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Chess forum by Grandmasters

Inspiration: A 10 year old can beat a grandmaster

We have quite a few young players here, so just because you're young it doesn't mean you can't beat grandmasters.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-57187522

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Daily Puzzle

Can anyone provide hints on yesterday's puzzle?  It's marked on the site as 5/20.   Thanks.  

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White is able to trap the black queen after its promotion.

Is Benko Playable in long time controls?

Hello Chessmood people!

    In about 3 weeks, I have my first FIDE rated tournament!(I am 1950 uscf).  The time control of which is like 2.5+ hours with delay, sudden death, etc.  I am wondering if the Benko is still a good opening to use in such time controls.  I am thinking about just using the KID but I'd like some second opinions.  What do you guys think?

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I've played it against 2000+ in 45 15

Imo as guys said, definitely playable, just not as the main weapon in every game. Also from my practice I found that against well prepared FM and above it's rather risky as they check lines from modern books and material quite well if they expect benko from you. Please prove me wrong, as I really like the concept of benko gambit :D

Here is GM Gabuzyan playing it in the Armenian Championships. Pretty high level.

https://www.chessbomb.com/arena/2021-armenian-championship-highest-league/05-Gharibyan_Mamikon-Gabuzyan_Hovhannes

Have played it a couple of times with good success in longer time controls. Definitely playable.

Hello Brody,

I have recently played Benko in my national superfinals, probably the most important for me tournament during the year) 

As well my opponent was 2450 fide. Playing Benko at bit lower elo-rated levels up to my opinion can work out perfectly. Just beside the theory watch the model games in order after the opening to be able to outplay your opponent!

The most troublesome variations for me in benko are:

A. 4.cxb5 with 5.e3 - face this more and more, good anti-benko for white imo, as black either has to go 5..e6 with unclear compensation after 6.Nc3 cxd5 7.Nxd5 Bb7 8.Nxf6 Qxf6 - source Goganov modern db or play 5...g6 ignoring the pawn on b5 for the moment, but white gets slight edge there with later a4 imo.

B. mainline with g3, Kf1-g2 and a4-Qe2-Nb5 idea. In the course it's suggested Qb6 with Na6-c7 plan, but I always get bad positions there, fighting for a draw at best. Probably doing smth wrong there.

C. the dreaded fianchetto, in most books 'refution' of benko. I like the plan of Qa5-Bb7-Qa7-Ba6 as suggested, but still white gets annoying grip and my compensation is nowhere to be seen

That's just me, probably need to study more model games, as clearly I'm doing smth wrong in these lines. But this is on long time controls, in rapid benko is fine imo.  

Today's puzzle 5/19/21

I usually have an idea how to solve the puzzle, but today's puzzle was impossible to solve.

Position: white Pa2, Pe2, Nc1, Rh1, Ke1  Black: Pb2, Pb6 Kd5 (white to play)

I tried my first idea which was Rh5+, then I tried Kd1, then I tried a couple of other moves and still couldn't find the solution! I usually find the solution even if I don't get it right the first time.

Would you mind posting the solution? I would really love to see it!

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I do not want to spoil the fun solving it for the others - but here is a hint: Did you consider that the rook and the king have not moved yet? And even if Black gets a new queen, she does not have many squares ...

Played grand-prix OTB game, question in 2..Nc6, 3..Nd4 - Nxb5 line

Hi guys,

This weekend I'm playing 4 OTB games in Lithuanian chess league and one game I had was grand prix, specially prepared from the course. Opponent played interesting line not covered in the videos I think. Imo after the opening it was about equal, though later I managed to win. The question is what is the best setup, plan for white starting move 9.

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Hi Paulius

Didn't you just play the opening very well? :)

(used the weakness on d6)

Hey Paulius,

In this position I do like the Bg5 move, so if f6 bishop goes back to e3. I have a feeling will be easier to play for white.

1.b3!?-looking for some opinions

Hello, I am 1950 rated and in need of a good suprise weapon, and the first thing I am considering is 1.b3.  Do you guys have any opinions on this?

