Chess forum by Grandmasters

Not able to find sparring/training partner

Hi, coach Gabuzyan

I posted on forum and discord if any one is available to help as a training partner but no one responded. 
 

I am learning new opening from step-by-step opening repertoire for white and am afraid that I will forget 50% as I am not putting it into practice. 

I do use a Fritz 19(bot that plays with you and you can insert your pgn so it will play those lines) but I can’t feel the positions that well with it, any suggestions on what I can do? Thank you!!

Sincerely, pawnbishop_chessmood

Replies

Dear Pawn Bishop,

It's the right thing to post on the forum and discord, trying to find a sparring partner; however, this is something that we don't guarantee, as it's about communication between our students.

You can try to practice in online games as well, trying to get the variations that you learned. 
Of course, having a sparring partner will be very helpful. 

Playing with an engine will not be super effective, as it doesn't play middlegames as a human would.

I've Reached 2100 - WOOP WOOP -

Finally I reached my 2nd goal after completing my first one - reaching 2000 rapid on Chess.com.

On February 13th I was in a loosing streak and my ELO dropped below 1800 (1791 to be precise). I was feeling really bad and low about my chess but I decided to follow the tips from Chess Mood courses and I stopped playing before warming up and I tried to never play if I go into a loosing streak or I am simply missing a lot of tactics.

This lead to gradually improving my ELO and most importantly my confidence. In only 4 months, with some ups and downs I raised my ELO for 300 points.

I am really happy about my progress and will continue to improve my chess.

Thank you Chess Mood Family.

Strahinja - aka Castle Queenside

Replies

😎

Congratulations! 

Congratulations!

nice job!

Well done and thanks for sharing your what helped you succeed.

Excelent!

How to play against 1.e4 e5 2. n f3

How to play against 1.e4 e5 2.nf3

Replies

Up to you.

In ChessMood the recommendations against 1.e4 are either 1…e6 (French)

or 1…c5 (Sicilian- and here they go for the Accelerated Dragon).

What to do in Anti-Sicilian Part 4 line

What to do against the system “1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 a6 3.g3 Nc6-g6-Bg7-e6-Nge7-0-0-d5 or b5”

I played this line as black against GM Gabuzyan and got a better position out of the opening but got flagged at the end :(

Replies

Dear Eli,

2…a6 is covered in the Anti-Sicilian course offered by GM Avetik.

How to play against 1d4 Nf6 2Nf3?

Hi, I finished the Opening studies on Benko gambit, which is effective when White plays 1d4 Nf6 2c4. But what if White plays 2Nf3? Then you can't really play the Benko gambit. When I faced it, I ended up playing a Benoni setup, but White seems to get a space advantage, and Black is a little cramped. I didn't really see in your opening courses on how Black responds to White's flexible 2Nf3. What is your recommended set up?

Replies

3c4  transposes, but what if White does not play c4? Then  Black can’t play the Benko. What setup should Black do?

Dear Luke,

Here we play with 2…g6 - now if 3.c4 then c5 - if White plays with Bf4 or Bg5 - similar lines you can find in the d4 sidelines course.
 

Tactic Ninja - Counter Tactics Example 7

Hi,

near the end of the video we are looking at ..Qe2 Rdd1. Afterwards GM Avetik presents ..Qxd1 as continuation. Which allows for White to play the intermediate Nf6+ we were looking at before, making everything a bit more complicated - 

Doesn't Black have a forced mate after ..Rf1+ Rxf1 Qxf1+ Rxf1 Ne2+ Kh1 Rxf1# ?

Replies

Hey there,

Good job, Henning! 

Avetik's variation also wins as after Nf6 - Rxf6 and there would be Ne2 check still winning the material, but your line is just a perfect checkmate and of course much better.

