Alex Garrido Outon FM

Feedback for Alex Garrido Outon

Alex, you've shown great commitment and a solid understanding of key opening principles such as control of the center and timely castling, as seen in your recent games. Your use of pawn breaks and piece activity, particularly in the Queen's Pawn Opening and Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack, demonstrate a developing strategic sense.

Strengths

• Opening knowledge: You consistently adhere to sound development principles and try to challenge your opponent's setup early.
• Aggressive play: Moves like f3 to support the center and active rook lifts indicate your willingness to seize initiative.
• Endgame technique: Several of your wins involved good conversion in simplified positions, showing awareness of endgame fundamentals.

Areas for Improvement

• Tactical awareness: In some critical moments, your opponents were able to exploit loose pieces or missed tactics (for example, in the Chess960 losses). Focusing on pattern recognition and calculation techniques will help reduce tactical oversights.
• Time management: Some games suggest room for improved clock use, especially in rapid and live formats. Practicing under time pressure and prioritizing critical moves can enhance performance.
• Positional planning: Aim to develop a clearer plan in the middlegame. Understanding pawn structures and target weaknesses in the opponent’s camp will improve your strategic decision-making.

Next Steps

• Work on solving tactical puzzles daily to sharpen calculation skills.
• Analyze your most recent wins and losses deeply, perhaps replaying critical moves to understand alternative ideas.
• Consider studying middlegame themes related to pawn breaks and piece coordination.
• Continue experimenting with different openings to find ones that suit your style and help build confidence.

Keep up your positive attitude and consistent play, Alex! Improvement comes steadily with perseverance and focused practice. If you'd like, we can review some key critical positions together from your recent games.

Example Win to Study

Your recent checkmate victory with Black in the Queen's Pawn Opening (D00) showcased good tactical finishing and exploitation of your opponent’s weakened king position:

1. d4 Nf6 2. e3 d5 3. Nf3 c5 4. c3 e6 5. Bd3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. Qe2 O-O
8. O-O b6 9. e4 cxd4 10. Nxd4 Nxd4 11. cxd4 dxe4 12. Nxe4 Bb7 13. f3 Qxd4+
14. Nf2 Rfd8 15. Rd1 Qh4 16. g3 Qh5 17. Ng4 Nxg4 18. fxg4 Bc5+ 19. Kf1 Qh3+
20. Ke1 Rd7 21. Bc4 Rxd1+ 22. Kxd1 Rd8+ 23. Bd2 Bb4 24. Bxe6 Rxd2+ 25. Qxd2 Bxd2
26. Kxd2 fxe6 27. Re1 Qg2+ 28. Kd1 Bf3+ 29. Kc1 Be4 30. b4 Qc2#

Reviewing the moves around 17...Nxg4 and onwards can reinforce how to capitalize on initiative and piece activity.