Hi RobertoFava!
Great job staying active and keeping your rating around the 1200 mark. Your recent French-Defense victories and tactical knock-outs (for example 9.Nxf7!! in the Modern) show that you can spot themes quickly and aren’t afraid to calculate. Below is some targeted feedback aimed at turning a solid 1200 into a confident 1400.
1. What you already do well
- Early activity with minor pieces. You frequently play Bg5/Bb5, pinning and creating pressure straight out of the opening.
- Tactical alertness. Tactics like 9.Nxf7, 25.Ne6+ and rook lifts (Rh6, Rb7+) show you are looking for forcing moves.
- Comfortable with both colours. You willingly play 1.e4, but also handle the Black side of the French, Pirc and Scandinavian, giving you variety.
2. Key areas to improve
2.1 King safety & pawn structure
Your losses often start with an unsafe king or loosened pawn cover. In the game against holacomolesba a single tempo loss with 12.Nh2 allowed …Nxd4 and …Nf3+ to rip open your king. Practice defensive tactics and watch for pawn grabs that weaken dark/light squares around your monarch.
2.2 Over-pushing “winning” positions
In the B22 French (…h5/h4 rook endgame) you had full equality, but kept expanding pawns instead of consolidating. Learn to convert small advantages by exchanging attackers and improving worst-placed pieces before starting new pawn storms.
2.3 Endgame conversion
The rook endgame versus swiney007 collapsed because you allowed the b-pawn to run. Review basic rook endgame rules (activate king first, create passed pawn second, cut the enemy king with the rook).
2.4 Calculation depth
When you spot a tactic, give yourself one extra ply to be sure there isn’t a reply you missed. The diagram below shows the critical moment of the Scandinavian loss: one extra move of calculation would reveal that 14…Nf3+ is unstoppable after your queen steps aside.
3. Opening recommendations
- As White: Keep 1.e4. Instead of the “system” Be2 lines vs the Scandinavian/French, pick one sharp line and memorize the first 8-10 moves. Example: French Tarrasch (3.Nd2) or Advance (3.e5) – both fit your style.
- As Black vs 1.e4: Your French is fine, but study typical plans after 3.Nd2 and 3.Nc3 so you are not surprised. A short repertoire video or book chapter is enough.
- Against 1.d4/1.Nf3: Reti/Dutch structures gave you trouble. Consider learning a simple Queen’s Gambit Declined set-up (…d5, …e6, …Nf6, …Be7, …0-0) to cut down on improvisation.
4. Training plan (6-week challenge)
- Daily tactics: 20 minutes of mixed puzzles focusing on motifs like forks, pins and the zwischenzug.
- Endgame slot: Twice a week, play the “rook + 4 vs rook + 4” endgame against the computer until you convert both sides flawlessly.
- Opening fixes: Each weekend, add one new sub-variation to your personal repertoire notebook.
- Self-review: Right after each game, tag the one move you consider the turning point; run the engine later to confirm.
- Play schedule: Limit yourself to three 5|5 or 3|2 games per session; analyse before queuing the next. Your peaks and dips can be monitored here: and .
5. Quick reference cheat-sheet
- When ahead material: Exchange pieces (not pawns), centralise king, avoid pawn weaknesses.
- When behind material: Keep pieces, seek activity, look for forcing tactics, target the enemy king or back rank (back-rank checkmate).
- 30-second rule: Any time you think “I’m winning,” spend at least 30 s double-checking opponent resources.
6. Motivation corner
Your attacking flair is your super-power. Add defensive discipline and endgame technique, and 1400+ is well within reach. Your current personal best is 1367 (2018-11-19) – let’s aim to beat it before the end of the season!
Good luck, have fun, and keep those tactics flowing 🔥.