Damaris Abarca WFM

Hi Damaris!

Great job maintaining an active playing schedule and steadily pushing your rating upward  2203 (2024-08-06). Below is some feedback distilled from your most recent games, with practical steps you can apply right away.

1. What you already do well

• Sharp tactical vision – Your win against reynaldiaz shows excellent calculation (15.Qf3-Ng6 16.Nxh6+! and 23.Qg5+). You often spot double attacks, discovered checks and piece sacrifices quickly.
• Initiative-first mindset – The recurring Bxh6 / Nxh6 ideas in your Sicilian Fianchetto and the thematic f-pawn storms demonstrate confidence in seizing the attack before your opponent is fully developed.
• Opening range – You can steer the game into Closed Sicilians, English set-ups and Giuoco Piano structures, giving you flexibility against different opponents.

2. Growth opportunities

• Time management – Four of the last eight results were decided on the clock. Try the “golden 15 seconds” rule: make a quick candidate list on your opponent’s time, so your move is largely ready when it’s your turn.
• King safety & central tension
  In your loss to wyanez (French Advance) you left both kings in the centre while launching queenside pawns.
  • Before pushing a flank pawn, ask: “If the centre opens one move later, whose king is safer?”
  • Add a quick blunder-check for loose pieces after every pawn push.
• Over-extension in the early middlegame
  Games vs popvegas and Rabbeh show pawn storms (g-pawn, c-pawn) that out-ran your pieces. A good rule of thumb: do not advance a pawn past the 4th rank if two pieces are still on their original squares.
• Endgame conversion – When your attack fizzles you sometimes drift (see 2025-02-02). Weekly endgame drills (basic rook endgames, Lucena and Philidor) will add confidence to convert small advantages.

3. Opening checkpoints

4. Training menu (next 4 weeks)

1. Daily: 20-minute tactics sprint (rating-filtered to 1800-2200) + 5 minutes of blindfold king & rook vs king practice.
2. Twice a week: Self-annotate one game (win or loss). Mark three critical moments and write one alternative line for each.
   Example critical moment from your French loss: 16…Nxe5?? – what was safer?
3. Weekend: Watch one short video or article on an endgame keyword you meet in your own games (e.g. zugzwang, opposition, Lucena).
4. Review charts: Spot fatigue patterns in
   and streak swings in
   . Schedule tough training sessions during your statistical peak hours.

5. Quick inspiration corner

Replay your sparkling win vs reynaldiaz once a week to remind yourself what happens when you coordinate every piece:

6. Final thought

You already possess the hardest skill to teach – the courage to attack. Balance it with a touch of prophylaxis and clock discipline, and your next rating jump will follow naturally. Feel free to message me after a training cycle; I’d love to look at your progress games!

Good luck and enjoy the journey!
— Your Chess Coach