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Chess forum by Grandmasters
How to avoid time pressure?
I always get time pressure and loose
Replies
There is a great article by CM: https://chessmood.com/blog/how-effectively-are-you-using-your-chess-time .
It talks about "effective time management”, please have a look, it can hopefully give you some ideas on how to avoid time pressure
Did you watch the video Hriday ? What did you think about it? 😄
Tactic Ninja, Section 20, Clearing a rank subsection, Training puzzle 7, does not have a solution
Hello everyone,
Just as a title suggests, in the mentioned puzzle there is no correct solution for black. First I spent some time on it thinking I'm missing something, then when I tried using Hint button it stopped working after 2nd move, then out of desperation I put the position to an engine and it says there is no solution, black is just losing material. Can anyone clarify on that? Is this some bug?
Regards,
Konrad
Replies
The same problem occurs in the Section 21, Decoy subsection, Training puzzle 7
This is indeed strange. My best guess is that it is actually meant to be flipped, and say in the first one, it is White to move. This makes some sense for the second one, but not really for the first one.
We will see what a team member has to say on this subject.
Thanks taking note of this and we will fix it as soon as possible.😃
commented classical games
Is it really worth it watching commented classical games?
Replies
If it was not worth, we would not have spent hundreds of hours preparing the courses. 😅
Of course, you need to pause and think when asked, otherwise if you just watch and don't involve yourself in the games it is useless, but not only this course, any course! 😄
😁Take notes, screenshots of the moves that you find surprising, comment the games, etc. Be active when working, passive learning will get you nowhere… Still since I do not know your level, please stick to the Study Plan proposed for your level. Also one game per day max. ok? 💪
Modern Benko with 7. e4 and 12. a4
Hello dear friends,
I've been working on the benko gambit recently and found a line that seems to score really well for white (~60% megabase 2024, >50% lichess filtering bullets and u2000 elo) .
The line is the following :
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5 4. cxb5 a6 5. bxa6 g6 6. Nc3 Bg7 7. e4 O-O 8. Nf3 Qa5 9. Bd2 Bxa6 10. Be2 Bxe2 11. Qxe2 Qa6 12. a4 *
Stockfish 16 at depth 45 (18000kN/s) says it's ok for black after 12. …Qxe2 and d6 (0.47) but practically I'm not sure what are the compensations for the pawn in this particular “main” line ?
Replies
CM recommends a different continuation starting with 5…Bxa6 (not 5…g6/Bg7/O-O as in your variation). And in the advance section the topic 7.e4 / 11…Nbd7, 12.a4! is covered or as a 2nd option 11…Qb6, 12.a4, Na6!
Solitaire Chess
I don't do much in the way of studying chess, besides the occasional series of puzzles or opening videos. I want this to change, and I've been inspired to take up Solitaire Chess. From what I've read, it's a way to individually study master games by essentially guessing at each move, and comparing your own plans and moves to what was actually played. Does anybody have any personal experience with this study technique? Is there a better way to do it beyond loading games into lichess analysis and hiding the annotations? Is there any software specific for this that I may find useful?
Thanks, Jake
Replies
If you are a chesstempo user they have this kind of training embedded in their website. It's called Guess the move. I like it there. 😀
Also chessbase has the training function too.
Sicilian with 2...Nc6
I've been playing 3.Bb5 against Nc6 for a bit now and I'm constantly facing this kind of transposition to the main line of the grand prix: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Nf3 g6!? with the idea of transposing to the main line after 5.0-0 Bg7
The book suggests 5.Bc4 but I'm not sure it's the best
I would like to avoid the main line so if you have any suggestions please leave them under this post
Replies
The CM recommendation is to play 5.Nxd4, cxd4 6. Ne2, please have a look at the course “Antisicilian part 2”
French
Hi guys I was playing blitz online and i faced this annoying system against the Bd3 line of the french. I'll write the first moves of the game : 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Bd3 Nf6 4. e5 Ng8 5. Ne2 Ne7 6. O-O Qd7 7. c3 b6 8. f4 h5
9. Nd2 Ba6 10. Bc2 g6 11. Nf3 c5 12. a4 Nbc6 13. Re1 Nf5 14. h3 h4 15. Bd3 Bxd3 16. Qxd3 Be7 17. Bd2 a5
Any suggestions on how to play against it?
