this my first experience in the Maroczy against a for me relative high rated player. I would play differently now (move 15 e6 not really necessary) but the computer analyses shows no blunders and only one slight mistake.
https://lichess.org/vcxi0Zmv/black#42
https://www.chess.com/game/138793619640
https://lichess.org/pkMy0Cq5/black#49
French 3 Nc3 variation, 96% accuracy no mistakes, probably my best game in this line.
r1bqk2r/pppp1ppp/5n2/1B1Nb3/4P3/8/PPP2PPP/R1BQK2R b KQkq - 1 8 Great game with nice precision
My insanely brilliant, unintentional Queen blunder that drew vs GM Gabuzyan 😂 Enjoy!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/142408208789
I played online. I played as black. Time control was blitz(5min).
https://lichess.org/hQFWl3w9
I lightly won this game. There are no inaccuracy, mistake, blunder.
Here's my game.I play as White.
https://lichess.org/4mVxVvja/black
a plan that was mentioned in by avetik was executed properly!
Nice accelerated dragon game (playing as black)
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138959530856?move=0
I was playing with black. I think, that was a nice game showing why You shoudn't move the queen too much in the opening. It's nice to see black having advantage while being down 3 pawns. Beside 1 mistake quite good game with nice mate.
Catching opponent's queen in a very crazy Alekhine Four Pawns. My 8.d6 turned out to be a huge a blunder, allowing Black to win my rook, but that's where the fireworks started: so looking back, I don't mind my blunder at all :))
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138967168496?move=0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/138970400700
Dear all, a nice french attack, delayed castling
https://lichess.org/cYSBtsym/black
br
https://lichess.org/9RJcqyHU1yf9
I understand if you say i didnt play well or opponent dint play properly but i think i did great
https://lichess.org/ikMw8tkT/black
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/139020274632?tab=review
i loved this game, first day of -rapid reckless play-
https://lichess.org/5B7kv8QU/white#0
What we can call “Butchering The Sicilian”!
Ilias_Belhadj vs batt6868: Sicilian Defense: Closed • lichess.org.
https://www.chess.com/game/139035741144
https://www.chess.com/game/live/139039546202
a nice trap on our chessmood French
opening
The Bowdler getting bowled over
https://www.chess.com/game/live/139043001548
After a month of ChessMood courses, I don't think my chess has ever been stronger. In fact, just today I managed to beat the highest rated opponent that I have ever bested on Lichess. I was going for outposts, targeting weak pawns, fighting for and blocking files, even invading the opponent's camp. I was never without a plan. I'm punching well above my weight. Thanks so much!
https://lichess.org/Vb1dlUQs/black#1
The blitz marathon, today i think i went with rocket boots all the way from 560odd to 700
https://www.chess.com/game/live/142986609469
https://lichess.org/5mwPfHxc/white
To me, this game feels like “Life of the Immortal King”.
Short Scotch game
https://lichess.org/tQaT4cqc/white#45
SLP mode with full potential 😁.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/139046653042?move=0
Scotch
https://www.chess.com/game/live/139037822384
Accelarated dragon - tactic picking up 2 extra pawns converting in the endgame with opposite color bishops
https://lichess.org/26uRVevN/black#78
Nice tactic at the end
https://www.chess.com/game/live/137992883612
https://lichess.org/broadcast/3rd-cambridge-international-2025/round-9/nkeE6KfB/rv5l6Ygl
https://lichess.org/broadcast/3rd-cambridge-international-2025/round-2/Gdi1jv4j/Ybfj3CwS
Seemingly natural move appears a blunder on move 15 in a fianchetto Caro Kann. One blunder leading to the next one to finish the game.
https://lichess.org/XTz9ITT0/white#0
Thank you that there is a utensil and a tactic called a skewer.
https://www.chess.com/game/139094686082
Thank you Hovhannes for the english course!
https://lichess.org/GHziU9So/black#0
Perhaps more for June best games by now but it shows punishment for being to greedy in the Rossolimo
https://lichess.org/mO1kHqsD/black#0
Hello champions,
How are you all doing? Thank you for sharing your best games! You played some amazing moves and gave us plenty of reasons to smile 😊 We enjoyed going through the games and are happy to see your growth. Keep it up!
