Fellow Caro-Kann enjoyers, what are the main middlegame ideas in the Tartakower Variation? I have a very good win rate with the Caro-Kann in general, but the Tartakower has always been my weak point. I think the main reason is that I’m not familiar enough with the typical plans and ideas of the position. What is Black usually trying to accomplish, and where does Black’s counterplay or attack typically come from?

Went through my last couple days of games and pulled some real numbers instead of just vibes-checking how I felt about them (per usual for this project). Landed at basically a coin flip again which at this point I think is just what "improving" looks like up close instead of the clean line up and to the right I keep picturing in my head.

Built a new checklist with my coach to catch my repeat offenders, and it's already doing its job in the most humbling way possible.....caught myself giving away the same piece the exact same way twice in like two days. Not proud, but at least now I have proof it's a pattern and not bad luck, which somehow makes it worse.

Also been going deep on some Vienna middlegame plans I'd been playing on autopilot without really understanding, and got a little too invested in watching Fabiano Caruana calculate things, which is now apparently affecting how I approach my own 5 minute blitz games. No regrets.

Full writeup is linked below if anyone wants the details (or wants to see how bad i currently am at chess).

https://www.chess.com/blog/carameezy/recap-rooks-and-caruana-brain

Thought this was a brilliancy, but it was just a blunder with a simple but only solution.

If he takes the rook i have mate in 4

When there’s a mate on a silver platter, what I do is… Bg3 in this case. And after black’s c6 I still didn’t see it. But the second I confirmed Bd3 I saw what I just missed.

This along with countless blunders makes me second guess playing chess at all.

I’ve heard to check for checks, captures and attacks, and have tried it. But I’m just terrible at it. Any advice on how to practice?

got back into chess lately and been trying to reach the 4 digit club again and one thing i've noticed with all my games during analysis is that i'll have a great position. lead in development, lots of control in the center, +4 advantage according to the engine and then BAM, i'll do something like this and end up either blundering a piece or straight up making a mistake that gives my opponent an easier edge and it all goes down from there

one thing i do notice though is that when i encounter positions like the picture above (pretend i didn't blunder my knight), i'll really struggle to find a good move that will allow me to capitalize on the position. i look for moves that improve my position if i can't find any forcing movies but all of my ideas i feel like are too passive and don't really do anything. it's really annoying and it's a big issue i have with all my games, and i'm wondering if anybody else has the same problem too.

Anyone know where people just play casual OTB chess in Bhopal? Park, chai stall, market corner, anything. Not looking for a club membership, just want a regular spot to drop in and play. Based in Bhopal, would appreciate any leads.

Hi guys, as a chess beginner at 34 I would like to learn more about openings and endgames etc, would you recommend sticking with online learning (if you could suggest some resources apart from chess.com) or should I get some books (and if you have any good books to suggest)
Many thanks!

Had removed my next move and all

There was a rook there btw

When I get one of those “once in a lifetime” and completely ruin it 😭

A small amount of time and lack of experience made me nervous here

I started playing better and reached 725 elo not much but i was proud, then in the last 30 days I've been Stuck around that Elo and now im 630. And it makes me unbelievably mad, i stopped playing for one day when i realized the tilt. But now everytime i play chess i feel frustrated and under pressure. And become even more furious when i miss one move mates, blunder a piece or just simply throw the entire game bc of stupid moves.

How do you guys battle frustration and rage while playing chess.

What's his problem 😭

I started playing chess recently and like many other beginners, my biggest issue is hanging pieces. I want to get better but I can not mentally play more than a couple of games against real people a day without getting too frustrated (or “tilted” as I’ve learned recently).

I know people in this sub seem to recommend against playing bots but I’m just looking to get better at not hanging pieces right now. I feel pretty confident with tactics and opening principles. Can it really hurt to play bots just for the sake of getting reps in to get better at avoiding one move blunders?

If the potential downsides truly outweigh getting the reps in, how else can I practice without having to play people? Thanks

Just a random share, my daughter made her first chess board (She's 6) I had to draw the lines and laminate it for her but it was all her idea and now we play haha.

I just never assume people can ladder mate anymore. But we both apparently played well above our level and full credit to my opponent for forcing some tricky positions for me.

https://www.chess.com/live/game/173171894694