Replies
maybe at some point you should have played f6 break and open up the center because of whites space advantage white was having attack after f6 if white does not take black should at least try to open up the f file
Why don't go f4 instead of Ne2 and transpose to a mainline of the French with 2 moves extra for White, the possibility to play c3, Nf3 etc… This would be a dream position for White opening wise… 😅
I think that 8. f4 is an inaccuracy, and a much better move would be Nd2 to reroute it to Nf3. I would recommend watching https://chessmood.com/course/happy-chess-pieces-the-art-of-keeping-your-chess-army-happy so these moves will come easier to you. The knight on b1 is quite bad due to not being able to go to Nc3. So you need to make it a happy piece and move it to f3.
The best games of March, 2024, and the prizes
Hello ChessMood family, hello champions and future champions!
Welcome to the "Best games of March, 2024" 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 February, 2024:
Roy Li
Aron Bekesi
Samuel Marsden
Mohamed Tineer
Regis H.
Replies
Check out this #chess game: VinzClortho21 vs Gustavlugovenzla - https://www.chess.com/live/game/103050644385
A lot of blunders in this game but I was happy with my play. I used intuition and even though some decisions were wrong it payed off in the end 90+30 otb https://lichess.org/xPZ9ZxeM
Clean
https://lichess.org/Cdx7BuRm#40
90+30 otb
Took advantage of his uncastled king
'https://lichess.org/53wkfP09#1
90+30 otb
A slightly positionnal game with black in a strange sicilian
https://lichess.org/g47t5fGl/black
https://lichess.org/A2Fg1dvR/black#48
(I was black in this game)
Scotch “automatic attack” and an opponent that was fiercly defending after blundering a knight until a mate. https://lichess.org/hbGWorZV/white
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/103100522327?tab=analysis&move=42
A crushing attack!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/3hFgcB2G9c?tab=details-tab
Played this game OTB recently. In an earlier round, I had lost to this exact same opening with dxe5 followed by Nb4, and I had lost that game to a friend of my opponent. I had expected he would play this thinking I was not prepared, but he thought wrong. 95% accuracy on my end… Definitely an attacking masterpiece 😜😁
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103102910835
A brilliant win after losing the queen earlier
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103060991665
Check out this #chess game: Marcel1er vs supergm_chessmood - https://www.chess.com/live/game/103129951369
Absolute crushed him with 95% accuracy playing against the scotch
With great and brilliant moves.
https://www.chess.com/live/game/103135887481
A correct scotch https://lichess.org/eMZtLL28/white
https://lichess.org/A2aUuoQJ/black
https://www.chess.com/game/live/101015597287 Perfect Grand Prix Miniature
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103156871461
nothing fancy but a constant pressure taking advantage of all smalls errors of opponent in a Dutch
Anti Sicilian brilliancy!
Thank you Chessmood Family!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/103167045413?tab=analysis
Caro Kann, quite happy with the plan Kg2 followed by Rh1, to attack along the h file
https://www.chess.com/live/game/103195242761
After the Tactic Ninja and Mating Matador courses I am pretty sure I am improving tactics and aggressive play.
Well, this game is not perfect, not perfect at all, but some attacking ideas were quite good
https://lichess.org/uwuXaGRnVaUe
I definitely need to improve on defense.
(I play mainly bullet games online because too often on longer games when my opponents were losing they stopped playing with 20-30 or even more minutes on the clock; then in some games they moved when they were left with 20-30 seconds, just to see if you left too, hoping to win on time. This is really annoying, I can't waste my time playing that way).
Changing the queen for 2 rooks
https://lichess.org/VC1aspM2/white
Scotch
https://lichess.org/U5udFtp1/white#49
I think this is a good example of why NOT to develop ones Queen too early…
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/103342333961?tab=analysis
Queen sacrifice in Benko
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/103357301893?tab=review&move=91
https://lichess.org/ZTmO8t18Haed
Beating a 2000 rated player (Over 350+ points higher than me), feeling rather proud, as these types of games are the ones i throw once i get a winning position.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103361457225
When all comes together
https://lichess.org/T8kMAv81/black
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103236043679
https://www.chess.com/live/game/103415480163
Played in a 30+0 otb tournament
https://lichess.org/8jhTV10Q#49
Crushing win with black with the mccuchon gambit !
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103437091489
😁
Thanks for the unbelivable news.
Your Pal, Kingston
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103401669223
My best win till now.
