Coach Chesswick
Hi Coralys Michelle Alvarado Pérez!
Great job keeping your blitz rating close to 1930 (2024-05-14) and scoring memorable wins such as your recent victory over ma_ja_s. Below is some individualized feedback based on your last batch of games.
What you are already doing well
- Consistent set-up: Your “g3 – Bg2 – Ne2 – O-O” King’s-Indian-Attack style gives you solid piece coordination and usually a safe king.
- Tactical eyesight: In many of your wins you spotted tactics under time pressure, e.g. 30.Rc7! in the first PGN below, switching from defence to attack in one move.
- Fighting spirit: Even when the position is equal you keep looking for practical chances, which converts to a lot of “won on time” results in your favour.
Key areas to improve
-
Clock management
• Seven of the last ten losses came by flag while the position was still playable.
• Try 3- or 5-second increment pools; the extra buffer will train you to make quick but solid moves.
• Internal goal: never drop under 15 seconds before move 20. -
Over-reliance on one structure
• The g3/KIA set-up works, but strong opponents prepare specifically for it.
• Add one main-line weapon versus 1…c5 (e.g. Open Sicilian) and 1…e5 (e.g. the Ruy López) so you can alternate. -
Early queen adventures
• In several losses the queen wandered (Qb3, Qa2) before minor pieces were developed, letting Black gain tempo with attacks.
• Principle: bring the queen out after your rooks are connected. -
Endgame conversion
• Positions like the Catalan loss vs. arlos12 reached a drawable rook endgame, yet pawn structure and king activity were neglected.
• Study the “Lucena” and “Philidor” rook-endgame techniques; they appear frequently in your games.
Illustrative moments
Below are two short critical fragments (tap to replay):
- Winning idea – exchange sacrifice & back-rank pressure
- Time-trouble miss – rook activity allowed counterplay
Action plan for the next two weeks
| Day | Focus | Resources / Exercises |
|---|---|---|
| Mon-Wed | Increment blitz (3 + 2) | Play 10 games; note every move made under 5 s. |
| Thu-Fri | Endgame drills | 50 rook-pawn vs. rook studies; aim for 90 % success. |
| Sat | Opening addition | Memorize first 10 moves of the Open Sicilian (Najdorf). |
| Sun | Review | Self-annotate 3 games; focus on lost time vs. thinking time. |
Your performance charts
Keep the passion and stay curious. Small, targeted tweaks will convert several of those time-forfeits into wins. I’m excited to see your progress!
Good luck and good calculation!