Chess forum by Grandmasters
Benko Course - Advanced Modern section
Hi Chessmood, GM Swapnil Dhopade has a course on Chessable (Lifetime Repertoire: Benko Gambit) where he tackles both of the problem variations that are mentioned in the Advanced Modern Benko videos in the Chessmood Benko Course. Against 8.a7 Rxa7 9.Nf3 he gives 9...e6 Against 8.e5 Ne8 9.h4 Bxe5 10.h5 he gives 10...Qb6
Replies
What do you think of this course, I want to buy it to complement
lenguaje
Greetings to all, I am from Venezuela now I have lived in the USA since April, I would like to know if there was any option to watch the videos in Spanish, since I still do not speak English well
Replies
Unfortunately not. There might be subtitles and translations some time in the future, but as far as I know there are no plans yet and it's a big job if it were undertaken. The English in the videos is mostly clear despite a few hybrid words and the odd mispronunciation, but given English is a third language for our GMs they do remarkably well. Given that much of chess culture is in English (Russian aside) and given you're based in the US now, it might be a good way (and motivator) to improve your English. Also while English is a hard language because of irregularities and the number of words, getting some fluency isn't so difficult given the number of films, songs, web pages and so on available. It's much harder for the English to learn foreign languages well because you don't get the same immersion possibility. If you get stuck on a few words they'll be help in the forum. Also Google translate may help a bit. Give it a go and see how you get on, it will get easier and the subject is always chess.
One other thing, you can now slow the videos down to half the speed. That might help you catch things that were too fast.
The creators of Avetik and Hohvannes use English as a third maybe 4th language. They have made solid English improvements over the last 3 years and can be an inspiration for those who are just learning it now. Buena😀 suerte
Marcos, we have so many hours of videos that it is not possible to subtitle everything, the cost is too high and learning basic English for chess is not so difficult if you try it a bit. Always the same vocabulary is being used, you will learn it in no time… 😀
And just in case:
Marcos, tenemos tantas horas de vídeos que no es posible subtitularlo todo, el costo es demasiado alto y aprender el inglés básico para ajedrez no es tan difícil si te esfuerzas un poco. Siempre se utiliza el mismo vocabulario, lo aprenderás en poco tiempo... 😀
You can do it!!!💪
Chess is an easy game
When all the moves are covered in the course, chess is an easy game 😀😀 https://lichess.org/YBAmlEpq3RgM
Replies
Helpmates are always helpful
NEW ARTICLE: A Lifehack to Speed up the Growth in Chess
We have this topic in our Blog.
https://chessmood.com/blog/lifehack-to-speed-up-the-growth-in-chess
If you have any questions, comments or you just liked it, feel free to share your thoughts here.
Replies
Great life advice. Thank you for writing this. Inspired
It was a
good Blog. I believe, as you do, that you must formulate realistic but uncomfortable
high goals to be able to reach your potential. The “public” communication of
the goals is the commitment to and the handshake with yourself. When I was a
working citizen, I always formulated my goals for next year(s) and was not
afraid of communicating them broadly, especially to my bosses. Since I am very
lazy by nature (I am convinced it is due to my genes) it helped me a lot to put
the gun to my head.
I do assume however that the area in which you formulate the goals must have high priority to you. Otherwise, the goals only will be some exercise without any commitment, or the goals will be trivial.
My time perspective, as a senior citizen, is also quite different from the young girls and boys aiming for IM/GM titles. I just love it when young people put up that kind of goals and work for it. I only hope they will get a lot of help to formulate good and the right goals and a lot of help to reach the goals as well. It seems ChessMood is a blessing.
I remember first time I met my golf coach. After a cup of coffee and a chat he told me to meet him at the driving range in 15 minutes. Take the opportunity to warm up, he said. After exactly 15 minutes he showed up. He asked me to hit some balls with a short iron and then some balls with the driver. Well, he said, if you want me as a coach you should throw away all your books about golf. You know too much theory than is good for you. You must also do exactly what I ask you to do on the training. When I came home the same afternoon, I was not too happy. Anyhow I packed my golf books in boxes, I had a lot of them. Put the boxes away, out of my sight. On the driving range and the golf course I did what he told me and expected. At least as much as was within my capacity. Eventually we become good friends and I became a decent single handicapper.
This
experience tells me that challenging goals and hard work not always will give
you the result you expect. It is important to have the right goals and identify the right activities and the right training. To work fast and wrong is the
worst-case scenario. Much better to work slow (but fast is better) and right.
I have taken up chess again after long hibernation. Except from Correspondence Chess at ICCF. I learned more about using the computer than I learnt about chess when I played Correspondence Chess. My current Blitz rating on lichess.org is around 1700.
