Chess forum by Grandmasters

Silent Startegy - 7Q - Scale Method

Dear, Coach Gabu

I am going to work on Silent Startegy - 7Q - Scale Method which one should I start with and follow up that will be the most effective.

Thank you so much!

pawnbishop,

Replies

Hey there,

Please follow the order as we have it on the website - more or less the point is to qauire knowledge with the other courses, to be able to understand the 7Q method. 

2300 - 2400

Dear, Coach Gabu

Based on all of your amazing chess experience and knowledge what courses do you think will be the most helpful to go from 2300 to 2400 apart from openings In general.

Thank you so much

Pawnbishop,

Replies

Hey there,

The courses of middlegame mastery section.
300 commented games.
In Grandmaster mind.
As well endgame mastery section - for the endgames.
 

Question about London System 5.h3 and 6.Bc4.

Hi Chessmood family I have a question about black against London System 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nf3 d6 5.h3 O-O I faced this move 6.Bc4 (I think it's not mentioned in the course). Should we still continue with the course move 6...Nc6 ? Because if 7.O-O Ne4 now White can play 8.Bd5 hitting both Ne4 and Nc6. Then 9…dxe5 10.Bh2 and White threatens Bxc6 damaging our pawn structure and also weakening our pawn on e5.

Thanks,,

Alex

Replies

Dear Alex,

Bc4 is not a dangerous move - but now Ne4 isn't optimal as you have mentioned.
There are really many ways how to play there for Black. 
I like c5 with an idea of Nc6 - and sometimes playing with d5, sometimes trading on d4. 

I can't tell more concretely because White has 100 options, but c5 is a decent way to continue the game.

Good luck :-)))

French advance with 5.Bd3 Bb5 6.Be3

What is the best response when White plays both Bd3 and Be3? I traded light-squared bishops as I had prepared, but I wasn't sure what to do after that, given that …c5 does not appear to work due to the other bishop.

(While I won the game, that's more a matter of SLP in time trouble in which I somehow managed to get a passed pawn and promote it. I had eight seconds left at move 39 when I threw away the knight.)

Replies

Hi Andrew

I'm not sure the plan of Bb4+ is what I would play. Black has exchanged off his problem bishop but has fallen behind in development. I would look at developing your knight to e7 then f5 then getting the other knight to d7 and playing for the c5 break. In your game white gained time chasing the bishop and white  gained  space all over the board and should have won (does 44 Qa3+ win?).

Hi Andrew,

In this position one of the options is no play Ne7 - and after trading on d3, getting the Knight to f5. 
That will often help to play c5 as now the Bishop is attacked.
Also before c5 you can play with Nd7 at first to prepare it.

Help with acceleerated dragon!

I need help with the accelerated dragon after white castles queen side. I have reviewed the whole course but I could not find in the course what to do when white castles queenside. Is there a section I may have overlooked where we see what to do as black when white castles queenside? 

Here is a game where I got crushed. 

https://lichess.org/NNjrs4q7/black

Replies

Hi here's my two cents you need to get in with the queenside counterplay as soon as possible. It's opposite-sides castling so as our GMs always say who attacks first wins. We can't give White a free hand to attack in the kingside.

So 11…e6 instead of Nd7-b6 is more practical because with e6 we have a clear plan. This is to support the d5 pawn and the knight stays on d7 to support c6-c5 pawn push to stake your claim on the centre. Then Rb8, Qa5 etc to start our queenside attack. If we manage to seize the initiative there's even the possibility of f7-f6 to break open the center and activate our powerful Bg7.

It's not so important to get the Bc8 out at this time, the bishop on f5 just becomes a target for White's pawn storm, there's always h4-h5 and g4 coming, h7-h5 is probably also a wrong move we don't want to advance pawns in the side where the opponent is stronger if we can help it. In the game the kingside got blown open without getting any counterplay at all. Nd7-b6 although still playable just gets in the way of our queenside pieces, and the c5 square remains a hole so we can't advance.

Hope this helps thanks.

Alex

Dear Henry,

In the given game instead of 11…Nb6? - I would advise e6 - to defend on d5. That will allow you to push the c pawn - get space and create threats.

As well with the open b file you would have decent attacking chances. Sometimes you might play f6 to blow up on e5 and open your Bishop for the attack!

Thanks for helping, Alex!

Helpp

How to increase fide rating when you only play 2-3 tournaments in a year

Replies

play your online games seriosuly trust me 

Sparring Partner

Hi I'm looking for a sparring partner 1600chess.com, 1500 Fide. I want to improve my game and rating. Someone around southeast asia would be best because less timezone issues, but I am fine with anyone from anywhere.

