Richard Leyva Proenza IM

Overview — recent form and momentum

Nice run lately: your rating has jumped (about +107 in the last month and +213 over six months) and your Strength-Adjusted Win Rate is strong (~0.72). You're converting advantages and putting opponents under pressure — keep riding that momentum.

• Recent wins include good handling of the Sicilian and Ruy Lopez structures — see the game viewer below to replay your last win.
• Your positional sense and ability to simplify into winning endgames are clear strengths right now.

Replay your most recent win

Study the flow: you neutralized kingside threats, activated rooks, and forced simplifications at the right time.

Open the game and step through candidate moves to see where your opponent cracked.

• Game viewer:
• Opening: Sicilian Defense — you handled the structure well, kept the center under control and used rook activity to turn the tide.

What you're doing well

• Converting advantages: you simplify into favorable endgames or trade into positions where your active rooks and connected pawns matter.
• Piece activity: you look for active squares (rook lifts, rook to the g-file) rather than passive defense — that creates practical problems for opponents.
• Opening variety and results: you score very well in several systems (Ruy Lopez closed, Sicilian, Benko, Center Game) — your repertoire is working.
• Time resilience: you consistently finish games and convert wins under rapid time controls — good practical clock handling.

Recurring issues to clean up

These are relatively small and fixable. Focus on them and your win rate will climb further.

• Occasional loose pieces / hanging tactics: double-check your piece safety before committing. Ask: "Is anything undefended or can be forked?" (think "Loose Piece" / "En prise").
• King exposure in tactical middlegames: when you attack, also ask what counterplay your opponent has — watch for sacrifices or pins that open lines to your king.
• Calculation under pressure: in complex tactical moments you sometimes opt for simplifying trades without calculating a couple of forced replies. Spend one extra second to visualize key forcing sequences.
• Opening move-order clarity: in some Sicilian/Anti-Sicilian positions your opponent got active counterplay. Tighten your move order and review one or two sharp lines you play most often.

Concrete drills — what to practice this week

• Tactics: 15–20 tactical puzzles daily (focus on forks, pins, and back-rank motifs). Make the puzzles timed to mimic rapid pressure.
• Endgames: 3 short rook endgame drills per week (basic Lucena/Ramirez ideas and king + pawn races). Convert simple advantages smoothly.
• Opening review: pick your top 2 openings (for you: Sicilian Defense and Ruy Lopez) and learn typical middlegame plans, not just moves — 20–30 minutes, 3× per week.
• Blunder check routine: before every move in critical positions, run a quick three-question checklist: "Which pieces are hanging?", "Are there checks or captures?", "What is my opponent threatening next?"

Short post-game checklist (3 items)

• Identify the turning point: one move where the evaluation changed (either your best or your opponent's mistake).
• Find the tactical idea you or they missed — solve it as a puzzle right after the game.
• Save one note to your opening file: a new plan, a pawn structure, or a move to add to your repertoire.

Game-specific quick notes

• Against greekgiftnoob: you calmly parried an attack and then used a rook lift to chase the bishop and force a simplification. Good recognition of when to trade pieces and neutralize counterplay.
• In the Ruy Lopez win you exploited open files and used active queen/rook coordination to create decisive threats — keep practicing rook activity on the 7th and open files.
• In a couple of Sicilian wins your opponent weakened with pawn pushes that you punished by opening lines. Continue studying pawn breaks and how to take advantage of overextended pawns.

Three priorities for the next month

• Fix “loose piece” moments: daily tactics + a blunder-check routine during games.
• Make your opening plans more automatic: 2 focused opening study sessions each week (ideas and plans, not only variations).
• Endgame polish: weekly rook endgame practice so you convert advantages faster and avoid unnecessary complications.

Final coaching note

You have clear upward momentum and good practical instincts. If you tidy up the small tactical slips and make a short, consistent study plan (tactics + targeted opening + one endgame theme), your rating gains this month should be repeatable. Great work — keep the discipline and review one lost game per day.

• Want a 4-week plan I can write for you (daily schedule + resources)? Reply "4-week plan" and I’ll prepare one tailored to your openings and time available.