Keep going sharp like this!!!
Good luck :-) 

Issues with Mating Matador PGN

Dear Chessmoodians,

1. So, I've imported the Mating Matador PGN into Chessable.  I figured out how to break it up into chapters and such.  However, in some of the positions, I'm the one getting mated instead of delivering the mate.  Is there an easy fix to this?  As in, do I just click something to switch sides?  Or do I have to figure out how to input all the error positions myself from scratch?

2. Could someone please direct me to a useful resource on working with PGNs, so I don't have to just start searching the internet blindly?

3. Does someone happen to have a corrected Mating Matador PGN by any chance?

Much thanks for your help!

Replies

The PGNs are set to normal analysis by default.  Chessable is the right tool for the opening repertoire courses but not puzzle courses like mating matador.   GM Avo has multiple moves in the PGN, usually two but sometimes more.   Only one is correct, so you’ll have to edit it to promote the correct line.  If you do this, Chessable will work, but there’s a better option.

You’re going to want to push them to lichess and make an interactive study.   You can do this (I have), you simply need to change the type to interactive study in lichess.  Also, lichess takes the first line every time, but classifies the other as wrong and gives you feedback.  Keeping those wrong moves in your interactive study is crucial, you have an opportunity to enter GMAvo’s coaching from the video as a note when you play the wrong move.

I use Chessable for my opening repertoire study but not for puzzle based courses, matador, ninja, spartan, warrior, etc.   Another tip on Chessable, make sure you edit the PGN before loading into a story book format.   For example, Black is playing the Sicilian, Nc3 to the rescue, ….g6 is always met with d4 …. etc.   Otherwise you’ll forget why sometimes you kill the bishop with e6 and sometimes you castle.    The PGN is not ready upon download, you need to do some work to make progress.  But our coaches have given us all the information to make a study guide that will prepare us for victory.  You’re never gonna learn 200+ Chessable lines that go 20 moves deep without a narrative, going full depth will help you master the first 12 moves or so, but the narrative is what connects the dots, explains why we do the moves, it brings home the coaching points from the video with repetition.

Good luck!

French attack vs 3.Nc3

Hey! I'm very new to chessmood, and I'm really enjoying the content! So thanks to the chessmood team for putting out all this content. 

I have a question and I believe I'm missing something to fully understand the solution you propose in the section French Attack vs 3.Nc3 in the BlackMood Openings course. 

I understand why the “kinder surprise variation” is not bad although it may seem counterintuitive to move back with the knight to the starting square. What I don't fully understand is why 3.Nf6 is such a strong move on the first place. We have the queen and e pawn defending d5 and 4…e5 seems to me a really logical option for white to attack our knight in f6. So, why 3.Nf6 in the first place is so important, even if we are likely to move it back?

Again, it's probably me just not fully understanding the position. 

Thanks for the help!!!

Guillem

Replies

Sign up

I just bought the annual pro membership and wish to book a call with a grandmaster. When I went to book a call, it said it was fully booked out for June and July. Does this mean I can’t have any 1-1 calls with a grandmaster anytime soon?

Replies

Dear Alexander,

I just checked the schedules page as well, and I am pretty sure there might be a technical issue that will be fixed soon - I will let our technical team know. 

Thanks a lot for letting us know :-) 

Feedback sought re costly 'Miss'

Hi all,

In the game below it is White to play.  Before I describe my ‘Miss’, what's your move and why?

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/daily/824410012?tab=review&move=39

OK, I played Nxd5 to capture the pawn - the Black queen has the square covered but so does White's queen and c3 Knight so I thought ‘Free pawn’.  

However, the Chess.com engine sees this as a ‘Miss’ and the eval bar dropped from 4.1 to 1.1 - quite a difference!  

The preferred approach is to take with the queen to initiate a queen exchange.  Is the rationale for this simply that once we gain a pawn advantage we should look to exchange queens and simplify?

Thoughts?

Replies

What you missed was the threat that Black has of playing Ne3 forking the queen and rook.  When you played Nxe5, that knight covers the e3 square, but it now a simple remove-the-defender tactic for black. Black plays c6 forcing the knight to move, and then Ne3 winning the exchange.

