Coach Chesswick
Hi Daakshin, here’s an honest look at your recent play
1. What you’re already doing well ✅
- Fighting spirit & initiative: Even in “equal” middles you willingly push forward (e.g. 15.e5! against Amo109). This keeps opponents under pressure.
- Tactical alertness: Motifs like Bxh6, Nd5! and back-rank hits appear frequently in your wins. Your pattern recognition is above average for your rating bracket.
- Piece activity in openings: Most games show quick development and central tension, not passive piece shuffling.
2. Recurring trouble spots 🚩
- Time management: Three of your five listed losses were on the clock. You often burn 30–40 seconds on routine recaptures. Train yourself to make “automatic” moves in ≤5 s when the choice is forced.
- Pawn grabs without a plan:
- Loss vs IndraPolak – 16…Qxb3 invited long-term queenside weaknesses you couldn’t punish.
- Loss vs ChristianJ – 20.Qxb5? let Black’s rooks flood the c-file.
- Conversion technique: Even in won positions (see win vs Lucifer16666) moves 20-26 became messy. Practise “no-risk tightening”: improve the worst piece, create luft, double rooks – then cash in.
- Endgame precision: When queens come off you still play “middlegame moves”. Scan for king activity, pawn majorities and outside passers.
3. Opening audit 🔍
| As White | As Black |
|---|---|
|
• 1.d4 systems (QGA & Catalan-type) bring good positions. • Side lines (1.Nc3 & 1.b3) score well but sometimes concede the centre early. —> Pick one “mainline” (e.g. Ruy Lopez or Queen’s Gambit) and study typical plans, not just moves. |
• Solid with …e5 and …d5, but you drift in the Open Spanish and cede dark squares. • Against 1.d4 you mix Queen’s Gambit Declined, Dutch and KID structures – opponents catch you in unfamiliar lines. —> Commit to ONE defence vs 1.d4 for two months and learn the key tabiya thoroughly. |
4. Action plan for the next 4 weeks 🗓️
- Daily 10-minute drill: 12 fast tactics puzzles + 3 endgame studies (lichess/practice set).
- “Two-touch rule” in games: If you’ve already looked at a candidate move twice, play it and save time.
- Post-mortem routine (15 min each game):
- Locate the first strategic mistake (not the blunder).
- Ask, “What was my plan? What was opponent’s?”
- Store one diagram in your notebook – pattern library building.
- Opening focus: This month study the Queen’s Gambit Accepted (both colours). Play it in every Blitz game and annotate 10 critical positions.
- Weekly sparring: Two 15 + 10 games with a stronger friend/coach where you must explain your candidate moves out loud.
5. Quick stats snapshot 📊
Peak Blitz rating: 2549 (2024-06-04)
Check your performance trends:
6. Motivational closer 💬
Your attacking flair already beats 2300+ players. Pair that with firmer structure & clock discipline and 2500 Blitz is realistic. Small, focused improvements trump massive overhauls. Keep the fire burning!
See you at the board, Coach-Bot 🤖