I have not had
the 1 to 1 meeting yet but my goals are clear, within the next three years I
will;
·
On
a regular basis play Blitz/Bullet above 2200
·
On
a regular basis play 20/40 min above 2100
·
Played
10000 (65 games/week) games with at least 8000 games within my opening
repertoire (CM’s)
I am currently working on my activities for year 1. I do hope I can postpone the 1 to 1 meeting to end of December or beginning of January. I would like to think through the activities. I do not mind if the meeting with a GM will mirror my first meeting with my golf coach if the result will be as good.
Hope I have put the gun to my head!
/Göran
Hello Sir!
Interesting! Sir, I wanted to ask that isn't Gun near head a Fear motivation (which may increase stress) ? I read somewhere that the best way to work is to work not to achieve some goals but to work as a matter of Duty. It said something like 'If we stop working then our body (both physical and mind) will start dying. So we should work not only to achieve some things but work as a matter of duty.'
Sir, your views of this?
I loved the blog And the pictures
Benko after e3?
Good day guys. Is it possible to enter Benko after d4Nf6c4c5e3... ? Thank you
Replies
Are there any Chessmood openings which enter or follow this line ?
3.e3 is covered in the Benko course in the section about rare 3rd moves: https://chessmood.com/course/benko-gambit/episode/45. 3.e3 isn't a critical line and black has a number of good continuations.
Must Know Endgame Theory Bishop Pawn
Is it just me, or was that video (Q Vs P bishop's pawn) a little unclear. I know the material well already, so I know what to look for, but did others who are less familiar require the stalemate position to be actually shown rather than inferred to get the main point across, and a demonstration of the stalemate with the king on the wrong side hurrying to the corner. Just think on that video it could have been more explicit and I had to go back to check the main point had been made. Otherwise a good course.
Replies
New article: Theoretical Rook Endgames - All you Need to Know U2000 Level
11-year-old GM Gabuzyan was playing in the Armenian Youth Championship.
He had trained hard for it. And everything was going as planned.
A win in the final game would make him the champion and give him a chance to play at the World Youth Championship. That was his biggest dream at this point of his life.
Only 1 thing stood between him and the championship cup – a Rook endgame!
And then he got a winning position… Alas, he failed to spot the win, and eventually the game ended in a draw.
It was disheartening. However, on the bright side, it made him more determined to improve. So he went to his coach who helped him lay the foundation for a strong Rook endgame.
In today’s article, GM Gabuzyan shares the very same things his coach taught to build his understanding of Rook endgames.
These include the most important positions and concepts that are enough for players below 2000 rating to know.
Read the full story 👇
https://chessmood.com/blog/rook-endgames
And you can share your thoughts with us under this forum thread.
Replies
Hello Gabuzyan Hovhannes, absolute brilliant explanation and visualization! Thank you!
Pawn strategy course?
Would be a useful course for 1700+ players. Pawns are so versatile there is so much that can be written, and many players make mistakes. Take this lesson snippet from Coach Andras - how many would make some of the same mistakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM1rcDvpuwc A pawn (move) can be positive: Attack a piece causing it to move away Attack/control a square stopping pieces occupying Provide a support to an outpost Open files for rooks Open diagonals for bishops Provide cover for pieces behind it Remove the opposing king's cover Close opponent's lines Make opponent's bishop bad Distract a blocking pawn / breakthrough Exchange or offer exchange of opponent's pawns to help pieces or bring in pieces Weaken opponent's structure Split the board into two Prevent pieces escaping or trapping them Diverting pieces to stop them advancing further But a bad pawn (move) can sometimes irreversibly: Weaken our structure Close lines and/or make our bishop bad Get in the way of lines of attack Expose/weaken our king Leave weak squares Prevent escape of our own pieces from attack / traps Open the board unfavourably Close the board unfavourably Require defending by pieces or unfavourable pawn moves leaving other places weak Often there are a lot of strategic decisions to make with pawns: Sacrifice it? Leave it? Defend it (pawn or piece)? One or two squares forward? One, two, three, four pawns in the centre? Form a fianchetto? Gain space on the flank(s)? Bolt-hole for our king, and which one? Capture towards the centre or away? Open, closed, semi-open position? There is the valuation of different pawns such as centre pawns tend to be more valueable so pawn exchanges are often unequal (GM Arkell in Arkell's endings IIRC notes his strategy is to value the pawns from least to most valueable a,b,c,d,e,f for the types of positions he plays) There is the well trodden but often misunderstood cases of the backward, doubled, tripled, isolated and dispersed pawns which often make players miss good moves because they naturally shy away from forming these structures. Forming pawn duos as a preference to leaving a hole, but there again there is the stonewall saw-tooth. The theory of more pawn islands is usually bad. The gambit opening. Then there are the well know pawn structures - carlsbad, IQP, french advance, KID, benoni variations, hippos, etc. As well as a whole host of other openings which while many covered in chess structures is too advanced for many players Then there are the typical kings positions (fianchetto, h-pawn advanced 1, fianchetto + h-pawn advanced 1 or 2, advanced f-pawn, advanced g pawn with h-pawn advanced 1), and several qside additions Then there are the different types of centres and strategies around them Finally the interplay between pawns and pieces (good/bad bishop, outposts, opening files for rooks), colour complexes and weak strong squares caused by pawn moves and when to probe such weaknesses. Certainly a lot of ground for one or two courses, not to mention strategy in general, which is only sporadically covered in the classical games and daily lessons.
