Chess forum by Grandmasters

Surprise in the French Defense 7...Qb6!?

At first I though this was a bad move as it was not covered in the course. Later I checked the engine and my response was not a good one as I was worse after couple fo moves.

Somehow I managed to fight back and won in the end.

Full game has been posted on the page 5 in the best December games: The best games of December and the prizes - ChessMood

Replies

Ohh that was a nice game, I liked it.

I don't think this Qb6 can be a good move, because, if he takes on b2, then you're gonna be so ahead in development. I will definitely play for white in that position, and if he doesn't want to take on b2 then the Queen doesn't stays good on b6, because our bishop looks at her :D

Robert, after 7...Qb6 you just to 8.Nbc3. 
if 8...Qb2 9.Rb1 Qa3 10.0-0 with initiative. For example 10...Be7 11.Nb5 Qa5 12.Bf4! 
or 10...Qa5 11.dc5

If 8...cd4 9.Nd4 Bc5 10.Bc6! bc 11.0-0 with Na4 - Black has problems. If 11...Qc7 then Ne6. 

Is there a course for beating 1.Nf3 as black?

This is not covered yet, correct? 

Replies

The best advice to be able to stick to our chessmood openings would be to play 1…c5. Then you are ready to play our accelerated dragon lines after 2.e4, Nc6 …
Or after 2.c4 you play 2…g6, transposing into the English, as recommended by coach Hovhannes Gabuzyan, and after 2.g3 you also play 2…g6, 3.Bg2, Bg7, so that you can transpose into the English again after 4. c4, Nc6 … or after 4.O-O, Nc6, c4 …

Hi Kevin!

After 1. Nf3 as @Didi_Mayer mentioned we are playing with c5. So if e4 it transposes to Sicilian which we are happy to see. If white is trying systems with c4 then you can watch the course of English and will know what to do. As well Maroczy bind is covering another part of white possibilities. And if white is just playing some random setups with g3 you can build positions as we are doing in the English course as well using similar structures.

Crushing d4 Sidelines Course

The pgn file is not quite right. There are 2 'Trampowsky' System and 1 London System and 0 Jobava System, like this:

https://imgur.com/a/rJYLdZF

Replies

Oh, right. Sorry about that. 
And thanks for saying. 

Commented Classic Games Course

I hate to be a cheerleader but this course is a must for every chess player under 2200, just for the ideas alone.  Each game is presented quickly enough that you don’t get bored but goes deep enough so you understand the strategy and tactics and also how the great player deviates from what lesser players might do in the same position.  

Cheers to the GM Avetik who created it.  

Replies

Exactly! I also like this course so much.

Hey Tom, thank you very much! 
Have you started to watch the Attacking games and Endgames? 
I think you should love them too :) 

P.S 
Tom, may I ask you to copy your words and paste into the "review" part of the courses? :) 
https://chessmood.com/course/chess-classical-games 

16000 dpi gaming mouse

I been having problems with my mouse and remembering GM Grigoryan upgraded to a 16000 dpi razer. I also upgraded to a 16000 dpi mouse. I also have a pvc aluminum mouse pad. Do you guys really set the mouse on 16000 dpi the motion of the mouse covers the whole screen moving an inch. The best setting I found is about 3500 dpi without the aluminum mouse pad. I haven’t experimented quite enough with this yet I’m trying to get the feel of the mouse it’s so much different than the $20 version I have been using. Any advice? 

Replies

Hi Brad,

I use it at 10000 dpi. I think that 16000 is too much, but if you get used to it, why not? The problem is getting used to it. I am using the mouse all the day long at 10000 dpi and I have no problem. You just need more practice and start with less dpi, then when you get used to the speed, you can go to the next dpi level if you feel like you need it... I started gradually like this too. Now less than 10000 is slow for me...

Hey Brad! 
I bought it, but later my friend told me that 16.000, only professional gamers use :) 

I'm using now 4000 and slowly starting to add more speed. 
You should find out what is suiting you best. 

Chess.com Game analysis

HI All

Does anyone know the process that chess.com uses when analyzing one's games and establishing a certain "accuracy percentage"?