Down a piece but kept attacking!
https://lichess.org/gVzb4EKJwRQt
French exchange which has the reputation of being drawish if white want that … in a blitz game , sometimes you know they are going to fall for a trap … the bishop sac on f7 was too much but he still went for Qxd4 ?? right after , as i predicted … lol
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103480240269
https://lichess.org/md7fJ8iF/black#80
Alekhine and then a more common structure https://lichess.org/hXU0Lifj/black
Three brilliant moves in one game ;0)) …!?
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/103528261081?tab=review
Larsen s back fire:
https://lichess.org/9eS5xNFV/black
By luck, no mistake on black side:
Equal until 20.b4
https://lichess.org/d4c7SzNu/black
Scotch game with a piece trap and a nice finish
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103590073773
Love this trap
https://lichess.org/0UpXhQlN/black
A good French
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103635666033
Crushing french with Bd3
Frenchhttps://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/103641713573?tab=review&move=40
https://lichess.org/lZVTWTKn#0
Madness : semi-open variant
- e4 d5 2. d4 de 3. Nc3 and so on … but, you have to see the end! … ;-)
Anti sicilian, happy pieces:
Free Outpost for everyone !
https://lichess.org/ao3t9Su3/white
A very nice french attack with a lot of “!!”
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/103718425769
À nice combinaison at the end for a pretty checkmate on move 20 as black in a French defense ( sorry Avetik , but I did not play aggressively enough to call it french attack! )
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103756327179
https://www.chess.com/live/game/103756870307
The best and longest match of this fantastic month! Right mood… wrong move!! :)
https://www.chess.com/game/live/103756161217
Oh my God what a game with King's Gambit!! Totally crazy.
Thank you friends!!
Nice tactic in the game
Very attacking game
a kind of model game in the anti-sicilian part 2 with 6… g6? from black:https://lichess.org/WQDb3CMU
Opponent did not watch the Exchange caro kann course.
https://lichess.org/QFjL7SlU/black#0
https://lichess.org/Mu7nEMZ6/black
Nice practical game
Nice smooth victory in botvinnik setup but as white https://lichess.org/broadcast/ltu-ch-semifinal-2024/round-7/LQXUVVJt/kh17iWpo
The French Attack .. “Blockade” version
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/103957154023?
A brilliant attacking game in the bishop's opening with a nice bishop sac
https://lichess.org/1GKRc3svOvzC
Played this game over the board at my local chess club.
Crushing attack in the end after a better middle game for my opponent.
https://lichess.org/study/CUYb2VRr
Very aggressive
https://lichess.org/Wfo9Mk3w/black
Attack…Attack….Attack in blitz
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/104130024723?tab=analysis&move=113 a brilliant example of expoliting weak king and lack of cordination
Sicilian queen sac
https://lichess.org/5ZGNML3Q/black
Benko destruction
https://www.chess.com/live/game/104170195945
Bishop pairs overloading the rooks:
https://lichess.org/9VsEAqFw/black
https://lichess.org/rLKY03Ai#36 ( Sicilian defence: Bowdler Attack )
Guy had a rang 2120 at lichess.org …
I am emphasizing that “had” … ;-)
It mean that he HAD 170 ranging point more than me …
but, he ignored my King at e4! …
So, he HAD to be mate by my pawn! … ;-)
Nice French with bishop against 3 powns from opening pawns
Alexandr Klimchik - Ben Mason
It was over the board game with control 1h20min +30seca
https://lichess.org/qo1EyuAK/black#104 although we're both amateurs, I was close to resigning but instead, I saved a very lost position… 😀
This is a Hovannes special!!
they have to think I cheated Check out this #chess game: nejmeddine61781 vs MantaRay153 - https://www.chess.com/live/game/104290246581
https://www.chess.com/game/live/104318381381
My biggest defeat
Sicikian against 2. f4
https://lichess.org/mWdC87P8/black
Attack..Attack…Attack in blitz PART 2
Literally 2 Rook Lifts
A miniature with the Schlechter variation against French. Checkmating in 12 moves…!
https://lichess.org/TGTa7Du8cMKS
Just the best game of my life until now, OTB, against a 1675 FIDE using chessmood French Attack. All that thanks to you Avetik, Hovannes, and all the chessmood team; thank you so much!!!!
https://lichess.org/study/88ZApxbr/SkeY4T0Z
Played in otb 90+30 tournament
I was white
same otb tournament
I was white
https://lichess.org/zXYDlJyn
I was white in otb tournament a week ago
https://lichess.org/4xCVAFAG
played in otb 90+30 tournament I was black
https://lichess.org/FJpM1jeZ
https://lichess.org/i11tiIZVoQQX one my remembered games
https://lichess.org/F4abrZrs a game where I swindled my opponent
https://lichess.org/kORgwNLS/white#37 This is the best game of my life!
