Chess forum by Grandmasters

Dirty flagging achievement

No pieces? No problem. Not sure how I pulled this off, I really haven't had enough caffeine this morning

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oh yeah I have done this

Just won at 4 person chess!

Got my opponent's queen too which was fun!

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New article: Does bullet chess make you better or worse?

Does playing bullet actually help improve your chess? 

GM Avetik Grigoryan reveals the answer to this question, backing it up with science. He also shares:
 

✅ How this time control affects your game.

✅ Why streamers and GMs play bullet, and should you follow in their footsteps or not?

✅ A former world champion’s perspective on playing bullet chess and more…
 

Read the full article here 👇

https://chessmood.com/blog/does-bullet-chess-make-you-better
 

Hopefully, it points you in the right direction of chess growth 💪

Share your thoughts and opinions under this forum thread.

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My real beef with bullet is that opponents don't play real openings and often play dumb moves to waste clock time. Otherwise it would be a good way to practise many openings in a short period.

The truth is that I don't even know nothing about premoves. Playing bad chess is no fun for me. And as a rule of thumb when more time more quality is displayed. So I enjoy watching SGM play their best chess OTB in classical time controls.

Great article 👌.

Great article by GM Avetik

Maybe you forgot to tell us that we should play rapid/classical time control if we have time,only to play blitz time control when we don't have many spare time but still want to improve our chess skills?😂 This article finally solved my "puzzle" on why my bullet and blitz ratings is always higher than rapid and classical,while other people who don't play bullet frequently is vice versa!

Thank you coach, it's just up to me to take the right way and be in the 1%...

Excellent article. I fully endorse and agree with it.

I hate playing fast chess and my friend likes playing fast chess so a few weeks ago he sent me the article on why I should play blitz chess. Needless to say I am happy this now exists 😆

I feel like I was a better calculator before adapting to faster time controls.I hated bullet and I liked rapid more than blitz or bullet for a better quality of chess. I was more ''obsessed'' with finding the best move in every position. I sometimes get in that ''mind-set'' but it won't last long.Blitz or bullet have made me catch up with other players' speed (you need to have a bullet skill/rhytmn to be a good blitz player imo) but after analyzing my games there are blunders or mistakes that make me a little frustrated even if I have won some of them. Currently I feel like my brain has gotten numb but I have decreased the amount of time for blitz or bullet games per day and my 1st games tend to have better quality.

Yeah

Kahneman actually won the Nobel Prize in economics. I know him well from many years of undergrad and grad training in econ and finance, but one could easily consider him more of a psychologist. Another great book to consider on learning is, "Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning", by cognitive scientists at The University of Washington, St. Louis, a top tier school. The book has very valuable lessons for life, some that may surprise you. Thanks for a great article, as usual.

Very nicely written GM Grigorian, Kramnik is like the ultimate dictator (in a good way 😀😀😀) for me and if he says that bullet is damaging my chess, then it is damaging my chess!! Petrosian64

After my rating dropped from ~1800 to 1400–1600, I reflected on what went wrong: I played 100–200 bullet games and neglected rapid/blitz, then took a short break, started playing again around 1200, and my rating kept dropping. Eventually, I stopped playing to figure out the why and the solution.

Reading this article helped me connect the dots: bullet reinforced System 1 autopilot thinking, while System 2 — deliberate calculation — barely got exercised.

Now I’m focusing on longer time controls, calculation, and proper endgames. I’d really appreciate any advice or feedback from GMs here on how to efficiently rebuild my strength and avoid bad habits.

Logging out

Hi,

Apparently I am logged in on 4 devices. I can't find a way to logout from the account. How can i do this?

Thanks
 

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Few doubts....

in whitemood-scotch game, … Qf6, Be3 what if Be7
or Nd4 Nd4, Qd4 what if c6? getting a shield before going gun on gun? 
Just asking…

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The Chess Prodigy Who Beat a Billionaire

In the glittering towers of New York City, a teenage chess prodigy from Queens challenges the elite and proves that true power comes from courage, not privilege. Discover how a pawn became the king in this inspiring story of class, strategy, and hope.

A Classic story of The Pawn Who Toppled a Queen.

