My Best SLP!!

https://lichess.org/Eu731bOT/white#97

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Lol

Nice one!

https://lichess.org/dOUKEjmb/black#50

Wow, Nice game!!

Not good, but fighting spirit in slp mode: https://lichess.org/NMJ2sV8W/white

Suggestio - puzzles

Suggestion for puzzles: if you make incorrect move do not automatically move to the next puzzle, instead allow to retry. I bet that 95% of users anyway return to the incorrect puzzle and try to solve it.

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We do this on purpose Ink. The reason is to avoid creating the mentality of try and fail and try again. In a chess game, this does not exist!

You only move when you are 100% sure of your move, there is plenty of time. 

If you fail, just go at it another day, or at the end of the puzzles. You are alone with the puzzles, but the try and fail approach is the worst thing that one can do when solving tactics.

Try to develop this mentality of being a 100% sure, when you solve a problem correctly you know it, you can feel it… 
Keep up this good feeling!😄

Issues with chess.com playing platform

Hey ChessMood family, 

I've been observing something for months now, and now I can kind of confirm this hypothesis of mine. 

Below a certain elo on chess.com, it seems not worth playing because almost 50% of the players are using cheats ‘on-and-off’. From my experimentation on new account on chess.com (as a ~1500 elo blitz player), I actually frequently drop games to 700-900 elo players as they play just as good as 1500-1700 elo, or better, but they also play in a weird way that doesn't have a ‘human touch’. When you look at these players' profiles, they have like thousands of games with 50% win rate, but the game I experienced from them definitely does not reflect that. I would report these games I feel were off, and to my surprise, few days later, I would keep getting messages from chess.com that these accounts have been closed and my points have been returned. 

I went back on lichess to play (1900 elo 3+2 blitz) and the games were actually easier and felt like a human player was playing the moves. 

Anyways, I know GM Avetik recommends to play on lichess to begin with, but I liked CC because all the streamers played on it, but I think unless you're also 2200+ elo blitz on CC, probably better to stick to lichess for a less frustrating playing experience. 

Anyone else experienced anything similar? 

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Here's an example of what made me finally realize the severity of the situation. This game here, white's best move was to sac his rook to avoid Rh1#. A 900 elo player did so in 3 seconds (pretty consistent with almost all his moves in the game). Heck, I'm 1500 and I wouldn't have sac my rook that quickly, and so confidently. 
 

Improvement suggestions.

Hello guys 

My Name is Vedant
I am from India
I am 13 years old
I have a FIDE rating of 1814 (a bit stuck after my massive +272 in one tmt)
Lichess rating of 2350(present) and 2417(Peak) as I fluctuate a lot these days. the reason is I play online blitz like 3+2 for fun
Joined as a Pro Member in June 2023

Openings: My White openings are interesting. Most of them are Chessmood recommended 
With Black, I play Chessmood lines except d4 where I play KID

Strength: I can grind equal endgames and I like playing with imbalance. My calculation is good for my level 

Weakness: In a position with no imbalance I usually go to create imbalances and more often than not it is wrong. I often miss my opponent's resources which leads to me creating a bad plan (as seen in the first game when I missed g3!). 

Psychology: In tournaments whenever I lose a crucial round I lose my motivation for the next rounds which result in the whole tmt being ruined and I often get overexcited while am winning in the game

Time management: It is pretty ok, I usually have a 5-10 min advantage on the clock or at worst I am down 5-10 mins on the clock than my opponent
What I am working on: I am also working on this book by Dvoretsky, recognising my opponent's resources these days to improve my alertness for my rival's ideas
To train my openings I usually play with my training partner. I am also trying to learn some classics from the 100 Strategic Games course

At present,  I have quite some knowledge about classics or Instructive ideas/plans played by the masters

The amount am working: But all this only makes my training up to 3 hrs while I can put more work hours in.

Why I wrote this post: I am just clueless about how I should improve and what resources I should work on

Some of my games so you can get a better idea of how I play

https://chess-results.com/PartieSuche.aspx?art=36&id=5183424

https://chess-results.com/PartieSuche.aspx?art=36&id=5183142

https://chess-results.com/PartieSuche.aspx?art=36&id=4926871

Looking forward to all the suggestions
Vedant

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How and where to practice endgames??

I can often practice my opening and middlegame online, but oftentimes, the games would not go to the endgames, and if it does, my brain would be fried enough because of the middlegame😅😅😅
So any tips?

