Help! I am getting Move-Ordered!

Hi ChessMood Community,

I am currently studying the Sicilian ( I play the Four Knights via 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6. ), and as I looked at 2. Nc3 Nc6, I faced a problem after 3. Nf3:

If I go either 3. …Nf6 or 3. …e6 White can go 4. Bb5 and put me into a Rossolimo I don’t know. On the othet hand if I go 3. …g6 opting for a Rossolimo I know, White can play 4. d4 and I’m an Open Sicilian I don’t know. 
 

This is my situation right now, I don’t have any idea what to do :( 

I’d appreciate every piece of a I can get. :D

Replies

Hey Marius,

I took a very brief look at it and I found (on the Lichess database) that the most played move after 3…Nf6 4.Bb5 is 4…g6 (in the masters and the player database). When they take your Knight you take back with bxc6. I could be wrong (again, I don't know the opening) but it does not look like a challenging opening to me. 

It really depends on your level if you need more knowledge but I recommend checking databases and looking for some high level games to discover some middlegame plans.

Here's the link to a chessable course on the Rossolimo (for white): 
https://www.chessable.com/sicilian-rossolimo-for-white/course/5314/ 
It is made by a 2050 FIDE player, is free and has good reviews.

I am a 1667 FIDE so I could be wrong.

Hope this helps!

Modern Marocy Course

While following a famous tournament in India via lichess broadcast, the game went into a Modern Marocy-- the ChessMood move order is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Be2 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0 10. Qd3!? and I could not find this move in the course if I am not mistaken (there is Qd3 move after 9.0-0 but it leads to slightly different position) , white seems to be quite solid. I am not sure what to play against it. White aims to play Be3-Nd4 as I saw in the game. Check the 1st board game out https://lichess.org/broadcast/61st-indian-national-championship/round-2/MzfDru7D/jZnB1D59

Replies

Hey there,

I faced this move either, but it's not much to worry about. I would suggest to continue with 10…a5 and a4 ideas again.
Other options are also possible either. I followed the link, but on board 1 for the first 3 rounds I didn't see the Maroczy bind variation - did I go somewhere wrong?

Can you please post the link to the game?
Also, this type of idea can be very advanced - what is your rating dear friend?

I am trying to understand if you need to dive deeply in this complications :-)
 

draw players

Is there any course to play against players wants to draw?

Replies

Well no, but Noel Studer has an episode on his spotify podcast that explains how to play against lower rated players.

how to play against lower rated opponents - NextLevelChess | Podcast on Spotify

Thanks for the bishop pair course!

I'm finally getting out of a long plateau and I think the difference was finishing up the bishop course and then making sure to use notes I made from it in my games. Not being reckless with my bishop pair made a big difference. Hats off to Hovhannes!

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Daily Puzzle for 19 Aug 2024

The main solution to today's puzzle is flashy, but there are two cooks. It's educational to find them, but from a purist's point of view, the problem is very flawed. Still, I enjoyed it! 

https://lichess.org/study/S6tBRgx0/UNqjk3Mu

Replies

Very nicely done!
It did feel like there might be another way, but good job actually finding them!

Its not too much hard to find, Before going to move you have to check is there any possibility to make a stalemate. In this scenario Rg2,Fxg2,B5,Kc7 stalemate.

Make quizzes more fun

Hello, for all quizzes, is it possible to add sounds for piece moving, and also the possibility to put a music (for example a playlist of several musics, and possible to mute or not)?

Replies

Hey Luc,

Haha interesting idea)) 
Put some music on your phone 😁

In general we listen to student suggestions, and if some idea is being offered repeatedly we might consider working on it.

Thanks, and I hope you have a good time on our website 😉

Summarize an explanation about how to jump from 1500 to 1700

Summarize an explanation about how to jump from 1500 to 1700

Replies

Dear Emma,

Can you please clarify the question :-)

If you are following the streams, we repeatedly do racing events and one of them is from 1500 to 2000, where during the games we discuss common mistakes and issues people face at this level.

Also check out the study plans https://chessmood.com/chess-study-plans

Good luck!

French attack question when Nf3 + exd5

I am often get the following position (see picture) or a very similar one with all my pieces in the middle. 

