Chess forum by Grandmasters

Game analysis, had big edge vs GM in our line

Hi again, Participating in Riga RTU open OTB classical, had this game vs strong GM and outplayed him out of the opening (CM line ?) but really messed up later. As the saying goes you gotta beat GM in opening, middlegame and endgame in order to win. https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/2p6n2oARxz Comments welcome!

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Tough game. That Bxf6 sac was very hard to see. Just playing through the game quickly, one interesting idea that jumped out at me was to play 20.f5 with the idea of sacrificing the exchange (in the style of Petrosian & Bronstein) with Re6 to get a massive bind. Update: I put that position into the engine and let Stockfish 15 search deep (depth 48). Quite interesting to see that it thinks 20.f5 was in fact the best move, scoring about a pawn higher than 20.c4. See attachment.

Good job Paulius! Keep it up and keep the Mood!

How to play against reversed stonewall

How do we play against the reversed Stonewall, with 1. d4 Nf6 2. e3 g7 3. Bd3 Bg7 where often white's aiming for a quick e3-e4, sometimes with c2-c3 inserted, especially if black plays Nc6? Should we go for the King's Indian kind of lines of pushing e7-e5?

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Hello Yair, It's the eternal question of what to play if they use the reversed lines than reversed and reversed hahah ?? The answer is to play good healthy chess, build a strong center, and develope the pieces. Our course about the opening principles is a good guide. Back to the question, if you are a Blackmood player choose some setup like e6 - b6 - bb7 - f7 and use the weak e4 square. If you Blay Benko you can build fianchetto and try to fight with c5, or after fianchetto d6-e5 like Kings Indian. The choice is rich, just go for healthy chess. Good luck!

Game analysis, french Bd3, IQP what could be improved?

Hey folks! Participating in yearly Riga RTU open 2022 and had this game in CM Bd3 line against the french vs young improving opponent and want your opinion what were the critical moments (imo missing Nc5 idea) and what could be improved to push for an edge. Thanks https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/pgn/2wFSppDtEi

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Grand prix 2..e6 with Nh6 question

Hello chessmoodians! I'm participating in Riga rapid tournament and in one game IM played against me, I'm white: 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 e6 3.f4 d5 4.Nf3 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Qe2 (with f5 ideas as in the course) Nh6 (imo best move for black) 8.b3 Nf5 9.Bb2 Be7 - I looked in the courses but couldnt find this natural move analysed in CM and it seems it's the main reply according to database So up untill here I remembered but now I played 10.0-0-0 which I dont think was best as 10...Nfd4 followed with good play for black. Looking at db I found 10.Ne5 game played by Vocaturo, so it would be interesting what plan coaches or members recommend after 9..Be7 Thank you EDIT: oh and btw I managed to win that game against IM ?

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Hi Paulius, In my opinion, that position is practically easier for white. I like the idea of Bd3 to keep at that moment, but all is fine with Ne5 and your 0-0-0 as well. White is not having problems, the opposite, white get an easier game.

New course: Spartan Shield

Hey everyone! 

We’ve launched the first sections of “Spartan Shield” ?️ course, where you’ll learn important defensive concepts. 

You might have already watched GM Johan Hellsten’s “Defend with honor" course, to improve your defensive skills. 

This one is aimed at below 1,600 rated players, where GM Gabuzyan shares the most important and basic concepts you need to know, for successfully defending on lower levels. 

So,
1. If your rating is below 1,600, this is exactly what you need to know for defending like a real Spartan! 
2. And if you’re an advanced player, or have already watched the “Defend with Honor” course, this is gonna be a good refreshment for you. 

Enjoy ❤️
https://chessmood.com/course/spartan-shield

Best wishes,
ChessMood team 

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Suggestion: Quiz for every section in the openings

Hi, currently we have quizzes only for all the sections in the whitemood simplified openings. If I studied the scotch, or the grand prix attack, I can't train only on those sub-sections, but I have to study all the course. My suggestion would be to make quizzes for every sub-section. The same could apply for the tactics course, where if I studied only pins for example, I can't do the quizzes for pins only.

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Hi Francesco, This idea sounds interesting and we may be doing this for future courses! Thank you!

Nightmare of Rossolimo

In Bc6 dc6 line after f4 ef4, Bf4 Ne6, Be3 Nd4,Rae1 Be6,e5 Nf5, Bf2 Qc7 ,can white play Ng4 and go for the f6 square?

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Dear Prady, Please provide a clear position or the link for the required video so I can answer on the question ?

Chess Olympiad

What are the chances of Indian team winning the Chess olympiad despite Vishy not playing in the main team?

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I don't know, but I like the look of the India B team!

Its considered to be the second favorite right behind team USA which is getting really strong having a 2700+ average rating with Caruana, Levon, Wesley, Dominguez and Shankland. But speaking from experience I can tell you that especially in team events everything can happen, I think India has a decent chance to win but it will all come down to the players form.

