Chess forum by Grandmasters

How to Improve Your Tactical Vision

Hey Champions!
We have an interesting article on our Blog about this topic.
https://chessmood.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-tactical-vision
If you have any questions, comments or you just liked it, feel free to share your thoughts here :) 

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Great tactic

Benko Question

Coach, maybe I'm missing it in the videos but I am trying to figure out how best to continue when the opening goes 1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. Nf3... does black leave the tension and play d6/g6/Bg7 as usual and just try to transpose? I was looking on the lichess database and it seems like white scores very well in this move order, and I've ran into it several times now.  

Thanks! 

Matt

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Hey Matt! 4...d6 is fine, keeping it flexible. You can go b4 as well, with idea d6,e5. 

Delayed Alapin

e4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 c3 Nf6 Bd3.

My best friend who is WCM plays this setup as white. She call it delayed Alapin and white wants to play Bc2-d4.  Coach, can you suggest which line to choose?

d5 or g6 setup?

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I played this line as black once and looked what was considered best, I like 4...e5 and only then go for d5, since 4...d5 seems premature...5. e5 Nfd7 6.Bb5 is a weird french, but not great for black. 

In the line 4...e5 game can go like this 5 0-0 d5 6. exd5 Qxd5 with tempo and ideas of Bg4 or e4. If 5.Bc2 then 5...d5 and best for white seems 6.d3, and that can hardly be a problem...

4..e5 seems like a nice solution to me, I hope this helps!

Please help me with study Plan

Hello, 

I just joined the pro member with the hope to improve my chess performance, I am rated at around 1600, and i hope to get to 2000 this year. I am a working person, I only have around 2 hrs/day (at max) to train on the weekdays and 3-5 hrs on the weekend. The problem with me, i dont have training partner and most of the time I dont have the willpower to train, please help me coach. Thank you.

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Hello Mohammad! 
Welcome to our PRO team. 
Soon we'll have a 1-1 call and I'll give you a study plan. 
Before that - start with the classical commented game course.

See you soon.
Regards,
Avetik 

Repertoire issues

I played  a Rapid tournament yesterday and I had the chance to test our Chessmood openings with quite a success, but I had a pair of sicilians that I do not think are in our repertoire, one being missing for a long time...

First game I was white and played 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.f4 Nf6 4.Nf3 and he played 4...e6, I think this is not anywhere, and the question is...where should I put my bishop? If Bc4, Nxe4 trick is an option, If Bb5, he simply plays Bd7. What am I missing?

And my complain comes from the line I had in a Sicilian game with black. Moves were 1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5. It's the line recommended with white, but we do not have any video adressing it as black, since GM Gabuzyan course comes from the order 2...d6. What are the best lines after 3...Nd4 4.Bc4 and 4.Nf3??

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4. Bb5+ is most often played; however, 4. Bc4 is playable. if 4...Nxe4, the ol' sac the N for the illusory fork trick 5. Bb5+ leaves the N on e4 embarrassed and hanging.

Hi Jordi,

You have to be a bit more flexible in your thinking, since even though the Grand-Prix Attack is a dangerous or as Avetik would say 'dangery' attacking weapon as outlined in the course, it does not mean it is the most effective setup against all lines. The game segment you mentioned  1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.f4 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 works fairly well against the Grand-Prix setup, but is less effective after 5.g3 transposing to a promising form of the Closed Sicilian where black has been tricked into a passive and theoretically inferior line. I posted a Kevin Spraggett game in another thread to illustrate model play in such positions.

I have briefly tried to address your second query in the below annotated pgn, I hope it helps:

Hey Jordi! Both of the issues are correct. 
About Grand Prix Attack, when Black plays e6, I'll update the course.
The same is about when we meet Anti-Sicilian. 

Colovic just came out with an antisicilian course on Chessable. I had a quick look and against nd4 bc4 he offers e6, nf6 and then usually a6 b5 or d5 depending on white move orders...haven't had a deep look though to compare with chessmood lines

Thanks to all for the answers. Kevin, I considered g3, but since I only remembered the Nh3 lines I thought I was going to be out of the book too soon, but it looks best to play g3, I saw the game of Spraggett.

The other line, I'm looking forward to see GM Avetik's solution, since I found it  complicated that retreat Carlsen did, we are underdeveloped, so I need to see how to handle that position. 

Regards,

Jordi

Hey guys! 
Just uploaded the 4th section in Grand Prix Attack, section 4

#SLP

Dear friends, dear PRO Members! 
In the comment section let's post our SLP - Saving Lost Positions games, the fleshmob continues! :) 

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https://www.chess.com/live/game/3681555855 

Against 2500 FM, without a piece!:) 
#SLP 

https://www.chess.com/live#g=3691062794

https://www.chess.com/live/game/3741501443 

I was totally lost :D 
But... SLP!!! 