Hello, I have a question, can anyone help? Are the rewards for this game only given to players who play the opening chessmood or to all players?
Hello, here comes my “best game of march” contribution. My first contribution on ChessMood.
I played Blitz “French Attack” with a mate in 15 moves, I am a chessmood student since one month.
best regards
https://lichess.org/3xjHc0mK
Excellent win
A very nice win !!
https://lichess.org/dnI7O2GdfEZl
Very happy with this SLP against a Caro-Kann !
I have not studied the 7…Qd7 variation yet and got it all wrong. But I was super pleased with my fighting spirit and my determination to try to make my attack work. “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope….!”
https://lichess.org/study/Q7mT2lzg/KdHKDOgE
My opponent's mindset collapsed at exactly the moment I needed it to, and I got my payout. 😀 We play against humans for these moments. This was a big game, a tournament round against my club teammate, my arch rival and my sparring partner, and I was soooo happy to take it down ! 👊
This is a game I have played last Saturday in the Italian Team Championships 3rd League
and… I have lost it! Worse, I have lost it a couple of days after having finished the “Blunderproof” course and even more bad I resigned in an almost even position.
After a tense struggle where my opponent made a bad mistake in the opening (15. … Qb6?) and I was able to gain a pawn and to slowly increase the pressure almost until the final blow. And then, with just a couple of minutes left on the clock (often to win a won game you must think a lot to find the right plan/sequence) I blundered: I have calculated 34. hxg5 and then maybe 35. Rxd8 and 36. Nf6+ and instead I played… 34. Rxd8? (why???).
Even worse, in the rush I didn't noticed that the f6 square was not protected, so after the sacrifice I immediately took my knight and I almost placed it on f6 (after having calculated a nice checkmate: 35. Nf6+ Kg7 36. Qxh7+ Kxf6 37. Qh6+ Ke5… If not for 35. … Qxf6 -+). Then I realized that if I had not touched my knight I could have played something different. I had just blundered an exchange and I was losing my wonderful passed pawn on d6 too!
I resigned. My opponent was quite embarrassed.
At home I realized that I could have tried to play some more moves, that maybe not everything was lost. But at the end of the game, after the double blunder, I was in a very bad mood.
Well, it's still a good game (e.g. 22. … Kg7 23. Ra2!), if not for the (not) happy ending.
It was tremendous. One of the most powerful online prize money tournaments I have ever played.
nice game
Check out this #chess game: gnux3e vs supergm_chessmood - https://www.chess.com/live/game/104758308765
I am really happy after playing this game .
This was one of my best games I have played where I used the “Cat and Mouse” strategy.
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/103081323615?tab=analysis
DOUBLE BRILLIANT GAME!!!
played as black here
chesscom analysis considers ..15 . nxd4 and …17. qxd4 as brilliant moves
defo gonna be one of my top games
https://lichess.org/5fMYB2Ty/black
French schlechter, all in: https://lichess.org/LUKV2V9y/white#39
Sicilian sidelines, with a mating attack on white king, which is not that wrong:)
https://lichess.org/kqxeqqtE/black
Caro Kann
https://www.chess.com/game/live/104918475229
Thank you Avetik
https://lichess.org/azvtpLhJ/white#75 Great attacking game
Win with CM Antisicilian in 13 moves
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/104982604115?tab=review
Attack with Anti-Sicilian against Nc6 and g6. Opponent let his clock run out.
https://lichess.org/caEf5kQUSMnP
Check out this #chess game: supergm_chessmood vs DrOs2008 - https://www.chess.com/live/game/105018654523
A game that switch to a benko l8ke position :https://lichess.org/3NVgJVkg/black
https://lichess.org/kwj8WZyk/white#33
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/daily/627357429?tab=analysis
Beautiful queen sac and Epic checkmate!
