--------------- MAY 2023 GAMES ---------------
I have begun this blog to track my progress, thought process, style of play, and to share with anyone interested in my games of chess. This blog will help me to find my common errors and mistakes in my chess gameplay along with showing you how I got into certain positions. I modeled this blog after @Giasira forum posts in which he tracked his progress from 1482 to 1600 rapid on chess.com.
My plan from, 8/3/2021, onward is to follow my progress to the chess Expert level at 2000 Rapid Elo. Unsurprisingly, life can throw you curveballs and so while it would be great to reach expert level by 2024, I do not expect it to happen by then given my study habits lately.
To maximize my learning and improvement while also saving myself time, I am going to make the most of every single game that I play by only playing 10 minute to 60 minute long games and analyzing them after they conclude. This will help me find my errors, track my progress, and see tangible evidence of my long-term improvement. Off we go!
I will be playing my games in the following format set up by @Giasira:
1. Eliminate horrible blunders, such as leaving pieces en prise, falling for obvious skewers, dangerous pins, forks and "mates out of the blue". Win, lose or draw is not the important part here, I just want to practice good chess habits and learn how to play patiently and solidly. If I lose I want it to be because I got thoroughly outplayed, not because I gave up something for free. At least this way I can go through my loss and learn something more productive than "I shouldn't have left that piece undefended"
2. Don't play when tired or distracted. Chess time will be "tunnel time", during that time it will be my sole focus. I am going to set aside time specifically for that purpose. I will warm up with some tactics puzzles, and if I'm so tired or distracted that I can't solve any of them then I'm probably better off doing something else than chess at that time.
3. Analyze every game. By forcing myself to analyze every game, I am forcing myself to learn from every game. If it is a particularly instructional game, or the opening catches me off guard or the endgame is completely unfamiliar or something like that, I will do a deeper analysis. I will study the unfamiliar opening or the particular endgame, to be better prepared in the future.
Game 1
White
"New Peak Rapid Rating -> 1823!"
Accuracy: 85.9 - 77.4
Performance: 2100 - 1850
Horrible Blunders: 2 Move 27. Rc5 was a major oversight of my weak back rank. The other big blunder was just hanging a knight for nothing on move 30! Even 1800-rated players can hang pieces randomly!
Best Move: 32. Bf1 is the move that I feel was my best in this game, as it led to the winning endgame. The computer lists 10. Bc1 as my best move because it was the only good defensive move. I do somewhat agree, but it's not like that move won the game or anything. Just was a good defensive move.
Note 1: Just having confidence going into games and simply playing chess has been working wonders for me. Ignore your opponent's "prestige" and just play some chess!
Game 2
Black
"Kingside Assault Leads to Disaster"
Accuracy: 71.5 - 81.3
Performance: 1700 - 1950
Horrible Blunders: N/A Text.
Best Move: N/A Text.
Note 1: Text
Game 3
Black
"I Did Not Just Do That... >:/"
Accuracy: 82.1 - 91.8
Performance: 2000 - 2300
Horrible Blunders: N/A Text.
Best Move: N/A Text.
Note 1: Text.
Game 4
White
"Pushing Higher"
Accuracy: 93.0 - 90.3
Performance: 2450 - 2300
Horrible Blunders: N/A Text.
Best Move: N/A Text.
Note 1: Now sitting at 1841 rapid and only 159 points away from the elusive 2000 rapid rating! Moves feel to be coming more naturally now that I am playing more rapid games each week, and I think my playing level is improving because of it. My time management has been better overall (a few slip-ups such as in this game) which helps me perform better in complicated endgames.