I think that Norway will surprise us this time with Carlsen on top form… What do you think??

India-2 are doing well, as expected. Interesting game by Wesley So in round 4 where he plays the crazy 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.h4 and then it transposes into a line of the half-accepted Benko (e3 line): https://www.chess.com/events/2022-fide-chess-olympiad/04/So_Wesley-Sindarov_Javokhir

Will Chessmood comment Olympiad? So many crazy, interesting games!

Attack with Scotch Game / 38...d6

Dear members and coaches, in the line of the course (please refer to video course " Attack with Scotch Game / 38...d6" https://chessmood.com/course/scotch-game/episode/659) white plays 9..c4 and black best answer is Nb6. Then 10. exd6 is designed to enter a better endgame for white, but black can just take the pawn with 10. cxd6 not trading queen and avoiding to help white to develop the bishop. Should we go on with 11. Nc3 and simply develop the pieces ?

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It's solid for black and played by black by strong GM as Aronian, Le, Dubov. I've one OTB game with idea 11. Be3 Be6 12.Nd2 with idea long castle and sharp game. Probably more solid is 11.Nc3 Be6 12. b3 d5 and about equal but with better pawn structure

Hi All, What is best way to meet 6.. Ne4 ? i.e. 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 d4 cd 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nxc6 bc6 6 e5 Ne4 I do not remember seeing this in course and seems playable. Thx

Hi Marius, Yes, we just go on with Nc3! The thing is black pawns on c6 and d6 are a little vulnerable and we continue developing the pieces to good central positions. In the future white bishop can go to a long diagonal via Be2-Bf3. Good luck!

Missing Quiz in Bishop Endgames?

I think the button to the quiz for Bishop endgames is missing and so there is no way to access the quiz currently. Hope this can be fixed, thanks. https://chessmood.com/course/bishop-endgames

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Hi Dear Casey, We have quizzes for almost all the courses, with few exceptions. Bishop's endgame course is not that concrete and is really more conceptual, for that reason there will not be a quiz on that one. Good luck ?

Improvement advice

Hello everyone. I am a 16-year-old player and from a negligent country in the chess scene, where very few tournaments occur. At the moment I am rated 2011 Fide and 2500 on chess.com. What are the best courses on chessmood to get to 2300fide/2700chesscom?

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Hello Aleksander, I would recommend the following: If you are looking for the openings, the main sections in other words not the simplified versions. A lot of content of middlegames for your level: Commented classical and attacking games, as well the endgames. And as well all the courses of middlegame mastery. Blunderproof. And tactical courses can be decent as well. Good luck!

How to transfer MoodCoins from one account to other accounts

Do you guys know how to transfer MoodCoins from one account to another? If you know how to do it, show it to me, please! Thanks in advance!

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Hi Antonio, That option is not available ? Good luck!

Pawn Structures

Hi, first of all, this chess resource is ausome, congratulations! I subscribed Chessmood for my son who is 13 years old and 1430 elo FIDE. He wants to be FM at 16, so he is determined to study and practice 3 hours a day (now with ChessMood he can do it nicely). His coach suggested a book to improve his knowledge about Pawn Structures (for the middle game), but my son doesnt really love reading. What course or videos of your collection could help in this topic?

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Studying the classic games will help with understanding of various pawn structures, as will studying the various opening systems if done in the right way. Fortunately ChessMood does a great job of helping one study their opening systems as they feature quality model games with excellent commentary. A lot of this knowledge about pawn structures will be picked up subconsciously. Recently it has become somewhat trendy to formalise the study of pawn structures, perhaps largely due to the (reportedly) excellent Chess Structures book by Rios. I'm pretty sure it's possible to reach FM level without following that precise approach.

I think that almost all opening videos discusses about pawn structures that can be formed while playing that opening, if that pawn structures isn't what you meant then I don't know

Hello Benjamin, Thanks for the kind words! What I would recommend from the middlegames from our courses is the 100 commented classical ones, when we cover games of strongest players with our commentaries. As well in the near future, we are going to have a course " Middlegames roadmap " where we will cover different middlegame topics as well. Very importantly I recommend watching daily lessons with a GM which is among our courses as well. Good luck to your son in achieving his goals!

Magnus Carlsen

Why did Magnus decide to not play in the World Championships?

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Well, you could read the following article and I am sure that you will understand the reasons> 

https://chess24.com/en/read/news/magnus-carlsen-to-give-up-world-championship-title

?

He thinks its not worth it anymore as he already proved himself 5 times and he just wanted to test the next generation. Its a shame because a match against Nepo would have been so much more interesting and close now but I guess he didnt feel like it. After all he celebrated winning the Lichess bullet Arena than winning against Nepo, that was a clear hint about his intentions

Blitz Survey-Please Be Honest!

Hello All CM members Would like to do a few surveys to hopefully help each other out by learning from others' though processes. First question is what is your immediate thought when encountering a player rated 100-200 points higher than you before a blitz game??