Replies

Hey there,

Here we have a special thread for searching sparring partners - https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/studysparring-partner-1362

Good luck :-) 

New article: Do You Know Your True Rating?

Do you know your true rating?
We bet you don’t.

It’s not on Lichess.
It’s not on Chess com.
It’s not on FIDE.

But it decides everything.
Discover the only rating that really matters in our newest article 👇
https://chessmood.com/blog/true-rating

Replies

Thank you!

"But to help you become a champion of your journey.
In chess and in life."

😀

Perhaps not the best example while rating of 2400 might indeed be a ‘number’ on its own…

2750+ GM in chess - you're probably going to have a career playing the game and possible do very well from tournaments and appearance fees even if you don't get right to the top.

2400 IM or GM in chess - club players might fawn, but you're one of many these days and in chess (unlikely other sports if you were at that calibre) the GMs I know are struggling and it's the coaching, books/videos and sometimes drinking that gets them through. At best you get some free tournament entry and conditions for a free hotel stay. A few outliers making good money from streaming or a chess site or a coaching empire, but they are the exception not the rule.

The number alone doesn't say who is happy though as there is far more than a chess rating to life, or chess enjoyment itself.

Sure the 2400 might be a step and some self-reflection, and proper thinking and planning before taking the next step might lead to better results long term. Someone who gets 2750 very quickly and now can't hold it and feels a failure, or worse aims at it and burns all bridges ( a la Napoleon Hill advice), goes on to achieve it while everything else is in a miserable state (health, family, friends) and then is very unhappy in the end perhaps is losing more than winning despite appearances. It's like those ‘council estate’ lottery winners (sorry for the term) who become millionaires out of poverty overnight and then blow the lot or have mental health problems because everyone now wants a slice of the money or is jealous.

The difference the article might be trying to get at is being successful externally (made it, having all the trappings) vs internally (happy with their goals, didn't let it get to their head), but this is orthogonal to 2400 and 2750 as a comparison. Similar to you could go all in to make it to the top in any field you have aptitude for, but need to spend so much time and deal with so much …. that you lose out in the rest of your life even despite financially secure or better so the whole package needs thinking about.



 

👍

Wow amazing The perfect Confidence boost I need. But I wanted to ask I am a 8th grade student how do I manage chess and studies

Hi Avo , I totally agree that people are not measured by numbers.....numbers have neither soul nor heart.

Be humble , play with heart , for reaching the top of the mountain

Avo, thank you for continuing to emphasize that ChessMood students should be good, humble, kind, emphatetic chess players.

In a world dominated by social media "influencers" who tout materialism and their successes plus egos, these ideas resonate louder than ever!

That’s such an interesting perspective! It reminds me that the real rating isn’t always the one shown on a leaderboard — it’s the one that measures focus, patience, and growth. Just like in research, where numbers don’t define depth, understanding comes from persistence and curiosity. Sometimes, to improve in both chess and academics, you need to pause, reflect, and maybe even buy literature review resources to see the bigger picture.

This is very interesting, I would like to know if the fun you have while playing is measured in this real rating as well, like i remember i drew with an opponent who was rated(me not yet) i was having a lot of fun when i was on the losing side but he never had fun even though he was winning, so i managed to put my fun into the board and drew, was i rated higher?

You've put the dots on the i's. The world doesn't teach us to chase numbers, titles, external validations, but we too often forget to listen to our soul. True success is not measured in ratings, money or followers, but in inner peace, in the love we give, in the gratitude we carry. It's a trap to think that 'more' means 'better'. I've learned that true victory is to climb without losing your roots, to win without sacrificing your values. Thank you for reminding me: success is not on the board, but in the mirror of the soul. Thank you, lesson, for telling me to look:
it's not the board that matters, but the soul's journey.
To climb, but to carry my roots within me,
to be a human being, not just a trophy on a display.

Accelerated Dragon question

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O 8.
Bb3 Re8 9. h3 *

Got a couple of time this variation when white does not play f3 but h3 on move 9 and after black's Re8 and e6 they castle short. Often I find myself in a passive isolated pawn scenario after a standard d5 push by black. Do you have any suggestions - (perhaps d6 and not e6 ? but what if white plays Qd2 and play with the long castle….)

Replies

Hi against 9.h3 we can switch to d6 (instead of e6)?

When White plays h3 he wants to slow it down and also stops Ng4 amongst other things.

