Chess forum by Grandmasters

Question about one line in French

In 8. The Trickiest Line of French Defense Section 4 Video 22. When black reply with 14...Nf8, isn't 15.Nh5 a mistake which allow Black to reply with 15...Nf5, where the best for white is hopping for draw. According to my engine, the best will be 15.Qf6 which give white a huge advantage. Correct me if I am wrong, thank you very much. 

Replies

You are right! I checked it with the engine too and also I've changed it in my pgn file.

Thanks for sharing it with us. There are some small mistakes like this in the courses, would be great if everyone shares what they've found and we can discover and learn them together.

Rossolimo Stats

After 3... g6 - both players >= 2400 - source Mega Database 2018 (up to Oct 2017)
(num games, white win %, total ratings, average rating for the player who made that move)
Excludes transpositions and a small number of 'unloadable' games. Note these stats have not been rigorously tested, so there is the possibility of errors.

current position
 ├─Bxc6 (54 65.7% 54 2543)
 │  ├─dxc6 (36 73.6% 36 2573)
 │  │  ├─d3 (29 69.0% 29 2533) Bg7 (29 69.0% 29 2582)
 │  │  │  ├─h3 (27 68.5% 27 2536)
 │  │  │  │  ├─Nf6 (16 65.6% 16 2561) Nc3 (16 65.6% 16 2517)
 │  │  │  │  │  ├─Nd7 (8 87.5% 8 2554)
 │  │  │  │  │  ├─O-O (7 50.0% 7 2569)
 │  │  │  │  │  └─b6 (1 0.0% 1 2574)
 │  │  │  │  ├─b6 (7 64.3% 7 2648)
 │  │  │  │  │  ├─O-O (4 75.0% 4 2581) e5 (4 75.0% 4 2662)
 │  │  │  │  │  ├─a3 (2 75.0% 2 2660) a5 (2 75.0% 2 2715)
 │  │  │  │  │  └─Nc3 (1 0.0% 1 2450) e5 (1 0.0% 1 2455)
 │  │  │  │  ├─Nh6 (2 100.0% 2 2617)
 │  │  │  │  │  ├─O-O (1 100.0% 1 2551) b6 (1 100.0% 1 2668)
 │  │  │  │  │  └─Nc3 (1 100.0% 1 2471) b6 (1 100.0% 1 2567)
 │  │  │  │  └─e5 (2 75.0% 2 2509)
 │  │  │  │     ├─Nc3 (1 50.0% 1 2487)
 │  │  │  │     └─Be3 (1 100.0% 1 2583) b6 (1 100.0% 1 2582)
 │  │  │  ├─O-O (1 100.0% 1 2591) Nh6 (1 100.0% 1 2613) h3 (1 100.0% 1 2591) b6 (1 100.0% 1 2613)
 │  │  │  └─Nc3 (1 50.0% 1 2409) Bg4 (1 50.0% 1 2506) h3 (1 50.0% 1 2409) Bxf3 (1 50.0% 1 2506)
 │  │  ├─h3 (5 90.0% 5 2427)
 │  │  │  ├─Bg7 (4 87.5% 4 2563) d3 (4 87.5% 4 2433)
 │  │  │  │  ├─Nf6 (3 83.3% 3 2606)
 │  │  │  │  │  ├─Nc3 (2 100.0% 2 2459)
 │  │  │  │  │  │  ├─O-O (1 100.0% 1 2607)
 │  │  │  │  │  │  └─Nd7 (1 100.0% 1 2606)
 │  │  │  │  │  └─Nbd2 (1 50.0% 1 2401) O-O (1 50.0% 1 2606)
 │  │  │  │  └─b6 (1 100.0% 1 2435) a4 (1 100.0% 1 2413) a5 (1 100.0% 1 2435)
 │  │  │  └─e5 (1 100.0% 1 2517) d3 (1 100.0% 1 2404) f6 (1 100.0% 1 2517) Be3 (1 100.0% 1 2404) Nh6 (1 100.0% 1 2517)
 │  │  ├─O-O (1 100.0% 1 2426) Bg7 (1 100.0% 1 2454) Nc3 (1 100.0% 1 2426) Nf6 (1 100.0% 1 2454) d3 (1 100.0% 1 2426) O-O (1 100.0% 1 2454)
 │  │  └─Nc3 (1 100.0% 1 2660) Bg7 (1 100.0% 1 2506) d3 (1 100.0% 1 2660) b6 (1 100.0% 1 2506) Be3 (1 100.0% 1 2660) e5 (1 100.0% 1 2506)
 │  └─bxc6 (18 50.0% 18 2592)
 │     ├─O-O (16 56.3% 16 2591) Bg7 (16 56.3% 16 2596)
 │     │  ├─Re1 (12 54.2% 12 2586)
 │     │  │  ├─Nh6 (6 33.3% 6 2598)
 │     │  │  │  ├─c3 (5 40.0% 5 2595) O-O (5 40.0% 5 2620)
 │     │  │  │  └─d3 (1 0.0% 1 2627) O-O (1 0.0% 1 2487)
 │     │  │  ├─Nf6 (3 66.7% 3 2623)
 │     │  │  │  ├─e5 (2 50.0% 2 2625) Nd5 (2 50.0% 2 2657)
 │     │  │  │  └─c3 (1 100.0% 1 2607) O-O (1 100.0% 1 2556)
 │     │  │  ├─d6 (2 75.0% 2 2565) h3 (2 75.0% 2 2539) Nh6 (2 75.0% 2 2565)
 │     │  │  └─e5 (1 100.0% 1 2627) b4 (1 100.0% 1 2497) cxb4 (1 100.0% 1 2627)
 │     │  ├─c3 (3 83.3% 3 2591) Nh6 (3 83.3% 3 2621) d4 (3 83.3% 3 2591)
 │     │  │  ├─Qb6 (2 75.0% 2 2572)
 │     │  │  └─cxd4 (1 100.0% 1 2721)
 │     │  └─d3 (1 0.0% 1 2657) d6 (1 0.0% 1 2460) Nbd2 (1 0.0% 1 2657) e5 (1 0.0% 1 2460)
 │     ├─Nc3 (1 0.0% 1 2438) Bg7 (1 0.0% 1 2405) O-O (1 0.0% 1 2438) d6 (1 0.0% 1 2405) d3 (1 0.0% 1 2438) Rb8 (1 0.0% 1 2405)
 │     └─d4 (1 0.0% 1 2744) Bg7 (1 0.0% 1 2709) O-O (1 0.0% 1 2744) cxd4 (1 0.0% 1 2709) Nxd4 (1 0.0% 1 2744) e5 (1 0.0% 1 2709)
 ├─O-O (35 51.4% 35 2525) Bg7 (35 51.4% 35 2528)
 │  ├─Re1 (20 50.0% 20 2511)
 │  │  ├─Nf6 (12 50.0% 12 2499)
 │  │  │  ├─e5 (8 43.8% 8 2508) Nd5 (8 43.8% 8 2496) Nc3 (8 43.8% 8 2508) Nc7 (8 43.8% 8 2496)
 │  │  │  ├─Bxc6 (2 100.0% 2 2431) dxc6 (2 100.0% 2 2464)
 │  │  │  │  ├─d3 (1 100.0% 1 2427) O-O (1 100.0% 1 2486)
 │  │  │  │  └─h3 (1 100.0% 1 2436) O-O (1 100.0% 1 2442)
 │  │  │  ├─c3 (1 0.0% 1 2480) O-O (1 0.0% 1 2441) d4 (1 0.0% 1 2480) d5 (1 0.0% 1 2441)
 │  │  │  └─d3 (1 50.0% 1 2667) O-O (1 50.0% 1 2656) h3 (1 50.0% 1 2667) Qb6 (1 50.0% 1 2656)
 │  │  ├─e5 (7 57.1% 7 2496)
 │  │  │  ├─Bxc6 (3 50.0% 3 2485) dxc6 (3 50.0% 3 2489) d3 (3 50.0% 3 2485)
 │  │  │  │  ├─Qe7 (2 50.0% 2 2473)
 │  │  │  │  └─Ne7 (1 50.0% 1 2520)
 │  │  │  ├─c3 (3 50.0% 3 2539) Nge7 (3 50.0% 3 2532)
 │  │  │  │  ├─a3 (2 50.0% 2 2512) O-O (2 50.0% 2 2527)
 │  │  │  │  └─d4 (1 50.0% 1 2592) cxd4 (1 50.0% 1 2542)
 │  │  │  └─d3 (1 100.0% 1 2437) Nge7 (1 100.0% 1 2409) c3 (1 100.0% 1 2437) O-O (1 100.0% 1 2409)
 │  │  └─Nd4 (1 0.0% 1 2500) Nxd4 (1 0.0% 1 2638) cxd4 (1 0.0% 1 2500) c3 (1 0.0% 1 2638) a6 (1 0.0% 1 2500)
 │  ├─c3 (12 45.8% 12 2566) Nf6 (12 45.8% 12 2584)
 │  │  ├─d4 (4 37.5% 4 2642)
 │  │  │  ├─cxd4 (3 16.7% 3 2643) cxd4 (3 16.7% 3 2608)
 │  │  │  │  ├─a6 (1 0.0% 1 2523)
 │  │  │  │  ├─Nxe4 (1 0.0% 1 2703)
 │  │  │  │  └─d5 (1 50.0% 1 2703)
 │  │  │  └─a6 (1 100.0% 1 2703) Ba4 (1 100.0% 1 2744) cxd4 (1 100.0% 1 2703)
 │  │  ├─Re1 (3 50.0% 3 2496) O-O (3 50.0% 3 2542)
 │  │  │  ├─d4 (1 50.0% 1 2437) cxd4 (1 50.0% 1 2608)
 │  │  │  ├─h3 (1 100.0% 1 2468) Qb6 (1 100.0% 1 2524)
 │  │  │  └─e5 (1 0.0% 1 2584) Nd5 (1 0.0% 1 2495)
 │  │  ├─e5 (2 25.0% 2 2521) Nd5 (2 25.0% 2 2524) d4 (2 25.0% 2 2521) cxd4 (2 25.0% 2 2524)
 │  │  ├─Qa4 (1 100.0% 1 2660) O-O (1 100.0% 1 2721) d4 (1 100.0% 1 2660) cxd4 (1 100.0% 1 2721)
 │  │  ├─Qe2 (1 0.0% 1 2432) O-O (1 0.0% 1 2428) Rd1 (1 0.0% 1 2432) Qb6 (1 0.0% 1 2428)
 │  │  └─d3 (1 100.0% 1 2607) O-O (1 100.0% 1 2557) Be3 (1 100.0% 1 2607) b6 (1 100.0% 1 2557)
 │  └─Bxc6 (3 83.3% 3 2457) dxc6 (3 83.3% 3 2509)
 │     ├─d3 (2 100.0% 2 2475)
 │     │  ├─b6 (1 100.0% 1 2554) Nbd2 (1 100.0% 1 2429) e5 (1 100.0% 1 2554)
 │     │  └─Nf6 (1 100.0% 1 2536) h3 (1 100.0% 1 2521) Nd7 (1 100.0% 1 2536)
 │     └─h3 (1 50.0% 1 2422) Nf6 (1 50.0% 1 2439) Nc3 (1 50.0% 1 2422) O-O (1 50.0% 1 2439)
 ├─c3 (4 75.0% 4 2592)
 │  ├─Nf6 (3 83.3% 3 2667)
 │  │  ├─Qe2 (2 100.0% 2 2523) Bg7 (2 100.0% 2 2660) O-O (2 100.0% 2 2523) O-O (2 100.0% 2 2660) Rd1 (2 100.0% 2 2523)
 │  │  │  ├─Qc7 (1 100.0% 1 2660)
 │  │  │  └─d5 (1 100.0% 1 2660)
 │  │  └─e5 (1 50.0% 1 2632) Nd5 (1 50.0% 1 2683) d4 (1 50.0% 1 2632) cxd4 (1 50.0% 1 2683) O-O (1 50.0% 1 2632) Bg7 (1 50.0% 1 2683)
 │  └─a6 (1 50.0% 1 2493) Bxc6 (1 50.0% 1 2691) dxc6 (1 50.0% 1 2493) d4 (1 50.0% 1 2691) cxd4 (1 50.0% 1 2493) cxd4 (1 50.0% 1 2691) Bg7 (1 50.0% 1 2493)
 └─Nc3 (1 0.0% 1 2562) Bg7 (1 0.0% 1 2443) h3 (1 0.0% 1 2562) Nd4 (1 0.0% 1 2443) Nxd4 (1 0.0% 1 2562) cxd4 (1 0.0% 1 2443) Ne2 (1 0.0% 1 2562) Nf6 (1 0.0% 1 2443)