#SLP! should have lost never gave up! 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10205996082218199&id=1744969010

While waiting for the webinar I played this game. I lose a couple pawns, but get good development and my opponent misses the fun finish!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/3801681623

Good job! 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10206114608741288&id=1744969010

SLP!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10206681087262897&id=1744969010

I lost the exchange then helped my opponent go wrong #SLP

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4341233421

I hoodie blundered my queen... but #SLP

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4409731998

Chess games files

As Avetik sir said in live streams about pgn files of all the games which he is playing during stream of 800-2400. 

So I made my pgn file so if anyone need it let me know.

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Sure,would appreciate that... send them to IfPeteKan@outlook.com

Study Partner.

Hi myself abhishek yadav. You can call me Abhi. I am 1465 FIDE rated guy and hoping to find a good partner for playing chess and also an hr daily classical game study. Because sometimes my mind stuck to read books. I know GM Avetik's method and I also apply same ideas in study but problem is how to find plans is a big issue.

Let me show a position.

I spent 10 mins on this position and my main thought is to find a way to open centre with f6 but I do not saw the follow up well. White's king is in the centre so I need to punish him for that. Avetik sir said focus on classics. I got that but before any game lesson we have to analise game alone na and there I face issues.  I am doing fine against 2000 chess.com blitz and recently had nice victory against FM but who cares for blitz. 

So,I hope I will find  a partner for study. But no beginner please. 

I am not trying to insult anyone. I just need a player above my strength. Anyways my positional chess is better than tactical but I do not mind styles. 

Thanks.

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I know in these kind of positions we have three pawn advances and I love to play f6 but I do not see the follow up after exposing my own king.  I know white's bishop on f4 is bad right now and piece co oridination is bad too but I do not know how to open up centre and punish himm.

 Hello Ahbi, I would like to be your partner (I am 1750 rated in bullet and 1650 in blitz), but I also like online classic (~1500). I don't have an official FIDE ELO but I try to find sparring partners. I have watched some of your online games which I found very interesting. Where are we going to play our first games? I am looking forward to your answer.

Courses down (edit/repair?)

I am looking back at the Starter course this morning, but was not able to proceed with one video with the message "Sorry This video will be available for viewing shortly". I look forward to it's swift return! ;-)

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Now we are back in business! New video in place (after some editing!) & I can get back to study! Thanks Chess Mood...Right Mood Right Move & COGRO! ;-)

Hi Richard. 
We're working on the technical issue. 
Hopefully you'll become a GM in the next week :) 

Positional Piece up!!

Middlegame lesson 1 in chessmood. 

Capablance Piece up positionally.

I tried same concept and won but made some errors too.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4381886598

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Good job! 

My GOTD (game of the day) : Saidy vs Fischer 1.c4 c5 0-1

Another great game & win from Bobby Fischer! Saidy vs Fischer 1.c4 c5 0-1

Amazing N vs B endgame where Fischer's knight play killed the White bishop! Awesome...enjoy!

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Hey Richard. Thank you for sharing! 

My best game of 2020 so far

https://lichess.org/3H8tMApvGETY

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Nice :) 

Scandi Question

Hey Coach, what do you recommend when this line comes up? 

1. e4 d5  2. ed5 Nf6  3.B b5 Bd7  4. Bc4 Bg4  5. f3 Bh5  6. Nc3 c6

It seems like if white plays 7. dc6 then black just gets to develop the knight, but I don't see how else to proceed.  Maybe just 7. g4 Bg6 8. f4?  It seems like white's king is fairly exposed and queenside development is still a few moves away from castling long

Matt

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Matt, just d3,Nge2, Ng3, Nge4. Staying pawn up. 

1.e4 (Best by test)

I would like to say how pleased I am that ChessMood opening white repertoire is based on 1.e4.

I have played chess (badly) for many years and have always liked 1.e4 as my favourite white opening (1.e4 was famously endorsed by GM Bobby Fischer as his favourite white opening also eg "1.e4 best by test", as he stated!).

