Chess forum by Grandmasters

How to understand where to work on when reviewing games

When reviewing my games, I can understand why the move I made in the game was not good. But how do I turn that into a lesson that I can apply to my future games? I don't know what conclusions to draw from my mistakes or what I should work on

For example, I played this game:

https://www.chess.com/game/live/147402692816?move=0

And 41. h5? was a mistake. After analysing, I understood why 41. h5? was a mistake and why 41. Kf6 followed by 42. Ke5 was better. However, I am still unsure what to take away from this game. I am unsure where to work on to improve. 

So, how do I understand where I should work on after making a mistake in a game?

Replies

Dear Teddi,

This question has a large explanation; it depends on too many things - I have seen that you booked a 1-1 call, and it will be more efficient to discuss this together.

Watching courses

Hi everyone. 

I have joined ChessMood recently, and I have already watched a few courses during the Gratitude 1-month gift period.

However, I have always been wondering if I have been watching the courses the right way. I am wondering if I should go through the courses one-by-one (meaning I don't start a new course before finishing the course that I have started) or if it is fine to watch multiple courses in a day.

For example, in my case, I was watching 1 section of the Silent Strategy in the morning and 1 section of Tactic Ninja in the afternoon. I'm not sure if I should have watched the entire Tactic Ninja course before watching Silent Strategy, or whether my current approach is fine.

Any help on this would be appreciated, Thank you!

Replies

Dear Teddy,

Do you have access to a 1-1 call? During that I provide study plans for each student.

HELP ME

How to checkmate the black king with only one move

Replies

d5xe6 ep

2ways

1. 1-Rxf7 Kh8 2-Qf6 Bg7 3- QxBg7#
2.  1-Nh5 Kh8 2- Qf6 Bg7 3 - QxBg7#

Dxe6 en passant and their f pawn is pinned so they cant play f6

the answer is dxe6#

I think the answer is 1. Rff7+ Kh8 2. Rh7#

All the best, Kingston.

1.dxe6# 

Cool and Tricky one!

It took me a few minutes to see en passant. En Passant Checkmate!!! 😎

dxe6# en passant checkmate 

en passant is a checkmate

answer is dxe6

I also don't know!

It's dxe6 - as Black's last move is pawn e7-e5 - it's a trick puzzle :-)

Absolutely beautiful!!

amazing!

The opponent's last move was e5, something the graphic seems to exclude. With that context in mind, the solution seems to be dxe6#.

Searching for Rare Model Games

Is there a way to search for a Model Game when it is not in the Black/Whitemood model section? For example I found it tricky to play and eventually made a poor OTB 12+d3 (blitz) decision after 5…Bg4 in the Petroff which appears to be a fine non-covered move. Obviously from below I can improve my game a lot with engine analysis and some additional common sense about keeping queens on, but I suspect I'll face this opponent again at the club level and Model Games are always great resources to feel the position better.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nxf7 Kxf7 5.d4 Bg4 6.Bc4+? Be6? [6...d5 7.Bxd5+ Qxd5 8.exd5 Bxd1 9.Kxd1 Nxd5-+] 7.Bxe6+ Kxe6 8.Qf3 Qe8 9.Qb3+ [9.e5! dxe5 10.dxe5 Qh5 11.exf6 Qxf3 12.gxf3 Kxf6] 9...Kd7 10.Qxb7?? [10.0-0! Qxe4 11.Nc3=] 10...Qxe4+ 11.Qxe4 Nxe4 12.f3 Nf6 13.Nc3-+ and I went on to lose 0-1

Replies

Dear Matt,

Now we don't have an option to search for the model games, but we write down the variations when adding them>
This line is very rare, so that's why not many games happen.
As a piece of advice, you can playwith f3 - and after that Be3-Qd2 with the attack on the Kingside.

 

Help with PGN files

I cannot get Chess.com to accept the PGN files in the attachments sections of the lessons, so I am posting here for help.  Here is the process I am using.

1. I go to Library
2. I select “Create a New Collection” and name it (Chess Mood - Tactics Ninja, for example)
3. Under that Collection, I select Add Game

4. Under Add Game, I select Load from Fen/PGN(s)

5. I have tried two things under here, both with the same failed result.

5.a. I drag the PGN into the window

5.b. I select upload file and select the appropriate PGN

Both option do the same thing - they fill the game window with text.