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My immediate thought is that I know that if I play my best game now, I have a good chance to win this. "have to play as good as I can, cannot be intimidated!" Also, a good opportunity to see what a player 150 points higher plays like especially if I get a rematch or two.

Contact with Avetik

Hi does anyone know the most efficient way to get in contact with Avetik I messaged him on instagram but haven't gotten a response. Thanks in advance for your help.

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The contact us link. If it's important enough he'll be forwarded it. Remember the GMs are extremely busy so may not be able to reply to all messages personally.

Dear Avetik, You said to me that you never make impulsive moves. Please explain Sam Shankland in Olympiad today making immediate move v Robert H. your Armenian brother when he had plenty of time 2 mins+ left on clock moving his king into check convinced his opponent had played check on h1 when he had in fact stopped his queen on g2 ? Thx Mike

Dear Ding Liren, please through Wang Hao. He knows my phone number. 

:) :) 
Jokes aside, contact us is the best way, and whenever there is something urgent, our clients' happiness team forwards me the email. 
Cheers! 

Looking for playing partner

Hi, I am Joshua Tan from Malaysia, I would like to look for playing partner, my Lichess rating is around 1650. Want to test out what I have just learned in French Attack...

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hi, I am Wiktor from Poland and i really want to have a playing partner too. my rating is 2000 on chess.com tho. if it is alright to you then we can play anytime. my nick on chess.com and lichess: xWitekx02 :)

Any training partners available?

Hello guys, my name is Wiktor Przedlacki, im from Poland and im 14 years old. My rating is 2100 chess.com and 1400 fide. I would really apreciate it if someone with similar rating to me could be my training partner. thx :)

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New success story: Karthik raised over 450 points in less than a year, even with an active job

Hello champions! ?

We’ve just uploaded another success story! ?
This time our hero raised about +500 points in less than a year, having a full-time job! ?

? How did he manage to do that? 
? The challenges he faced and how he overcame them? 
? His improvement algorithm
? How he used ChessMood courses and much more you’ll find by clicking the link below ?

https://chessmood.com/feedback/karthik-ramesh

Have a great day! ❤️

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Great job Karthik!!Keep on like that!!

Congratulations Karthik. I see your improving graph of lichess is the blitz ratting. Are you focused in blitz or you use longer time controls. Also through my experience if you want to improve your FIDE rating and perhaps be a FM you should play more OTB tournaments. Online chess leads to lousy play while OTB 90+30 facing another guy who has similar objectives than you, during hours is a real psychological warfare. I use online games to check openings, normally 10+5 or 5+3. But I only notice OTB improvement playing OTB. Another method to improve my tactical awarness is to solve studies instead of game puzzles. Iss much more effective and after focusing 2021 in study solving my tactic rating on chess.com jumped from 2060 to 2850!! Good luck

Sight of board training

The GMs might have missed this one since it was under the blunderproof thread in main: ' One thing I've noticed about my chess (or at least when I was rusty a few weeks ago), is that watching a game and joining in the middle I get quickly focused on one thing, that I'm not taking in the board and the relationship between the pieces, except where the action is. That perhaps is less of a factor while playing as that gets built up. I'm wondering if there is any training for taking in all that's happening, starting from simple positions up to quite sharp one. That has to help the tactics. Doing puzzle rush helps somewhat, but the first 30 odd puzzles (and many of other puzzles) are about focusing in on the obvious point of action and sacrificing something (or back rank mate), nor do they have a good level of complexity increase so you can find where you currently are in what you can take in and train from there.' I asked about the sight of board question to GM Shankland in a Q&A session. His opinion was train it blindfold with simple tactical positions (so you are not confounding it with difficult tactics and calculation). Use a training partner to one by one give you the piece positions to build what's happening up in your head, then try to solve it blindfold. My own thought is if you don't have a partner, you could try for example to save a tactical database file as pgn, view in a text editor, cover the screen so you can't see the solution and read the FEN tag (which while gives you multiple pieces, it's not so easy to see straight off and you'll need to build it up in your head before solving).

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I suspect that a lot of what makes up rapid sight of board "just" comes down to pattern recognition. If you internalised a massive library of patterns then you can quickly assess the most obvious stuff and then start branching out to what else is happening on the board. Not just tactical patterns, but positional patterns, attacking patterns, defensive patterns, endgame patterns etc.

Hi David, The Steps Method books - especially Step 1 have a lot of good board vision exercises.

I've experienced similar issues, and something that helped me a lot was doing the tactical puzzles on ChessTempo on blitz mode. This forces you to first of all scan the board and simply notice things, as otherwise the nature of the puzzles are such that you're sure to miss something outside of the most obvious center of action.

One question is how do we measure sight of board speed? Perhaps 5 minute Puzzle Rush is a reasonable estimate. Another estimate is blitz rating, although several other things play into that. In any case, unless we can measure it we don't know if we've improved it!