New article: How to Stop Blunders: The Ultimate Grandmaster Guide

Hello champions!

Imagine if you could reduce the number of blunders you make. How much higher would your rating be?  

Today, we’ve uploaded all the sections to the BlunderProof course and launched a detailed article on stopping blunders, where you’ll learn:

• 16 practical tips to stop blundering (and the reasons behind the blunders)
• 5 tips to stay hyper-focused during the game.
• How to warm up before a game/tournament and not be rusty?
• Why underestimation and overtrust can lead to blunders, and so much more!

Go read it here👇

https://chessmood.com/blog/stop-blunders-in-chess

And share your thoughts under this forum thread.

Replies

Nice article which everyone should read.👍 (Note: you wrote "he said smth like", guessing it should be "he said something like")

The most useful course so far for me ! I was always looking at the other boards but since I did the course , I completely stopped it and I see a huge difference already !

Good article, Avo.  I find your writing to be informative and motivational.

Hikaru played the scotch!

Chessmood family!

Replies

Hahah)) 

Why are you surprised? 

My first post on the Forums

If anyone has the bandwidth, I'd love some feedback on my round #1 game at the National Open in Las Vegas.  Specifically, can someone help me understand why I was better off playing 6.  . . . Qxd5 as opposed to what I played (6, … Nxd5)?

1.  e4. e6
2.  d4 d5
3.  Nd2. Nc6 (opponent was stunned by this)
4.  c3. e5
5.  Ne2?  Nf6
6.  exd5. Nxd5 (engine says Qxd5 was better)
7.  dxe5. Nxe5
8.  g6??  Nd3##

Replies

Eadan!

Nice checkmate and welcome to the forum!
Engine says Qxd5 was better as White can't attack the Queen with Nc3, and it takes an active position on d5.
Usually, it's dangerous to develop the Queen early as it can get under attacks, but in this case, due to White's inability to exploit it, that was the best move.

Good luck in the upcoming rounds!

I have a question about Anti-Sicilian with 2.Nc3 Nc6 (Part 2) for the ChessMood team.

My question is for the course Anti-Sicilian with 2.Nc3 Nc6 (Part 2), where I couldn't find much information after the variation:e4,c5,Nc3,Nc3,Nc6,Nc6,Bb5,g6 and most of the players are well prepared (I have a rating of 2300 on chess.com) and I start to have problems in the opening.Could you give some variations below or make a video with this variation?
Thanks in advance and really appreciate the course.
The question is for the ChessMood team.

Replies

https://chessmood.com/course/rock-n-rolling-with-white

there are 6 model games here.

personally I just take the knight, play f4 and then decide whether to play positionally on the queenside or start an attack on the kingside(i'm also around 2300). the model games are useful for learning common ideas and plans

hope this helps, Samuel

New course: Silent Strategy - How to Win Games Positionally

The long-awaited course is finally here: “Silent Strategy”! 🤩

We’re super excited to launch it on Christmas Day 🎄

With GM Gabuzyan as your guide, you’ll discover a completely new way to approach positional chess and raise your understanding of the game! 

Watch it here👇
https://chessmood.com/course/silent-strategy-positional-chess

Replies

Hi! Is it complete or a work in progress? It's already good but I am interested in knowing if more chapters are going to be added

Hello, 

I am currently studying this great course, and I actually like it. 

However, there is a little issue which spoilt me the answers of the positions of a video : in the section 3, the positions of the video 19 are on the quiz after the video 18, so if you read this before the issue was fixed, just solve the 2 first puzzles of the quiz after the video 18, and solve the 2 next puzzles after watching the video 19. Could you fix this please? Thank you!

9 sections will be awesome! I will try my best to understand the top level course and master positional chess 🎯. 

The “Strategy Compass” course was removed from the booster section

Could you tell us about why the change of plans/program for the strategy area of the booster section? Thanks!

