Robert Rieger FM

Hi Robert!

Your recent games show exciting, dynamic chess. Below is personalized feedback to help you convert more of those sharp positions into points.

1. Opening Insights

• White – 1.b3 / Nimzowitsch-Larsen: You score well when you combine the bishop on b2 with quick central breaks (…d4, e4). • Keep an eye on the …e5/…d5 pawn tension (see loss vs PowerThinking2650). Don’t allow …f6/…f5 to lock the center without a concrete plan. • Consider sprinkling in 1.Nf3-b3 move orders to discourage early …e5 setups.
• Black – Closed Sicilian structure (…a6-b5-Nh6-Nf5): Your wins vs balkandadchess & sai7179 show the idea works, but the loss to mesesario reveals two recurring problems:
  1. Over-reliance on pawn storms (…h5, …g5) before completing development.
  2. Late king safety (castling on move 17 with the g-file already open).
  Plug these gaps by castling earlier and delaying …h5 unless White has already committed g4.
• Suggestion: Add one solid, theory-light response to 1.d4 (e.g. the Queen’s Gambit Declined or a quick …d5 against the English). This will prevent opponents from steering you into the same flank structures repeatedly.

2. Tactical & Calculation Themes

• You convert extra pawns well (nice technique in 53.Qh5# vs Charizard1011). Keep trusting that endgame grind—don’t rush the knockout.
• Missed defensive resources appear when your opponent sacrifices on g6/g7 (see losses vs mesesario and Niyazmv). Add a daily 10-minute puzzle session focused on “Defensive Moves” to sharpen board coverage.

3. Time Management

Most games are bullet (60 s). Two recent losses were simply on the clock with balanced material. Consider:

• Using a strict “2-second move” policy in quiet positions.
• Pre-moving recaptures in forced sequences.
• Practising 30-second games solely to improve mouse speed.

4. Endgame Direction

When queens leave the board you usually navigate accurately, but sometimes hold onto passive pieces too long (e.g. …Be7 stuck behind its own pawns). Remember the “worst piece first” rule—activate it even if it costs one tempo.

5. Psychological Tips

• Bounce-back ability: After a quick loss you often come back with a tactical win—great resilience! Just ensure tilt doesn’t make you auto-rematch in unfavourable openings.
• Focus checkpoints: Every 10 moves, ask:

  “What changed? What’s their threat?”

  This single question would have stopped 25.Qxh3 in the game vs PowerThinking2650.

6. Training Plan (2-Week Sample)

1. Day 1-3: 20 puzzles/day (10 attack, 10 defense) + review of lost bullet games.
2. Day 4-6: Play 5 rapid games (10|0) with your bullet openings; annotate them.
3. Day 7: Rest day, watch a GM video on the Nimzo-Larsen middle-game plans.
4. Repeat week with role reversal (train Black repertoire).

Progress Tracking

Keep an eye on your trends:

And celebrate milestones like 2733 (2024-03-07)!

Mini Quiz (to test retention)

1. After 1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.e3 d5 4.Bb5 f6, what central break equalises immediately?
2. In the Closed Sicilian with …b5, which piece must be on e7 before you play …h5?
3. What is your go-to move when down to 5 seconds in an equal rook ending?

Write the answers in your next training journal.

Keep the creativity on the board, Robert—just add a sprinkle of discipline and your rating will surge. Good luck!