Here is the Link (Below):

https://bedtimestoriesforall.com/the-chess-prodigy-who-beat-a-billionaire-the-pawn-who-toppled-a-queen/

Replies

Question regarding 1.d4

After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3, are there any recommendations by Chessmood in the courses? Such sidelines have become so common above the 2000 FIDE mark. Would appreciate some advice!

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Hi there, this move order is covered in d4 sidelines corse > in London system chapter. So after 2.Nf3 you can play g6. If 3.Bf4 it's already covered in the course. If 3.c4 then I suggest you can try d6….Nbd7 followed by e5 at the right time. Playing similar structures and ideas

New opening courses

Chessmood, could you please make new opening courses that are as funny as the rise of champions. I gotten used to the funny things at the end of the rise of champions videos and I find the advanced opening courses just a bit unfunny.:)

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What you don't find it funny to crush your opponent with the Sicilian defense or by channeling the a viking helmeted Gabu with a glorious attack.

True story:  I was playing a friend and he played the winged gambit.  In the chat I said:  Gothem vs Gabu.   My friend and I still laugh about it.  BTW:  Gabu won :D

Benko Gambit (Bg4 - Bxf3 or Ba6 exchange idea)

In the Benko Gambit In some sections we have seen the idea of trading our pieces because we are the side with less space. We were given two options.

1.  Bg4 and then at some point take on f3.
2.  Ba6 and trade of bishops from here.

I personally prefer option 2. But which one would you say is stronger.

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Hey Pawn Bishop,

Both options are very practical, and just if it’s a matter of taste I like Bg4 idea.

New Benko course PGN file

Hello guys. As many of you are too I am very excited by the new course. Just checking, Is there a Pgn file as creating your own one on chessbase take years 

Thanks Ashwin

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😀

The benko is a fun opening 

If you have access to the course they already provide draft file. All you have to do is learn by watching videos and create the remaining lines and variations. Good luck 

Also this was elegant. Rare shape I don't see in games much.

The rook was the business end of the battery but it worked because the king had nowhere to go

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This makes me feel better about my blunders lol

someone shit the bed here

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New Success Story: From Lost Momentum to National Champion: Zoubaier's Comeback Story

No coach. 10 years of struggle. And still, he came back as National Champion. 🏆

Huge congratulations to our student, FM Zoubaier Amdouni🎉

A story of quiet resilience and a comeback no one saw coming. Here’s how he did it 👇
https://chessmood.com/success-stories/zoubaier-amdouni

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Wow, bravo!

Yes sir!!!

Inspiring, amazing work, wish you a bright future.

Benko Gambit

What are the starting moves of the Benko Gambit course, it starts from a random position.

Thank You, 

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The new version is just uploaded a few hours ago.
https://chessmood.com/course/benko-gambit/episode/7969

In that link, you can see the starting moves!

Benko Gambit re-recorded!

Same gambit. New weapons!

One of the very first ChessMood courses, Benko Gambit, returns, reimagined with fresh ideas, sharper lines, and hidden traps to keep the pressure alive 🔥

And the promise remains the same:
Give a pawn… and take your opponent’s breath away 💪
https://chessmood.com/course/benko-gambit

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New course: In GM Banusz's mind

A new GM records a course for our platform.
Please welcome GM Tamas Banusz! 🎉

Peak Elo 2641. Multiple Olympiad appearances.
He breaks down his best games.

Watch here:
https://chessmood.com/course/tamas-banusz-best-games

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The best games of July, 2025, and the prizes

Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions! 
Welcome to the "Best games of July, 2025" competition.
Under this post, we invite you to post the 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 June, 2025:

Francesco Brighenti
JP JP
Thomas Maes
Tomas Hanak
Eyden Zinder

Replies

https://www.c4355.com/game/live/140241167090?move=0

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140249353570

Schlecter variation.  I hadn't prepared against 5…Bd6 but managed the win anyway.   I intended 25.Qb4+ to win a rook with a fork, but opponent's reply gave me a fun mate in two instead.  The engine seemed happy enough!  Opponent was rated about 100 points higher.  https://lichess.org/vTlOR7qH/white#1

A caro can with a passive light square bishop for black.

https://lichess.org/QCaQ3KJZ/white

A good game after I had played a sicilian opening which for me is unknown
https://lichess.org/oiWW4aC2/black
 

https://lichess.org/4uUI03Pw

Rating never matters…..
https://lichess.org/Pv5uFrnq#0
 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140338316488

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140340008752

https://lichess.org/Ju2A0eBp/white#1

Good Sunday afternoon,

I played very interesting game in 3 knights opening as white!

