Coach Chesswick
Hi Mahri!
Congratulations on reaching 2017 (2024-08-21) and on your recent tactical win versus akiraarq. Below is some targeted feedback to help you climb even higher.
What you’re already doing well
- Tactical awareness. In the AkiraARQ game you found 32…Nc4+!! and 33…Rd2+—a crisp combination that converted your activity into material gain.
- Dynamic openings as Black. You steer play into Grünfeld, Benoni and Nimzo-Indian structures, confidently grabbing central counter-play.
- Initiative-first mindset. Moves such as 22…Rg7!! (vs. DaniKsell) show you’re willing to invest material for sustained pressure.
- Fighting spirit. Even in worse positions you keep the game complicated and often out-calculate your opponents.
Patterns that are costing you points
- Chronic time trouble. Five of your last seven losses were on the clock. Good positions don’t matter if there’s no time to convert them.
- Conversion technique. Against zaid112 you were a pawn up yet allowed …Bb4! and the queenside collapsed. Turning advantages into wins faster will raise your rating immediately.
- Pawn over-extension. Early g-pawn thrusts (e.g. 7.g4 in your Dragon) leave dark-square holes once the initiative fades.
- Endgame accuracy. Several wins (farfromperfect, Okkebeest) required your opponent to flag. Cleaner technique = stress-free points.
Training plan
- Clock discipline drill. Play 10|0 games where you must move before 5:00. One push-up for every violation—habits form fast!
- Daily endgame bite. 15 minutes from “100 Endgames You Must Know” (rook & minor-piece chapters) every day.
- Opening hygiene. Before launching a pawn storm, ask, “Do I have at least two pieces helping this push?” Be especially strict in the Sicilian Dragon and Chigorin setups.
- Delayed-reveal tactics. Set a 3-minute timer, calculate without moving pieces, then uncover the answer. This sharpens visualization.
- Post-game one-liner. After each game, jot a single sentence: “Why did I win/lose/draw?” Rapid feedback accelerates pattern recognition.
Track your progress
Visualise improvements with the built-in charts:
Quick quiz
After 30…Bc4 in your last win, what would you play if White tries 32.Rxc4? Write your line down and compare with the engine—excellent forcing-move practice!
Keep the joy!
Your tactical flair and determination are already top-tier. Blend them with better clock management and a steadier endgame touch, and the next rating milestone will come sooner than you expect.
Good luck and happy calculating!
—Your Chess Coach