Move order is important, mistakes and all!
https://lichess.org/yKgC41oX/black
Played in otb last weekend 90+30 i was white https://lichess.org/B3m8GvaZ#2
https://lichess.org/YsweicxV/white#71
https://lichess.org/WzjXnOK3HnHM
Not bad at all, maybe a bit shy in the opening (10. d3), but a good game without big errors
https://lichess.org/yZt0d1MU/white#0
https://www.chess.com/game/live/105195720371
made an attack until opponent blunders
https://lichess.org/2Yt3lbok
Clean attack against a philidor
https://lichess.org/tx46FDYN/white
https://www.chess.com/live/game/105226803049
https://lichess.org/vXpTTQGq/white#53
Scotch, “watch them all four coming for black's king head”
https://lichess.org/Z801XHDq/white
a good antisicilian part 1 model game with 6…e6 ? from black allowing 7. d4! https://lichess.org/MVr3gYXN
https://lichess.org/LCgSdeRy/white#69
https://lichess.org/5bNycsCI/white#79
i was never worse
Excellent win
Must-watch game
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/105298873473
https://www.chess.com/game/live/105024083375
https://share.chessbase.com/SharedGames/share/?p=WQ02WUnDbEdiIxQulkcNFqTTsfNwP1DF3bDr/q/6cd+6Nz3L6ZiqDeoR4qmJ+/+O
I had a very nice game today ! A typical Dutch but my opponent went long castle… I found a great forced checkmate at the end ;)
https://www.chess.com/game/live/105361251551
A quick 9 moves win , first time I have the chance to play this philidor line . I knew there was something after the early Bg4, and as Avetik always say , you don’t need to remember long variation as long as you understand the idea .
https://www.chess.com/game/live/105373949555
Here is a good game (I hope :) ). A Scotch game with Mate in 20 moves with a sacrifice of the Queen in move 19
https://lichess.org/kHj6ziHhgxS1
best regards
Joachim
CM Benko
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/105408028595?tab=review
CM Caro
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/105409901291?tab=review
CM sicilan sidelines, closed system
https://lichess.org/XMKpOtsR/black
https://lichess.org/3PrqGWid/white#41
A game I played in the Faroese championship this year with caro kann. experimented with sacrificing the exchange and see the power of the light square bishop
kingside attack in a sicilian
https://www.chess.com/live/game/105469283843
Sicilian gran prix attack, arrogant kings march, https://lichess.org/UrQa73bZ
https://www.chess.com/live/game/105484225163
The ending of the game shows the power of Benko
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/105502180933?tab=review
How often do you see a zugzwang position ;))
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/105508137853?tab=review
Entertaining CM Scotch with interesting missed tactics
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/105419383327?tab=review
model game in the scotch against the 4…Qh4 coffehouse move:
a perfect game according the engine:
https://lichess.org/qAtUwbvR
Quick Blitz Victory by White against Pirc.
https://lichess.org/Wz03KFeRRn60
A model game (at least a typical good try) against the trompovsky: https://lichess.org/1f2It8u4/black
90+30 otb tournament I was white
https://lichess.org/Ibcx4PfI
otb 90+30 game i was black https://lichess.org/H75NrIOr
otb 90+30 i was white
https://lichess.org/ps78wTEE
otb 90+30
I was white
https://lichess.org/8ikkcw4R
played in otb 90+30
I was white
https://lichess.org/E55K1LtM
90+30 otb
https://lichess.org/1WgTBWBH
veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy long king walk 90+30 otb
https://lichess.org/Ted6mAJV#117
https://lichess.org/ElQsaNyD 90+30 otb
90+30 otb https://lichess.org/oNjMpRVe
90+30 otb
https://lichess.org/McgZDDvU
90+30 otb https://lichess.org/tYUXEpIY
90+30 otb
https://lichess.org/TDGO8Zlg
90+30 otb
https://lichess.org/cl2QFl4O
90+30 otb https://lichess.org/tNavHeW2
90+30 otb https://lichess.org/maB1SrAp
90+30 otb https://lichess.org/6cTEWQTr
90+30 otb https://lichess.org/M0ay4Bzi
Typo mistake
Steinitz with Ng8
https://lichess.org/LQe5wx0h/black
Crushing attack in the caro-kann with a nice Bxh7 sacrifice and a great rook lift. A very nice game to reach the 1900 in blitz and achieve yet another goal since I joined chessmood !
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/105563953695
Nice SLP! forgot that i should've taken dxe5 on move 4 rofl
a GP attack
https://www.chess.com/live/game/105672602023
https://www.chess.com/game/live/105731419195
It's an attacking masterpiece for me with Rossolimo variation.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/105732109293
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/105728488333
Hey champions and future champions!
How is your mood today?
There were lots of interesting games in the 3rd month of this year - interesting, risky, positional, and it's a pleasure to see your growth!
Let's speak about the prizes now! 😊
1st Prize: Corentin, the nice guy whom GM Gabuzyan always puts in the waiting room during the events (it's their inside joke).
