Chess forum by Grandmasters

Simplied chessmood french attack/general beginner openings question

Gidday guys!

I wanted to start looking at developing an opening repertoire so I had a look around and couldnt decide so I figured I'd sign up to chessmood and look at that as its spoon fed to you. I've been playing the simplified chess mood openings for black for about 3 weeks now. I normally play 1.e5 vs 1.e4 and the Englund vs 1.d4 so going to the French and the Dutch is an absolutely massive change for me. I started playing chess 9 months ago and sit at 1700 lichess rapid so I'm a total novice, I just smash large numbers of tactical puzzles every day without fail.
 

I didn't know a lick of black opening theory other than a single 5 move line in the Englund (and to be fair all I know for white is the Vienna which transposes into a Italian style late opening which gets played most often, and the Vienna gambit which is only a couple of moves of theory). So essentially zero opening knowledge, I just tried to obey opening principles.

Not surprisingly my win rates have gone from 70.8% with black (which is insane as I knew no opening theory at all I just push e5 and play open principled chess) and 58.3% with white in the 3 weeks prior, to after my first 3 weeks as a chessmooder 56.1% black and 41.7 percent as white and I've dropped about 70 odd lichess rating points down to ~1650 rapid. A big rating drop but I expected that. I'm playing totally different chess now in completely different structures and my brain is overloaded, I'm blundering in the stupidest ways and loosing on time a lot as I try and figure the new positions out.

It's funny that I thought “hey lets go with blackmood openings because I dont know what I'm doing as black, my white game is fine" - when I was actually crushing with black and had a much lower white win rate.

Anyways, sorry about the rambling - here is my actual question! :)

I've been playing a bunch of 5+3 to get reps in with the new openings. I am finding that I very rarely get to play out the lines in the course (not surprising, these are 1700 players) and that the simplified french gets me into big trouble if you don't know what you're doing. The encouragement of delayed castling, the tempo burning trying to ditch that bad bishop (which I actually seldom get to do due to the knight being played to cover g4 so I've just burned 2 tempo in the opening it feels like!) and the lack of space means you're inviting white to attack immediately and I end up on the back foot in really dicey positions for the whole game burning clock. I'm used to getting castled fast, getting out of trouble and looking for tactics like a hawk but with the french I'm just trying to hold it together vs players who are much weaker than me in open tactical play.

How do you guys feel about that? I'm sure the french/dutch will click with me eventually and I'm loving the PDF overviews, I feel like I have an idea of what I'm supposed to be doing in the middle game (though I don't often get those positions) and I understand some of the ideas of the opening and that is amazing - but I'm getting knocked around and fighting for my life with this late castling business/tempo burning.

Is the answer simply “you need to play them for more than 3 weeks you dummy..”? 


How did you guys go when you switched to chessmood openings, I sort of “hoped” I'd skyrocket from 1700 → 1900 because I'm a moron but I knew that wasn't actually realistic 😆

Thanks guys, have an awesome day!

Replies

Wow I just re-looked at what I wrote, I'm sorry I wrote so much guys! I really love chess! 😍😅

You can learn a lot about chess by playing the French.  As you hinted at, the themes such as handling a cramped position, undermining an opposing pawn centre, and dealing with a bad bishop are central to the opening and much less common in the openings you were playing.   My advice would be to stick with it for a while longer.  Be sure to go over your games afterwards to maximise learning.

Having said that, there is a lot to be said for playing 1.e4 e5 too!  But against 1.d4 it's no contest: Dutch over Englund any day.  So another alternative is to switch back to 1.e4 e5 and play the Dutch via the 1.d4 f5 move order.  You'll need to learn how to deal with the tricky move 2 options like 1.d4 f5 2.e4, 1.d4 f5 2.Nc3 and 1.d4 f5 2.Bg5, but that shouldn't be too difficult with the help of lichess database.

Question to GM Gabuzyan about streaming...

Hello,

On the 04 july during “Racing from 1502 to 2000” you played 2 games with white : Sicilian with 2.Nc3 Nc6 ; 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bc4 e6…..