Please enjoy!

https://lichess.org/IPDFHo7F/white#0

Me vs The rated- my school best
“Size doesn't matter, rating or rank doesn't matter, only moves matter” -My father

https://lichess.org/Sw0Mmchj

a messy sicilian but  an accurate one

https://lichess.org/c1d4QNsj

one of my fine attacking games , credit goes to  coach avetik for sure

I was happy to score a very accurate win in a tricky opening I wasn't comfortable with

https://lichess.org/study/SnHlWENo/CGPLy0zE

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140437950070

Very proud of how I managed to attack in the exchange Caro (as white). I made a mistake going into middlegame, but found a cool sacrifice and played very well in the complications while low on time :)

One of the first time that i play the stonewall dutch attack. It ended in a draw but i've been very accurate, i saw the sac leading to it and i took it, recognising well what was happening in the position. I would not have been able to do that a few months ago.
NightOwlisLit vs. Lijumaru | Analysis - Chess.com

I minimized his attack and got an exchange advantedge but then blew it to time trouble https://lichess.org/HMRDuNcw/white#94

https://www.c4355.com/game/live/140466687688?move=0

https://www.c4355.com/game/140494203032?move=0

https://lichess.org/UJPCobhx/black A very crazy game with a ton of ups and downs. I used the Dutch Attack when playing this game.

Winning won positions.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140503762838?move=0

https://lichess.org/d6V4oNJv/white#0

https://lichess.org/4oDoT2KJBvUC

I sacrificed three pawns for activity and won the game in 20 moves.

https://lichess.org/ZMwHhuSIneD4

One more where I sacrifice a pawn on three occasions and then a rook. Win in 22

https://lichess.org/inOxEq8C35jj

A positional grind, for a change.

A nice scotch game that resulted in a queen and bishop sacrifice 

Check out this #chess game: ViciousRacoon vs ncarney - https://www.chess.com/game/live/140547677892

punishing an opponent in The scotch using whitemood openings

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140537985918?move=0

A nice Caro kann that resulted in a rook sacrifice to win the game

https://www.chess.com/game/140653438256

Despite the yawn of 4... Kf6, the game turned out to be a good example of the importance of tempo in a chess game, a strong attack

 https://lichess.org/09s5hHaI/black#0

French Attack!

https://www.chess.com/game/140656789942

https://www.chess.com/game/140704316666

https://www.chess.com/game/140697967594

kinda proud of Bf1 at the end

zatchmop vs. Lijumaru | Analysis - Chess.com

quick knockout in jobava attack https://www.chess.com/game/140690240962

and another one https://www.chess.com/game/live/140760010976

still jobava crushes https://www.chess.com/game/live/140760292572

some CM french magic https://www.chess.com/game/live/140690671326

one for benko fans, benko vs London, white didnt seem to know what he was doing https://www.chess.com/game/live/140761377740

Qxd4-d3 Sicilian positional N vs B https://www.chess.com/game/140798822292

e5 french adventures as white https://lichess.org/0GpvDZnr0mjP

attacking the pirc https://lichess.org/uuVmiTWrjeeE

dutch crusher https://www.chess.com/game/141211615288

jobava for the win https://www.chess.com/game/live/141249083846

another mess in jobava https://www.chess.com/game/141251789662

french h6 sac variation grind as black https://www.chess.com/game/141253256536

Dutch Attack!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/140704000880/review?move=61

Alekhine's Defence - ChessMood gambit!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/140713577824/analysis

My first time facing the Nimzo-Larsen Attack in months, but I vaguely remembered 2. … Bg4.  Thanks for spending some time on this in the starter BlackMood course!

