Kcp1197

Hi Kcp1197! Here is some constructive feedback based on your recent games.

What you’re already doing well

• Sharp tactical eye. In your win against tico-do-pai you found the powerful sacrifice 15.Rxe6+!! and finished with 28.Nf5#. Your ability to spot forcing sequences is a big asset.
• Active piece play. You normally get your pieces out quickly (Italian, Petroff, Caro-Kann) and look for open lines on the e- and f-files. This leads to lively positions where your tactical skills can shine.
• Confidence to attack. Castling early and doubling heavy pieces (Re1/Re5/Rae1, etc.) shows healthy attacking instincts.

Key improvement areas

1. King safety first.
   • In both recent losses (vs sbx6 and Den-Platinum) you grabbed material with ...Qxg3 & ...Bxc2, leaving your king on the open diagonal/f-file. Before taking pawns, ask “What is my opponent’s next check?”.
   • Practical tip: each time you consider a capture, spend five extra seconds checking every opponent check, capture, or threat. This habit alone will save many games.
2. A lighter, clearer opening repertoire.
   • As White you reach the Italian almost every game; good! Study one main line deeply (e.g. 4.c3, 5.d4) instead of mixing Na3, Bb3, etc. Knowing the ideas (pawn breaks d4-d5, Bc2 plan,  zugzwang endgames with bishops vs knights) yields smoother middlegames.
   • As Black versus 1.e4 play either 1...e5 or stick to the Caro-Kann. Switching between Pirc, Caro-Kann and Open Games makes it hard to remember key traps such as 8.cxd4 Nxd4?!. A single system studied for two weeks will give instant rating gains.
3. Calculation depth.
   • You see the first tactic but sometimes miss the next one (e.g. 26...Qxg3+? allowed 28.Nxb7+). After finding a tactic for yourself, force yourself to “look one move further for them”.
   • Daily routine: 15 min of rated puzzles + 5 min of “analysis board” where you calculate without moving pieces, then compare to engine.
4. Back-rank and mating-net awareness.
   • Loss to arisusib1 ended with ...Rxe1#. Keep an eye on back-rank weaknesses (make luft with h3/h6).
   • Quick exercise: set up the basic back-rank mate patterns and rehearse the escapes.
5. Endgame technique.
   • Your win vs asa2345 showed good passed-pawn play, yet conversion was slow. Refresh king-and-pawn basics: opposition, shoulder-checking, outside passed pawn. One short chapter of endgame study per week is enough at this stage.
6. Time management.
   • 10-minute games give you 25–30 sec per move on average; you often play the whole opening in one minute. Spend a little more time when the position first departs from book.

Suggested training plan (2–3 hrs / week)

• Mon/Wed/Fri: 15 min tactics + 10 min annotated review of one recent loss.
• Weekend: watch one video or read one chapter on the Italian or your chosen Black defense.
• Sunday: play two rapid games, annotate without engine, then check with engine.

Highlight game

Enjoy re-playing your best recent attack (use it as a confidence booster):

Your progress so far

Peak Rapid rating: 1178 (2025-06-19)

Activity snapshots:

Final encouragement

You already possess the most exciting chess skill—the willingness to calculate and attack. By tightening your defense and sharpening calculation discipline, you’ll break the 1100 barrier quickly. Enjoy the journey, keep asking good questions, and happy hunting over the board!