Coach Chesswick
Hi Richard, here is some constructive feedback based on your latest games
1. Big-picture strengths
- Fighting spirit: Several of your wins were secured despite messy positions or material deficits. Your willingness to look for chances pays off, especially in time scrambles.
- Opening variety: You comfortably handle both 1.e4 and 1.d4 positions and are not afraid of off-beat systems (e.g. the Nimzowitsch Defence with …Nc6).
- Practical time handling: You often reach move 30 with more than a minute on the clock—this is a real asset in 3 | 0 blitz.
2. Recurring issues & quick fixes
| Theme | Example move-sequence | Coaching tip |
|---|---|---|
| Lost tempi in the opening | 1.d4 Nc6 2.Nf3 Nb8 (loss vs Ric Flair) | Either commit to the Chigorin (…d5 …Nc6) or play a mainstream defence. Retreating the same piece wastes two tempi and cedes the centre. |
| Undeveloped kingside when pushing pawns | 4.a4, 7.h5, 8.Nd5 before castling (multiple QGA losses) | Follow the classic rule: “push two pawns, develop two pieces”. After c4–e4 you need Nf3/Bc4 or Nc3/Bg2 before starting further pawn storms. |
| Blind spots on the a7-g1 & h2-b8 diagonals | …Qb6–d4+ (loss vs HikiNaka) • …Qe3 (loss vs Logman74) | Add one “king-safety scan” to every calculation: look for queen+bishop batteries on those long diagonals. |
| Conversion in won endgames | 68-move win vs lepolatupukki ended on time, not by force | Practise technical rook endings. Drill basic Lucena & Philidor positions for fast conversion. |
3. Opening priorities for the next two weeks
- As Black vs 1.d4: Build a dependable line. If you like …Nc6 play the full Chigorin: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6; otherwise pick the Queen’s Gambit Declined. Memorise one main line five moves deep and play it for 30 games.
- As White in the QGA: Your 3.e4!? lines are fun but leave pieces undeveloped. Study the “quiet” 3.Nf3 / 4.e3 model games of Capablanca—then re-introduce gambits once the positional patterns feel natural.
- Nimzowitsch Defence vs 1.e4: The early …f5 idea scored well (see your win vs GFernandez1). Keep it, but add a safety check: castle before …h5/…h4 pushes in games longer than bullet.
4. Middlegame & tactical training
- Spend 15-20 min/day on mixed tactics rated >2000. Many of your losses came from single-move oversights rather than deep combinations.
- Review each game once with a low-depth engine (no more than 10 ply). Label turning points as “Green” (you found the right plan) or “Red” (missed resource). Aim for two fewer “Reds” every ten games.
- Add one strategic theme each week—start with weak_color_complex and outpost.
5. Time-management checklist
Before you hit Confirm on any move while above 20 s:
- What changed in the last move? (threats, hanging pieces)
- Can I improve king safety this move?
- Do I have a simple move that keeps the edge?
6. Suggested measurable goals
- Push your 2674 (2025-02-10) to +50 within 90 days.
- Reach ≥65 % accuracy in the Chess.com post-game report in 60 % of your next 50 blitz games.
- Finish at least 10 games per week that reach an endgame phase (both sides ≤2 pieces + king). Record and annotate them.
7. Progress trackers
Use the built-in dashboards to visualise your improvement:
Overall activity –
| Consistency by day –Good luck, Richard! Keep the games coming, and feel free to share any positions that puzzle you.