Now, on to the prizes…
1st Prize: Vladimir Bugayev. Checkmating the King in the center of the board in just 20 moves? Brutal! The final 8 moves being all checks was especially impressive. Well done!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138292044196?tab=analysis&move=38
2nd prize: Samuel Marsden. A perfect attacking game with your pieces flying across the board. Smooth and crushing victory in the Sicilian 2.Nc3 g6 line. Nicely done!
https://lichess.org/NtmqprSG/white#49
3rd Prize: Paul Ward. A fantastic game in the French Attack! Your ideas were clear and well-executed, making the win look effortless. Great job!
https://lichess.org/pkMy0Cq5/black#43
4th prize: A Guy Who Plays Chess. You played excellent attacking chess 😊 The buildup was instructive, and the finish with Bg6 followed by the Queen maneuver was pure class. Nicely played!
https://lichess.org/i31umgOV/white#55
5th prize: Norbert R. A model game in the 4…Bc5 Scotch! You built the attack step-by-step and finished it off convincingly. Well done!
https://lichess.org/FikX28Cx#65
Congratulations to all of you!
Thank you once again to everyone for sharing your games.
Wish you good luck for the next month’s contest.
Dutch Attack
i played this line as black and had difficulties from the opening where did i miss or i did not play the line correctly
1c4,e6
2g3,f5
3Nf3,Nf6
4Bg2,d5
50-0,Bd6
6Nc3,c6
7d3,0-0
8e4,Bc7
9cxd5.cxd5
10e5,Nfd7
11Bf4,Nc6
12Qe2,Nb6
13Rab1,Bd7
14b4,Be8
15b5,Ne7
16Nd4,Bf7
17Bd2,Qb8
18f4,Rc8
19Kh1,Nd7
20Rfc1,Nxd5
21Be3,Ba5
22Na4,Rxc1+
23Rxc1,Qd8
24Nb3,Bc7
25Nac5,Nxc5
26Nxc5,Rb8
27Bd4.Bb6
28Bf3,Rc8
29Kg2,Rc7
30Rc3,Qc8 then we drew
30Rc3,Qc7 then we drew
Replies
Hey there.
Instead of 6…c6 I would recommend castling, and if 7.d4, it's a clear transition to Stonewall. If 7.d3, you can play with dxc4 - dxc4 - Nc6 followed by e5 and fighting for the center.
Good luck!
What to do against 1.d4 e6 2.a3 f5 3.e4?
What to do against 1.d4 e6 2.a3 f5 3.e4 when the pawn on a3 prevents Bb4 ideas?
Replies
Hahah - 2.a3 :-)
That's a funny idea, but I see that it has a point in stopping Bb4. The downside is that it's a time waste!
I checked, and capturing the pawn on e4 is the best idea. If Nc3 - Nf6 -Bg5 d5!
Checked with the engine and Black is doing well enough :-)
Advanced anti-sicilian question (Part 2)
Dear chessmood.
Question on the anti-sicilan advanced line when black plays e6 on the third move which happened recently twice. 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 *
Hybrid between the Anti -sicilian Part 2 and Part 3 in reality)
Normally we get structures with bishop taking the knight on c6 with f4 and d3 for white to follow. However as per the attached game white is “late” and allows for a lot of counterplay with the d5 and c4 push in combination with the Bishop on a6 development for black (as also explained by Avetik but in another move order) . See my attached game.
https://lichess.org/tDTtae8s/white#5
Analysing with the computer a suggestion is to play the position after the Bc6 capture with a quick d3 and Nf3 development and not include the f4 pawn push.
However this is not in line with the variations usually suggested (but then again this might be an exception)
I could not find any coverage in the model games hence me reaching out for your suggestion.
Thanks in advance.
Edger (Teolo1)
Replies
Dear Edger,
The main mistake you have made was to play b3 after c4 that allowed cxd3 and Bishop on a6 activated.
It’s poss to play with dxc4 Bxc4 Ne5 or d4 after c4 - both leading to interesting playable positions.
Help
hey avo ,
i am recent student(from india) from chess vibes ,the one month i spent here was very worthy
and i really want to get the subcribtion rn but i have an huge finincial issue ,
i dont know if i can tell or not but i m telling
i just completed boards , for class 11 and 12 , my family has spent around 15-20 lakhs now we r tight for money , so we can afford the membership ,
i suggest to give this offer like this one after 2 years (after jee advanced - which i m gonna cook) for people like me
Replies
Sad mood
Hi there, CM family
Yesterday I played a game OTB. I felt sad all day for some personal issues. But I decided to play my best chess. I managed to overcome my mood and played quite well. The game was won for me, I got my opponent ready to resign. And then suddenly I Lost all my Will to play, my Will to win. I missed a mate in one in my favor that would have give me the win inmmediately. But I still had clear advantage. But not any Will to win. My opponent was very short on the clock and I got plenty of time to play carefully, without any rush. We finished in a draw by perpetual checks, all because of my sad mood and my lack of Will to win. I did'nt like that version of myself yesterday. Hace you even gobe through a similar situation?
