Coach Chesswick
Hi WetDomino – Coaching Feedback
1. Quick Snapshot
Your live-rapid rating is climbing steadily (current peak: 1120 (2023-04-13)). The graphs below show when you score best; notice the dip in the late-evening hours.
2. What You’re Doing Well
- Fast development & open games. In several wins you reached castling by move 10 and already had rooks connected (e.g. the Bishop’s Opening win vs. evgeniysin).
- Initiative-seeking attitude. Gambits such as 1…e5 against 1.d4 (Englund Gambit) show you’re willing to unbalance positions and make opponents solve problems.
- Tactical eye. You spot forks, pins and mating nets—see the miniature finish 16…Qxg2# in the game below: .
- Endgame conversion. The long K+R vs K endgame versus amanydv05 was played methodically; you triangulated and forced promotion.
3. Main Improvement Areas
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King safety in French-type structures.
In the loss to donking15 you allowed 8.Qh5+ followed by 9.Qf7+; your king walked to d6 and the position collapsed.
• Avoid playing …f6 early in the Advance French; try the main line 3…c5 4.c3 Nc6.
• When you do play …f6, be ready for the forcing check sequence ( Qh5+ / Qf7+). Study the concept of the “poisoned f-pawn” and related king hunts. -
Over-reliance on the Nd4 fork.
Many games feature …Nd4 hitting queen & bishop. Opponents will prepare: 9.Qd1 in your win, and 9.Qe3! in your loss to bigbrando. Mix in other ideas (…Be7, …Be6, or …g6 setups) so you’re less predictable. -
Clock management.
Two recent losses were on time while still ahead materially. You tend to go below 30 seconds around move 30. Train increment blitz (3 + 2) to practice playing solid moves quickly. Use pre-moves in forced recaptures and avoid “analysis paralysis” in won endings. -
Handling symmetrical d4-e3 systems.
Against 1.d4 d5 2.e3 you often choose …Nc6 + …e5, which can leave the d5-pawn undefended. Consider the simple QGD setup: …Nf6, …e6, …c5 (or …c6) and develop normally.
4. Opening Repertoire Suggestions
| As White | As Black |
|---|---|
|
• Replace early Qf3/Qh5 ideas with sound lines: Italian (Bc4 & Nf3), or Colle-Zukertort for d4. • Study the first 10 moves of the London to gain a solid fallback system. |
• Versus 1.e4: keep 1…e5 but learn the Two Knights Defense so you meet Ng5 with 5…Na5 or 5…d5, not 5…Be6 which weakens f7. • Versus 1.d4: try the Queen’s Gambit Accepted; it matches your tactical style yet is safer than the Englund. |
5. Training Plan (Next 2 Weeks)
- 10 minutes of tactics daily (theme: back-rank mate & interference).
- Play 15 games of 5 + 5 focusing only on clock discipline—auto-queen, pre-move recaptures.
- Review three master games in the Italian and QGA; annotate moves 1–15 to build opening patterns.
- Endgame drill: K+P vs K conversions until you win 10 in a row against the computer.
6. Final Thoughts
Your creativity and fighting spirit already give you an edge in this rating range. Shore up the king-safety lapses and time-trouble habits, and 700+ is within reach very soon. Keep the board messy—but keep the king safe!