Chess forum by Grandmasters

Betting the farm on ChessMood

Hello everyone,

I'm conducting an experiment in which I am trying to become a strong chess player (2000+) while starting in my mid-40s with a busy job and life. I have been documenting my progress on my blog, but my studies have been scattered for the past month and a half since I started the experiment.

The two major problems I have encountered are:

• There are a million resources available, both free and premium. The issue is curation. It is like a buffet of random chess skills. I find myself jumping from one resource to the next without following a concrete plan that helps me develop my chess abilities.

• Many people don't know how to teach chess. I teach technology and Italian, and I find the way chess is often taught puzzling. Many resources lack storytelling and are essentially a series of moves. OK, but why? Perhaps it is because I am a beginner, but I find many resources lacking in good teaching methods.

Then I came across ChessMood. It is a mystery to me why it is not more famous in the chess world!

I took the currently free Opening Fundamentals course by Avo and, wow, that's what I'm talking about. Finally, someone who can truly teach chess by explaining key concepts. It is not just move this or move that, but the reasoning behind it, presented in a progressive manner suitable for beginners. The instructor is also funny and entertaining. By far, the best chess content I have come across so far.

The site also outlines a complete path to chess mastery if you are willing to study and practice.

So I decided to bet everything on ChessMood. I will sign up for the paid subscription and use it as my primary tool for chess improvement. If you are curious, I wrote about my exact plan here: https://chessatanyage.com/my-chess-improvement-study-plan/

The two questions I have are:

• In my plan, being busy, I'm playing 2 Rapid games (15+10) per day (along with some correspondence games). Is this enough “practice”?

• For those of you who have tried the Pro version: Is it worth the difference in price for you? Or do you find yourself mostly using the resources available in the Essential subscription?

Thank you in advance,

Tony

Replies

Hi Tony and welcome.

If it makes you feel any better - I started my chess journey (not that long ago) in my 50s!  You can read my post here: https://retiringrichie.com/starting-chess-in-retirement/

And you are completely right, it's very easy to suffer from information overload.  ChessMood is a great resource and the people here are very friendly.

I'll be interested to watch your progress (liked and subbed on your YouTube April 2025 Update video).  Good luck!!

If you want a game anytime I'm ShouldveStuckToPoker on Chess.com.

Thank you for sharing, this mean that anyone can start learning chess at any age. With the right resource like ChessMood, it is easy to understand and enjoy the game.

Dealing with updating PNG

Hello everyone!

It's my first time learnign chess in a more proper way.

I was trying to update the PNG from WhiteMood Openings on Lichess but I get 

“Error parsing PGN: Null moves are not supported at line 20, column 65” so I am able to update only a few chapters. Am I doing something wrong?

Replies

Dear Friend,

The thing is, now Lichess doesn't accept the null moves, and that's why the version with null moves of PGNs doesn't work.

In the future, we might have this resolved, but now the files must be without null moves :-)

Moderne Pirc 7.Ke7

hi,

the first section explain and recomend the following variation against the modern pirc (for player below 1800)

1. e4 g6 2.Nf3 Bg7 3.Bc4 c5 4.h4 h6 5.Qf3 e6 6.Nb5 d6 7.Qg3 and e5 or Bf8 or Be5; but how to continue against 7. … Ke7 - strange move, but I was not able to handle - ?

Replies

Dear Carlo,

Something is wrong in your line - you posted 2.Nf3 rather than 5. Qf3 - I assume you meant 2.Nc3

After 7…Ke7, which is a normal move in this line, I like 8.a4 to stop a6-b5, and in that case, after a6 Nc3, you can play against the opponent's King in the middle - develop the pieces and try to open up the lines.

New article: Stop Chasing Rating Points and Titles. Do This First

What if the reason you're stuck isn't your training, your openings, or how many hours you put in, but the way in which you approach it all?
In this article, GM Avetik shares a lesson from his coach Dr. Rao Srikumar that flipped his thinking about chess, work, and life upside down.

Read it here 👇
https://chessmood.com/blog/be-do-have

Replies

Happy Birthday Dr. Rao…..

Happy birthday, Dr. Srikumar! This was a great lesson :)

Happy birthday DR Ran Srikumer

Happy birthday coach Rao and many thanks for your wisdom

Thank you for your wisdom.

♟️

Happy birthday Dr. Rao……..may you always be at the top in your life and in chess

Happy B’day Dr. Srikumar!  Have a wonderful day and year ahead! 

Happy birthday Dr Rao. Thanks for the words of wisdom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY doctor rao

Happy birthday Dr Rao. I can't thank you enough for giving me a brilliant advice for not just chess but also for my life ahead too.

Happy Birthday Dr. Rao!🎂 Thanks for all the advice!

Happy Birthday Dr. Rao! 🥳
Thanks for your advice! 

🥳Happy Birthday Dr Rao. Thank you Avo. 

