Chess forum by Grandmasters

Chessmood Recommendations visible on the webpage

Hello, Maybe i'ts there and I didn't see it but I can't find on the webpage the exactly link that goes to the chessmood recommendations: https://chessmood.com/recommendations , maybe you can add it to the top menu on “Events & more”?

Replies

Yes, we'll do it when we complete the recommendations, I the meantime we don't promote it yet.

Thanks for the reminder though.:-)

A question for Avetik sir and chessmood

In the starter course of blackmood openings while teaching french , it has been mentioned  that for more advance positions of french defence , we can see the main advance video course, but in advance one , i can only see lines for sicilian

Replies

Believe the advanced courses for the French and Dutch are in the process of being made. It's a good thing they don't rush these opening courses. Many other sites do quite the opposite!

d4 sidelines

what to do after d4 Nf6 Nf3

Replies

chessmood hasn't recommended anything there

just play g6. If white plays c4 then the benko with c5, if Bf4 then d5, If Nc3 also d5

Dutch Attack vs London Bd3 Question

Hi there everybody, I had a quick question regarding the Dutch attack opening versus the London. In the course, we play b6 and Bb7, then go for a general setup with Be7, d6, Nd7 and start attacking. However, something which is mentioned quite extensively, is that white has Ng5 which gives us the annoying task of defending our e6 pawn after having played d6. To circumvent this, the idea of playing Ne4 before pushing d6 is mentioned a few times. This is all based on the assumption that white plays Be2 as their main light-squared bishop developmental move. I however face Bd3 way more often. Do you play d6 anyways and just play Qd7 in case of Ng5? I presume playing Ne4 anyways might not be the best idea if they can just take without too many issues. I have taken a look in an analysis board myself but would love to hear your insights. Kind regards, Benn

Replies

Hi Benn, This is a good question, 😀I would reply just now but I would like that someone among the students that has seen the racing events explains it if possible. (If they remember, otherwise we will reply.) 😜

I haven't experience in playing these positions myself, but I have followed streamings, and i presume Ne4 is still the move. If white wants to give the bishop let him do it, and we will take with the pawn

This was played just a few days ago in one of the streams for Pro members, Interactive Lesson: The Games of ChessMood Champions!

I am providing access to this webinar exceptionally to everyone, and specially you Benn, because in the min. 38:40, the same position happens and you can see what Gabuzyan says. 

It is also nice to see the games of our members analyzed, isn't' it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VEz6DS1sW4

😀

Happy learning and no fear of Bd3.

Recommend some games to memorize

I am currently trying to make a personal chessable course to memorize. I currently have the morphy opera game as the sole game. I need some game recommendations-  from you guys. Thanks in advance. 

P.S. If possible, only games with 20~ish moves

Replies

Hi Cate,

The book “The Chess Player's Bible” has some classic game analysis in it (they are short-ish games).  It includes:

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1018961

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1008421%3E&kpage=1

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1272702

and a short one from “A First Book of Morphy”

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1340106

lol Avetik said he'd throw himself out the window

😀

Protip: Jump out of a window into a swimming pool 

Replies

Pro-protip: Ensure there is water in it first.

pro tip: dont

pro tip: dont try this at home or any other place

Probably the weirdest game featured in a book

Wall, Gavin (2265) vs Steffens, Olaf (2330): Indian Defense: Pseudo-Benko • lichess.org

I just want to show this very weird SLP game which is found in the book “The Complete Chess Swindler: How to Save Points from Lost Positions” as it has quite confused my friend when I showed them it

Replies

anti Sicilian part 1

soo… in 8. Three Options (chessmood.com) which options did you chose?

Replies

play classic game

Hello guys, 

I'm looking for someone play with me classical game online

Rating online above 1800 chess

OR

above 2000 lichess

Replies

Classic tournament preperation

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT?

especially, before the tournament and during the tournament

I have 6 weeks and I want a good plan.

Replies

Hi there,

There are lots of blog articles about tournament preparation.  You can see them here: https://chessmood.com/blog/category/tournament-preparation

Bit peed off but this was objectively good

I won every game in this arena. Unfortunately someone else completed more games in the hour so I only got third.