It is really good to hear GM Avetik Grigoryan explain why ChessMood chose 1.e4 to be the white opening first move of choice (and very nice to go with 1.e4 Scotch opening, yet another favourite opening of mine). I agree with his comment on the potential attacking nature of 1.e4 and I chuckle as I have had 1.d4 players try to tell me how aggressive and attacking 1.d4 opening is for white! Well. of course there are some attacking 1.d4 openings, but I have yet to find one as fast and as aggressive as some of the 1.e4 openings. If anyone knows any, do let me know, as most 1.d4 aggressive openings I know take time to develop (Blackmar Diemer Gambit, BDG, 1.d4 d5 2.e4 is a possible exception, but as it involves 2.e4 as the second move, it doesn't count with me as a true 1.d4 opening?! LOL!).

Continuing my 1.e4 ramble, I started my chess "career(?)" playing the Alapin Sicilian 1.e4 c5 2.c3 and then last year I got a chess coach who played Sicilian Accelerated Dragon as Black and I started to learn this too and ended up trying to learn the Sicilian with both colours! However, this centered on the Open Sicilian openings and anti-Sicilian openings (Alapin/Rossolimo etc etc BUT not the Sicilian Closed!).

So, now I am learning the Chess Mood Sicilian Closed opening (1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.f4...) and the Scotch Potter variation (Nb3) and the French Schlecter (3.Bd3)! BRING IT ON!

(I almost forgot why I started this 1.e4 post! It is because I found x9 GM Bobby Fischer Closed Sicilian games in my Fritz9 DBase (7 white Fischer wins & x2 draws) and this prompted this post. I am not sure if the game Fischer vs Spassky Sicilian Closed 1992 (m 25) is in the "Classical games" Chess Mood list, but I think it could be so I post it to honour a favourite player of mine who was a 1.e4 expert chess player!)

Viva 1.e4 (here endeth my 1.e4 ramble...for the moment. I will not mention Petrovs, Scandinavians,French, Caro Kann, Italians, Spanish, Viennas, Philidors, Owens & Nimzowitsh, Pirc, Moderns  and any other 1.e4 openings...) Happy opening study all and goodluck! ;-)

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Go Richard, go! :) 

Carlsen chessmooder?

Apologies for the clickbait title, but this is really interesting:

https://live.followchess.com/#!king-salman-world-blitz-2019/-1651222067

The recent blog post by Avetik about classic games was still fresh in my mind when I was watching this game live. Carlsen follows exactly the strategy Avetik described in his article. In a Carlsbad structure, he played Nd3, completely stopping the minority attack, and then Kramnik was helpless against the Kside attack.  Just goes to show how important the point coach is trying to make -study the classics!

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Yeah Avetik's lessons are wonderful about middlegame. I only watched one Dvd by Collins about Carlsbad and he also explained many themes. I prefer gaining knowledge. 

Carlsen ChessMooder :D :D :D 
Sounds cool! :D 

Thanks for the post, Papa Tactics :) 

Opening Files in Chessbase

Can anyone guide me as how to prepare the opening files from Chessmood courses into Chessbase 14 using the draft versions provided? I have posed the same question to GM Avetik and awaiting reply. In the meantime, would appreciate if anyone who knows it can respond.

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Hi Sriram. 
Just watch 1 section, and then put in the file whatever you remembered. 
If you forget something, go back to the video. 
And this way, section by section, course by course. 

My most open-hearted interview

There are journalists who ask you what kind of apple you like and people like Alex who make the interviews cool with interesting and deep questions.
I think this is the most open-hearted interview I've ever given.
https://www.alexcolovic.com/2020/01/interview-with-gm-avetik-grigoryan/ 

Thanks all those because of whom now I am living a smile in my soul ❤️

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Nice interview and article. I commented on it on chess.com and you asked if we knew one another & I did reply, but had no reply, so I post here also! No hoodie blunders playe4! Best wishes! ;-)

BTW What kind of apples do you like? I'd be pleased to know! :-)

Richard :D :D 

How to choose opening?

Hello Everyone!

The topic I would like to discuss today is an opening choice. What do you think, how should person choose an opening? Which are key factors? Personal characteristics, coach advise , or something else?
Please, feel free to share your thoughts. 

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I read somewhere that until 2000 ELO, one should play openings that are attacking in nature or lead to more dynamic play but after that one must study openings based on the pawn structure one is comfortable in playing.

What if you like both?

For me, the opening choice is basically caused by one's charachter. Personally I love to play sharp and complex positions. As Siriam has said, until 2000 ELO, sometimes players who do not have the required theoretical knowledge, choose openings which do not "fit" their playing style. One of my friends is so inspired by Morphy's games, he almost always chooses the italian game, although he gets crushed by me (his lichess ELO 1420). That's why I believe that an opening choice can arise is one's mind accordingly to his opponent.