Happy Birthday Rao!

Thank You Avo!

BDH❤️

belated birthday Wishes Dr. Srikumar!!! Have a great year ahead!!

😀

Happy Bday Sir Stay Happy For Life

:)

Happy Birthday sir, rooting for your great health and happiness!
I just suffered a loss in the first round of a classical tournament and this blog really helped me. 
Thanks Avo

Happy Birthday Rao Sir.

And thank you very much Rao!

Thank you Avo and chessmood team!

😊

Belated Happy Birthday Mr Rao ! आपका जीवन दर्शन अनोखा है और अचानक से आपने मुझे खुश रहने के लिए पुनः प्रेरित कर दिया है! शुभकामनाए आपके प्रसन्नचित्त और अच्छे स्वास्थ्य के लिए!! 

Happy belated Birthday. Hope everything is good for you and everyone. 

7 Tips How to Keep Concentration during a Chess Game

Replies

Very good article on concentration!thanks

Really great article! :)

Great article!

Aren't there only 6 pro-tips?

Doubt✋

In Scotch game Bc5 line after qe2 what about d5?
In Scotch game Nf6 line after h4 and opponent plays d6 I'm like-Now what, what to do?
Also I like Dutch very much but I always get mated first or lose too much material?

Replies

pls answer this

Don't play Dutch it is very complicated why don't you play semi slav or kings indian attack or benoni defense.

After d5 you may play f3 supporting he pawn on e4

Adjusting from losses in a short period of time

Hello,

I live in the United States, and there are many, many tournaments in which many rounds are played in one day. I’m not very good at these tournaments. For example, if I lose the first round, I tend to tilt very, very easily. I need advice on how I should try to train on this type of weakness. Obviously I know I need to maintain a good mood and good mindset but it’s very difficult to do this.

Also, I should mention that if I do not play these tournaments, then I barely have any tournaments to play. This is bad for me because I want to get a national title in the United States. 

Thanks!

Replies

Hey there,

I myself played a lot in the USA, and I know how it feels :-)
I think this article can be helpful https://chessmood.com/blog/5-crucial-steps-to-stop-bad-results-in-chess

Did you check it?

Thank you sir. This really helps :)

FEN for Tactic Ninja Test

Hello,

Do you have the FEN's for each of the Tactic Ninja test (777) positions?  It would be very helpful if did.

Thank you,
Glenn

Replies

Dear Glenn,

I checked the information. We have that for the course positions usually.
But for the quiz and training, we are not providing the FEN :-)

Thank you,
GM Gabuzyan

a3 move in the McCutcheon Gambit Variation

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. a3 *

i came across the moves in the above in a OTB game today. a3 stops all Bb6 ideas. what should i have done?

Replies

Hey Eric,

I think Qd8-Be7-0-0 and playing in the center with c5 type of ideas can be very practical - of course depends on whatever White does, but the position is very playable :-)

how to use moodcoins in chessmood

can you tell me

Replies

Good Food = Good Mood= Good Move

After seeing Jay's pic in facebook forum about his food before training chess, I thought I could say something regarding diet and sports performance, but then today a good friend of mine published a really good article, and before you ask I did not suggest the title of the article, it is pure chance. Please take a look I am sure that some of you will find it useful.

https://foodrevolution.org/blog/nutrition-and-mental-health-connection/

Replies

Nice article! Really lots of useful stuff. 
Thanks for sharing it, Edo! :) 

French attack, 1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Qe2

Dear CM family, what do you recommend in this setup for black?

1. e4 e6 2. d3 d5 3. Qe2

Replies

Dear Marius,

This looks like not a dangerous move at all, I think you can go 3…Nf6 with our regular French ideas :-)

Endgame Study Combined with Dvoretsky's

Hello, 

I noticed that a lot of positions in the endgame courses are also included in Dvoretsky's Endgame Manuel. Do you have any advice on how to study both together or should I just stick with one? 

Thank you in advance. 

Replies

Hey there,

Which position/s exactly are you asking about? :-)

how to add games in AI Coch

I am Tring to do it can guys help me

Replies

We don't have that option yet dear friend, but we are working on it to have possibly as soon as we can :-) 

Thanks for asking :-)

The best games of May, 2026, and the prizes

Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions! 
Welcome to the "Best games of May, 2026" competition.
Under this post, we invite you to post the best games that you will play this month (up to 5 games per person accepted).

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, 2026:

Tyler Cee
Andrei Gopak
DB SquareMaster
Joseph Zaffarese
Dmytro Shulzhenko

Replies

Very Good Forum! This is my game https://www.chess.com/game/live/168002462648

Just started endgame roadmap course which helped me in my game. Game itself nothing extra but used the connected passed pawns to finish it:

https://www.chess.com/game/live/168124350114?move=0

Punishing the opponent over the board for mixing plans in in the Modern Philidor. Missed a couple of times that d5 would be good for the opponent due to being able to centralise the knights vs the bishop, but accurate otherwise. Model game potential. Has a nice finish.
 

https://www.chess.com/game/168143356116
 

nice solid checkmate vs Caro Kahn 

Knight ! Knight ! Knight ! Gettt Thee Kinggg !!

https://lichess.org/nNcXpjrS16KN

Another very satisfying game in the last round of the 4NCL. Both sides miss opportunities, but punishment finally comes. One for the tactics books.
 