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Well, if you ask us, we will tell you to surprise your opponent with 1.e4! and then follow the path that we prepared for you... Bent Larsen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bent_Larsen  used to play 1.b3!? with very good results, maybe due to the fact that he was Bent Larsen and not because of the opening... That said Wesley So also played many good games with b3, but again he is Wesley So and can win against anyone blindly. I would check some of their games if you want to play b3, which yes it can be a big surprise. 

1.b3 is only a surprise if your opponent is expecting 1.e4! (or 1.d4, or other first move) But when you are better prepared for your opening then your opponent, you dont need a surprise! 

1. e4! and make your opponent suffer your ChessMood preperation!

But have a look at game 56 in commented classical games... and see what happened when he played against Spassky ;)

Hi Brody, why not go for 1. Nc3 - playing a kind of reversed Nimzowitsch. Since there is a course on the Nimzowitsch Defense (for playing against it), you can get some ideas from there. And depending of what you like playing you might transpose to a more regular opening since Nc3 is often included.

I have played the London in 15+ tournament games, but the problem is that at the 2000-2100 level people know what to do against it.

@Brody Bauml

How would you define 'Surprise Weapon'? I only ask because it is a very popular phrase which is commonly used but often the application is not fully understood.

I thought if you haven't tried it in practice, you don't take it to a tournament. Surely, my perspective is different.

Hey Brody,

I have tried a couple of b3 moves on my own. Wouldn't say something special, just you can try it if you feel positions well. Not telling you because we are in ChessMood, but I believe if you learn our lines well it would be much more surprising for the opponents)

Good luck!

Endgame Studies

Hi guys do you have any suggestion about which endgame study book to choose. My level is around 1400 FIDE and online 2300. I tried kasparian but issue is that author is not giving full analysis so it sometimes confuse like why my move was not played so any suggestions about other best endgame studies book which is based on themes like kasparian/?

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van der hejiden endgame studies database would be useful.

I would suggest Practical chess endings by Kerres.. not exactly what you are asking for, but there are many interesting studies analyzed in this book. Especially queen and rook endings for intermediate players. I also found winning chess endings by Seirawan interesting. I assume that at 1400 fide you only know the basics... most players at this level don't know Luccena, Ventura and Phillidor positions.

Hi Abhi, you should read Mark Dvoretsky "Endgame Manual"

I am currently studying 100 Engames you should know and I find it quite useful. It's about certain position that could help you save or win some points.

Next on my list is Shereshevsky Endgame Strategy. This book is more like how to play the endgames.

And abosulutely the best resource on youtube on how to play the endgames is Endgame Sensei from ChessDojo and some other videos of the US Chess School on the same youtube channel.

I think you all are confused guys. Endgame studies is different from learning theoretical endgames. I do know about theoretical endgame sources but endgame study means endgame compositions.

French Bd3 -- early Nf6 line

Hi -- I get this a lot and have a 100% record so no complaints !! But a pause for thought after a recent game that went like this .

e4 e6: d4 d5 : Bd3 Nf6 : e5 Nfd7 : c3 c5: Ne2 Nc6 : a3 Qb6 : b4 !? c/d4 : c/d Nxd4 : Bd3 ( that got ya moment !!)  Bxb4 + ( err !) : a/b Qxb4 + : Nd2 Nxe2 : Qxe2 Nxe5.

So Black gets 4 pawns for the piece but a development lag. Unless I missed something  key ?


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This is what I believe about this line. I already faced it 7 or 8 times and after different moves orders tries I truly think the following:

After ...Qxb4, I prefer 12. Qd2 (12.Nc3  is also possible but objectively weaker).

The common approach is to exchange Queens, but if 12...Nc6, then f4 protecting the pawn, 13.f4 0-0 and 14.Nbc3 with a good position.

Following the 12.Qd2 Qxd2 main line I would say, then we recapture with the knight, 13. Nxd2.

Now if the knight goes back with 13...Nc6 again the previous move f4 protecting the e5 pawn and the game can follow 14...O-O  15.O-O  b6  16.Rfc1  Bb7  17.Nd4ˆ’  with the idea Nb5-d6. The extra minor piece gives White a decisive advantage.