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Hi Berney, 
On some simple endgames, you can find and practice them with endgame tablebases (lomonosov, nalimov,etc)
for more info about these tablebases, look here: https://www.chess.com/blog/Rocky64/adventures-with-endgame-tablebases 
Alternatively, and what i do is play with sparring partners! You can find them on the forum or request one.

How to find an opening I do not know in the courses?

Hi co-students,
I am training Scotch as White and French/Dutch as Black so far. I am a beginner.

Today I was playing my first tournament and was confronted with the following as white:

1e4 d5 then I played 2 exd5 Nf6.
How could I find this opening in the courses to learn about this response 1 ….d5 more.
Thank you for your feedback.

Joachim

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Hi Joachim,

The 1. e4 d5 opening is the Scandinavian opening.  You can learn more about this in section 7 of the WhiteMood opening course 

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

Tactic Ninja - some more errors

I wrote a few in the comment to a comment from previous post, but it doesn't seem to be read yet, so I'll post 'em all here.

 Skewer - 8. Test, 1st puzzle in quiz. It is unsolvable.

 Discovered Check 5. Training, problem 2, there are actually 3 answers. Seeing as in the videos Avetik focuses on the position rather than strictly on the theme, this needs to be addressed.

Double Attack 4. Training, problem 1. I think the …f5 fork doesn't work if White plays, say, Rgf4.

Double Attack 4. Training, problem 3. If Black replies …Rg5 they are threatening to skewer OUR knight.

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Also Double Attack 4. Training, problem 5. There is no tactic, looks like an error trying from Black's view.

Dear Inguh,😄

Thank you very much for your help. We already took note of your previous posts and it will be fixed when possible. Please do not start new threats with the same problems because it can be confusing. 
In fact, could you please use the dedicated thread for problems issues_
https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-channel/puzzle-fixing
This is the right thread to post technical problems related to puzzles. Then it is easy to keep track of it. Kampsahapnida!
💪

Hi Kim :) 
Thanks for letting us know.

Double Attack 4. Training, problem 1 - anyway we will take on e4

Double Attack 4. Training, problem 3 - Fixed

Double Attack 4. Training, problem 5 - Fixed

Discovered Check 5. yep, the Queen must be on d1, Fixed!

 Skewer - 8. Bxc5 is the solution

Pregame tourney prep

I have to imagine there's an article about this, but I want the public's opinion. What do you do to mentally prepare in the half hour before a chess game? Puzzles? Opening prep? Clear mind of chess altogether? Got a big weekend tourney tomorrow, wish me luck!

-Jake

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😀

Honestly, I try to relax before each game, maybe drink some water… Maybe also do some puzzles to get your mistakes in there, and don't stress too much about it.. Good Luck!

try reading these : 

https://chessmood.com/blog/grandmaster-tips-the-right-way-to-prepare-for-the-chess-game

https://chessmood.com/blog/how-to-win-chess-tournaments-7-key-principles

https://chessmood.com/blog/the-right-way-to-prepare-for-a-chess-tournament

there are some useful tips on preparing for games and also for preparing for the entire tournament

good luck!

Mistake in the France defence for white

Section 1

We got the following position and it was recommended to play, Bg6, which is lost after N:e5. According to the engine, correct move should be Qg6

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How should I spend the money??

Essential

You save $120

$49/mo

$588 / year

Let's go

30-day money-back guarantee

• Access to all 500+ hours of courses and weekly updates (value = $15,000)
• Downloadable PGNs & homework
• Access to all 10,000+ quizzes
• Access to all live training
• Access to all group lessons
• Access to the “Pro members” channel on the forum
• Access to the PRO Members’ community
• Access to “Play vs Grandmaster” events
• 1-1 bonus call with a Grandmaster (Value=$150)
• Deeply personalized study plan

Pro

You save $120

$79/mo

$948 / year

Let's go

30-day money-back guarantee

• Access to all 500+ hours of courses and weekly updates (value = $15,000)
• Downloadable PGNs & homework
• Access to all 10,000+ quizzes
• Access to all live training
• Access to all group lessons
• Access to the “Pro members” channel on the forum
• Access to the PRO Members’ community
• Access to “Play vs Grandmaster” events
• 1-1 bonus call with a Grandmaster (Value=$150)
• Deeply personalized study plan
   

I am considering of bying one of the Pro Members, but it's a bit expensive. Is there anyone that can help me to consider what to bye?