Replies
Agreed. There is much to know about pawns, structures, roles in play, etc. A deep course in pawn play/strategy would be welcome and hopefully Avetik is aware of this.
Yes, this is indeed a good topic for thought and we took note of it for the future. Thanks!
Great stuff, I'm studying Mauricio Flores Rios - Chess Structures - A Grandmaster Guide book atm and would highly recommend it, I think it's one of the best for this topic
Locked out of Videos ?
Could well be my end but if I go to a course module and click on it it states 'because of its privacy setting this cannot be displayed'. Basically white text on black screen . Any ideas as I cannot access the course materials ? I've tried logging out and in again but to no avail .
Replies
Hey man, the same happened to me yesterday. Turns out it was my bitdefender antivirus extension in chrome, I just made an exception for chessmood and it worked fine. Could also be some ad-blockers, just turn off all chrome extensions and reenable them one by one to see what is causing an issue. Hope that helps.
Yes, please try with another browser to check it out and let us know. Also check your extensions in your browser please …
NEW ARTICLE: Stafford Gambit | The Refutation
We have this topic in our Blog:
https://chessmood.com/blog/stafford-gambit-the-refutation
If you have any questions, comments or you just liked it, feel free to share your thoughts here.
Replies
Thanks coach.Great article & analysis (better than my own! I had decided on 5.Nc3 but now will probably switch to 5.d3). Keep up the good work! Best wishes ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhWyK5dAIAw
Nakamura refuted the gambit against Eric Rosen
I played against IM Eric Rosen and crushed his Stafford Gambit!! But I lost on time.. .. https://lichess.org/YhqROmyu/white
Such a good blog!
Using Knowledge In a Real Game
I have learned a lot of information and can solve the questions. When I play an actual match, I can't use it well. How to fix my problem?
Replies
You need to be more specific. Can you provide some positions, given details of your thinking process.
Yes, please provide more details on what worries you and maybe we can be of some help Endo-san…🤠
New Course? Decision-making in chess :)
Hello ChessMood family, Are there any plans for adding a new course about decision-making in chess? 🥰
Replies
In a way, every ChessMood course is about decision making in chess :-). What sort of thing would you expect to see in such a course?
Well, many of these concepts are being explained in the classical games, attacking games etc. Also the Middlegame roadmap will offer some light to some of these decisions but as Peter M said, chess is decision, every move is a decision… But we will think of course to do courses on pawn structures, etc. But it is not a priority for growing, we must be efficient with our time and focus on what should be better for our chess growth… 😀
Utilizing the Chessbase 16
Hi, my name is Joshua Tan from Malaysia, may i know any one of you can tell me more about how to use Chessbase 16,in its essential forms?
Replies
Hi Chessbase has a lot of features. Maybe an easy way to get started is to look at the Chessbase tutorials. https://en.chessbase.com/products/tutorials If there's something specific you want to know about it should be there. Rgds, Alex
'Win condition'
Another interesting one from Coach Andras, that is in an endgame find what we need to do to win, the 'win condition', then find moves to execute it. This fits with our endgame roadmap that we're working out where on the roadmap we are, then finding moves to do this. It could be used similarly in the middlegame to ask what would I do to improve my position, no doubt that and other things will be covered on the middlegame roadmap. On his example though, at first glance I didn't see how White playing Kf1 Ke2 allows him to carry out his plan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk6FnSgWGVo
Replies
Note it doesn't mention the opponent's win condition which we should always have in mind. Quite often we get wrapped up in our own plans, particularly when winning we don't consider this and then get surprised. Again I suspect this will be covered in the WWP course.
In that example I'd consider playing Rd8 before Bb4. Seems natural to grab the file, and you can answer Kf1 with Rd2. Then play Bb4 and shuffle the Rook back to d3 to win b3 at your leisure. Although Bb4 Kf1 Rd8 Ke2 Rd2+ Ke3 Ra2 and the twin threats of Bc5+ and Ra3 look tough to deal with. Update: also note that the immediate Rd8 simply threatens to win a pawn with Rd4 since the f4 pawn can only be defended by g3 which allows Bxh3.