If ...Nxe2 then we can recapture with the king and also with the bishop. You should try both in your games, I slightly prefer keeping the bishop pair after watching Gabuzyan's course on the Bishop Pair. When capturing with the king you will attack on a7 with the bishop and the rook. Here our h rook should go also to the queen side fast in order to attack and the king is closer to the center.

But as I said I like Bxe2 better keeping the bishop pair. The game can go like 14.Bxe2 if b6 (protecting a7)  is strongly met by  15.Bb5  threatening Bxb6  15...O-O  16.Bc6  Rb8  17.f4  Protecting the e5 pawn.  17...a5  18.O-O+ˆ’  Rfb1 is coming next with a decisive advantage.

When after 14.Bxb2 Black plays Nxe5  White should now grab the a7 pawn with 15.Rxa7 Rxa7 16.Bxa7 Bd7 and we retreat to Bd4  centralizing the bishop and hitting the knight.
I have some more moves in my analysis: 17.Bd4 f6 18.f4 Nc6 19.Bc5 Kf7 20.Kf2 Then Nf3 to take control over the e5 square and Rb1 to attack the b7 pawn are coming next. White's extra piece will soon be felt.

I hope this helps and you win all the games with these lines. Good luck and may the force be with you!!



NEW ARTICLE: Growth Hacking in Chess|+300 Points in 6 Months

Hey Champions!

We have this topic in our Blog.
https://chessmood.com/blog/growth-hacking-in-chess-300-rating-points-in-six-month
If you have any questions, comments or you just liked it, feel free to share your thoughts here. 

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Nice video and super educational. Loved it and made me more motivated. Thanks. Going to read blog now.

Nice article & interview. Great testimony by Kevin. Btw, are there any members who are, like me, stuck at around 2000 level?   

Can I have Your photo? I am going to stick it up my whiteboard! You are my idol!;)

Really excellent article !! for every serious chess player.It give practical advice for improvement.

NEW ARTICLE: If You Want to Achieve More, You Need to Deserve More

Hey Champions!

We have this topic in our Blog: 

https://chessmood.com/blog/if-you-want-to-achieve-more-you-need-to-deserve-more

If you have any questions, comments or you just liked it, feel free to share your thoughts here.

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You make your own luck.

You can't control events that happen, but you can put yourself in a position where you can take advantage of opportunities and prevent threats from causing you problems (or even turning them into opportunities). To do this you have to prepare (and discover the right way and put in the effort, time and money), and before everyone else does the same thing which happens as the opportunity appears - you are ahead of the curve.

This is true for chess tournament preparation as it is for making money.

BOLD ACTIONS, eh?

PS 'Yu Yangyi' is misspelt.

After watching "crush the philidor defense by GM Avetik

I Decided to play a kinda set out in an online friendly tournament.  in this game my opponent didn't play the usual mainline but it'd transpose to kind of philidor set-up for me and I think I countered it well... 


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Hi Henry, could you please make your post readable. Either post a link to the game or add pgn attachment.

Dear Henry, I edited your post and added the pgn of the game. Next time please add directly the pgn file to the post by pressing the button "Add New File" when you are editing your post, this way everyone can go trough the moves easily.

Grand Prix 2...d6 lines - Giri's Chessable course on the Sicilian

Guys, Giri is suggesting a very good line against our Grand Prix repertoire 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 d6 3. f4 Nc6 4.Nf3 g6  5.Bc4 Bg7 6.0-0 e6 7.d4 cxd4 8.Nb5 a6 9.Nbxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4 Nf6 11.f5 gxf5 12.exf5 e5

Even after playing around with a strong chess engine, I can find nothing better than equality.  Any ideas?

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This was discussed here: https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/anti-sicilian-2282 

Great - many thanks. I agree GM Gabuzyan’s comment but now it is in Giri’s course it will get a bit less rare!