You played a great Caro-Kan game, with the aggressive sacrifice of the Bishop, and the creative idea of opening the h-file and mating the opponent's King. Great job!
https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/105563953695?tab=analysis&move=44
2nd Prize: Zaid Al-JAY, with a very interesting sacrifice in the Caro-Kan again, long game - lots of right attacking principles. You used all available resources to pressure and eventually checkmate! Keep going!
https://share.chessbase.com/SharedGames/share/?p=agGb3XWxF7oD107RaU9NQj5a27ZICFiCrBh8p3AS5HOpX6WbQX8i01TuYnzEw+2Q
3rd Prize: Roy Li. It looks like your opponent regretted playing French! It was a very intense game, with sacrifices and exposing the opponent, the King. It was nicely done!
https://lichess.org/xPZ9ZxeM#65
4th Prize: Marius Cornee, you kept all the right rules in the Scotch game! The concept of attacking ASAP with opposite-side castles was kept perfectly!
https://lichess.org/Z801XHDq/white#61
5th Prize: Joseph Zaffarese. Wow! That was an amazing exchange sacrifice and an even more impressive mating net for the opponent's King. It's rare to checkmate in the endgame, with a few pieces on the board, and it was done super well!
https://www.chess.com/game/live/104290246581
Congratulations, dear winners!
Thank you champions, for sharing your games!
Keep improving in 2024 and make us happy with your beautiful games next month as well!
Good luck! 😊
I was invited to play chess with the president of Lithuania!
Hey guys,
Asking for advice here. After my win in this tournament https://chess-results.com/tnr914646.aspx?lan=1&art=4&fed=LTU&turdet=YES suddenly I got an invitation to play chess for an hour by none other but my country's president who is also known as chess enthusiast (playing strength about 1900). He was impressed with my adult chess improvement.
What do you guys think, should I lose on purpose? 😀
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Congrats Paulius!
Definitely don't lose on purpose lol. Respect your opponent and give them your best!
French attack 3.c3
Hello,
I followed BlackMood Openings, and I am having some problems. Some players play 3.c3 in the following sequence: 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.c3. What should i play back? Should i just take on e4 or play Bd7 with the idea of a6 and trading the light squared bishops? Or am I completely wrong?
Thank you
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3.c3 against the french is dubious and if you follow the follow the opening fundamentals course you will be able to refute it. (Mainly being that it gambits a pawn however white does not get normal speedy development which comes from gambits. You can take the pawn on e4 play Nf6 and strike at the center with c5. A possible line could be 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.c3 dxe4 4.f3 (4.Nd2 Nf6 5.Qc2 c5! 6.Nxe4 cxd4 7.Nxf6 Qxf6 8.cxd4 Bb4+ as you can see black gets very fast development after he gets the c5 break in.) 4…Nf6 5.fxe4 Nxe4 6.Nf3 c5! threatning to take cxd4 next and create an IQP position black is doing fine.
TLDR: Just take the pawn, defend the pawn with Nf6 and then break the center with c5 and you are good to go
Mastering the Endgame: Rook vs. Pawn Showdown
The birthday celebration had come to an end, and most of the guests departed after thoroughly enjoying the feast. Only three pawns remained on the chessboard for my resilient rook, who was already weary from a demanding day. The pawns were carefully guarded with the support of his king.
As my rook trailed behind the opponent's pawns, a sense of contemplation overcame him, knowing that he needed to eliminate them at all costs before they could advance to the eighth rank. The dishes were impeccably presented, yet the challenge remained in satisfying the rook's hunger.
Understanding the intricate dynamics of pawns in rook endgames is imperative. The defending side may seek to create connected passed pawns to counter the formidable strength of the attacking rook.
Consequently, the following moves were executed:1. Rxd7 Rxd7 2.a7! Rxa7 3.Rxa7.
White Chisti123 V Black Havorn1
After a hard-fought battle, the only way to halt the advance of the a-pawn was to sacrifice his rook. Eventually, I discovered the winning position.
Subsequently, he attempted to advance his three connected passed pawns from the center of the board. I felt intense anxiety at the prospect of his pawn being successfully promoted.
After 3…e5 4. Rf7 Ke4 5.Kc4 d5+ 6.Kc3 d4+ 7.Kd2 Kf4 8.Kd3 Kg4 9.Re7 Kf4 10. Re8 e4+ 11.Kxd4 Kf3 12. Rf8 f4 13. Rf7 e3 14. Kd3 Kg4 15.Ke2 Kg3 16. Rg7+ Kh4 17. Kf3 Kh5 18. Kxf4
The rook is pleased to have consumed its opponent's pieces, placing the enemy king in a checkmate position within a few moves.