I tried to attack my opponent's king with ChessMood 3. Bd3 French Counter but I played reaching the endgame up some pawns. (Don't mind my time going from 10 minutes to 27 seconds on move 27 because my internet lagged) I don't really know about French 3. Bd3 counter but I tried.

Here: https://worldchess.com/game/51151734-9700-4f58-81c4-778fea9b8205

https://www.chess.com/game/live/168251421558 interesting attack against the schliemann followed by an underwhelming rook sac :)

I sacrificed two rooks and suffocated my opponent's pieces badly

Here: https://worldchess.com/game/ec15f55c-5144-46dd-838a-c53091a1868b

I like the Ng5 mating threat:

https://lichess.org/oIp3PVEC/white

Check out this #chess game: GASchvan66 vs Edorin97 - https://www.chess.com/live/game/168283660574

Some mistakes but nice finishing attack

https://www.chess.com/game/live/168298986794 brilliancy to promote a pawn

It's a trap!

https://lichess.org/AqY81jkt9YJB

Never heard of St.Georges defense, just followed opening principles and gained good activity:

https://www.chess.com/game/live/168309547520?username=kolous81&move=0

https://www.chess.com/game/168332509776
 

just an easy to play game 

Caro killer 

Philidor, I played with high accuracy, probably 21 Rg3 was an improvement over Rg2 then Rh3 but overall nice game, followed the main ideas of 0-0-0 and launch the pawns, Nf5 was nice too.

loved this game, I ended it with a killer check mate! https://www.chess.com/game/live/168386029828

I lost this game (due to timeout because I calculated too much and panicked when I had 10 seconds left in the endgame) but I sacrificed my rook for a great initiative and was winning almost the entire game

Here: https://lichess.org/ApCLRoI8VEzb

https://www.chess.com/game/live/168392864384?move=0 defending my opponents attack and creating vicious counterthreats of my own

Positional dominance almost always ends with a winning tactic!

https://lichess.org/M7sEL3Ia/white

Positional victory

https://lichess.org/GdjQua8s/black

https://www.chess.com/game/168436270476

Fast win with Exchange sacrifiece from Chessmood openings :-)

https://lichess.org/y8cg3l50

OTB game. I played as white. I gained a static advantage and won the game without giving my opponent any counterplay.
 

https://lichess.org/UhIneZny/black#104

a complex game in the najdorf where my opponent couldnt handle the attack and got crushed by a queen sacrifice at the end https://www.chess.com/game/live/168534439768 

A short game, played OTB in round 5 of a classical tournament.  White beats the modern.   😊

Positional dominance:

https://lichess.org/7Ld1BhFztunQ

Check out this #chess game: Edorin97 vs H-J-4121 - https://www.chess.com/live/game/168553010096

Fun and quick game

https://lichess.org/UUDQCbDwWYWN

A short sweet Spanish attack with a Bishop sacrifice to expose the King

Greediness is a sin at opening stage; judge yourself:

https://lichess.org/SUxfNW8V

I was really happy with this French Attack that went to plan. Various ideas and plans from the Chess Mood course were so useful in helping me make the right decisions: https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/168591284766/review?flip=true 

Thanks so much for the great course :)

https://www.chess.com/game/live/168606646288 punishing the 2650 rated opponent for their opening errors

A game where I slowly destroyed my opponent's position and had a crushing mating attack at the end! https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/168623787644/analysis

Philidor endgame variation:

https://lichess.org/cSk5ynioFVyJ

Irrational:

https://lichess.org/1tFCkin8Fm8D

https://www.chess.com/game/168706942490
 

French attack, mc cutcheon gambit,

Black must take the gambitted pawn;

https://lichess.org/nxf7glsZ

Blitz game ending with a pretty tactic.

https://www.chess.com/game/168804964784

A tricky get in your house idea worked.

 https://lichess.org/5eyOYqg1/white#1

https://www.chess.com/game/168872963996

I played with white, against alekhine defence. I lost the advantage at some point, but I still think it was a good game, especially the ending with the rook sacrifice leading to checkmate.

Weakening those Black squares was a bad idea:

https://lichess.org/hiayq8FUMpGY

Managed to get two forks with both my knights on the same square e1.

https://lichess.org/eNayaZisHPjc

A nice french game Bd3 as white where I had to improvise with opponent's moves https://www.chess.com/game/168895474556

Hi,

i played an OTB tournament 90min+30sec last week and this two games were very interesting for me. Messed up a bit the opening theory i think but overall very solid. 