All the best, Kingston.

Replies

Hi there,

Only you know your financial situation and how keen you are to improve your chess skills.  I'm afraid that nobody else can really help you to make this decision.

You could start off with the Essential subscription and see how things go - I'm sure you could upgrade to Pro at a later date if you decided that you wanted to.

Error on Quiz Tactic Ninja 21-Promotion

This puzzle is meant to be played with white, not black.

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Yes! But before Nb7- this is the move to be found.

Doubt in the anti-Sicilian

Hello, I am not a pro member but I have a question about the courses, and it is against the Sicilian defense on the line with d6 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bc4 Nc6 6.d3 Nf6 7.0-0 0-0 8.Qe1 Bg4 9.f5 Bxf3 10.Rxf3 Nd4 11.Rh3 e6 !

Nxc2 but what happens against e6 , I played this position recently in an OTB tournament and in the game I thought it was a bad move because I did not know it but when I got home I saw the position with the engine and it turns out that it is equal ! Please wait for answers and thank you very much for providing such a high quality material, greetings from Cuba.

Replies

Hi,

you will find the answer in this video:

https://chessmood.com/course/sicilian-defence-part-1/episode/758

partner

hello, I am beginer around 900 rapid chess.com.

looking for training partner / scotch game & french defense // chessmood opening course…

Time zone: france

Thanks..

Replies

Hi,

Your best bet is to re-post this message in the dedicated thread for Study/Sparring partners here: https://chessmood.com/forum/main-channel/studysparring-partner-1362

How Often Should I Play Chess Games?

😨

I am trying to get to 2000 FIDE in the end of this year(I am now 1583 Fide), I wanted to practice playing on Lichess. I wanted all your help to suggest how many minutes/hours to play on Lichess and analzing my games.

All the best,Kingston.

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There is no magic formula on how often you have to play ro reach FIDE 2000. This totally depends on how much free time you have per week for chess. But it is important that you not only play, but also study chess (and of course vice versa), there should be a balance between playing and studying. Please see the "Chess Improvement Roadmap for 1,500-2,000 rated players" at https://chessmood.com/chess-study-plans/for-advanced-players

Small quiz bug

🙂

From the excellent “Defend With Honor”, Blockade section, Double Block video course, Avetik's game .

Out of the two quizzes, seems like the first one will not accept the correct answer while the similar second will.

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NEW ARTICLE: Analyzing Blitz Chess Games: Why? And How to Do it!

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What an article! 

Agree completely but not bullet games. As a senior 5+3 is enough :)

Excellent Article !!

Great article.  I've never looked at my blitz games before but I will start now!    

I remember I used to play 3 min on Chesscube, save the instructive ones on Chessbase, analyze them, noting the big mistakes (tactical or strategical), saving the games to my phone, and looking at them from time to time. 

It really helped in winning my next tournament!

Hi, I am wondering How do i go about the Golden Rule and Anlayzing my Blitz Games? Do I play my 9 games an then I do start analyzing them, or do I start doing it as soon as I finish a game? Then What about if I follow the advice of taking a 15 minute break betwewen two 9 rounds? Should I analyze the first 9 games before moving on?

Hi everyone! Excelent article! The concepto of unconcius competence, etc, were very interesting. I'd start using them in my next Blitz analisys! Congrats GM and lets keep all cogrowing!

wow i will start doing it now

🤩

This is awesame! I am going to do it right now!!!!!

When to change from Blackmood to Sicilian??

Hey all, 
Since the Blackmood openings teach french, while the main courses go in-depth on the sicilian (and other stuff), at what level should i change my repetoire?
I'm not too worried about the whitemood stuff, since they are just simplified versions of the main courses (maybe except alekhine)

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In general CM recommends for students below a rating of about 2000 to go through the Simplified ChessMood openings which are the WhiteMood and BlackMood courses (just have a look at the recommended study plans).

But if you are not too far away from this level and you are interested in certain variations of the main courses (e.g. the Sicilian), you certainly can get involved in these main lines a little earlier, at least when you have done the most important basic courses like tactics ninja, mating matador, must-know endgame theory U2000 and other rating booster courses.

Maybe there were another cource after you go c5 and i know some people will play c3, you better analyse that.

All the best, Kingston.