I play what my coach tells me! heh

In all seriousness, when choosing openings on my own, I was all over the place with style, and was following the latest fads. I played the Trmpowski and the London System with white, and I played the Pirc and Philidors Black Lion with Black. I had experimented with the Najdorf, the Caro-Khan, KID, Nimzo-Indian, and many others looking for the "fix" to my game. 

Once I started with Chessmood I accepted the recommended openings and drop all the ones I was playing before (This was hard for the Tromp, as I had been playing it for 20+ years and was quite comfortable in all the positions) However, by doing so, I have found my own style because of the ChessMood openings. A very aggressive attacking style that fits my personality :). I will continue to use them until Coach tells me otherwise. 

Coach that's a great question and I spent many months thinking of this after I played my first event and then I found a nice idea not only for below 1600 players but it can also work on the fields of 2500 I think. I think for below 1600 players just focus on creating a nice repo then add new lines to apply my idea. Because choosing bunch of openings is useless for below 1600 players but once you have nice foundation of opening ideas and you can comfterable with my approach then add lines.

I also prefer to use both main lines and side lines.

My idea is simple and can be complicated for some players.

Attacking lines against positional players!

The point is simple, those players who are highly focus on positional chess have sometimes issues in their tactical vision or even if they are strong grandmasters there might be a slight chance that due to tactical positions they make a slight mistake and u will win. As I know from courses you are a najdjrof( sorry for spell) player so I think if you are facing positional player then there are a lot chances in which u can get good positions or even if you are under pressure I know players of Najdorf can have plenty of saving resources. So that's my way of play.

Positional Approach against attacker:

I only studied some classical games in  past and saw some live commentary of rapid and blitz and I feel like if you are facing an attacker and your repo is so solid and positional then it makes an attacker desperate to do something aggressive and this aggression might lead to some problem in his own camp so the point is when you play solid attacker have so issues in playing.

I have two examples to illustrate this point. 

1. A guy who is 2000 is my xfriend and he loves attacking approaches and he plays well in tactics but whenever he faces a player of 2200+ he lost positionally and it was due to his desperation to do something and he lose.

2.My coach in real life. He was 2300 in past and due to 5 year ban he is now 2000. The ban was due to playing unofficial events. He crushed many GM's in past including Abhijeet Gupta too. He told me that abhi you are a beginner now so play super solid but also learn tactics by heart but he also said that he always played so solid so it was tough for attacking GM's to break his territory and he don't like risk chess. 

So that's all I know sir. I hope this is right approach. 

Attacker- Positional approach

Positional- Attacking approach.

The biggest problem with my idea mentioned above is for advanced players. for example it's so tough to remember both lines against same openings. Let's say you have a match against Gary Kasparov and you know that he recently started playing e5 too so it will make your task difficult to focus on Najdrof or e5.

So may be my plan is not working for super advanced player but I feel like it can work for below 2200 players well. Rest is in future and please let me know if there is mistake in my approach. In past when I met Avetik sir on fb I shared him this idea and he said it's nice approach.  I am excited to know what others think about it.

I am just 1465 so I am focused on improving my vision and tactics but I do love solid approach. 