But since our rook is now on e8, Be3-h6 we're not forced to trade bishops and can play Bh8.
If White plays Qd2 and castles long we immediately play Na5 to target the important Bb3.

If White castles short we play Na5 also.

Alex

WhiteMood

Why don't the Step-by-Step WhiteMood Main Course not have quizzes and trainings like the Simplified WhiteMood does. I am not finishing an entire section/course in one sitting, so reviewing my PGN with Chesstempo created unnecessary problems. 

That's why I find the quizzes and trainings very helpful. However, the Main Course doesn't have them. I really wish that it did.

Replies

They do have however overview quizzes. These cover topics from the entire course, and I find it sufficient as a quiz and review.

Opening problem

I have played the Blackmood openings for a while now. If found out that that almost every game where my opponent gives me problems in the dutch defense Stonewall by putting there knight on e5 then playing f3-e4 and killing my positionally. I want to learn the Step by Step openings but I still want to play by beloved french against e4. What shoud I do?

Replies

Hi,

You have requested several times the information about the advanced courses, and we mentioned we are considering to have them, but can't mention yet the exact dates.
If you are willing to learn French and Dutch on the more advanced levels, definitely, there are good courses by some other authors on the internet as well.

Thank you.

Stonewall Dutch where White plays early Lf4 restricting us playing Ld6

Dear Chessmood Family,

by playing the Stonewall Dutch I've faced an early Lf4 for some times now where I couldn't find an antidote yet, so I want to ask the Chessmood Family how to encounter it. It was not playing often in the database but the engine loves this idea for white with +0,8 already. So I would like to have some tips or plans playing against it.

For example: 1.d4 e6 2.c4 f5 3.Sf3 Sf6 4.g3 d5 5. Sc3 c6 and now not 6.Lg2 as usual but 6.Lf4! (best engine move) restricting us playing 6…Ld6 as we don't want to change the dark square bishop. If I continue with normal Le7 and 0-0, white will play e3 and h4 and not even Lg2 then but Le2, Dc2 Kf1 and Kg2. When I saw this idea for white I was impressed and it restricts me from playing an attacking Dutch Stonewall. So I hope some of you guys have much experience and can help me. Thank you so much in advance!

Replies

peak Performance

Hey guys, 

im struggling with peforming well during my chess games some games I have a beautfiul attack and play like a 1600+ but in other games I lose my mind and blunder. Do you guys have any suggestions for making sure I peform at my peak thanks.

Replies

You might get some value out of regularly playing arenas and not just single games. Not all the time, but it's a good way of building mental stamina.

You're right 

New article: SLP Method - How to save lost chess positions?

What do you think it takes to save lost positions?

Of course, having a deeply-ingrained fighter attitude helps. But saving a lost position (SLP) is also a skill anyone can learn.

We've launched a mini-guide on using this topic where GM Avetik talks about:

✅ The 11 strategies to save lost positions 

✅ Why following normal rules in a lost position doesn’t work

✅ Why playing the engine’s best moves in a losing position might be a bad strategy

✅ The golden question you should ask before resigning

✅ How to train and improve your SLP skills, and much more!

Read it here👇

https://chessmood.com/blog/slp-method-how-to-save-lost-positions

And you can share your thoughts and ideas under this forum thread.

Replies

this game - https://lichess.org/O8VDCbNmudWp

https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/86128211857?tab=analysis

Currently a rating of 1700 on chess.com

Played against an even rated opponent. I blundered a piece. Still won it, because of SLP ;)

I was like so broken at this game, as i thought rooks are one of my best strengths when opponent has a queen but this game showed me i'm wrong
https://www.chess.com/game/live/121189271580

same in this one as well
https://www.chess.com/game/live/121168432450

 

An slp position: I succeed (or does my opponent help me) to fight back to slight inferior position, activate my bishop, and finally push my opponent to fault. https://lichess.org/g8P10VZ8/black#0

a nice slp after bad position from opening: https://lichess.org/lkaqXlb1

This one was really a good slp spirit game: after 10…bb6? The black queen is trapped!! So slp, keeping the chess mood: https://lichess.org/kCxHXCuB/black

1300 rapid! Yeah!

Replies

how to play against sicilian defense?

After 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nd4 4.Nf3 e6 5.0-0 a6 Bd3 Nxf3+! recommended by GM Gabuzuan in the Sicilian sidelines course. How to play for white?