Bxc6 (54 65.7% 54 2543)
O-O (35 51.4% 35 2525)
c3 (4 75.0% 4 2592)
Nc3 (1 0.0% 1 2562)

Found 94.

Replies

Abhi- Mr Arrogant right?

Note: Post is full of anger but deep respect to those who know me and who knows who I am  and deep respect to coach who always helped me but I just wanna ask some questions to those who think I am arrogant.

I heard recently from my friend that sometimes my posts looks like I am arrogant and self-centered. I felt shocked. I also feel like idk why a lot people think that  selfish and self centered and a guy who like to show off?  

I am arrogant because I post daily in chessmood?

I am arrogant because I talk a lot about chess because I have burning desire to improve?

 I am arrogant because I care for all those players who ask me to help them?

I am arrogant because I post a lot what I studied daily?

I am arrogant because I post a lot games saying I crushed sicilians using Grand Prix? Just because I wanna share 1000s of people the right path so they join Chessmood and learn from coach.

Tell me why any of you think from inside that I am arrogant?

I am arrogant because in past I said I work 10 hrs a day and I wanna make it 18 like I did in 2017. In 2017 I met my second coach and I went to his home and I worked with him 2 months and from a pure beginner I crushed almost everyone in below 1600 section. I gained 120 elo and got 1303 to 1465 in my second rated event of my life. He worked not only on my basics but also he drove 4 times in a month on weekend for 2 hrs so I can play with his friends and   I will have idea how below 1600 players think so when I play in real life I will have playing experience. He also worked on my physical strength and we walked daily 2 hrs in morning and an hr at night.