Replies
My mood definitely impacts my chess and it has ups and downs. When my personal life is going well, my rating soars. However, when it is not, I don't find good moves and am easily distracted. Sometimes when I'm down, I don't feel like playing chess at all. Learning to cultivate happiness is a very important blunderproofing skill. I have learned that happiness is best created rather than found. This skill will also enhance all your relationships. Forgiving yourself for not being at your best due to poor mood is also important, so you don't escalate into negative self-talk, which lowers mood even further.
chessmood openings pgn files
�😕�
Hello can anyone help me out please?
- I am working my way through the chessmood openings for white. Is it possible to print out the pgn files with the homework for each opening?
- Whilst trying to work out how to print these, I have accidently lost/deleted the right hand panel with all the lines on and for each opening just have a large board in the middle. How can I get the right hand panel with them on back again? I have tried logging out and logging back in again. I lost them by stupidly pressing the X button just below the chessbase menu in the top right hand corner.
Thank you
Paul
Replies
Hi Paul,
You just need to go to the View ribbon on Chessbase and click Notation.
Another option would be to load on of the standard layouts by default. Also in the view tab.
It was not a problem on the pgns, you just close the notation panel. You just bring it back.
😃
Hello. Can someone help me stop the Blackburne-Kloosterboer gambit in the Scandinavian defense?
Hola. ¿Alguien puede ayudarme a detener el gambito Blackburne-Kloosterboer en la defensa escandinava?
Replies
Dear Merlin,
The gambit is not really dangerous, and GM Avetik covered ideas on how to play against it, in the advanced Scandinavian course for 2000+ rated players.
But there is also a solution to play 3.d4 - and after cxd5 4.Bd3 with a clear transition to the Caro-Cann opening.
As well the opponent who tries to play the gambit might be upset to get a regular Caro variation.
Good luck :-)
Target rating reached!
When I first started playing I set myself a development target of reaching 1,000 on Chess.com. At the time I had no idea how realistic this was or how long it would take but since I was in no hurry that wasn't an issue. (I realise most of you probably reached this level so long ago that you don't even remember it but for me, it feels like an important first step in my chess learning journey)
Well, today I reached my target! 😎
Thank you to the ChessMood team (especially Avo and Lily) and to everybody here who helps to answer my queries.
Replies
Congratulations! What's the next goal?
Every goal is important , you should be proud of yourself for attaining it ! Congrats 👏
Congrats on reaching this milestone! I guess your chess muscles are growing stronger.
🥳 Congrats
Congrats :-)
Well done!
Hold on wasn’t this posted 7 months ago?
PGN databases from courses
Hello!, I really liked the courses, they are very instructive for me. Where can I find the PGN database of the games presented in the courses? The only pgn file I found is the one for the variant tree.
Thanks!
Replies
You have to watch the course and create a PGN or edit the one provided. I would recommend that you load them into Chessable or ChessTempo to train on the lines. It’s like playing a bot, but you will definitely learn the lines and tactics in the position if you watch the course closely.
Course Progress Reset?
Is there a way to reset/delete my progress on one (or all) courses. Running through a course the second time it is very difficult to keep track of where I am at as all sections are already marked as complete.
Replies
You just select the square and it will unmark it. Go through again and unmarked it where you stop.
New article: The Rating Obsession: Why It's Ruining Your Progress
You study, you play, you grind… but every time your rating drops, it feels like a punch in the gut. Sound familiar?
The truth is, rating obsession is ruining your progress.
In this eye-opening article, GM Gabuzyan reveals why rating anxiety is one of the biggest roadblocks in chess—and what you need to focus on instead:
https://chessmood.com/blog/the-rating-obsession-ruining-your-progress
Replies
Yes, yes and yes! This year I took a new vow not to look at my rating. I am managing it - I play games wherever possible without knowing my opponent's rating before or after the match. And without looking up my own unless I absolutely have to for some admin purpose. I will treat myself at the end of the season to see where I am at. And honestly, I don't even really care exactly what it says because I know I am a stronger player than a year ago from everything I can feel.
It is very liberating for the goal of each game to be just put your best effort in and learn something from it. Exactly as you wrote, whatever you are, and whatever you become, that will be visible by the rating reflecting it later. But you can't get there by looking over your shoulder - only forwards !
Thank you for this important article!
Great article, GM Gabuzyan, thanks! Yes, almost all of us amateurs have a very unhealthy obsession with our rating. It's the same with golfers, and others too, so it must be part of human nature.
The deeper issue is fear of loss of status, both in our own eyes, and in the eyes of others. Probably many (most?) of our impediments to improvement at chess are due to fears of one kind or another.
Thanks for the good advice on how to cope with our fears!
Wow, you must be a mind reader, I am going through the same mind field. Afraid to play so I would not drop. Mistake because then you tilt. OUCH. Great article hit the spot, strength not numbers. Thank you. Prayer answered, May Jesus bless all you do. You have a great gift
Just the kick up the backside I needed. Few games later new highest rating 👌. Cheers pal.