https://lichess.org/pPgn7tSH/black#1

My first chance to launch a proper Dutch Attack.  Success!  My opponent cracked under pressure and resigned on move #38.  I don't know how to not show my subsequent play versus the engine.

https://lichess.org/0uIagFRL/black#1

After I finished the course of { Attacking the Pirc defense}, this is My best game ever against Pirc defense. Engine showed accuracy 99%. 

https://lichess.org/uHs6r73r

https://lichess.org/SyKplAIF6IHV

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140779227632
 

was watching fearless warrior 

sac section 

thanks Gaz 

Power of the bishop pair (and centralised rooks 😁):

https://lichess.org/zWX5CHkAYWvB

Nice win vs. the Catalan:

https://lichess.org/CiYcYvbeAaMh

Develop!

https://lichess.org/OU2Fm59eK4ax

https://lichess.org/ED01TXrs

I got to play against karpovs second lev gutman 

Nearly perfect versus a Caro-Kann.  The minor pieces dance around an isolated pawn.

https://lichess.org/nDHQ76sG/white#1

https://lichess.org/study/tfrLfGDX/Z8qE2HEY

Here is a nice attacking game I won with the Benko Gambit - it was the 5…e6 line in the 5.Nc3 variation, when I started attacking the center right away, later continued to push in the center and finally attacked the white King

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140807563592
 

nothing special just a solid game 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140817209896
 

solid attack with a good rook sac

bringing the pieces 

i finally broke the fear, and past the barrier of 900
https://www.chess.com/game/140834408662
 

This is an old game I played when I was 700 ELO. Now I've improved thanks to this family! :-
https://www.chess.com/game/live/85837852289 
PS: Ah the ad bots suck.
 

Scotch rules!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140867847548

I'm switching to ChessMood against Scandi (Nf3). I rarely face this (my second game) and I don't know the opening well, but I played this against a higher-rated opponent:

https://lichess.org/B2Ar0MKYpz9X

I'm very happy with my longer calculation at the end. I got to say “oh no, my bishop" while hanging a mate-in-two ("oh no, my checkmate?") :) And all that after sacrificing a pawn.

Win in 31 moves.

https://lichess.org/4ADC0lCbaZZU
I drew this with lichess stockfish 8! Fifty moves without progress but it trolled me on the last move😅
First time playing Catalan!(being an e4 player myself). Actually made a century(100moves exact)!😂
Please hit like 🥺

I play black here.  My questionable sacrifice paves the way to a quick victory.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/140890993456

Benko model game (played with black)

https://lichess.org/lHtcO2JdAfjs

😀

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. d4 c6 5. c4 Qa5 6. Nc3 e6 7. h3 Bb4 8. Bd2
O-O 9. a3 Bxc3 10. Bxc3 Qc7 11. Bd3 Nbd7 12. O-O b5 13. cxb5 cxb5 14. Bxb5 a6
15. Bd3 Bb7 16. Re1 Nh5 17. Qc2 Ndf6 18. Ng5 Bxg2 19. Kxg2 Nf4 20. Kg1 Nxd3 21.
Qxd3 h6 22. Ne4 Qe7 23. Nxf6 Qxf6 24. d5 Qg5 25. Qg3 Qxg3 26. fxg3 exd5 27.
Rad1 Rad8 28. Rd3 f6 29. Red1 Kh7 30. Rxd5 Rxd5 31. Rxd5 Kg6 32. Rd6 Re8 33. Kf2
a5 34. Bxa5 Re5 35. Bc3 Rf5 36. Kg2 Kg5 37. g4 Rf4 38. Bd2 1-0

I played white against the scandnavian 

😀

https://lichess.org/study/OaXlI2Mu/P3sFKYp4 

OTB game played in US Amateur Team West Round 1 

Some of the best games of July 2025 really raised the bar! I was especially impressed with how immersive the new strategy titles were—great storytelling and insane graphics. The prize pools for online tournaments were also massive this month!