Well I am inspired from Bobby Fischer's movie "Pawn Sacrifice" in which at some point young fischer said he is working 18 hrs a day so he can be world champ. Here as  a beginner I work daily 8- 10 hrs so I can be 2000 in one year. So what's problem ? You think I am doing show off then tell me I will give you contact number of my mentor. Call him and ask him at what time abhi was sleeping and how much I worked as beginner there. You will realize not all are fake.  I think it's achievable to work 18 hrs a day if you do it like 5-6 hrs then improve your stamina and then reach 18 hrs a day. In my culture we can work like that if we chant God's spells. 

Now tell me why any of you think I am arrogant??????????? 

Is my hard work annoy you? Is my burning desire to improve chess hurt your ego that you have no potential to work like I am doing as beginner?  If you can't work then work on yourself instead of making comments or making statement on anyone without even knowing who I am. What you guys know about me? What you guys know about my past? What you guys know who motivate me to work ? how many of you guys know that from the age of 16 I wanted to become a chess master but my family did not understoof how chess works and my dad make fun of me when I lost so I only took less lessons and I also found very bad mentors in the beginning who never helped me and in 2017 when I found a nice mentor then my parents said work on computers and get a job and I had to leave chess studies to make them happy. I found a wrong computer institute which also taught me so rubbish computers and I worked on computers skills by my own again but in the end due to lack of money (because dad lost his job ) I left computers too. Then I was forced to prepare for govt. jobs and I only liked chess but now I am again on wrong track which I knew. Now in 2020 when there is no chance of getting government job then I started to work on chess and in march 2020 I was like beginner again but then I worked a lot and with the help of coach avetik I am playing min like 1800 FIDE now in less than a year. I am working with two 1900 elo players one from India and one from US and I am working with two 1600+ players One from US and one from India.  How many of you know my "Why"? 

You guys know nothing but still you guys bother me by calling me arrogant. 

Those who have so low thinking like that no matter master or beginner can kindly text me and then I will prove who I am. An arrogant guy or just a guy who love chess so much that I sleep with chess books. 

Well, I don't do react on most of the things but life taught me one thing. If anyone is nice with you then you have to do everything for them and those who try to hurt you then you have to kill them mentally and then leave them for forever. I don't believe in ignore people. I believe in kill them mentally. It took 20 mins of my life in writing this post but it helped me to get rid out of my anger and I hope it can be a proof that I am just a chess addict and I wanna become a Grandmaster. Some people speak but never work I speak after I work. I am improving slowly but surely and my all partners feel that and including coach. I am slow not intelligent and you can say an ordinary fellow but I wanna work to become an extraordinary guy. I don't wanna impress whole world. I wanna be satisfied with my own work. Right now I am nothing in chess but soon I will be something. 

Replies

In the pics I am sharing the message of my friend. He misjudged me but never said to me in past. I am glad he talked to me and he changed his judgement. I am glad he thinks I am not arrogant.

Now, I am done proving myself. If after reading all this any of you think I am arrogant then go to mental hospital. Because your IQ is less than room temperature. 

I am just a chess lover and a guy who loves to help everyone in chess and learn from experts and motivate those who are lost.

From what I've seen you post over the last month, I don't see you as arrogant. Arrogance is projecting your self-importance above that of others, or dismissing others' points of view in a condescending way because you know better. The first I would say you don't, the second is a bit of a tight rope, but a lot of people haven't got their **** together, and while there is an art of hearing what you say and agreeing to disagree or follow your own path, I don't believe you should take anyone's word for anything. Most people haven't got success and are just repeating something else they heard somewhere. Sometimes mentioning here's what I'm doing and what successes I have can make others jealous too - I fell into that trap once when I was trying to inspire, not project look how great I am - to be fair a number of those people that took offence had their own issues - misery loves company. I tend not to make too much of a fuss about my successes for that very reason, but in the end of the day if you have success and others want to despise you rather than learn from you, they can enjoy their own misery. A large proportion of people sadly would prefer others to come down to their level rather than strive to improve their own lot.

I do think the "I'm not posting because people aren't giving back" could have come across the wrong way. While I understand exactly the frustration unequal contribution gives, that's just how people are. Sometimes you have to just give without any expectation of return, or just get on looking after yourself and those who are close, but I've already said my bit there. That's not arrogant though.

From my own experience and how I can relate, I find people difficult, and I know people find me difficult. Particular as I cause great frustration in that I can articulate a point well and cover all the bases so it's hard countering (or so I'm told). Sometimes being confident in one's own views particularly when they are backed up with experience and challenge others' beliefs cause conflict and the other person's defence mechanism is to become upset or shun.  I'm also a person you come to for a solution, not empathy, so unless you're saying that you need empathy rather than a solution I'm a natural problem solver. That can also upset some people though who were looking or validation it's okay to feel the way they do and are (or think they are) capable of solving their own problems. That's just me, but I can empathise that someone calling you arrogant might be a defence mechanism rather than a truly held belief, particularly if they don't know you well. But as I look back, some of those who I had trouble with also had their own problems, particularly those that were looking to belittle. There are some people out there who you'll just never get on with. Even those rare people who seem to get on with everyone, are often projecting a image that isn't themselves, and sometimes deeply unhappy too. I've seen plenty of such fakes.

While I understand how hurtful it can be, try not to let it get to you. You can only be happy being who you are, not others' expectations of how they'd like you to be.

Certainly I (and I'm sure a quite a number of people) are impressed with the effort you are putting into your chess study.

It is a fact that whatever people say about you reveals more about them than about you.

Putting this aside, not posting in the forums, will hurt you more than it hurts me or somebody else. Why is that? 

Lately, I posted a question asking to find a draw in a rook and pawn ending. I already knew the answer (it's easy to check nowadays with the computer). Nobody answered. After two days I posted the answer. Nobody commented. After a few days Avetik commented. That was nice. 

However, even if nobody would commented or answered, my goal was already acheieved. I wanted to put the position deep into my memory and by writing it down and posting it to the forum was for me a way to remember it easier.

It is true I could do it only in my chessbase file, but it would be less fun. I also noticed, since I am doing some teaching in my local chess club, that just preparing for lectures and giving a lecture often brings me more benefits than to those who have attended. So the one who gives receives the most anyway.

P.S. - No matter who you are, there are only 64 squares on the chessboard.

It sounds like you are feeling pretty angry, and I am sorry to hear that.  I wonder if some of this anger could be related to something other than  people here on the forum.  Sometimes in the past I have felt like people were judging me, but in reality other people have their own things going on in their lives, they probably don't realize how you are feeling.  

Just because one person thinks something, does not mean everyone things the same thing.  

I hope you feel better soon.  I think reaching out to people and helping them might be a better way to connect with people rather than accusing them of things.  

Your friend,

Courtney

Hi ! 

Don't listen to people, there will always be someone (s) that does not like us ... that is life!!
Don't be affected by that.