Middle Game and Endgame Training question

hi coach, In an article I read that we have to first study, then Practice and fix. In opening part I understood how to do that but for middlegames and endgames how am I supposed to do it? Should I like setup the position and play against the engine?

Thanks in Advance!

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Hi Pranav, what's your rating online and OTB?😀

Hey Pranav, 

The question is very smart, this is how I would do this.
As you mentioned, if it's in the opening how to check it?
For the middlegame and endgames, you can check the blunders.
As well through different courses you acquire knowledge, imagine you learned an idea with Bishop pair, or about open lines, and after the game, you can try to look at details deeper. 
This is also a part, where having a chess coach can help, as more experienced players will point out your mistakes and provide a solution.

Also, as stronger you get with more and more knowledge as easier it will be to understand the mistakes after the game.

Good luck!

Dear cm family, in this game i miss to find (many times) the rook invading on 8th rank .. https://lichess.org/ayAgSz1M/white

Is there any videos on this matter?

How to fight c5,d6,e5 structure

I've played a notable amount of online games where Black quickly advances pawns to c5 and e5 and assumes a sort of mirrored Stonewall structure. What is the best way to combat this structure, and where are my pieces most happily placed? Let's assume I've already played e4 but am still looking to develop my pieces and decide on a pawn formation. Should I call Black's Bluff and play c3 and d4 anyways? Play c4 myself? Go for b4 or f4? Should I fianchetto my light squared bishop, or where else should it go? I feel the early c5,e5 combo should be positional suspect, but I don't know how to crack it. Of course I have similar questions from the black side, but for the sake of communication we'll say I'm playing White.

Thanks a bunch.   Jake

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Hi Jake,

My visualisation skills aren't brilliant so I set up the position on Lichess assuming 1 e4 c5, 2 Nc3 d6, 3 f4 e5 - is that right?  https://lichess.org/editor/rnbqkbnr/pp3ppp/3p4/2p1p3/4PP2/2N5/PPPP2PP/R1BQKBNR_w_KQkq_-_0_1?color=white

I'd be inclined to go with 4 fxe5.  Yes, we have doubled pawns but they are both in the centre.  Black most likely then 4 dxe5 and we can 5 Nf3 attacking the c5 pawn and continuing our development - we now have 2 pieces developed and black has none.  On the downside I'm always a little concerned when moving the f pawn because of the king's exposure but I think f4 is a suggested move in the WhiteMood course when faced with the Sicilian.

Disclaimer: As you know from the help you've provided on my queries, I'm pretty new to this so take that into account when considering the above! 😉

If you don't provide concrete moves Jake, it's difficult to help. 
Also we are always talking about Chessmood repertoire, if you deal with Open Sicilians, this is out of our scope… 😅

This is not a mirrored Stonewall, the f pawn is still on f7.

This pawn structure could be hard to break with a early direct attack. My suggestion is that you should try to keep your pieces, avoid early exchanges and try to block black's b7-b5 and/or f7-f5 pawn breaks. After you have carefully placed your pieces you can start operations on the center and/or on the flanks.

Also look at the squares you can occupy with a knight: d5 and f5. These should be your target too (e.g. Nbd2-f1-e3).

Another plan could be to push your central pawns: c2-c3 and d2-d4, maybe not too soon in the opening.

And of course a direct attack with f2-f4, but only after you have a firm control on the center, otherwise a pawn break with d6-d5 and/or f7-f5 could be dangerous.

“Positional suspect”, well you should be very careful: black's pawns occupy the center, it's a solid position and a direct attack could backfire. Yet black had to spend some moves to do it while you develop your pieces, so you could start your operations first, when your development is complete.

(one of many) Dream position for white: a knight on d5 and/or f5 against his dark square bishop.

(one of many) Dream position for black: a knight on d4 and/or f4 against your light square bishop.

I suggets you play c3 and d4 no matter what. Because, once your opponent exchanges all, he will be left with a icolated pawn on d6 which you mite consider attacking.

All the best, Kingston

Tactic Ninja 17 Interference

Hi in the Training Level 2 set, puzzle #5: 1.Ne6 fxe6 2.Qh3 Kg8 3.Qh8 Kf7, the final move should be 4.Qh7# ? But this move is marked as incorrect.

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Thanks for informing us! 😁

Hi Alex :) Thanks for letting us know!
Fixed!

Thanks all, sorry I didn't realize earlier I could have posted this in the “Puzzle-Fixing” thread.