Last game i won on time.

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/168150404216/review?move=13 solid attack

Hey Coach Gabu

Happy birthday on Tuesday!

Here is a game where I ha to use SLP.! Never give up! 

https://www.chess.com/game/168906735878

Happy birthday Gabu!

Sacrifice or blunder? Who cares? You ll love this one https://lichess.org/7GznrD47

Scotch

https://lichess.org/O7LK9kNkMieB

https://www.chess.com/game/live/169393212252?move=0

https://www.chess.com/game/live/169345491044?move=0

https://www.chess.com/game/live/169194125282?move=0

https://www.chess.com/game/168972264118
I played the Scotch game as white. My opponent played the opening quite badly with Ba5 giving me a lot of initiative. I think I used it well, keeping advantage for the rest of this short game. I am very happy with the finishing sacrificing my knight and the next move Kb1 ignoring my hanging knight and defending the pawn.

I played this game in an OTB blitz tournament. I win with the black pieces would gave me the second place at 4.5/6.

I never considered the threats in f7 to be serious enough (I was wrong) but my opponent never saw it.

[Event "Banco Mediolanum 3+2"]
[Site "Madrid"]
[Date "2026.04.28"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[Round "6"]
[White "Martín"]
[Black "Fernando"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "?"]
[BlackElo "?"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. e3 g6 3. Bd3 Bg7 4. f4 O-O 5. Nf3 d6 6. c3 Nbd7 7. Bc4 Re8 8. O-O e5 9. Ng5 Rf8 10. Qb3 Qe7 11. Nd2 h6 12. Nxf7 Rxf7 13. Bxf7+ Qxf7 14. fxe5 Qxb3 15. axb3 dxe5 16. Nc4 exd4 17. exd4 b5 18. Na5 Nb6 19. Bxh6 Bxh6 20. Rxf6 Bf5 21. Rc6 Re8 22. Rxc7 Re2 23. Rxa7 Be4 24. g3 Be3+ 25. Kf1 Rxh2 26. Re7 Bd3+ 0-1

https://lichess.org/DCzpDDcW/black

https://lichess.org/JRWC99gRLova

https://lichess.org/JK0P9qNJVgS8

Hey Gabu, tried the Greymood opening and it worked excellently, the game was smooth…an example of the foundation created by ChessMood that even works without preparation. I have been preparing for competitive exams and didn't had time to learn, play, fix and repeat…and I have played this game after 6 months from then when I was in competitive chess…and the deep foundation laid by ChessMood didn't decrease my level of playing.

https://www.chess.com/game/169147596742
 

The automatic scotch, when black try to castle qs: https://lichess.org/JUcZgIYX

https://lichess.org/39v3xiof/white

Back to form games, not perfect but good!
https://lichess.org/Lnl3AZva#0
 https://lichess.org/10yvNUJm/black
https://lichess.org/2y50UlvF/    slp game

That's all the good ones!
 

Queen sacrifice!

Used the benko gambit course to eventually win the game https://www.chess.com/game/live/168244795210 

good conversion https://www.chess.com/game/live/168151272100 

Scotch game. Shows how quickly the Scotch can pressure your opponent.

https://www.chess.com/game/live/169199460514?move=0

https://www.chess.com/game/169336524598
 

https://lichess.org/hcvsNIq8/black

I am Black (weixinchess) playing the repertoire recommended by Danya Sensei =) 

In the game, when my opponent attacked my queen and then I counterattacked with my knight, my opponent thought that he can sacrifice his Queen to gain a pawn, before recapturing my Queen. However, at the end of the line we played, he was still ended up with a pawn less. I calmly protected my g5 pawn with f6, and the d5 pawn has no easy way to defend. Eventually, I won with a beautiful knight checkmate =)

https://www.chess.com/game/live/169182469214 
Destroying with grand prix against pirc to reach 2400

A win against an IM player :-)

https://lichess.org/1FGknx7a/black

Opponent getting trapped in the Tricky French 3.Bd3

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/169401099542

Dear all, a nice gran prix against a pirc 

https://lichess.org/tKJ5Viip

Model demonstration of the Rxa6 Benko exchange sac.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/169446573462

https://www.chess.com/game/169463881244
 

Play Chess Online for FREE - 2 Player Chess - Chess.com

1 wipeout in the alekhine https://www.chess.com/game/live/169087492006

2 a nice game in the alapin https://www.chess.com/game/live/169223615540

3 a game in the english with a double sacrifice in a kingside attack https://www.chess.com/game/live/168886052230

Attacking style in a blitz game:
When successive moves come with threats, there's a high probability that your opponent makes a blunder or weakens his position.

Even in the last moves during time trouble, save & right moves are still played.