From my side I can say that we have trained together once, and that I did not feel that you were arrogant but very motivated! That is not a bad thing. I have to say that I am really jealouse because I wish I could spend as much time as you training! 

Keep the good work and effort, results will come with time! 

Pablo
 

Hi Abhi

Remember where you are! Here you are in Chess Mood!

"Right Mood Right Move"

Remember that. No one is the best chess player without self control. Trying to improve at chess is excellent-well done! Trying to improve in life is even better!

I know you get it and I know you were hurt, but you can make this make you stronger! Be positive toward all things good & bad! Go for it!

With lots of love & best wishes to you, from your Chess Mood brother!

My advice will be: Stop being so emotional !

Daily puzzles

Are they hard for you? How often do you solve them wrong?

Replies

Well, most of he time I solve them if I am fully focused but if it's beyond 2000 level then hard to guess ideas!!!

My percentage of solving the puzzles in the first try is around 85%. The rest I mostly manage to solve in the following tries. However, there were at least one or two that I couldn't solve at all.

In any case I find the puzzles really fun and useful for practicing calculations and getting to know some unusual patters.

I barely ever get them, but I've solved a few and am up to 7500 moodcoin.

Usually I solve them, but there are some that I make mistakes.

Generally they are not so hard.But sometimes there are really hard puzzles that took me 10 minutes to think.And I am failing rarely.

Smith Morra Gambit - What's the truth?

Hello ChessMood family, I have a question for you to ponder that has been on my mind recently, and now that GM Jaacob Aagaard (CEO of Quality Chess Publishing and one of the editors of Mayhem in The Morra) has joined our ranks, I thought that now would be as good a time as any to pose it. The question is how should we correctly evaluate the Morra Gambit, is it good for White, is it good for Black or should we simply consider it dynamically equal.

In my earlier days as a chessplayer I always figured with a bit of knowledge and accurate play Black should be able to snatch this pawn and emerge with an advantage. Now after years have past and my experience has grown I am not sure anymore if my previous conviction still holds true. Much ink has been spilt on this Gambit both for and against and still the chess world has been unable to settle on a definitive determination. 

I have posed the Morra question to many GM's over the years and most of them have opined it's a very dangerous gambit but probably incorrect, not a very satisfying answer for me who was hoping for something a bit more concrete. Then the following encounter happended, Morra Guru IM Marc Esserman with the White pieces was paired against none other than Vishy Anand in Gibraltar 2016 and the 'Gambit World' watched and waited with bated breathe to see whether Anand would venture the Sicilian and more importantly would Esserman dare essay his signature system.

Anand is still considered one of the best theoretically prepared players of our generation and when he played 1...c5 and Esserman unafraid plowed forward with 2.d4?!?!? the World half expected, including me, to be finally treated to the refutation of this irksome Gambit, instead we got 2...cxd4 3.c3 Nf6 and the World gave a collective sigh. Long story short Anand eventually got a worse position and was fortunate to hold the draw against his IM opponent, and thus granted a psychological victory to Morra aficionados everywhere. Reflecting on all this afterwards I concluded that The Morra is not met at GM level all that often, far less Elite GM level, so this could explain Anand's reluctance to enter its labyrinth against the World's foremost expert, still it also suggests there is no consensus on what the best line is against this Morra enigma even at GM level.  

So I ask again, what's the truth: Good; Bad; Dynamically Equal; or something else altogether.

Replies

I read Esserman's book and gave it a try out as White and also to beat it as Black. Unfortunately Esserman misses a few key lines where Black gets at least equality despite some nice wins. It's a great book to see some amazing attacks in the pawn structure and a demonstration of using open lines in an attack against a muddled Black position, but as a bulletproof repertoire it's not.

I would personally put the opening in the same category as the Kings Gambit, good for lower level and blitz, but aside from a few diehards cannot see it gaining any traction over 2000 at long play where White against a prepared Black opponent may be fighting for a draw.

Perhaps the labyrinth comment is the spot on one. In the end it's a lot of work for both sides and a lot of risk and avoiding it all together makes sense when diverting with Nf6 is a lot less risky and probably the best play against c3.

How much does Black need the win, and do you feel lucky?

Before the 8th Round Anand already knew he cannot win anything. It was a very bad tournament for him. Look at results:

http://chess-results.com/tnr202897.aspx?lan=1&art=4&wi=821&zeilen=99999

So, most probably he was not fighting for a win with black pieces against Morra gambit at 8th round; Even with 0.5 points more he had no chance to get anything from that tournament. The safest way to play against Morra Gambit is what Anand played: entering Alapin Sicilian with Black,  which is  drawish, safe, and easy to play. Why wasting energy for nothing??

On the other side of the board, Morra Gambit is not the best way to win against Sicilian with White. It is OK for a draw, but in some double edged positions Black can go for a win. 

Sum up:

1-With Black the safest way to get an equal position is heading for Alapin, (what Anand did in his game)

2- If we want to play for a win with Black, there are better variations: You can find one of them at Chessable course: Anti-Anti-Sicilians by FM Kamil Plichta

3- White is doing OK in ALL lines, if he is satisfied with a draw. Morra Gambit is still alive, but much less effective at high level / pro chess comparing to open sicilians

Well, I don't know for whom it is good or bad, and although I don't play it for white and haven't studied the lines, I have crushed it around 8 times with a mix of a Dragon and Schevenningen Setup.

Hi Kevin

The truth about a non classical chess opening?!

You already know that truth, whether it is concrete enough for you or not, is another question.

The Smith-Morra opening is a gambit opening and so a non completely classical opening and so as we all know it therefore is a risky opening for White to play! Period-end story!

Good players can play non classical openings and win. GM T Miles beat Karpov with 1.a3 opening. GM Nakamura has beaten GM's with the Bongcloud opening. IM M Essermann beat GM van Wely with the Smith Morra, as you rightly point out IM M Esserman is an expert in the Smith Morra opening.

So how concrete an answer is this concrete answer for you?! Get the electron microscope out to examine the detail of concrete and you will still find it is concrete and the same applies to microscope analysis of the Smith Morra..it is and ever shall be a gambit opening, which carries an element of risk! I now hope, clearly knowing this chess home truth, helps you! Best wishes Right Mood Right Move COGRO Chess Mood bro!

Webinar PIRC tournament coverage

This seems to have disappeared from the events list. Has it been postponed?

Replies

@GM_Avetik_Grigoryan

So the answer (as emailed) is there weren't enough games (or maybe mistakes!) at this point and so will be combined with the modern pirc in a future webinar.

Kind of worked out as well as I had a meeting, so wouldn't have been able to make it.

So does this mean that the next tournament after Saturday's Rossolimo will be the Modern Pirc then?

NEW COURSE - Bishop vs Pawn

Hey, champions and future champions! 

Have you watched the last course Rook vs Pawn? 
If no, you should speed up to catch up. 
We uploaded one more full course - Bishop vs Pawn. 
As always - only MUST-KNOW positions and endgames.

https://chessmood.com/course/endgame-bishop-vs-pawn 

Enjoy

With best wishes,
ChessMood team 

P.S If you have any questions related to the course, feel free to post here. 