Replies

Hi Eli,

I will show a position here from the Black's course - but that is also a good way to play for White that will eventually lead to an interesting and playable position for both sides.

https://chessmood.com/course/crushing-all-the-sidelines-of-sicilian/episode/2580

In the position below, White plays with f4 - and if Bxf4, then Rxf4 leads to a very decent advantage for White.
So Black has to play with Bd4+ Kh1 and now play b6. After that, White trades the Bisops with the Nd1 move, and the resulting middlegame is what we offer to play for both sides.

I need an advice :) Should we hire her? :)

In ChessMood all our new employees should also pass a test - survive 15 moves against Grandmaster ?

Lily survived 12 moves, shall we do an exception for her? ?

Replies

That's a very open question. I think that would depend on the way she played. Did she show initiative? Did she dare take a risk? Was she inventive or passive? Sometimes you can read someones character a little from the way he/she plays.

Maybe you publish the game, so members can judge for themselves.

Giving another chance is appreciated....as we all make mistake....so let her try again...and see if she could survive....?

Did she show the right mood while playing? Did she keep the right mood while losing? If she did then make the exception! 

However, if she threw the king at you when she lost, what would she do if you didnt hire her? Better think long and hard about this :)

You should have let her play white

I think we should

everyone deserves a second chance :)

Maybe another try for her! If she played genuinely badly then no but if she blundered something in an equal position then yes.

Does it mean that anyone that survives 15 moves against a GM is hired?😂 Are there tryouts

maybe yes if she mostly made good moves

🤣Well, Lily is the best! We were very lucky to be able to work together! Thanks God that Avetik did not follow our hiring policy in this case!!! 😅

Yes

if this is real it's actually a stupid and also mean test. ok, i get if you like everyone to be at least that litte bit into chess to survive till middlegame  but debating that here looks like putting at some kind of job pillory in the community. 

maybe i'm just slow on uptaking some banter or whatever joke. point it out to me and my moral pointer finger :x 

Lily's great lol. Very warm and positive person. Good thing you hired her.

Sure you should do it

Yes

While Lily's performance against a Grandmaster is undoubtedly impressive, it's crucial to consider the overall qualifications and fit for the position. A chess match, though challenging, is just one aspect of an employee's capabilities. Perhaps a more comprehensive evaluation, including interviews, skills assessments, and references, would provide a clearer picture of Lily's potential as an employee.

It's also worth considering the precedent this decision would set. If exceptions are made for specific candidates, it could weaken the integrity of the hiring process. On the other hand, losing a potentially talented employee due to a rigid policy might be detrimental to the company.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on a careful weighing of Lily's performance, the company's needs, and the long-term implications

I think you should

Yesss

Chess tournament mindset

I’m in a big tournament right now and I’m doing horrible with a score of ¼, ( tournament is 11 rounds). The past 2 games I just felt like wanting to get the game over as fast as possible and not being able to put in my full effort. How can I change my mindset and bring back the momentum?

Replies

Hey Alex

The situation is common and happened to me as well multiple times - the feeling that you hate the game and want to quit.
I really advise doing something crazy, extraordinary, that would change your mood. ( I partied a few times badly, but it had a positive influence on my mood and helped me to change)

We are all different, so different ideas on how to change the mood; however, I can tell you for sure that if staying in the same emotional state, it will very likely continue to be a struggle.

Change your mood with some unusual brain-shaking actions - that's a good chance to restart!

Good luck!

Daily Puzzle Issues

Today's Daily Puzzle has 2 correct answers.

Rd4 Bc2+

Kf6 e2

Rd5=

Rd4 Bc2+

Kh6 e2

Rd5 e1=Q

Re5+ Qxe5 Stalemate.

Please fix this issue.

Replies

I also found both. Haven’t entered my answer yet. Which one does the system accept?

Thank you!

Implemetation of chess knowledge.

I have recently  found myself asking the same question for the seemingly millionth time: is there any technique/plan on how to make myself implement at least 80% of all the knowledge at the right moment in a right way? It is not hard for me to guess the correct move in one of the classical games, while solving tactics or positional excercises, to apply all the methods while analysing games of modern masters. However when I start playing, my mind seems to cut out all the knowldege, all the techniques fade away and I miss even the most basic of tactics. This does not seem to be something connected with pressure, as i feel calm and composed, as well as focus, as there is quite plenty of it throughout the game from my side.

Thanks in advance.

Replies

Dear Andrew,

This is a common thing in chess, and while training, we are seeing more than during the games.
For every player to be able to apply more og the knowledge, it's a repetitive cycle of learning - playing/practicing - fixing and repeating the cycle.
With every game and every revision of mistakes, we are getting closer to the ability to apply more of our knowledge.