Gazapo’s beginner study plan

Hi everyone! I'm starting my first chess training plan on monday. I’ve been playing for a while, but this is the first time I want to take it seriously (without losing the enjoyment).

Ratings:

• Daily: 1029
• Blitz: 598
• Rapid: 895
• Puzzles: 1416

Within the plan, when the chess.com lessons (45') take place, I will replace them with the book "Tratado General de Ajedrez" by Roberto Grau.

Day one:

• Daily game:

I am playing this game. I only carry 7 moves, but I think I’m much better than my opponent. I see a lot of black mistakes.

• 5 puzzles (3/5):

 I’ve had two miscalculations. One of them when choosing between eating with the Queen or the pawn; and, the other one, an endgame King and pawn Vs King and Bishop.

• Rapid game (15'+10"): Defeat.

Positive note: the opening went well and I reached a position with plenty of play.

Aspect to improve: a senseless attack that makes me lose material and the game.

Day 2:

• Daily game: the rival of yesterday has not played me, so I have created four more games to have to choose in this section.
• 5 puzzles (4/5):

One mistake when seeing the best defensive move.

• Rapid game (15'+10"): Win.

Positive note: good handling of knight (strong knight on d5)

Aspect to improve: have more peace of mind when playing. Especially when choosing the best move.

have more peace of mind when playing. Especially when choosing the best move.

OH Yeah! I could 100% do better with this. Its a big focus of mine! 

Day 3:

• Daily game: I keep progressing in the five games created (one move per day)
• 5 puzzles (5/5):

No mistake today .

• Blitz (5+5): 3 win / 1 draw.

Positive note: every time I see the tactics better.

Aspect to improve: to improve the endgames. Time constraints make a winning game end in draw.

I think everyone has this problem haha but we will improve!!!

Do you have a favorite puzzle of the 5 you did? Would be cool if you posted one here for us to check out. 

This was the one I spent the most time thinking about!

(https://www.chess.com/puzzles/problem/1066420)

I guess the answer is something like Ke7 with the idea that we are going to sac our rook for the pawn on a2 and eventually queen our g pawn? If black keeps giving checks, we can go hide on our king on h7 or h8 where the king supports our pawn so the rook is free to keep an eye on black's passed pawn?

I pasted the diagram wrong:

White moved Kc8. We play with black! haha

My move was a1=D and finally I was left with rook against pawn.

Day 4:

• Daily game: I keep progressing in the five games created (one move per day)

• 5 puzzles (4/5):

I failed a very easy problem. Mate in 1 with the Queen.

• Rapid game (15+10): I won very easily.

Positive note: I see well the tactic that allows me to win piece..

Aspect to improve: not be afraid to change the queen with material advantage

Nice game! He sure gave a lot of pieces Nice job spotting all your chances! 

Curious what move you played instead for that puzzle? i always have to remind myself to look at every single capture and check before I decide on a move no matter how stupid the capture or check looks. 

Qf3+, or something like that... I don't remember haha

Weekly summary

From now on, I will only do a weekly summary of my progress for time reasons.

• Daily game: 1029 ---> 1039 (+10)

I’ve only finished one game. Won very easily.

• Puzzles: 1416 ---> 1555 (+139)

25/35 (71% of hits).

Failure for misscalculation and for not thinking well the moves.

• Rapid: 895 ---> 914 (+19)

3W / 2L

Positive note: I have well assimilated the principles of openings.

Aspect to improve: Don’t play so fast.

• Blitz: 598 ---> 648 (+50)

3W / 1D

Positive note: every time I see the tactics better.

Aspect to improve: to improve the endgames. Time constraints make a winning game end in draw.

Great results so far! Are you using Silman's Endgame Course?

Yes! I started today with the five basic endgames. I already knew them, but I want to go step by step with the plan.

That's smart! I really like Silman's endgame book. I think it's his best book by a large margin.

Do you know any endgame exercise book?

This book is quite good: 

https://www.amazon.com/Chess-Endgame-Exercise-Book/dp/1911465597/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2M6XPTE15202&keywords=endgame+exercise+book&qid=1673878761&sprefix=endgame+exercise+book%2Caps%2C338&sr=8-4

Fantastic! Thank you very much! 👏👏