For example, do Best move and Book move have equal weight, while mistakes, blunders and inaccuracies deduct various values from the total "accuracy percentage"? And maybe brilliant move adds a bonus?

I believe its a decent engine feedback in general....

Replies

I think, only chess.com guys know the answer :) 
It's not standard at all, how they calculate accuracy :) 

Can I completely skip Maroczy Bind and only learn Modern Maroczy?

As Avetik said, Modern Maroczy Bind is a superior than Maroczy Bind. 

To save time, is it fine to only learn Modern Maroczy and skip the Maroczy Bind course?

Am I losing anything. Thank you so much!

Replies

That's a nice question Kevin. I did both courses and I am playing the Modern Maroczy whenever I can. I think that yes, you could skip it but the old maroczy bind has lots of ideas that you can also use in the modern. I watched both but once you enter in the Modern Maroczy everything is covered to the last detail, so yes, I guess that you can. Think of the "old" one like the foundation, and then you go to the Modern, with more concrete variations which require more memorization.

I would at least look at all the videos to get a feeling for the position but learning only the Modern Maroczy seems reasonable. But make sure you understand the reasons what issues the modern Maroczy  attempts to solve.

I recommend learning both, but if you do not, at least watch the standard maroczy videos and grasp the ideas, even if you do not learn the concrete movesin each variation, and only learn modern Maroczy

Thank you, all, for being so helpful!

Hin Kevin,

I believe you will also need to learn the Classic Moroczy Bind , because some move orders from the English oppening will not let you play the Modern Maroczy bind.

Kevin, I would recommend to watch Maroczy Course first, to understand the ideas better, before moving to the modern Maroczy. 
Also, in the Maroczy course, you'll need to learn Maroczy with g3. 

Anyone else have this issue?

The opening courses are very good, GM (Jim) Avetik explains it in detail in bite sizes so it is easy to understand.

But I haven't been creating 'proper' PGN files of the courses I watched, because I didn't want to input a wrong move. Might have some paranoia here.

How do you guys do it? Aren't you worried you'd 'do it wrong' or do you just dive in and it doesn't matter if you don't input it 100% correctly?

Replies

This is my approach

Step 1 (preparation)

First I watch the indroductions and Reviews of the section to get a general Idea of the line. Then I include the the videos' numbers in my pgn-file as a cross refernce and play through the variation allready in the pgn (for the section I am about to watch). 

2) Adding lines in the pgn fule

In case the line is not too complex I add the lines after watching each video with the engine running. For more complex lines I take notes while watching. Usualy I work with two screens. 

I am aware of the articles that recommend to fully concentrate on the content and not to take notes. However, I need good pgn to check my games and to prepare for OTB games (and our tornaments on soecific openings). 

First I watch the episode, then in ChessBase I note as far as I can remember, and then I check if I did it correctly or not.

Hey man! 
Thanks :) 

Have you read the 2 articles about Memorization and creating the PGN files?
These should help. 
https://chessmood.com/blog/how-to-memorize-chess-openings-variations 
https://chessmood.com/blog/the-most-effective-way-to-create-chess-pgn-files  

Scotch Bc5 - 7. ... a5 in our line

Hey,

What's the best way to meet this line?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Bc5 5.Nb3 Bb6 6.Nc3 Nf6 7.Qe2 a5

It's not the main line, but Carlsen has played it. It also seems that Malakhov consistently plays it.

Replies

I think it is important for White to play 8.a4 here (preventing Black from playing 8…a4 himself) and then after 8…O-O, 9.Bg5, h6, 10.Bh4 … (transposing to our recommended chessmood lines), and White must not fear 8…Nb4, 9.Bg5!, h6, Bh4 or 9…O-O, O-O-O with a good game for White

R+B orN vs Q

Hello ChessMood family, I have a question. I have a record of losing many games with my queen against rook+minor piece and I have given below one of my favorite losses. But recently I tried to play the new variant named Automate in chess.com. It is simple to play (though I was two queen down in that game!) just setup up a position and an engine will play for both side. I ended up in a R+B+6P vs Q+7P position. I thought I will lose but then it started repeating moves and eventually drew. Is it really difficult to win? There are many examples where R+B orN vs Q wins.