95%Accuracy 


https://lichess.org/s0eqte6e/black

My May candidate games:

1. https://www.chess.com/game/live/169082406798?move=0 🏁🏎️ GP Power of Pins 📍📍
   2. https://www.chess.com/game/live/168371219786?move=0 🏁🏎️ GP Brilliant Rooks ♖♖ and Bishop Pair ♗♗ Strength
   3. https://www.chess.com/game/live/168176550912?move=0 Final 3 moves with Brilliant Queen 👑 (anti-Sicilian Hybrid)
   4. https://www.chess.com/game/live/169176966192?move=0 Monster Knight 🐴 on Center Outpost (Sicilian Staunton Cochrane)
   5. https://www.chess.com/game/live/168232263142?move=0 Brilliant Rook ♖ (Philidor)
    

anis_84 vs. Ciarro01 | Analysis - Chess.com

My best games of May:

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/168396293042/analysis - 21.Nxe5! initiates a winning tactical sequence

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/168447466234/analysis 

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/168448374988/analysis

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/169180838320/analysis - I played a pretty good endgame here, making use of my active rook and my opponent's bad bishop

https://lichess.org/g7pqQ4Mi/black#0 - I missed a good winning opportunity in this miniature, but the second time I didn't let it slide

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

https://lichess.org/dbex8sb5/black#0 - beating the dreaded London with the Nfd7 line which I started using recently. Nice checkmate at the end

https://www.chess.com/game/169524530826

A tactical middlegame with a necessary Knight underpromotion at the end!

https://www.chess.com/game/169527558410
 

another Caro crush 

[Event "Rapid Increment"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/kc8tLJea"]
[Date "2026.05.07"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Ton2717"]
[Black "Ismail_Elghalii"]
[Result "0-1"]
[GameId "kc8tLJea"]
[UTCDate "2026.05.07"]
[UTCTime "17:30:00"]
[WhiteElo "1759"]
[BlackElo "1249"]
[WhiteRatingDiff "-11"]
[BlackRatingDiff "+56"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[TimeControl "420+2"]
[ECO "B34"]
[Opening "Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation"]
[Termination "Normal"]
[Annotator "lichess.org"]