6. I press the “Add Game(s)” button that is now clickable (prior to 5.a. or 5.b. it was greyed out and could not be clicked).

I get the following from Chess.com - “Oops. Looks like there was an error. Sorry! Please refresh.”

I do a browser refresh and nothing has been added to the collection.

What am I doing wrong?

Replies

Paul,

Hmmmm… I don't use the Library on chess.com, but I tried what you did with the pgn file from Tactic Ninja and got the same behavior. 

Now the pgn file has a LOT of games in it, so the library may be barfing because of that.

(1) Try this:  in chess.com go to Learn→Analysis. Then click “Upload File", and select the pgn file that you downloaded. Then click “Add games”

This should take you to the starting position (the first entry in the pgn is just the starting position with no moves!). Look in the pane on the right side. You'll see “Starting Position” which is the name that the pgn file gives the first position. Look up and click on the “Games” tab. Now you will see a list (very long) which starts with 2. PIN, and then has a list of positions under it. Click on one of these (like "Intro) and the first puzzle appears!  Voila :D

(2) I tried a couple of quick experiments to see if I could figure out why this isn't working in the Library. If I use a small pgn (I just cut one position out of the Tactical Ninja pgn), that loaded in correctly.

If I get a chance, I'll try to play with this some more.

Cheers,

Jeff

Dear Paul,

Understood your issue. Our PGNs contain null moves, and that can be the reason of issue on chesscom.
This can also be helpful for yoy https://chesstempo.com/pgn-viewer/

Anti-Sicilian when opponent doesn't castle (8...Bxf3 9.Rxf3 Nd4)

I responded to the threat on the rook with 10.Rh3 Nxc2 11.Qh4, and things went poorly from there.  With the opponent's rook still on h8 and no pin on the f-pawn, I was not sure how to continue the attack.  Should I have responded with 10.Rf2 instead (as the engine suggests)?  If so, what would be the strategy to continue?  Or, should I have played something else (at that point, or earlier)?

https://www.chess.com/game/live/147265436658?move=18

Replies

Instead of Qe1 here, you could have played h3-Bxf3-Qxf3-Nd4-Qf2 - with a little better position.

While Black isn't yet castled, the sacrifice on c2 doesn't work :-)

Countering the Black Lion

At least two of my regular opponents play the Black Lion. I like the idea of the Bf4 line against the Pirc, as in the course, but if starting with 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 then what to do against 3…e5, or 3…Nbd7 followed by 4…e5?

Alternatively, if playing the Grand Prix attack, what to do against 1.e4 d6 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5? (I think this is a recommended line for black in some Black Lion course.)

Replies

Hey, Konrad

Here you go this is all the lines for grand prix attack with commented plans -

1. e4 d6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. f4 d5 4. e5 Ne4 (4... d4 5. Nce2 Nd5 (5... d3 6. exf6
dxe2 7. Qxe2 gxf6 {opponent's pawns are ruined but play with g3-bg2 and c3-d4})
(5... Nfd7 6. e6 fxe6 7. Nxd4 {setup is obvious}) 6. Nxd4 Nxf4 7. Nb3 {your plan
would be d4 - bd3 - nf3 - O-O (doesnt have to be in order but this is the
setup.}) 5. Nce2 {If you have the opportunity you can trap the opponents knight
if not play with c3-d4} *

Daily Puzzle didn't increase MoodCoins.

Hi there.

Last night, when I entered the site, I received another puzzle. I did it but, when I logged into my account, it changed and I was awarded. 

Today, I didn't get any rewards by completing the Daily Quiz (because it was the same one).

Thank you for your support.

Replies

Hi Batistuta!

It sounds like this might be a time zone issue. Since our server runs on a specific time (UTC), it is possible that when you solved the puzzle 'last night', the new server day had already started. So, you effectively claimed 'today's' reward yesterday.

To confirm this, could you please let me know:

• What is your Time Zone?
• Approximately what time (your local time) did you solve the puzzle last night?