Gligoric - Larsen (Havana 1967) looks a lot like the Dutch Attack
I was taking a look at the new Bent Larsen book from Quality Chess this evening and the first game is a Nimzo-Indian St. Petersburg Variation that transposes into something resembling the Dutch Attack after 7...f5 followed by the rook lift plan: https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1308588.
Replies
Yes there are lots of lines in the Nimzo/Bogo Indian complex where you push the f-pawn forward and use the typical plan from the Dutch! 🙃
Anti-Sicilian Part 2 (NC6) with Bxc6 - Middle Game plan
Hi fellow Chessmood members: I was trying to find the plans for White once you reach this position in the Bxc6 variation. Apologies if I missed it. Appreciate if someone can point me in the right direction (video or line). Thank you! Jose
Replies
As a follow up, I sort of remember a video section covering 7....c4 8. O-O, cxd3 9. cxd3, O-O .... but I cannot find it. 😓😓😓
Hi Jose,
The thing is the position here is bad for black, as the bishop on c8 is blocked, and they don't have any options to fight for the center because of a pawn on f4. White develops the pieces to the center, I like the h3 move, and Queen can go to h4 sometimes with f5-Bh6 ideas.
Check out our stream games in Rock'n'Rolling with white videos, where we have the best parts from the streams and the variation you ask is also there.
https://chessmood.com/course/rock-n-rolling-with-white
Good luck!
When do you play chess online?
Do you have a fixed time or number of games to play online or you play anytime?
I play in random manner and that cause me some rating drops.
My lichess blitz rating rises to 2130 sometimes but it drops back again to 2060 due to playing even in bedtime so I lack concentration.
Also Playing as you like makes me feel less focused during day.
So what is your style and how to solve this problem?
Replies
I'd recommend you to read our blog, the following 2 articles will be very useful for you:
https://chessmood.com/blog/golden-method-to-increase-rating-in-chess
https://chessmood.com/blog/raise-your-chess-rating-by-cutting-your-losses
I believe that what you are looking for is answered there...
I usually play a 15+10 game twice a week and a few 3+2 every day.
A certain amount of variability in your blitz rating is to be expected. As well as what was mentioned in the other replies, note the recommendations in the Blunder Proof course, e.g. https://chessmood.com/course/blunderproof/episode/4439 Another (possibly controversial) idea if you're not feeling fully alert: play a quick bullet game prior to a blitz session. You can even use lichess anonymous mode to avoid rating anxiety.
Intuiton vs analysis
Much of this seems relevant to chess: https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/when-to-consult-your-intuition/
Replies
Good article David, one has to really get down and think about it. And maybe read twice....
MacCutcheon Gambit
Hi Chessmood family, I really like offbeat ideas, but do you really trust the 'MacCutcheon Gambit'? The videos lack further guidance... 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 h6 5. Bxf6 Qxf6 6. exd5 Bb4 For example 7. Bb5+ c6 8. dxc6 bxc6 9. Be2 O-O 10. Nf3 c5 11. O-O cxd4 12. Qxd4 Bxc3 13. bxc3 Ba6 14. Bd3 Qxd4 15. Nxd4 Bxd3 16. cxd3 *
Replies
The Blackmood openings are for weaker players, so it's less likely a long sequence will occur and if it does (because it was parroted) the player is less likely to make as much of it. When the advanced versions of these are released, then it will be needed to be looked at in more detail, and possibly some changes to suggested lines made if there are clear downsides.
Dutch Attack vs London Bd3 Question
Hi there everybody, I had a quick question regarding the Dutch attack opening versus the London. In the course, we play b6 and Bb7, then go for a general setup with Be7, d6, Nd7 and start attacking. However, something which is mentioned quite extensively, is that white has Ng5 which gives us the annoying task of defending our e6 pawn after having played d6. To circumvent this, the idea of playing Ne4 before pushing d6 is mentioned a few times. This is all based on the assumption that white plays Be2 as their main light-squared bishop developmental move. I however face Bd3 way more often. Do you play d6 anyways and just play Qd7 in case of Ng5? I presume playing Ne4 anyways might not be the best idea if they can just take without too many issues. I have taken a look in an analysis board myself but would love to hear your insights. Kind regards, Benn
Replies
Hi Benn, This is a good question, 😀I would reply just now but I would like that someone among the students that has seen the racing events explains it if possible. (If they remember, otherwise we will reply.) 😜
I haven't experience in playing these positions myself, but I have followed streamings, and i presume Ne4 is still the move. If white wants to give the bishop let him do it, and we will take with the pawn
This was played just a few days ago in one of the streams for Pro members, Interactive Lesson: The Games of ChessMood Champions!
I am providing access to this webinar exceptionally to everyone, and specially you Benn, because in the min. 38:40, the same position happens and you can see what Gabuzyan says.
It is also nice to see the games of our members analyzed, isn't' it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VEz6DS1sW4
😀
Happy learning and no fear of Bd3.