MattduCouloir
@mattducouloir.bsky.social
Chess and guitar enthusiast from Canada.
Often when I read a chess book, I go over a full game and don’t remember anything of it the next day and wonder if it’s the best usage of my time for chess training. Can’t say that about this book, the notes on each position teaches you so many thing ! Great book.
September 29, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Often when I read a chess book, I go over a full game and don’t remember anything of it the next day and wonder if it’s the best usage of my time for chess training. Can’t say that about this book, the notes on each position teaches you so many thing ! Great book.
I really like Nate Solon and Eugene Perelshteyn book Evaluate like a grandmaster. One of my fav is Polgar’s How I beat Fisher’s record. Other than that, two of my favorites are french translation from Euwe and Larson books that are a bit hard to track down where they come from.
September 29, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I really like Nate Solon and Eugene Perelshteyn book Evaluate like a grandmaster. One of my fav is Polgar’s How I beat Fisher’s record. Other than that, two of my favorites are french translation from Euwe and Larson books that are a bit hard to track down where they come from.
In a game, I’d probably develop my dark square bishop with Bf4… Because it’s a puzzle, I am tempted by g4 to kick the knight…
September 24, 2025 at 12:05 PM
In a game, I’d probably develop my dark square bishop with Bf4… Because it’s a puzzle, I am tempted by g4 to kick the knight…
To better answer the question : simplify, play often, review your games, play the opening fast to have some time for critical moment (identify those and use your time then).
September 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM
To better answer the question : simplify, play often, review your games, play the opening fast to have some time for critical moment (identify those and use your time then).
I’m not a good blitz player, but my best results came when I decided for a few weeks to get better at Blitz by playing the same time control often, blitz the opening and non important moment, simplify and take my time when really needed (but not too much). Gained 100 pts quick (and lost it after).
September 21, 2025 at 1:13 AM
I’m not a good blitz player, but my best results came when I decided for a few weeks to get better at Blitz by playing the same time control often, blitz the opening and non important moment, simplify and take my time when really needed (but not too much). Gained 100 pts quick (and lost it after).
I don’t see a clear tactic, my instinct is to go Qe5 to trade queens and try to push that passed pawn and activate our bishop.
September 21, 2025 at 1:08 AM
I don’t see a clear tactic, my instinct is to go Qe5 to trade queens and try to push that passed pawn and activate our bishop.
Bon matin Joe ! Je parle français (langue maternelle) et aussi anglais avec assez d’aisance puisque je travaille dans les deux langues.
September 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Bon matin Joe ! Je parle français (langue maternelle) et aussi anglais avec assez d’aisance puisque je travaille dans les deux langues.
23. Good habit to look to move your king as a candidate move when R/Q are aligned. Overall, I haven't seen your other games but from this game maybe you would get great results by simplifying a bit your game and following good principles, but maybe I just say this because that's how I play haha.
September 6, 2025 at 1:39 PM
23. Good habit to look to move your king as a candidate move when R/Q are aligned. Overall, I haven't seen your other games but from this game maybe you would get great results by simplifying a bit your game and following good principles, but maybe I just say this because that's how I play haha.
19.Bxd4 here is weird. There's less stuff on the board and after the trade you are worst because their pawns are on dark squares to perfectly complement their light square bishop. 20. f4 exf4 21.gxf4 Qxe4 is fine tactically, but it leaves your king weak without a clear attack.(2)
September 6, 2025 at 1:34 PM
19.Bxd4 here is weird. There's less stuff on the board and after the trade you are worst because their pawns are on dark squares to perfectly complement their light square bishop. 20. f4 exf4 21.gxf4 Qxe4 is fine tactically, but it leaves your king weak without a clear attack.(2)
No I meant some analysis for that game, I found it interesting. 10.dxe4 : why not Nxe4 to not block your knight + Bishop even if it fits means a different pawn structure. 12.Bc1 I'm sure the computer likes it, but I'd play Qd2, keep it simple and develop. (1)
September 6, 2025 at 1:31 PM
No I meant some analysis for that game, I found it interesting. 10.dxe4 : why not Nxe4 to not block your knight + Bishop even if it fits means a different pawn structure. 12.Bc1 I'm sure the computer likes it, but I'd play Qd2, keep it simple and develop. (1)
I bought S. Williams course and played that version of the English too when I started, but eventually moved to 1.e4 to try to follow the opening principles more and get more exposure to tactical positions. I can give a few recommendations if you would like, but I’m far from a GM haha
September 5, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I bought S. Williams course and played that version of the English too when I started, but eventually moved to 1.e4 to try to follow the opening principles more and get more exposure to tactical positions. I can give a few recommendations if you would like, but I’m far from a GM haha
Because of the description mentioning Sicilian structures, I imagine it’s Bg5 to later take on f6 and play Ne5. Black seems to be a move too late to stop it.