Introducing Anti-Sicilian part 2 Avetik explains that  Bc4 is good  after 2.d6 (It's Anti-Sicilian part 1)but after 2.Nc6 Black can play e6 and Ng-e7 (BTW the choice of your 2 opponents rated 2005 and 2100) go for d5 in only one move and obtain an easier game. Then he introduces and develops the system 2…Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Nf3.

Is one system stronger, easier to play or it's just a matter of taste ?

Thank you for your friendly attitude and sharing the comments during the videos.

Replies

That's an easy question Jean,

Gabu was following the Whitemood repertoire move order which is less complicated than the advanced one with the 5 parts on the Anti-sicilian. 

The Whitemood repertoire is more simple to understand but of course is not so detailed and has less nuances than the advanced one. 

So yes, Whitemood move order is easier to play but in some lines you will not get the “maximum” out of the position, for that, once you have a good level and understanding of the main positions, you will have to start with the more advanced ones…😀

Accelerated Dragon Question

Hello everyone, I am facing some problems against the Accelerated Dragon,

A sample variation - 1) e4 c5 2) Nf3 Nc6 3) d4 cxd4 4) Nxd4 Bg7

5) Nxc6 bxc6 This was covered in the Rock ‘n’ Rolling with Black course but now White plays 6) Qd4 Which is very unclear how to play after it - as an example 6…Nf6 7) e5 Nd5 8) e6 after which it's unclear how to get a fighting position with Black.

Thanks!

Replies

Hello Pratik, I have found an interesting line against 6. Qd4 move

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Qd4 Nf6 7. e5 Nd5 if 8. e6 Nf6 9. exd7+ Bxd7 (if 9. exf7+ Kxf7 10. Nc3 d5 11. Bf4 Bg7 with Re8, Nd7, e5 plan for black)10. Be2 Bg7 11. 0-0 Bf5 where the position is almost equal, and if after 7. e5 Nd5 there's 8. Nc3 Bg7 9. Nxd5 cxd5 10. Qxd5 Rb8 11. Bc4 e6 12. Qc5 Bb7 where the position is again almost equal. In both cases white maintains a slight advantage (+0.1 and +0.2 respectively). There's also the possibility to play 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Qd4 f6 with Bg7, e6, Nh6, Nf7, 0-0 and d5 plan but I don't prefer it…

qf6 scotch

morning , hope all is well

does anyone have suggestions as to best approach to qf6 in scotch,

not sure whats the best place for pieces…

?Bg4

[Event "8.7.23 nq: druva sookraj vs tristan siewdass game 4 !"]
[Site "https://lichess.org/study/kVzChyOC/mSxts6zY"]
[Result "*"]
[UTCDate "2023.07.11"]
[UTCTime "08:35:40"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "C45"]
[Opening "Scotch Game"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/Druveonecanobe"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Qf6 5. Nf3 Bc5 6. Nc3 Nge7 7. Be2 (7. Bg5 Qe6 8. Qd3 h6 9. Be3 Nb4 10. Qd2 Bxe3 11. fxe3 O-O 12. Na4 (12. Nd4 Qe5 13. a3 Na6 14. Nf3 Qe6 15. O-O-O d6 16. Nd4 Qe5)) 7... d6 8. O-O Bd7 9. a3 Nd4 10. Be3 Nxe2+ 11. Qxe2 Bxe3 12. Qxe3 O-O 13. Rad1 Bg4 14. Rd2 Bxf3 15. gxf3 c6 16. f4 Ng6 17. f5 Ne5 18. Qe2 (18. Re2 g5 19. fxg6 Nf3+) 18... b5 (18... Nf3+ 19. Qxf3 Qg5+) 19. f4 Nc4 20. Rd3 Nxb2 21. Rg3 Rfe8 22. Qg4 Nc4 23. e5 dxe5 24. Ne4 Qh6 25. Rh3 Qxh3 26. Qxh3 exf4 27. Rxf4 Rad8 28. f6 g6 29. Qh6 Rd1+ 30. Kf2 Rd2+ 31. Nxd2 Re2+ 32. Kxe2 Nxd2 33. Qg7# *

Replies

Hi Druva this is explained in the Advanced section 4...Tricky moves. On move 7 play Nb5 (instead of Be2) to immediately target c7. If 7..Bb6 then 8.Be3. It's a recurring theme in our Scotch line, when the queen comes out to f6, c7 will be vulnerable.