Replies

Nice puzzle

Hey everyone,

Today one of our ChessMood family member IM David Shahinyan posted a puzzle in our Facebook group, so if you're not there probably you haven't seen that, and btw you should join to see more nice posts there. https://www.facebook.com/groups/chessmood :)

"Dear ChessMood family and chess lovers.

Replies

I found a line which gives advantage to ehite in the long run. 1. Qxb7+ Kxb7  2. Bf3 f5  3. b4 Kc8  4. b5 Bf6  5. b6 Nc4  6. b7+ Kxb7  7. Na5++ Kc7 8. Nxc4 Be7 9. c6 is my evaluation. I also considered 1. Nb8+ or 1. Nb4+ but they don't give to white much.

Benko Gambit 4...a6 5.b6

I can not find 5.b6 in the Benkö gambit repertoire. Would appreciate it if anyone would direct me to the right video.

It is not in the pgn-file either so perhaps it is not covered?

Replies

Hi Göran,

I play d6 and continue development. The pawn is finally captured by the knight: Nb8-d7-b6

For example:

5.b6 d6 6.Nc3 g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Nf3 0-0 9.Bg2 Nbd7 10.0-0 Nxb6 or

5.b6 d6 6.Qb3 Bb7 7.Nc3 Nbd7...

Did you watch it?

https://chessmood.com/course/happy-chess-pieces-the-art-of-keeping-your-chess-army-happy/episode/1489 

Probably the most lovely video of mine from Chessmood.  :) I just don't want people to miss this amazing game! So happy to see it included in courses!

Who has already watch it?

Replies

I had already watched it before Chessmood, but I never get tired of watching it again 

Yes, the whole "Happy Pieces" is outstanding. I knew this game but Avetik's explanations makes it really easy to understand. When I saw it in other books or videos, the explanation was much shorter on the possible opponent moves. When you listen to Avetik's explanations it is clear why this move is possible, and that is something that not so many people can do... I also liked a lot the section on the rooks! Making your rooks happy is wonderful, in my last games, I activate them all the time an many games I see one of my opponent's rook still in the initial square at the end of the game... 

Yeah I saw this too, it an amazing idea :) the course is also amazing.

New course - "Defend with Honor"

Hello, champions! 

I'm happy to announce that GM Johan Hellsten joined ChessMood team and started to record a course about defensive play in chess. 

The first 2 sections are uploaded. 
Enjoy, while others are on their way. ​​
​​
https://chessmood.com/course/chess-defense 

If you have any questions related to the course - feel free to post them here. 

Replies

The picture is amazing :D gonna watch it soon.

I had not watched any content from GM Hellsten before, but now I can say that I like his style as well as the content.

Defense is not generally as well covered as attack in Chess literature. 

Welcome and Thank you GM @Johan_Hellsten and thank you @ChessMood_

Champions, GM Johan Hellsten has added one more section - Blockade! 

Merry Christmas

Hello ChessMood Family, Hello champions! 

From all our team we wish you and your families to have a smile in your souls, and that all our dreams in chess and life come true!

 With love and best wishes, ChessMood team

Replies

Merry christmas to my mentors. Thanks for providing wonderful courses for us. Because of your team I am alive in chess world and working a lot. Thanks and have a wonderful time!!!

Merry Christmas Chessmood family! Thank you for all that you do to help me improve. I am really excited for what is to come in 2021

- Mateo

Merry Christmas Chessmood

Happy new year! Good time to make a new year's to-do list

NEW ARTICLE: The Golden Question You Should Ask Before Resigning

Replies

Helpful article, as usual. Thank you!

I ask a similar question.

I put in the shoes of my opponent and ask/ Is winning this position for me just a matter of technique

If the answer is yes, I resign

one of the best articles that i have ever read for sure , thanks GM Avetik

Awesome Article!