I play Nc6, Bd6, Ne7, then often play Be6 to defend the pawn on d5. Then all my pieces are really close to each other and I get pressure on the bishop on d6 or the queen on d7. 

Should I not worry about this position ? Engine gives is a +0.3. Then what is a good plan? I do not like Ng5 from white attacking the lightsquared bishop or some other times Nb5 attacking the darksquared bishop. 

Am I missing something in the opening? How should I defend the pawn on d5 when attacked (for instance by the Knight on c3)?

Thanks for the help !

Cheers,

Julien

Replies

Dear Julien,

This type of position occurs unlimited times during our events on the website. I don't know your rating but I get to play this vs U1500 level players and vs 1500-2000 level.

There are no very general recommendations it's always concrete - depending on the opponent's exact actions.

Against the Nc3 system, you can just regularly develop with Pawn c6 -Bd6-Nf6.

Another idea is to play f6 and castle long.
I often ignore engine evaluations -  practically it's much easier to play for Black here.
 

Under this link, you can find all the recordings of our events 
https://chessmood.com/events

And you might see several games in this structure.

Thanks for the question and good luck.
 

Whenever I have a question about a position I get out of the opening, I immediately go look at the model games and also the past live streams to see how I am supposed to play the position by reviewing the typical attacking plans that arise in the middle game. Afterwards, I review my games to see how close I was to playing it the correct way and make adjustments accordingly. I do this over and over and over until I internalize the position so in the future, I always know the correct way to play it based on the chest mood openings.

 I hope that was helpful 

Lucas Chess

I recently stumbled across a chess training program called Lucas Chess. Does anybody have any experience with this software? Any particular features I should know about? 

Thanks in advance

Replies

Hi Jake,

I'm guessing that you mean this one: https://lucaschess.pythonanywhere.com/

It isn't something I've used before but it looks quite useful doesn't it?  What have you tried so far?

I use LucasChess mainly as PGN-Editor to build and train opening repertoire. Playing against “humanized” engines of various strengths is also pretty nice. A tutor in the background, chess puzzles, tournaments, a lot to keep you busy with improving your chess.

Lucas Chess has the ability to import pgn's and create a tactics training session. So, if you have your favorite puzzle collection in pgn file format, Lucas Chess will help you train with those puzzles. There is a small learning curve to set up Lucas Chess to do this, but once done your puzzle set is always available via the Tactics training menu.

My deadly bishops!

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/117781753943?tab=analysis

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NEW ARTICLE: The Myth About Chess Tactics and Solving Chess Puzzles

Replies

<3 Very helpful article

I liked this article a lot, it is very insightful. 

Nice, Yeah fb is full of myths but whenever anyone ask me any question about how to improve I guide them learn classics, and basic endgames and tactics daily max an hr. But work on strategy. Thanks coach for wonderful article. I spent 20 to 30 percent of my time on visualization book of Ian!

Nice article. I never used to spend a lot of hours in solving puzzles. Instead I watch the commented classical games course and I am currnetly studying Bishop endgames, in which I was weak. Solving puzzles is 5% of the time I devote in chess, I solve them around 20' daily.

I have fallen for this trap. It's really eye opener.. Need to devote time for strategy, classics and endgame too.And ofcourse opening as per the level requirement.. Thanks for amazing article.. Keep writing more..

Just found this blog post and it makes total sense. I used to follow the tactics ftw advice, and I did see a modest elo increase. However, these two things has had a much more noticeable effect: implement a thorough blunder check before each move, and studying endgames. Also, reading Silman's How to Improve Your Chess, currently. Good stuff. 

WWP Piolet question- EX.2

Why can't we go for other exchange after 1. … g5 2. Nf3 Bh3 3. Kxh3 Qxh3 4.Bd1 g4+ 5. Kh4 Ng6+ 6. Kh5 Qf5+ 7. Kxh6 Nf4 threatning mate on g6? I know I might be missing something but in my games I go for this type of risky shots and sometimes wins sometimes loses. What should be mindset or decision making should be here?

Replies

Dear Don,

Can you please clarify which section you are asking about? There are several EX. 2 in the course.

Thank you.

