Coach Chesswick
Hi Trisno B. I., here is your personalized chess feedback
1. What you are already doing well
- Tactical eye: Many of your wins feature mating attacks that start with pawn storms (g-pawn and h-pawn pushes) or sacrifices on f7/f2. That shows good calculation skill once the position opens.
- Fighting spirit: Even in worse positions you keep looking for counter-play, and several games were saved (or won) by perpetual-check ideas or surprise mating nets in time trouble.
- Piece activity: In your victories you often seize open files with rooks, especially after trading off a flank pawn for activity. This is an advanced concept—well done.
2. Biggest growth areas
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King safety in the opening (f7/f2 weakness):
Three of the recent losses were miniature games that ended before move 12 because the f-pawn square was left undefended.
In particular, notice how quickly things went wrong here: Action plan:- When you defend 1.e4 e5, develop the knight to f6 or bishop to c5 before playing …a6.
- Ask yourself on every move: “What is my opponent threatening against f7/f2?”
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Early queen adventures & pawn grabs:
In the loss vs. dodadadodo your queen wandered to a5, b5, a6, etc., and you fell behind in development.
Principles to remember:- Try not to move the queen until at least pieces are out and king is castled.
- If you do grab a pawn, have an exit route and be ahead in development, not behind.
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Over-reliance on flank pawn pushes (…a6, …h6) in the first 5 moves:
These moves are fine later, but they do not help you fight for the centre or develop pieces. Replace them with classical developing moves: …Nf6, …Bc5, …d6 in the Italian/Spanish; …e6, …d5, …Nf6 in the Queen’s pawn games.
3. Opening menu to focus on (next two weeks)
- As White (1.e4): Consolidate the Italian / Ruy-Lopez structure you already like. Aim for: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4.
- As Black vs 1.e4: Pick one of these and stick with it for 20 games:
- Classical Italian set-up: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5.
- Or the Philidor if you prefer a solid alternative, but leave the queen at home.
- As Black vs 1.d4: Your Slav set-up is promising, but avoid the very early …Qa5+. Instead play 3…Nf6, 4…Bf5/…e6 and castle.
4. Tactical workout
Solve 15 basic mates-in-2 each day and 10 intermediate puzzles that feature forks on f7/f2. This will reinforce both offence and defence.
5. Time management tip
Your games are 10-minute rapid. Spend at least 10–15 seconds during moves 1-8 asking, “What changed? What hangs?” Slowing down in the opening will save you from early blunders.
6. Progress tracker
Come back in two weeks and check your stats:
Current personal best: 1143 (2021-07-07) – let’s beat it!
7. Final encouragement
You already demonstrate strong attacking instincts. Combine that with tighter opening fundamentals and your rating will climb quickly. Enjoy the journey, Trisno, and keep the king safe!