Coach Chesswick
Hi Wiktoria!
You have a dynamic style that thrives on piece activity and tactical chances. Your recent victories show excellent awareness of initiative, yet the latest setbacks highlight some recurring themes you can address to climb beyond your current 2241 (2020-06-19).
1. Opening choices & move-order discipline
- Pirc / Modern as Black: In the clean win against Kobajo you followed the standard plan …d6, …c6, …g6 and castled quickly. Only after full development did you counter in the centre with …e5 and …d5, creating tactical opportunities (15…Nf4!). Keep that structure in mind; in several losses you played the same set-up but pushed …c5 or …d5 before your king was safe, giving White a free attack.
- Ruy Lopez (with d3) as White: Your loss to lucasalves2 started smoothly until 15.Nh4?! invited …Bxh3. Remember: when you delay c3/d4 lines the light-square bishop on c2 can be loose. A more solid plan is 15.Be3 or 15.d4 first.
- Practical tip: Build a tiny repertoire card for each colour that you can recall in 5 seconds. This helps you avoid “creative” but untested pawn thrusts when the clock is ticking.
2. Tactical alertness – your strength!
In your win vs. Kobajo the sequence 19…Nxa4 20.Nxf4 exf4 punished over-ambition brilliantly. Study those patterns to convert them into muscle memory. A quick refresher:
3. Defensive technique & king safety
- The tactical shot you suffered (15…Bxh3) stems from looseness around your monarch. Before launching pawn storms (Nh4, g4, h4, etc.) ask yourself the “What’s hanging?” question.
- When defending, don’t hesitate to return material for activity. In the same game 18.Qf3?! allowed …g6. Engines suggest 18.d4! creating counterplay even if it drops a pawn.
4. Endgame & conversion
Several lost or drawn rook endings reveal two areas:
- Passed-pawn management: In the Rb4+ game you advanced connected passers but left your king too far away, letting Black blockade.
- Time pressure: Both time-forfeited games were winning or equal a few moves earlier. Try practicing 1-minute “technique drills” where you convert a simple extra pawn against an engine with increment.
5. Action plan for the next two weeks
- Review all games where you lost before move 25. Classify the causes: opening memory, tactics missed, or time trouble.
- Solve 20 intermediate-level puzzles daily focusing on double-attack and back-rank motifs (those occur often in your PGNs).
- Play three 10|5 games per session to slow down and verbalise plans after every opponent move.
6. At-a-glance performance
Keep embracing your creative flair, but anchor it with sound structure and clock control. Small improvements there will push you well past the 1900 barrier. Good luck, and see you at the board!