August 31, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Because of the description mentioning Sicilian structures, I imagine it’s Bg5 to later take on f6 and play Ne5. Black seems to be a move too late to stop it.
First instinct was to promote and threaten mate on h8, black has no checks so must go Bxe8, Rxe8 and we are up a full rook. Not sure if it’s the right move, but I can say that I am really bad when playing in increment and have dropped whole pieces. What did you play ?
August 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
First instinct was to promote and threaten mate on h8, black has no checks so must go Bxe8, Rxe8 and we are up a full rook. Not sure if it’s the right move, but I can say that I am really bad when playing in increment and have dropped whole pieces. What did you play ?
I love it so much when I’ve finally done my house chores etc and allow myself 30-45 minutes to go over some games or tactics on a real board, with some nice coffee. We want to know what’s your next one ! I am finishing Reti’s Modern ideas in Chess (I think it’s good, not great) for the Chess Dojo.
August 30, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I love it so much when I’ve finally done my house chores etc and allow myself 30-45 minutes to go over some games or tactics on a real board, with some nice coffee. We want to know what’s your next one ! I am finishing Reti’s Modern ideas in Chess (I think it’s good, not great) for the Chess Dojo.
Reposted by MattduCouloir
If it is as they say: Guns aren't the problem, people are the problem. So why are we letting problems have guns?
August 29, 2025 at 12:12 AM
If it is as they say: Guns aren't the problem, people are the problem. So why are we letting problems have guns?
I have made some small ones for myself (basically just importing openings PGN and adding 5-6 notes) but have been wanting to create a more ambitious one to submit to the annual contest they hold each fall. Hope you are able to achieve where I failed haha. What kind of course will it be ?
July 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
I have made some small ones for myself (basically just importing openings PGN and adding 5-6 notes) but have been wanting to create a more ambitious one to submit to the annual contest they hold each fall. Hope you are able to achieve where I failed haha. What kind of course will it be ?
Amazing, phew I almost lost mine (137) today haha.
June 14, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Amazing, phew I almost lost mine (137) today haha.
I am completing steps 4 right now after starting from the first 1 around 2021 or 2022. I was really really bad tactically and it has really helped. I love how each steps slowly adds one more move to calculate ahead, so step 4 is usually 5 moves answers. Great for calculation and visualisation too.
May 12, 2025 at 1:50 AM
I am completing steps 4 right now after starting from the first 1 around 2021 or 2022. I was really really bad tactically and it has really helped. I love how each steps slowly adds one more move to calculate ahead, so step 4 is usually 5 moves answers. Great for calculation and visualisation too.
I thought it was winning at this point when I saw it, but haven’t tested against an engine. With the passed pawn + active king…
April 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I thought it was winning at this point when I saw it, but haven’t tested against an engine. With the passed pawn + active king…
That was kinda fun haha.
March 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
That was kinda fun haha.
I bought that Nunn’s book (course?) on Chessable pretty early after becoming interested in chess, I love how the chapters are divided. I never really tried CT-Art, my main tool for tactics have been the Steps method (still completing that 4th step).
March 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM
I bought that Nunn’s book (course?) on Chessable pretty early after becoming interested in chess, I love how the chapters are divided. I never really tried CT-Art, my main tool for tactics have been the Steps method (still completing that 4th step).
Awesome game, congratulations to the player !
February 15, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Awesome game, congratulations to the player !