Chess forum by Grandmasters
I was thinking to sharpen things up with svesnikov and Modern Benoni
Hi All and especially coach Avetik!!!
What do you all think about me keeping the white repertoire like the chessmood courses but sharpening black. I would do this by Keeping answers to sidelines and playing Sveshnikov and Modern Benoni. Sveshnikov has less theory and many correspondance players play it and have new Ideas. Modern Benoni is just sharper then Benko!
I would keep Benko though as it is easier to play then Modern Benoni and I have met Pal Benko and played blitz vs him (He played 1.e4 as white!!! to my then Kan sicilian, forgot what he played to my 1.e4!!) we did play quite a few games!! And I have a ton of material to study with acclerated dragon which I like to have. But think Sveshnikov is sharper and I have better ideas in sharp positions. So I work on more positional positions more. Anyway, I know both the svesh. and MB (Modern Benoni) have more theory. Don't mind as I know them. Not all theory but always studying.
Thank you champions for your comments!,
Marc Sicina
Replies
Hey Marc!
You should check out this webinar, which you have missed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuKZFMuULwk
So you will know what are the best openings :)
MB and Benko both are fine. Modern Benoni is harder to learn and it's good for 2200+ players.
Below 2200 Benko is best
All Sicilians are fine too. Acc. Dragon is easier to learn :)
scandy, Pircy, and Aly!!
Hi, when will we see videos on scandanavian, Pirc/modern (was thinking 4.Bg5!!) and Alekhine (exchange with Qf3 vs ed and Nc3, Rc1 b3 0-0 ect vs cd??!!!!!)
Thanks Marc
Replies
Hey Marc!
We are working on them, hopefully this month.
Game 57
White to move: Find a plan.
Replies
Game 57)
The Be7 is a good piece for Black, it controls important squares c5 and g5., it's a good idea to exchange it against our bishop via c5, to achieve a position with Nc5 and Nd4 in a first time... My only problem is : I don't want my opponent play ...d5-d4 even giving a pawn but offering new life to the Bb7 (to play with ...Ng6-h4 or ...h4-h3). Maybe the simple 1.Nb3 Rb8 2.Bc5 Bc5 3.Nc5 d4 is problematic for White... So I want to improve the placement of my pieces before proceeding to this exchange. Like 1.Qd2-Nce2-Rc2-Rfc1, I have not to hurry.
Sicilian Nc3 Part 1
Sicilian with 2.Nc3.
I played this for the first time ever in a 15 +15 game on Lichess.
I later check the opening files to see where I had deviated from the recommendations, but I could not find anything that dealt with the situation where Black does not play g6 with then Bg7 but rather goes e6 and Be7 as in this game.
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.f4 Nc6 4.Nf3 e6 5.Bc4 Be7 6.O-O Nf6 7.Qe1 O-O 8.a3 Nh5 9.d3 a6 10.e5 d5 11.Ba2 c4 12.dxc4 Bc5+ 13.Kh1 Nd4 14.Nxd4 Bxd4 15.g4 Nf6 16.exf6 Qxf6 17.cxd5 exd5 18.Nxd5 Qc6 19.Qe4 Kh8 20.Qxd4 Bxg4 21.Rg1 Bf3+ 22.Rg2 f6 23.Kg1 Rad8 24.Rd2 Qd6 25.Qb6 Qd7 26.Qc7 Qg4+ 27.Kf2 Rfe8 28.Ne3 Rxd2+ 29.Bxd2 Rxe3 30.Qd8+ 1-0
Replies
Hey Derek!
Overall nice game.
When black plays with e6, the best is Bb5, with the idea to change the Knight on c6, which is fighting for the center, controlling the d4 square. And then we go d3, 0-0 and typical attack.
Closed Webinar - Typical mistakes
HeyChampions! Here is the link that you asked me to share
https://lichess.org/study/vvgTJ0Jo
Replies
Thank You!
Question 1. What to play against a5,a4, Ra5 plan.
Mr. Pascual, I think 10.Nc3 is fine. If Ba6 just 11.b3.