Hi

I would like to say what a wonderful course this is so far. I have studied strategy/positional chess books before but this is a real eye opener. Well done! 

I can't wait for more sections to be posted. Any idea when there will be more updates?

Hi there

I'd like to start studying it but it's not finished yet. Do you have any due date for the course yet?

Cheers

Matteo

How to Study the King's Indian Attack

Hi all,

I'm really interested in the King's Indian Attack (KIA) for white, especially setting up starting with e4 and going into a Glek System or reaching a KIA position. You can use it against the Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann, amongst other black responses.

What's hard about using an engine to study lines, is that it already puts the eval. flat after the first few moves, and there is less solid theoretical lines than there are general ideas to follow, but this just feels a bit loose and prone to getting into trouble. If you take the Scotch for example, you can really get a feel for how each line can go based on opening play. Somehow I'm feeling it's harder to do that with an engine for the KIA, like it's less clear/objective. I think the nature of it is that it's much more about positional play than fast tactics.

Would anyone have some advice around this, how I can feel more confident with the KIA and develop a strategy so I can study it independently? Thanks

Replies

Buy a book/course with the move order you are interested in on the subject (for instance Reign Supreme: King's Indian Attack) and study it while making your own Chessbase/Lichess files; or watch free videos on YT about it to first understand typical plans and ideas before making your own files. Following what masters play in the databases (GM Amin Bassem is a good role model for instance) while building your files will also help you to navigate the lines better.

If you are below 2000, I think it will be much easier to follow recommendations by an experienced player instead of taking risks to do things wrong, missing important plans and ideas, analyzing too much lines, not being practical enough, etc. You will also gain valuable time by trusting an experienced teacher that you can use to work on more crucial middlegame chess skills than opening knowledge.

Also, be aware of the pros and cons of the move order you decide to follow in comparison to 1. Nf3. 

About the Glek System: There are many free YT videos by GM Naroditsky where he plays and explain ideas at the same time. If you want a book on it, Opening Repertoire: Strategic Play with 1. e4 by Milos Pavlovic is the most recent work on the subject where there is one chapter with lots of model games explaining everything you need to know.

The best games of May, 2025, and the prizes

Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions! 
Welcome to the "Best games of May, 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 April, 2025:

Zaid Al-JAY
Edger Schoonhoven
James L.
Samuel Marsden
Nathan Eppel

Replies

https://www.chess.com/game/138025063622

Perfect play against The Caro-Kann!

Ilias_Belhadj vs LamDang: Caro-Kann Defense: Exchange Variation, Rubinstein Variation • lichess.org

https://lichess.org/wM4tiYkgMkHx

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

simple modern maroczy game

A quick game but ended in a nice rook sacrifice to win the game

Check out this #chess game: ViciousRacoon vs Yawaiot - https://www.chess.com/live/game/138060173472

https://www.chess.com/game/live/138087255936

played by black one of my best king's indian game so far

Just an online blitz game. Nice finish.

https://www.chess.com/game/138088204878

4…Nxd4 Scotch in classical OTB

https://lichess.org/study/asZ7y6Zj/7RcX4e96

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

strangled opponent in GPA vs pirc

A total domination in The Philidor!

Ilias_Belhadj vs alexey111: Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation • lichess.org.

https://lichess.org/QLLSUeQ1

Not a model game - I forgot what to play in the opening! However it was a tense game and my opponent allowed me to attack his king. Invitation accepted!

nice GPA game

https://lichess.org/Mt1qc3xW/white#0

Schlechter miniature:

https://lichess.org/nC2r6QCpPS1Q

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138203492774?tab=analysis&move=108
First game of ‘I don't care about losing rating- Blitz rating marathon’

Pretty unique piece sacrifice no?

https://lichess.org/OJvvqSOg/white#0 

A nice king hunt in a queenless middlegame

https://lichess.org/study/SnHlWENo/Tn5KtmGa 

CM Antisicilian

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138293257006?tab=review

Checkmate in the center of the board ;)

