Coach Chesswick
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
| Colour | Current choice | Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| White | e4 → Closed Sicilian & Giuoco Piano | Add one 1.d4 line (London or Queen’s Gambit) so opponents cannot home-prep only for your Sicilian style. |
| Black vs e4 | Sicilian with …g6 / …Nc6 | Study the pure Accelerated Dragon move-order to avoid early sidelines. |
| Black vs d4 | Slav Exchange / …c6-d5 | Prepare a crisp plan against the annoying London; consider the line 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5!? |
4. Training menu (next 4 weeks)
- Daily: 20-minute tactics sprint (rating-filtered to 1800-2200) + 5 minutes of blindfold king & rook vs king practice.
- 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? - Weekend: Watch one short video or article on an endgame keyword you meet in your own games (e.g. zugzwang, opposition, Lucena).
- 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