Ironically, while trying to keep up with these releases, I fell behind on my coursework. I had to turn to finance assignment help to catch up on a few deadlines. If anyone’s in the same boat, this helped me out: https://myassignmenthelp.expert/finance-assignment-help.html

Balancing gaming and studies isn’t easy, but thankfully some academic help saved the day 😅

Anyone else juggling school and gaming lately?

https://lichess.org/F7FdbTHDHOjT

The brilliant blunder 

https://lichess.org/GNKqbKRB/white simple game. Shows how to use pressure and rapid development of pieces. Made sure black's pieces were inactive in the game and start attacking to create pressure as pressure is priceless. He cracked and I crushed him. 28 moves resignation. 😀😀😀

https://lichess.org/OaHgEsqy9GjJ

FM brings his queen out early and resigns in 15 moves

https://lichess.org/jQpAzO7OODBs

Never resign!

 Hi all! The games have been awesome so far! :)

I’ve just finished the first course and am currently working on Tactic Ninja. With all the puzzle-solving, especially the daily Chess Mood puzzle, I feel my understanding is growing day by day.

This month, I’m proud to say that I found 17. Nxc5:

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140311391128

Good luck to all - and most important: Enjoy the journey :) 

Matthias

https://lichess.org/PoTfz4Xp/black#0

This endgame line is underrated

Miniature for the Milner-Barry gambit

https://lichess.org/2Ay5NGHuwsYB

I hoped to put the smothered mate on the board at the end, but sadly the opponent allowed #1 instead.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141061023012
 

https://lichess.org/ffArgBvj/white#30 

Nice sicilian D6 line

1. d4 e6 2. Nf3 a6 3. g3 b5 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. a4 c6 6. a5 d5 7. O-O c5 8. c3 cxd4 9. cxd4 Ne7 10. Bd2 Nec6 11. Re1 Bb4 12. Bxb4 Nxb4 13. Ne5 O-O 14. e4 dxe4 15. Bxe4 Bxe4 16. Rxe4 N4c6 17. Nc3 Nxe5 18. Rxe5 Nc6 19. Re4 Nxa5 20. Rh4 Nc4 21. Qh5 h6 22. d5 exd5 23. Nxd5 Qd6 24. Rf4 f6 25. Re1 Ne5 26. Ne3 Qd2 27. Rd1 Qxb2 28. Nf5 Kh7 29. Nxg7 Kxg7 30. Rd7 Rf7 31. Rg4 Kf8 32. Rxf7 Nxf7 33. Qc5 Ke8 34. Rg8 Kd7 35. Qd5 Kc7 36. Rxa8 Nd6 37. Qc5 Kb7 38. Ra7 Kb8 39. Qc7# 

Messed around a bit in the opening, but some nice sacrifices won me the game, courtesy of the Fearless Warrior Course :) 

2 rooks, and a knight sacrificed! 

Winning with an opening advantage

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141087510980/analysis

Winning with a pawn up without risks.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141088090700/review?move=94

Crushing with chessmood openings.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141088541464/analysis?move=36

Give a pawn for activity and try not to stay worse (20.Ne3).

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141088912636/analysis?move=39

😀

https://lichess.org/simul/mn4KzFXM Had to include this

This game felt like a slow win, grinding away move after move, resisting an early king-side attack. 

https://lichess.org/DUDHx0lQ/black#1

https://lichess.org/m4FpR2Nz/white
 

very solid straight forward attack 

Tearing apart White's weakened pawn center in the Alekhine Four Pawns. Note that on move 13 is infinitely much better to take on d4 than to take the exchange when after 14. Bxc6 bxc6 15. Qxc6 Ke7 White has a big edge due to my dubious king position and bad development. 17…Bb4 was a funky move when I was already winning, but it worked. Just had to be careful not to play 33…Ka6?? when 34. Rc6# would come.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141209336626/analysis

Dominated a Scandinavian Defense using WhiteMood counter. Didn't even need to think too deeply. Thanks so much, Avo!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141228143386/analysis

Sudden end to a miniature. White resigned because in the final position he is unable to defend f3 and h2 simultaneously

