Chess forum by Grandmasters

when do you stream

i would like to watch you Gms play chessmood openings

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https://chessmood.com/events

Here you'll find all the coming streams (and all the previous ones).

Another Scotch Game question

After 8.h4! what if black plays Qc5, Because I faced this move in an otb game and lost, So what are your suggestions people?.

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Anyone?

Online tactics, where to begin?

After Tactic Ninja and Mating Matador I want to keep training tactics online and offline.

For offline, when I have the time/possibility I will use the Step Books but during a commute or when I don't the time/possibility for a book I'm looking for an online option.

There are so many online options, I'm lost …

Lichess, chess.com, blitztactics.com, chesstempo.com, CT art (I have no idea what app to get for my phone, they have so many), …

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Hey 👋 

From my own personal experience I like to do chess.com and Lichess puzzles.

I think both of the options have more than enough puzzles to solve, and are a good option to improve your tactical vision. However, the most significant difference between these two is that chess.com allows you to solve only 5 puzzles per day without having to pay for premium, while Lichess lets you solve as many as you want for free.

But honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the listed options. Since you already have the courses on the tactical patterns and motives here on Chessmood, you mostly just need to solve as many puzzles as possible to also use the knowledge in practice. And I think almost any chess puzzle website meets this expectation.

My deadly bishops

https://lichess.org/IK84iYEB/black

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Happy new year!

See ya all in 2025, hopefully it's a good year for everyone!

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The same to you!

WooHoo!!

Since I joined

So the new year is there, it's been also around half a year I joined ChessMood on my regular princing level, and I just finished a tournament, so I thought I'll take a little bit of my results since I joined a tought about what to work on from there. 

When I joined, my elo for my chess federation (Quebec's federation) just stabilized at 1486 after the Canadians Championships under1600, where I got 6 out of 9.  I knew that I had problems in endgames and lacked knowledge in positionnal chess, but had a good opening repertoire and tactical sense. I had decided to work on my weaknesses, especially the endgames. I also knew that I liked study openings and and I should forbid it to me, because if I did not I would dedicate too much time to that non-essential part of my game. So I began with the endgame roadmap and the essentials endgames u2000. Later, I've since done the pawn endgames as well. … and then I cheated a little bit :P and took a look at the chessmood repertoire and toyed a little bit with it is faster times controls online, just to take a feel. I was kind of a gift I've made to myself for the dedication I had to endgames. But it's still not my priority and I will go back to rook and queen endgames before working more on any new repertoire. It will be the same idea: opening study is a gift after a good work on endgames and positional chess. 
Meanwhile, I also worked on the blunderproof, spartan shield and the strategic and engames masterpieces. 

I had two classical and one rapid (20 minutes) tournaments. In the Montreal Open, section C (u1600), I got 4 out of 5, missing the victory in the last game with a miscalculation, a little bit to impulsive, wanting to get a second pawn up to quickly and missing the fork at the end of the line. But it was a good result, my federation rating went up to 1498. In the rapid tournament, I got 4 out of 5 (three victories and two draws). And in the classical tournament that just ended, the Santa Claus Tournament (Tournoi du Pere Noel in french, yes it's the real name), section B (under 1800), I got 3 out of 5, beating a stronger player and a weaker one, drawing two stronger players, and loosing to the second strongest of the section. Overall a goot result and my rating will go up over 1500 after that, but a little bit frustrating, because I had crushing positions it the two drawn games, so a full point lost. Again, there was blunders becauses of impulsives moves (against the stronger player I won, but I won anyway, and again a stronger player where it cost me the half point). After that I remembered something from the Blunderproof course and began in the last game to write my time on the note sheet before playing a move. I will try to do it more systematically from now on, since I know impulsivity it one of my weaknesses. In this last game, I went to a queen endgame two pawns up, but at some point could not manage to escape the checks from the opponent's queen, lost one of my pawns, I was tired and scared I would blunder the game at some point and since I did not see the winning plan I offered a draw, wich my stronger opponent quickly accepted. The computer analysis show that the position was totally winning for me at that point, and I began to study this endgame to try to understand how I should win it. So that's also why queen endgames are on my list. I hate queen endgames, there are too much moves to calculate.

Apart from the tournaments, I should note two special games at my local chess club. In this club, I play with the three strongest players, I suppose I am officially the fourth strongest in the regulars. But there is a big gap with the three bests. Since almost two years, I had never won a game against any of them. But in october, I got my first victory against the third one. And in december, a won a game against the strongest. They are still better than me. But I'm getting strong enough to be a challenge. 
 

With my sparring partner, we began to give themes on our sessions, so we work on thing that are on our minds. We take turns in deciding the theme. So far, we've made IQP games, exchange slav games and fantasy caro-kann games. I like those more targeted sessions. 