Once I have that, I can check the logs!

Anti-Sicilian with 2.Nc3 d6

Hello,

I have a question how to play Anti-Sicilian with 2.Nc3 d6 when opponent plays 7…Bg4 (opponent isn not going to castle on move 7) and what are the plans here after for white?

Thank you

Tomi

Replies

please provide more details i dont understand

Frustrated with chess?

Hello, 

I know occasionally one gets frustrated with chess. I played an over-the-board tournament in September and got 2nd place only losing to a master. I defeated an expert-2000, 1789, and 1650 rated players. Then in October I drew an 900 rated player and lost to a 1450 player. So I got frustrated. I played again in November and in 5 rounds only defeated a 1749 rated player, losing 4 games to rated players ranging from 1768,1779, 1689, 1850. Now I am really frustrated. 

I reviewed all the games and found I made some really simple and stupid mistakes. So I did not play in December but worked the tournament. Now I want to play in a Senior Open in January and want to prepare. 

So I am asking Coach Gabu and you all what to do to prepare? Should I work on my tactics with Tactics Ninja or focus on something else in Chessmood because I have 2 weeks off-from now until after the new year. The tournament is January 18-19. Just FYI-I am 1600 OTB, 1800 on Chess.com and over 2000 on lichess. Any advice would be appreciated. 

Replies

Dear Henry,

Up and downs happen to everyone in chess, and the right process is to detach from the results and focus on learning from mistakes.

About the prep, this article can really help https://chessmood.com/blog/the-right-way-to-prepare-for-a-chess-tournament

The Tricky Schlechter Variation Against The French Defense - 9.Bb4

In the video https://chessmood.com/course/french-defence/episode/137 , coach Avetik mentions about covering 10. Bd7 and 10. Qa5 in the advanced sections. However, I do not see a video in the advanced section covering those moves. Can anyone help?

Replies

It's not covered yet - but I have checked with the engine and here are the ideas.

If 10…Qa5 11.a3 - Black has many moves there, but always White had decent practical chances. There are too many possible moves - so I didn't mention all of them - my advise check a3 deeper.

If 10…Bd7 11.Qd4 Nxf3+ 12. gxf3 - and White is slightly better. Again opponent has too many moves, but White's position is more attractive.

Games Review and bonus 1 - 1 call for new PRO members

Hello Chessmood Family!😀

I have joined Chessmood recently as a PRO member and am really grateful to Avetik, Gabuzyan and Co. for helping me improve my chess! I've only watched a few courses and the improvement in my rating has already displayed the ideas I have learnt from Chessmood.

That is why I am about to take the 1 - 1 call with a Grandmaster, in the hope that it will help me progress with my chess even further. For this, I felt like it would be a great idea if I send the Grandmaster I am taking the call with some of my games I have played recently, so they can help me figure out where I am going wrong and can help me forward from there.

Since the call is 30 minutes, I felt it would be a waste of time to put the games on the board during the class, when if I can send them earlier, there will be more time left for me learning how to boost my chess improvement!

I would be really grateful if I could send my games to the Grandmaster before the call, so they can have a quick look at it before and there will be more time left to get on the bit where I will be taught how I can improve!

I know that this is asking a request that may be hard to fulfil, especially with the team working on spectacular courses for the benefit of every Chessmood user, but I will be ever so thankful if you could do this to help a young boy really grasp his skills on his passion.

Once again, I am really thankful to the Chessmood team for giving such insightful ways to improve specific areas of your chess and it would really mean a lot to me that a Grandmaster spent their time in analysing a bit of my chess and giving me ways to improve. If this is possible, can someone please tell me where to submit my games before the actual call?

Many thanks,

Guranshvir

Replies

Hi Pawn, 

Thanks for the reply!

However, a few of the games I want to analyse are in my recent OTB tournaments

Thanks

Guranshvir😀

I guess you can include a link to lichess study with the games and post it with your chess.com/lichess.org accounts.