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141232357656/analysis

And the last one for today, punishing some bad opening play

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141232689078/analysis

Grand Prix with sharp attacking play

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140255188550

Scotch Attack

https://www.chess.com/game/live/140474268262

Crushing Owen defense

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141060642380

https://lichess.org/9AWxDvKxqk7m

Not sure if simul games count, but this was probably my best game this month:

lichess.org/FZ32vb0MZJtu

https://lichess.org/3ZsybTyc

https://lichess.org/study/4EO1sxxz/Rhg29BoD

One of my best OTB games at my club to date :) Although I did blunder in the middle game, which did cost me the game essentially. From that moment on I tried to put as much pressure on my opponent as possible.

https://lichess.org/broadcast/ecf-english-championship-2025--open/round-4/xfk55zKy/30uCCI09

nice endgame grind in caro kann

https://www.chess.com/game/live/141071738122?move=0

https://lichess.org/LJ4Ed2VX/black

I played online. I played as white. Time control was blitz(5min + 5sec).
This game turned into a Grand Prix Attack vs Pirc Defense.
I played the Grand Prix Attack against the Pirc Defense for practice, and the game followed a typical pattern.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140281418804
 

Starting my SLP training https://lichess.org/Mz04E7TH/white#25 

I've got a pawn for a rook with two pairs of minor pieces off.

I'm not that trappy yet - I usually don't make bad moves on purpose - but I'm getting there. I offered a pawn as a bait and it worked :) 

The opening was rocky - they refused the sacrificed knight (twice).

Also, my SLP account is higher rated than my real account. Probably won't last, but the opponent was also higher rated than me (on my main account).

I played online. I played as white. Time control was rapid(15min + 10sec).
This game turned into typical closed sicilian.
The content in daily lesson 83 was helpful.
https://lichess.org/cinl1HSqm6nX

https://lichess.org/veXMt8Fb/black#46 

I was black, and a mouseslip on the first move turned it into the barnes defense, apparently. I improvised and I ended up with some beautiful sacrifices and an arguably more beautiful pawn checkmate. 

Thank you coaches, I could never have calculated or been fearless (haha!) to play these daring moves before this. 

Sincerely, 

Ananth 

SLP Chess is more fun

https://lichess.org/IHzPltgi/white#34

Hi there! My name is Gabe Hoffman, and this was my best game of July. I played against an 1800-rated player named Aaron Peakmease, and I was rated 1272 at the time. This game was played at the Cornhusker State Games in Lincoln, Nebraska, on July 19, 2025. The time control for this game was G120 d5. I played White in this game.

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2025.08.01"]
[Round "?"]
[White "rpmfast"]
[Black "sicilianlover32"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "180+2"]
[WhiteElo "924"]
[BlackElo "958"]
[Termination "sicilianlover32 won by resignation"]
[ECO "B70"]
[EndTime "2:11:12 GMT+0000"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/141344176664?move=0"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Nf3 Bg7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd3
Nc6 9. O-O-O Ng4 10. Be2 Nxe3 11. fxe3 Qa5 12. Kb1 Be6 13. Nd4 Nxd4 14. exd4
Rfc8 15. d5 Bd7 16. Nb5 a6 17. Na3 b5 18. c3 Bxc3 19. bxc3 Rxc3 20. Qd2 Qxa3 21.
Ka1 Rac8 22. Bd3 b4 23. Rhe1 Bb5 24. Bb1 b3 25. Re2 bxa2 26. Qxa2 Bxe2 27. Qxa3
Rxa3+ 28. Kb2 Bxd1 0-1

A sicilian with 2 outpost in f6 and d6.

https://lichess.org/eCgiyi7h/white

Hello champions!
How are you?

Thank you for sharing your best games. It was a pleasure to review them. You scored some beautiful wins, and we found many instructive moments and ideas. Now, on to the prizes…

1st Prize: Super Pawn
Amazing win in the Anti-Sicilian. 9.Bb5 was an important move that kept the Black King in the center. The final move added a touch of class to an already beautiful game. Nicely done!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/141088541464/analysis?move=36

2nd Prize: Ash Pv
Super game in the Benko! Using the half-open file, collecting weak pawns, and setting up tactics, you completely outplayed your opponent. Well done!
https://lichess.org/9gIEGujX/black#73 

3rd Prize: Norbert R. 
A beautiful game, showing how to attack in an opposite-side castling position. Superb execution of important ideas!
https://lichess.org/3ZsybTyc

4th prize: Sarah Chess. 
Fantastic game and a big victory! Coach is proud :) Well played!
https://lichess.org/FZ32vb0M/black#48

5th prize: Angelo Sifaleras. 
Super game in the Sicilian with the Grand Prix Attack! You nicely punished Black for ignoring development and King safety in the opening. Well done!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/140255188550 

Congratulations to all of you!