So what's next? still be working on the endgames, searching for exercises, doing the rook and queen endgames courses, still go throught the masterpieces too. I think I will need the course on the navigating winning positions and the new silent strategy course. Maybe at some point I will go back to the chessmood repertoire and began to play them in tournaments, but it's a big maybe. I need to work on all the other stuff before. 

See you in a few months to see how it went! ;) 

What about you? what about your year? what are you working on and what's coming up?

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I feel I have a bit similar situation, but a bit different in some one. 

I really love to work on openings. Because of this I have went through all openings in Chessmood and created my own PGNs with all possible comments from videos. As a result I now have my old repertoire and new one (based on chessmood). Moreover, starting playing Sicilian with Black lead me even into more darken woods… now I have started to play not only Accelerated Dragon, but also Najdorf. I can choose opening based on my opponent, however, now I am playing too many different openings. That is good and also bad. I feel my tactics is also ok, of course, need to sharpen it by daily or at least weekly tactics. 

In general I have decided to stop any opening studies/courses/videos dedicated only for openings (except my own game reviews and preparation for OTB game) and focus only on Endgames and Middle games. 

I am ~ 2000 FIDE, I made huge progress in understanding, thou my ELO have stuck a bit. 

Support group for a process-oriented 2025

In his recent blog post (https://chessmood.com/blog/6-steps-to-improve-your-chess-in-2025), GM Studer recommended switching to a process-oriented mindset for 2025. 

Even though I'm a novice, I'm keen to start from this point (I'm already worrying about my rating way more than I should). He suggests finding ‘people in the ChessMood community who want to follow the same mindset in 2025. Hold each other accountable and motivate each other when you feel bad because of a lack of results.’

Not sure if someone has started this already, but is anyone else up for this?

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Time control

Making a study plan I have 2 days of play+analyse.

At the moment I only play 15+10 games, as this amount of time suits me pretty well. Most of my games end with me having 10 seconds to 3 minutes left.

After reading some more blog posts here and chess related things on other websites I see many promote Blitz timecontrols aswell. Mainly 5+3.

Should I alternate one day 15+10 and the other 5+3 for training?

In the end, as everyone here, the goal is to improve in general. To become a better chess player, overal. Not just for a specific tournament or time control.

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Reviewing a Game

How to review a game?

In a video, Avetik Sir has discussed that we have to create a PGN file of that Game and compare with the PGN file of the opening I have. We have to check this PGN file with the engine recomendations using Chessbase software.

My question is do we need Chessbase software or any other way is there for beginning level with rating lower than 1000?

Whether we can use the review the game feature in chess.com instead? 

Thanks

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Dear Hari,

Here is an article on how to analyze your Blitz games https://chessmood.com/blog/analyze-blitz-chess-games

For that you will need an engine - you can use Chessbase, chesscom, or Licehess.

Dutch stonewall light square bishop

In the stone wall system after c4xd5 , exd , can the Bishop goes be6 give any extra results?

I'm not clear about the light bishop do what in the h5

And I mentioned above situationm (cxd,exd) I feel uncomfortable on pawn f5 so any time f4 reasonable or bishop have to protect the f5

If it happen in a stream explain 

Thanks

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Hey there, 

It can be possible to transfer the Bishop to h5 via e6 - but depends what exactly the opponent plays.

Usually taking on d5 is not great for White, as they trade their c4 good pawn with backward pawn on e6.

Looking for chess partner

Hello everyone, happy Christmas 🎄 🎁. I am looking for someone who can do the practice of whitemood and blackmood opening with my daughter. Her rating is 1300.

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Dear Priyanshi,

You can make a post here as well https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/studysparring-partner-1362

French attack!

 I Wonder about 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e5 Ng8 5 a3!? I have not seen any recomendation about this move. 

 I played c5

6 dxc5 Bxc5 7 Qg4 Bf8. I do not like that position difficult to defend.

 I Wonder if 5..b6 is better?

How do chessmood react after a3

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You might find the following game instructive on how to defend with Black in the position you got. This game is in the chess.com Masters game database, and says that White is “Computer” and Black is Gregory Kaidanov (rated 2585), played in 1995. That game has an interesting transposition to arrive at the same position that you had after the 6th move.

Here is that game:

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "????.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "?"]
[Black "?"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/38iFzWxVEE?tab=explore"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. a3 Be7 5. e5 c5 6. dxc5 Bxc5 7. Qg4 Bf8 8. Nf3
Nc6 9. Bd3 Nge7 10. Bg5 Qb6 11. Nb5 Ng6 12. Be3 Qd8 13. Bxg6 hxg6 14. O-O a6 15.
Nbd4 Bd7 16. Bg5 Be7 17. Bxe7 Qxe7 18. c3 Rc8 19. Rfd1 Na5 20. h3 Nc4 21. Ra2
Kf8 22. a4 Rh5 23. Qg3 Qd8 24. b3 Na5 25. Qf4 Kg8 26. g4 g5 27. Qe3 Rxh3 28. Kg2
Rh6 29. Nxg5 Nc6 30. Raa1 Qc7 31. Ndf3 Na5 32. Nd4 Nc6 33. Ndf3 Na5 34. Nd4 Nc6
1/2-1/2

Hi Erik,

Our Blackmood is for U2000 players and the 5.a3 is a super engine move - that might never really occur.
However, if it happens I would recommend playing the system with Ne7-b6. If a3 happens that often you can investigate the continuation I mentioned :-)

Thanks and Good luck :-) 

1.d4 Nf6

What to do after 1.d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3?