1. e4 { [%eval 0.18] [%clk 0:07:00] } 1... c5 { [%eval 0.32] [%clk 0:07:00] } 2. Nf3 { [%eval 0.2] [%clk 0:06:59] } 2... Nc6 { [%eval 0.3] [%clk 0:07:00] } 3. d4 { [%eval 0.27] [%clk 0:07:01] } 3... cxd4 { [%eval 0.27] [%clk 0:07:01] } 4. Nxd4 { [%eval 0.21] [%clk 0:07:03] } 4... g6 { [%eval 0.35] [%clk 0:07:01] } 5. Nc3 { [%eval 0.24] [%clk 0:07:03] } { B34 Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation } 5... Bg7 { [%eval 0.18] [%clk 0:07:02] } 6. Nf3 { [%eval 0.0] [%clk 0:07:04] } 6... d6 { [%eval 0.02] [%clk 0:07:01] } 7. e5? { (0.02 → -1.29) Mistake. h3 was best. } { [%eval -1.29] [%clk 0:07:04] } (7. h3 Nf6 8. Bc4 O-O 9. O-O b6 10. Qe2 Na5 11. Bd3 Bb7) 7... Nxe5 { [%eval -0.95] [%clk 0:07:01] } 8. Nxe5 { [%eval -1.29] [%clk 0:07:05] } 8... Bxe5 { [%eval -1.23] [%clk 0:07:03] } 9. Qf3 { [%eval -1.22] [%clk 0:07:03] } 9... Bg7 { [%eval -0.89] [%clk 0:07:03] } 10. Bc4?! { (-0.89 → -1.47) Inaccuracy. Bb5+ was best. } { [%eval -1.47] [%clk 0:07:02] } (10. Bb5+ Kf8 11. O-O h5 12. Bc4 Nf6 13. Bg5 h4 14. Rfe1 Rh5 15. Ne4 Bg4) 10... Nf6 { [%eval -1.43] [%clk 0:07:03] } 11. Bg5 { [%eval -1.46] [%clk 0:07:01] } 11... O-O { [%eval -1.5] [%clk 0:07:02] } 12. O-O { [%eval -1.55] [%clk 0:07:01] } 12... Qb6?! { (-1.55 → -0.68) Inaccuracy. h6 was best. } { [%eval -0.68] [%clk 0:07:01] } (12... h6 13. Bf4 e6 14. Rad1 d5 15. Be2 Bd7 16. Qe3 Kh7 17. Bd6 Re8 18. Be5) 13. Na4? { (-0.68 → -2.33) Mistake. Rae1 was best. } { [%eval -2.33] [%clk 0:06:58] } (13. Rae1 Bg4 14. Qg3 Bf5 15. Bb3 Rae8 16. Qh4 Bd7 17. Rxe7 Rxe7 18. Bxf6 Bxf6) 13... Qc6 { [%eval -1.99] [%clk 0:07:00] } 14. Qxc6 { [%eval -1.94] [%clk 0:06:57] } 14... bxc6 { [%eval -1.9] [%clk 0:07:01] } 15. Bxf6?! { (-1.90 → -3.01) Inaccuracy. Rfe1 was best. } { [%eval -3.01] [%clk 0:06:56] } (15. Rfe1 h6 16. Bd2 Re8 17. Bd3 Ng4 18. h3 Ne5 19. Bf1 Bf5 20. Rac1 Rab8) 15... Bxf6 { [%eval -3.05] [%clk 0:07:01] } 16. Nc3 { [%eval -3.54] [%clk 0:06:58] } 16... Bf5 { [%eval -3.53] [%clk 0:06:57] } 17. Bd3 { [%eval -3.49] [%clk 0:06:58] } 17... Bxd3 { [%eval -3.05] [%clk 0:06:57] } 18. cxd3 { [%eval -3.08] [%clk 0:07:00] } 18... Rab8 { [%eval -2.79] [%clk 0:06:57] } 19. Rab1 { [%eval -2.82] [%clk 0:06:58] } 19... Rb7 { [%eval -2.69] [%clk 0:06:53] } 20. Na4 { [%eval -2.88] [%clk 0:06:58] } 20... Rfb8 { [%eval -2.89] [%clk 0:06:51] } 21. b3 { [%eval -2.93] [%clk 0:06:59] } 21... Rb4 { [%eval -2.88] [%clk 0:06:24] } 22. Rfc1 { [%eval -2.88] [%clk 0:06:52] } 22... c5 { [%eval -2.92] [%clk 0:06:20] } 23. Nc3 { [%eval -2.96] [%clk 0:06:49] } 23... Rd4 { [%eval -2.99] [%clk 0:06:08] } 24. Rd1 { [%eval -2.97] [%clk 0:06:44] } 24... a6 { [%eval -2.96] [%clk 0:06:05] } 25. Ne4 { [%eval -2.93] [%clk 0:06:44] } 25... Bg7 { [%eval -2.97] [%clk 0:06:01] } 26. Nc3 { [%eval -3.06] [%clk 0:06:34] } 26... Rdb4 { [%eval -2.57] [%clk 0:05:49] } 27. Nd5 { [%eval -2.61] [%clk 0:06:31] } 27... R4b7 { [%eval -2.61] [%clk 0:05:45] } 28. Re1 { [%eval -3.0] [%clk 0:06:30] } 28... Bf8 { [%eval -2.58] [%clk 0:05:43] } 29. Rb2 { [%eval -2.93] [%clk 0:06:22] } 29... e6 { [%eval -3.03] [%clk 0:05:39] } 30. Nf6+ { [%eval -2.93] [%clk 0:06:20] } 30... Kg7 { [%eval -2.94] [%clk 0:05:38] } 31. Ne4 { [%eval -3.12] [%clk 0:06:19] } 31... d5 { [%eval -2.98] [%clk 0:05:31] } 32. Nc3 { [%eval -3.69] [%clk 0:06:13] } 32... Kg8?! { (-3.69 → -2.26) Inaccuracy. c4 was best. } { [%eval -2.26] [%clk 0:05:27] } (32... c4 33. dxc4 dxc4 34. b4 Rxb4 35. Rc2 Rb2 36. Rec1 f5 37. Kf1 Rxc2 38. Rxc2) 33. Rbe2 { [%eval -2.44] [%clk 0:06:08] } 33... Bg7 { [%eval -2.0] [%clk 0:05:27] } 34. Na4?! { (-2.00 → -2.84) Inaccuracy. Rc2 was best. } { [%eval -2.84] [%clk 0:06:09] } (34. Rc2 c4 35. dxc4 dxc4 36. bxc4 Rb2 37. Rxb2 Rxb2 38. Ne4 Bd4 39. Rd1 Rc2) 34... c4 { [%eval -2.75] [%clk 0:05:00] } 35. dxc4 { [%eval -3.04] [%clk 0:06:03] } 35... dxc4 { [%eval -2.53] [%clk 0:05:00] } 36. bxc4?! { (-2.53 → -3.77) Inaccuracy. Nc5 was best. } { [%eval -3.77] [%clk 0:06:05] } (36. Nc5 Rb5 37. Nd7 Rc8 38. bxc4 Rxc4 39. g3 Rd4 40. Ne5 Rxe5 41. Rxe5 Bxe5) 36... Rb4? { (-3.77 → -1.81) Mistake. Rc8 was best. } { [%eval -1.81] [%clk 0:05:00] } (36... Rc8 37. c5 Rb4 38. Re4 Bd4 39. Nb2 Bxf2+ 40. Kxf2 Rxb2+ 41. R1e2 Rxe2+ 42. Kxe2) 37. Nc5 { [%eval -1.81] [%clk 0:06:05] } 37... Rxc4 { [%eval -2.08] [%clk 0:04:53] } 38. Nd7?! { (-2.08 → -3.35) Inaccuracy. Nb3 was best. } { [%eval -3.35] [%clk 0:05:54] } (38. Nb3 Bf6 39. g3 Kf8 40. h4 Rbc8 41. Rd1 Rc2 42. Rdd2 Rxd2 43. Rxd2 Ke7) 38... Rd8 { [%eval -3.25] [%clk 0:04:41] } 39. Nb6?! { (-3.25 → -5.05) Inaccuracy. Ne5 was best. } { [%eval -5.05] [%clk 0:05:52] } (39. Ne5 Bxe5 40. Rxe5 Rd2 41. a3 Ra4 42. g3 Rxa3 43. Kg2 Raa2 44. Rf1 Kg7) 39... Rb4 { [%eval -5.14] [%clk 0:04:37] } { White resigns. } 0-1