Hey there,

Please create a study in the lichess, and provide the link in the survey so I can take a look :-)

Thanks for your kind words :-)

Chessmood Success

Hello Chessmoodians,

I joined ChessMoood in May of this year and have been working away at the under 2000 courses since then almost daily, although I did take a 1.5 month hiatus.  This weekend I played my fourth tournament and only my first since starting my studies here.  Going in with a 1468 provisional rating, I managed to win 5 of 5 games in the U1600 section, using ChessMood openings and strategies.  There were two Sicilian Grand Prix Attacks, two Exchange French Attacks and even a McCutcheon Gambit.  I dedicate the win to Avo and Gabu and everyone else that makes this place so great.

Here are my 3rd round McCutcheon Gambit https://www.chess.com/a/2pw4fXb42FJ9c/analysis

And my final round French Attack

https://www.chess.com/a/xPoM7Bb42FJ9c/analysis

In case you would enjoy seeing the fruits of our labour.

I was also telling inquiring minds about ChessMood.

Thanks so much!

Replies

Congratulations on your victory!!!!!

Question

First thanks very very much to you and to beautiful courses I have a little question 
I'm a 2200 rapid chess.com if I finish all of courses and master 2 opening white and c5 with black and the all of responds an solving tactics daily. Will I reach the basement, Candidate master?

Replies

No

if you focus and get the most out of the courses then yes

You could, however, it depends on how you use the program. Since you are at 2200, you most likely will find fundamentals and it may help you earn 100 points and may help you in the future in games. Hope this answers your question!

Hi Anas, I think the way we can improve the most is not to think about what title we reach - I used to have this mindset but chessmood changed it to how much knowledge you have about the game. The more knowledge the higher rating. I stared chessmood as 2000:chess.com but reached 2300 in 3 months.

How can I improve my rating is 1500

Hello coach 

I am 1500 rated player of chess com but I am keep blundering and lose matches I also watch your lessons but there is no change can you help me?

Replies

Hello, Lol Lmao

I would suggest you follow the study plan and watch the courses with lots of attention and dont forgot the 3 rules to underatnd everything study (watch course with 107% attention) -  practice (play lots of games to digest what you learnt) fix (in the games check your mistake and fix it) I used this exact method and went from 2000 to 2300 rapid on chess.com 

Sincerely, Pawn

essential or pro

Hi, my son is 9 year old. He is hovering around 1400 in rapid on lichess. He spends couple of hours learning chess every day . I am struggling to decide if we should go for essential or pro.  Essential  festive price is 648 USD and pro is 888. almost 250 usd difference. We are on tight budget so it matters. does pro addons that are not available in essentials worth it. is pro suitable for someone who is 9 year old. Thank you in advance for your answers

Replies

Hello, Nikhil

It depends whether your kid is serious about chess and how much time he is putting in each day I would suggest you check this out. it will help in making the decision - https://chessmood.com/chess-study-plans/for-advanced-players

 This is the study guide for going from 1500-2000 which doesn’t talk about any features or extra things you get with pro so the features won’t really matter. The only difference is that you get events. where you can get better understanding of openings. But honestly for that there are two courses called white mood and black mood model games which is closed to 26 hours combined. So at this rating I would pick essential. But if your son is spending more than 4-5 hours I would suggest pro membership. Another problem is you said you live in India and the events are usually held at 8 or 10 (America/New_York) So this is late in evening in India(I’m pretty sure) so need to consider if you can join this. With the information you provides I would say essential but you still need to take into consideration these factors and decide.

Sincerely , Pawn

Veresov-what is our plan?

hello-I have looked at the Blackmood course and unless I am blind, I cannot see anything against the Versov. I played an OTB game against a 2000 rated player a few weeks ago and I was not sure of the plans so had to work it out. My game is below, it ended in a draw but I am still not sure I played the best line, or more importantly, the line that you (Chessmood GMs) would suggest.

Could you add it to the course?

thanks Paul

[Event "Black Dutch Course: Veresov Game OTB"]
[Date "2025.12.13"]
[Result "*"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A40"]
[Opening "Horwitz Defense"]
[StudyName "Black Dutch Course"]
[ChapterName "Veresov Game OTB"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/78HRUt8s/YQyDGntl"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/SenanandKyle"]
[UTCDate "2025.12.13"]
[UTCTime "09:45:50"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 d5 4. e3 h6 5. Bh4 c5 6. Nf3 b6 7. Ne5 Be7 8. Bb5+ Bd7 9. Bxd7+ Nfxd7 10. Bxe7 Qxe7 11. Nb5 Nxe5 12. dxe5 O-O 13. O-O Nc6 *

Replies

I Know ..b6 was wrong by the way. my idea was .. Ba6 and trade bishops but it didn’t work out. 