Hi, Interesting question.  I have spent a lot of time on this...  tooo much time!!  To my detrament as a player I have lost too much time with this question.  The best and simplest answer is this: (I should  have accepted the answer from the late Mark Morss.  I would be a better player) . 1.e4 as white and play open positions!  vs 1.d4 he recommended Tarrasch as leading to open positions.  I believe that is a decent answer.  Why because it handles 1.c4 and 1.Nf3.  maybe better is the QGA with the book by Delchev and Semkov and their book on how to play vs 1.Nf3 and 1.c4.  The QGA and the corresponding Delchev and Semkov book.  And vs 1e4 play 1...e5 and play open positions.  play open Ruy Lopez.  The idea BEHIND this is not to master the QGA or the Tarrasch.  BUT to master open positions.  Why open positions?  Main reason: they can never ever close up on you.  Why learn say the complicated KID with closed structures when you may have memorized where the pieces go but once the position opens up you loose.  Why?  You never learned open positions.  Mark Morss a Chess master and I think IM in Postal??  Would say play open positions till 2000 or better yet till you are knocking over NM or higher.  I think 1800 is pretty good, maybe.  The idea is that chess builds, just like Math or Physics.  Gotta learn to count before calculus.  Better know your Sines and Cosines ect ect....  Then at 1800, play semi open positions.  Then 2000 level  play Closed positions.  At 2200 play whatever you want.  You will now know what positions you like and don't like.  Very easy for 2500+ players to say openings are a matter of taste, often times they started at say 6 and by the time most of us started to drive they were better players with higher ratings then we will ever achieve!!  Also, if you haven't reached many of position types how do you know if you like and can play them.   Often times we also get our emotions into chess.  One issue, for example, is we want to play like Kasparov so we play Najdorf and we haven't learned to play say even Scandanavian with Qd6.   We hang pieces ect.   We must learn the basics first.  One teacher tried to show me this but I was blind.  Serving in Tennis, read at the top of his article(what the hell does this have to do with chess I thought??  I am the next Fischer!!).  We all want a devastating, leaping, killer serve.  We try throwing up the ball and it hits the net.  Net again.  Same with chess.  Develop the basics, the fundamentals!!  Another chess issue is thinking you play like Kasparov when really, you play like Karpov.  Not an issue.  I mean if you are 3000 rating who cares what style you play in, you are 3000!!  Most players I have seen have learned how to attack at first and then developed a style.  Karpov played 1.e4 when he started and only changed to 1.d4 after Kasparov.  Kramnik played very sharp.  He played Sveshnikov, Semi Slav and main line 1.d4 lines like Bayonette in KID (scaring most players away from KID for a while) and Rb1 in exchange Grunfeld!!  Soo, Tonight I will learn the Fundamental openings.  1.e4 with scotch, Nc3 vs sicilian, exchange caro.  And yes Benko and Accelerated dragon as Black.  So learn to attack.  Learn basic fundamental principles.  (Oh by the way even Mikhail Tal got caught watching  "basic" chess programs on TV, when asked I think he said he still learned from them or at least gotta keep in shape!!) .   But I still think open positions before closed, is a fundamental idea in chess.  Also, I think till you learn all the basics and are like say over 2000 you have no style.  You have lack of knowledge.  Even at 2000 people have attained that without knowing when to play say the move a4 as white to attack or stop b5 pawn.  They just want to attack.  If your coach can honestly say you know all the principles of chess and you have like a 2000-2200 rating then by all means pick a style.  By the way most GM's i think will say they have no style or  that theirs is a Universal style.  If you are so good in one you must be lacking in the other.   Just an opinion.   Thanks for reading!!  

I strongly feel you should play openings that you like and have success with. To do this well, does not just mean learning the first 10 moves from memory alone, but actually trying to understand the ideas and chess principles related to the openings you play. A good tip I also have, is it helps to learn and play an opening with both colours (eg GM Bobby Fischer playing Sicilian as White & Black with great success).

Getting good advice from a coach is very useful, but only if the coach knows your chess playing style. Too many coaches (imho), tell students to play the openings they (as coaches) like, which may not be the best for all chess students and chess players! With so many openings to choose from and so many opinions from "chess experts", it can be tough for lower rated and less experienced chess players to find the right openings that suits them individually and spend time specialising in them!

Amazingly, there are fashion trends in chess openings that influence players choices. Around 5-10 years ago, many GM's recommended lower rated players play the Colle opening as a sort of system opening and yet over the last 2 years these same GM's are now recommending to learn & play The London system! Sometimes the fashion depends on what openings were played mainly in the last World Chess Championship final.

Of course, the Chess Mood opening repertoire, is a really fine repertoire, as GM Avetik Grigoryan and the rest of the GM team explain the openings well and play them well also, giving a good example to follow. This is great for lower rated players like me to use, as I know they will give success if I learn and play them well. For me though, many of these are new openings to me, which means I have a lot to learn if I want to follow all Chess Mood opening courses and this takes a lot of time and effort!

Last year, before I joined Chess Mood I decided I would try & learn and play the Sicilian as Black and started with the Dragon variations. As White against the Sicilian, I usually play a Bb5/Bb5+ or some type of delayed Alapin. Now at Chess Mood I am learning the Closed Sicilian as White and may soon try to learn the Najdorf as Black. So much new work to do! Actually though, I do enjoy chess opening study and play which helps me tackle and persevere to learn these new openings. I also like the fact that as I know quite a few openings now, my chess play is versatile and has lots of variety! Now I need to learn better mid and end game play that arises from these openings, to win more games!

Final words from Jedi master Yoda: "Important an opening is. Wisely must you choose!"  So have fun all choosing and playing openings and especially the Chess Mood openings  :-)

Also in choosing openings, we should find coherence.  What I mean is take the slav and caro.  Or the KID  and Pirc.  Accelerated dragon and Benko.   Now for the slav and caro, lets say the moves are 1.c4 c6 2.e4!!!  You have been move ordered from your slav to your caro Kahn repertoire.  No Caro??  you have issue.  KID and Pirc still different openings but they give you flexability.  Hate the Trompowsky, but playing Jay who has played it for 20 plus years??  Play 1.d4 d6!!  no tropowsky!!   ACC. Dragon and Benko work as you have seen in tandem with symetrical English to give a repertoire vs 1.d4, e4, c4, and Nf3. 