If 10...a4 11.Bd2! Profelaktik against Ra5.
Now if Ra5, we have 12.f4 and against d6, we have 13.Ne4! Now, Ra5 is hanging and ed with Nd6.
Now both- e5 and f5 are interesting.
If you are not fine with draw against cheater or GM, you can go with 12.Nf3!? or 11.e5! with attack. Engine shows that Black is ok, but for human, it's a very unpleasant position.
Game 56
Torre Attack, a similar position to the previous games, but Black has not castled yet.
Any difference? How to continue? Black to move.
Replies
Game 56)
Black had not given King's address, and it's a good thing... White had given his King's address, and it's a very bad thing... So the White King becomes statically weak. Black King can castle Queenside, where he is perfectly safe. Additionally, Ra8 will play on the g-line for example. Let's begin with 1...g5 2.Bg3 h5 fighting against White's Bishop and trying to open somme lines on the White's King. Then ...Qc7-0-0-0 and Rg8...
Sicilian Sidelines questions and feedback
Hi,
I recently joined this community. I love the great content and really like your repertoire choices.
Studying the Sicilian Sidelines course, I have some questions and feedback which I thought I'd share:
1. After 1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5, which setup do you recommend against 3.Nc3? (Unlike 1.e4 c5 2.g3 d5 3.Nc3, 1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 3.Nc3 isn't discussed.)
2. I've had many online blitz games with 1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5 3.e5 Nc6 over the years. My opponents almost always play 4.Bb5 (or 4.c3) instead of 4.Nf3 here, presumably to avoid 4...Bg4. Which setup do you recommend here?
3. Which setup do you recommend against 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 that is compatible with the accelerated Dragon?
4. Which setup do you recommend against 1.e4 c5 2.Na3?
5. The last video of section 3 says that a summary of all three sections (and a surprise) follows, but I can't find such a summary.
6. In the line 1.e4 c5 2.b4 cxb4 3.a3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Nf3 e5 6.Bb2 Nc6 7.axb4 Bxb4 8.Nc3 Bxc3 9.Bxc3, the author says that 9...Nf6 is answered with 10.Rb1 followed by 11.Bb5. While this makes sense to me strategically, 10.Rb1 is a losing move according to engines.
7. In the line 1.e4 c5 2.b4 cxb4 3.a3 d5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Nf3 e5 6.Bb2 Nc6 7.c4 bxc3 8.Nxc3, 8...Qe6 is a bad move according to engines.
Keep up the good work!
-Peter
Replies
Hello Peter ! Thank you for such a detailed questions, as I feel you really studied very deep the course that I prepared, and I am superexcited about it! So lets start with your qeustions.
1) After 1 E4 C5 2 F4 D5 3 Nc3 is not a great move, as after simply Dxe4 and Kxe4 f4 move is terribly weakening white king! There are different opportunities, I really nike Nf6 and if White takes just Exf6 , with a strong d4 square under control and safe kingside!
2) Bb5 is not a really dangerous move, my Suggestion will be to play Qb6 and try to take on c6 with a Queen. Also in many positions Q on b6 is very well placed, it controls G1-A7 diagonal and keeps d4 square under pressure.
3) Well, I provided detailed variations with 2 nd move d6, as I am Najdorf player I have to play 2 nd move d6, as if I play nc6, my opponents can go with nf3 and d4 and I will not get Najdorf anymore.
4) Haha :) scary Na3 )))) Well , sometimes to understand how to react oagainst rare moves, lets understand why those moves are rare! Usually Nigh on c3 is controlling more or less d5 square, and here night isn't on c3 so what I do like is to play nf6. if e5 nd5 , or if d3 to play d5!
5) Thank you for noticing! Conclusion for chapter 3 is added , but for the whole course is not, It will be fixed shortly.
