Chess forum by Grandmasters

OPENING FOR BLACK

Hi GM AVETIK, can u please tell me our chess mood repertoire against white when he plays d4,nf3,g3,bg2 and 0-0 avoiding c4 and thus avoiding benko

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It's probably going to be 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 c5 from memory this was the course of Mikhalevski vs Avetik (2020) which ended in a quick draw. However there is a Chessable Course by IM Christoph Sielecki (Keep it Simple 1.d4) where he suggests 5.dxc5!? and shows that this move contains more poison than one may think. Since I'm primarily a King's Indian player I have more options against this line, but I've noticed that many players use this move-order intending a double fianchetto setup which has become trendy following Kramnik's successful adoption of it in a few games.

While you are waiting for a ChessMood course covering this side-line I would suggest that you check a database for ideas, find a role model and check his repertoire. Sometimes it is more beneficial to learn how to fish than to  ask for one.

Good luck my friend.

Image Files not Showing in Forum

I would like to bring to the attention of the technical team that uploaded image files such as .jpeg and .png are not showing up in forum posts.

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is it possible to send me one or 2 files which you could not upload in forum ? I have tried several times with 4 different format and they are all working , so trying to see when exactly it breaks .

you can email me  bhabatosh@gmail.com

Doubt and Clarifications Important Message

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Its the Sicilian Dragon I meant. 

Hello Nair,

In English, we go Knight to e7 since we are playing with e5. In Acc dragon we go Knight to f6 as if we move a pawn to e6 the d6 pawn will start hanging. In reality, there is no clear way to decide and each time it depends on the position.

Chessmood for beginners/post-beginners?

Hi,

I'm new to Chessmood, and have picked up chess after a long time away.  I'm rated about 1000 on chess.com (Timmer23) right now, and 1400 provisionally on lichess (tkaufmann60).  I've started playing the London and Pirc, to simplify the openings.  I'm confused about Chessmood, because it seems built for higher rated players.  Am I wrong, or is Chessmood right for someone at my level, as an adult improver?

Thank you,

Tim

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Thank you Wil, for the detailed response.  One question, the starter course for openings only is for white.  What would you suggest to learn for black, as there is no starter course for black?

Much appreciated!

Tim

Is there anything wrong with continuing with the London and Pirc?

Tim

Chessmood is for all who want to improve their game. Best way is to proceed with a few of the courses, try the lines in your online games. Fix the mistakes and slowly you will be able to notice the improvement.

Hello Timothy, I have to say that the openings that chessmood offers are these, with which you can improve faster than by playing any other opening in 1000-2200 rating range. In addition, as london is a system, it does not offer you the required variety of positions in which you must learn to play. To make it clear,  you need to be able to perform good in a wide range of positions if you want to improve really fast. Take the starter course for white, watch it carefully, together with the free videos in Scotch and Antisicilian, and I am sure you will experience a constant growth in your chess. I am here for any questions and glad to provide you with a piece of advice, Giorgos. 

forum image problems# 3

testing images sent by Robert

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Person of the day

Gues who is the person of the day today :)

Somehow the attached image doesn't get posted, Go here:  International Chess Federation (fide.com)

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Yeah that image glitch is happening to me also, I hope it gets resolved soon.

is it possible to send me the one or 2 files which you could not upload in forum ? I have tried several times with 4 different format and they are all working , so trying to see when exactly it breaks .

you can email me  bhabatosh@gmail.com

Possible mistake in Rossolimo course part 31 Qa4 line

Hello,

Not sure if this has been mentioned (did a search in the forum), but been watching Rossolimo course and noticed in part 31 instead of 10..Qb6 as a main reply (which I like best), 10..Nd4 is suggested as well, but it seems like a big mistake. Can you confirm this?

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Nice catch, you are right.

Oops! 
I missed Rd1 :) 
Sorry. 
Will add in the "Fix list" 

Played OTB vs caro against GM, a question - ANSWERED

Hi all,

This weekend I again played in Lithuanian team ch OTB and had this interesting game in the caro-kann. I know I misplayed after the opening and was super lucky to make a draw later. So my question is what is white's plan after interesting 10.. Kf8 from black (in the course it was analysed 10..g6 I believe)? Thank you.

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bump

Hey Paulius A good Game. Now coming for the Question as far As I can remember I think the main move is 10.g3 instead of Qg4 and I think there are 2 lines after 10.g3 one is connected with h5 and 0-0-0 and other is just simply 0-0 so If Black plays 0-0 then white play usually f4-Nf3-Ne5-g4-g5 and If Black plays 10...h5 then we play with f4 11...h4 12.Nf3 hg3 13.hg3 and Ne5-Kg2-and exchange rooks of the h line and use the power of 2 Bishops. I hope it helps

Regards...

French 3..c5 5.c3!? questions - ANSWERED

Hello all,

Been revisiting this course and have couple of questions about 5.c3 advanced line

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I don't have an answer, but bumping thread up so I can see when there is an answer :) 

I believe after Be7 simple Rc1 followed by a3 b4 Na4 ideas is quite strong If black tries to capture d4 pawn by 12...Bf3 then 13.Qf3 Nd4?! 14.Qh3 and Rad1 with Initiative.

Regards.....

Hey Paulius! 
Don't give too far and don't use much engine. 
This advice I give every one of our new PRO Members.  
It'll hurt you chess growth. 

Also keep in mind, that our opening repertoire is a practical opening repertoire. 
If would be very tough to win engines :D :D :D 

Yeah Be7 is a strong move, but it's very unlikely someone will find it during the game. 

About 2nd question. 
This is a good one! 
I like human questions without engines :) 

True, now we can't go with Qf3, but Black also can't play Ne7 with Bf5! 
The main idea for Black to exchange their bad bishop. 
I would go with plan 0-0, Nbd2, Re1, Nf1, Ng3... 

Cheers,
Avetik 

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

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

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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

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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.