natrost2000 WFM

Hi natrost2000! 🎯 Overall impressions

You are already a strong 2200-level rapid player who scores well with solid, classical openings (Italian, Bb5–Sicilian, Philidor structures). Your strengths are:

• Healthy positional understanding – you routinely reach pleasant middlegames with the bishop pair or a space advantage.
• Good end-game instincts – the conversion against GalaTuz shows sound technique and king activity.
• Fighting spirit – you play for the initiative with both colours and are willing to sacrifice material for activity.

Priority 1 – Patch the tactical “blind spots”

Your most recent loss to tough ended after the simple fork 11.Nxc7+. Similar one-move shots decided several other defeats. Before each move ask, “What are all the checks, captures and threats for both sides?” This 10-second scan will catch most of these.

Train it deliberately:

• Daily 10-minute puzzle session focusing on forks, double-attacks and in-between moves (zwischenzug).
• After every game, replay it quickly and write down one missed candidate move – this cements the habit.

Priority 2 – Tighten the Jaenisch / Philidor repertoire

Both recent losses sprang from ambitious but under-prepared sidelines.

a) Jaenisch Gambit (3…f5).

• 6…Qe7?! (from the loss) is tricky but risky; the main theoretical moves are 6…Nf6 or 6…d5.
• Memorise one concrete line where …d5 equalises; otherwise consider switching to the solid Berlin or a classical 3…a6 Ruy.

b) Philidor Nimzowitsch (…d6 & …Nc6).

• The positions are healthy, but you sometimes allow Nb5! ideas (see your win vs Kaeldorn where you were White).
• Add the prophylactic …a6 or …h6 before White’s knight jumps, or study the Modern Philidor (…e5, …Nbd7, …c6) which sidesteps them.

Priority 3 – Conversion speed & prophylaxis

In the GalaTuz win you were strategically winning by move 33, yet Black created counter-play on the a- and c- files. Add two questions to your thinking routine:

1. “What is my opponent’s next active idea?” (prophylaxis – prophylaxis)
2. “Can I simplify into a clearly won end-game now?”

Illustrative snapshot

The key tactical motif from the Jaenisch game:

Whenever you advance the f-pawn, keep an eye on the c7-square!

Statistics & scheduling

Your peak rapid rating so far: 2388 (2022-05-11). For the next two weeks aim for:

• 5 quality rapid games per day with a post-game blunder check.
• 2 x 15-minute opening study blocks (one for 1.e4 as White, one for Black vs 1.e4).

Track your performance trend here:

Quick checklist before every move

1. All forcing moves for both sides (checks, captures, threats).
2. King safety and pawn breaks.
3. Prophylactic glance: stop opponent’s idea.

Keep up the great work!

You are very close to 2300+ stability. Fixing the quick tactical oversights and sharpening two specific openings will get you there soon. Enjoy your training and good luck in your next games!