Dear Sarah, thanks for kind words :-)
Beginners black opening continuation (e.g. Sicilian Gambit)
Having done the excellent Rise of the Champions, I'm interested in finding out a bit more on the opening gambits. For example the Sicilian Gambit for black; what happens when the opponent doesn't take the gambit? What are the other key ideas?
From what I can tell the next level up course is the full black repertoire with 1.e6. BlackMood openings. Is there any more content looking deeper on the opening gambits from Rise of the Champions?
Many thanks!
Replies
Caro Kann 5..g6
Hi,
where can I find 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Bd3 Nc6 5.c3 and now
5..g6. So far, I only found g6 in connection with Nf6, but in the mentioned move order black has the Nh6 option, additionally. I faced this line as white
in a tournament game yesterday.
Thank you!
Replies
Dear Thomas,
The I didn't find the mentioned sequence either, to be honest that Nh6 idea seems bit unusual, if you can post a position which feels uncomfortable and you don't know what to do, I will try to help :-)
French Tarrach 3.Nd2
In the short black opening version it says after 3.Nd2 Nc6 4.Ngf3 Nf6, ,,, that there is more to see/study in the main course. But I cannot find the Main course - where do I find it (I only find black playing sicilian, caro-cann and a few more,)?
Replies
Dear Erik,
After finishing the courses that we are doing now on middlegame and endgame, we will go back to openings, publishing the Main course of the French attack which will be a complete repertoire targeted for advanced players. At the moment, there is only the French Attack course, which is enough to start playing it and get a good feel for it until 2000 rating.
Of course since it is a practical repertoire the lines are not analyzed deeply in purpose.
If you are an advanced player and are very interested in this line, I would recommend you in the meanwhile the fantastic book by Dmitry Kryakvin The Modern French Volume 1 Tarrasch and Various Lines from 2020 where he also teaches this line with Nd2 and Nc6 and has very good analysis.?
Error in the daily puzzle
The correct solution was rejected on the third move. The engine took my side.
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Same with the move was Rg3, but it was rejected. And I really tought that was the answer so I looked on the engine and it said that it was right.
PS: You mean the puzzle of 13 March 2025 right?
Hello. I think it's a bug. In fact, the third move is the only one which saves the day and the problem is based on it. They'll fix it. :-)
Same for me lol.
First time using the engine and it confirmed. I just think it's some sort of bug.
Thank you guys!
It has been fixed!
Yes, I get the same problem. Does not someone in the chessmood team not do the daily puzzles to improve their own game? This way errors would be seen quickly.
Thank you guys!
The issue has been solved.
🙃
Today the puzzle is bad again after Nc3 c1=Q d4+ cxd3 e.p.
Here comes my first point you can play both Kd7+ and Kb7+ and for some reason only Kd7+ is good.
My second point is that after Kd7+ Kb4 Na2+ and Nd5+ wins and only Nd5+ is good.
So please Chessmood team do puzzles that only have one possible solution otherwise some people will get it wrong!
Daily puzzle
Today’s puzzle is broken again - Nf6 works just as well as the solution given.
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Actually it dosent:
After Nf6, Qg1!
Now Re8+ Kg7
Rg8+ Kh6
taking the queen is stalemate.
The best after Qg1 is to play Nh5, and after Qg8, We are back to the original position.
This is a repetition of moves and it still wins, but in terms of puzzle solving, it is considered incorrect.
Hope this helps!
This is a classical example of “why you shouldn't always trust the engine". 🙂
My second game against the sicilian !
🤩
Second game i play against the sicilian with the grand prix attack and i found a brilliant knight sac !
The rest is far from perfect though but still proud and happy to put the chessmood teachings in action.
https://www.chess.com/game/138876879614
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GM Avetik visits Northern California! (USA)
Thank you GM Avetik for an enjoyable Sunday! 🙂
Especially GM Avetik and Andre doing squats! 🙂
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That looks like such a fun event! Both of them seem like great guys.
wow
Algeria (it's in North Africa)
ChessMood Black Openings
I'm 77 years old and only took up chess seriously a few years ago. My chosen Black repertoire before joining ChessMood was Caro Kann against e4 & KID against d4 & everything else. I have resisted the preferred ChessMood Black opening repertoire as, at my age, I didn't want to learn yet another opening. However, whilst I've had some success with the Caro I am unhappy with the games I get with the KID. So, reluctantly, I'm going to try to learn the French & Dutch 'Attacks'. Two questions:
- How easy will these be to learn?
- What is the best software to print out the pgns from the course?
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Dear Reg,
Have you already used your 1-1 call option?