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138292044196?tab=review

Caro against Carokann :))

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138295009672?tab=review

Tried b3 against 2400 player! Enjoy

https://lichess.org/oSi9TOI2#17

https://lichess.org/ZNAKStOF/white

Lessons I've learned from this game

1. Anyone can blunder
2. The open file on long castled king can be defended
3. Forgetting the plan of drawing is a good thing
4. Even in a game of many blunders the one who blundered less will win
5. My fav bishop sacrifice works better when the bishop captures the pawn on h6

Maybe that's a lot of lessons, because I hid many more, by many I mean a whole lot more😅

https://lichess.org/MfQcxW4I/black

Nice blitz game where I dominated his queen.

https://lichess.org/U0EERpv9/white

Quick attacking win against the Scandinavian.

Crushing with the Grand Prix in OTB:

https://lichess.org/study/xqVVHdKX/xw9XH49W

https://www.chess.com/game/live/138303305960?username=moonn1234&move=70

Nice game

Smooth win in the Vienna

https://lichess.org/udwIAV4Q/white#139

https://lichess.org/uEHDccy0/black
Playing with all I've learned.

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

simple wwp with nice mate at the end

Benko against (apparently) an FM, nothing fancy but solid play

https://www.chess.com/live/game/138342709896

https://lichess.org/gwGgiy3R/white#37

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

beautiful attacking game in sicilian Nc3 g6 line

https://lichess.org/UIztgK1E/white#1

My first time facing The Dutch in a very long time and never after 1. Nf3.  Until about a month ago, I've been playing 1. e4 since joining Lichess last September.  With only one variation prepped that we left after move 2, I was quickly on the ropes.  But, I kept the right mood and I'm pretty sure that by move #27, I was being sweared at : ) 

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

nice tactical game

https://lichess.org/h8wpM1A1ttD4 tactics was made in the games

https://lichess.org/Lr9JbtUhlFNv nice game here 

wanted to try a new opening but had to go with this way, I really blundered few times but my mouse has really been slippy, I was seeing what would it be if i had it here and woops, Even after those i managed to win!
https://www.chess.com/game/138407566386

Black's 23th move makes this unforgettable:

https://lichess.org/JmP4gjiktDkk

https://lichess.org/wYTBP9kU/black#0

nice positional game in closed sicilian with 2 positional pawn sacs

Awesome french attack

https://www.chess.com/game/live/138432095366?move=0

Thank you Chessmood family!

https://lichess.org/s3yuDFkhei7u   

the perfect accuracy game from both sides!

White Sicilian smooth win. Looks like I had seen all this in your course and streams. Thanks!

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

Pawn grabbing is being punished in the Schlechter French:

https://lichess.org/pxAu3Muebl3B

I followed the principles laid out in the openings course for grand prix attack, and got a great position😁

https://lichess.org/YLWGzl2B/white#47

I put pressure on the king, while sacrificing a few pieces that led to a checkmate.

  https://www.chess.com/game/live/138486426576

https://www.chess.com/game/live/138537151532?move=1

I started the SLP course tonight.  Earlier this afternoon, someone had switched into SLP Mode on me after I won their knight.  But, I had just finished Spartan Shield this morning, so I did not panic.  Instead I mobilized and offered trades!  I woefully recall fumbling several games after gaining material and the opponent going for my throat, but no longer.  My shieldwall awaits the berserkers!

