Coach Chesswick
Hi Osensei!
You play energetic, ambitious chess and you already reached 2056 (2018-04-15). Let’s build on that with a few concrete pointers drawn from your most recent games.
1. Opening trends
- With Black vs 1.e4 – Sicilian set-ups
Your victories against kova1979 and npostic show excellent use of the ...Nd4 outpost and flexible piece placement (…Nge7, …g6). • Keep this system as a main weapon, but against Closed-Sicilians consider delaying …b5/…Rb8 until the centre is fixed—both recent losses came after an early queenside pawn thrust that let White jump with Nd5 or Nf5. - With White – Advance French & Caro-Kann
Your pawn storms (h4–h5, g4) create pressure, yet the Caro-Kann loss to NtcAlexey shows the downside: 23.g4? allowed …Nxg4 and your kingside collapsed. • Before launching pawns ask, “How is my back-rank safety and piece coordination?” • Drill model games where White builds calmly with c3–d4–Nf3 (French) or the Short System (Caro-Kann) to broaden your repertoire. - Against stronger 1.d4 players
The King’s Indian Panno loss versus TenisMaster started well, but the break …f5 arrived before your pieces were set. Review classic KID games to feel when to strike and when to finish development first.
2. Middlegame themes
- King safety prophylaxis – Several defeats stemmed from an exposed king (e.g., 14.Qb3–15.Kd2 in the French). Add “What can my opponent do to my king next move?” to your thinking checklist.
- Piece activity – Your wins showcase excellent active play (…Bc6! in the first game, …Nd4 hops). Keep cultivating this, but balance it with the previous point.
- Typical tactics – Spot patterns such as …Bxf4, …Nxg4, and rook lifts. Create a puzzle set with those motifs for daily tactics training.
3. Endgame & clock management
- Endgames – In the French win as White you conducted a long rook endgame confidently. Keep practicing basic rook-and-pawn endings; they convert your middlegame advantages.
- Time usage – Several losses featured < 20 s by move 25. Try the “critical moment” rule: spend extra time only when the position first sharpens, then play the follow-up moves quickly.
4. Monitoring progress
Use the built-in stats to find when you play best:
5. Action plan for the next two weeks
- Annotate your two most recent wins and losses without an engine, then compare with engine suggestions.
- Play 10 training games versus the Caro-Kann where you delay h-pawn pushes until all pieces are developed.
- Study one classic KID game (e.g., Gligorić vs Fischer) and one Closed-Sicilian game daily, focusing on pawn breaks and outpost control.
- Solve 20 themed tactics on discovered attacks and overloaded defenders each day.
Stay disciplined, keep your king safe, and your dynamic style will shine even brighter. Good luck on the climb!