Pablo Alejandro Acosta NM

Hi Pablo Alejandro (“Argentino1”) 👋

Your fighting style and 2400+ results are impressive. Below is a snapshot of what already works, what still leaks points, and a few concrete tasks to accelerate your climb.

What’s working

• Early initiative. In the win vs. Johnny Cortes you grabbed space with 4.c4, kept pieces active, and never let Black castle safely.
• Practical aggression. Systems such as 6.h4!? against the Modern/Pirc score well for you and force opponents out of book quickly.
• Calculation of forcing lines. Tactical shots like 19. Qxa6 and the c-pawn steam-roller were executed with confidence.
• Opening breadth. French, Benoni and occasional Caro as Black; e4, d4, and anti-Sicilian ideas as White. Versatility makes you hard to prepare for.
• Peak results. Your best blitz rating so far: 2549 (2022-01-01). Keep tracking it!

Where rating points leak

1. Rook-ending technique. The 90-move loss to tuankietk2008 shows uncertainty in basic R + P vs. R themes and the side-check defence.
2. King safety vs. Caro–Kann Exchange. In the loss to chessforlife2006 the sequence …Nxf3⁺, …Bf4! exploited dark-square weaknesses created by 14.a3 and an uncoordinated queen.
3. Time-trouble habits. Several games dip below 10 s by move 25. Good positions evaporate because you play moves you see, not the best moves, once the clock is red.
4. Plan-B vs. sterile positions. Exchange-French and Exchange-Caro remove your beloved pawn breaks. Without a clear slow plan, you drift and give counter-play.

Illustrative victory

A model game worth replaying—notice each move increases pressure on the black king.

Mini-homework (1 week)

• Drill 20 rook endings (Philidor & Lucena) under 60 s each.
• Play 10 blitz games starting from the position after 6…Bd6 in the Caro-Exchange; annotate them, focusing on dark-square control.
• Every day, review one quiet positional classic; look for themes of prophylaxis and Zugzwang.

When you win & when you struggle

Your results by time of day:

Quick reminders

• Clock discipline: If you’re under 30 s in a quiet position, make a safe move, press the clock, and think on opponent’s time.
• Convert cleanly: Up a pawn? Trade queens only if it improves king safety or pawn structure.
• Breathe before tactical moves: One-second blunder checks would have saved the 22…Nxf3⁺ tactic against you.

Keep the attacking flair, add a layer of end-game polish and positional patience, and 2500 + is within reach. Good luck!

— Your Chess Coach