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daily puzzle error
in today's [29-03-24] puzzle the solution was Nd5 Bxd5 g8=Q Bxg8 a8=Q#
but instead I did Nd5 Bxd5 g8=R and it showed wrong but the same thing is going to happen with g8=R it is going to be checkmate anyway
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Thats true, but I believe that the CM daily puzzles can only allow 1 correct move, they havent coded it otherwise.
So in most cases, when you promote and queen works, just always promote to the queen. The queen promotion takes precedence over the rook promotion.
Help with stonewall Dutch
Hi I’ve been trying the stonewall Dutch in the blackmood openings course but I just can’t seem to make it work. My opponent always is able to exchange my knight on d4 and i cant seem to generate an attack. My pieces seem to be tangled and unable to reach their full potential without much space and I have difficulty getting anything going on the kingside. Could more experienced players who’ve enjoyed success with the stonewall dutch provide me with some tips and strategies? Thank you so much!!!!!
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Could you maybe share your chess.com/lichess account where you played the games in the stonewall dutch? This would be very helpful, because we could look at the mistakes you made and provide you more accurate advice.
Daily puzzle 29th march
The daily puzzle today has multiple solutions, and only one of them is marked as correct. Surely underpromotion to rook also wins?
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thats true. I believe that the puzzles can only have 1 possible solution. So if a queen promotion works, promote to a queen. Its hardly ever a rook (unless of stalematin opp reasons)
A great choice for players who like to play aggressively - the King's Indian Defense.
Have you ever heard only rook endgame positions can be reached in a King’s Indian Samisch variation game?
It was relentlessly raining, and thunder filled the sky. I was very nervous, like a cat that can easily be chased if it doesn’t stay in the right place.
As far as I know, it is generally a checkmated position. Still, unfortunately, it’s a mystery for me in most cases as I can’t achieve the ultimate checkmated position as white.
The moves were as follows:
1. d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg74.e4 d6 5.Nge2 O-O 6.f3 c5 7. Be3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nc6 9.Qd2 Re8 10. h4 h5 11. O-O-O Bd7 12.Be2 a6 13. g4 Rc8 14. gxh5 Nxh5 15.Rdg1 Ne5 16. Bh6Nxc4 17.Bxc4 Rxc4 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19. Nf5+Bxf5 20. exf5 Qa5 21.Kb1 Qxf5+ 22.Ka1Qf4 23.Qd5 Nf6 24.Qxb7 Rb4 25.Qxa6 Rxb2 26.Kxb2 Qd2+ 27.Kb1Qxc3 28.Qb7 Nd5 29.Qb2 Qxb2+ 30.Kxb2 Rb8+ 31.Ka3 Nc3 32.Rg2 Nb5+ 33. Kb2 Nd4+34.Kc3 Nxf3 35. a4 f6 36.a5 Ra8 37.Ra2 Ra6 38. Rh3 Ne5 39. Kb4 Nd7 40.h5
The board featured two rooks, two pawns on the a and h files, and a white king, while the black side had one rook, one knight, four pawns, and a king.
It appeared challenging to contest the opponent's majority on the kingside. Additionally, I had an isolated h-pawn that seemed difficult to defend without a rook.
Faced with mounting pressure at move 40 with h5, I opted to exchange it for a black pawn, enabling both of my rooks to actively support my a-pawn's advancement and monitor the opponent's kingside pawns from behind.
After 40...gxh5 41.Rxh5 Kf7 42.Kb5 Ra7 43.a6 Ke6 44.Rh8, I achieved the desired position with both of my rooks active - one on the a' file and the other on my opponent's back rank, ready to block their pawns.
My king is also supporting my passed pawn, helping it advance. All of my pieces are in good positions!
How happy I am!
After 44...f5 45.Rd8, my opponent's rook is trapped, and their knight is no longer a factor.
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First 100 games - a review
OK, I've finished my first 100 games so I thought I'd summarise them in case it may be of interest to other beginners (and as a way of encouraging me to improve).
<u>Statistics</u>
* Results: White (won 26, drew 6, lost 18). Black (won 25, drew 5, lost 20)
* Elo: Start-500, High-894, Low-500, Finish-852
* Blunders: None-45, one-39, two-12, three-4 (yes, three in one game!!)
* Brilliant moves: None-98, one-2 (frankly, at this stage, I'm pleased to have got any!)
