Diogen_b

Hi Diogen_b — Review of Your Recent Play

It’s great to see you hovering around the 1200 level (1210 (2022-01-21)). Your last batch of games shows an ambitious, tactical style built around the King’s Gambit and open e-pawn positions. Below is a summary of what’s working well and what could be sharpened.

What You’re Doing Well

• Initiative-oriented openings. In your wins versus zhamall and dalasjoao2020 you seized space quickly with 2.f4 and kept Black on the back foot.
• Tactical alertness. Ideas such as 13.Rxf5!!  and 14.Rxe5+ in your January 21st victory show good calculation when pieces are flying.
• Piece activity over material. Sacrificing a pawn or the exchange rarely scares you; that’s valuable at this rating where passive play is common.

Growth Areas

• Early over-extension. Several losses stem from pressing too hard before development is complete. In the 0-1 game against zhamall you pushed 9.e5?! and 15.Nc5+ without consolidation, allowing ...Nd5 and ...Qxe5 to unravel your attack.
• King safety. Because you castle early in the King’s Gambit, you sometimes forget Black can strike back down the f-file. Before launching g-pawn storms, ask “What checks, captures, and threats does my opponent have next move?” (a quick blunder-check routine).
• Time management. Two recent defeats were on the clock rather than the board. Try the “10-second rule”: when you think you’ve found a move, spend an extra 10 seconds looking for tactics or quieter improvements.
• Opening variety. Playing almost exclusively 2.f4 means opponents can prepare. Add one solid alternative (e.g. the Italian Game or a Queen’s Gambit as White) to broaden your strategic understanding.
• Endgame conversion. In several wins you were up material but needed 10-15 extra moves to finish. A quick review of basic Lucena & Philidor rook endings plus minor-piece technique will save you clock time and nerves.

Action Plan for the Next Two Weeks

1. Tactics: 20–30 puzzles a day focusing on mate-in-2/3 and defensive ideas such as the zwischenzug. Aim for 80 % accuracy before moving up in difficulty.
2. Opening tune-up:
   • White – study 10 model Italian games from masters, paying attention to plans after 4.c3, 5.d4.
   • Black – against 1.e4 test the Petroff again (your 0-1 miniature was excellent) but also learn a back-up like the Scandinavian to practise different pawn structures.
3. Game analysis: After every session, pick one win and one loss, switch the engine off for the first pass and write down:
   1. Your three critical decisions.
   2. One move you didn’t understand from your opponent.
   3. A missed resource you found on second look.
   Then verify with an engine for no more than 10 minutes.
4. Endgame refresh: Spend two evenings on king-and-pawn basics, two on rook endings, one on opposite-colored bishops. Use interactive drills or set the position up on a board.

Encouragement

Your attacking flair is already above average for your rating. Pairing it with a bit more patience and clock control will push you into the mid-1300s quickly. Keep that fighting spirit, review your losses calmly, and enjoy the climb!

Good luck & good chess,
— Your Coach