NEW ARTICLE: A Complete Guide to Crush the Colorado Gambit

Hey Champions!
We have this topic in our blog: 

https://chessmood.com/blog/complete-guide-to-crush-colorado-gambit

If you have any questions, comments or you just liked it, feel free to share your thoughts here.

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Good work, I'll take a look shortly.

Again the question is what happens if the opponent plays f5 on the first move (The Fred), but then doesn't transpose with Nc6 Nf3?

I know there was some reluctance to record a course on that specifically, but maybe it should be covered in a sub-section, or at least some guidance on how to tackle it as many of the sane positions / ideas will be similar I guess.

And is it nothing to worry about - unfortunately it can be dangerous in blitz -  here is GM Gabuzyan losing to a 2266 (although a blunder): https://lichess.org/GuEGM9YQ

In the video course final annotated game you skip the final moves of the game.

Early 6.Nb3 in accelerated Dragon.

Dear GM Avetik,

I just played a Classical game with black that went 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Nb3

I don't think this early move is covered so early in the course. The game went 6...Nf6 7.Be2 0-0 8.0-0 d6 9.Re1 Be6 10.Bf1 Rc8 11.Bg5.

What do you suggest against 6.Nb3. And if what I played is correct how should we tackle 11.Bg5?

thanks,

Duncan

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Hi Duncan,

I think 6.Be3 is the critical move. 6.Nb3 does not seem too disturbing. I think 6...d6 7...Nf6 and 8...0-0 and black is fine. Why does 11.Bg5 bothers you?

Anyway, let's see what GM Avetik proposes

Duncan, after 6.Nb3 Bc3 is very interesting. 
7.bc Nf6 8.Bd3 0-0 9. 0-0 9...Qc7!? or 9...b6 rare moves. 
The positions are very interesting. 

More you'll found in the upcoming re-recorded course Acc. Dragon. 

Question playing Sicilian

I can't seem to find it, but is this covered in our videos? Sorry if this has been asked before! 

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nxc6 bxc6 6. Qd4 Nf6 7. e5 Nd5 and then white either plays c4, Nc3, e6 it seems like.  

-Matt

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Hi Matt

Here you can find some information

https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/sicilian-defence-accelerated-dragon

Gabuzyan vs Naroditsky and Jorden van Foreest.

IMPRESSIVE stream today in TWICH with Gabuzyan beating these 2 very STRONG GMS, while talking, explaining and trying new things!!! WTF!!!

Check it out from the min 01:06:44

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1020936021

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Great work Gabuzyan! :-)

Doubts and Clarifications

How do we know where to develop our knights in english opening whether Nf6 or Ne7.. Becoz GM Gabuzyan says its wrong to play Nf6 but the same arises when we play dragon opening.. Pls help me.. And there r some correction for English Opening Course... Also could u suggest me a move order if there is a delay in development of the bishop for thr tromposky

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i think you are pro member. so for better answer post the question in pro member channel

Best way to prepare for a tournament within a short period

Pls I'm preparing for a tournament in 4 days time and I'm not pretty strong.. which of your chessmood courses will you prescribe for me ? 
Pls ???? it's urgent I need to win this tournament..
Thanks... 

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    Hmmm... with four days I would probably recommend the 1.e4 starter course as it is quick, to-the point, and free(!).  Of course, this also would depend on where your repertoire is now,  are you well-versed in 1.e4?, do you feel confident in your understanding of the Sicilian?  In my opinion, four days would be just enough time to rewire your repertoire.  This being said, It very much matters on the circumstances of the tournament; is it a 2 hour game or rapid time control?  what is your rating? do you have lots of time to study? there are a lot of variables.  As it turns out, I am in a similar situation, I have three weeks to prepare for my first FIDE tournament ( I am 1930 or so USCF) and I am undergoing some repertoire changes.  In conclusion, lots of variables come into play but I think 4 days should be, with the right mood, enough time to get the job done.

  Looking forward to your reply, BK

4 days and low (sub 1500?) rating. Forget repertoire, or at least anything significantly new in that area.

