Accomplishments And Celebrations

Got back up to 2000 rated puzzles *again*. Rapid has still been up and down though.

Tilted back down to 1400 but I did get to 1500 in bullet

So, I had been quite inactive and decided to grind a bit back again, I got called a cheater like 4 times :) (best compliment there is). Got back to my old peak and feel I play much better than before, it felt really easy compared to before!

I was paired with a a titled player for the first time in quick play today. I won! Here is the game

I had 3 brilliant moves in a row!! 

The game was unrated and against a much lower rated opponent, but still it's not every year I get 3 brilliants in a row.

I just completed both of my rating goals for this year, 1900 puzzles and 1100 rapid. I had hit each one independently, but today I have them both together (after losing rating and gaining it back).

I didn’t play OTB chess for over two months, and I came back to chess a month ago. I joined a rapid tournament with a really big prize pool, and I didn’t expect anything, I didn’t even prepare anything at all, no new openings, I barely did puzzles, and I didn’t open a single chess book.

But I guess it’s the lack of stress that really helped me. I went undefeated in the tournament — 4 wins, 2 draws. I ended up second in my grade and bagged 350$. This is my biggest payout yet, and I didn’t even try as hard as my previous tournaments.

Before this tournament I was so anxious about my openings. I didn’t change anything about my repertoire, still rock the Bird’s Opening. And yet, I destroyed my opponents with the Bird — one game, I sacked my rook for mate, the other, I got every single pieces and all of my kingside pawns involved for a devastating attack, which got me the final placement.

I’m just so happy. I’m not that bad at chess after all.

And now, I reached 1500 28 days ago…

BUT IM 1700!!!!!!!!!!

Finally check mated Juan. He's been the toughest opponent so far!

I hit 1400 rapid.

I won against a new highest (950 rapid) with a checkmate that contained a brilliant queen sac. I also am beating a lot more 900 elos lately. I suprisingly also saw mate in 10 once that contained a rook sacrifice.

I hit 1500 rapid.

Decided to lock in and went from 1800 to 1900 bullet in one day

Finally at 2549 after tilting to 2350.

After 8 months at chess.com, -and dropping to 200 first - I finally reach 1000 elo! Next target? 1400!

I beat a 900

I got back to my rapid peak of 1734 that I had back in January (1-3). So nice to be back and now I will be pushing to 1800 harder than ever! I can feel that I'm playing much more consistent and I'm seeing things a bit better too. Playing rated games on the weekends (and sometimes Friday afternoon) when I have more time and aren't stressed has definitely helped, and I'm playing into my style a lot more. Here I come, rating ladder!

I'm finally above 2000 in all 3 time controls!