Also remember, Black is not white and white is not black.  You can play KIA but KID is more of a line in GM play.  Why?  Because Black is not white.  White calls the shots and creates the information on the board.  Black replies to it.  Take GM Mihail Suba's example say a number any, ok 25 well 26 I win.  The point is white has to create the Tempo and Black depending on style of play either equalizes or counter punches.  That is why 1.c4 e5 and 1.e4 c5 are different.  1.e4 takes space and threatens 2.d4.  Black says, nah I am going to counter punch and create asymetry on the board.  While, 1.c4 is flexable allows for pawns to be developed before knights (meaning you dont want to weaken kingside by 1.f4 2.Nf3 but 1.c4 2.Nc3 is better then just 1.Nc3 as you have now blocked your c pawn), creates space.  while 1...e5 counteracts that says now the game will be a game of counterattack, probably Kingside space vs white's queenside space.  Reverse of sicilian game but still 1.c4 e5 is not 1.e4 c5!!!Check theory, what lines are with 1.c4 e5?  No Najdorfs, Sveshnikov's or Dragons (well reverse dragon but still Black is not white!!) no tons of theory. 

Plan first then pick openings around that!!  For example    questions to ask yourself:  1. what types of pawn structures do I like or want to investigate?  2. Do I like sharp positions or something more plan based? 3. Be honest, DO I HAVE THE TIME???  Unless you quit work, are retired maybe Grunfeld, Najdorf, 1.e4 and 1.d4 playing open sicilians and 30 moves of Mar Del Plata should not be your cup of tea!!  3. How many openings can I remember?  That also has to do with time.  (Note the above questions can rarely be answered by Newer players, or at least players with more experience will definetly have "better" answers).  4.  Next where am I in my chess career?  Am I new?  Well why be taught how to play 6.Bg5 in Najdorf when you have not seen classical games with 1.e4 e5??  Are you like coach a GM who needs/needed to revamp repertoire and play sharper or heck less sharp???  (Look at Kramnik went from hot chess to positional!  Similar to Karpov but Karpov a lot tamer over all.)  

Only now should you choose the openings to play.  If you have a job and have played 1.e4 before and are 1800+ or so and don't like theory.  Try the Trompowsky! What can it hurt?  Or even London?   As black try if you like open games 1.e5 and open spanish and Tarrasch or whatever!!  I am just advising to plan first and then choose.  Ask the above questions then start asking what openings fit the answers.  

Thanks, Marc

Success Stories

Dear ChessMood Family! 
Here let's post all our achievements to motivate each other.
It may be raising rating, winning a strong tournament or defeating a strong opponent. 
Right Mood - Right Move! 

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I have been a promember of ChessMood since march last year, and tried to follow streams, videos and other stuff. I have not yet used ChessMood-openings because I like my three openings (Jobava London, Black Lion and English defense) very well. And I have still a lot of things to learn in them. 

But Avetik and others in ChessMood give me a lot of inspiration, and it is very interessting to follow you other guys and see your progress. I also see that I learn a lot of chessstrategy when I watch this stuff.

Just now I feel that I play much safer and have a good mood when I am playing. In less than one month my blitzrating on Lichess has rise from 1596 til 1773. I use my normal openings, but try to learn from ChessMood  strategy and calmness. And it works.

I hope first to stabilize on this level, and then rise again. And maybe one day I will study deeper ChessMood-opening and get ut another level. (If my brain can take it :) )

Until then I will keep my good (chess)mood and try to do my best! And thanks to all for a group that give me a lot of fun and good inspiration.