Make sure you learn basic pawn endings, basic rook endings, practise check mating patterns, tactics, the openings you know: check you can still get to a middlegame in the main lines (i.e. avoid the traps) and have some idea of what to do (a few model games).

That's probably it. You'll win games based on outplaying and at the level you are describing, it'll be tactical and following the basics to get a good position will give you a chance. Where you lose it'll be more likely a trap or missing tactics.

Chessmood repertoire takes months to work through properly even if you are full time.

Doubts in Jobava line for black 7.Qd2!? lecture 36

Hello,

Wondered how to play against Jobava for black as I sometimes try it as white and really have my doubts about this line, imo it's just better for white. Can GMs prove me wrong? :)

EDIT: seems, this has been asked in other thread already, my bad 

https://chessmood.com/forum/pro-members/london-system-5h4-h5-6nf3-bg4-7qd2

but still need confirmation what is the best plan for black, maybe advanced video explaining it should be made?


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Hi Paulius

Avetik had this position before, and the below game was played

[White "bangchess21"][Black "Avetik_ChessMood"][Result "0-1"][WhiteElo "2710"][BlackElo "2804"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. h4 h5 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Qd2 Bxf3 8. gxf3 e6 9. e4 c6 10. Bg5 Qa5 11. O-O-O Nbd7 12. Kb1 b5 13. Nxd5 Qxd2 14. Nxf6+ Bxf6 15. Rxd2 Bxg5 16. hxg5 f6 17. gxf6 Nxf6 18. Bh3 Ke7 19. c4 b4 20. Rg1 Rhg8 21. d5 cxd5 22. exd5 exd5 23. Re1+ Kf8 24. cxd5 Rd8 25. d6 Rg7 26. Re6 Ne8 27. Rd4 a5 28. Rf4+ Rf7 29. Rd4 Rxf3 30. d7 Ng7 31. Rc6 Rxh3 32. Rc8 Ne6 33. Re4 Kf7 34. Rxe6 Rxd7 35. Rcc6 Rd2 36. Rf6+ Ke7 37. Rxg6 Rh1+ 38. Rc1 Rxc1+ 39. Kxc1 Rxf2 40. Rg5 h4 41. Rh5 Rh2 42. Rxa5 Kf6 43. Rb5 h3 44. Rxb4 Rg2 45. Rh4 h2 46. a4 Ke5 47. a5 Kd5 48. b4 Rg1+ 49. Kb2 h1=Q 50. Rxh1 Rxh1 51. Kb3 Kc6 52. Kc4 Rh4+ 53. Kc3 Kb5 54. a6 Kxa6 55. Kb3 Kb5 56. Kc3 Rc4+ 57. Kd3 Kxb4 58. Ke3 Kc5 59. Kd3 Kd5 60. Ke2 Rd4 61. Ke3 Ke5 62. Kf3 Re4 63. Kf2 Kf4 64. Kg2 Re2+ 65. Kf1 Kf3 66. Kg1 Re1+ 67. Kh2 Rd1 68. Kh3 Rh1# {Avetik_ChessMood won by checkmate} 0-1

Hope this helps!

@Paulius_Juknis

Hi Paulius,

I share your reservations about this line and the theory is still developing, but when last I checked my files I concluded that Black's best piece placement was to put the Knight on c6 and regroup it to e7 if necessary, this seems the most harmonious and reliable setup to me if you choose to enter this 5...h5, 6...Bg4 line as Black. Let me know what you think: 

NEW ARTICLE: How to Inspire Your Chess Student

Hey Champions!
We have this topic in our blog: 

https://chessmood.com/blog/how-to-inspire-your-chess-student

If you have any questions, comments or you just liked it, feel free to share your thoughts here.

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A very good article again coach & congratulations to you and your student Prin.

As you say, this does not work for everyone and certainly not for me, as from my experience here, I know I get little support for beating much higher rated opponents than myself (which I have done quite a few times) on this site.

At first, this demotivated me (natural I think), but I decided to rise to the challenge and try & make it motivate & inspire me and now I am working on that! Let us see where that gets me and then we can discuss the neuroscience of it later! Right Mood, Right Move COGRO! 

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