Replies

NEW ARTICLE: Momentum in Chess by GM Jacob Aagaard

Replies

Loved this!! Very instructive and useful! THANK YOU JACOB SIR!!

The winners of November

Hello ChessMood Family! 
There were never posted so many nice games as in this month. 

The 1st prize goes to Michael Larsen for his fantastic attack in the endgame. 
https://lichess.org/ZXcGpEmE/black#33 

The 2nd prize goes to T K for his great tactic! Qe5! The game you can find on this page:
https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/the-best-games-of-november-and-the-prizes?page=5 

The 3rd prize goes to Abhi Yadav, for his strong attack, sacrificing three pieces! 
  https://lichess.org/Fjh0K6bk#57

The 4th prize goes to Piotr Urbanski for his brave attack and the nice mate Nh1! 
  https://www.kurnik.pl/p/?g=ch497375559#63

The 5th prize goes to Khokan De for killing the English with out systems. 
The game you can find here: https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/the-best-games-of-november-and-the-prizes?page=1  

Among other nice and instructive games, there are 3, which I would recommend you spend time and check out, as they're very instructive. 

https://lichess.org/ducG7ydI/white#47 played by Chong, a very instructive attack. 
https://lichess.org/wD1hofSw/black    Suren paralyzed all White's pieces. 
https://lichess.org/vPvGQxIq#57   If someone showed me this game, I would say it's played by one of the classics. :) 

Good job guys! Thanks, everyone, see you next month! 

Replies

Thanks coach, we are improving all because of you. Without you we are nothing.  We can work alone but we cant improve like we are improving with your amazing study plans and courses.

Congrulation to all winners and thanks coach.

C'mon!

Dear ChessMood Family, my champions, my friends! 

Take a moment to write down all the disadvantages you will have when you don't learn all the stuff that we provide on ChessMood. 
If can be something like this: 

"I'll play my old bad openings." 
"I'll make simple mistakes on middlegames."
"I'll lose drawish theoretical endgames." etc... 

Now, write down the advantage you will have when you learn all this stuff. 
It can be something like this. 

"I'll start to put big pressure on opponents from the very beginning." 
"I'll start to play better openings which will also help me to play fundamental chess." 
"I'll still make mistakes in the middlegames, but I'll orient in new positions much easier, as I learn lots of new concepts." 
"I'll outplay my opponents in the endgames." etc... 

In the end, if in your lists will not be lots of disadvantages if you don't learn all this, and lots of advantage after you do, just unsubscribe from ChessMood PRO Membership. 

But if your lists gonna be big, just start to make a BIG and BOLD ACTION! 
We're going to add more videos to the exciting courses and upload more! (Especially in the Middlegames and Endgame sections). 

Right Mood - Right Move! 

With love, 
Your big brother in chess and the young one in life,
GM Avetik   

Replies

Wonderful!!! Your courses rocks and your streams rocks!!! I am online guy from past 7 years but found no course which match quality of yours. Another thing is when you explain ideas it make me feel like chess is so simple. You taught us complex concepts in so simple way for example in classical commented game section you taught us why sometimes trading our good bishop for opponent bad one is a good idea and you used an example of Petrosian and I think  black was Ribli and when you said pause I thought g4 but petrosian went for Bc5!!! Because of this one concept I won several games now. 

Thanks for all the contents you provided. Thanks for chess help.

For once, I am going to dare to partially disagree with you ;-)

Since I am a positive guy, I do not believe in negative reinforcement, so I have only written down the advantages, but not the disadvantages

Proud to be part of this family and the best chess site I know in the whole net.

The content that you give for improving in chess are the best. To me the big change was the opening part, I hated to learn openings, but now I feel much better and I still need to work on it. I love other courses as well, but so far I am more focused on openings.

Thank you so much for your amazing work. 

I’ve finally figured out a course of study I like that incorporates much of the Chessmood benefits.  I’m reverting to my original purpose for coming here and going through the middle game and endgame courses.  Plus, I will be playing over model games to see if that will be productive, since I learn better from full games and it’s more fun.

Move order question in 4.Bf4 Pirc - 8...Be6

Hi all, 

My first post in the forums - I’m loving the Chess Mood content

Just a quick move order question in the Bf4 Pirc (lots of fun to play by the way) I’ve had a couple of opponents in recent Blitz games rather than play the usual plan of 8...Qa5 or 8...b5 go 8...Be6 immediately. Now this does have potential to transpose into familiar ground and indeed I’ve chosen 9.Kb1 here and both my opponents so far have played 9...b5 now. But what if 8...Be6 9.Kb1 Qa5 now? The threat is b5 with no defence to the a pawn and the Nd5 idea doesn’t work here because the pawn on b5 now means the black Queen isn’t hanging. 

This exact move order doesn’t seem to be covered in the videos, and I confess I am a little stumped here, any feedback would be welcome. 

Replies

Hi dear Jon and welcome,

Unfortunately, I didn't watch Pirc course yet and I can't help you about this opening. I hope you'll get an answer.

Momentum article

An interesting article. GM J Aagard seems to state momentum is the need to play dynamically?

The scientific definition & formula for momentum is p(momentum) = m(mass) x v (velocity)...kgs/s2

(NB I am no physicist, although I have a degree in a biological science subject & am certainly no GM!)

Even in my games, I have had many wins when I had the checkmate move, before my opponent could make the checkmate move, which might indicate I had some momentum. How much does this have to do with dynamic play or more simply, always keeping the extra move advantage as White in some games, or grabbing that tempo as Black in cases such as this game!

Playing dynamically, usually does mean maximising chess tempo in play which is playing with initiative. Speaking of tempo & initiative, I was chatting on the Twitch stream of a 1650 rated player, who stated tempo and initiative are the same?! Now, I do not hold that view and I think it is important to have clear definitions and understanding of concepts, both scientific & chess related.

Still, the bottom line, as there are so many ways to play the great game of chess, is to be true to yourself in your play! No limits..COGRO..Right Mood Right Move...happy momentous play all! ;-)

Replies

Unlike the other articles, I think this one didn't have a link to the forum discussion page that's usually created for each article. Maybe adding as a response on that page would help others find this post? Here's the link, in case you haven't come across yet:

https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/new-article-momentum-in-chess-by-gm-jacob-aagaard

I understand these definitions:

Tempos: Just moves, e.g. pawn for 3 tempi means sacrifice a pawn and get 3 moves for it (it's unclear whether that includes the sacrifice move itself, i.e. 3 other moves were played, or 3 moves effectively got played for the cost of 1 - personally I'd go with 3 extra moves - includes the next move, since pawn for 1 tempo would make no sense). There is no guarantee the moves will be useful or confer an advantage - e.g. in a closed position.

Initiative: Being in the driving seat and being able to dictate affairs for the next few moves. The opponent won't be able to prevent or counter right away, but may defend or react until the initiative dries up. This might be the result of being tempi ahead, but also might be that the opponent has a bad position and cannot react or stop a plan.