In general I agree with this article as usual but here I feel like it misses one aspect of not resigning. Being a warrior is important and can help you save dozens of points. The same goes for resigning though. By playing a lost position you spend a lot of time and effort which can be physically and emotionally tiring potentially resulting in losing the next game maybe saving 1/2 from the first game but losing a game you expected to win. 

With resigning there are two sides to the coin considering practical play.

My long time rule on this comes in four stages (I am roughly 1950 USCF [pre-covid, I have learned stuff since then] which translates to roughly 1850 FIDE) :

1) At the beginning of the game, regardless of what color I have, I play for the win.

2) As the game goes on and playing for a win becomes too far fetched, then I play to save a draw.

3) When I can no longer find a way to save a draw, I look for a way for my opponent to blow the win and keep playing, keeping in mind time left and opponent's strength.

4) When I can no longer find a way for my opponent to blow the win (same caveats as part 3), then I resign, and I do my best to do so gracefully and not ruin my opponent's joy at winning.

The only real exception to this is when the end is near, and my opponent can mate me in a nice way (i.e. not a mundane checkmate), and then I won't resign and will instead let the mate play out. I take pains to let my opponent know afterwards why I didn't resign so s(he) won't be insulted at my forcing the game to be played to checkmate.

P.S. I have played against some pretty strong youngsters who refused to resign in dead lost positions, and I simply tell myself that a coach somewhere along the line probably told them to "never resign" so instead of getting mad I simply take enough time to make sure I don't move too fast and blunder away my win out of frustration.

f4 Grand Prix variations

Variations (all played by strong players) not covered, and all very likely over the board.

1. e4 c5 2. f4 d5 3. Nc3 - the so called 'toilet variation' - evidently where it was thought up.
 d4 or dxe4 here?

3. Bb5+ - Bd7 is the main move but then maybe Nd7 here to try to transpose to 4. Bb5+ ?

3. d3  - looks dumb after dxe4 dxe4 Qxd1 Kxd1, but Sokolov has been on the White side of this, so is it as bad as it seems?

Even 3. Nf3 has been played, after dxe4 4. Ng5 Nf6 5. Bc4 e6 6. Nc3 White gets the pawn back - but why is Black better after Be7 7. Ncxe4 Nxe4 (unclear if this is right) 8. Nxe4 Nc6 9.c3 and Bc8 might be going to b7, but if it's going to be watching TV the knight has to go to a5 which seems out of play.

Replies

After 3.Nc3 I play... dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6

After 3.Bb5+ I play... Bd7 4.Bxd7 Qxd7

After 3.d3 I play your line

After 3.Nf3 I play... dxe4 4.Ng5 Bf5

Today's puzzle

I'm just in love with today's puzzle! I always wanted to separate which one is the best of all time, and just today I've understood it!

Isn't it the coolest?  

Have you already got your 500 moodcoins? 

Replies

Indeed quite cool puzzle. 

I saw this before, that's why I didn't get much exited, but I remember I was so impressed when I saw it for the first time :D

I got 500 miodcoins starting with Qd5+

Chess originated in ...?

India?

What is your version?

Replies

India or Iran. Each claim to be the origin land and have their evidences... 

I think Europe(Note I am an Indian)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeB-1F-UKO0 -Source

but there are 3 places we should consider 

1st India

2nd Persia

3rd Europe

 The Idea Of the Game Came From The Game of  Chaturanga Which has its origin in *India*

then 

When This Game Reach *Persia*

it Had Very Important Changes/Addition

Like Of Word      šāh māt (the king is dead) As know as CheckMate

And When It Reach *Europe*

It Took the Modern Form As We Know Now

finally, it doesn't matter where or who invented this game 

the thing that matters is to ENJOY This Beautiful Game!

Question in Queen vs Pawns course

In section 5,

38. Dero's puzzle, at 2:34, the move Qc3+ is given and the following maneuver is nice, but it seems  Qb5 is much simpler. What do you guys think?

By the way, great course! The puzzles are no joke ;)

Replies

Is it something that can be checked with a tablebase? You can get Lomonsov 7 piece tablebase app for Android for free.