Alex

A big problem for me

Hi everyone! 

Sorry for another question but this one has been taking down my chess performance by a lot

It is…..

 OVER-STRESS

Recently in my tournaments, this 9-letter word has destroyed my tournaments and  I wanted to know how to fix this problem ASAP. As this problem leads to:

1.  Health Problems
2.  Losing the love for the game
3.  Playing horrible moves and blunders
4.  Unnecessary Pressure of winning

Always Appreciate the reply

Many thanks for replying to my question.

Vedant

Replies

Hi Vedant,

Through my chess career I also had difficult days and what helped me personally was taking short breaks, doing what I love and just having good positive days. After that I was feeling refreshed and continued playing chess charged with an energy.
In other words don't get super-exhausted and completely burned-out.

Is the London System Ruined?

I have been playing the London system since March of this year, and it seems like everyone is prepared for it. I have seen quite a few YouTube videos on how to destroy it. Is it too popular right now to be any good? 

Replies

Well, World Champion Ding Liren played the London system in the final and he won… Maybe it's not about the opening… In fact, no one wins out of the opening… Did you check the Opening Principles course? If not I recommend you to go there…😀

French Schlechter 6. ... Be7 7. Nbc3 0-0 8. d5 Na6!? - question

Hi,

like in the title, I have a question about one line in French Schlechter.

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Bd3 dxe4 4. Bxe4 Nf6 5. Bf3 c5 6. Ne2 Be7 7. Nbc3 0-0 8. d5 Na6 9. a3 Nc7 10. dxe6 and now comes my question. What if Black will NOT take our queen on d1 and play just 10. … Nxe6? Exchanging queens by 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 brings Black's rook into the game, and going to 11. 0-0 allows Qc7 and next is Rd8, which looks unpleasant to me (it's hard to tell where to put our queen). I will be grateful for answers, especially from GM_Avetik Grigoryan :)

Replies

I asked the big boys to take a look at this line and it may take some time. Still, I had this position not so long ago and I took on d8, the problem is the Bishop on c8 that it is not easy to bring to the game and we can win some time. This was the line played that I would play again without any hesitation: 11. Qxd8 Rxd8 12. O-O h6 13. Rd1 Rxd1+ 14. Nxd1 ideas to play a4, g3, the knight can go to e3 centralizing the knight, the rook can go to a3 if needed too. Overall an equal position with a very strong light square bishop… 😀

Hello,

I found out that even if white play Qxd8 and black rook goes into the game still the bishop on f3 makes position practically better for white due to strong pressure on the long diagonal.

 As well there is a chance instead of Qxd8 to play 11.0-0 Qc7 12. Re1 and if Rd8 13.Nd5!? - however that will be very concrete and you can investigate it with the engine.

Question on English Opening - Botvinnik pawn structure and playing d5

Can I ask a question about Black in English Opening on the pawn structure (e5-d6-c5) and breaking with d5.

I understand from the course that one of our main objectives is to play d5 to free our position.

Now I find that often in my games my opponent does not control d5 enough.

Example 1: 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.g3 Nc6 5.Bg2 d6 6.O-O e5 7.d3 Nge7 8.a3 a5 9.e3 O-O 10.Nb5.

Example 2: 1.c4 c5 2.g3 g6 3.Bg2 Bg7 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Nf3 e5 6.d3 d6 7.O-O Nge7 8.Ne1 Be6 9.Nc2

Example 3: 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 d6 6.e3 e5 7.d3 Nge7 8.O-O Be6 9.a3 a5 10.Ne1

In all the games, when I get the chance I will play d5 immediately, as long as I cannot see that tactically I'm blundering something (especially playing d5 opens up the strong Bg2). Is there a general rule on this or is this the correct strategy to play as Black?

