Arnel Sadiwa

Quick summary

Nice fighting spirit in your recent rapid set — you converted a bold sacrifice and kept pressure after winning, but a few early pawn moves and some tactical oversights cost you in other games. Below I highlight the concrete positives to keep using, the recurring weaknesses to fix, and a short, practical training plan you can start tomorrow.

Key instructive game (win)

Good example of active play and direct attacking sense. You sacrificed on f7 to open the king, followed the attack with precise queen checks and rook activity until the opponent cracked.

• Opponent: hamadasaidi
• Opening: Italian Game (C50)
• Replay the critical sequence below to study the sacrifice and follow‑up:

Interactive replay (quick review):

What you're doing well

• Active attacking sense — you spot and execute sacrifices (the f7 idea) and then follow up accurately with checks and piece coordination.
• Queen and rook coordination — after the tactic you bring heavy pieces quickly to decisive squares instead of drifting.
• Opening preparation in your favorite systems — you have lines you know well and often reach playable middlegames where you can outplay opponents.

Recurring weaknesses to fix

• Premature pawn moves that weaken king safety — an early f6 / f-pawn push without completing development frequently creates holes and targets. In the Scotch game the pawn push opened lines against your king; avoid weakening the back rank/king shelter early.
• Calculation in sharp early positions — when a forcing capture or exchange is available, pause and calculate at least two replies deep (your best games are the ones where you force lines; the losses happen when you don’t fully calculate opponent replies).
• Trade decisions — sometimes you allow counterplay by handing back material (or leaving opponent activity). When ahead in material after an attack, prioritize simplifying when it safely removes opponent threats.
• Consistent endgame sharpening — several games reached simplified positions where technique could be improved (rook endgames and king activity).

Short practical plan (start this week)

Actions you can do in 30–60 minutes per day that will move the needle:

• Daily tactics: 12–20 mixed tactics focusing on pins, forks, discovered checks and back‑rank themes. Aim for accuracy, not speed. Record patterns you miss.
• Opening checklist: pick 2 reliable lines (one as White, one as Black). For each, write down the typical pawn structures and 3 common plans for the middlegame. Example: if you play the Italian Game, rehearse the f7-sacrifice motif and the central pawn trades.
• One game review per day: pick a recent loss/win, identify the critical moment (one move), and find a better alternative. Use the "what changed in the position?" question to guide analysis.
• Endgame micro‑session twice a week: five practical rook endgames and two king+pawn vs king positions. Learn the basic winning plans and drawing techniques.

Longer term improvements (4–8 weeks)

• Build a small opening repertoire (3–4 reliable replies) so you reach middlegames you understand without guessing — your opening performance shows strong areas in English systems; keep and refine the lines that score well for you.
• Structured blunder check: in every game, before moving, ask "Is any piece hanging? Any tactical check or capture for opponent?" This habit alone reduces blunders massively.
• Play focused training matches: 10 rapid games where you deliberately avoid one recurring mistake (e.g., no early f-pawn moves unless fully prepared).

Mini checklist for your next rapid game

• Move 1–6: finish development & castle before launching kingside pawns or creating pawn weaknesses.
• If you consider a sacrifice, verify the forcing line for at least three replies (your best sac games were the ones you forced).
• When ahead in material, simplify cautiously — reduce opponent counterplay first, then convert.
• 60 seconds left: switch to practical play — avoid risky complications you haven't calculated.

Immediate homework (15–30 minutes)

• Replay your f7 sacrifice game and find the single moment the opponent could have defended better. Try to understand why your follow‑up worked.
• Replay the Scotch loss: ask yourself whether f6 was necessary. Find a safer developing alternative (for example a knight move or quick castling).
• 10 tactics from motif: "weak king due to pawn move" and 10 from "back rank & pins".

Next steps & placeholders

When you want, send one game (PGN or link) you felt confused about and I’ll do a short, move-by-move commentary focusing on the turning point. For now, review the win above with the embedded replay and then try 5 rapid games applying the checklist.

• Opponent from loss you can review: lpaalvim
• Opening to study next: Scotch Game (for the loss) and deepen the Italian Game line you used to win.

Closing encouragement

You have clear strengths — tactical vision and an eye for direct attacks. Tidy up a few recurring decision errors (early pawn pushes, incomplete calculation, and conversion technique) and you’ll convert many more of those winning positions. Small disciplined daily habits (focused tactics + one game review) will bring fast improvement.