Chess forum by Grandmasters

New success story: Blunderproofing her Game and Mindset to raise 550 points

Blunders stole her rating. Blunders destroyed her mood💔 

If you've played chess, you know the pain.

However, our student — an adult improver with little experience — found a way to reduce her blunders, stop them from driving her crazy, and raised 550 points 📈🤩

No magic pills. 

She reveals how she battled one of the most painful problems in chess:
https://chessmood.com/success-stories/jessica-metaneira
 

Replies

Woohoo! That's me 😀

Congrats Jessica, I want to learn from you too, as blunders also affect my game!

Thanks for sharing your story. It was very inspiring fir me.

nice

Just a heads up - the PGN on this page is still faulty. The actual knight annihilation from one of my games is gone. No biggie but thought it might be worth raising.

Mating Matador

I am beginning my journey through Mating Matador and have quickly realized that, although I have been playing chess for a long time, the patterns are not lodged in my memory. I therefore need to calculate them from scratch, a severe restriction Which means I fail to visualize many check mates.

The Blog article The Complete Checkmate Patterns List (with examples) will be an excellent resource when I’ve completed the course. However, is it possible to reproduce the article without examples as I am looking to print out an aide memoire of the patterns and this would be easier without the examples.

Replies

Unless you feel my suggestion is a good use of your time, please ignore it. The issue I was having was that the cookies permission request was obscuring the article. I’ve now managed to remove them all from the article and save as a pdf.

Apologies, I should have exhausted all possibilities before posting.

Overlooked checkmate in the Petrov course?

Hello GM Grigoryan.  I have reviewed quite a few of the opening courses on Chess Mood and everything is amazing!  However, I think I found a clever checkmate in the Petrov Defense course that may have been overlooked.  In Section 8 (Part 5 - Nf6) lesson 6: 11...h6? after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.d4 Be7 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O Bg4 9.h3 Bh5 10.Re1 Re8 11.Bg5 h6 12.Rxe7 Rxe7 13.Bxf6 gxf6 14.Nd5 Re8 15.Qxd2 Bxf3  you recommend 16.gxf3 because you state that after 16.Qxh6 Black can play 16...Bxd5 because the Black King can run to the Q-side after 17.Qh7+ Kf8 18.Qh8+ Ke7 etc.  HOWEVER, instead of 17.Qh7+ there's a beautiful mate with 17.Bh7+ Kh8 18.Bf5+! Kg8 19.Qh7+ Kf8 20.Qh8+ Ke7 21.Re1+ Be6 22.Rxe6+ fxe6 23.Qg7#.  Of course, Black can avoid mate by paying 22...Kd7 but then 23.Rxe8 wins a whole queen.

Thank you and I truly appreciate Chess Mood!

Chris Chambers - Atlanta, USA

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Thanks Chris, we are aware of this and Avetik mentioned in some seminars. No problem at all since it's very advanced. 😅

overview questions by variation

Hello, I have a question regarding the Scotch (the line with 8. h4 a5 9. c4 Ba6 10. g3 g6 11. h5 Bg7 12. f4 f6). 

My question may already be asked by someone else, is there an overview where I can find possible answers? If I earch for “Scotch”, I find many dozen questions, in no specific order.

However, my question is: instead of answering 13. hxg6 with … hxg6, it would be my first intention to play … fxe5 and rip the center open (or even … 0-0-0). The black king will be relatively safe after 0-0-0, but where will white hide his king? The engine confirms, that 13. … fxe5 ist the better choice. How to answer it? 14. gxh7 wins a pawn, but after 14. … 0-0-0 I would prefer the black pieces a lot. 

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Hi Alwin,

Your observations are interesting and I think White shouldn't take on g6.
Instead, I would suggest 13.h6 Bf8 and here White has tons of possibilities. I personally like 14.b3.

Good luck!

