Chess forum by Grandmasters

Sicilian Line

Ok so I experienced something new and I went and looked at the course and maybe I missed the answer but I don’t think so.  1.e4 c5 2.c3 Nc6 3.d4? How should I respond to this? I was taking my time thinking and my opponent got impatient and wanted to abort the game. I aborted I didn’t want to give White the middle. Thanks in advance. I tried to post this under an all ready created forum question for this but it wouldn’t let me add to the questions topic.

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Hey Brad! 
It's Alapin variation - The 1st section of "Crushing Sicilian" by GM Gabuzyan - 1st section.
He offered 2...Nf6, as white played 2.c3 and can't play Nc3 anymore.
So the plan is to attack the center. 

The Champion of July

Hey Champions! 
Who is the winner of July? :) 
Please post the screenshots of the raised rating in the link below.
https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/the-champion-of-july-and-the-prize

The one raised the rating the most will be the winner and gets 1 month FREE Membership in ChessMood Pro. 

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The Winner of "Best game of July"

Hey Champions! 
It's time to find the winner! 

The game, which gets the most likes till the end of 01.08 will be the winner. 
Let's vote in the link below :)
https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/best-games-of-july-and-prizes

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HI sir

My name is Varun i am from INDIA.my rating is 2251 since last four years.how to improve my chess game.my aim is to become an IM till next year.what books do you recommend to read.how many hours should i practice daily to reach my goal. 

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Hey Varun! 
Welcome to our team. 
Yesterday I saw, you are quite good! :) 
Please take a seat for a 1-1 call with GM in chessmood.com/events, there we will discuss everything. 
Before that check out our chessmood.com/we-recommend page for books. 

Typing in pgn format.

Ok my question is if I was typing this how would I type time control? Would I type where it said variant? Or would I type it some other way?

[Event "FICS"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2019.07.30"]
[Round "?"]
[White "PROLONG"]
[Black "Spirochete”]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "-"]
[BlackElo "-"]
[Variant ""]
[PlyCount "91"]

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You don't or you can put it in the game notation using text before move 

I mean the info before all the moves it adds a place for site and event but nothing about listing time control. There isn’t even an option for this in chessbase.

The Biker dude chess adventure... 20 + years in the making

 Hello my chess mood family .  I wanted to share my return to the chess tournament scene  with you all from the perspective of a 20 year plus lag in between the last one .   And what better way to do it then through Facebook and live  broadcast .   This brought together a lot of different aspects that were  not expected by me , such as more than slight case of the nerves because everyone I felt was better than I was .  And I tried to prepare using the teachings from the coach ,As to play his openings and put my learning to the test .  I wanted to thank you all for joining me on this, and that if you haven’t had a chance to looked at it, and don’t mind wasting a little bit of your time you go to my page on the Facebook and see some of the videos . it’s not long but it is after reviewing it rather silly,  my wife says that I can’t keep what’s  in my heart .  The outcome was not what I had hoped for but the experience was worth more than I expected .  Other observations would be that you just can’t prepare for everything,  the  Qc2  response in the Benko was unexpected and one of the lines that I did not review or could remember about and get into a position that I just wasn’t as comfortable .  The last game the one in which I won in round four is a perfect example of the coaches saying that when they play something that is weird or in your opinion not good that you should punish it I had the opportunity to do so and it turned out well .  I Gotta figure out how to put the games and here I will try to attach the PGN and you can go over them . probably nothing that’s worth seeing I did not play to my best . I’m going to write that off as very nervous and did not concentrate well but thank goodness the round four was better .   So  to those of you my brothers who are like me and if you’re older like myself you can get better with the coaches most valuable instruction .  It works I am a living witness to that .  I want to also add that my competition in this section of the tournament was just about everyone was at least 200- 400 ELO points rated higher than me. Wow,  talk about trial by fire OMG!  But still when I asked them how did you rate my play everyone said I played very well ... that was such a welcome surprise .  Will post the games in the next entry .   So my brothers keep the right mood and always look for the right move ! this is your brother the old biker dude after the next just event .

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Thanks for sharing.. Watched a few of the clips that Avetik shared on fb. Was fun to see the enthusiasma and comraderie with your fellow chessplayers! Always hard to come back after some inactivity/chess rust. Once you start gaining more experience in the chessmood openings for sure your results will keep improving! 

Way to go Eric! I was able to watch a couple of the clips! That was great! I look forward to your upcoming events and I hope our paths cross in St Louis in Sept!

Here is the pgn.

Here

Here

Awesome work! 