6) Well Rb1 is not the best move for sure, but if you go a little bit deeper into the video, you will realize that I am trying to promote Ne7 ! move trying to explain positional ideas of that move)) The idea of my course not only provide computer analysis, as it can do anyone with 2100 elo)) My main goal is to explain moves and positional ideas, which is way more valuable for players who are trying to learn some oppenings)
7) Well at the moment Qe6 is not the first line according to engine, But ( there is always but), Its almost impossible for engine to figure out the strongest moves out of the openning, and usually line evaluations are being changes later. I went super deep through this position, and I really think set up with Qe6 is the best , as playing after is easier. Sometimes its better to choose the line when it is easier to play as a Human. Also if you are really worried about engine evaluation, you can check positions later, and see that black absolutely has no problems!
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to ask me!
GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes.
Game 55
How do you access the position? What plan to choose?
Replies
Game 55)
A difficult one ! White is better : weak King in g7 (statically speaking), two White Bishops are better than Black, Nd4 is a strong piece, White has an advantage in space on the Kingside... There is no direct win, but so far so good. Black can threaten the pseudo weakness on a4, but in this case, White can manage... 1.Qf4 to defend a4 tactically, to penetrate on h6 if Black's Rook is moving, and preparing Rook lift Re3-Rf3... 1...Qe8 2.Re3 Na4? 3.Ba4 Ba4 4.Ra4 Qa4 5.Ne6 +-. Obviously, Black will not fall into this trap, but the pressure on f7 will bother him. If Black is waiting, maybe White can imagine to play b4-b5-Kf1-Ke2-Rg1-g4
Game54 Torre Attack
Position 1 - How to start the attack?
Position 2- How to crush black's position?
Replies
Game 54)
1. It seems Black had castled too early again. It's possible to start with 1.h4 as Tigran Peterosian did against Liublinsky. This move allows to open h-file attacking h7, and the rook lift Rh3-g3 if necessary... 1.h4 helps Nd2 to come to g5.
2. 1.Nh7 is crushing 1...Kh7 2.hg6 fg6 3.Ng6 Bg6 4.Rg6 Kh8 5.Be5 threatening 6.Qh5... 1...Nh7 2.hg6 fg6 3.Ng6 Bg6 4.Rg6 Kh8 (4...Kf7 5.Qh5) 5.Be5 (5.Qh5 Rf4 6.Re6 Rh4) ...Bf6 (5...Nf6 6.Qh5 mate) (5...Rf6 6.Rh6 xh7) 6.Rf6 Rf6 (6...Nf6 7.Qh5 Kg8 8.Qg6 Kh8 9.Qh7 mate) 7.Qh5 with the ideas 8.Qh7 and 8.Bf6 +-
Next Games...
Next games... May we please use lichess next time. I have nothing but trouble with chess.com... my challenge requests never go through. It drops my connection when they do. I never even see the resign option. I really don’t understand the site it’s so screwy.
Replies
It never allows me to follow current games being played to observe as well.
Sure, Brad! No problem
Rossolimo 4. 0-0
Great video series on the Rossolimo against 4. Bc6. What do you recommend if white plays 4. 0-0 instead?
IM Christof Sielecki in his book Keep it simple 1.e4 recommended 4. 0-0 and after 4...Bg7 he recommends 5. Re1.
I have been getting this variation over the board much more frequently than 4. Bc6 against 1900+ players and I am not sure what to do with black.
Replies
1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. 0-0
Hi John, I will add soon it in the course. We will play with Nf6.
1-1 Blitz Games with GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes
Hey Champions!
We have good news for you!
Tomorrow, on July 24, you can play 1-1 blitz games with GM Gabuzyan Hovhannes!
If you want to participate in this event, in the comment section, please write your nickname of chess.com and your preferred time control (5+0, 3+0 or 3+2).
First come, first served :) Who comments the 1st - he plays the 1st game :)
Replies
Jayzorac - 5+0
SpirocheteXIII 5+0
What time will this take place? I don't want to sign up if I'll be working :)
Superren 5+0
Chess.com username: caterpillargang
preference: 3+2
bchowdhury , 5+0
Rogerrein 5+0
SuperBubbleBee 5+0
bank2010
3+0
5+0
Yaqeen
London System
What do you recommend against the London?
In a recent game, my opponent played 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6 3.Nc3 and as Black I got a bad position out of the opening. What do you recommend here?