I created a new chess variant

I call it “Soccer Chess”. It only works with OTB chess. Here's how it works:

1. The pieces move the same way

2. To move a piece you have to pick up your king and make him kick it to the square you want it to go to (as long as it's legal)

3. If when you attempt to kick a piece and you knock it over, you lose that piece

4. To move your own king you have to take you opponent's king and kick your own king

5. If you knock over a piece illegally when attempting to kick it (such as blocking a check) the knock over rule doesn't apply

6. Oh and btw you have to hit the clock with your king too :)

7. You may move the pieces in front of your piece when making a move if you say adjust or j'adoube (This helps when moving knights from behind pawns)

Have fun! Any questions?

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p.s Accidentally kicking over your own king doesn't count unless you're resigning (which you also need your opponent's king to do)

Help with PGN files

Hello everyone,

I met with coach and read the the article on creating pgn files. I downloaded the Sicilian Accelerated Dragon pgn to start. But when I tried to save it in word there is no option for a pgn file. 

Now I need help with the logistics of it. Do I set this up in a word document or do I have to have a chess program? Do I have to type in a certain font? How and where will I save everthing? Can anyone tell me how you set up your pgn files step by step because this is notin the article? 

Thanks for your help. 

Replies

Hi Henry!

pgn is a format for chess games.
Please read below in this article below all the info regarding this. I particularly like this article because it explains the origins and the history of this file format.

https://thechessworld.com/articles/general-information/portable-chess-game-notation-pgn-complete-guide/

Please check specially the part about how to open and the different options offered. 
The most easy way may be to create lichess studies though if you do not want to use a dedicated software.
Check it out and let us know if you have any trouble!😀 

Today's puzzle problem

Hello! Today's puzzle was very wierd, asking us to continue it, although basically any move was winning after we won the queen.

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Every single move, that is, except for h4 and c5+

Yeah sometimes puzzles are like that. But its fine!

Nice comment

3..nbd7 in pirc

what should i do after 1.e4 d6 2. d4 nf6 3. nc3 nbd7 and here keeps both ideas c6 and e5                                       against 3..c6 we play f4 and against 3..g6 bf4 but now he waits for us to commit 

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vatsal singla i believe that we are not supposed to play 2.d4 instead we will ask them to show their cards to us first by playing 2.Nc3, and now Nf6 we play grand prix attack and we try to obliterate their kingside and if they play Nbd7 now it's a inaccuracy and it just has no scope as black anyways has to continue with g6,bg7,0-0 and we get a strong attack and sometimes we may sacrifice the f-pawn with f5 and i would recommend you to study the whitemood model games these game are just so instructive as it clearly explains how to attack, when to attack, when not to attack so go and watch those games

https://chessmood.com/course/whitemood-openings-model-games

dutch attack vs London system

what should we play if in whites decides to play  bishop d3 and not e2 like it shows in the cours. taking our knight in e4 later in the game?

Attacking the London system (chessmood.com)

FEN: 

rnbqkb1r/p1pp2pp/1p2pn2/5p2/3P1B2/3BPN2/PPP2PPP/RN1QK2R b KQkq - 1 5

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We still play Ne4 anyways, Bd3 is not a critical move.
Please refer to these threads:

https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/dutch-vs-london-be2-and-bd3

https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/dutch-attack-vs-london-bd3-question

Also this video event where GM Gabuzyan analyzes the games
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VEz6DS1sW4

p.s. I vaguely remember someone asking the same question and me replying the same answer. Where was this thread? I can’t find it

Puzzle with no solution in tactic ninja

Hi,

I was studying tactic ninja course

Then in section "Annihilation" training level 2 puzzle number 15 was a puzzle that I couldn't solve even in half hour

I checked with Stockfish it showed puzzle is incorrect

I want to know if I am correct

if I am correct then I request to chessmood to fix it

Replies

Hi. Sorry for the inconvenience.

You are supposed to play with white pieces.

Now, the issue has been fixed!

Site ... slow this day

Anyone finding the courses loading extremely slow since last evening? I tried on different devices and it still continues to have the same problem.

Replies

I do not have any problems, it may have been temporary. Sorry for the inconvenience Sriram! 😅
Let us know if you still experience problems.😇

Hi Sriram, I had the same problem yesterday. I could not load and watch any video. It is working fine now.

Maybe the site was busier due to temporarily making all courses available for free.

Query regarding the rating category provided below each book in the chessmood chess books recommendation page .

