Coach Chesswick
Hi Max!
Below is some targeted feedback based on your most-recent rapid (60|0) sessions, together with a few concrete training tasks. Everything is geared toward squeezing a few more points out of positions you are already playing better than the opposition.
What is working
- Dynamic openings. You switch comfortably between King’s Indian / Modern set-ups against 1.d4 and main-line Sicilians versus 1.e4, keeping the initiative from the very start.
- Calculation & tactical alertness. A good example is the …Ng4–Rxe3!! shot that ripped open lx_5265’s position:
- Practical pressure. Side-pawn advances (…h5/…a5) often force opponents to burn time and make concessions.
Patterns to improve
- Clock management. Two of the last five losses came on time with objectively defensible positions. Your mean time left at move 30 is under 10 s (see ).
- Over-extension of kingside pawns. In the B33 defeat vs Aurelfletch6 the early …h5 + …f5 left dark-square holes you could never plug.
- End-game conversion. The long squeeze that slipped away against Aurelfletch6 ended in stalemate tricks and finally mate; a clean technique would have wrapped things up 20 moves earlier.
Two-week action plan
- “30-second rule.” The first time your clock reaches 30 s, give yourself an audible cue and enter “increment mode”: move inside five seconds until you are back over 40 s. Track progress with .
- Safe endings drill. Re-play winning endings against an engine restricted to depth 12 and practise converting them twice in a row. Start from the position below, a pawn up but still technical:
- Sicilian homework. Replace 10…Bb8?! with the more active 10…Qc6 or 10…Be7 lines; build a one-page repertoire sheet.
- Weekly self-quiz. Pick three critical moments, write down full variations for 10 minutes, then check with an engine. No partial credit—either the main line holds or it doesn’t!
Quick reference table
| Theme | Cue | Reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Najdorf vs tired days | Feeling low-energy | Choose Classical …e6 d6 scheme instead |
| Controlling d5 (Sicilian) | ♞c6 traded? | Place a rook/queen behind the d-pawn before launching …f5 |
| Time split goal | Opening | <15 s, keep 45 s in bank by move 20 |
Closing thought
Your tactical eye and opening depth already match GM level; tightening the practical screws—clock use and clean conversions—should push you beyond your current 2877 (2020-10-10). Keep the energy and creativity, add a 10-second safety net, and watch the rating climb.
Good luck and send the next batch of games whenever you’re ready!