1. e4 1... c5  2. Nf3 2... e6 3. d4 3... cxd4 4. Nxd4 4... a6 5. Be2 5... Qc7 6. O-O 6... Nf6 7. Nc3 7... Be7 8. f4 8... d6 9. a4 9... Nbd7 10. Bf3  10... O-O 11. a5 11... Rb8 12. g4 12... b5 13. axb6 13... Nxb6 14. g5 14... Nfd7 15. Bg2 15... Re8 16. f5 16... Bf8 17. Rf3 17... g6 18. h4 18... exf5 19. exf5 19... Bb7 20. Rf2 20... Bxg2 21. Kxg2 21... Nc4 22. b3 22... Ne3+ 23. Bxe3 23... Qxc3 24. Bf4 24... Rb4  25. Ra4 25... Rxa4 26. bxa4 26... Re4 27. Ne2 27... Qc6 28. Kh2 28... Ne5 29. Ng3 29... Rxa4 30. h5 30... Qc5 31. Kg2 31... Rd4 32. Qe2 32... Qc6+   33. Kh3  33... Qa4  34. Bxe5 34... dxe5  35. Qxe5 35... gxh5 36. Qe2 36... Rh4+ 37. Kg2 37... Rg4 38. Kh3 38... Bd6 39. Nf1 39... Rxg5  40. c4 40... Qc6  41. Rf3 41... h6 42. Nd2 42... Rg4 43. Qe3 43... Bf4 44. Qe4 44... Qf6 45. Qe1 45... Bxd2 0-1

I was black in this game as a 1900 playing in a fide-rated OTB tournament against a 2200+ FM in FIDE rating. This tournament was a success for me and I raised 90 rating points in this one alone, and over 200 in the past 3 tournaments, and this was my highest rated victory from them with some good defensive moves in the opening and taking advantage of a mistake and infiltrating the position with my major pieces (although not with a ChessMood opening, sorry 😅)

my opp tried to outsmart me in the main line  of a4  benko but i outsmarted him!! 

https://lichess.org/QX6EzEQ9/black

https://lichess.org/A3nMjFpv/black#0 

King in center, I attack it.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/138569646944

https://www.chess.com/game/live/138570351004

https://lichess.org/FikX28Cx

OTB, 70+15. I asked which of my pieces were unhappy, and was rather pleased to find 16.Nb1.

https://lichess.org/study/i61uh7Re

Another interesting Schlechter French:

https://lichess.org/hDXQ1rV30D5Y

Black played it really well up to a certain point.

A French Attack, McCutcheon variation.  I was pleased to decline the draw offer on move 29 and stay focused on trying to get the full point:

https://chessdrop.com/games/dbe21844-c62e-452e-97f9-25aafc765bac

Let's go !

Positional victory vs. the Caro-Kann:

https://lichess.org/21p2naxn67YK

Another crushing victory in the Schlechter French:

https://lichess.org/eSROueAoNv83

Nothing special, just instructive how I slowly built up my attack.

https://lichess.org/i31umgOV/white#0 

Attack like a Viking:

https://lichess.org/U1Xtscu1Aq0W

Thank you to my lichess friends for introducing me to these arenas and thank you chessmood family for teaching me how to play properly, my rating has increased rapidly,
https://lichess.org/pUyLrjFa#1
 

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

nice game trapping opponent's queen

https://lichess.org/phre5Yse/white

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

Nd2 from me looks like a great move in this game, and this is also the French Attack line taught by GM Avetik.

a nice short win 

Planless play by my opponent in the exchange caro-kann punished

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

After having played  the simplified openings reaching 2100 on Lichess  I have just started the “step by step” (more advanced) openings and this my first experience in the Maroczy against a for me relative high rated player. I would play differently now (move 15  e6 not really necessary) but the computer analyses shows no blunders and only one slight mistake. 

https://lichess.org/vcxi0Zmv/black#42

https://www.chess.com/game/138793619640

https://lichess.org/pkMy0Cq5/black#49

French 3 Nc3 variation, 96% accuracy no mistakes, probably my best game in this line.

r1bqk2r/pppp1ppp/5n2/1B1Nb3/4P3/8/PPP2PPP/R1BQK2R b KQkq - 1 8 Great game with nice precision

My insanely brilliant, unintentional Queen blunder that drew vs GM Gabuzyan 😂 Enjoy!

https://www.chess.com/game/live/142408208789

I played online. I played as black. Time control was blitz(5min).
https://lichess.org/hQFWl3w9

I lightly won this game. There are no inaccuracy, mistake, blunder.

