Coach Chesswick
Quick summary
Nice cluster of games — you’re comfortable in sharp, unbalanced positions and you convert tactical chances quickly. A few recurring patterns cost you losses (kingside pawn storms and back‑rank / mating nets). Below are focused, practical fixes you can apply right away in bullet.
Games to review
Start with the mate game vs EinPassaaaaaaant — it shows the main problem clearly (your king left exposed while the opponent’s passed pawn/promotions and queen checks crushed you). Open it in the mini viewer below and replay the key sequence from move 16 onward.
- Live opponent: EinPassaaaaaaant
- Opening to note: East
- Interactive replay:
What you’re doing well
- You punish overambitious pawn pushes (the early g4/h4 storms from opponents) — your tactical reactions to capture and then reclaim initiative are strong.
- You convert material and create decisive threats quickly once you gain the initiative — good instincts for simplification when ahead.
- Your opening choices produce asymmetrical positions where you thrive — keep those lines in your toolkit in bullet.
Recurring issues & immediate fixes
- King safety after pawn captures: when you capture on g4 (or when the opponent opens the h‑file), check: can your king be chased with checks or does the opponent have a quick queen infiltration? If yes, trade queens or keep a blocking pawn/knight available before grabbing material.
- Allowing a passed pawn to run: in longer games you let a pawn storm promote — identify and block passed pawn routes early (use a king or rook to blockade; don’t race pawns if you can stop promotion cheaply).
- Back‑rank & mating nets: many bullet mates come from back‑rank or repeated checks. Give your king luft (a quick pawn move or knight lift) and avoid lining up rooks on the 1st/8th rank without escape squares.
- Passive piece placement: you sometimes retreat into cramped positions (bishops stuck, rooks inactive). When under attack pick one active plan: trade an attacking piece, or reroute a piece to the kingside to help defend.
- Premoves & time play: use pre-moves only in forced recaptures or obvious replies. In chaotic positions (attacks/promotions) slow down one extra click — the saving move often appears in that second of thought.
Concrete training plan (7 days)
- Days 1–3 (10–15 min): tactical puzzles focused on mating nets, forks and back‑rank scenarios. Aim for pattern recognition, not just speed.
- Days 4–5 (10 min): quick endgame drills — king & pawn promotion defense and rook+king vs lone king basics. Practice blocking passed pawns.
- Days 6–7 (15–20 min): play 5–10 rapid (3+0) games focusing on one objective: king safety or active rooks. After each game, note one move that changed the evaluation and why.
Bullet‑specific checklist (in-game)
- Before capturing a pawn that opens a file toward your king, ask: “Does this create checks or a queen route?” If yes, don’t take it yet.
- When opponent pushes h/g pawns, consider timely trades (queen or minor piece) to reduce attacking potential.
- Keep a square for king escape (create luft) whenever possible — one pawn move is cheap insurance.
- Use premoves for obvious recaptures only. Avoid auto‑premoves when the position can change with one check or intermediate move.
Next steps I can help with
- I can annotate that loss move‑by‑move if you want — say “annotate loss” and I’ll mark critical mistakes and alternatives.
- If you want, I’ll build a 30‑day drill plan tailored to your opening preferences and the specific tactical patterns you’re facing.
- Want a short video‑style explanation? Ask for “coach voice notes” and I’ll produce a tight, 3–5 minute step plan you can follow during practice.
Parting note
You already have strong instincts and convert well — tighten king safety and pass‑pawn defense and your bullet losses will drop quickly. If you want, tell me which game (win/loss/draw) to deep‑annotate and I’ll do a move‑by‑move coach review.