Hello Champions!
A big thank you to everyone who shared their best games of the month.

We saw creative ideas, strong strategic play, and many impressive wins. Your games were full of useful and instructive moments.
Great job, everyone. Now it’s time to announce the prizes! 🏆

1st Place: Jayden Fide

Checkmate that made me smile 😊
With both Kings stuck in the center during a fierce fight, you found a fascinating pattern and sacrificed both Rooks to deliver a stunning checkmate.
A very unique and beautiful idea!
Enjoyable game 🙂
https://worldchess.com/game/ec15f55c-5144-46dd-838a-c53091a1868b

2nd Place: Joseph Zaffarese 

Space advantage masterpiece.
In the Caro-Kann, you used the power of the Knight on e5 beautifully.
It gave you a clear space advantage, and you used it to launch a powerful flank attack, completely destroying the opponent’s King’s position.
Amazing attack!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/168143356116

3rd Place: Anis Chess

Amazing attack!
Through the weak diagonal, you managed to reach your opponent’s King’s position and masterfully drag it into the center. Then you delivered a stunning checkmate with your minor pieces. Beautiful attacking play!
So good!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/169515401734/review?move=46

4th Place: Andrew 

Scandinavian Killer.
I believe no one is playing this opening against you after this game, very well done - h4-h5 and the Queen on a1 - wonderful cooperation.
Thank you!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/169087492006

5th Place: Kamil ch

Power of the Bishop pair.
In a complicated game, you sacrificed the exchange and invaded with the Bishop pair through the weak squares around your opponent’s King.
A very powerful and instructive attacking game!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/168371219786

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

Scheduling time for 1 on 1 call with GM

Will there be time slots open on June 19, eastern time?

Thanks.

Replies

Dear Vincent,

Our client support team contacted you.

:-)

3.Nc6 in French Attack?

Does anyone have any experience playing 3.Nc6 after 3.Nc3 from white?

I just checked it with the engine and it doesn’t seem to be as stupid as it looks.

The main idea seems to be a quick f6 to challenge the center, and sometimes even castle queenside later on.

I’ve never seen anyone play it in my life, and it looks like completely fresh territory after move 3, whilst also being engine approved. Cool stuff.

Maybe something to consider for the Advanced French Attack course? 

Cheers guys 🤙

Replies

I know that there's Nc6 after Nd2

I got this after checking database:

New article: The bold-unbold technique: no more forgetting what you learn

We learn lots of new things. We feel good. But then we face it — the challenge. Its name is “I can’t remember.”

The previous day we learned so many things, but after some time, we actually only remember a small percentage of what we learned.   

It goes in one ear and out the other 😁 

Is it a familiar feeling? 
Let’s crush it! 

In today’s article, you’ll learn: 

✅ How to REALLY learn something instead of illusionary learning
✅ How to memorize everything you’ve learned instead of forgetting 50% of it the next day and the other 90% at the end of the week 
✅ How to effectively use this Bold-Unbold technique in chess and in other areas

It also comes with many interesting stories. 
https://chessmood.com/blog/bold-unbold-technique

Feel free to share your thoughts with us under this forum thread. 

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#RightMood_RightMove 

Replies

I do something similar myself - take notes (of what I need to learn or was interesting) and only revise that which I can't remember. Too many of us prefer to revise what we already know as it makes us feel good. You also have to refresh it with increasing periods otherwise you'll forget again. However this is getting close to the chessable method which I believe we said wasn't so good. So what separates this from a single iteration of spaced repetition?

I will try this bold-unbold technique. I used to make summarizes, which asked lots of work to make and lots of time to read quickly before a game. This bold-unbold thing looks like it's less work to make and to read before a game, so I get more time to learn new things.

Great article, this is similar to how I got through law school studies. Agree with the other comments that this approach supports understanding and unconscious competence rather than rote memorization.