Here's my game.I play as White.

https://lichess.org/4mVxVvja/black

https://lichess.org/6gw0NobX

a plan that was mentioned in  by avetik was executed properly!

https://lichess.org/p2fyG6FH

Nice accelerated dragon game (playing as black)

https://www.chess.com/game/live/138959530856?move=0

I was playing with black. I think, that was a nice game showing why You shoudn't move the queen too much in the opening. It's nice to see black having advantage while being down 3 pawns. Beside 1 mistake quite good game with nice mate.

Catching opponent's queen in a very crazy Alekhine Four Pawns. My 8.d6 turned out to be a huge a blunder, allowing Black to win my rook, but that's where the fireworks started: so looking back, I don't mind my blunder at all :)) 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/138967168496?move=0

https://www.chess.com/game/live/138970400700

Dear all, a nice french attack, delayed castling

https://lichess.org/cYSBtsym/black

br

https://lichess.org/9RJcqyHU1yf9

I understand if you say i didnt play well or opponent dint play properly but i think i did great
https://lichess.org/ikMw8tkT/black

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/139020274632?tab=review

i loved this game, first day of -rapid reckless play-
https://lichess.org/5B7kv8QU/white#0
 

What we can call “Butchering The Sicilian”!

Ilias_Belhadj vs batt6868: Sicilian Defense: Closed • lichess.org.

https://www.chess.com/game/139035741144
 

https://www.chess.com/game/live/139039546202

a nice trap on our chessmood French 

opening 

The Bowdler getting bowled over

https://www.chess.com/game/live/139043001548

After a  month of ChessMood courses, I don't think my chess has ever been stronger.  In fact, just today I managed to beat the highest rated opponent that I have ever bested on Lichess.  I was going for outposts, targeting weak pawns, fighting for and blocking files, even invading the opponent's camp.  I was never without a plan.  I'm punching well above my weight.  Thanks so much!

https://lichess.org/Vb1dlUQs/black#1

The blitz marathon, today i think i went with rocket boots all the way from 560odd to 700
https://www.chess.com/game/live/142986609469
 

https://lichess.org/5mwPfHxc/white

To me, this game feels like “Life of the Immortal King”.

Short Scotch game

https://lichess.org/tQaT4cqc/white#45

SLP mode with full potential 😁.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/139046653042?move=0

Scotch

https://www.chess.com/game/live/139037822384

Accelarated dragon - tactic picking up 2 extra pawns converting in the endgame with opposite color bishops

https://lichess.org/26uRVevN/black#78

Nice tactic at the end

https://www.chess.com/game/live/137992883612

https://lichess.org/broadcast/3rd-cambridge-international-2025/round-9/nkeE6KfB/rv5l6Ygl

https://lichess.org/broadcast/3rd-cambridge-international-2025/round-2/Gdi1jv4j/Ybfj3CwS

Seemingly natural move appears a blunder on move 15 in a fianchetto Caro Kann. One blunder leading to the next one to finish the game.

https://lichess.org/XTz9ITT0/white#0

Thank you that there is a utensil and a tactic called a skewer.
https://www.chess.com/game/139094686082
 

Thank you Hovhannes for the english course!

https://lichess.org/GHziU9So/black#0

Perhaps more for June best games by now but it shows punishment for being to greedy in the Rossolimo

https://lichess.org/mO1kHqsD/black#0

Hello champions,

How are you all doing? Thank you for sharing your best games! You played some amazing moves and gave us plenty of reasons to smile 😊 We enjoyed going through the games and are happy to see your growth. Keep it up!