I checked the offered variation.
It sounds quite interesting either :-)

As you can see in the video GM Avetik offers several possible options for each move - the goal is the same, to exchange and simplify. In other words, trying to explain the logic of traded being good in positions with enormous material advantage😀

Caro-Kann 5...Qc7 line. Unlisted possibility 7... Nf6

Hello. 
I am wondering if there is any difference if black tries an “Accelerated Dreev Line” ?
In this video

https://chessmood.com/course/caro-kann-defence/episode/162
and in advance section 

https://chessmood.com/course/caro-kann-defence/episode/1050

black is always playing 7… e6. However, what if he tries 7… Nf6 instead. Does it change anything?

Replies

Hey Alexander,

It seems like 7…Nf6 is possible, but I don't see a difference.
The thing is 7…e6 keeps more flexibility and can allow some Bd6 moves at first if required, while after 7…Nf6 Black sooner or later will play the e6 move.

Quiz for main Caro Kann course?

Hello everyone. 

I'm working my way through the main Caro Kann course having been through the smaller basic WhiteMood course initially. Very much enjoying it however I am wondering whether there is a quiz for the main course as I can't find one?

Perhaps it hasn't been formulated yet but I wanted to check that I haven't missed it. I find the quizzes for the other courses a very useful way of learning the principles and suggested main moves. 

Thanks!

Replies

Hmm…it appears not, but there is a ‘Take a Test’ option.

Doing better. Still got blunderitis haha

I was going to resign but figured I can always just go punch a wall when I inevitably lose…then I pulled off a little SLP

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/117336018217?tab=analysis

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Well recovered.

Never give up, never surrender!

Miss of the day #2

OK, you may remember around a month ago that I posted a tactic that I had missed and hoped that in doing so it would help me to spot such tactics in the future.

This time it's not so much a tactic as it is failing to calculate far enough when considering candidate moves.  Again, I'm hoping this post will help me to remember this game and not repeat my error.

So, I'm playing as black and it's my move - what should I have done?

Replies

Bxd4 Kxd4 then c5+ then it is checkmate in 17

Yep!

Another small tactic!

If you were low on time (under 1 minute) then I suggest that you do not worry too much about it.

When low on time, our brains kind of turn tactics off and go for other ‘dirty’ tricks, or one move threats.

If not, then this type of tactic is good to take note of!

(Especially if you are very low on time and can trade of the a4 pawn, that would be a draw even if you flag!)

Thanks everybody.

Armandas - I wasn't low on time, I was low on tactical ability! 😉

Calclman Exercise not clear

I don't see any line that gives white a clear advantage like all the other examples in this course. After Rxe3, fxe3 (exercise continuation) is the worst continuation possible. If white just plays Bg2 then black can give another check with the knight and the position gets very unclear. According to the course we should've stopped calculation there and look for something better, but there is nothing better. I'm not sure if this exercise fits this chapter.

Replies

The thing is, Black just wins a pawn.

Are you going to reject that just because you aren't winning more or it isn't mate?

I would think that winning a pawn would make the move good…

daily puzzle

Hello,

2 days with the same puzzle. Yesterday i solve it at the first try but I did not get moodcoin.

Daily puzzle seems in hollyday. Fid I miss something?

Replies

Nah same here. Surely it's back tomorrow?

Same for me.

same remark for me: it s frozen  and does not update since sunday.

should we ask the mods about this?

Hey guys,

Thanks for noting. We are aware of the issue - will be solved.

Good luck to everyone Champions!

New podcast with GM Kevin Goh: Think big and believe in yourself

🎯GM at 36 

✅CFO of a biotech startup 

🏆Hosting the World Championship in Singapore

GM Kevin Goh has one of the most impressive resumes!

How does he crush his big goals, consistently?  

GM Kevin Goh on the ChessMood podcast⬇️

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMKUmf9CT7s

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-big-and-believe-in-yourself-kevin-goh-on/id1685445424?i=1000665133802

Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/12I1jIz01Lb

Replies

Webinar practical pawn endings

Hi David,
Last week you said at the end of the webinar “practical pawn endings” that you will provide the pgn’s in the forum, it would be great, if you could do that – please also provide the pgn’s in the forum for the webinar “practical rook endgames - part 1”, just as you did for part 2 already. THANKS!

Replies

Hey Didi,

I notified David about this post, he will check it, thanks :-)

Hi Didi!
I have just added the PGNs here:
https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-channel/rook-pawn-practical-endgames-pgns