Replies
Hm...
I will add soon it at d4 sidelines!
https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/how-to-beat-the-london-system is an earlier post on this topic.
I play the King's Indian a lot and when I face the Accelerated London move order my prefered lines are as follows:
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6 [Also interesting is 2...c5 3.d5 d6 4.Nc3 e5! Exploiting the Bishop placement on f4 and leading to a very reliable game for Black.] 3.Nc3 d5 4.e3 Bg7 5.h4!? [The most challenging option and the one recommended most by authors] 0-0 [Also possible is 5...h5!? 6.Nf3 0-0 7.Be2 c5 with good counterplay] 6.h5 c5! 7.hxg6 hxg6 Black is fine in the coming complications.
The London system has become incredibly popular at all levels and many acceptable ways have been found for Black to meet it, however, for King's Indian, Benko and Benoni fans the above lines seem the most appealing in my humble opinion.
https://exeterchessclub.org.uk/content/london-system You can see this post all trending lines are covered here.
The variation you are talking about is tricky. I will recommend setup with d5 and c5 with a kingside fianchetto. although it is a double edge, black gets good play in this line. As I play London most of the times, I think it is a good line for black. Note:- I suggest this setup because you prefer KID setup.
Learning new Tricks with the Benko
Out of my Comfort Zone with the Benko. Showing ya this old Biker is learning new tricks!
Replies
Biker dude is amazing!!! :)
Previous streams ...
I love your streams, especially the previous ones also. But it seems that isn't easy to view it, so please could you provide an own category/list or something else to view it in a much easier way.
Thanks a lot.
Best regards from the sunny Berlin
Martin
Replies
Hi Martin!
Thanks for your nice words!
Can you clarify please, what you mean "it's not easy to view it"?
Do you mean, it's not easy to find an event from chessmood.com/events page ?
Game 53 IronMan
This game is played by Tigran Petrosian aka Iron Tigran :)
1 - White to move (not easy question)
2- How to win? :) (this is very nice)
Replies
Game 53)
1. 1.h4 with the idea Nf3-Ng5-Qh5 is the classical plan to attack the Black King and take advantage of the space in the Kingside. g4 to open the diagonal for the White Bd3 and the g-line are additional ideas. 1.h4 is a move to attack, and it's a prophylactic one, to take care of the Bishop of dark squares and the pawn on e5 too.
2. 1.Rh8 Kg7 (1...Bh8 2.Qh7 mate) 2.Qh6 Kf6 3.g7 Ke7 4.gf8=Q 1-0
Game55 "Take off opponent's counter chances"
How to continue for white?
Find a plan
Replies
Daily games
Hey Champions!
In order to keep everything compact, I will post all questions about upcoming games here.
Replies
The first position is very similar to game 9 :)
What to do?
2nd position- What's the plan for winning the game?
Again good job Mr. Pascual!
Game 11 !:)
White to move.
Mr. Pascual will find the right move.
Who can else? :)
Yesterday we saw how Rubinstein won against Schlechter so easily.
Today we'll see a nice game by Schlechter.
What to do for black?
P.S
Mr. Pascual if you solve the 1st one again, it will be absolutely amazing)))
Game 13 :)
White to move in both positions.
Game 14 :)
How to create another weakness?
Game 15.
A very interesting topic- the dilemma of two open lines.
Which line is more important?
C or E? Why?
Game 16 - Karpov's game!
1st position- what plan to choose?
2nd - What is more important? C line or 7th Rank?
Game 17, again Karpov!
White to move.
Game 18 - Benko style.
In both positions black to move!
Game 19.
Punishing Opponents mistakes in the opening!
In all positions black to move!
Game 20
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4?
How to punish? (2 weeks ago someone played it against me, do you remember how to punish?)
Game 21.
The classic game Lasker-Capablanca
1. What do you think about f4 move in the 1st position?
2. What plan to choose?
3. How to crush it?
Game 22
1. How do you evaluate the position?
2. Black wants to play e5. What to do?
3. How to crush the position?
Game23
1. White to move
2. Black to move. What to do?
3. What plan to choose to crush Black's position?
Game 24
What do you think about this pawn endgame?