Now, on to the prizes…

1st Prize: Vladimir Bugayev. Checkmating the King in the center of the board in just 20 moves? Brutal! The final 8 moves being all checks was especially impressive. Well done!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/138292044196?tab=analysis&move=38

2nd prize: Samuel Marsden. A perfect attacking game with your pieces flying across the board. Smooth and crushing victory in the Sicilian 2.Nc3 g6 line. Nicely done! 
https://lichess.org/NtmqprSG/white#49

3rd Prize: Paul Ward. A fantastic game in the French Attack! Your ideas were clear and well-executed, making the win look effortless. Great job!
https://lichess.org/pkMy0Cq5/black#43

4th prize: A Guy Who Plays Chess. You played excellent attacking chess 😊 The buildup was instructive, and the finish with Bg6 followed by the Queen maneuver was pure class. Nicely played!
https://lichess.org/i31umgOV/white#55

5th prize: Norbert R. A model game in the 4…Bc5 Scotch! You built the attack step-by-step and finished it off convincingly. Well done!
https://lichess.org/FikX28Cx#65

Congratulations to all of you!
Thank you once again to everyone for sharing your games.
Wish you good luck for the next month’s contest.

Dutch Attack

i played this line as black and had difficulties from the opening where did i miss or i did not play the line correctly

1c4,e6

2g3,f5

3Nf3,Nf6

4Bg2,d5

50-0,Bd6

6Nc3,c6

7d3,0-0

8e4,Bc7

9cxd5.cxd5

10e5,Nfd7

11Bf4,Nc6

12Qe2,Nb6

13Rab1,Bd7

14b4,Be8

15b5,Ne7

16Nd4,Bf7

17Bd2,Qb8

18f4,Rc8

19Kh1,Nd7

20Rfc1,Nxd5

21Be3,Ba5

22Na4,Rxc1+

23Rxc1,Qd8

24Nb3,Bc7

25Nac5,Nxc5

26Nxc5,Rb8

27Bd4.Bb6

28Bf3,Rc8

29Kg2,Rc7

30Rc3,Qc8 then we drew

30Rc3,Qc7 then we drew

Replies

Hey there.
 

Instead of 6…c6 I would recommend castling, and if 7.d4, it's a clear transition to Stonewall. If 7.d3, you can play with dxc4 - dxc4 - Nc6 followed by e5 and fighting for the center.

Good luck!

What to do against 1.d4 e6 2.a3 f5 3.e4?

What to do against 1.d4 e6 2.a3 f5 3.e4 when the pawn on a3 prevents Bb4 ideas?

Replies

Hahah - 2.a3 :-)

That's a funny idea, but I see that it has a point in stopping Bb4. The downside is that it's a time waste!

I checked, and capturing the pawn on e4 is the best idea. If Nc3 - Nf6 -Bg5 d5! 

Checked with the engine and Black is doing well enough :-) 

Advanced anti-sicilian question (Part 2)

Dear chessmood. 

Question on the anti-sicilan advanced line when black plays e6 on the third move which happened recently twice.  1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bb5 e6 * 

Hybrid between the Anti -sicilian Part 2 and Part 3 in reality)

Normally we get structures with bishop taking the knight on c6 with f4 and d3 for white to follow. However as per the attached game white is “late” and allows for a lot of counterplay with the d5 and c4 push in combination with the Bishop on a6 development for black (as also explained by Avetik but in another move order) . See my  attached game.

https://lichess.org/tDTtae8s/white#5

Analysing with the computer a suggestion is to play the position after the Bc6 capture with a quick d3 and Nf3 development and not include the f4 pawn push.

However this is not in line with the variations usually suggested (but then again this might be an exception)

I could not find any coverage in the model games hence me reaching out for your suggestion. 

Thanks in advance.

Edger (Teolo1)

Replies

Dear Edger,

The main mistake you have made was to play b3 after c4 that allowed cxd3 and Bishop on a6 activated.

It’s poss to play with dxc4 Bxc4 Ne5 or d4 after c4 - both leading to interesting playable positions.