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Hey there,

With the logic of our repertoire, we should play with 3…Bg7 followed by c5 ideas, which will transition to GM Avetik's course - about this position.

Even ChatGPT got the answer wrong!

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Asking ChatGPT chess related questions is a blunder on its own…I once asked it whether it would capture the opponent's queen or give checkmate and it says ‘Depends on your overall strategy in the game’…definitely not stockfish level!

P.S. Assuming it's White to move, isn't it just Ng5?

Sparring partners

Hey guys, my name is priyanshi, I'm from the India, my lichess rating is 1350 I'm looking for a sparring partner to practice whitemood and blackmood opening

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Hi Priyanshi,

I am also from India. My rating is 1068 in chess.com.

I am willing to be your sparring partner for practicing the openings.

Kindly revert back if you are ok.

Thanks,

Shrihari

Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack 1.b3 d5 2.Bb2 Bg4

where can i learn more advanced stuff about this? this is a very interesting answer in the blackmood course.

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Why different black oppenings ?

Hello community,

I wander why at lower level there are french and dutch with black and why at upper level there are dragon and benoni ? Is there because the french and the dutch are dubious ? Personnaly i play those openings succesfully. And what about english opening with black. Is the dutch that we should play against english under 2000 elo because they play d3 and e4 and in case they don't play d4 what should we play, the dutch ? Thanks for your reply

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Here is what I know:

Dutch and French are reccomended for lower levels for a couple of reasons:

1.  It is simply easier to teach/learn. There is less theory to know, etc.
2.  It is more effective and practical at a lower level.
3.  It gives you some good positional and attacking skills early (bad bishops, rook lifts, etc.)

Dragon and Benko are meant as a follow-up repreitoire. It is also more practical for this level, and teaches good skills that may not be picked up by lower level players. 
 

In Blackmood, if opponent plays 1. Or 2. E4, you play a French. Anything else (no e4) a Dutch.

Note that this is the bare-basics.

Hope this helps!

I've heard that they are making an advanced french and Dutch cours

Video Issues

Hi

I am watching videos on the courses on my Android phone. For some reason it is no longer possible to maximise the video, so I have to watch it as a small picture. Can someone please investigate this? 

Many thanks 

Norbert 

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Hi I noticed Chessmood's video format have changed to this recently. When the video starts it will only appear on half of your phone's screen, right? On the bottom right of the video there should be a “<” icon. Press on that then options will appear including one to maximize the video. This works for me with my phone rotated to landscape (horizontal).

Hope this helps,

Alex

Some fun tactics I was quite proud of here. Definitely a 'no u' dynamic going on with that rook

https://lichess.org/IZQM0u18/white#85

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Brilliants are like buses ...

… you wait ages for one and then two come along at once!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/daily/744160149?tab=review

I was amazed at my opponent's restraint when he didn't accept the first knight sacrifice (the second was obviously more tempting!).

I think I can probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of ‘Brilliants’ that I've had in my games so I was amazed to get two in one game!  Out of curiosity, does such a move always require a sacrifice of some sort?

Merry Christmas everybody!!

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Chesscoms method of brilliant move is simply a sacrifice that will earn material.

Back in the days (it feels wrong to say this as I’m only 13!) a brilliant move was one that was underestimated by the engine. Basically it was the only good move, that the engine couldn’t find in 3 seconds.

I had only gotten 1 of these, a beautiful positional move where I ruined my structure but put my opponent in an enternal pin. Sadly I can’t find the game now (it was too far back) and I’m a bit upset they changed it. Obviously so more people get it, which will lead to more activity, more sales, etc. But back then you basically had to play better than a (low depth, few seconds thinking time) engine. Pretty impressive.

Enough talking about that!

You played an very Nice game, took me a minute to understand all the point, especially of Nf4.

I reccomend submitting it to the best games contest!

Merry Christmas!

Small edit: Here is a forum talking about how old brilliant moves work: https://www.chess.com/forum/view/game-analysis/brilliant-moves-in-new-game-analysis-report

And here is one talking about new ones: https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-to-play-a-brilliant-move

As you can see, they have completely downgraded it, to the point where I am more excited by a great move (simply because it is the only move) rather than a brilliant move.

However your Nf4 would likely get classified as brilliant even back then. Much Congratulations again!