Game 24 and 25
These 2 games are about the same structure, so I post the questions together.
1st- White wants to play Ng3 and e4. Can Black prevent it?
2nd - Famous position that you could see in different books. If you haven't seen it yet - try to find the crushing attack!
3rd - Can white play e4?
4rd - Black to move
5th - How to manage to play e4?
6th - Black to move
7th - White wants to play Rfe1 and e4. What to do?
Game 27
The opening part white played very badly.
How to punish him?
Game 28
1. Black to move
2. Find the crushing combination
3. Homework - White to move
Game 29
We have very strong bishops on c3 and d3.
How to continue?
Game 30
What plan to choose for Black and for White?
Game32
1st Black to move. Nd4 or d6? Why?
2nd Black to move. a.Qe7 b.Qc7 c.Rd7 Which one?
3rd Black to move, what to do win this unpleasant pin?
Game 33
Everywhere white to move
Game 34
White to move in both position. How to use d5 weak square
Game35.
How to continue for white?
Game 36
1. White to move
2. White to move
3. Nd5 or h4?
4. How to continue the attack?
Game 37
1. What is white's threat and what to do?
2 and 3 What plan to choose.
4. Black to move
Game38 Kings Indian Attack!
In all positions black to move!
Love to Kings Indian starts from here :)
Game 47
1 - Black to move
2 - How to access the position? What plan should choose both sides?
Game 48
What plan to choose for black?
Game 49
White to Move. To take on e6 or not?
Game 50
White to move.
Should we keep the rooks? Or we should change the rooks?
Should we try to keep all of them? Just 1 pair?
What are your thoughts?
White to move.
Game 51
1 - What plan to choose for Black?
2 - What plan to choose for White?
How to get 2000 Rating
What do you think, what skills every chess player needs to have to get 2000 Level?
If you are 2000 above, what advice would you give?
Replies
I remember when I was young (20) in 1977, (two years in chess around 1800) A friend (2100) told me " study these books, and you will be 2000". I have studied these 2 books by Alexander Kotov and Alexander Koblents : in french "l'école des échecs" meaning the school of chess. It's all about combinations. there are lessons and exercises...You have just to do what the authors ask for ! But Warning ! it's not an easy task, sometimes they ask you to solve a problem blindly... At the end of one year studying (I had also a work), I was 2050.
I am just 1465 but I have my own suggestions correct me if I write something wrong.
Middlegame:
TACTICS:
First of all I think tactics are very important in order to visualise positions well. I prefer these books.
!, Chess tactics for champions by Susen Polgar. This books covers normally all the basic tactical ideas for example fork, skewer etc.
2. The complete chess workout by Richard Palisher. After you understand the basics of all tactical pattern you can now move to the next level of solving some more difficult puzzles. So this book will help you.
The method which i use in solving puzzles is notbook method and recently I found that it's also written in Woodpeeker method. I use notebook to write all the moves and variations of all the puzzles which i solved and with time. For example I solved one book in 40 hours then I took break from that book and then I try to solve it again after few months and then i apply the same idea. This time I am sure your time of solving same puzzles will reduce too and also your pattern recognition will improve too.
Positional chess:
I frankly never studied any book on positional chess. I only did studied the chapter one from this book. It''s useful in case of pawn structures.
In Chess Structures: A Grandmaster Guide he presents 140 examples, including full games and fragments, classified by pawn structure in an attempt to guide the reader to learning how these specific positions should be conducted.
Attacking Chess.:
I like kasparov's predisors. I only did 1 volume 3rd one of it 2 years ago and I got my rating 2100 in just 10 days from 1700 on chess.com/
My 60 memorable games is also one of my fav. book.
Endgames:
I know GM sir recommended the Devoretsky's Endgame Manual. Which is best in case of endgame manual but I also like Silman's endgame manual and he teaches basics of endgames in cool and simple way and it will be easier for a player of below 1500 to understand his points.