Still proud of my accuracy.

https://lichess.org/tournament/KEbqZBXE

Replies

congrats for your performance! keep the good work 💪

Chessmood tournaments on lichess

I would like chessmood to organize tournaments on lichess as it has been months we have not seen a chessmood tournament and the highly competitive games so please organize a tournament on lichess.

Replies

Hello Adhyayan, Although the main ChessMood club is not organizing any prize tournaments (as far as I know), Tournaments with ChessMood memberships as some of its prizes are still happening. For example, on Jul 13, there was a ChessMood tournament: https://lichess.org/swiss/vqorE4jL I would suggest you join their club as they may have some other prized tournaments soon. I have also seen many other tournaments on chess.com that are also offering memberships of ChessMood. 

Hope this helps,

Ashwin C

A Nice Trap In SLP

Heres an example of so far my best SLP.

I was playing another Chessmooder, with knowledge of SLP, and it still worked!

Here is the game (move 40) https://lichess.org/VP0g4lajdBlq

And here is the screenshot. What is Blacks best chance to save the game?

Believe it or not, after Black's 41st move, the position seems to be a draw!

Replies

Just did some analysis, turns out after Blacks 41st move, the position is still winning for White, if they find a 15+ move sequence of computer moves with multiple only moves!

I found the move! It's really nice, and a good idea to be aware of in pawn-heavy endgames. I got it quickly in this puzzle setting, but I'm not sure it would occur to me in an actual game. Nice find!

Nicely done!

I didn't find the move.  That said, I haven't watched the SLP course yet - well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

What course should I get

I have enough mood coins to buy a course. I was wondering which course should I get. I'm a 2000 fide rated player. I hope you guys can give me some courses that you guys think will fit me.

Replies

Hi Roy,

I'm in no position to offer personal advice (I haven't even reached 1,000 yet, let alone 2,000!) but you may find the guidance here useful:

https://chessmood.com/chess-study-plans/for-above-2000

I find buying the blackmood model games really interesting if you use their openings

I think that you should consider where you are weak in, such as tactics endgames, calculation, etc. Hope this is helpful

Hey,

I’m saving up for the “100 Strategic Masterpieces” course:

https://chessmood.com/course/chess-classical-games

mainly because I like the history of the game so much.  I like to play “guess the move” with those and the “Attacking Masterpieces" course, too.

Hi Roy!

I'm not too good either (~1750 OTB), but I definitely think the Tactic Ninja is worth your savings. It will really boost your tactical vision. If you are already too advanced for this, I recommend you to try CalcMan, which aims at strenghtening your calculation, probably very useful as well! 

Have fun learning! 🙂

Hi Roy!

I think you can buy any opening course which you want to learn or if you are weak at it.

Probably you can buy the middlegame courses like https://chessmood.com/course/chess-exchanges or https://chessmood.com/course/happy-chess-pieces-the-art-of-keeping-your-chess-army-happy if you like positional play.

It may help to improve your game further!

Daily puzzels

To the moderators of Chessmood,

Why can't we draw arrows on the daily puzzels? Is there a reason behind that? 

Replies

Well you should solve the position in your mind, like in a real game… And I mean OTB game… You cannot improve your calculation and problem solving skills drawing arrows and taking notes… 😅

Maybe I have a suggestion, what if you added a tool where you can analyse the puzzel after you solved it or got it wrong! Is that a good idea?

Stockfish suggestions - confused again

Hi all,

Chess is a funny game, isn't it?  Last week I was blunder-free and managed a number of wins in tournament games against players rated much higher than me.  This week I'm blundering left, right, and centre and making hard work of games against people rated at a similar level to me.

I'm guessing I must have been hyper-focused last week because of the excitement of playing players much better than me.  And this week I've allowed my focus to lapse.  Oh well, all part of the learning process!

Anyway, I'd like to ask a couple of questions about Stockfish recommended moves in this game: https://www.chess.com/game/live/114777541735

1. 1. At move 10 I played g6 to block white's check.  The key element of my decision was that I didn't want to just move my king and lose castling rights.  However, Stockfish prefers Kd7.  What is the ultimate destination for the king now?  Do we try to shuffle 3 pieces out from behind the c, b, and a pawns and then move the king across (seems like a lot of work).  Use the mini fort of pawns on e6, e5, and d5?  Or something else?
2. 2. At move 14 I'm still way behind in development and move my light-squared bishop off the back-rank.  Stockfish prefers making another move with the already developed dark-squared bishop (the development isn't a mistake but isn't see as the best move).  I'm tempted just to ignore this advice but thought I'd check what others think.