Momentum: Being able to keep bringing wood into the attack to keep it going. An attack will stop if there are not enough available and able pieces to join in (undeveloped, not open files, available squares, etc). If the pieces are not ready or need extra moves to get there, the momentum will be lost, and the opponent may defend or counter-attack. This is obviously a risk if pieces are being sacrificed (or even positional concessions) that something must be gained before the momentum runs out.

It would be interesting to see Jacob's definitions.

Sicilian Bc4 sidelines

I've never been able to play well against Bc4 after 1. e4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 Bc4, or even on the second move 1. e4 c5 2. Bc4 (even though e6 is recommended to blunt the bishop). White can play a3 or not to preserve the bishop if d3 is played.

I assume this will eventually be covered in the anti-Sicilian course. What would be the right way for Black to play against it? Always found developing Black's light-squared bishop to then be a problem.

Replies

Usually I play: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 e6 4a. d4 cxd4 5a. Nxd4 Ne7, then fianchetto the kingside Bishop and advance on the queenside. Orelse I chose castling, then Re8 and breakthrough with e6-d5. Or play like symmetrical english or modern maroczy bind.

David, today it's in Gabuzyan to-do list :) 
We'll upload the section soon. 

P.S 
Such questions please post in "PRO Members channel", so we don't miss. 

@David Flynn

This is why Sicilian structures should be studied as a whole, there is tendency to only examine the particular Sicilian system we play as Black but that is a big mistake. Besides the Fianchetto Structures we have to learn the fundamentals of the Scheveningen Structures, Taimanov/Paulsen  Structures, Sveshnikov Structure and by so doing when we get favorable versions of them we know exactly the best plans to adopt and the most effective places for our pieces. 

Model Games in the Classical Maroczy Bind and Accelerated Dragon

Hello Sir,

In this Black Friday Offer, I completed the Maroczy Bind and Accelerated Dragon course. It was very different than my first views in the Maroczy Bind, I thought black has to defend always, but now I understood how to play it correctly. Besides this, can anyone tell me who are the experts in this Maroczy Bind and Acc. Dragon with black and white. I think one of them would be Iturrizaga, because I think somewhere GM Avetik Sir told that it would be beneficial to watch his games.

Thanks,

Replies

Hi Khokan,

In addition to iturrizaga, you can check Guseinov games

Deleted

The best games of November and the prizes

Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions! 
Welcome to the "Best games of November" competition.
Under this post, we invite you to post your 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 September: 

1st-  Specter11   
2nd- Jay Garrison
3rd- Abhi Yadav
4th- Arman Shahzamani                
5th- Derek Simpson  

Replies

Accelerated Dragon Aggression

https://lichess.org/9ciuKE8y/black#69

Crushing the English with Black. According to Chess.com, Black's accuracy was 99,1% with just one mistake.

Is it possible to see which games constituted the best games?

Quiet approach in endgame and won

https://lichess.org/XueimBz69qdU

Scotch

https://lichess.org/xSD437DxboiL

Beautiful Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5669127397

And I Played A Brilliant Move!!

Finally a 24 move knockout.

https://lichess.org/HMdjkufT3FmX

21 move Maroczy. I do not know why my opponent played Bd4 in the end losing line but still I liked it

https://lichess.org/cGvJaT8jVeKj

22 move domination against 2200+ player..

https://lichess.org/uFJjECl5LONU

12 Moves Scotch Miniature shows an exception that why d5 is wrong in opening.

https://lichess.org/JKyPx7iUvhU3

King side attack in Benko Gambit

Love this mate.

https://lichess.org/rv4O3mUvyMxk

Not a sound sac because my follow up had issue but I won

https://lichess.org/A3LsZ6qn/white#53

Missed mate but nice kking hunt I think

https://lichess.org/Fjh0K6bkF5WJ

Killer Attacking Game!!

https://www.chess.com/game/live/5680724151

I am Very Happy To Get 1 Brilliant Move In A Game!!

But I Got 2 Brilliant Move This Game ....Just Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bad game but I liked that game

Strength of a passed pawn.

Expect the unexpected

Miniature in Na5 advanced Section Line

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5685117173

23 move miniature against 1.f4

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5685203891

This was a Bc5 scotch, such and amazing course, get a crushing position just following the plans and opponent is losing badly!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5669812899

23 move knockout in GP

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5690497874

Well I am not a benoni player but I knew one thing about benoni from classics is that white place his pawn on e4 and a4 not on a3  and e3. So I knew I am already ok or may be somewhat better because white will have to lose another tempo by playing a4 so I played it anyways. I also knew TV concept so I knew my knight on f6 is not well placed so I provoked weaknesses and then I won this game positionally.

Concepts: 

1. Playing against tempos.

2. TV concepts.

3. Isolated white's light squared bishop.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5690545391

A benoni game.

Scotch

https://lichess.org/8F03Noy1

Monster Bishops

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5694832869

https://lichess.org/wD1hofSwL4ye 

I like that position with Bf4 when nobody can do anything and my king is king coming eat a3  than b6 a5 an win.

Messed up in opening I know but did okay in middlegame 

Zen Mode Helpful;

https://lichess.org/72O6zC7AWlGX

Total violation of playing for e4 as white in Benko Gambit so he paid the price. Zen Mode helpful 

https://lichess.org/YUMgT8YWo0Dz

Blunder by @Jay_Garrison but I think it's so tough for anyone to play against chessmood benko.

https://lichess.org/O3sb0dGamYdu

Still doing okay in attacking 

https://lichess.org/LsKMWnqozFLN

https://lichess.org/mnWFiyb3 

Sicilian Defense: 

https://lichess.org/Ympjm5oF/white#10

French Defense

https://lichess.org/ybutjfzL/white#4

Sicilian Defense:

https://lichess.org/LRRXG8ho/white#7

Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/RAosVwid/white#5

https://lichess.org/iuea92968BWQ

Anti-sicilian part 2. Several mistakes, but quite nice finish

Power of the bishop pair in a Scotch miniature

https://lichess.org/9PAzkZVn4NBF

https://lichess.org/VAMxDMEl 

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/5713703252

The guy took my Pawn and I took his king. Well I missed simple tactics terrible but Nd6 was nice found I think. I play a bit bad on chess.com

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5718715412

Play the Benko with black and crush a strong GM like this !!! :

https://lichess.org/ayXJCwWAIgjs

Nearly perfect Benko, according to the engine: https://lichess.org/RWOETDGoESoq

Caro-Kann

https://lichess.org/kOIPIupTXAAM

Scotch victory in 14 moves! Crushing opponents with ChessMood openings is easy!

Queen's Pawn Game

https://lichess.org/5OSmR5Ou/black#5

Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/moI7RWq3#5

Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/O8M1ONAw/black#7

 Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/20KWjYkx#7

Philidor Defense

https://lichess.org/F5M9XF1f#7

Learnt from Capablanca

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5723584437

Some sort of unusual play by black and I won with my fav., GP

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5723606027

Unusual GP smooth win.

https://lichess.org/56omxKMD#49

Entirely smooth dragon - simple and straightforward! 99.2% accuracy!

https://lichess.org/fipHeGa8/black

Nice Game!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5725889186

https://lichess.org/u5oyAYUhZSwX

A nice tactic and win in the Grand PRIX!

 Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/ducG7ydI/white#5

Queen's Pawn Game

https://lichess.org/o49lfnEU/black#7

English Opening

https://lichess.org/f3y1QMaa/black#9

Scandinavian Defense

https://lichess.org/UEc3dqqm/white#10

English Opening:

https://lichess.org/hLCBD3Qs/black

 Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/wAVuq3eJ/black#9

Pirc Defense

https://lichess.org/8dd5L1wd/white#11

 Scandinavian Defense

https://lichess.org/aGvvZJYY/white#10

Queen's Pawn

https://lichess.org/Vv0daewr/black#8

 Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/dAi4XHAK/black#1

French Defense

https://lichess.org/5VknmQLZ#3

Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/Lr2rQau7/black#11

Knight sacrifice and checkmate in opposite castle

There is a small story behind this game. Since I passed 2000 ratings at lichess at chesscom I don't play there anymore because I'm afraid that my rating will go down :D So at this Polish website people sometimes "cheat" on time settings- they invite you for 3 minutes, and change it to say 15 before you realize, hoping that you would just resign instead of playing a longer game. In this case the guy changed from 3 to 5 but I decided to play anyway and I think I used the extra 2 minutes well :) 

Of course I played with blacks ;) 

https://www.kurnik.pl/p/?g=ch497375559#63

Kind of Windmill in Acc. Dragon...

I hadnt faced the Alekhine in months, and quickly forgot the line. I was still able to remember a couple of the ideas and win a game against a player rated much higher then me. 

The key though, is immediately after the game I went to my PGN and check my file to fix my mistake - I hope you are doing the same!

Nice attacking game in Closed Sicilian ...d6 variation. I won on time, hoverver my oponent was already in a desperate situation.

Sicilian with monster knight.  It spent half the game on d5 :)

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5753170453

 Scandinavian Defense

https://lichess.org/JFJ3vjFU/black

A crushing victory from a smooth game

Wild Najdrof heheh.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5749869317

A game against the Philidor.  I haven't looked at that video yet but just tried to play actively.  Sacrificed an exchange to keep my opponent's king in the center, and tried to get happy bishops!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/5756588244

SLP!  Got into a bad position out of the opening (haven’t done the English course yet!) and went into slp.  Managed to complicate things enough to equalize material and then won in the endgame.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5758430159

Unusual d4-d5 destroyed positionally

https://lichess.org/NSzlyur1#36

Positional Queen's Indian. Right trades and simple win.

https://lichess.org/pH0TsFIg#46

Cutest Mate!

https://lichess.org/4p6lAHPf#41

One of my best checkmates.

Absolute crush against the French.  18 moves

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/5764036604

I know the player was not super strong but I liked this Qd2- Qh6 pattern so much and it worked well here

https://lichess.org/pqowpGod#31

Mating net was fun 

https://lichess.org/CAPBReMf/black#52

I am 2200 on chess.com!!!

Very Thank You Sir @GM_Avetik_Grigoryan @GM_Hovhannes_Gabuzyan

and my last game which made me 2200 was a great example of "Power of Never Give Up" 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/5770046052

Just a day or two ago I had watched the commented classical game Karpov - Unzicker and I had a chance to do something similar.  Missed a few things (only 90% accuracy) but was very glad I saw the opportunity to try to do the same idea as Karpov.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5773249277

Sicilian Defence 

https://lichess.org/ah9oPnJOJ4cR

 French Defense

https://lichess.org/6HARtZvi/white

I play White :

https://lichess.org/theFXuFz0EtY

I missed some tactics but I play with my plan.

Great win !! with our Ra4!! novelty

Quick knock out

Anhilating the Chigorin Defense. Pure attacking chess!!

Tried to play positionally with Smyslov Petrosian's System but in the end forgot queen trap but luckily I won. I liked my move Na1

https://lichess.org/YAHNFpy0#43

Testing Positional chess in this line too. I only saw some games but still I don;t know plans for both sides so I played with my basic logic

https://lichess.org/4yBZ8n52#31

Clean Game https://www.chess.com/game/live/5783802199

17 move win with Anti-Sicilian against 2250

https://lichess.org/nflEPsZk/white#1

Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/fVzRKKZs#11

 Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/fVzRKKZs#4

Anti-Sicilian Nc3 19 moves checkmate

https://lichess.org/1qcWkpuoGVlH

Scotch  20 moves checkmate.

https://lichess.org/bxOEUOviQwNX

Modern Benoni with Black.

I sacrificed a Knight for positional advantage, and initiative

https://lichess.org/IGLxe6RFYFGh

kentinator vs. Mateojackson | Analysis - Chess.com

 Sicilian Defense:

https://lichess.org/OhL2m8dT#6

Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/6VPor0vT/black#7

Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/gYzQXjua/black#5

Scotch Game

https://lichess.org/2x6Lc8px#8

I am working a lot on positional and attacking play so my openings are unusual because I just wanna check how well I am able to do well in different openings. I am already doing nice with chessmood openings. 

Power of Initiative

https://lichess.org/oM66jA1q#63

Benoni Str. win

https://lichess.org/8KqoVVPs/black#60

Smyslov Petrosian System Str. win

https://lichess.org/sNjIoIf2#67

KID vs my positional

https://lichess.org/JHf5sF7Z#51

Learnt this ending from Capablanca's best Endings. In one game against Janausky he played this str. as black so I got nice chance to play it well as white

https://lichess.org/byUCAUJz#79

Caro-Kann Defense

https://lichess.org/vDmFDLdB/white#8

Had a brilliant move in this one!

https://lichess.org/A7wHp3hn/black

https://lichess.org/u6MZVlnS 

https://lichess.org/xaWyUOgT 

Crushing the French. 

https://lichess.org/VCcBt931 

Sicilian

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5804795054

Positional play training with d4

https://lichess.org/OUD6pBnQ#42

Crushed unusual GP

https://lichess.org/b3Lkj5aJ/black#44

I am not sure if I got totally correct the chess mood opening here, but black doesn't move the knight in the Nc3, Nc6 sicillian and opponent ends up with worlds worst bishop. Plus nice rook sac at the end!

Chrushed the opponent like a steam-roller :)

https://lichess.org/d75kumW1MXj0

Juz noticed Bf4 line against the Pirc can be transposed from 1.d4 as well... Got a huge advantage right after opening, (before he blundered and resigned)

Crushed my opponent with the Chessmood Scotch!

Dragon crush with happy knights!

https://lichess.org/MnDuhJoy/black#1

Don't think white is the ninth World Champion!