Openings:
I frankly do not like to memorize opening variations. My point is very simple is case of opening play. Choose attacking lines against positional players and choose positional lines against attacking players. For example we all knows that players who play sicilians love to attack. So according to my point choose positional lines against c5 so I love to play alapin. I have 5 dvds on alapin which covers all the lines with nice ideas. So i always turns Sicilian players into positional play. I know some may argue that alapin is so drawish but if you do not know anything by heart then do not make such conclusions. Alapin is yeah drawish if black is also well prepared but if your opponent do not know key moves and key positions he will fall into dangerous positional attacks and will lose the game in the early stage. For more information try to look online the games of evgeny svechnikov in order to see the power of Alapin.
So my approach-
Positional player --- play attacking opening.
Attacking player ---- play positional lines.
How to prepare openings:
I think if you want to prepare any openings then there are few points you have to consider which I am writing in the bottom.
1. Classics of that openings. Find classic players who played that opening with success.
2. Key squares:
Every openings have some key squares which you must have to know in order to play the middle game well. So try to understand them. For example in case of advance french we alll know that d4 square in so important for white to defend and if he wont be able to defend it he will mostly lose. Another example is about the e5 square in Caro kann exchange. E5 square control is key for white in caro kann exchange lines. Sometimes white place his pawn on e5 then he hopes for attack in kingside and on the other hand black hopes for counter play in the queen side by minority attack.
3. Important middle game positions:
You also have to know some middle game key positions which often arise in your opening so it will save your time in tournament play and you will be able to make plans faster too.
4. Important endgame positions and exchanges schemes:
I think I studied in past some ruy lopez positions in which I saw that sometimes wrong trades lead to defect in endgames. So I think it's useful for us to know which kind of trades favour us in endgame and which are bad.
Dedication and consistency:
I think it's most important factor which we have to apply by heart. It's useful to study 20 mins and day instead of 6 hr on weekend. So improve your consistency too. For me my dedication level is extreme. I love to study chess even though mostly I fail but fail itself says 'first attempt in learning' . So never feel down even if you fail in something. Keep the above quote of fail in mind and improve your dedication power.
Correct me if my thinking about improvement is wrong and sorry for my English.
Daily Game 50 "Winning Fast"
Hey Champions!
This game I'll comment tomorrow, changing a places with a game 50.
Here are the questions.
1. Where to develop the light square bishop?
a. e2 b. d3 c. b5
2. I know that from this position you can guess, that Bb5, but maybe in the game was a wrong move :) :)
Question - How to continue? White to move.
3. White to move. What about Ng7?
Feel free to share your thoughts :)
Replies
Game 50/
1) I Like 1.Bb5 because it threatens 2.Bc6 and if 1...Bb7, our Bishop can return to the b1/h7 diagonal via a4-c2, it's not possible for Black to play a plan like ...Re8-...Nf8-...g6 and ...Bf5 to exchange the Bishop c8 who is always a problem in QGD. After 1.Bb5 ...Re8 is more than dubious too ! 1.Bd3 can interfere on the d-line : the Queen doesn't attack on d5 and Black can play ...c5. 1.Be2 is too passive and doesn't bother Black development...
2) 1.Bd7! Nd7 (1...Qd7 2.dc5 bc5 (2...Bc5 3.Bf6) 3.Bf6 Bf6 4.Ne4 and c5 is lost) 2.Be7 Qe7 3.dc5 Qc5 (...bc5 4.Nd5) 4.Nd4 gives a good version of isolated pawn for White. We have exchanged pieces and the Bb7 is weak.
3) 1.Ng7 d4! (1...Kg7 2.Qg4 Kh8 3.Qd7) a) 2.Qd4 Qd4 3.ed4 Kg7 -+ b) 2.ed4 Qg5 xg2 xg7 -+ c1) 2.Ne4 Qc1 3.Qc1 Rc1 4.Rc1 de4 5.Rc7 Rc8-+ c2) 2.Ne4 Qc1 3.Qd4 Qc4 -+ c3) 1.Ne4 Qc1 2.Qg4 de4 -+ d) 2.Qg4 dc3 3.Rc3 Qd5 -+