Observations
* I review all of my games but only focus on things that I feel that I could (and should) have spotted - not interested in Stockfish 20-move sequences!
* Never surrender! In one game I was 5 pieces down and still won after opponent blundered their queen.
* I'm often amazed (and dismayed!) during a review at some of the moves that I make. A multitude of missed opportunities (including M1 missed chances in two games!). I clearly need to take more time before moving during the game.
* Need to avoid tunnel-vision with whatever ‘cunning plan’ I have and pay attention to my opponent's moves.
* Maintain focus until the game has finished. Lost a number of games despite well ahead in the endgame (blunders can happen at any time - don't relax until the game is won).
* Stalemate sucks! How is it reasonable that you can decimate an opponent's pieces and trap their king and they are able to claim that it's a draw?! Seems utter madness to me but the rules of chess aren't going to change so I need to work on this (Jake - I know you are nodding your head and saying ‘Yes, you do!’)
* I deal poorly with marauding queens. It should be an opportunity to develop my pieces at the same time as attacking the queen but I always seem to struggle. Something else to work on.
* I often find ‘good’ moves but miss better opportunities. Need to remember Emanual Lesker quote “When you see a good move, look for a better one.”
Areas to work on
Obviously, being a beginner there are lots of things to work on. However, I think that the following are the main ones:
* Finish reviewing notes on Tactics Ninja course - often missed simple tactics like forks (both for myself and potential moves by opponent).
* A simple blunder can cost a game (and making 3 in a game is a disaster!). Look at the BlunderProof course next (and in the meantime, try to spend more time considering moves before making them - perhaps the Russian schoolchildren approach of sitting on your hands!)
* Look at Endgames/checkmates (especially with a view to avoiding stalemates).
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Congratulations on your first hundred games! It looks like you've settled quite comfortably in the 800 rating rage and, considering your progress, have good chances of increasing much more soon. However I would like to point out some things that you did not mention in this summary, that may help you in the future.
- I assume that you're playing on chess.com. While both chess.com and lichess are excellent sites, lichess offers more free puzzles and lessons, which can be advantageous for a beginner.
- You have not mentioned taking advantage of any lessons or puzzle training from either of the above mentioned sites. This, in my opinion, is a mistake. Take advantage of puzzles to improve your tactical eye, which will help immensely in seeing the M in 1s and other tactics that you missed.
- Generally, the good move, which follows game principles and is sound, is the best move. Especially in faster time controls, (I don't know what time controls you've been playing, but I'll assume it's some variation of rapid) it's important to find good moves quickly instead of spending too much time looking for the best one.
- Good job reviewing your games. This habit will be vital later on.
5. Of course, practice is the best way to improve. Just play more games, and good luck on your journey.
I would say that you should continue to review all of your games. There's almost always something to improve on, no matter whether you win or lose. However I would pay more attention to the games you lose, so you can understand why you lost and improve on those weaknesses.
Puzzle of today 29.3.24?
Happy Puzzle today
.. but why is it not allowed to mate with the rook instead of the queen
.. 😀 ..
or did i drink too much?
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Maybe you drank too much 😁
But still, Rook is fine, too 😉
Course Anti Siclian 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6
It is about this variant 3.f4 d5 4.Pf3 de4 5.Pe4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Ld7 7. Qe2 Pf6 8.f5 Ne4 9. Qe4 Be7 9. fe6 Be6 10.Bc6 bc6 10. Qc6
“Our Coach: White is just a pawn up" After … Bd7 in my humble opinion
It is not clear ; Black bisschop pair is suffcient compensation. Black has even winning chances.
What i miss here?
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weird french line
what to do after e4 e4 f4 from black?
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Nf3 Bc4 0-0
with 2. f4, d5 is still the main option, attacking the e4 pawn.
if e5/nc3, this is going to transpose into the steinitz variation, while if ed5, this is going to transpose to the exchange setup.
You’re talking about playing black after:
1 e4 e6
2 f4
True?
At 1:43 of Starter Course - BlackMood Openings (Section 22- Bird’s Opening)
https://chessmood.com/course/blackmood-openings/episode/6182
the same position occurs with Black to play and they recommend the French.
After:
1 f4 e4
2 Nf3
They recommend the Dutch (around 2:03).
That sound about right to you?
Daily puzzle 29.03.2023, underpromotion
went for rook promotion at last move and was told “oops, wrong"…and I disagree.
good Easter Holydays.
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Same.Tried 3 times.
