Coach Chesswick
Quick summary for Vlastimil Jansa
Nice run in rapid: you convert advantages cleanly, hunt exposed kings effectively and transition initiative into winning endgames. The main targets are tightening pawn-break timing and reducing tactical slips in time trouble.
Strengths to keep
- Forcing play: you repeatedly use checks, captures and direct threats to limit opponent options — this produces clear winners.
- Endgame conversion: you turn small advantages (passed pawns, active rooks) into wins rather than letting counterchances revive.
- King-hunting instincts: you see mating nets and use queens/major pieces to drive opposing kings into lethal corridors.
- Opening repertoire: your Ruy Lopez handling gets you into middlegames with long-term plans and imbalances you understand. (Ruy Lopez)
Recurring issues to fix
- Pawn-break timing: some early pawn thrusts (queenside or center) open lines that give active counterplay. Pause and check resulting exchanges before pushing.
- Tactical oversights in time trouble: you win many tactical positions but also occasionally fall for forks or sacrifices when the clock is low. Focus on quick pattern drills.
- Piece coordination after exchanges: sometimes a bishop or knight becomes passive after trades. Look for ways to re-route or trade into a clearer plan.
- Defensive caution: when the opponent threatens counterplay (open files, passed pawns), consider simplifying or trading to reduce risk rather than pressing blindly.
Key moment from your most recent win
You forced the opposing king into a confined area with repeated queen checks and cleared the last defensive resources before delivering mate with Qb4. The sequence shows good calculation and practical finishing technique.
Replay the decisive game (clean, rapid-friendly move list):
Opponent profile: bigbadblunderdrone
4‑week focused plan
- Daily 15–20 min tactics (mate-in-2/3, forks, pins). Emphasize speed and pattern recognition for rapid time controls.
- 3× weekly 30–40 min endgame work: rook endings, outside passed pawn technique, and basic queen vs rook scenarios.
- 2× weekly 30 min opening drills: pick two Ruy Lopez sidelines you meet often; practice typical pawn breaks and one representative model game each.
- Play one rapid game daily and spend 10–15 min immediate review: mark the single biggest mistake and one good idea to repeat.
Rapid-game checklist (use during the game)
- Before each move: ask “What are my opponent’s best 2 replies?”
- When pushing pawns to open lines: verify both checks and captures for you and the opponent.
- If you have an attack, prioritize forcing moves first (checks/captures/threats) before quieter improvements.
- In severe time trouble: simplify when ahead; avoid speculative sacrifices unless calculated clearly.
Next steps & offers
- Try the 4‑week plan and record one line-item progress note each day.
- After two weeks, pick three losses and three wins and I will annotate them with short notes on recurring patterns.
- I can also produce a 1‑page Ruy Lopez cheat‑sheet with common plans and tactical motifs if you want — say the word and I’ll build it.
Would you like the annotated losses/wins or the Ruy Lopez cheat‑sheet first?