Hello chessmood family ,

I would like to directly ask this question to the grandmaster team of chessmood regarding the rating category given below each book in the chessmood chess books recommendation page .

Question: Like when the rating category is given 1000-1500 does it mean it's suitable for players whose online level is between 1000-1500 or its suitable for them  whose  fide level is between 1000-1500.

Replies

Hi Ar Ray,

As many users don’t have a FIDE rating, or if they do, it will be inaccurate as many rarely play events, the ratings are based on chess.com blitz rating. 

If you play rapid, or you play on Lichess, refer to the table on the study plan below to see a rough estimate of your strength.  

https://chessmood.com/chess-study-plans

😃

Best Tactics Course

These new puzzles you guys have been adding are extremely helpful! My tactical vision is improving like crazy! Hands down best place to improve your tactics. Nothing comes even close to second from what I've seen! 

Replies

Thanks Kyle! Much appreciated!!! Working hard for your improvement always!

😅💪

Can confirm. Got a nice list of 1st places from blitz arenas after taking Tactic Ninja.

Dutch Attack v English

I have recently played a couple of OTB rapid games (as Black) in the following line:

1 c4 e6 2 g3 f5 3 Bg2 Nf6 4 Nc3 d5 5 d3 Bd6 6 Nf3 0-0 7 0-0 c6

I really struggled to get any active play as my opponent played on the queenside and for e4. Admittedly he was stronger than me 2100 FIDE v my approx 1850.

In subsequent research I have seen plans of omitting c6 but playing dxc4 followed by Nc6 intending e5. This seems to me better than the full Stonewall but I’d be interested in other’s experience or the wisdom of our GM friends

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Can't you also play e5 earlier in this position (now or before) without d4 and get a good center?

Did you consider this? 

black openings

hello in Our different options (chessmood.com) what if black plays Bg5 ? which is more played in this position ?

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bd7 4. Nf3 a6 5. Bd3 Bb5 6. O-O Bxd3 7. Qxd3 Ne7 8. Bg5

Replies

Should play h6 here, kicking the bishop out, and if they retreat, we play g5, kicking them again.

There is a similar continuation in the model games. Here is the video. https://chessmood.com/course/blackmood-openings-model-games/episode/4599

Visualisation

Hi everyone,

Im looking to improve my chess visualisation. In particular improving my ability to (in advance) spot tactics or checkmates or evaluate a position after a sequence of moves.

I’m relatively new to ChessMood so currently working through Tactics Ninja, which is fantastic, before I get onto other courses.

Any help very gratefully received; apologies if it all exists but I haven’t looked in the right place

Replies

Tony, can you please provide more details about your level?

Also, did you already have the 1 on 1 call with a GM included in the PRO membership?😀

Alapin Sicilian cours for White ?

Can i watch  https://chessmood.com/course/counter-sicilian-alapin

As someone who wants to learn the alapin for white and this course is in the black opening section. Ty

Replies

french attack AG variation

hello i have a question. in The Knight moves (chessmood.com) what if the opponent plays Ne2 ?

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bd7 4. Nf3 a6 5. Nc3 (5. Na3 Bxa3 6. bxa3 Bb5) 5... c5 6 Ne2 

also did Avetik skip white turn ?

Replies

I am considering to choose which chessmood opening for black, and need your opinion

I am watch through these two opening and now considering choose which one is main opening for black (chessmood opening)

At the same time, I want to know what you guys playing with the black chessmood opening.

1. sicilian acceleration dragon set up
2.  French & dutch attack 

Replies

It depends on your level.
The blackmood openings (french and dutch) are recommended for players around less than 1800 (2000 onine or similar) rating.
On the other hand, The main openings (benko and sicilian) are recommended for 1800+ players.

The advanced version of the blackmood openings are going to be added soon also.

For me, I play with the blackmood since i aint one of those advanced players (yet!!!!😅😅😅😅😅)

Accelarated Dragon

Dutch & French 

ChessPersonality.com

can i get your opinion on ChessPersonality.com a website that shows your chess personality after answering 20 questions.

i saw it in the chess.com tools section 

Replies

this is amazing,it exactly told me what kind of player i am