The Best Games of December and the Prize

Replies

One of my best positional style games

https://lichess.org/zeujFcRv/white

I almost threw this one away :*(

https://lichess.org/Nj9SiPeb/white#74

Attack!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4268914009

[Event "Rated Classical game"][Site "https://lichess.org/98MNjzlo"][Date "2019.12.05"][Round "-"][White "JairusJA"][Black "MilanVagovic"][Result "1-0"][UTCDate "2019.12.05"][UTCTime "10:08:08"][WhiteElo "1951"][BlackElo "1872"][WhiteRatingDiff "+6"][BlackRatingDiff "-5"][Variant "Standard"][TimeControl "900+15"][ECO "B86"][Opening "Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack"][Termination "Normal"][Annotator "lichess.org"]1. e4 { [%clk 0:15:00] } c5 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 2. Nf3 { [%clk 0:15:13] } d6 { [%clk 0:15:13] } 3. d4 { [%clk 0:15:28] } cxd4 { [%clk 0:15:26] } 4. Nxd4 { [%clk 0:15:43] } Nf6 { [%clk 0:15:31] } 5. Nc3 { [%clk 0:15:56] } e6 { [%clk 0:15:42] } 6. Bc4 { [%clk 0:16:01] } { B86 Sicilian Defense: Sozin Attack } a6 { [%clk 0:15:50] } 7. f4 { [%clk 0:16:13] } Be7 { [%clk 0:15:35] } 8. e5 { [%clk 0:16:27] } Nfd7 { [%clk 0:15:38] } 9. Bxe6 { [%clk 0:16:33] } fxe6 { [%clk 0:15:27] } 10. Nxe6 { [%clk 0:16:44] } Qb6 { [%clk 0:15:23] } 11. Nxg7+ { [%clk 0:16:53] } Kf7 { [%clk 0:14:56] } 12. Nd5 { [%clk 0:15:44] } Qd8 { [%clk 0:14:34] } 13. Nf5 { [%clk 0:15:41] } Nc6 { [%clk 0:14:13] } 14. Qh5+ { [%clk 0:14:55] } Ke6 { [%clk 0:13:36] } 15. Nfe3 { [%clk 0:15:07] } dxe5 { [%clk 0:11:15] } 16. c4 { [%clk 0:05:04] } Nd4 { [%clk 0:09:43] } 17. fxe5 { [%clk 0:04:07] } Bh4+ { [%clk 0:08:58] } 18. g3 { [%clk 0:04:17] } Qg5 { [%clk 0:09:00] } 19. Nc7+ { [%clk 0:03:20] } Kxe5 { [%clk 0:06:29] } 20. Ng4+ { [%clk 0:03:22] } Ke4 { [%clk 0:05:54] } 21. Nf2+ { [%clk 0:03:03] } { Black resigns. } 1-0I usually dont play attacking chess....but i saw a game where fisher crush his opponent like this sicillian atk...so i tried...and it worked????

https://lichess.org/98MNjzlo

The link of the game 

[Event "Rated Classical game"][Site "https://lichess.org/ZHOaFQ7J"][Date "2019.12.08"][Round "-"][White "fogggggg"][Black "JairusJA"][Result "0-1"][UTCDate "2019.12.08"][UTCTime "14:04:34"][WhiteElo "2024"][BlackElo "1971"][WhiteRatingDiff "-8"][BlackRatingDiff "+9"][Variant "Standard"][TimeControl "900+15"][ECO "B30"][Opening "Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian"][Termination "Normal"][Annotator "lichess.org"]1. e4 { [%clk 0:15:00] } c5 { [%clk 0:15:00] } 2. Nf3 { [%clk 0:15:12] } Nc6 { [%clk 0:15:13] } { B30 Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian } 3. c3 { [%clk 0:15:22] } e5 { [%clk 0:15:21] } 4. Bb5 { [%clk 0:15:22] } d6 { [%clk 0:15:32] } 5. d4 { [%clk 0:15:14] } cxd4 { [%clk 0:15:44] } 6. cxd4 { [%clk 0:15:25] } exd4 { [%clk 0:15:53] } 7. Nxd4 { [%clk 0:15:19] } Bd7 { [%clk 0:16:03] } 8. O-O { [%clk 0:14:17] } Nf6 { [%clk 0:16:06] } 9. Bxc6 { [%clk 0:13:58] } bxc6 { [%clk 0:16:05] } 10. Nc3 { [%clk 0:13:35] } Be7 { [%clk 0:16:18] } 11. f4 { [%clk 0:13:30] } Qc7 { [%clk 0:15:49] } 12. Nf5 { [%clk 0:12:02] } Bxf5 { [%clk 0:15:51] } 13. exf5 { [%clk 0:12:14] } O-O { [%clk 0:15:12] } 14. Rf3 { [%clk 0:11:58] } Rfe8 { [%clk 0:14:55] } 15. Rg3 { [%clk 0:11:39] } d5 { [%clk 0:14:45] } 16. Be3 { [%clk 0:11:30] } Bf8 { [%clk 0:14:37] } 17. Bd4 { [%clk 0:10:21] } Ne4 { [%clk 0:14:50] } 18. Nxe4 { [%clk 0:10:00] } Rxe4 { [%clk 0:14:14] } 19. Be5 { [%clk 0:09:48] } Qb6+ { [%clk 0:14:02] } 20. Kh1 { [%clk 0:09:57] } Kh8 { [%clk 0:13:00] } 21. Qg4 { [%clk 0:07:20] } Rxe5 { [%clk 0:13:13] } 22. fxe5 { [%clk 0:07:31] } Qxb2 { [%clk 0:13:26] } 23. Re1 { [%clk 0:06:35] } Rb8 { [%clk 0:13:25] } 24. h4 { [%clk 0:04:44] } Rb4 { [%clk 0:13:03] } 25. Qg5 { [%clk 0:04:13] } h6 { [%clk 0:11:04] } 26. Qh5 { [%clk 0:03:16] } Qf2 { [%clk 0:10:56] } 27. Ree3 { [%clk 0:01:24] } Rb1+ { [%clk 0:10:08] } 28. Kh2 { [%clk 0:01:35] } Qg1+ { [%clk 0:10:22] } 29. Kh3 { [%clk 0:01:49] } Qh1+ { [%clk 0:10:36] } 30. Kg4 { [%clk 0:02:03] } Rb4+ { [%clk 0:10:50] } 31. Kf3 { [%clk 0:02:16] } Qf1# { [%clk 0:10:38] } { Black wins by checkmate. } 0-1.......I played it today against a higher rated opponenthttps://lichess.org/ZHOaFQ7J