And thank you once again to everyone for sharing your games.
All the best for next month’s contest!

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New article: The Fork Tactic in Chess Explained

Hello champions!

Today we’ve launched an article that covers everything around the fork tactic that beginners should know. You’ll learn:

• What’s a fork, it’s different types.
• Why are Knight forks hard to visualize (as shared by a neurologist)?
• How to get better at noticing Knight forks?
• 5 ways to get out of forks and so much more!

Read it here👇

https://chessmood.com/blog/fork-in-chess

And you can share your thoughts and the solutions of the puzzles under this forum thread.

Replies

Excellent article as usual ! My answers are 1- Nb5 aiming at c7 2- Nd5 aiming at e7 after rook avoid attack 3- Qxd8 Qxd8 Bc4 + followed with Nf7 + 4- Qxe7 if Qxe7 f6+ and a royal fork on d5 or h5 with an exchange up

Knight forks are also hard to see as there are 6 patterns (ignoring reflections and rotation) and can happen between lots of pieces. With a pawn on e4 a knight can fork that and 26(!) light squares together. Doing knight training and coming up with some of my own improved me about 100+ points and helped me win the British U125 (~1500) championship with 5/5 long ago (2 games involved knights significantly IIRC).

1.nb5 forking c7 2.nd5 idea of both nb6 and ne7 3.qd8 qd8 bc4 kh8 nf7+- 4.qe7 qe7 f6 kf6 nd5 if qf6 nh5

1.  Nb5 +-  (winning at least a pawn and getting a big attack; or winning a pawn and an exchange)
2.  Nd5 +/- (winning at least an exchange)
3.  Qxd8 Qxd8 2. Bc4+ Kh8 (2…Qd5 3. Bxd5 +-) 3. Nf7+ Kg8 4. Nxd8+ Kh8 5. Nf7+ Kg8 6. Nd6+ Kh8 7. Nc8 (winning a knight and a pawn) +-
4.  Qxe7 Qxe7 2. f6+ (Qxf6 3. Nh5+ +-) 2…Kxf6 Nd5+ (winning a Rook for a pawn) +-

Thoughts on Scotch Gambit?

I plan to keep Scotch Game as my main, but I also have learned to like elements of the Scotch gambit.  I'm curious what the Chessmood coaches think about this opening.

Replies

Hey Joshua

We are not offering that opening in our repertoire, but I think it is an interesting variation and you are welcome to play it if you enjoy it as well :-)

Identifying Weaknesses

People say that to improve, you should work on your weaknesses, and to find those weaknesses, you should analyze your games.

I analyze my games, and I can see when a move that I played was bad, but often don't see why. As far as I've seen, engines aren't much help here unless the reason is tactical. How can I pinpoint my weaknesses if I don't understand my mistakes?

Replies

Here’s how my journey has gone.

In the beginning my biggest issue was blundering pieces so my analysis was about deciding by it happened. I didn’t need an engine for that since the issue was in my process.

The second step was looking at missed tactics. You’ve already mentioned that the engine works there.

The third step was trying to see potential tactics. The engine works there by looking a earlier moves and seeing how they could leaded up to the tactic.

Then it got hard. What I’ve found is first I learn new things studying a course. The more I learn, the more often I can see where I went wrong. Finally I am able to see it on the board and change my play. For me this last part is a slow, incremental process. It’s not been linear at all, more like a roller coaster.

Dear Sarah,

It's usually very tough for a player to perfectly understand their own mistakes in the games. That's why people are having coaches - stronger players to point out what was wrong and why. However GM Avo has this article, at least helping on the topic about analyzing your own games - https://chessmood.com/blog/analyze-blitz-chess-games