Power of Knight vs Bishop in a close position:

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/5827568120

Wanted to exploit his weak squares so bad

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5827547960

https://lichess.org/9DMf0NAA 

Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/VVKEj3eu/black#6

Kindly ignore my opening mistakes but see how easy I played after Nxc6 structure change and in the end I loved the move Kf1. I learnt this king move from Petrosian's game in which he placed his King from g1 to b1 and then he won. Sorry, my bad memory can't remember the opponent name. 

https://lichess.org/vPvGQxIq?fbclid=IwAR2iVmpvYFed-WTSVO04a_up_2oeCihwVMhcSCzjzp2cg4Z8YmbatuUdSww

https://lichess.org/UR6FWupg

This is why I love the Dragon 

London System

https://lichess.org/QWqQiV7Q/black#7

https://lichess.org/oTjiTZV2OHOO

https://lichess.org/ddnZYDrp

 Sicilian Defense

https://lichess.org/9MWU1JfO/black#14

Basically all prep... Destruction with Nc3 against d6!

https://lichess.org/U1ZKuHYk

My best game of November!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/5726132237

Thanks!

This is from an OTB tournament (just before lockdown) with 1.5h time control +30" increment per move.

Not really proud for the opening but I enjoyed the tactics in the middlegame :)

i derived the idea from the Kasparov's amazing Nh8 idea and employed it in a game even though he played the brilliant 33.Qe5 move, but still i am proud to find this idea within 2 seconds of time left.

Amazing end position 1: https://lichess.org/bW78Tkd2/black#25

Amazing end position 2: https://lichess.org/ZXcGpEmE/black#50

White gets punished for lack of development: https://lichess.org/rUxs8RBB/black#74

Nice to win against a 2300 player with black in g3 Maroczy bind, though I made some mistakes (I couldn’t remember the analysis from the course):  https://lichess.org/S2xP1qxKujNo

When  the prizes will be given sir?

Not so sure if I posted this game here in this post or not but I posted it on facebook.

Coach i have a nice game for you to see . I know you cant see all games because you are so busy but I don't want you to miss this great game which I played on lichess yesterday. I think Qc7 is not in my pgn and yes I was right so best against Qc7 was Bf4! but I played logical long castles and won.

https://lichess.org/Fjh0K6bkF5WJ?fbclid=IwAR1X0CWB3WYo-XDz2j3VMoVv-t4xTX-f_F5hekk-1p93wGqpYIoAr-ObX5M

Hello ChessMood Family! 
There were never posted so many nice games as in this month. 

The 1st prize goes to Michael Larsen for his fantastic attack in the endgame. 
https://lichess.org/ZXcGpEmE/black#33 

The 2nd prize goes to T K for his great tactic! Qe5! The game you can find on this page:
https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/the-best-games-of-november-and-the-prizes?page=5 

The 3rd prize goes to Abhi Yadav, for his strong attack, sacrificing three pieces! 
  https://lichess.org/Fjh0K6bk#57

The 4th prize goes to Piotr Urbanski for his brave attack and the nice mate Nh1! 
  https://www.kurnik.pl/p/?g=ch497375559#63

The 5th prize goes to Khokan De for killing the English with out systems. 
The game you can find here: https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/the-best-games-of-november-and-the-prizes?page=1  

Among other nice and instructive games, there are 3, which I would recommend you spend time and check out, as they're very instructive. 

https://lichess.org/ducG7ydI/white#47 played  by Chong, a very instructive attack. 
https://lichess.org/wD1hofSw/black    Suren paralyzed all White's pieces. 
https://lichess.org/vPvGQxIq#57   If someone showed me this game, I would say it's played by one of the classics. :) 

Good job guys! Thanks, everyone, see you next month! 

Chess Goal

What is your goal in your chess career? Which you think is realistic.

Replies

Well before chessmood I had goal to become a 2000 before I die. Due to lack of resources I thought becoming a 2000 will be so tough. But now I think my first milestone is to reach 2000 so I can start my own earning from chess and then I will work to become a Fide Master and if I achieve that milestone then I will work on my final goal that is becoming a Grandmaster.

I am 1465 and 23 but still I have hope and chessmood and Jay Garrison as my mentors

wgm please :D

My goal is to be the first player to reach GM after starting as an amateur (Under 2000 ELO) in their 40s.

ChessMood is the right place to be to achieve this goal! 

#MakingHistory

I am Highly Motivated to become FM

My goal is to become FM in 3-4 years. It is going to be tough as I don't have all my time just for chess. The good is that you only need ELO rating high enough, there are no norm tournaments toa achieve FM title .

To be coach of 100+ Grandmasters 

I'm gonna be a very strong GM. It's unrealistic, but 'I love crazy', if you've seen Frozen ;)

We recommend section

Dear GM Avetik Sir, it would be very helpful if you could add more books and also mention the rating range for which it is more beneficial

Replies

Devansh, nice idea! 
That's exactly what we'll do when we launch the new website. Hopefully soon :) 

Suggestion (sales)

Hi,

Veru good site, of course, i will say this of the

most sensitive way (i hope), as advice: of course, your

model of sales is well designed, but, why not consider offer

individual courses  (with PGN's) Alongside to the current

model of PRO member? in order to no detract the scheme of

membership, those courses can be offered to a relative steep

price (e.g. $32). I have interest actually to purchase 2 or 3

courses individually.

Greetings from Mexico 

greetings

Replies

Luck in Chess

How many percent do you think luck affects in chess? Do you consider yourself as a lucky player or not?

Replies

I am never lucky in anything. I won every game by super efforts. No one gave me free points. On the other hand I lost my all games by blunders. So, I have no luck.

Chess is a game of some luck. I think because there is no 'inside' random element such as a die or what cards you are dealt, it's misunderstood as a game where luck doesn't figure (those that play poker will note that while bad cards are not something that can be controlled and ultimately could undo the best player, a fair part of the game is how those cards are played - a bad hand on its own isn't a problem if you can convince your opponents to fold).

Because playing perfect chess is beyond the human mind, and for at least sub-super GM is often more complicated that our skill level allows us to work out, there is a luck element.
Take a sharp position that neither side really know what's going on - one of two things might happen:
My opponent makes an error and I see it - and v/v
My opponent makes an error and I don't see it - and v/v

If I'd calculated some other line (when both lines looked appealing and there wasn't time to calculate both) and this means I would have/would not have seen the error, then there is luck/bad luck that I chose that line to calculate.

Another luck example is the opponent plays an opening I've been studying or falls into my pre-game analysis so I get a good position.

I do subscribe to the make your own luck point of view, but that is about being successful over many events (critical moment where the right/wrong decision factors highly) not just the one. The chance of success in any one particular event could be down to you, but it's a game of numbers (the better you are, the better prepared you are, the better state of mind you are in, the more events you'll succeed in overall and the better you'll play).

I think 40% of luck. Do I consider myself lucky? never :(

To-do list

Have you already read the last awesome article?

https://chessmood.com/blog/organize-your-day-organize-your-chess-journey

Do you have a To-do list already, if you don't have it yet, are you going to create?

Replies

WEll I never create any to do list but on the other hand i love to write what I learnt everyday. 

Here is my daily chess updates files!

https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/daily-study-updates

I used to plan my day every day at night and put everything in my head. But that's only for the next day.

Now I will write down the monthly and weekly plans in a copy.

I have read the article, although I don't do any to do lists, I keep it all in my head. Also, find me in the sparring partners forum. I am searching for partners to practice chessmood openings.

I have a lot of experience with these and its a very good article.

Have been guilty of avetik syndrome feeling bad about not completing list!

Will post my chess one later today actually to see what people think