Allen Adams

Hi Allen! 👍 Here’s a focused review of your recent rapid games.

What you’re already doing well

• Tactical eye: In your win vs. madmonday1 you found the tricky 20.d8=Q! and followed up with a neat mating net. Your ability to spot forcing moves is a clear strength.
• Initiative-first mindset: You rarely shy away from pawn breaks (e.g., early g- and h-pawn storms). Keeping your opponent under pressure pays off when the tactic is sound.
• Keeping your clock healthy: Most wins end with 1–2 minutes still on the clock—a good buffer for complicated positions.

Biggest improvement themes

1. Opening discipline (& pawn hygiene)
   • Several losses begin after early wing pawn pushes (a4, h4, b4) that leave holes (e.g. 9…Nc6! in the loss to Keulaiman).
   • Try a “four-move test”: if a pawn move doesn’t help control the center, develop a piece, or create a concrete threat within four moves, reconsider it.
   • Pick one main answer with each color and build a light repertoire. E.g., as White: 1.d4 with a London / Colle structure; as Black: reply to 1.e4 with the Caro-Kann which you’ve handled well.
   tempo
2. Central tension & decision making
   • In the loss to Keulaiman you exchanged on d4 and d5 too quickly, ceding the e-file. Pause and ask “Who benefits if the center opens right now?” A 5-second blunder check can save 50 rating points.
   
   shows how your pieces suddenly lacked squares.
3. Endgame conversion
   • You reach won endgames (see your win vs. Remy_rve) but sometimes drift when queens come off. Ten minutes with the “Silman 100-Endgame quiz” each day will raise your technique fast.
   • Drill rook + pawn vs. rook and minor-piece endings. They occur often in your score-sheet.
4. King safety & piece coordination
   • In several defeats you castle late and your queen enters the fray before knights/bishops are connected (e.g., 7…Qf4 in the Alekhine loss).
   • Make it a habit: Castle → connect rooks → only then launch queen. Run your games through an engine and mark every move where your king is still in the center after move 10. back rank

Quick homework plan (30-40 min / session)

1. 10 min: Opening rehearsal with flashcards (common traps & move orders in your chosen lines).
2. 15 min: Tactics (rating-adjusted puzzles; stop when you miss two in a row).
3. 5 min: Micro-endgame drill (tablebase practice).
4. 10 min: Self-review of one game; write one sentence per critical mistake and how to avoid it.

Useful snapshots

Peak rapid rating: 401 (2025-05-13)

Mindset reminders

• “When in doubt, improve the worst-placed piece.”
• Give every opponent respect—but not too much respect. Play your plan.
• Review wins and losses; your attacking victories hide instructive near-misses too.

Keep the energy and creativity, Allen! A bit more structure will push you through the 1300-1400 rapid barrier quickly. Let’s aim for +100 rating points over the next 30 days.