Thanks,

Alex

Replies

 Hi Alex

Playing for d5 is always the best unless there is a tactical refutation as for the following reasons:

1. Gives us a Space Advantage
2. Makes our pieces more active
3. We have a very good version of maroczy as white's pieces are crippled

   Now Why other pawn breaks don't work:

   1. f5-g5 sort of attack is not great as white's pawn structure is very solid and attacking it is very difficult and not to forget white can counter on queen if we are toooooo slow
   2. a6-Rb8-b5 is a typical pawn break BUT it is not our main aim we only go for it when we cannot go for b5 break and if both aren't possible check what mistake you made😃

      Vedant

      Hi Alex,
      
      Probably there is no general rule, however if d5 move isn't blundering anything I would almost always play it to get rid of weak pawn on d6 and weak square on d5. You can check out the commented games in the English course to get more practical experience.

      Good luck!

Sicilian Nc3 e6 Line Question

Hello!

Copying and pasting my original question to the PRO channel as requested. Original text below:

I am writing this to request a review of the recommended line:

1. e4 c5
2. Nc3 e6
3. f4 d5
4. Nf3 d4
5. Bb5+ Bd7
6. Bxd7+ Qxd7
7. Ne5 Qd8
8. Ne2

In this position, most of Black's options were covered. However, the move f6 is not covered and gives White practical problems to solve. The engine evaluates the position as approximately equal, but I am not able to come up with a good plan for White.

After 8…f6 9. Nf3, Black can play d3. If instead White plays Nd3, which is the engine line, the position is very unpleasant to play for White after either Nc6 or c4. Can you post a video recommending a plan for White? I have looked at positions after playing 8. Nb5, but the knight eventually gets sidelined on a3 and Black gets a lot of counterplay while White is wasting tempi with the knight.

Thank you in advance!

Joel Gargus

Replies

After f6 I believe that Ng4 is fine, we already created a weakness on f. Julio Granda always says: Never is too soon to move the f pawn. Here it already moved. Then we will play d3. If Black plays d3, we can just take and if Qxd3 Nf2. We will castle, play Nc3, and have a good healthy position with central control. We have more development too, very playable with usual plans. 

Nothing major with this variation. 

Hi Goel, 

I checked and after f6 - both Ng4 and Nd3 are leading to practical positions to play. F6 in general weakens light squares and that can be used in the future. If you want to advance in the variations further you can work with the engine.
My personal preference is Nd3 followed by Nf2-pawn d3 and potential ideas on the Kingside.

Scotch 4.. Ne4?

Hi!

I was looking but I can't find any plan on how to play the Scotch Mieses variation with 4.. Ne4? I found a game where Fabi played Qe4, other GMs played the position differently, but I was wondering if there is a Chessmood recommendation?

Replies

😅Please Claudio, write the moves because your question makes no sense with 4…Ne4… 😅

French exchange after 5. Nc3

Hello, I'm following the black mood opening course french defense, aggressive setup against ed5 (exchange variation). I think 1 variation is not covered, what to do after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Nc3? As this knight attacks our d5 pawn, we can not play Bd6 because our queen will not defend our d5 pawn anymore. We can not play directly Ke7 because we need to develop our f8 bishop before... What to do? It looks like we must abandon our aggressive setup...

Replies

I've been running into this variation a LOT in my blitz games as of late. The last 7 exchange French's I've played have all had this move order and I too wish to know how to combat it. Following this thread for sure, hopefully we can get a solid answer! If I find anything, I'll also post here.

Hi Luc and Jules… Hapy New Year to you!

Luc, don't be so pessimistic! 😅 We would never recommend a line in the French that must be abandoned on the move 5! 😄

This is a first practical repertoire and as such we cannot include all the replies to every move, that's why there is a forum and webinars and streams too.😃 
We do not recommend the move move 4...Bd6 for Black because it reduces somehow our possibilities, we will not be able to develop the bishop to b4 in some variations as in this case.

Therefore against 5.Nc3 we should go Bb4 pinning the knight. This will allow our knight to go to e7 and follow more or less our usual plan.💪