Seems like there is a video On that.

https://chessmood.com/course/blackmood-openings/episode/4398

Maybe I should have gone 3..Bb4 as per below analysis?

I'll try this line next time.

[Event "Kyle Dutch Attack: Chapter 7Veresov 3 Bg5"]
[Date "2025.12.14"]
[Result "*"]
[Variant "Standard"]
[ECO "A40"]
[Opening "Horwitz Defense"]
[StudyName "Kyle Dutch Attack"]
[ChapterName "Chapter 7Veresov 3 Bg5"]
[ChapterURL "https://lichess.org/study/FvcZ1b6F/eVpiUuNC"]
[Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/WARNALDO"]
[UTCDate "2025.12.14"]
[UTCTime "11:54:13"]

1. d4 e6 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 Bb4 4. e4 h6 5. Bxf6 (5. Bh4 g5 6. Bg3 Nxe4) 5... Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 Qxf6 7. Nf3 b6 8. Bd3 Bb7 (8... Ba6 9. c4) 9. O-O d6 *

i should have been clear- I am enquiring what is the plan against 3 Bg5? (which is not in the course).
 

hope this clarifies my question.

Thanks 

We might have re-recorded some of the d4 sidelines in the future, but at this exact moment, the Veresov is not yet covered.
If you take a look at the image, I added the beginning moves, which I think are super solid for Black, as well as one of the top lines for the engine.

In the given position, Black is going to 0-0. Play with c5 and maybe b6. Since White's Knight is on c3, they are not able to use the c pawn for the fight in the center, and that's why Black's position is absolutely great.

Scandinavian 9. Nf4

After e4 d5 exd5 Nf6 Bb5+ Bd7 Bc4 b5 Bb3 a5 a4 b4?! Nf3 Bf5 Qe2 Nxd5 Nd4, in the course I believe it is said that White wins a piece. However, there is an interesting move Nf4 after Nd4. I was wondering if anyone could give me a good line after Nf4, as I cannot find a continuation that wins a piece for White.

Replies

Hey there!

Interesting question :-)

After Nf4, we play Qc4! 
The thing is now if Nxg2+ than Kf1 and Knight and f7 are hanging at the same time.

If after Qc4 - e6 - than Nxf5 wins.
If Be6 - Nxe6 leads to a big advantage due to a powerful light-squared bishop.
If Bg6 - engin move Nf3 - attacking the Knight on f4.

Overall, this Qc4 is a crazy engine position, and there might be some other moves ( I tried to mention the most visible ones) - you can try to check a bit more with the engine. I can clearly say Qc4 is the move leading to the advantage :-)

Openings

 in blackmood openings simplified in section French attack vs Nd2 you did not mention how to play against E4 E6 D4 D5 Nd2 Nc6 Bb5 De4 Bc6+ how to play against it please explain.

Replies

There are many good moves.

Ba6
Nf6
Qd5

Black is already slightly better due to the pair of Bishops.
The pawns are doubled on the c file - but very likely Black will get a chance to play with c5 and trade the weak pawn.

Is it ever too late?

Hi I'm new here , I have a question about age. Is age an obstacle in getting better at chess, lets say a player is a 2000 rated player. is it posibble to reach 2200+ for example. 

Please write your thoughts . 

Replies

Starting early with clever supervision can certainly make wonders. The earlier you start, the later you are likely to hit your first major plateau(which means that you are more lilkely to reach ,say, 1800 chesscom rapid rating without much struggle). However, even if you start playing chess later on in life, reaching 2200 is certainly, with a right mixture of talent, hard work and time, an attainable task.

Yes definitely. Why say no

Hello, before I started chessmood I was 2000 ELO but after 2 months I reached 2300 just from chessmood opening.