Link of the game

https://lichess.org/ZHOaFQ7J

Crushing with the black pieces!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4285288378

Caro-Kann

 https://www.chess.com/live/game/4289827147 

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4290285784

demolished in sicilian

https://lichess.org/PzszKWNF/white 

demolished in triangle slav

https://lichess.org/XEI6dTw0/black

Sicilian Defense - Closed Variation

Here is a daily game played on Chess.com.  I've had a lot of difficulty getting the K-side attack as white correct in the Sicilian. Finally, I think I figured it out.

https://www.chess.com/daily/game/243820024

Accelerated Dragon

French Advanced :)

https://lichess.org/SqEx0NmS

French Defense - Exchange Variation - Bd3. 

punishment in scotch

https://lichess.org/te7S7EBw/white

I really struggled a lot in openings in past. I learnt only alapin in depth from white side but now bec of chessmood I am crushing 2000 on chess.com and improving not only in openings but also middlegames strategy.

Here are my two quick knockouts.

1. He fell into the novelty Qe1! and made blunder Bd6??

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4325100745

2,  French knockout. I wanted him to play Nxf3 gxf3! line but he did not so I played my best and won so quickly.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4325044523

Thanks. I played many good  games but these two were amazing to me bec they fell into my prep.

positional destruction in benko gambit (unfortunately I did not find checkmate in 2 moves on the 30th move and made a couple of inaccuracies, however, during the game, I left no chance for the opponent to seize the advantage)

https://lichess.org/ChjSmqbD/black

Benko Gambit (Chessmood Line)

Here is a demolition of the You Tube variation of the Scotch Game. I have included the various alternatives examined during the game

http://view.chessbase.com/cbreader/2019/12/27/Game941821703.html

[Event "Rated Blitz game"] [Site "https://lichess.org/F3UisdGI"] [Date "2019.12.29"] [Round "-"] [White "villaoibos"] [Black "Hasul1"] [Result "0-1"] [UTCDate "2019.12.29"] [UTCTime "22:13:25"] [WhiteElo "1952"] [BlackElo "1984"] [WhiteRatingDiff "-6"] [BlackRatingDiff "+6"] [Variant "Standard"] [TimeControl "180+0"] [ECO "B22"] [Opening "Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation"] [Termination "Normal"] [Annotator "lichess.org"] 1. e4 c5 2. c3 { B22 Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation } d5 3. e5 e6 4. Qe2 Nc6 5. f4 g6 6. g3 Bg7 7. d3 Nge7 8. Nf3 O-O 9. Bg2 d4 10. c4 a6 11. a3 b5 12. Nbd2 Bb7 13. Kf1 Nf5 14. Qe4 Ne3+ 15. Kf2 Rb8 16. f5 Nxe5 17. Qh4 Nxd3+ 18. Kg1 Qxh4 19. Nxh4 Bxg2 { White resigns. } 0-1

Crushing with the Scotch! They can not withstand the pressure!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/4353013684?tab=analysis

You want to play a sideline? Then you will be punished!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4353802295

And another falls in the trickiest line of the French!

https://www.chess.com/live/game/4353836358

Thanks to everyone for your nice games! 
The "Best Game" of December goes to Robert Piliposyan.
Robert won a 1-month PRO membership.
For his 2 nice games, we decided to give 1-month membership to Mikhail Salnikov as well. 
Congratulations, guys!