Roberto Lopez

Hi Roberto (“RoLoSa”) – Feedback From Your Coach

Your recent games show solid progress: you’ve gone from hanging pieces regularly to putting together attacking ideas that deliver checkmate (see move 40 of your Philidor win
). The momentum is there—let’s channel it!

1. What You’re Doing Well

• Tactical Vision: You spot loose pieces and mating nets (e.g., 29.Qa7+  in the QGD Chigorin game and 32.Rxf7+ in your QGD loss attempt).
• Active King Safety Awareness (as Black): In several Philidor games you castle quickly and keep your rook pair connected.
• Resilience in Practical Play: Many wins come from out-playing opponents in time trouble or complicated positions—good fighting spirit.

2. Highest Priorities to Improve

1. Development Before Pawn Grabs.
    Example: In the loss to imlaaz you played 15.Rfb1 & 16.Rb5 before your light-squared bishop left c1; Black seized the initiative.
    Rule of thumb: If two pieces aren’t developed, avoid second-move rook adventures.
2. Calculate Checks, Captures & Threats Every Move.
   Most of your decisive blunders are one-move tactics (e.g., 37…c4?? in the Bb2 Larsen game allowed 38.Qh7#). Before playing, quickly scan forcing moves—this habit alone could add 100+ rating points.
3. Endgame Technique.
   Games vs. jojotayong and FFleischer19 reached winning pawn endgames but took many extra moves. Study basic king-and-pawn and rook endgames 15 minutes a day.
4. Time Management.
   You usually enter move 20 with <2 minutes. Try the “30-10-10” rule to keep 1 minute in reserve for every 10 moves.

3. Opening Guide

Your current repertoire is narrow—mostly 1.d4/2.e3 as White and the Philidor as Black. That’s fine, but apply core principles:

• Stop playing h6 on move 3 in the Philidor; it wastes a tempo and weakens g6. Try the main line: 3…Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7.
• With White, the “Colle-Zukertort” setup (d4–e3–Nf3–Bd3–b3–Bb2) fits your style and avoids early piece trades.
• Memorisation isn’t needed; understand ideas: center control, rapid development, safe king.

4. Middlegame Themes To Practice

• Minor-Piece Imbalances: In multiple games you swapped a strong knight for a bad bishop (e.g., 15.Nxd5? vs. Mandar_Sawant). Before exchanging ask: “What does my piece do in five moves?”
• Open Files for Rooks: Your best attacks (Philidor wins) came when doubled rooks hit the e- or h-file. Make it a goal each game: “Open one file for my rooks by move 20.”

5. Endgame Checklist

Use this whenever queens are off:

1. Activate king (center it).
2. Put rooks behind passed pawns (Tarrasch rule).
3. Create passed pawn on the side where you’re stronger.

6. Training Plan (4 Weeks)

7. Motivational Snapshot

• Current blitz peak: 1331 (2017-12-28)
• Activity pattern:
• Best tactical performance hour:

8. Quick Tips Before You Play

1. Warm-up with three tactics puzzles.
2. Write a mini-plan after move 10 (even mentally): “Finish development, target e6” etc.
3. When under attack, use the DEF method: Deflect (trade attackers), Evade (king safety), Fight back (counter-threat).

Keep grinding, Roberto! Your tactical eye already wins games. Combine it with consistent development and endgame fundamentals and you’ll break 1000+ in no time.

Coach