Great Job, Mr. Ortega! 
I feel you fully lived that day, with 100%! :) 

St. Louis Premier and Amateur adventure

As I mentioned in the FB chat, this weekend I played in the St. Louis Premier and Amateur tournament (amateur section based on feedback from the community).  Overall, I would say it was an awesome experience. I had only joined this site a few days prior to the tournament so I don't actually play any of the openings recommended, but I don't have a large chess community/system to share the experience with so I thought I would post on here.  

I was rated about 1480ish and first round they had me as "unrated" so I played a 1506. I played 1.e4 and he played the Caro-Kann, and I played the two knights variation. I was able to get a large advantage in the opening, but typical for me I ended up losing some of the advantage. I got into an endgame and was able to convert, thankfully.  

Second round I played a 1715 and he played 1.e4 and I responded with my 1...c5. I wanted to practice the Najdorf, but unfortunately he played 2.c4.  The game wasn't that eventful, and it eventually dwindled down to a rook and pawn drawn endgame.  

Third round I played one of the top seeds who was rated 1930ish.  I have always been told against higher rated players you should strive for complicated/imbalanced positions, so I played the Ruy Lopez and through the course of the game I gave up two minors for a rook and two pawns. I thought I could generate some dynamic play, but in the end I lost. I am excited to learn the Scotch though! 

Fourth round I played a 1630ish who was about 12 years old (super intimidating) and he played 1.e4 and I finally got to practice my Najdorf! I really enjoyed the game, and at one point sacrificed my rook for a knight and pawn and dynamic play. I thought I had a great attack going, but eventually it ended in a draw as well. 

Fifth round I played a lower rated player around 1240 who was having a decent tournament (I think he beat a 1550ish player) and we had a decent game. I opted for a KIA set up since I didn't want to go into Sicilian theory (not really comfortable playing the open yet) and I was able to solidify my kingside and then switch to a queenside attack. I won an exchange and basically carried that to a winning endgame. 

I have a ton to learn from these games, but overall I really enjoyed the tournament experience and I am excited to play more.  Hopefully I can improve and convert some of these draws to wins! 

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Hey Matt! 
Nice posts :) 
Scotch and Anti-Sicilian with Nc3 will be your strongest weapons soon :)
And GM Gabuzyan now is preparing a course for Najdorf :) 

Right Mood - Right Move! 

Way to go Matt! I look forward to seeing all your future successes! 

Yes, that’s they way to do it. Pulling for ya! The old Biker Chess dude

Game 59

In both positions White to move. How to continue? 

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Game 59.

1) Maybe Black's last move is ...Nh7 to threaten ...Ng5 or ...Bg5-Be3 and ...f5, so the pin on the d1/h5 diagonal is annoying. The idea will be to play 1.g4 to fight against the pin, and not allowing a further ...f5. After 1.g4 Bg6 2.Nf5 trying to get the pair of bishops. The general idea is to play after the previous moves a plan like : Qe2-Bd2-Kg2-Rh1-Rag1-Kf1-h4 obviously depending on Black's moves.

2) To be honest, I find this one difficult, but I have tried to keep the right mood ! difficult,  maybe because Ra1 and Bc1 are still at home ! After a long search, I noticed particular factors : like ed5 with a fork on c6 and e6, there is also a fork on e6 and g6 with a well-timed f5. So 1.Ng7 Kg7 2.f4 (tempo) ...ef4 (if Knight moves 3.f5) 3.Qf4 with the idea Qh2 to penetrate on the h-file. After Qh2, Bg5 is also a threat (eliminating a defender) and giving the f-file for the Ra1 to join the attack. The moves like ...Qh8 or ...Qg8 are not good because ed5. Also it will be diicult for Black to play ...de4 somewhere, The White Bishop can return on c4 with effect...

Game 58

What plan to choose for Black? 

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Game 58.

The White King is weak. In my dreams, I will exchange dark squares bishops, and achieve a position with Q/N against Q/bad bishop but it's not possible.  But I can win the Bb2, if I go to d4 with my Knight, nobody can tolerate such a Knight...So the dark squares will be extremely weak for White. I am not afraid of Ne6 because I can take with the pawn to open the f-file on the White King.  First 1...Nb8 on the road to d4, I believe 2.Ne6 is a mistake, more to the point is 2.Nf3 to take on d4 with this Knight. 1...Nb8 2.Nf3 Nc6 and let's try to achieve ...f5 in the best conditions to open the game on the White King...

Game 61

White to move, how to continue? 

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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

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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

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Hey Marc! 
We are working on them, hopefully this month. 

Game 57

White to move: Find a plan. 

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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

I am sure it might have been better played, any advice would be appreciated.

Kind regards,  Derek

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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

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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. 

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

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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?

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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? 

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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.

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It never allows me to follow current games being played to observe as well.

Sure, Brad! No problem