And finally, to any other beginners out there, if it seems like you may have even the slightest chance of winning then keep playing even when way behind.  In the endgame I'm 16 points down in material - my opponent has 2 queens! - but I finally get to the square that I wanted and my opponent is beaten (his clock runs down but he had no way out).

Which makes me want to ask a follow-up question / question 3.:

I feel as though I should have been able to finish my opponent off earlier in the game but can't see how.  Are there any glaring opportunities that I failed to take? 

Replies

Hello!

As for your first question, G6 is a tactical mistake as it loses the D4 knight. Kd7 just tries keeps the material, additionally, the king will go to c7 (C6 and Kc7) and your extra material will win.

2nd, Bd7 is another tactical mistake! Allows Qhite Bxg6 hxg6 Qxg6 and Kf8 Bc5 or Ke7 Bg5.

As for the third question, you were actually always lost! Your attack was good practically, but it would fail against stockfish.

New course: In GM Grandelius's Mind

A new “In Grandmaster’s Mind” course is out!

Please welcome🥁 Swedish no.1. GM Nils Grandelius🤩

GM Grandelius takes you on a journey as he comments on his best games. 

You’ll not only learn the chess strategies but also uncover the psychological battle and the practical tips that have guided him against opponents of different levels.

Check out the course: 
https://chessmood.com/course/nils-grandelius-best-games

Replies

It's an amazing course

Especially the 1st game which is a perfect example of how to attack the kingside

Hi MR, Avetik

thank you for creating in GM mind. I checked your courses it was amazing.

Thank you.

🙂

ok

Great course!

One that I plan on eventually watching a 2nd time to get the maximum out of.

Hi may i help you

first game and last game

what is your first game and your last game

Replies

I do not see how this post can be useful to anyone. What do you mean by it? No one remembers his first game… 

My best tournament!

Hey guys!

I just finished my best OTB tournament to date. I played in the lowest rating group (U1520 FIDE) in the national championships. Finished 4th of 43, just a half quality point behind the podium. 40 rating points plus. Way above my expectation and goal.

I believe Chessmood deserves a lot of credit for my improvement, especially the courses Opening principles, Endgame roadmap, Tactic Ninja and Blunderproof.

In addition to playing quite well in most endgames due to the Endgame roadmap, I benefitted a lot from the “How to recover from blunders” sections in Blunderproof. Those pieces of advice helped me shift my focus when my position went from winning to equal after blunders, and helped me secure extra points.

You guys are doing an excellent job creating Chessmood! I especially admire how you are able to teach all level of players, not just the masters.

Happy to be a lifetime member :)

Replies

Forgot to mention it was 9 rounds game 90+30 with 30 additional minutes added at 40 moves

Congratulations Harald!

That's an impressive result.  Keep up the good work!

Congratulations Harald! Well done! That's the spirit! 

Happy to have you here with us!😄
 

Congratulations! Nice tournament!

Fork avoidance blunder

Hi all,

In this game, I've allowed my opponent to get a pawn onto the 6th rank (e6) and it's supported by a knight on f4: https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/daily/676145511?tab=review&move=28

Now, if I capture with f7xe6 my opponent's next move is almost certainly going to be Nxe6 forking my queen on d8 and rook on f8.  I didn't want to lose either so I decided against this move.

Instead, I decided to move one of the potential target pieces so that I avoid the fork.  I opt for Qe7.  Well, Stockfish really doesn't like this!  I get a snarky comment about losing a pawn and I go from being 1.6 up on the evaluation bar to 2.1 down.

Somebody, please enlighten me.  How should I have proceeded after White's e6 move? 😎

Thanks 

Replies

Nope, you can figure this one out own your own. Taking the pawn is fine. After the moves 

15.e6     fxe6 

16.Nxe6

how does Black avoid losing material? Both the queen and rook are attacked, so it will take more than one move to save the both of them.

Sorry to answer with a question, but I really think you can get this