Great idea, I've started creating my own PowerPoint slides to help me crystalize the ideas of the Scotch course (example attached).

Hi Avetik First, I'd like to point out to a key concept my father always impressed on me: When one writes something down, they remember it much better. Countless occasions later I can say that it's true! So, as a first step, I will start to write down all the ideas I learned and then, as a second step bold/unbold and review. Its a great concept and I truly believe its a terrific addition to any study method. Thank you again for another well written piece of wisdom Ovi PS The good writing ideas you listed are a solid application of the principle.

Great insights as usual. There is one step though that I struggle with: "review before playing" I totally get and agree to writing down the key points of what you wanted to learn. With the last step of reviewing what you remembered and what you still need to get into your head, I'm also fine. But reviewing beforehand only makes sense to me when you know what you are going to face (like your example with writing). In chess though I think there are very few key points that occur in every game (like "develop your pieces") that make sense for a little advanced player. Instead there is many specific knowledge (like "remember the g6-tricks in Benko if he doesn't go Nc3"). Do you reccomend to review all before playing? Looking forward to additional wisdom as I'm trying to create a useful routine how to take the most out of my played games. Marcus

I have to try this methot ! I would prefer doing it by writing it down on paper if possible but do you have any suggestion on how to do it as bold / unbold wont work multiple times ? I could start with very few objectives and write them every time , it could be done but as soon as it will grow , it will be a lost of time .. but if I see the value of it for me , then I could switch to doc ..

I use a similar method... I print on a paper sheet 6 chess diagram, all of them related to the same theme, let's say "Bishops Pair" or "Open file", whatever, and on the back of the paper sheet I print the solutions. Then I try to solve the exercises, in a fixed amount of time (usually 5 minutes). Like if I was playing on tournament. Then I check the solutions. If I'm correct, I mark the exercise with "Ok", othervise I mark it with a simple checkmark. I try this way for 18/24/30 exercises (3/5 sheets), in a couple of day. Then I repeat until I don't get three "OK" in a row for a given exercise. If so, I stop to solve that exercise, and continue with the remaining, unsolved 3 times in a row, ones. Then I move to the next set of exercises. I got the exercises from books like Hellsten, "Mastering Chess Strategy", or Polgar, "Chess Middlegames". The first is easier, the latter much more difficult. Is a good method, for me: I was oscillating in the range 1800/2050 in leechess blitz, and now, after one month of this method, I'm oscillating in the range 2080/2150, which makes me happy. I want to continue this way for a whole year, and see if I can reach 2300/2400, which is a National Master level, I would say.... Jmtc...

This technique is so good, it helps me so much in chess and also other life areas to actually remember and implement concepts. 

How to overcome fear/nervousness while playing?

Whenever I play over the board chess, I feel a bit tensed, ESPECIALLY if I am playing against a lower rated player or against a friend/someone I know. I consume a lot of time during the game because I am afraid to make a mistake (I do this part against everyone though, even higher rated players).

 However, I am very relaxed when playing online chess (except if I'm playing a friend. Although I am still relaxed, I still feel a bit tensed.).

Please guide me here. :D

Replies

Hi Adi. For me it helped to not worry about rating, I found it really helps me to be more relaxed and preform better. Also doing something to take your mind off chess during long tournaments. Doing prep before your games (if you're playing classical.) might make you feel more confident for your games. Other than that, just try to have fun, don't put pressure on yourself and just enjoy the game. 

Hope this helped. 

🙃

I imagine that, like everyone else, the fear is of losing one’s ‘ego’ rather than one’s ‘Elo’ rating, especially when playing against opponents with a lower rating or, worse still, against kids :-)

Once you realise that what’s at stake is your Elo rating and not your ego – at most just a few points, not who you really are – things should go more smoothly.

Hey — great question. What you're describing isn't a chess problem, it's a mental block problem.

Here's what's actually happening:

Your mind has recorded every past experience of playing someone you know, or a lower rated player, and attached emotional charges to those moments. The fear of embarrassment, the fear of losing to someone you "should" beat, the fear of what people will think. Those charges are stored in your mind and every time you sit down in a similar situation they fire automatically — before you've even touched a piece.

That's why you're relaxed online against strangers. No social charge attached. The moment there's someone you know on the other side of the board, the charges activate.

The tension you feel, the time you burn on moves, the second guessing — that's not you lacking chess knowledge. That's your mind running emotionally charged past experiences through your decision making in real time.

The "standard" advice is to breathe, stay present, tell yourself to relax. That doesn't work because it's managing the symptom without touching the root. The negative charge is still there underneath.

What actually works is clearing the specific charges attached to those situations. Fear of embarrassment in front of people you know. Fear of losing to a lower rated player. Fear of what it means about you if you mess up. When those charges are neutralized at the root, the tension stops showing up because there's nothing left to trigger it.

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Sharp positions, attacking chess, and lessons you can take to your games 👇
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Replies